Well, maybe not for good. I might come back to that, if I'm feeling it.
But my current obsession is actually Avatar: The Legend of Korra, and I have been devouring meta of this like no tomorrow, and it is therefore very important to me that I make this statement:
BOLIN IS AN IMPORTANT, INTELLIGENT CHARACTER WITH A SIGNIFICANT ARC!
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| ^Me preparing to defend my son. The gloves (and sleeves) are OFF |
I was reading some meta and it was good stuff, but I was noticing that it was very lacking in Bolin. That's alright, because the rest of it was good, it just seemed like an odd hole. I thought it was kind of ridiculous, considering how prominent his storyline is in Book 4, how much emphasis they put on his skillset in Book 3, how vital he is to bringing Team Avatar back together in Book 2, how important he is to the team in Book 1. Seriously, there is never a point in the series when Bolin isn't doing anything (the same can't be said for Mako and Asami, it's important to note), so it seemed bizarre to me that this person was so blatantly ignoring his moments in the story.
(Also I have a major soft spot for Bolin - he's kinda my favourite character - so yeah, I was noticing it).
When they did get talking about Bolin, what they essentially said was, "I don't like him as much as I want to, because he's gullible, naive, kind of stupid, and never grows as a character."
I see that interpretation. I understand it. But I entirely, fundamentally disagree with it.
Bolin is not gullible.
I fully disagree with this, and I find that this perception of him really fails to understand the story that they're trying to tell with him.
I'll be working off of this image I found because I think it addresses people's main problems with Bolin/the main reasons people have this impression of him.
So the problem I have with this image is that it doesn't take into account the relationship that Bolin has with each of these people, or the reasons why he chooses to believe them.
First of all, dealing with the first couple panels there, I kind of begrudge Shady Shin's inclusion on the list of people Bolin trusted and shouldn't have. The truth is, we really don't know Shady Shin's relationship to the boys very well, and we don't know how much justification Bolin has in trusting him. We do know, though, that it was Shady Shin who taught Bolin to play Pai Sho (The Stakeout), which implies there was something of a rapport, and as of Republic City Hustle, there's evidence that he was the one who mostly kept the boys in, um, employment when they were out on the streets. So there seems to be at least some form of a relationship there.
Basically, we don't know the full story, so, as I am predisposed to be forgiving to Bolin, I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt on that one.
And then we come to Varrick, and this one I definitely have an easier time seeing Bolin as gullible here. However, once again, we have to consider his relationship with Varrick and Bolin's general mind-set, and how that's influencing his decisions.
First of all, Book 2 starts with Bolin feeling pretty awful about himself. His formerly successful pro-bending team just was the object of the quickest knockout in pro-bending history, and his friends are all off doing their own thing. They're moving on, and Bolin... you almost get the impression of him being stuck in a dead-end job. That's an odd way to think of being a pro-bender, but that's sort of the impression that I got, in any case. He feels like he's falling behind.
Bolin: So, um, what should I be doing?
Mako: I don't know, Bolin. Figure something out.
So, when Varrick attaches to him, it's a sense of validation that Bolin really needs and isn't getting from anyone else in his life. (Hell, no one even bothered to notice or help when he was stuck in what was obviously an abusive relationship with Eska, but this post is long enough without me getting into that). He has no real opportunity to help Korra with the civil war situation, so when Varrick offers him a chance to convince President Raiko to help via his part in the propaganda films, of course he's going to take it.
Varrick: With these movers, we'll have the support of the people, and before long, they'll persuade the president to lend his troop to the war effort.
The thing that you have to remember about Bolin is that at almost every point in time, what he wants to do is help. Almost, if not as much as Korra, Bolin is about helping people. In fact, every single frame above can be brought back to that trait, but I'm getting ahead of myself.
The point is, Varrick offered Bolin a chance for him to feel like he was helping people even when he was being more-or-less rejected/ignored by Team Avatar a.k.a his main vehicle of helping people up 'til now. Of course he's going to take it.
