Verrick being a villain surprised me. He was a selfish and really only started civil war in the South because it was messing with his business, but this was a step further then I expected. It has me wondering if this was all just to buy controlling interest in Future Industries or if he has bigger plans then this? Is he going to sell the mech tanks to someone else? Is he trying to prolong the civil war to make more profit from the war or does he have something else in mind?

I don't think Asami kissing Mako is going to lead anywhere or unnecessary. It was a moment of weakness where she felt vulnerable. It happens. Asami has been cool about all of this so doubtful the writers will reintroduce the love triangle. Mako's story without a romance works better to me. Last season his whole story revolved around Korra and Asami. Both girls had their own stories aside from Mako he didn't, so he felt like he didn't develop much. The detective job is really good for his character development. Bolin acted like ass it does seem like it's going somewhere. Ginger was telling him how he had to distinguish what was real and what was fake, foreshadowing how Bolin learns of Verrick true colors he'll have to learn things aren't always what they appear. It will be a good lesson for him and force him to grow as a person.

The ending was shocking. Korra washed up on Fire Sage's island (I think) and lost her memory. I expected Aang to show up and start talking to her to help her sort everything out like how Roku did for him. Maybe it's just me, but Unalaq had no idea where Korra was even though he went into the Spirit World makes me have hope that he really is a anti-villain and trying to restore spiritual balance.

On the technology front that they can have motion pictures, but the internet could still be way off. If you look at our real history despite having motion pictures in 20s and 30s that internet was still a long way off. Realistically speaking since Avatar universe had Industrial Revolution in the original series with Fire Nation's advancements that it is believable that in 70s years technology could get tothis level of motion pictures.

One thing I'm really curious about is what the deal with the Dark Spirits are. There seem to be too many Dark Spirits running around for it to simply be the Southern Water tribe not being spiritual enough. I have a feeling Unalaq has something to do with it, given he came out of the Spirit World when his kids went to that area to meet them, but can't be sure.

It also seems odd Unalaq can waterbend the spirits into coming down, but even Avatar-powered Korra can't, which means there has to be something more to this, unless he's a natural "spirit bender", similar to Amon's bloodbending ability, an Combustion Man's "unique" style of Firebending.

And was surprised at Varrick being villainous. I enjoyed how hilariously overly eccentric he was, but he didn't strike me as the evil type. I'm assuming he's mostly doing it for the money(alluded to when he mentioned that wartime is the best time to increase profits), but possibly an ulterior motive?

I was glad that Bolin finally stood up for himself, but he didn't have to do it in that manner or in that situation. Especially since his brother and friend are risking their own safety. I'm not sure why the technological growth is such a bad thing. Even ATLA had machines that we didn't have in the 1850s (The Drill for example). Plus when you have 3 nations mixed together, it'd make sense. Now after rewatching the episode though, I don't have any opinion of the kiss anymore. I now see why it's there, but I don't have any regards on it. Looks like our Moxy Mako is learning not to fully accept it.

I really liked the Beginning. I thought it did a good job explaining the origin of the Avatar and why only he can bend all four elements why it reincarnates as a human as oppose to just staying a spirit. Wan and Rava (I probably spelled that wrong) were great characters. The evil spirit (who I guess is the anti-Avatar of sorts) made sense. Light and Darkness connected with each other. All in all I say it was a great episode. The question is Unalaq being manipulated by the dark spirit into unleashing it for the battle between light and darkness that takes place every 10,000 years or is he trying to help Korra fight it in a misguided attempt?

I loved that adult Aang return in a cameo, but also got speaking roles for Roku, Kiyoshi, and Kuruk (I know I spelled his name wrong). I love they all know this story and tell it to Korra so she understands. I do hope we see more of Aang guiding Korra in the future. I'm not saying Aang needs to be shown all the time, because his time is over, but just have pop up once or twice in book like how Roku popped up from time to time. The episode was great it reminded me of Avatar and the Firelord from the original series.

Prediction time: Unalaq (sp?) has been going in and out of the spirit world and now we know that Batu is locked up there. Avatar Juan closed the portal to the spirit world which Korra just opened back up. Don't forget a little thing called the Harmonic Convergence is coming up very soon. Now that I have set the scene. I think it will end in an epic battle on the same plane in the spirit world that Juan fought, but with a twist. After seeing how powerful the Avatar Juan and Ralla combo was, Batu will possess Unalaq to become a sort of Dark Avatar. If this happens at the end of the entire series light will win.If this happens at the end of the season, the Dark Avatar will escape into the real world and cause all kinds of havoc in the next season. What do you think? I always enjoy speculating on what could happen.

That's another reason I loved the episode. It added more depth to the show's mythology and expanded on things. I too thought they learned to bend elements from the animals or moon, which I didn't understand why only some people could do it and how they got saddled with one element.

I do wonder if Unalaq is opening the spirit world to free Vaatu or if he is doing it so Korra can got there to battle him. It would be a nice twist to have Unalaq be anti-villain. Everyone pegged him as villain cause his attitude and personality even when he was making sense. I was disappointed the writers went that route. I'm hoping that this isn't Unalaq wants to be the Dark Avatar, but returns toa morally gray character. Alternatively Vaatu could be manipulating both Unalaq and Verrick to cause enough conflict to strengthen it for his battle with Korra.

I think that Unalaq will be similar to Tarrlok in season 1. He initially seemed like he was an antagonist (not necessarily the main villain) but in the end he helped Korra defeat Amon. The same thing may happen with Unalaq. On a similar note, it seems strange that so far in this series all the antagonists are water tribe (Amon, Tarrlok, Unalaq, Varrick). Maybe this is the creators way of distinguishing it from the original series when all the villains were fire nation.

I think Beginnings is epic. Once again, Aang has a speaking role in this episode. Also, for the first time in the entire series, Roku, Kyoshi, and Kuruk are seen communicating with Korra. But, of course, we see Wan, the man who would become Avatar. Finally, at the end, Korra really learns her role as the Avatar. She must now go back and close the Southern Portal. She is the bridge between the natural and spiritual worlds.