Republic City Dispatch

I’m not going to answer this question, but I will say this:

IF we have a BYE WEEK next weekend (for you non-sports minded people, that means a week without a new episode, which looks possible knowing what we know about the schedule), there will be a podcast regardless.

If that podcast has a guest or if that podcast will see Matt, Devindra and I discussing some of our most e-mailed/tumblr’d/tweeted fan theories I will not announce through prompt, I will announce when we know exactly what it will be.

: )

I know that’s frustrating, but we’re doing our best over here to not promise anything until we know we can deliver it.

-Da7e-

Until then, enjoy this Korra fashion design by princeruii.deviantart.com:

tracywilliams.deviantart.com

I don’t think Tarrlock gets revealed tomorrow. I think Tarrlock is revealed as evil by his character design.

BUT – What? Power isn’t enough of a motivation? It has been for all other villains ever.

-Da7e-

I think Tarrlock was the source of THAT information. 

The Satos were at Tarrlock’s little high society get together, so I don’t think they have problems knowing what the council is up to. Heck, The Fire Ferrets stormed into the Council unannounced and the council itself is in this huge building, so I’m guessing there are public sessions but I digress…

I don’t doubt that there’s a good chance the Satos aren’t 100% bad, but I’m still amazed how far people are willing to look past what we’ve learned about them in the show to make up a way for them to be sympathetic villains.

I think we’re going to get a sympathetic reversal on Amon, not the Satos. The Satos and Tarrlocks of the world are the 1% of this universe, folks. Let’s not make them good people until they’re able to give chairty without first hitting you in the face with bluntness (“I hear you’re dirt poor”) or with a moped.

-Da7e-

It seems to happen only when she gets knocked out in battle and NEVER HAPPENED before Amon knocked her out by hitting her Chi point on her forehead. 

I’m still of the opinion that Amon is trying to force her into the Avatar State and what we’re seeing might be what Aang did to bury the Avatar State deep within Korra.

I think Aang did something horrible and changed what it means to be The Avatar. Perhaps we’re already State-less and that’s going to surprise Amon as much as it surprises Korra.

We have no evidence Korra has ever accessed the Spirit World. EVER, so I don’t think she’s in contact with Aang at all at this point.

Oh Aang, you always change EVERYTHING. 

… even The Simpsons:

-Da7e-

When did I say Pema would give birth to the new Avatar? : )

If Korra dies, I think Pema would give birth to a new Korra, not a new Avatar. First because I’m not entirely convinced Korra is the Avatar (out of respect for Matt Patches) and Second because I think Amon’s plan is to kill Korra in the Avatar State, thus ending all Avatars. It just makes sense if you really want to discourage benders as you invade their world.

But now I’m layering theories I have no proof of over more theories that are likely baseless. 

All in good fun, fandom, please don’t hurt me.

-Da7e-

I actually think it would make more sense that Tarrlock and Sato are using Amon and Amon is the one who switches sides at the end of this season. Just because I get the distinct feel that the real disgusting stuff going on in Republic City is happening in the council and with the battle between Cabbage Corp and Future Industries for the title of RC’s biggest technology provider. 

I don’t know where all this pro-Sato stuff is coming from, there’s nothing about that family that isn’t slimey. Sorry Massamis.

And this Saturday’s episode includes Korra discovering a turncoat in her inner circle. So says BOLIN HIMSELF.

We don’t want Mako, Bolin or Tenzin’s family to be bad, so – Really, how is this not Asami?

: )

-Da7e- 

RESPONSE from tetsu-girl:

Thanks! Follow-up: Please don’t assume I’m a Masami shipper; I agree that Asami’s probably the Equalist. I like your idea that the real villainy’s in the political/corporate world, but I think they’re Long Fengs, while Amon’s the socio-politcal radical (Ozai) of LoK. It’s not pro-Sato; they’re suspicous, not just good OR bad. There’s room for redemption, to see the error of their ways, like all the A:TLA characters I mentioned. Sorry, that’s just what I think makes more sense, in story & theme.

Response from Da7e:

Oh, I am not assuming anyone is shipping anything. I apologize if it came off that way. Any time I’ve tried to engage shippers I piss people off, regardless if it’s attempting to troll them myself or just trying to acknowledge they exit.

And from reader Feanor: 

How involved do you think the children of Tenzin will play in the series?  The obviously have a secondary role but does that also mean that they may be targeted by Amon; going back to what he said to Korra.

It’s more likely that Tenzin is a target than Tenzin’s kids. First, because he’s a council member and seemingly the most-trained Air Nomad in the bending arts, second because he’s so close to Korra.

HOWEVER, I still think the way Tenzin has been used thus far that he’s our portal to what happened with the Gaang after A:TLA.

The only thing that worries me about Tenzin is what we know about the episode “Skeletons In The Closet” which, I’d guess, is the episode we find out what happened in all these flashbacks. That’s also the episode Dante (voice of Zuko) is on, so I’d think we’d get it from Zuko. BUT, I can’t think of a reason Korra would seek out old scarface while Lin and Tenzin are around.

So that has me concerned.

-Da7e-

When we were young By: charmful

Thank you! Today I will be focusing on returning e-mails. And tomorrow – NEW KORRA!

-Da7e-

This is Da7e and Da7e says EARTH.

It’s my personality type and earth bending is awesome.

Oh, hey, and that’s what I look like.

You can’t see me, but I’m putting my finger on my nose.

The Painted Lady mask was also based on Japanese Noh mask designs, so it could also just be a cool design echo, or Amon could be purposefully trying to send a spiritual message to his followers.

