Tarrlok

"water"

- That's what I admire about you, Korra. Your willingness to go to extremes in order to get what you want. It is a quality we both share.

Tarrlok was a former Northern Water Tribe representative and former Chairman of the United Republic Council, He was an ambitious politician considered fair-minded and likable by the general public, however, he was a manipulative man and held a long-standing rivalry with Councilman Tenzin, with whom he frequently clashed. Tarrlok sought to fight the Anti-bending Revolution with brute force rather than peaceful negotiations. The Chairman was willing to go to great lengths to win against the Equalists, even if it meant fanning the flames of aggression and risking the lives of innocent people. For the sake of politics, Tarrlok tried to keep it hidden that he was the son of the infamous criminal Yakone, though due in part to the actions of Avatar Korra and his unique ability to bloodbend without a full moon, Tarrlok's ancestry was revealed to the public. He is also the younger brother of the Equalist Leader Amon, with whom he shares a tragic past.

Son of a bloodbender
Tarrlok was the lastborn son of the infamous bloodbender and criminal, Yakone. After Yakone's bending was taken away by Aang, Yakone escaped jail and created a new life for himself, taking on a wife and family, two sons named Tarrlok and Noatak. As young children growing up in the Northern Water Tribe, Tarrlok and his older brother discovered they were waterbenders. Yakone secretly trained both of them to become capable of bloodbending without the use of a full moon, so that one day they could seek avenge against the Avatar in the name of their father.

After years of harsh training sessions on animals in the full moon, and even upon one other, Tarrlok learned how to bloodbend without the full moon, though he despised the power and didn't want to use it. When his father called him a weakling, Noatak, who was more skilled in bloodbending, stood up for his younger brother and subdued Yakone with bloodbending. Noatak tried to persuade Tarrlok to run away with him and start a new life together, but Tarrlok was hesitant to do so. Noatak ran away, and Tarrlok and Yakone searched but returned back home, convinced he perished in the ice. Yakone stopped training Tarrlok and his drive to take revenge on the Avatar gradually depleted. Unable to find Noatak, Yakone died years later due to depression.

Learning from his father's criminal mistakes, Tarrlok rose up through the Republic City government, becoming the Northern Water Tribe representative to the United Republic Council. All along, Tarrlok managed to keep his true identity secret and, through charismatic politics and a fierce stance against the Equalists, managed to put himself in the position to be Republic City's "savior."

The task force
After learning just how dangerous Amon was, Tarrlok proposed a solution to the issue during a meeting of the United Republic Council: to create a task force whose sole mission was "to fight Amon and bring him to justice". Tenzin immediately dismissed this idea by saying that such an aggressive strategy would only make things worse between benders and non-benders, and claimed it was merely a way to grant Tarrlok more power. However, after volunteering to command the force and saying that even their friends or families could be in danger because of the Equalists, he succeeded in convincing the rest of the Council to approve his idea, much to the dismay of Tenzin.



Tarrlok later interrupted Korra, Tenzin and his family's dinner time in Air Temple Island. Tenzin highlighted the lack of respect shown by the Councilman, but Tarrlok countered by saying that airbenders never turn away a hungry guest, convincing Tenzin to let him stay. Tarrlok then saluted Korra, expressing his pleasure at meeting her. He introduced himself as the representative of the Northern Water Tribe in the Council. He then sat down and was interrogated by Ikki, who asked him why he had three ponytails and smelled like a lady, to which he answered with a look of contempt and alluded to her precociousness. Tarrlok complimented Korra for her initiative during the Equalist rally and began explaining to her that Republic City was now better after her arrival, but Tenzin interrupted asking him to stop with the flattering, and reveal the real reason of his visit. To the surprise of Korra and her airbending master, he asked the Avatar to join his task force to stop Amon, as he needed someone fearless in the face of danger to be able to face him directly. However, Korra declined his offer, stating that she had come to Republic City to train airbending so she should focus on that. Tarrlok, surprised by her answer, tried to insist, but Tenzin stopped him saying that Korra had already made a decision so he should now go. The Councilman did so, adding that he would not give up yet, and left the temple.

