Line #66 Recap/TheLegendOfKorraS1E5TheSpiritOfCompetition


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Bolin_encouraging_Mako_and_Korra_235.jpg]]
2
3	->''"Look, it just isn't smart to date a teammate, especially during the tournament."''
4
5	"The Spirit of Competition" is the fifth episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'', which aired on Nickelodeon on 5 May 2012.
6
7	The team practices in the gym, working together like pros. Asami comes in, clutching a set of new uniforms emblazoned with the Future Industries logo. Everyone thanks her, although some more enthusiastically than others. While Mako and Asami call each other "sweetie" and nose rub, Korra barely conceals her jealousy. Bolin seems rather pleased for his brother, but he seems a lot more pleased to be alone with Korra. He asks if she wants to hang out, but Korra shrugs off his advances.
8
9	Later that day in their loft, the brothers are getting ready for the match tomorrow. Bolin asks his brother what he thinks of Korra as a romantic interest. Mako, unguarded, says she'd be great, but it makes more sense to continue dating Asami. Annoyed, Bolin clarifies that he meant himself dating Korra, and Mako immediately reverses his opinion. Bolin disagrees and decides to ask Korra out. Mako warns him that dating in the team can cause turmoil, and it would be better to keep his head in the game right before the tournament. Bolin dismisses his advice.
10
11	Meanwhile, it seems winter has come to Republic City, and Air Temple Island is covered in a delicate layer of snow. All clad in fur, Korra, Jinora and Ikki bring fruit to feed the ring-tailed flying lemurs.
12
13	Jinora innocently teases Korra about her crush on Mako, which the Avatar denies she has... but hypothetically, if she did, what should she do? Jinora and Ikki have interesting opinions on how to woo someone. Pema has been listening in and is amused. She understands what Korra is going through, since she had the exact same problem with Tenzin. Pema says that for a long time she said nothing, being too afraid of rejection, but she couldn't see her soulmate spend his life with the "wrong" woman, and confessed her love.
14
15	In the first match of the tournament, the Fire Ferrets are set against the opposing team, the Red Sands Rabbaroos. Showing perfect coordination and teamwork, they easily push their opponents back, securing their victory. As Bolin laps up the cheers from his adoring fans, Mako and Korra head backstage, and Mako apologizes for not being kinder to Korra. He says that she's really pulled through, and that they have been working great together on the field. Korra responds that she thinks they've been working well together ''off'' the field, and thinks they should hang-out more. Y'know, doing something ''other'' that saving kidnapped family members? Mako seems awkward, so Korra just spits out:
16
17	->'''Korra:''' I really like you, and I think we were meant for each other!
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19	Mako does not appreciate the sentiment. He says that he's in a relationship with Asami, and that just isn't appropriate. Disheartened and rejected, Korra accepts. She turns away as Asami comes running in, wrapping Mako in a victory hug.
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21	Bolin asks Korra out. His exuberance is infectious, so Korra accepts. Still hugging his girlfriend, Mako stares after them, with what could possibly be jealousy. Bolin and Korra have dinner at Narook's Seaweed Noodlery and meet the waterbender Tahno, arrogant leader of the White Falls Wolfbats, the reigning champion pro-bending team. Korra and Bolin avoid trouble with him, then continue their date. After the date, Korra finds Mako waiting for her. He asks her what kind of game she is playing with Bolin to get back at him, which makes Korra call his reaction jealousy, to which he says he is just concerned about his brother. This argument has an effect in their next match against the Boarcupines; the team does not seem to connect well with each other. The Fire Ferrets barely win the round, needing Bolin to break a tie.
22
23	On a dock outside the Pro-bending Arena, Mako and Korra converse about their conflicted feelings. Mako confesses his feelings toward Korra, but says that he really likes Asami too, so it is complicated. Korra kisses Mako and he kisses her back. Both realize Bolin had been watching. A heartbroken Bolin runs off crying.
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25	The next morning, Mako finds his little brother at the noodle place. Bolin had been gorging on noodles and is hysterical. Mako has to carry Bolin to the arena.
26
27	Later that night, the Fire Ferrets have their semifinal match against the Buzzard Wasps. The Fire Ferrets start off losing, with Bolin injuring his arm. He and Mako are knocked into the water below and apologize on their ride back up. The team forgives each other and agree to remain on friendly terms. They win the match. Asami enters the room and congratulates everyone, and Korra heals Bolin while apologizing for hurting his feelings. Meanwhile, the other semifinal begins--and ends moments later. The Wolfbats have just curb-stomped the opposing team, who are being carried off by paramedics.
28
29	----
30	!!Tropes in this episode include:
31	* TwentiesBobHaircut: [[http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/30700000/Tahno-avatar-the-legend-of-korra-30737137-340-340.png One of the girls sitting with Tahno has this style]], which makes sense for the RoaringTwenties.
