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Legend of Korra Book 3: Change |OT| SCHEDULEBENDING

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Mako used lightning once in all of season 2, and when he did it, they cut away from him to avoid showing the full attack.
 
To be fair, Korra gets clocked pretty often. She's a really good bender but definitely finds herself overpowered, usually running up against some water bender that's way too good for no reason. Unalaq wasn't even the "fighter" brother and still bodied Tonraq and Korra.
 
he did? when was that?

against a car or something I believe.


And to the person who responded to me saying that they lost against the twins on home turf, that's a good excuse I guess but the fact Korra basically carries the whole team is boring. Yes I understand Aang had master benders on his side so that's why they could take on his own, but as to main baddies having to be taken care of by the avatar that's unfair considering that say Katara and Zuko beat Azula.

It's just boring to watch something where the lead is the only capable one when shit gets serious. It's an issue with many anime shows as well
 
against a car or something I believe.


And to the person who responded to me saying that they lost against the twins on home turf, that's a good excuse I guess but the fact Korra basically carries the whole team is boring. Yes I understand Aang had master benders on his side so that's why they could take on his own, but as to main baddies having to be taken care of by the avatar that's unfair considering that say Katara and Zuko beat Azula.

It's just boring to watch something where the lead is the only capable one when shit gets serious. It's an issue with many anime shows as well

Pretty much this, but that is also the problem with Avatar as a whole, because they can only do so much with the elements without breaking the rules they set up in the show, and as a result, fights are really pretty to look at, but there isn't much pass eye candy.

Compare it to Something Like Stardust crusaders where every character gets an awesome fight and does something important every once in awhile, hell. Most of Korra's group barely beats side villains.
 
And to the person who responded to me saying that they lost against the twins on home turf, that's a good excuse I guess but the fact Korra basically carries the whole team is boring. Yes I understand Aang had master benders on his side so that's why they could take on his own, but as to main baddies having to be taken care of by the avatar that's unfair considering that say Katara and Zuko beat Azula.

It's just boring to watch something where the lead is the only capable one when shit gets serious. It's an issue with many anime shows as well

Well. We just literally watched an episode with crazy bending action and Korra did fuck all. In fact, Korra was just saved by the crew.

As great as Azula was (should have been the big bad, to be honest), she was the lieutenant role in the AtLA conflict. Aang fought the main guy.

At this point, the only person who's not getting any real burn is Asami. Such a waste of a decent character.
 
Well. We just literally watched an episode with crazy bending action and Korra did fuck all. In fact, Korra was just saved by the crew.

As great as Azula was (should have been the big bad, to be honest), she was the lieutenant role in the AtLA conflict. Aang fought the main guy.

At this point, the only person who's not getting any real burn is Asami. Such a waste of a decent character.

Ozai was the main bad guy, but he had like a few scenes over-all. Azula was a threat that literally could stand on her own against 2 or 3 gaang members, heck when she had no bending she literally danced around them to waste time like if it was nothing. They had to bring two people to team up against her and Zuko specifically said he could only beat her now because her mind was slipping. They had to make her go crazy so one on one they had a chance against her. That says something about how strong she was.

As to the episode with crazy bending action, they've made it extremely clear that this group of 4 baddies are the masters of their domain. We had a master water bender beaten by Zaheer, and even Zuko with 3 master water benders didn't stand a chance against them (though a serious fight was never seen I guess).

The only way these characters were going to be able to have their moment to shine was to take Korra out of the battle, so of course they use a tranquilizer on her so she can't battle and take them all out on her own (if even possible). And even then it was Bolin, Mako, Lin, Zuyin and a bunch of metal benders against 4 guys. So yeah even then they need a battalion to fight 4 guys. I'm sure Korra will later on take on all 4 of them at the same time or something.

I really do hope Bolin gets lava bending or something. Or at the very least they're able to defeat with 2-3 of them like 2 of the group of baddies. Because if so it'd be yet another season of everybody else needing to be saved by Jesus Korra.
 
I really do hope Bolin gets lava bending or something. Or at the very least they're able to defeat with 2-3 of them like 2 of the group of baddies. Because if so it'd be yet another season of everybody else needing to be saved by Jesus Korra.
I don't know I am actually hoping on sniper Bolin now. Why does he has to copy someone elses thing, when he is actually good at something special like precisely and fast shooting of little rocks.
 
