LoK 1.11/1.12: "Skeleton in the Closet"/"Endgame"

[lizbee]

Confession:  I wasn't even going to make a post at all about these episodes, because I liked them a whole lot, and fandom seems to have declared them objectively immoral.  And frankly, I've spent enough time in Doctor Who fandom to know that squee is a rare and precious thing, and it makes me happy, and I should preserve it where I find it.

However, since then a bunch of people have made posts basically saying, "FUCK THE HATERS, IT WASN'T PERFECT BUT I LIKED IT," so I figured I'd add my voice.

FUCK THE HATERS, IT WASN'T PERFECT BUT I LIKED IT.

I mean, yeah, wow, holy pacing problems, Batman!  This really needed a whole extra episode in there to cover things properly. 

But compressed as it was, I liked the overall shape of the story, and there's enough room to smooth out the edges in fic. 

The usual list of random things that occurred to me:

- I like how the unmasked face of the Equalists, the man talking about equality, is the richest man in the country.  And then we cut to the slums, where bender and non-bender are united by poverty.  It's almost like social divisions are being encouraged and exaggerated to distract attention from the real problem of economic inequality!  That would never happen in real life!  #occupyrepubliccity
- I have this strong suspicion that Iroh was made a general because he looks so good on the recruiting posters
- Because, um, he kind of combines the raw power of Azula with the strategic planning skills of, heh, Zuko
- "My grandfather would trust the Avatar's instincts."  DON'T TRUST KORRA'S INSTINCTS, IROH!  SHE HAS TERRIBLE INSTINCTS!
- I thought the farewell between Asami and Mako was actually them breaking up, but I may be reading too much into it
- I didn't think Asami would be evil, but I was expecting a fake-out where she appeared to side with her father, and I'm kind of glad that didn't happen
- Oh, Bolin, you only think Hiroshi's the worst dad ever because Ozai is long dead
- Though Yakone certainly gives him a run for his money
- Maybe Yakone and his kids, and Ozai and his kids, can have some kind of cross-generational family therapy
- I choose to believe that when TEAM PRISON BREAK arrived at the jail, they found Lin had already busted Pema out, and then they went on the run together, Thelma and Louise style.  With the newborn baby. 
- With the rushed pacing towards the end, we don't actually know how much time passes between the end of the battle and the (chosen) family trip to the South Pole.  I like to think it was as much as a few months, so we have lots of time for Lin and Korra Angst About Their Bending Together In Bed fic.  (Though I note Lin still hasn't changed her clothes by then.  I'm guessing that, contrary to fanon, she can in fact get in and out of her armour without metalbending.  Or else bathroom breaks would be tricky.)
- Speaking of the South Pole, it was nice to catch another glimpse of Korra's Amazingly Attractive Parents
- And speaking of Amazingly Attractive People, I'm glad that Amon can take his place alongside Ozai, Zhao, Long Feng and Tarrlok in the Really Quite Attractive Villain department
- I feel like we've seen EVERYTHING WE NEED TO SEE about Bumi, but now I do need fic about him and Tenzin, and how five minutes with the two of them in the same place has Lin and Pema reaching for the strong liquor
- I expect that being kidnapped, tied up and threatened with the loss of his bending is what tips Meelo over the edge and inspires his campaign for world domination

In conclusion, for me personally that hit the magic spot between "okay in its own right" and "leaves lots of room for fic".  Well done, show.  Now, try not to waste those two extra episodes you get next year, because by Koh it looks like you need them!