Episode Synopsis: (Spoilers)
Civil Wars, Part 1
As the Southerners chafe under what they perceive as an occupation, Unalaq explains to Korra that he wants to protect the southern portal and have Korra open its northern counterpart. Varrick, whose business suffers from Unalaq's blockade, begins fomenting a revolt. Korra unsuccessfully tries to keep the peace and prevents an abduction of Unalaq by Southern rebels. As she tries to reconcile with her mother and father, Unalaq appears to arrest them. Meanwhile, at the Southern Air Temple, Ikki disappears and Tenzin, Kya, and Bumi search for her, while reminiscing about their childhood with their father Aang.Civil Wars, Part 2
After her father is sentenced to life in prison for treason, Korra discovers that Unalaq stage-managed the trial, just like Tonraq's earlier banishment, to rid himself of a rival. With the help of her friends and Varrick, Korra breaks Tonraq and other condemned rebels out of prison, also saving Bolin from a forced marriage to Unalaq's daughter Eska. She promises to seek the United Republic's support for the Southern rebellion. At the Southern Air Temple, Ikki and Tenzin each reconcile with their siblings.The Verdict:
I thought it would be better that I discuss these two episodes together rather than in two separate reviews.
Civil Wars, Part 1 continued to explore the rifts in Korra's family as Unalaq's true intentions were becoming more and more clear as the episode played out. It was becoming more painfully obvious that Korra would not be able to stay neutral in this conflict, despite of both of Unalaq and her parents' wishes. Call me nuts, but I see this playing out similarly to how Avatar Roku's life did since he was part of the Fire Nation's initial tyranny that sparked the Hundred Year War, ushered in by his former best friend, Fire Lord Sozin. This rift between these two families is slowly leading towards the same end result, with a war that the Avatar may not be able to do anything to stop from happening.
Poor, poor, Bolin. It seems he cannot catch a break when it comes to dealing with Eska (Aubrey Plaza). At every fatal turn, he is unable to shake her advances and escape her affection - if you can even call it that. No offense to Aubrey Plaza, but she always is typecast as an emotionless young woman who is typically indifferent in her actions and emotions.
Poor, poor, Bolin. It seems he cannot catch a break when it comes to dealing with Eska (Aubrey Plaza). At every fatal turn, he is unable to shake her advances and escape her affection - if you can even call it that. No offense to Aubrey Plaza, but she always is typecast as an emotionless young woman who is typically indifferent in her actions and emotions.
Civil Wars, Part 2 is where we finally saw Team Avatar properly reunited for Book Two, as Asami took part in this action-packed episode. I wouldn't be doing this review justice if I didn't mention how much I laughed at Varrick's antics throughout this episode. I didn't expect I would enjoy his character that much.
We finally got the Korra we know and loved from last season back when she chased after the judge and demanded information on her parents' trial. This scene was very reminiscent of Korra's confrontation with the Councilman Tarrlok in Book One: Air before he was revealed to be a blood-bender. Good to see that Korra is back to not taking shit from anyone instead of sitting back and crying about things out of her control.
As for Unalaq's deception, I can't say I was surprised. From the way he has been sitting on his throne as if he was Dr. Doom in Latveria, viewers couldn't help but expect he had another motive for stringing Korra along. Once again... this is coming off with a lot of been-there, done that with this plot. Unalaq and Tonraq's family rivalry is starting to sound almost identical to the one between Tarrlok and Amon in Book One: Air. I really hope they find a way to spice this up by the end of this season as it's already starting to get stale already.
I found that scene in the previous episode to be a bit uncharacteristic of Korra. Even though the moment was brief, but it exposed too much of vulnerability to Korra's character. Book One: Air established her as hot-tempered, yet strong woman, but the bulk of Book Two: Spirits has been slowly erasing that perception of her. While I understand this family dynamic is a touchy subject for Korra at this stage of her life, but Book Two: Spirits keeps painting the picture that Korra is merely an entitled spoiled brat, thanks to her status as the current Avatar.
I thought it was pretty absurd that Bolin would be taking girlfriend advice from this brother, Mako, when we all know that he couldn't break up with Asami without the beans about him having feelings about Korra coming into the limelight at the end of Book One: Air. Besides I wouldn't be taking any advice from Mako, especially as long as he has Bud Bundy (David Faustino) as his voice actor. Bolin better start heading for the hills now that he has an enraged Eska hot on his heels. Maybe Varrick can slow her down by pooping out more money...
I'm going to give Civil Wars, Part 1 a 2.5 out of 5 while Civil Wars, Part 2 earns a 2.75 out of 5.
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| "That platypus-bear is pooping money!" |
As for Unalaq's deception, I can't say I was surprised. From the way he has been sitting on his throne as if he was Dr. Doom in Latveria, viewers couldn't help but expect he had another motive for stringing Korra along. Once again... this is coming off with a lot of been-there, done that with this plot. Unalaq and Tonraq's family rivalry is starting to sound almost identical to the one between Tarrlok and Amon in Book One: Air. I really hope they find a way to spice this up by the end of this season as it's already starting to get stale already.
I found that scene in the previous episode to be a bit uncharacteristic of Korra. Even though the moment was brief, but it exposed too much of vulnerability to Korra's character. Book One: Air established her as hot-tempered, yet strong woman, but the bulk of Book Two: Spirits has been slowly erasing that perception of her. While I understand this family dynamic is a touchy subject for Korra at this stage of her life, but Book Two: Spirits keeps painting the picture that Korra is merely an entitled spoiled brat, thanks to her status as the current Avatar.
I thought it was pretty absurd that Bolin would be taking girlfriend advice from this brother, Mako, when we all know that he couldn't break up with Asami without the beans about him having feelings about Korra coming into the limelight at the end of Book One: Air. Besides I wouldn't be taking any advice from Mako, especially as long as he has Bud Bundy (David Faustino) as his voice actor. Bolin better start heading for the hills now that he has an enraged Eska hot on his heels. Maybe Varrick can slow her down by pooping out more money...
I'm going to give Civil Wars, Part 1 a 2.5 out of 5 while Civil Wars, Part 2 earns a 2.75 out of 5.
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