I kinda feel the weirdness with how Korra seems in comparison to the others, is in the construction of the story. Korra as brash teenager who doesn't know her limits. It's a constant cycle of overreach, failure, and contrition.

Since Korra's supposed to already be really strong but suffering from inexperience, her allies must be shown as weaker than her. With Aang's crew, Aang was a kid compared to everyone else. His was a journey of growth where he learned from his companions, so they had to be impressive. Aang wanted to befriend Zuko to learn from him. Toph whipped him into shape. He needed Kitara to teach him waterbending. She could be portrayed as a prodigy in her own right. (Potentially terrifying even, once she learned bloodbending.)

Korra already knows more than her friends, and even the challenge of learning air bending was again, a personal problem within herself. Tenzin wasn't portrayed as an awesome teacher who took her on a spiritual journey. In fact Tenzin might have trouble teaching a paper bag how to hold a sandwich.
 
I don't know I am actually hoping on sniper Bolin now. Why does he has to copy someone elses thing, when he is actually good at something special like precisely and fast shooting of little rocks.

If they give a focus to his aiming skills then fuck it yeah, I'll take sniper bolin. But that seemed more of a "we need to aim at this specific thing, hey you did it earlier let's show you're not completely useless"
 
Sniping Bolin would be great. And I really wish they built or will build on Asami's innovative talent. Like her inventing gadgets to fight benders ala her father and the Equalists instead of using the silly glove 24/7 would add some neat depth.

Maybe she will when they will undoubtedly get their bums whooped by Zaheer and co. Pleeease!
 
Sniper Bolin was fine. The only issue was how on the nose the set up for the scene was (more so the dialogue w/ Mako being like OH MY GOD Bolin you are so good at hitting people). But as I said earlier, it's already been established that Bolin is pretty good at hitting people with Rocks. He was good with pro-bending, and also we saw it when he saved the president at his mover premiere.

I'm not sure I want that to be his specific skill though lol. I dunno. I mean we are so far into this series, that I kind of feel like we are past a point of anyone getting a specific stand out skill. Personally, I think Bolin and Mako work great together, and their fight scenes have good choreography. I wouldn't be opposed to Bolin getting a special skill though (I just hope it's not contrived).
 
I just can't buy the argument that Korra continually saves the day by herself. Korra doesn't defeat Amon without Mako shooting clutch (read: bullshit) lightning. Korra doesn't defeat Unalaq without Tenzin or Jinora. For all the show's fault, that's a consistent theme being presented: Korra can't do it alone.

Korra gets saved frequently by other characters. Two or three times a season. She still can't shoot lightning, and Bolin had to teach Korra how to earthbend better. This is the second time Lin saved Korra's life. And the show is obviously setting up something with Bolin to learn an advanced technique. Korra has always been a bender prodigy, that's her thing. I really wish it would be expressed in subtler ways than her rushing head first into any fight, though. Like her frequently practicing her forms during down time, seeking improvement in any way she can manage, or having slightly faster delivery of attacks in her fights than her peers.

Also, can they just turn Asami into a genius engineer or something? I thought they would have been going that direction by now.
 
If they give a focus to his aiming skills then fuck it yeah, I'll take sniper bolin. But that seemed more of a "we need to aim at this specific thing, hey you did it earlier let's show you're not completely useless"
At legit thought. I hope not. That would at least make it ok for him to be an rather unimpressive bender so far, since regular earthbending is no that much about precision. Maybe he tried to hard to copy others while ignoring that he is just different. I mean, he can fight just fine, but his fighting style just has no personality.

Sniping Bolin would be great. And I really wish they built or will build on Asami's innovative talent. Like her inventing gadgets to fight benders ala her father and the Equalists instead of using the silly glove 24/7 would add some neat depth.

Maybe she will when they will undoubtedly get their bums whooped by Zaheer and co. Pleeease!
Asama sadly has Varrick in her back. That guy is certainly the shows local inventor. Two would be weird and maybe a bit over powered since Varrick alones shits out tons of stuff already, Asami needs something else.
 
I just can't buy the argument that Korra continually saves the day by herself. Korra doesn't defeat Amon without Mako shooting clutch lightning. Korra doesn't defeat Unalaq without Tenzin or Jinora. For all the show's fault, that's a consistent theme being presented: Korra can't do it alone.

