I was very disappointed with this episode. It was by far the worst written one yet, excluding the abomination that was episode 5. My main problem was that it feels like Tarrlok was wasted, and his defeat was very lame. I just don't understand why Tarrlok would jeopardize his career just to capture Korra. He clearly has a lot of power, so he could have easily gotten Korra arrested or something since he has more authority over her. Instead, he chooses to break the law by bloodbending her and then kidnapping her. There was literally no reason for him to engage in illegal activity when he clearly had the means to get rid of Korra legally. This just seemed like the writers needed a way for Tarrlok to be taken down. His plan after kidnapping Korra makes no sense too. Sure, blaming it on the equalists was kinda clever and will further his goals, but how did he not know it would backfire? What did he think would happen? Obviously the equalists would say "we don't have her, Tarrlok is lying," and then the blame would fall back on him. This was so unbelievably stupid of him. He's literally the only witness who can say the equalists captured Korra, so obviously the equalists would accuse him back, and suspicion would be thrown on him. Just typing this review is making me realize how flawed this is. And don't get me started on Tarrlok's angry monologue at Korra, "You're the reason I failed!" Nah bro it was your own stupid decisions and the writers wanting to get rid of you that caused you to fail.
That was my biggest gripe with the episode, but there was also some other less severe bad writing. Asami, Bolin, and Mako espacing prison was way too convenient. This character who we've barely heard of just shows up out of nowhere and frees them. Brilliant writing. What's even worse, is that none of the main characters face any consequences for leaving jail. Nope, they just continue their journey like normal. I mean, what?! This completely negates the power that we were made to believe Tarrlok had last episode. And then tenzin just doesn't care at all. He briefly asks "aren't you three supposed to be in prison?" and then he doesn't care after that. At least if their storyline after escaping prison was good, I wouldn't care as much. But instead we get more of the same love-triangle drama with Asami and Mako. Embarrassing, I couldn't care less about Asami being jealous. Korra's in danger, why should she be upset at Mako worrying about her?
Korra's flashback felt useless. Sure, it was cool to see the old gang again, but they didn't act like their old selves and didn't have any memorable moments. This flashback only served to show that Tarrlok is that crazy bloodbender's son, but it just didn't seem necessary. We didn't need like 10 minutes of the episode just to know that. I can't care about this "reveal" if I didn't even know who that bloodbender was until this episode.
Some other things that bothered me was the old lady catching Tarrlok bloodbending. Yeah of course she did, how convenient. This just makes this Tarrlok plotline even worse it just shows how careless and dumb his actions have been. Again, there was no reason for him to risk losing his position of power and bloodbend. Korra escaping was also way too easy. Of course the henchman failed to properly electrocute Korra. That was just dumb. And then Tarrlok gets his powers taken away, so the whole episode feels even more pointless cause they've been setting up his bloodbending ability like it was some crazy twist. Overall, this was just a really dumb episode. I gave it a 6 at first but after writing this review I'm realizing how bad the writing is, so I'll give it a 5. Very disappointed.
That was my biggest gripe with the episode, but there was also some other less severe bad writing. Asami, Bolin, and Mako espacing prison was way too convenient. This character who we've barely heard of just shows up out of nowhere and frees them. Brilliant writing. What's even worse, is that none of the main characters face any consequences for leaving jail. Nope, they just continue their journey like normal. I mean, what?! This completely negates the power that we were made to believe Tarrlok had last episode. And then tenzin just doesn't care at all. He briefly asks "aren't you three supposed to be in prison?" and then he doesn't care after that. At least if their storyline after escaping prison was good, I wouldn't care as much. But instead we get more of the same love-triangle drama with Asami and Mako. Embarrassing, I couldn't care less about Asami being jealous. Korra's in danger, why should she be upset at Mako worrying about her?
Korra's flashback felt useless. Sure, it was cool to see the old gang again, but they didn't act like their old selves and didn't have any memorable moments. This flashback only served to show that Tarrlok is that crazy bloodbender's son, but it just didn't seem necessary. We didn't need like 10 minutes of the episode just to know that. I can't care about this "reveal" if I didn't even know who that bloodbender was until this episode.
Some other things that bothered me was the old lady catching Tarrlok bloodbending. Yeah of course she did, how convenient. This just makes this Tarrlok plotline even worse it just shows how careless and dumb his actions have been. Again, there was no reason for him to risk losing his position of power and bloodbend. Korra escaping was also way too easy. Of course the henchman failed to properly electrocute Korra. That was just dumb. And then Tarrlok gets his powers taken away, so the whole episode feels even more pointless cause they've been setting up his bloodbending ability like it was some crazy twist. Overall, this was just a really dumb episode. I gave it a 6 at first but after writing this review I'm realizing how bad the writing is, so I'll give it a 5. Very disappointed.