Should you watch this, Wiki this, or wait for the recap? Watch this.
Korra reunites with Mako and Asami, but are forced to save Prince Wu when he is kidnapped by Kuvira’s forces. Meanwhile, Bolin and Varrick come across Firebending and Waterbending refugees in their attempt to escape, and must cross a dangerous checkpoint in order to earn their freedom.
“Reunion” is the seventh Chapter (episode) of Book Four: Balance (Season Four) of The Legend of Korra. It features two main plotlines – one with Bolin and Varrick, and the other with Korra, Mako, and Asami. Effectively, this is the first episode in this season to feature Team Avatar working together (although they’re not at full strength yet, but it’ll be soon!).
If you know about Korrasami then I think this is where it begins for real. Apart from that, this is also the exact midpoint of the season, and just as the previous episode established the shift into high gear, this episode puts that high gear into full force and gives us everything we want from a Legend of Korra episode.
Highlights
Bending battles
To make up for the distinct lack of action in the first half of the series, this episode makes up for it by giving us Bending fights in both of the plots. The Metalbenders are significantly more powerful and deadly than the other Benders we’ve seen in the series, what with their ability to literally throw knives and use metal as a form of telekinesis. If you think about it, it’s like fighting an army of Magnetos. And if one Magneto can give problems to an entire team of X-Men…
Bolin’s increased Lavabending prowess
The last time we saw Bolin Lavabend, it was smaller pools of magma that wasn’t that much larger than himself. This time we see him bending a literal wave of lava, and flinging that wave against a large exit to block soldiers from following him. It’s a level up for Bolin, and shows us, in no uncertain terms, how powerful he’s become under Kuvira. Yay Bolin!
Team Avatar reunites
Sort of. As mentioned, it’s only Bolin who isn’t with the gang. But even so, Bolin features prominently in the other plot of the episode, and it really kind of effectively is an unofficial reunion for the team. It’s just like Seasons 1 and 2. No more angsty Korra means more fighting and more dramatic beats!
Mecha animation has improved
At least it looks like it’s done better than the previous episode – we have human vs mecha battles (which are clearer and easier to follow) rather indistinguishable mecha vs mecha battles. You know who to root for, and you can tell exactly what both sides are trying to do.
Good balance of action and story
The story beats in this episode are also crucial for the next part of the series, but the episode doesn’t skimp on the action. As a result, we have a well-paced story that’ll satisfy the more blasty blasty-inclined audiences, ie, me.
Letdowns
Korrasami begins…
It’s subtle, but Korra blushes when Asami compliments her hair. Sigh. This is where it starts to get serious, and knowing how it all ends really forces you to see everything through a very different lens.
“Reunion” is a great episode, especially if you’ve been thirsting to see them Benders fight each other (it is in the title and the opening sequence, after all). The rest of the episodes are going to be high action stories, so it’s good that they’re opening the second half of the season like this!
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