The following days, Tarrlok began sending a series of increasingly lavish gifts to Korra in order to convince her to accept his invitation, ranging from a basket of gifts to a luxurious Satomobile. However, the Avatar did not change her mind. The Councilman then decided to invite Korra to a gala he would throw in her honor. During the party, Tarrlok led the Avatar to some journalists, who began asking questions about Amon, the Equalist revolution, and her refusal to participate in the mission. Korra, upset at their accusations about her backing away and being afraid of Amon, finally announced she would participate in the mission.



In the City Hall, Tarrlok explained the first mission to a group of waterbenders, earthbenders, and Korra: A raid on an underground chi blocker training camp located in the cellar of a bookstore in the Dragon Flats district. Led by the Councilman, the group broke into the store and started fighting. Tarrlok saved Korra when she was being attacked by two Equalists, freezing one of them against the wall. After defeating all the chi blockers, the task force arrested them in the presence of journalists.

In a conference, Tarrlok announced the result of the raid, and said that Republic City had nothing to fear with himself and the Avatar leading the charge. At the question of a journalist about their leader still being free, the Avatar publicly challenged Amon to a duel that night on Aang Memorial Island. Later, when Korra was about to set out to the location they agreed upon, Tarrlok, at Tenzin's accusation to have caused this, claimed to have talked to Korra about her decision, but she had already made up her mind. After the Avatar left, the Councilman informed Tenzin he was going to be watching the island closely, and that if something went wrong, he had a fleet of police airships ready to swoop down.

The Pro-bending Tournament
When Amon threatened the Council with "severe consequences" if the Pro-bending Tournament was not canceled, Tarrlok and the rest of the Council unanimously agreed to shut down the arena, much to the disappointment of the Fire Ferrets. However, as he was about to declare the decision as final, Chief Lin Beifong of the Metalbending Police Force entered the meeting, and demanded the Council show backbone. If they allowed the arena to stay open, Lin agreed to provide security for the match. Tarrlok and the rest of the Council, except Tenzin, accepted this agreement, thus the match continued on as planned.

Following the Equalists' successful attack, Tarrlok was quick to call a press conference during which he put the blame for the arena's destruction in Lin Beifong's hands. Pointing out that she had failed to protect the city, he stated that the police force needed new leadership in order to survive the dire times coming their way.

Increasing influence and betrayal
Chief Beifong's resignation allowed Tarrlok to increase his influence through Saikhan's institution as the new chief of police. Since the Pro-bending Tournament was over, Tarrlok offered Korra the chance to rejoin his task force, manipulatively reminding her that she had not yet mastered the art of airbending. Korra adamantly refused, suspicious about him and his burgeoning influence over Republic City. Tarrlok warned her that if she did not change her mind, she should stay out of his way.

During a prison breakout instigated by the Equalists, Team Avatar successfully prevented the convicts from escaping. Tarrlok and his task force arrived just after the Equalists and the escapees were taken into custody by Korra. He reprimanded Korra and her friends about their seemingly illegal actions and warned them to stop interfering.

In the next Council meeting, Tarrlok proposed a law that would establish a curfew on non-benders and also outlawed any association with the Equalists. The law went into effect with relative ease as Tenzin was the only dissenting vote.



Tarrlok then formulated a plan that cut off the power to many non-benders, which only angered them. Upon Korra's arrival, the non-benders pleaded with her to stop Tarrlok's actions, reminding her that she was their Avatar as well. Korra asked Tarrlok to stop oppressing the non-benders, but he refused, arresting Asami for being a non-bender and the daughter of an Equalist. Tarrlok then arrested Mako and Bolin as well and warned Korra that if she attacked, she would join her friends in prison.

Korra visited Tarrlok's office that same night to see if there was a way to intimidate him into releasing her friends. Tarrlok reminded her that what she was doing was similar to what the Equalists claim that benders were doing; using their powers to oppress others. He also pointed out that he and Korra are similar in that they go to extreme measures in order to get what they want. Korra denied their similarity. Tarrlok made Korra an offer that if she "fell in line" and "did what [he] said", he would release her friends. Realizing that was why he arrested them, Korra refused and pointed out that Tarrlok was "just as bad as Amon". Upon hearing this, Tarrlok lashed out at Korra using his waterbending, ensuing a battle. The battle was evenly fought most of the way, until Tarrlok appeared to have been defeated when Korra used the earthen wall behind his desk to slam him down to the Council's meeting room, leaving him without a source of water.