But of course he shouldn't trust Varrick! I hear you saying. The guy is shadier than Shady Shin! Which is why at this point in time, I would like to remind everyone that literally everyone except Mako was fooled by Varrick in-universe, and they weren't being offered much-needed validation and the kind of lifestyle that Bolin could have only dreamed about as a street kid.
Yes, Bolin was fooled by Varrick and taken advantage of. But I don't think this has as much to do with him being gullible as much as it has to do with the fact that no one else trusts him at this point, including himself. And here comes Varrick, who believes in him. That's going to be an attractive option to someone like him.
Varrick: I think I just figured out your true calling.
But you know who was the next person to figure out Varrick, after Mako? It wasn't Asami, or Korra, or Lin Bei Fong. It was Bolin. Night of a Thousand Stars, folks. What a good episode.
So next up we have Kai. And again, I disagree with Kai's inclusion here, because this has less to do with Bolin being gullible and more to do with Bolin feeling a very understandable kinship, and therefore naturally being more forgiving. Kai is a kid whose story is an echo of what Bolin and Mako went through - he's an orphan, he's homeless, he's been stealing. How does Bolin begrudge a kid for that when he and his brother canonically had to steal to survive when they were children too? Yes, there's a story about Kai robbing his adoptive family, but again, we don't know enough to make judgments.
It makes perfect sense that Bolin would believe that, now that Kai is being offered what are undeniably good circumstances, he would no longer resort to those methods. Republic City Hustle shows us that he and Mako enthusiastically rejected the criminal lifestyle (The Revelation notwithstanding) when they were offered an alternative. How was he supposed to know that Kai is, at this point, basically a kleptomaniac? Especially when he's being offered so much support?
Korra: He just needs some guidance, Tenzin. Who better to give it to him than us?
Who's to say that Bolin isn't thinking this exact thing?
And then we get Kuvira, and there's so much to say about Bolin's relationship with Kuvira that I don't even know where to begin. It isn't nearly as simple as the image would make it appear.
Okay, so the first thing I want to say is that, as the image suggests, this once again comes back to Bolin's desire to help people. Which he genuinely believes he has been doing while working in Kuvira's army, and (THIS IS IMPORTANT) has not, at this point, really been offered any evidence to the contrary aside from Kuvira's so-called "tough rhetoric". She can be harsh - but in working with Korra, Bolin has learned that harsh is not the same as bad.
(Which brings up another interesting point about how they were trying to hint at the Kuvira-Korra parallels quite early in the season, but it somehow didn't get across until they smacked us in the face with it it. But I get sidetracked enough without me going into that.)
Here's what Bolin has been able to observe from what he was given access to: Kuvira has successfully united the Earth Kingdom, which was completely falling apart after the Red Lotus assassinated the Earth Queen. He himself has taken part in helping out impoverished towns, giving them bags of food, and technology, and means of protecting themselves from bandits and suchlike. About some of the atrocities that Kuvira committed (such as the all-too-Hitler-like "re-education camps") he was fed lies, but judging from the way Kuvira and Bataar Jr. mention some "hard truths" when introducing Bolin into the inner circle, it would appear that much of the army was.
And, while I don't really want to get into a tangent about Kuvira's character, it's important to note that she's extremely charismatic, in her own way. She doesn't only talk the talk, she walks the walk - she fights the Avatar, she takes on the bandits herself, etc. This is helped even more by the fact that she genuinely believes herself to be helping people. The image implies she's lying to Bolin when she says it, but the thing is, she doesn't think she is. And there's nothing more convincing than someone who believes they're telling the truth.
Not to mention that Bolin wants to believe that he's been helping people. He's been doing this for three years - he wants desperately to think that he's been doing good work. Kuvira offers an explanation for the radical behaviour which made him suspect she wasn't right, and he accepts it because, from what he knows, it makes sense, and really, wouldn't you?