Korra gets saved frequently by other characters. Two or three times a season. She still can't shoot lightning, and Bolin had to teach Korra how to earthbend better. This is the second time Lin saved Korra's life. And the show is obviously setting up something with Bolin to learn an advanced technique. Korra has always been a bender prodigy, that's her thing. I really wish it would be expressed in subtler ways than her rushing head first into any fight, though. Like her frequently practicing her forms during down time, seeking improvement in any way she can manage, or having slightly faster delivery of attacks in her fights than her peers.

Also, can they just turn Asami into a genius engineer or something? I thought they would have been going that direction by now.

They just don't care about the characters on that level tbh. This series wanted to focus more on characters relationships than their skills. Which is bizarre, seeing as they did a terrible job with the characters and their relationships with one another. But in terms of the group dynamic, it seems pretty clear they never wanted to develop each character as contributing something special to the group.

They have served more as a "being there" for Korra role. Which again is strange, since their relationship stuff has been pretty poorly handled to. So basically we have like a bunch of people filling in "generic" physical roles, and not standing out more then that. Really, these people are only team avatar because they became friends with her when no one else would.
 
Asami and Bolin together are basically Sokka. The funny guy and the non-bender in the group, both properties that apparently make you the least reliable fighter in the group. I would hope that with a new season they'd make it where this wasn't the same case twice, but eh. We still have like what? 4-5 episodes left? I doubt they'll all of a sudden get better.
 
Asami and Bolin together are basically Sokka. The funny guy and the non-bender in the group, both properties that apparently make you the least reliable fighter in the group. I would hope that with a new season they'd make it where this wasn't the same case twice, but eh. We still have like what? 4-5 episodes left? I doubt they'll all of a sudden get better.


Yep. And realistically, I can't see them shifting a huge focus to them in Book 4. I think we just have to accept they won't ever get that fleshed out. It's why I brought up "romance" as being the only way for a character in the group to become important in the final run of the chapter. But that doesn't seem likely at this point.

So yeah, they are just going to fade to the background. Is what it is.
 
They have served more as a "being there" for Korra role. Which again is strange, since their relationship stuff has been pretty poorly handled to. So basically we have like a bunch of people filling in "generic" physical roles, and not standing out more then that. Really, these people are only team avatar because they became friends with her when no one else would.

I agree that the group just feels there, especially Asami. I think that's a function of Book Air originally being a standalone production. This season has been better about distinguishing "roles" though. Mako is getting his detective thing on. Bolin has been a revelation this season, being the heart and soul of the group while being funnier than he's ever been. It feels like the group has got a rhythm it never had before. Probably because the writing has been focused outside the bubble of the group for the most part, allowing them to react to stuff and not necessarily each other.
 
Has Korra evolved as a character over the 3 seasons so far? She just seems like that same hot headed girl from the first season. The only difference now is she can air-bend (which the process had no actual character growth to it) and has been in and out of relationships.

Can we just have the series finale already with Aang waking up from meditation and saying, "We gotta change the future" and it fades to black?
 
I agree that the group just feels there, especially Asami. I think that's a function of Book Air originally being a standalone production. This season has been better about distinguishing "roles" though. Mako is getting his detective thing on. Bolin has been a revelation this season, being the heart and soul of the group while being funnier than he's ever been. It feels like the group has got a rhythm it never had before. Probably because the writing has been focused outside the bubble of the group for the most part, allowing them to react to stuff and not necessarily each other.

I agree that each of them have grown into their own "roles". I just meant, they aren't ever going to stand out in terms of having a unique skill, or growing substantially beyond just being there for Korra. ATLA was obviously designed around the characters being there for Aang, but they all had their own skills/talents and journey's they were going on at the same time. Basically, I just view Korra's team avatar as being a basic support, and not really going beyond that (in terms of their own individual journeys). And I mean, we are so far into the story that I can't see that changing at this point.
 
Has Korra evolved as a character over the 3 seasons so far? She just seems like that same hot headed girl from the first season. The only difference now is she can air-bend (which the process had no actual character growth to it) and has been in and out of relationships.
Not really. She has some calm and bright moments, but she is still Korra.

