How do you solve a problem like Mako?

[somnus_angel]

If Mako is clearly gearing up to be Korra's main love interest, why is it so hard to root for them to get together? And what can be done to make cheering him on easier?

Comments

[angerfish]

ngl I was kind of going "ewwww" in 1x02 when the show hit me over the head that Makorra was going to be a thing. (I dunno I like to see relationships build over time, and maybe even be surprised.)

But then I rather liked him a lot in 1x03. I don't know I like pairings where they go out and accomplish shit, and Korra and Mako rescuing Bolin was certainly in that vein lol.

I know 1x05 was a dealbreaker for some people, and I get why, but honestly I was mostly amused by all the dramaaaaaaa of that episode. And I was all chill thinking they were getting all the love polygon shenanigans out of the way in that one episode (lol how cute of me to be so hopeful.) And that maybe the final episode would hint that Korra and Mako would get together, but Mako and Asami would break up for some Korra related reason. I was literally shipping pretty much all the teenage/young adult characters and any endgame couple could have made me happy.

I wasn't paying attention to Mako that much in subsequent episodes. But omg 1x09. Fucking 1x09 was the dealbreaker for me, and I'm not sure why. I do think the character and the ship can be salvaged but I'm honestly angry at how anvilicious and... ship wank baiting the writing for this character has become. I feel like the Makorra ship is partially written as like ... wish fulfillment. But if you're not super into Mako as a character, or like invested in *~which type of girl will he choose!!*~ then there's not a whole lot there for you.

AAAARGH. I swear I'm not trying to go outright character bashing but I'm so frustrated. Mostly because I missed when I 100% liked all the characters.

[breakattiffanys]

IA. I actually liked Mako at the beginning when he was defined mostly as a responsible big brother but once the show started focusing more and more on his love life, he just became annoying and barely tolerable. Now, I feel like he barely does anything outside of this shitty love triangle. He has no purpose on this show except to be Korra's love interest. Whether or not you liked the ships in a;tla, there's no way you could deny that everyone was their own character and not solely defined by a romance.

[teacup_werewolf]

Right, in ATLA the relationships were paced and timed. We had a few shippy episodes in season 1 but it wasn't anvil-licious. Aang was a boy becoming a man or demigod Katara was the warrior woman arc and Zuko was about redemption. They had defined character arcs and motives. Shipping wasn't a big deal until...season 2. Once the characters were established

[fyearya]

"but once the show started focusing more and more on his love life, he just became annoying and barely tolerable." EXACTLY. I mean I still have a lot of affection for Mako but I'm usually side-eyeing the shit out of him in the most recent eps. I'm trying to reserve my judgements on the love triangle until the end of the season (bc I'm really starting to get annoyed with wank based on predictions). But YES the shift to the focus on his love life has been largely unbearable and has hindered his development.

[dkwrkm]

I'm pretty much exactly the same. 1x05 was crack and Mako didn't look good in it, but I was optimistic that ok, they've got the stupid out of their system, can we get on with the WHO IS AMON?? business?

And then with 1x09, I just GROANED and ROLLED MY EYES every time Mako was onscreen. Poor kid. I miss what he used to be.