Do you ship Bolin and Opal as well as Bolin and Wei or just Bolin and Wei?
If not Bolin/Opal- do you have an idea of how Bolin would have moved on from her to Wei? Feels like that would be a fun story.
I actually don't ship Bopal at all- it's one of the few ships I'd actually classify as a NOTP. Which is a shame, because Bolin and Opal are both, like, in my top 5 favourite Avatar characters and I actually find some of their interactions both fascinating and endearing.
(Also, full disclosure, I was a Bopal disliker way before I was a Weilin truther. I've often asked myself if I'm just being too busy fujoshing out to appreciate the adjacent het ship, but I genuinely just cannot get into Bopal no matter how much I try.)
It's frustrating to be a Bopal disliker AND an Opal enjoyer because most anti- Bopal takes are very much "Poor Bolin is just a baby boy (21 year old man in the army btw) and Opal doesn't deserve him and she was being mean/emotionally abusive because she didn't like that he was helping the fascist dictator." and not "this ship kinda feels like a hostage situation on all sides, including the audience's". As much as I understand that the awkwardness is the appeal of the ship, it doesn't really feel like cutesy, romantic stumbling and more like forcefully trying to fit two puzzle pieces together.
(seriously are the writers holding them both at gunpoint...)
Mind you, this is just my interpretation, and if you enjoy Bopal, more power to you, they can be adorable and interesting- I adore both characters, so seeing them genuinely happy with each other in fanart and stuff is nice. Even if I am firmly a platonic Bolin and Opal believer.
I'm actually currently writing a post-Bopal breakup Weilin fic, and it's just one of the ways I can see Bolin getting over Opal and developing feelings on Wei.
The most canon adjacent vision I have is Opal and Bolin simply. Not getting back together after he rescues the Beifongs. I've said this before, but even if you ship Bopal, reducing Opal's very rightful anger at Bolin for helping Kuvira to "how do I get my angry gf back" is a huge undercutting of what Opal is going through this season, as well as Bolin's redemption arc. Bolin was shown understanding the weight of his and the Empire's actions just an episode before, but once he gets back to Republic City "I've fucked up so bad and betrayed so many people I cared for and endorsed so much harm to so many people" becomes "Yea I fucked up, but why don't we have a picnic, babe?".
And, frankly, wouldn't it be more meaningful for Bolin to help rescue the Beifongs without Opal essentially going "I'll only get back with you if you help me save my family from the fucking nazi prison."??? Like, again, cheapening Bolin's arc, and also, vaguely concerned for Opal, who is already distressed about No One caring about her family's peril, dangling herself as a prize to get help from Anyone.
Having Bolin save the Beifongs of genuine remorse, and then spend more time with them in Republic City, maybe trying to make sure they're comfortable in the new enviornment, out of actual care and desire to atone feels like it would have much more weight. And if he happens to develop feelings for Wei, good for him.
not to be that guy but like there's only three good ships in korra: korra/asami, kya/lin and zaheer/p'li/ming-hua/ghazan. maybe amon/liutenant. all other ships can choke tbh - i can tolerate them but like,,, no
Oh anon I have way to many thoughts about her to string them together into a coherent thought, so here's some word vomit:
Opal's best moments happen when she is not with Bolin. Bopal as a ship fucks up Opal's character (and Bolin's but this ain't about him). The strength of Opal's character lies in her fierce loyalty to her family, which will even lead her to break her oath of pacifism if they are threatened. Her best scenes by far are when she's interacting with or talking about her family.
She's not the "nice vanilla girl" even though I'm like 90% sure that was the role she was meant to play, and was placed in the show purely to be Bolin's girlfriend. But Opal is fierce and very willing to fight fascists, even if they are her own siblings (you can't tell me she wasn't about to slap the shit out of Baatar Jr here).