32	* AgentPeacock: Tahno looks like a mere [[TheDandy dandy]], but he is a brutally effective pro-bender.
33	* AlliterativeName: The Future Industries Fire Ferrets, Red Sand Rabiroos, White Falls Wolfbats, and other teams.
34	* AmazonBrigade: The [[http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3et4454To1qbgksw.png Red Sand Rabiroos]] are an all-female pro-bending team.
35	* AreYouPonderingWhatImPondering: Bolin asks Mako what he thinks of the idea of asking Korra out. Mako responds that he likes her, but he's already in a relationship, prompting Bolin to clarify that he meant ''he'' (Bolin) would be asking her out.
36	* BalloonBelly: Bolin and Pabu after about six bowls of noodles.
37	* BreatherEpisode: While Episodes 3 and 4 were dark and dramatic, setting up the threat of Amon, this one focuses more on the LoveTriangle and TournamentArc. It's the only BreatherEpisode of the entire Book.
38	* BurpingContest: Korra and Bolin get into one on their date, much to the horror of the other patrons in the restaurant. Korra seems to come out on top.
39	* {{Cloudcuckoolander}}: Ikki's romantic advice to Korra? Make a magical love potion made of rainbows and sunsets that makes true lovers sprout wings and fly into a magical castle in the sky where they get married and eat clouds with spoons and use stars as ice cubes in their moonlight punch forever and ever and ever. ''Yeah.''
40	-->'''Korra:''' The Volcano is starting to make more sense.
41	* ComfortFood: Bolin takes Korra to a Southern Water Tribe restaurant for the food that she grew up with. Later, when he catches Korra and Mako kissing, [[DrunkOnMilk he spends the entire night gorging on their noodles]].
42	* ContinuityNod:
43	** The announcer advertises "[[Recap/AvatarTheLastAirbenderTheHeadband Flameo]]" Instant Noodles, a reference to the outdated slang Aang tried to use.
44	** Korra takes a leave of absence from Tarrlok's anti-Equalist task force after her encounter with Amon in "The Voice in the Night".
45	** Apparently, one of the traits Korra inherited from Aang is interpreting "[[Recap/AvatarTheLastAirbenderTheEmberIslandPlayers I'm confused right now]]" to mean "shut up and kiss me."
46	** When the match is on the line, Korra again breaks out the [[DanceBattler air dancing]] to dodge the opponents' attacks.
47	* CreatorCameo: The guy who tries and fails to greet Mako was voiced by Joaquim Dos Santos, the director of the episode and co-executive producers (the character speaking at all actually started when he noticed a background character looking disappointed).
48	* CurbStompBattle: The Wolfbats' off-screen victory, lampshaded by Korra on how the match barely started.
49	* DoubleMeaningTitle: The competition is either the Pro-bending tournament or Bolin and Mako [[LoveTriangle fighting for Korra]].
50	* DownToTheLastPlay: Happens in the Fire Ferrets' second tournament match.
51	* DrivenToSuicide: In-Universe. Jinora relates a story she read in a historical novel where a princess was unable to be with the man she loved, so she burned down an entire country via dragon and then jumped into a volcano.
52	-->'''Jinora:''' It was ''so'' romantic!
53	* DrowningMySorrows: Bolin spends the whole night binge-eating tons and tons of noodles after he witnesses Korra kissing Mako, and Mako has to actually carry him home in the morning.
54	%%* FeudEpisode
55	* ForcefulKiss: Korra does this to Mako after he starts awkwardly babbling about his confused romantic feelings, but he still likes Asami. He kisses her back.
56	* GirlyRun: The way Bolin runs away after seeing Korra and Mako kiss. He really doesn't take it well.
57	* GreenEyedMonster:
58	** Mako gets this way when Bolin and Korra go on a date. He later accuses her of leading his brother on just to get back at him for rejecting her earlier, and she correctly guesses that his anger is actually due to jealousy.
59	** There's also the implication that Korra may have gone out on a date with Bolin due to ''her own'' GreenEyedMonster towards Asami and Mako.
60	* HoldingYourShoulderMeansInjury: Bolin performs this after getting smacked by a stray earth disk. Unusually, it actually is his shoulder that's injured, complete with ugly bruise.
61	* HuddleShot: Used when Mako tries to build up the team's confidence for the upcoming tournament.
62	* {{Hypocrite}}: Mako warned Bolin of dating within the team yet proved to be just as guilty of already having feelings for Korra ''and'' kissing her back.
63	* JustFriends:
64	** Bolin takes Korra out on for a night on the town in the hope of winning her over. They both have a great time, but she's just not that into him and they agree to stay friends by the end of the episode.
65	** The same happens with her and Mako, though he's clearly still confused about his feelings.
66	* LameComeback: Bolin after Mako drags him out of the noodle shop. Justified in that Bolin is [[DrunkOnMilk "drunk"]] at the time.
