Episode 10! That sets things up nicely for the finale.
The main problem I have with the love triangle thing is that it means Bolin is getting less screen time. He pretty much got all of one line this episode, and as the new Sokka, that is just Not Acceptable.
Tenzin [spoiler]showed what a master airbender is capable of. Of course, the equalists wouldn't have much practical experience with airbenders, so it stands to reason that he and his family did so well. Recall also the fate of Gyatso. Jinora's the same age Toph was in the original series; it's not like there's no precedent for kids being competent fighters, at least with the element of surprise.[/spoiler]
I was expecting Lin to [spoiler]end up in the ocean, what with her metal armor. Was honestly relieved when the second airship turned around.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]For Iroh to be the general over the entire United Forces at his age means he's bound to be a real badass; nepotism alone can only raise you so far, even for a nephew (son?) of the Fire Lord. We might witness a firebender who's as far above Mako as Lin was above Bolin. I find it interesting that the message was claimed to come from Korra, when Tenzin was the one who sent it.[/spoiler]
Will Amon replace Satoshi Shinobi as the voiceover narrator next week, as he did earlier? That was an excellent way of indicating the stakes had been raised.