There's also a very interesting dichotomy to Opal's character, especially to B4. Her interest and connection to airbending and the freedom it represents versus her loyalty and love for her family, which is literally her earthly tie (y'know... because... earthbenders. badumts 🥁). I wish this had been more explored, rather than Opal just being used as an extension of Bolin's arc.
I will also say that people are much to harsh on her for her shitty attitude towards Kuvira. Opal's behaviour towards Kuvira when they were children made a lot of people act like she was some sort of spoilt little brat, but sh really... wasn't? Kuvira came into Opal's room, demanded to play with Opal's dollhouse and then destroyed it when Opal didn't let her. And she wasn't even punished for it!
Was the "stray dog" comment out of line and incredibly shitty? Yes! But it was very warranted.
(Also that scene was some nice foreshadowing since Kuvira wanting ,something, not getting it, and then trying to destroy it, be it a dollhouse or Republic City, is a pattern lol)
In the comic book, Opal's attitude towards Kuvira is even more understandable. She has the right to never forgive Kuvira after what she's done. Kuvira almost killed her and her family members.
Additional lightning round of hot takes:
Opal was more into Korra than Bolin
She's more similar personalitywise to Lin than to Su (see my post about this)
I think that while she's a natural at airbending, she really struggles with adopting their philosophies and their morals. I don't know if she'll ever be fully able to grasp them
Ok, this is something I've been considering making for a while. Opal is a character I've grown to adore as I look more into her. At first, I didn't really pay Opal much mind, as she felt very much like she existed purely to be the love interest to Bolin and didn't care for the idea.
But as I dove more into the Beifong family, and looked more at Opal, I came to love her so much, and she quickly became one of my favourite female characters in the show. And as I looked into her more, I couldn't help but find certain aspects of queerness to her character.
Quick disclaimer: this is entirely my personal thoughts and interpretations of Opal. I headcanon Opal as a lesbian, however, what im about to dump upon you supports any flavour of sapphic interpretation of her- bisexual, pansexual, probably even many other queer identities. It's up to your interpretation. I will, however, be taking apart Bopal as a ship, so if you're very protective of the ship- I suggest you skip this post.
The nice girl
When we first meet Opal, she is introduced as sweet, approchable, a tad sheltered. She reads quietly, gets flustered easily and obeys her slightly overbearing mother.
In some manner, she fits into the archetype of a 'girl next door'. Perhaps in reference to this, Bolin's previous love interest shares a name with Gilligan Island's Ginger Grant (played by Tina Louise), a glamorous woman set in contrast to the girl next door, Mary Ann Summers (Dawn Wells).
Despite Zaofu seemingly not enforcing gender roles, not even displaying a dichotomy un clothing styles beyond some women wearing high heels, Opal seems to, at least at first, fit overtly well into femininity.
Her behaviour, at least on the surface, fit into archaic stereotypical feminine patterns. Her clothing, despite being not very different to the rest of zaofu fashion has a distinct taper to her waist, her hair is carefully styled into a neat bob and her design emphasises long eyelashes, similarly to Asami, another character who presents very feminine. Being a nonbender enforces Opal taking a passive position in life, unlike Kuvira and Su, who train themselves in combat and sport. And while this is a very archaic and silly idea, fiction often characterises femininity as passive- think a princess awaiting her prince, the active masculine, coming to complete her. This is one of the main aspects of the famed male gaze, as stipulated in Lisa Mulvey's "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema" paper published in 1975:
"In a world ordered by sexual imbalance', pleasure' in looking has been split between active'/male' and passive/female'. The determining male gaze' projects its fantasy onto the female' figure', which is styled accordingly."
But I hope we all can agree that gender presentation doesn't equal sexuality, despute what some may believe. Feminine sapphics exist, and that doesn't make them less queer than their more masculine counterparts. However, as a society, we tend to assume that masculine women, those who aren't performing "womanhood" correctly, as the queer ones. Therefore, femininity acts as an 'inhuman beard' of sorts. When the outside seems to be "girl-ing correctly" there is no need to scrutinise the inside.