Can we just have the series finale already with Aang waking up from meditation and saying, "We gotta change the future" and it fades to black?
I could totally see Varrick being Doc Brown and develop a time machine to fix the past with teenage Kai.
 
Basically, I just view Korra's team avatar as being a basic support, and not really going beyond that (in terms of their own individual journeys). And I mean, we are so far into the story that I can't see that changing at this point.

Agreed. I can see the support characters getting an ending to their arcs that makes sense with some personal growth and stuff, but in this regard it's nothing comparable to AtLA.
 
Agreed. I can see the support characters getting an ending to their arcs that makes sense with some personal growth and stuff, but in this regard it's nothing comparable to AtLA.

I mean, each of the characters could have an ending arc that sends them into their own direction. But I can't see any of them like, being substantial to Korra at this point? If that makes sense. I mean regardless what we think of Korra as a character, she's the most important. She's the Avatar. So in terms of like lore and stuff, I just don't see anyone in Team Avatar becoming important. Sucks. =/
 
I agree that each of them have grown into their own "roles". I just meant, they aren't ever going to stand out in terms of having a unique skill, or growing substantially beyond just being there for Korra. ATLA was obviously designed around the characters being there for Aang, but they all had their own skills/talents and journey's they were going on at the same time. Basically, I just view Korra's team avatar as being a basic support, and not really going beyond that (in terms of their own individual journeys). And I mean, we are so far into the story that I can't see that changing at this point.

Lol wut? They had the Asami and her father in season 1, then her company and Varrik in season 2. Mako became a detective, Bolin became a movie star.They just has a storyline about mako+bolin discover their long lost family. The only way to claim that the Team Avatar hasn't been fleshed out/important is if you only care about beating up bad guys. C'mon gaffers, it's a kids show but we're not juveniles who only care about action. Seriously sometimes I wonder if we're watching the same show
 
Lol wut? They had the Asami and her father in season 1, then her company and Varrik in season 2. Mako became a detective, Bolin became a movie star.They just has a storyline about mako+bolin discover their long lost family. The only way to claim that the Team Avatar hasn't been fleshed out/important is if you only care about beating up bad guys. C'mon gaffers, it's a kids show but we're not juveniles who only care about action. Seriously sometimes I wonder if we're watching the same show

Uh, they were talking about how each character contributes to the group in a special way. And while you are right each character has kind of went off and had their own little side things, I fail to see how that has made them a specific stand out in the group (filling a role only they could fill).

And while Book 2 tried to give each character their own little journey (hardly the same thing as ATLA's structure), they ended up stripping that all away bringing them back as the group, just standing in as generic physical support. So I still think their criticisms of this team avatar are valid. And this far into the story, I don't really see them moving beyond just being support. I would agree with you more, if the writers did a better job with the group interacting with each other (if they fleshed out their friendship and interactions more). But they really haven't (outside of Korra and Asami briefly bonding earlier this season).

Pretty much Asami and the rest of the group has fallen to the back. Tenzin and the airbenders are much more important. And even in Book 2 when Mako/Bolin had their own side plot, Tenzin and his family were of much more importance to the main plot and Korra. I agree that their physical contribution shouldn't be all that matters. But we can't ignore the fact that, in ATLA characters were partly defined by having a special skill or bringing something to the group that only they could.

At best, Asami's wealth/company is really only something she could bring to the table. So she contributes in that way. Which is fine. But she gets pushed to the back so often, that it ends up being disappointing. And while I don't think Korra has to be 1:1 like ATLA in terms of structure, I think it's pretty much writing 101, that if you aren't going to give these characters a specific stand out skill or contribution to the group (that again, makes them special), then they have to be there for other reasons (ie. they need to build on their friendship).

Because honestly, the only reason this group is together is because they happened to become friends with Korra. And again that is fine, but we need to see that.
 
Lol wut? They had the Asami and her father in season 1, then her company and Varrik in season 2. Mako became a detective, Bolin became a movie star.They just has a storyline about mako+bolin discover their long lost family. The only way to claim that the Team Avatar hasn't been fleshed out/important is if you only care about beating up bad guys. C'mon gaffers, it's a kids show but we're not juveniles who only care about action. Seriously sometimes I wonder if we're watching the same show

I think of arcs like Zuko's personal journey, or how Katara learned to forgive her mother's killer in large part because of how she learned to forgive Zuko. You see how these dynamics developed across multiple seasons.