We haven’t heard that much in recent episodes about Amon and the Spirit World, but we’re not out of that realm quite yet.

Much ado about Sokka!

Art via kyuutan-megumi

About Tokka: I know a lot of people are wondering if Sokka is Lin’s father, and I’d like to point out that if this was the case, it would make Lin and Tenzin cousins. Sorry, guys.

The cosplayers were GREAT.

I’m kind of sad that the Bolin fan didn’t make a Pabu out of a red sock puppet. Come on, Bolin cosplay fan, at least get Pabu right!

-Da7e-

(source)

Ah, Welcome To Republic City game on Nick.com is there no waters you can’t muddy with your vague facts? : )

Lots of people have got back to me on this. Apparently Mako is a Lightning Generator (and it totally makes sense with his orphaned past that Lightning Bolt Zolt would have taught him).

Good to know, folks, good to know.

-Da7e-

You know what? We haven’t thought about it.

Should we come out really Pro-Equalist now?

-Da7e-

by landturtles

(Above from the very graphically pleasing tlokconfessions)

What’s up, people? How many episodes do you think we’re going to devote to the intricacies of the Sato family and their mixed motivations?

You know how Tahno looked like an evil anime villain? That was so we could all use some cultural shorthand and feel okay about him being supposedly evil.

Asami’s design is the same way. It’s not laziness, it’s the way they can tell the story to you without having to take a lot of time to explain the intricacies of it. 

I think that if we were going to promote Asami to a character with a real emotional history, she would have had her own point of view scenes in “The Spirit of Competition.” She was, after all, one of the key players in that episode’s relationship dynamics, but wasn’t used outside of a placeholder for “not-Korra.”

If we were going to get really deep into Asami’s character, to the degree where she could be a double agent, I think we would have started that process already. I think she exists to double cross Mako and provide that “I should have trusted Korra and Bolin” push towards the end of the season when the going gets tough. 

Like Asami all you want, all I’m willing to predict at this point is that there will be a chase scene where Korra riding Naga chases after Asami either on her moped or in a Sato-mobile. The Asami character descriptions keep mentioning what a good driver she is, so I’m thinking chase scene. 

As for the last part of your question, Anonymous, are you suggesting that a sudden shock could cause Tenzin to lose his bending? I hope that’s not possible, or the Equalists are really going about it in the wrong way. They could just be jumping out from behind corners going “BOO!.” : ) You’re likely saying that the distraction of Pema going into labor would cause Tenzin to slip up against Amon and lose his bending. I think that’s unlikely, but-

I don’t think including the baby is too dark. Let’s just say I’m wary of any show where reincarnation exists and there’s a pregnant person hanging around. The audience might let you kill Korra if she’s reincarnated within a few minutes of on-screen time.

But that’s just a craaaaaaaazy theory. : )

-Da7e-

I like how you’ve found a way to make Hiroshi and Asami villains against their will in your theory. But, who’s to say they don’t sympathize with Amon? They’re not Benders themselves.

The more immediate threats to the city after last weeks episode looks to be both Tarrlock and Hiroshi from where I’m sitting. While Future Industries turns out Taser Gloves, Tarrlock softens the council. 

But, I can’t disprove you’re theory, I just think Asami is more Azula and less Suki, to make A: TLA comparisons. : )

-Da7e-

Yes, a little bit, but I think this is more a character trait. Like, water is her native element, so she’s comfortable there and Earth is about being centered and unmmovable, which Korra doesn’t always have the confidence to execute. 

We’ve been assuming she’s been having trouble with Air because she doesn’t have the spiritual connection required to master it, so with something like Fire that comes from a super-aggressive and angry place, it somehow makes perfect sense that a confused/angry/almost-Avatar is over-reliant on Fire in combat. 

It’s also a great dig to the M. Night “they need a source of fire” damage he did to A:TLA. : ) But I doubt that’s intentional.

-Da7e-

Image source.

An anonymous Tumblr user also just sent this, which also makes sense:

“I think the reason she uses Fire more so than the others is because when she fights someone there are no Water or Earth sources near by. Even if this is an Earth source, it is quicker to use Fire.”

The Fire Ferrets only made it into the tournament because of Future Industries money, someone paid off the refs for the finals, we see a shot o the Saito family before the match but they disappear before Amon shows up with new ground-breaking technology?

I say: The Fire Ferrets could have never won the pro-bending championships.

I’m pretty sure everything we saw this episode went EXACTLY according to Amon’s plan, from dissent in the Council to Tahno’s defeat to the battle between the Lieutenant and Korra/Bi Fong. I said it on the podcast last week: You can’t leave Amon to his own devices for a week while you ship your heart out and not expect severe consequences. 

Well, this is a fan-made fake and it’s looking like there’s another “Amon unmasked” image floating around the fandom (AVOID THE “AMON” TAG, TUMBLRERS!), but it just seems unlikely at this point.

First, it would require that everything we know about Amon up to now be a very complex lie. From his backstory to his apparent age to his voice (because Tenzin is both the youngest member of the family and would likely recognize his brother’s voice).

Mostly, I don’t want it to be Bumi because I don’t think this series is nearly as interested in connecting itself to A:TLA as we, the fandom, want it to be. 

I’m not sure we know who would knock-up Toph or if we’ll ever learn if Ty Lee had anything to do with Chi-Blockers. I’m starting to think that the world-building on Korra is – more often than not – actually just world-building for this one series. 

My favorite “Who Is Amon" theories currently running are "Bolin and Mako’s lost brother”  and “YaKone’s Son.”

-Da7e-