To quote "But I'm a Cheerleader"'s main character, Megan, who uses her femininie presentation, particularly cheerleading, as a 'marker' of her heterosexuality:
"I'm not perverted! I get good grades, I go to church, I'm a cheerleader!"
Perhaps this is why people feel more comfortable headcanoning characters like Kuvira, who can be interpreted as more masculine, as lesbian. But Opal plays into our stereotypical ideas of femininity, so there's no need to doubt her heterosexuality, right?
This makes it even more ironic that the inspiration behind Opal's hairstyle, actress Dolly Haas regularly took on so called 'Breeches Roles', which are roles in which a woman will dress and pass as a man. Perhaps this hints to there being a little more under the surface of Opal's perfect feminine presentation.
The lavender lavabender
Our perception of Opal is heavily affected by Bolin's perception of her. Bolin really is the driving force of his and Opal's relationship. And while there is certainly a conversation to be had about Bolin's queerness and how that influenecs him to pursue Opal, this ain't about him.
Now, I don't think it would be fair to say that Opal doesn't like Bolin. Perhaps she was even interested in him. After all, she's a sheltered teen girl, just now afforded the chance to escape her family's smothering embrace- and there's a cute, friendly boy already seemingly interested in her! That's at least flattering, especially to someone who's probably had to share attention with 5 siblings.
But it isn't just Bolin's attention Opal is recieving. For I would argue that she is much more excited to meet Korra.
Opal: [Turns toward the guests.] Wow, Avatar Korra. [Stands up.] I can't believe you're here. You are so amazing.
Korra : It's great to meet you, Opal.
Bolin: Opal. That's a beautiful name.
Opal: [Blushes and pushes some hair behind her ear.] Thanks.
And while a straightforward reading of this interaction is that Bolin is the reason for Opal's flustered state, after all, Korra is still standing right there.
Opal is very heavily characterised as longing to leave home, explore new places and experience adventures. She admires, but also envies the people she sees as having that.
Bolin: Things are great now. I got to be a pro-bender, fought against a dangerous revolution, became a mover star, and now, I'm helping the Avatar rebuild a whole nation.
Opal : [Envious.] Wow. Your life sounds so exciting.
Now, Opal is rightfully thrown by Bolin's odd flirting. And while she does acquiesce to 'liking' Bolin, she is evasive enough to leave herself some wiggle room.
Bolin: [Chases after Opal.] Look, I'm sorry. I just get really self-conscious when I know when a girl likes me, and I-I end up looking stupid.
Opal: Who said I liked you?
Bolin: Oh no. But I though ... Mako said-
Opal: Just kidding. But, do me a favor and stop trying. [Bolin looks crestfallen.] Look, don't stop trying. Just stop trying so much. Just be yourself.
And then she, of course, immediately runs off with Korra the moment she comes to get her. Many have said that Opal has more chemistry with Korra than Bolin, and I will also say this.
But Korra is a girl, like Opal. And while Zaofu appears progressive enough, with even a close family friend being a queer man, the Earth Kingdom is still characterised as rather conservative. Even if Zaofu managed to isolate itself completely from said bigotry, cisheteronormative norms take time to be deconstructed.
Furthermore, Opal looks up to her mother and is eager to please her. And while bisexual Suyin is incredibly real and based, Su is still in an m/f relationship. Opal cannot hope to imitate Su in the manner Kuvira does, which is most likely a point of some discomfort or even envy. But she can still try to garner approval in other ways, for example - playing into Suyin's obsession with the family unit.
Throughout the rest of the show, as I've said previously, Bolin really is the one initinating romance. While Opal will allow his advances, she's often kind of just, there.
I believe the only time Opal has initiated affection towards Bolin is when she kisses him on the cheek, after he helps rescue her family.
