Talk:Bolin/@comment-121.44.219.238-20120424134230

My opinion: Bolin would have made an awesome airbender in another lifetime, but Mako constantly care of him has damaged the development of his bending and personality in general. Earth is stubborn, one must be stubborn themselves to get it to respond to their will properly. Bolin is easy-going and tries to negotiate his way out of dangerous situations like he did with Amon. That's the attitude of an Airbender. If it were Toph or Haru - They'd stand their ground and kick the crap out of Amon as much as possible. The only reason right now that I believe Bolin can shift earth is simply because that's the talent he was born with. He can control it, but he has never had to rely on it for more than pro-bending purposes. And like Mako, his focus is geared to control, but even then, it's still the weaker of the two brothers.

The same thing is wrong with Mako. His personality is geared towards control and management. He's skilled, and probably has the best handle on his firebending of any character in the series, new or old. But his 'inner fire' is more like an 'inner cinder'. There's no passion in his bending, simply pragmatic movements designed to attack at his opponent's weakpoint. In this way, he is similar to season 1 Zuko, though at the opposite extremes. Zuko had a maximun amount of passion, but no control. Mako has maximan control but no passion. Perhaps its an inner psychological issue that he has to deal with around his parent's death.

I believe the problem is that taking care of Bolin has become an emotional crutch for Mako. We see him at the appartment in episode 3, and Bolin isn't there. Automatically, he assumes Bolin has gone over to AirTemple island. Immediately he leaves to look for him. That says to me that he has some kind of seperation anxiety from Bolin, born from a compulsive need to look after him. There's also the issue of his firebending. I think that Mako actually likes his skills, but is too afriad to admit it because it was the same skill that took his parent's lives. He's placed a psychological wedge in his self that prevents him from reaching that full potential. And dealing with the death and trauma of his parents will play a significant role in improving his bending.

Bolin, on the other hand, he looks as if he's starting to reach a kind of breaking point. When Mako makes the comment 'I'll figure something out, I always do.' Bolin doesn't look simply dejected, he looks annoyed to the point of frustrated anger. Bolin has lived his life leaning off Mako, and he wants to repay him, but Mako isn't letting this happen. Essentially Mako is trying to keep Bolin caged from the world, trying to keep his brother 'innocence' from the harsh realities of life. I believe that there may be a moment where Korra or Bolin (probably literally) has to beat some sense into Mako. Leading to a character development of both brothers. When Bolin finally learns to stand his ground against Mako, then his skills as an earthbender should make a definite improvement.

Sorry for the wall of text, and if parts don't make sense. It's 3:30am here...

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Aurora.