67	-->'''Mako:''' See, I told you dating a team mate was a bad idea.\
68	'''Bolin:''' [[NoYou You're a bad idea!]]
69	* LoveConfession: Korra to Mako. It doesn't go the way she hoped.
70	* LoveDodecahedron:
71	** Mako and Bolin are both attracted to Korra. She likes Mako, but he also likes his girlfriend Asami. Rather interestingly, the episode seems designed to deal with all the aspects of this in one fell swoop, rather than dragging them out.
72	** Pema also mentions that she was in a Love Triangle with another woman over Tenzin.
73	* MakingASplash: Korra ''only'' waterbends in this episode, as the Fire Ferrets' waterbender and to heal Bolin after a match. Along with the Water Tribe-style noodles, this is to focus on Korra's culture according to WordOfGod.
74	* MisaimedMarketing: InUniverse, the announcer uses Bolin throwing up last night's meal as the ''perfect'' time to advertise "Flameo Noodles".
75	* TheMedic: Unsurprisingly, Korra learned how to heal with waterbending from Katara.
76	* MenDontCry: Averted by Bolin. His reaction when he sees Korra kissing Mako is to sob in the most overblown way imaginable and run away. And then when Mako tries to snap him out of it, he breaks into InelegantBlubbering.
77	* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Korra, when she realizes she has hurt Bolin and Mako.
78	* NightmareFuelStationAttendant: Jinora's idea of a romantic setting went into such territory with the idea that burning down a whole country and jumping into the volcano at the end as a testament to love, which was said with a smile on her face.
79	* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: All we hear of the Wolf-Bats fight is some noise of the hits and the buzzer going off every few seconds. When we look back at them, they won their match in the first round and their opponents are being carried out on stretchers.
80	* OneHitPolykill: Korra pulls off her ''own'' hat trick in the final match when she's all that's left of the Ferrets. It's interesting to watch Korra, not previously known for subtlety, carefully maneuver her opponents into a perfect line before hitting them at once with a large column of water. This is perhaps showcasing her developing abilities thanks to Tenzin's training and her pro-bending practice. Judging by the announcer's excited reaction, ending a pro-bending match this way is not unprecedented, but is very rare.
81	-->'''Shiro Shinobi:''' It's the big kibosh!
82	* OverTheShoulderCarry: This is how Mako carries Bolin home.
83	* ProductPlacement: In-universe. The Fire Ferrets are billed as the "Future Industries Fire Ferrets" and wear the corporate logo on their uniforms.
84	* ShapedLikeItself: Flameo noodles are advertised as the "noodliest noodles" in Republic City.
85	%%* SickeninglySweet: Ikki's opinion on how to woo a LoveInterest. %%Most of the example context is in the quote,
86	%%-->'''Ikki:''' The best way to woo a boy's heart is to brew a love-potion made of rainbows and sunsets which make true lovers sprout wings and fly into a magical castle in the sky, where they get married and use clouds as spoon and stars as ice cubes in their moonlight punch, for ever and ever and ever!\
87	* SickeninglySweethearts: Mako and Asami. They shamelessly call each other "sweetie" and share a nose kiss, right in front of Bolin and Korra.
88	* SmugSnake: Tahno.
89	* SnowMeansLove: The romantic discussions take place when it's snowing out.
90	* TakeThat: Tahno, the sleazy waterbender of the Wolfbats pro-bending team, calls Korra the "Ohvatar". He is also a very pale waterbender, looking almost Caucasian. Pretty much confirmed as a TakeThat at [[Film/TheLastAirbender a certain live-action movie]].....
91	'''Korra:''' The [[DrivenToSuicide volcano]] is starting to make more sense to me now.
92	* ThinksLikeARomanceNovel: Jinora, though the romance in question seems to be more along the lines of ''Literature/RomanceOfTheThreeKingdoms''.
93	%%* TournamentArc
94	* UnderdogsNeverLose: Though the Fire Ferrets have to put up one hell of a fight to win.
95	* UnnecessaryRoughness: A helmet of the adversary of the Wolfbats was pierced. This is especially true in light that strikes to the head are only allowed by waterbenders, indicating that Tahno is not a gentle fellow. Korra also gets a yellow fan (equivalent to yellow card) for bouncing an enemy pro-bender up and down on a water column and then splashing the referee.
96	* VomitDiscretionShot: After he takes a clay disk to the overstuffed gut, we don't see Bolin "lose his noodles," but we hear him retching, and the entire arena can see the poor guy throw up. Made even worse when the announcer [[MisaimedMarketing chooses this moment]] to advertise "Flameo noodles".
97	* WhatTheHellHero: Mako snaps at Korra for upsetting Bolin by kissing him (Mako) in front of him. However, she throws it right back at him for kissing back.

Context Recap / TheLegendOfKorraS1E5TheSpiritOfCompetition