Zhu Li: I want to thank you for coming back to save me. And don't be too hard on Bolin for working with Kuvira. His heart was in the right place.
Opal : [Playfully.] I think Bolin has worked his way out of the polar bear doghouse. [Kisses his cheek.]
Bolin: [Smiling triumphantly.] Yes! [Laughs.]
Now, I have thoughts on the way the Bopal arc was handled in B4. Bolin's involvement with Kuvira was indeed a betrayal of Opal's trust, as he deliberately ignored and downplayed her worries. Opal is right to be angry at him, and partially blame him for her family's capture.
However, this complex situation gets flattened into a simple lover's spat, even as Opal and Lin prepare for a dangerous mission to rescue their family, with no support from their so called allies. And yet, Bolin's aim, which up to "Into the Wilds" seemed to genuinely be focused on making right on his actions, has shifted completely to regaining Opal as a romantic partner.
So hearing Opal dangle herself as an incentive to convince Bolin, a capable ally, also someone who is familiar with the Earth Empire's inner workings, to help her rescue her family, who are being held by a dangerous dictator?
Opal : You know ... there is one thing you could do to win me back.
Bolin: [Eagerly.] What is it? Yes, I'll do anything!
Opal : [Turns to face him.] Come on a secret mission with us.
Bolin: Where to?
Opal : Zaofu. We're going to rescue my family.
It casts the 'rekindling' of their romance as an obligation. Something Opal had traded in for the safety of her family and Bolin, naive and desperate for affection, had accepted with no questions asked.
When I look at Opal and Bolin's relationship without the expected lense of "oh these characters are obviously into each other because everyone is telling me they are", it feels forced. On both sides, but especially Opal's.
Opal was a young woman with a lot if change happening in her life, learning new things about herself. When faced with another girl she clearly admires and likes, and a boy who admires and likes her, she seems to have chosen the safer option. And when she is in a position to begin questioning her relationship to him, it is overshadowed by a much larger threat. And when that threat sinks its claws into Opal's loved ones, she resigns herself to continue with a relationship she had doubts about, as Bolin is instrumental in tebrescue of her family.
Airbending is Gay 🌈
At least symbolically, in Opal's case. I mean, most storylines where a character has to accept/decide to pursue some aspect about themself that they have external pushback on can almost always be percieved as a queer metaphor, "High School Musical" style.
I mean, think about it. A new, rare ability blooms within Opal, just before she comes of age, awakened indirectly by the actions of Korra, a girl Opal finds "so amazing". Opal wants to pursue this new aspect to her life, to explore the world, but Opal's mother would rather keep Opal and her gift safe, but hidden from the world.
Bolin: You know what? Maybe I am scared. But what about you? I know that you want to go to the Northern Air Temple to train with Tenzin, but you haven't done it, because you're afraid too!
Opal : You know what? You're right. I don't want to leave my family and disappoint my mom.
In the light of the soft, setting sun, Opal and Korra have their first airbending lesson, both a little nervous and inexperienced in the roles they are taking on.
Korra: Okay. Let's see what you've got.
Opal : [Unsure.] I'm not very good.
Korra: That's okay. I've never been a teacher before, so we're in the same boat.
However, they quickly fall into a rythm together, movinging in circular motions, looking into each other's eyes, in perfect sync, paralleling how Korra's previous incarnation danced with his own romantic partner...
After various parties encourage her, Opal finally gathers the confidence to come out , I mean, talk to her parents about her leaving home to learn airbending in the Temples.
Now, there's a lot more to consider with Opal's chaarcter, and the potential queer readings of her, especially after she decides to pursue earthbending. But this is my sparknotes version, and I may elaborate on it further at a later date.
I've already written enough on the potential of Korra x Opal, and its symbolism, so I suggest reading this, if it piques your interest.
I love korpal sm… korra’s not even that short but everyone around her is freakishly tall. she deserves a pocket-sized gf
Korpal is a really