Whereas stuff like Bolin becoming a prima donna "mover" star wasn't character growth since he's the same dude before and after. So these characters may do things, but its not ongoing nor organic. And it rarely ever includes the rest of Team Avatar.

I think Tenzin's stuff is really good though.
 
Lol wut? They had the Asami and her father in season 1, then her company and Varrik in season 2. Mako became a detective, Bolin became a movie star.They just has a storyline about mako+bolin discover their long lost family. The only way to claim that the Team Avatar hasn't been fleshed out/important is if you only care about beating up bad guys. C'mon gaffers, it's a kids show but we're not juveniles who only care about action. Seriously sometimes I wonder if we're watching the same show

They really didn't change because of it, hell we really don't know anything else about them from those things.
 
I mean, each of the characters could have an ending arc that sends them into their own direction. But I can't see any of them like, being substantial to Korra at this point? If that makes sense. I mean regardless what we think of Korra as a character, she's the most important. She's the Avatar. So in terms of like lore and stuff, I just don't see anyone in Team Avatar becoming important. Sucks. =/

Uh, they were talking about how each character contributes to the group in a special way. And while you are right each character has kind of went off and had their own little side things, I fail to see how that has made them a specific stand out in the group (filling a role only they could fill).

And while Book 2 tried to give each character their own little journey (hardly the same thing as ATLA's structure), they ended up stripping that all away bringing them back as the group, just standing in as generic physical support. So I still think their criticisms of this team avatar are valid. And this far into the story, I don't really see them moving beyond just being support. I would agree with you more, if the writers did a better job with the group interacting with each other (if they fleshed out their friendship and interactions more). But they really haven't (outside of Korra and Asami briefly bonding earlier this season).

Pretty much Asami and the rest of the group has fallen to the back. Tenzin and the airbenders are much more important. And even in Book 2 when Mako/Bolin had their own side plot, Tenzin and his family were of much more importance to the main plot and Korra. I agree that their physical contribution shouldn't be all that matters. But we can't ignore the fact that, in ATLA characters were partly defined by having a special skill or bringing something to the group that only they could.

At best, Asami's wealth/company is really only something she could bring to the table. So she contributes in that way. Which is fine. But she gets pushed to the back so often, that it ends up being disappointing.
*ugh* this is nonsense. There's no rhyme or reason to what you judge important
I think of arcs like Zuko's personal journey, or how Katara learned to forgive her mother's killer in large part because of how she learned to forgive Zuko. You see how these dynamics developed across multiple seasons.

Whereas stuff like Bolin becoming a prima donna "mover" star wasn't character growth since he's the same dude before and after. So these characters may do things, but its not ongoing nor organic. And it rarely ever includes the rest of Team Avatar.

I think Tenzin's stuff is really good though.
Zuko is an exception. Otherwise the other ATLA characters barely changed in the manner you claim until the final few episodes of the series. So it's a bit premature and unfair to compare half the LoK series to the full ATLA series. *shrug* I'll just keep my mouth shut until the show is over now. Carry on

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yomd3_C0UO0
This is the legend of korra panel in comic con.
awesome stuff.
Nice find. thanks
 
*ugh* this is nonsense. There's no rhyme or reason to what you judge important

Zuko is an exception. Otherwise the other ATLA characters barely changed in the manner you claim until the final few episodes of the series. So it's a bit premature and unfair to compare half the LoK series to the full ATLA series.

We are more than halfway though the series, in season 1 Katara learned healing and more advanced waterbending. Sokka learned not to be a sexist idiot and Aang slowly learned to accept his place as Avatar.

Compared Season 1 of Korra where Mako and Bolin learned nothing, Asami learned her dad was evil, but that wasn't really character devolvement.
 
We are more than halfway though the series, in season 1 Katara learned healing and more advanced waterbending. Sokka learned not to be a sexist idiot and Aang slowly learned to accept his place as Avatar.

Compared Season 1 of Korra where Mako and Bolin learned nothing, Asami learned her dad was evil, but that wasn't really character devolvement.
Lol wut? Sokka was still being a sexist idiot during the prison break (didn't trust his girlfriend's abilities), Aang was still running away from his responsibilities in the series finale. *shrug* nvm Carry on
 
Asama sadly has Varrick in her back. That guy is certainly the shows local inventor. Two would be weird and maybe a bit over powered since Varrick alones shits out tons of stuff already, Asami needs something else.

