The Royal Blacksmiths

 Finally, an episode focused on Cole. For some reason he didn't get one at the beginning of the season, so this episode will have to do quite a bit of heavy lifting.

 As usual, the Serpentine try to get a Fangblade, but it's missing. The ninja, in the meanwhile, already have a lead on the very same Fangblade, as it has been incorporated into the trophy for a performance competition Cole's dad won multiple times, called Ninjago Talent.

Cole's dad doesn't, however, know that Cole is a ninja, instead believing him to be a performer, like himself. So, the ninja pretend to be a quartet of performers that wants to train under the guy to win Ninjago Talent. 

The Serpentine also learn of the competition, and take part, but Cole has a falling out with his dad, when he reveals that he's actually a ninja, and only wants to get the Blade Cup to keep the Fangblade safe.

During their performance, the ninja don't pretend to be professional performers anymore, and instead put on their own show, while also fighting off attacking Serpentine. They actually win the Blade Cup, and Cole's dad finally recognizes that doing what is right is more important than his own legacy, apologizing to Cole. Pythor, however, drops a bunch of equipment on Cole and his dad, stealing the Fangblade in the proccess, but Cole frees them with his True Potential. 

 Various Observations:

-The second Fangblade was hidden in an ancient Serpentine pyramid? I wonder if this is a remnant of Aspheera's kingdom.

 -Apparently the Bounty has some kind of 3d hologram generator? This doesn't really fit the established tech level, right?

 

-Cole recognizing the Fangblade ties neatly into his backstory, but I feel like there should be a bit more foreshadowing. Like, at least have him mention that the Fangblade in the last episode looks familiar.

-Alright, the Blade Cup looks kind of silly. And why is it so tall?

 

-Wait, hold on. Cole's dad thinks he's in Ninjago City? But when he wrote a letter to Cole way back in "Home", he sent it to the monastary! Maybe that was when the school Cole supposedly goes to had summer break, or something?

 -With Cole having run away, Lloyd's dad being magically evil, and Kai, Nya and Zane being orphans, Jay is the only ninja that's actually in contact with his parents. It's still about a season until Misako shows up to change this.

-Aww, I like how supportive Kai is of Cole. These True Potential episodes give us a lot of nice moments between the ninja.

-Garmadon actually sounds good in this episode. Neat!

-Apparently Wu's Spinjitzu has changed color since the pilots. It used to be white and bronze, if you remember.

-Wait, what is this? Why is the village where Cole's dad lives surrounded by a city on at least three sides? Do places like that even exist? I'm pretty sure it would've been subsumed into the city by now.

 -Sheesh, Cole's dad already sounds like real piece of work.

-Oh dear goodness, who in the world designed the posters for The Royal Blacksmiths? They look like something straight out of a nightmare!

 -This is the first appearance of the ninjas' casual outfits. I like 'em, though I do have to wonder why Zane would wear white pants. Those are going to get dirty pretty much the moment you step outside.

 -Oh dear, Cole's dad already makes everything about himself. Narcissism, much?

-Ha, I like that they found a way to tie a record scratch sound effect into the scene. Nice job!

-I like how both Kai and Cole look absolutely flabbergasted by Cole's dad. Their look just screams "Is this guy for real?".

-Huh, Kai already figured out how to work with Cole's dad. He just fed the guy's ego, and all suspicion disappeared. 

-How does Snike know that the Blade Cup is the price for a singing competition? The advertisement doesn't mention what sort of competition it is. Also, that's a pretty useless advertisement. It doesn't mention the date, location, or even what it's about!

 -Alright, I love the feedback Zane got. That's funny.

-Man, Cole's dad just keeps racking up points against him. Why would he even expect a seven year old to be able to pull off a dancing move that nobody has ever managed to do correctly? And now he demands it again. This feels like an ego thing, right? He wants to prove that he, or someone he trained, is better than everyone else by pulling off the Triple Tiger Sashay.

-I like Cole's frustration. He's not often allowed to be emotional, he's usually more grounded, so this is a nice change.

-Man, Jay's a real jerk to Cole. I guess their fight in season 3 did have plenty of build-up.

 -Skales is weirdly hyped about the Fangblades in this episode. You'd almost think it was his plan to free the Great Devourer, not Pythor's.

-So why did Garmadon push Wu into the portal back to Ninjago if they were both going to enter it anyways? It's just a really cheap fakeout that  doesn't make any sense in-universe.

-Why is this Lady juggling? I thought Ninjago Talent was a singing competition! I guess it being a talent show would make more sense, but in that case, why would the ninja and Serpentine sing, instead of showing off their actual talents?

 -Why are the ninja suddenly talking about their plans to steal the Blade Cup in front of everyone? And why does no one but Cole's dad hear it? Where'd everyone else go? To the toilet?

 -Man, why does Cole have to have such a stubborn dad? The public should know about the Fangblades by now, given the ads the ninja put up two episodes ago, but all Cole's dad focuses on is Cole "dishonoring his family's legacy". Like, sorry, but the literal world is at stake here! I'm pretty sure stealing the prize of a random talent/singing competition is permissible in these circumstances!  Of course, the real issue here is that Cole's dad is so damn fixated in his reputation as a great singer, that he can't bear to have it be "tarnished" by Cole not following in his footsteps, even if that means forcing Cole into a career that brings him no joy.

-Aaand Pythor ate a judge. I know the dude's still alive, but for how long will that remain the case?

-Wait a second, some of Lloyd's classmates are in the audience, behind the judges.

 

-Why are obviously false beards all that's needed to make sure the Serpentine aren't recognized? Just last episode, the people in the restaurant were quick to attack Jay, who looked way less conspicious, given that he, at least, had legs instead of a tail!

-The joke with Zane having butterflies in his stomach was funny. Jay's reaction actualy made it even better.

-Even Mezmo is a fan of the Weekend Whip. Can't blame the guy.

-I love that the guy cleaning the stage just brushes Fang-Sui away.

-Alright, I love the way Cole reconciles with his dad. Season 13 makes this scene far more powerful, as Cole's dad recognizes that Cole stands up for what is right, and that that's more important than being a performer. This echoes Lily, who made Cole promise her to always "stand up against those who are cruel and unjust". Maybe there's still hope for their relationship. 

-By finally showing his father who he truly is, Cole also reached his True Potential, which ties in to the conflict of this episode, but sadly not into any major arc for Cole, which is a pity.

-Alright, I love that Cole's dad hangs up a picture of Cole and the ninja on his wall. That's a nice way to close out the episode.