As Korra prepared to finish off the duel with two fire blasts, Tarrlok revealed himself to be a bloodbender, using the art on Korra to prevent his defeat at her hands. He used the art without the aid of a full moon, much to Korra's surprise. Tarrlok replied by saying that there were many more things she did not know about him, and afterwards threw Korra into the back of a police car and told her that she would be taken to a place where she would never be found.

Fall from power
Tarrlok drove Korra to a cabin in the mountains outside of Republic City and locked her in a metal cage within the basement. He returned to City Hall and wrapped an Equalist bola around a column and laid out other "evidence" to make it appear that the Equalists had attacked the building and captured the Avatar. He also electrocuted himself with an electrified glove before Tenzin arrived to strengthen this charade. After the arrival of Councilman Tenzin, Tarrlok told him about the "Equalist attack" and ordered Saikhan to deploy the entire Metalbending Police Force to search for Korra.



After a raid on a secret Equalist facility, Lin Beifong, Tenzin, and Team Avatar discovered that Tarrlok had lied about Korra's abduction by the terrorist organization, so they proceeded to confront the Councilman at City Hall. After denying allegations of kidnapping Korra, his page revealed to the group that he had witnessed Tarrlok drive away with Korra in the back of a Satomobile. Tarrlok feverishly denied this and scolded him, but the page revealed that Tarrlok was a bloodbender. As Tenzin and Lin took up fighting stances and told him to give up; having no other options, Tarrlok incapacitated all of his accusers with bloodbending and fled the scene.

He returned to the cabin and complained that his plans were ruined. Korra guessed that his bloodbending secret was out and told him she had realized that he was Yakone's son. Tarrlok did not deny it and stated that he wanted to win Republic City by becoming its savior, rather than through its criminal underbelly like his father. Blaming Korra for his downfall, he planned on starting up somewhere else, using her as his hostage. Before Tarrlok could leave, he was confronted by Amon, the Lieutenant, and some chi blockers. The Councilman attempted to bloodbend them all, successfully subduing all but Amon himself. He was shocked to see Amon be only slightly affected by his powerful bending. Subsequently, the Equalist leader removed Tarrlok's bending and threw him into the back of a truck.

Revealing the past
Korra and Mako found Tarrlok incarcerated in an attic on Air Temple Island they planned to hide in. Tarrlok revealed to them that he is Amon's brother. He knew this as he recognized his brother's bloodbending grip. Explaining his past, he urged Korra to defeat his brother and "end this sad story." He told Korra and Mako of Amon's waterbending and bloodbending abilities, which became the political catalyst for their victory. He also apologized for what he had done to Korra, and that he too was consumed by his father's quest for revenge in his rise to power.

After Amon's defeat, he freed Tarrlok and the brothers escaped on a speedboat. Amon, now Noatak, wanted to start a new life, chatting enthusiastically to his brother who sat in the back of the boat whilst he drove. However, Tarrlok, visibly sickened by what he and his brother had become, put on a chi-blocker glove, unscrewed the fuel cap and, after stating "just like the good old times", Tarrlok electrocuted the gas tank, subsequently blowing up the boat, presumably killing them both.

Personality
As a child, Tarrlok was a kind-hearted person. Despite his father and brother's love for bloodbending, Tarrlok never liked it, stating that he never wanted to use the technique on anyone.

Ironically in his desire to prove himself better than his father, Tarrlok grew up to be much like Yakone; obsessed with power and willing to do whatever it took to attempt it. Although a majority of the public sees him as a fair-minded, decent man who wants the best for Republic City, Tarrlok is shown to be an ambitious if not manipulative elitist behind closed doors. Cold and ruthless when it comes to achieving his goals, he is not above using underhanded tactics such as aggression and bribery to get what he wants. Tenzin and Tarrlok have a long-standing rivalry, rarely agreeing on what is best for Republic City. In fact, Tarrlok seems to favor outright subjugation to deal with the Anti-bending Revolution, something to which Tenzin usually objects. Due to his belief that his father's failure was caused by his obsession with ruling the criminal underbelly, he was obsessed with ruling from the top of power. His obsession to become the city's "savior" led him to commit immoral actions and against justice, even arresting innocent people under false accusations and kidnapping Avatar Korra.

