Yeah, the Varrick and Bolin plot was the best aspect of the episode, although I also really like how you still can't tell what Zhu Li's really up to and I was glad the one artist brother at least had enough backbone not to bow down at the end: I'd love to see him amount to more than comedic relief, but that's just me. I also found it surprising that Kuvira looked like she was going to go for the kill even though she'd clearly bested Korra - if all she wants is for the other nations to leave her alone while she forcibly unites the Earth Empire, killing the Avatar, beloved of the Air Nomads, friend of the Fire Nation, patron of Republic City, and daughter of the Chief of the Southern Water Tribe, seems like a rather poor tactical choice.