It's a short conversation, but there's so much going on here. Here's the important thing: Bolin questions Kuvira, because he isn't sure about her methods. She gives him answers. Her answers tell him this - firstly, that they are the only ones who can help the Earth Kingdom/Empire (she calls the other world leaders "bullies" and refers to Wu as an "idiot") and secondly, that she needs Bolin.
Okay, so the first thing I want to say is that, as the image suggests, this once again comes back to Bolin's desire to help people. Which he genuinely believes he has been doing while working in Kuvira's army, and (THIS IS IMPORTANT) has not, at this point, really been offered any evidence to the contrary aside from Kuvira's so-called "tough rhetoric". She can be harsh - but in working with Korra, Bolin has learned that harsh is not the same as bad.
Bolin: I mean, Kuvira is basically just like Korra. She might seem hard to deal with, but just because she's so passionate and believes in what she's doing.
(Which brings up another interesting point about how they were trying to hint at the Kuvira-Korra parallels quite early in the season, but it somehow didn't get across until they smacked us in the face with it it. But I get sidetracked enough without me going into that.)
Here's what Bolin has been able to observe from what he was given access to: Kuvira has successfully united the Earth Kingdom, which was completely falling apart after the Red Lotus assassinated the Earth Queen. He himself has taken part in helping out impoverished towns, giving them bags of food, and technology, and means of protecting themselves from bandits and suchlike. About some of the atrocities that Kuvira committed (such as the all-too-Hitler-like "re-education camps") he was fed lies, but judging from the way Kuvira and Bataar Jr. mention some "hard truths" when introducing Bolin into the inner circle, it would appear that much of the army was.
Kuvira: Now that you're in the inner circle, you're going to have to accept some hard truths.
[...]
Kuvira: Maybe you need to spend some time in a re-education camp.
Bolin: I thought that's where we sent people to learn new trade skills.
Bataar Jr.: Hard truths, Bolin.
And, while I don't really want to get into a tangent about Kuvira's character, it's important to note that she's extremely charismatic, in her own way. She doesn't only talk the talk, she walks the walk - she fights the Avatar, she takes on the bandits herself, etc. This is helped even more by the fact that she genuinely believes herself to be helping people. The image implies she's lying to Bolin when she says it, but the thing is, she doesn't think she is. And there's nothing more convincing than someone who believes they're telling the truth.
Not to mention that Bolin wants to believe that he's been helping people. He's been doing this for three years - he wants desperately to think that he's been doing good work. Kuvira offers an explanation for the radical behaviour which made him suspect she wasn't right, and he accepts it because, from what he knows, it makes sense, and really, wouldn't you?
Kuvira: You look worried, Bolin.
Bolin: Yeah, well, I just have some misgivings about how you kind of ambushed Tenzin and the other leaders.
Kuvira: You believe in the work that we've done for the people of the Earth Empire, right, Bolin?
Bolin: I do, but...
Kuvira: Then stick with me. I'm going to need your help now more than ever. Raiko and the others want to bully us into accepting some idiot king who will serve them but neglect the people. We have to stand strong against them.
Bolin: I'm just not sure about this whole 'Empire' thing. It seems pretty aggressive. And what was that about the crushing?
Kuvira: That was just some tough rhetoric to let people know that we mean business. Believe me, conflict is the last thing I want. Will you help me make history, Bolin?
Bolin: (after hesitation) I'll stand by you.
It's a short conversation, but there's so much going on here. Here's the important thing: Bolin questions Kuvira, because he isn't sure about her methods. She gives him answers. Her answers tell him this - firstly, that they are the only ones who can help the Earth Kingdom/Empire (she calls the other world leaders "bullies" and refers to Wu as an "idiot") and secondly, that she needs Bolin.