Following the loss of his bending and the realization that it was his brother who had taken it away, while imprisoned, Tarrlok began to reflect upon the choices he had made and realized the error of path he had taken. When Korra and Mako discovered Tarrlok locked in the attic of the temple on Air Temple Island, the former Council member sincerely apologized to Korra for everything that he had done to her, having realized that he had become the very monster he was horrified to be from his father's training. In a final act of atonement, Tarrlok decided to take both his own life and Amon's.

Waterbending
Tarrlok has demonstrated great skill in waterbending. He was shown capable of bending large streams of water to defeat several chi blockers at an Equalist hideout with ease. He was also confident enough to challenge Avatar Korra, able to strike quickly with little time for his opponent's to react. During their fight, Tarrlok skillfully bent the large waterfall in his office to various effects: he created a large sphere of water around him to shield him from Korra's fire blasts and was capable of firing multiple ice projectiles at an exceedingly rapid pace, enough to briefly overwhelm the Avatar. However, his bending prowess was not enough to match Korra's in the end and he was forced to resort to bloodbending.

Bloodbending


In addition to his proficiency as a waterbender, Tarrlok was an even more powerful bloodbender. As the son of bloodbender Yakone, Tarrlok could perform bloodbending feats such as body manipulation and control by bending the water present in a person's body, and in his case, could do this without the aid of the full moon. He was also capable of bending multiple people at the same time, with a sinister degree of control over them, as he was able to levitate them, throw them around, subdue them, and even knock them unconscious. He was seen doing this to Team Avatar, several metalbendending officers, the city Council and later to a group of Equalists, though Amon was the only one capable of resisting these effects. While holding Korra captive, the Equalist leader infiltrated the cabin and then took his bending away.

Other skills
Aside from his former bending proficiency, Tarrlok is a highly intelligent individual. For years he was able to conceal his bloodbending abilities and his connection to his father Yakone, a high-profile criminal and bloodbender, all the while creating a new identity for himself and rising to the prominent, public, and equally high-profile position of councilman. He appears to have great knowledge of both the Equalists maneuvers and of historic events. Tarrlok is also a very persuasive individual, easily swaying the other Council members' decisions to his point of view and appearing to the public as a popular, soft-spoken and caring politician to Republic City.

Relatives

 * Yakone (father)
 * Unnamed mother
 * Noatak (older brother)

Trivia

 * "Tarrlok" is a name of Irish origin that means "instigator" or "abettor".
 * While serving, Tarrlok was the youngest member of the United Republic Council.
 * Tarrlok's actions in keeping the Equalist threat at bay are almost identical to those of Alexander Palmer and Joseph McCarthy, two powerful men in the United States government during the late 1920s and the early 1950s, respectively. Both men were instigators of the "Red Scares", periods in American history where anti-Communist sentiments were high. Between the two Scares, a law was enacted, making it illegal for anyone to be even affiliated in the most remote context with the Communist party.
 * Palmer was famous for the "Palmer raids", nighttime surprise attacks conducted on alleged Communist cells, a parallel to Tarrlok's midnight raid on the Equalist bunker in the Dragon Flats district.
 * McCarthy was suspected of having ties with high-level security officers, just like Tarrlok and the Chief of Police.
 * Tarrlok's rise from politician to tyrant mirrors that of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, two immensely powerful dictators of the World War II era.
 * Mussolini persuaded - often illegally - governmental offices to give him more and more power to combat the Communists, just as Tarrlok seeks to increase his own power to combat the Equalists.
 * Hitler took over Germany's then nominal democratic republic with fear-mongering and manipulation, later using his resulting power to imprison innocent people, just as Tarrlok wrongly imprisoned innocent non-benders.
 * Tarrlok is the fifth known bloodbender to exist and the third seen capable of using his abilities without the aid of a full moon, after his father.
 * Tarrlok is the first person seen bloodbending in The Legend of Korra.
 * Tarrlok's relationship to Yakone is the reason for his ability to bloodbend without the help of a full moon.
 * Tarrlok is the fifteenth known person to lose his bending in the Avatar universe and the thirteenth in The Legend of Korra.
 * A picture of Tarrlok was later present on the front page of a newspaper the Fire Nation Councilwoman's husband was reading.
 * He and Amon are the first people to presumably die in The Legend of Korra. He is also the first character to implicitly commit (or, at the very least, attempt) a murder suicide.