It could work! Varrick isn't a part of Team Avatar, so he isn't directly involved in their fights. I can already see a kind of rivalry between the two already on screen. If Asami can beat Varrick at his own game (for the sake of Team Avatar and kicking ass) then that would add some pretty funny comedic scenes on top of giving Asami some well-earned development.
 
Lol wut? Sokka was still being a sexist idiot during the prison break (didn't trust his girlfriend's abilities), Aang was still running away from his responsibilities in the series finale. *shrug* nvm Carry on

No he wasn't, he respected Suki as a warrior at that point, and worrying about someone isn't the same.

Aang wasn't running away from his, he was still going to face Ozai, he was just trying find a way around killing him, also just saying nvm Carry on, doesn't really help the situation since you just dismiss others points without really providing a decent examples.

Tell me, how did Asami changed from this season, to the next. Or Bolin, or even Mako, hell Korra barely changed and she's the main character, we know less about them from the three season than the Gang from a single season.
 
It could work! Varrick isn't a part of Team Avatar, so he isn't directly involved in their fights. I can already see a kind of rivalry between the two already on screen. If Asami can beat Varrick at his own game (for the sake of Team Avatar and kicking ass) then that would add some pretty funny comedic scenes on top of giving Asami some well-earned development.
I would love, if they pull that of. But for the sake of space and time, I hope they try it next season. Otherwise this season's finale going to be cramped.
 
This is why we need filler episodes.

For all intents and purposes, Kiyoshi Island was a filler episode, yet it provided character growth for Sokka and even Aang.

This is what happens when we're constantly after the main plot like 95% of the time.


Think about this guys. Bumi, Tenzin, Jinora, and Kai got more progress in one episode than Korra has all season.

think about that. a brand new character is growing up better than Korra.
 
Kai is still a little asshole. He didn't beat on that poacher for no reason, he's still gonna have problems and be Jinora's "bad influence."
 
Suyin is almost definitely in on it.

There was a reason that the guard RIGHT AFTER SUYIN WAS INTERROGATED was chosen to be the culprit. Aiwei and Suyin realized Lin was catching on so they had to regain her trust by having her pass the lie detector test and then immediately get the scent onto someone else.

They also kept Suyin reiterating, "Ooh I don't know how they could've got in!?!" If there's anything we know about Legend of Korra, it's their lack of subtlety.

And then Suyin sends the kids at the end to their certain death while Lin knows no better? Either she wants them to die or she wants Aiwei's head due to blowing their secret or a combination of both.

If Suyin is not in on it I will draw airbender tattoos on my Chris Pratt avatar or something. I'm pretty confident.

Also that was a really good episode.

I am guessing likely Suyin knew them or knew about the truth seer's past

seeing as some of her old employees or former criminals

she herself may not be evil but she use to know them and hopes they will change
 
This is why we need filler episodes.

For all intents and purposes, Kiyoshi Island was a filler episode, yet it provided character growth for Sokka and even Aang.

This is what happens when we're constantly after the main plot like 95% of the time.


Think about this guys. Bumi, Tenzin, Jinora, and Kai got more progress in one episode than Korra has all season.

think about that. a brand new character is growing up better than Korra.

Of course. I agree 100% with this. You have 12-13 episodes pretty much driven by a main plot. There is really no time to grow characters if they aren't central to the main conflict.

Book 2 did try to remedy this by splitting the group and allowing them to have their own side plot. But I still think it was a misstep to have these characters grow on their own away from the group. Because when they brought them all back together in Book 3, I don't really see how the group dynamics has changed much. Like the first couple of episodes feel like they were just surface level changes to make it seem like things had changed (Mako was uncomfortable around Korra. Asami and Korra were bonding). But now it feels like everything is back to normal, and characters are just kind of standing around in the background, only coming to the forefront when they need physical help.

Looks like episodes are gonna go up online at 12:00 PM Eastern on Fridays. I can watch Korra and then Stardust Crusaders right after!

Well, at least we get something. lol A couple hours earlier on Fridays with no commercials, I'll take it! (Still pissed).
 