This is important. This is part of Kuvira's manipulation. Bolin doesn't often feel needed. And here is a world leader, having a personal conversation with him saying that she needs him to help people, which are Bolin's emotional soft spots, as we know.
That said, to Bolin's credit, he isn't entirely blinded by that. He still questions her, expressing again that he "isn't sure" about her methods. And I don't think he ever becomes completely okay with her way of doing things, as shown by him seeking out Mako after this conversation to gauge Wise Big Brother's take on the whole thing. What Kuvira manages is not to convince Bolin that she's unquestionably right, but that her end goal makes up for her way of getting it done. So he goes with it because he agrees with that end goal.
Which makes sense, because we have to infer that, by now, Kuvira has earned Bolin's trust that she is helping the Earth Kingdom/Empire.
See, Bolin doesn't know that Kuvira is the bad guy. He wasn't there when she threatened the lives of the bandits. He wasn't there when she coerced the mayor of that small town into complying. He didn't hear the sinister music cue associated with her entrance. The audience is present during some really telling scenes about Kuvira that Bolin doesn't get to witness, and I feel like people forget that.
(I also feel it necessary to mention, even if it is a tangent, that if we're sticking with the WWII theme, Bolin is a really fascinating reflection of some Nazis who really didn't know that they were doing such terrible things. There were men tried at Nuremberg whose only job was to create train schedules. I'm not saying it's a perfect reflection, because it most certainly isn't, but I always thought it was an interesting way to go, to put the single most heartfelt, sweet-natured character in an army which is constantly being given not-so-subtle hints at Nazism.)
One more thing in regards to Bolin and Kuvira's relationship: as with Shady Shin, we don't really get to witness the full story. We have no idea how this started on Bolin's part, what was said to get Bolin in the army, or really, what impression Bolin and Kuvira had of each other.
That being said, allow me to offer some speculation: dating Opal, Bolin must have known the Bei Fong drama - from what little we know of Opal, she doesn't seem like the type to keep silent about things she disagrees with. Therefore, he probably knew that Kuvira was disobeying Suyin by deciding to become a temporary leader of the Earth Kingdom. Bolin had to have known that. (At least, it looks like it from the way he edges out of the room when Suyin comes to talk to Kuvira in The Coronation). We can only assume that Kuvira managed to convince Bolin that she was doing good work on her own merits. While Bolin is trusting, it isn't like him to be disloyal to the people he cares about in that way, so she must have made a decent argument. If Bolin were gullible, isn't it more likely for him to mindlessly take the side of the Bei Fongs because of his attachment to Opal? But his choosing Kuvira implies that he made a thoughtful choice despite what others were probably telling him.
So, finally, what I want to draw attention to is the fact that every single person on that list is a skilled manipulator. Shady Shin is a Republic City gangster, and I'm pretty sure manipulating people is an important part of that, um, job. Varrick is manipulating everyone throughout the entirety of Book 2. Kai knows exactly how to press people's buttons to get what he wants (his pick-pocketing strategy is a good example of this) and Kuvira is a charismatic speaker who has many supporters by the time we see what's going on in Book 4.
Now, knowing that, we have to remember that Bolin has some very obvious vulnerabilities, and he isn't shy about showing them (throwback to the time he told everyone during an interview that he cries himself to sleep sometimes). To someone looking for someone to use, he'd be an easy target.
Not because he's dumb, but because he's very open. It's sweet, but it gives people power over him. That doesn't mean that he's gullible. It means that his weaknesses, to one looking for them, are easy to pinpoint and exploit.
That said, his openness is one of his best qualities. Considering how guarded the rest of everyone is, he is pretty instrumental in keeping the group together. (Look how difficult it was for Korra, Asami and Mako to get along at their eventual reunion in Book 4 without Bolin around to grease the wheels). It's important to his character, important to the show, and does not mean that he is any less capable of critical thought.
