Despite what many coming of age romcoms would have you believe, high school is actually the worst time of almost everyone’s life. And, as a highschooler, I never understood why older people insisted it was the best time. In fact, it freaked me out. Really? This was the best my life was going to get? My life was going to suck so much. It wasn’t until I watched this week’s Legend of Korra episode that I got what those people meant — high school isn’t the best time of my life for me, it’s the the best time of my life for other people to watch. High school shenanigans are, from the outside, entertaining as all get-out.
Case in point, this episode. Bolin likes Korra! Korra likes Mako! Mako likes Korra but is intimidated by her and also likes Asami, who’s accessable, so he’s dating Asami! Korra goes out with Bolin on what she clearly doesn’t realize is a date! Then Korra kisses Mako! And Bolin sees! Meanwhile, high stakes pro-bending! (And who will take Korra to prom?!?! Also, is there such a thing as hormone-bending? Because there should be.)
Now, it would be really easy in this situation to make someone the villain. The great thing about Korra is that everyone’s both very sympathetic and singularly stupid. Korra does lead Bolin on, but it’s also clear she has no idea she’s doing so. She’s spent her entire life sequestered from boys and knows about as much about how to deal with them as Jinora and Ikki, which is to say, none at all. She is totally oblivious to how much Bolin likes her. And Bolin isn’t exactly clear either, he’s just kind of living in his fantasy world where when Korra says “let’s hang out” means “I’m in love with you.” Korra certainly doesn’t have an obligation to like him just because he’s nice, no matter how cute he is (though he really is cute). And Mako’s just going for the girl who seems safer and more attainable — it’s not like there’s anything wrong with Asami, she’s gorgeous and fun and uncomplicated. It’s not like he could have predicted Korra would just kiss him out of nowhere, or like Korra really listened much when he tried to put her off.
As I keep mentioning every week, Korra is an older, more mature series than the original Avatar, and the heroes are also older and, if not more mature, at least more hormonal. I applaud the writers for not only tackling that early on, but doing it in a way that leaves plenty of room for interpretation. There are really good arguments for and against every pairing permutation. (Personally, the only thing I’m really attached to is that Bolin and Korra remain best bros, because adorable.) It’s way too easy to make romantic tangles one-dimensional , more the fault of one party over another, or drawn out. And I give mad snaps to the writers of Korra for getting it right as early as the fifth episode.
Clacked by Julia Hass 
on May 07, 2012 @ 14:42 EST5EDT
It’s also important to remember that while Korra is her own person, Aang is still very much a part of her … and I certainly remember the pseudo-flashback episode where Katara told him she was confused and Aang took that as a sign to kiss her. My point being – this isn’t the Avatar’s first awkward hormonal rodeo.
I’m worried this will either ultimately end very messily or far too neatly. On the neat side, I’m worried Asami will end up with Bolin and Mako with Korra. Too neat.
But good for Korra for being kind to Asami at the end.