If you don't agree with me, that's totally fine. We don't have to agree on everything. But I do disagree with you that it's being nitpicky, or not something that can be criticized. This is the way I see it...

In an adventure story with a "group" helping the hero, members of said group need to bring something to the group. This can be a skill, or even something like personality. But there needs to be something each member possesses, as this strengthens the group as a whole. ATLA did this really well.

My issue with Korra is that ultimately, outside of Asami providing money and vehicles, no one is really bringing something special or unique to the group. They are just filling in basic physical support. The side characters don't even really get enough time to ever really stand out on a personal level (since there is so many things going on each season).

Now, if characters aren't going to have a special skill, or contribute something to the group (that only they can), then I think there needs to be something else there that justifies why the group is together. Korra has mostly done this with "friendship". They became friends with Korra, and so they are sticking by her.

That's totally cool. But IMO they have not done a good job with the friendship element in this show either. I don't ever really feel like they've grown together as a group, or should even really care about one another, outside of casually being friends. Do you? Do you really think they've done a good job with this?

People have pointed out what each member brings to Team Avatar but you keep disqualifying based on your own standards of 'important contribution'. That's not criticism, that's writing your own fanfiction. There's more than one way to tell an adventure story. ATLA is not the only correct blueprint. There are many different interesting group dynamics besides the one shown in ATLA. LoK is set in a different era, in different time. It's a different story. Just because each character doesn't have awesome fighting skills, doesn't mean the group sucks.
Yes, I think they've done a good job with the Team Avatar.

lol, now I missing a soccer match to type up flame wars. *I'm stupid*
 
People have pointed out what each member brings to Team Avatar but you keep disqualifying based on your own standards of 'important contribution'. That's not criticism, that's writing your own fanfiction. There's more than one way to tell an adventure story. ATLA is not the only correct blueprint. There are many different interesting group dynamics besides the one shown in ATLA. LoK is set in a different era, in different time. It's a different story. Just because each character doesn't have awesome fighting skills, doesn't mean the group sucks.
Yes, I think they've done a good job with the Team Avatar.

lol, now I missing a soccer match to type up flame wars. *I'm stupid*

I'm really confused by your replies. Flame Wars? What. lol what is this?

I just don't agree that each of them contribute much? Can you give me a break down what each member actually does, that only they can? I get how each character falls into an archetype (ie. Bolin is the goofy/heart of the group). But I've yet to see someone break down what each member does.

I really mean that. You claim I'm being dismissive, but I'm not. I've not seen anyone argue that each member brings something to the group uniquely, or fills an important role. And you REALLY think the show has done a good job fleshing out their friendship? I'm really curious to hear your reply. Because I honestly don't think they've done a lot to to grow these character together as friends. I think it's one of the weaker aspects of the show, tbh.

And I never said that ATLA is the only blue print to follow. However, if each member isn't going to bring something to the group, then the group needs to live by their relationships. And as I said above, I don't think the show has done a good job fleshing that out. Best I can say is:

Asami: Provides money/vehicular support.

Mako: fire bender, nothing special. Physical support. (Has become a detective, so he's around for episodes where they need a keen eye? Doesn't happen a lot though).

Bolin: earth bender, nothing special. Physical support. (Can make people laugh, when things are tense? Doesn't happen a lot though).

Even with each of them filling those roles, most episodes just have them fall to the back. Barely having any lines or interaction with the others. They mostly stand in as physical support during action scenes.
 
Is there any narrative driven show that's only 5 hours? That's any good?

I was gonna say Bryke may not flourish in a limited format like that, but really, who has?
 
Is there any narrative driven show that's only 5 hours? That's any good?

I was gonna say Bryke may not flourish in a limited format like that, but really, who has?

There are 8 episode dramas that really flourish (but they are 44 min episode formats). So not 5 hours exactly. But it was their choice to make each season be a self-contained plot arc. They could have had a more overall narrative.

So really, that's on them for limiting themselves so much. I know the show started off on rocky grounds (not knowing if they would get more seasons). But when they had more seasons ordered, they could have re-vised.
 
I tried to tell people that the "filler" episodes in AtLA were piff and the heart of that show, but they weren't hearing me though.
 
I hate this entire poisonous obsession with "filler" that seems to have carried over from anime. An episode/story is good or it's not. That's it.
 
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