That said, to Bolin's credit, he isn't entirely blinded by that. He still questions her, expressing again that he "isn't sure" about her methods. And I don't think he ever becomes completely okay with her way of doing things, as shown by him seeking out Mako after this conversation to gauge Wise Big Brother's take on the whole thing. What Kuvira manages is not to convince Bolin that she's unquestionably right, but that her end goal makes up for her way of getting it done. So he goes with it because he agrees with that end goal.
Which makes sense, because we have to infer that, by now, Kuvira has earned Bolin's trust that she is helping the Earth Kingdom/Empire.
See, Bolin doesn't know that Kuvira is the bad guy. He wasn't there when she threatened the lives of the bandits. He wasn't there when she coerced the mayor of that small town into complying. He didn't hear the sinister music cue associated with her entrance. The audience is present during some really telling scenes about Kuvira that Bolin doesn't get to witness, and I feel like people forget that.
(I also feel it necessary to mention, even if it is a tangent, that if we're sticking with the WWII theme, Bolin is a really fascinating reflection of some Nazis who really didn't know that they were doing such terrible things. There were men tried at Nuremberg whose only job was to create train schedules. I'm not saying it's a perfect reflection, because it most certainly isn't, but I always thought it was an interesting way to go, to put the single most heartfelt, sweet-natured character in an army which is constantly being given not-so-subtle hints at Nazism.)
One more thing in regards to Bolin and Kuvira's relationship: as with Shady Shin, we don't really get to witness the full story. We have no idea how this started on Bolin's part, what was said to get Bolin in the army, or really, what impression Bolin and Kuvira had of each other.
That being said, allow me to offer some speculation: dating Opal, Bolin must have known the Bei Fong drama - from what little we know of Opal, she doesn't seem like the type to keep silent about things she disagrees with. Therefore, he probably knew that Kuvira was disobeying Suyin by deciding to become a temporary leader of the Earth Kingdom. Bolin had to have known that. (At least, it looks like it from the way he edges out of the room when Suyin comes to talk to Kuvira in The Coronation). We can only assume that Kuvira managed to convince Bolin that she was doing good work on her own merits. While Bolin is trusting, it isn't like him to be disloyal to the people he cares about in that way, so she must have made a decent argument. If Bolin were gullible, isn't it more likely for him to mindlessly take the side of the Bei Fongs because of his attachment to Opal? But his choosing Kuvira implies that he made a thoughtful choice despite what others were probably telling him.
So, finally, what I want to draw attention to is the fact that every single person on that list is a skilled manipulator. Shady Shin is a Republic City gangster, and I'm pretty sure manipulating people is an important part of that, um, job. Varrick is manipulating everyone throughout the entirety of Book 2. Kai knows exactly how to press people's buttons to get what he wants (his pick-pocketing strategy is a good example of this) and Kuvira is a charismatic speaker who has many supporters by the time we see what's going on in Book 4.
Now, knowing that, we have to remember that Bolin has some very obvious vulnerabilities, and he isn't shy about showing them (throwback to the time he told everyone during an interview that he cries himself to sleep sometimes). To someone looking for someone to use, he'd be an easy target.
Not because he's dumb, but because he's very open. It's sweet, but it gives people power over him. That doesn't mean that he's gullible. It means that his weaknesses, to one looking for them, are easy to pinpoint and exploit.
That said, his openness is one of his best qualities. Considering how guarded the rest of everyone is, he is pretty instrumental in keeping the group together. (Look how difficult it was for Korra, Asami and Mako to get along at their eventual reunion in Book 4 without Bolin around to grease the wheels). It's important to his character, important to the show, and does not mean that he is any less capable of critical thought.
Honestly, his main problem here is that he keeps running into people who are manipulative for a living who immediately target him. That's going to make anyone seem gullible at a glance.
Stay tuned for more Bolin defense! This isn't even all I have written at this moment, folks. More to come. Probably much more.
Stay tuned for more Bolin defense! This isn't even all I have written at this moment, folks. More to come. Probably much more.
