Just saw the new Legend of Korra.

Oh my god.

It was getting entirely too hard to care about the young adult characters when the middle-aged characters were all being so much more interesting and seriously LIN BEIFONG IS JUST THE BEST. But then Korra just totally bested her entire previous series’ self this episode, being cool and calm and inventive and smart and this is definitely my favorite episode of the series so far. I liked that they resolved things quickly and satisfyingly without it feeling a little too horrendously convenient as it sometimes does.
I didn’t even find the romance subplot parts annoying, and I think I will continue to tolerate them as long as Asami is upset with Mako for kissing/wanting Korra while dating her and not upset with Korra for “stealing her man” or whatever.

ETA: Although reading some of the other reactions now another poster brought up some good points about the problems with the love story aspect of this episode: “Bolin and Asami were somehow not allowed to be as concerned about Korra’s safety because they’re not her love interests. I really didn’t like the implications of that, that Mako’s concern for Korra comes only out of his attraction to her, that is unfair to Mako AND to Bolin and Asami […] Whenever Aang was in trouble you didn’t have say, Sokka and Toph and Zuko in the back saying, ‘Gee, why is Katara so concerned?’ They cared JUST AS MUCH because Aang is THE AVATAR AND THEIR FRIEND.”