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[Zomba13]

I think another thing with lava bending is it just doesn't occur to people so they don't try it. Like metal bending was though impossible because people were going about it the wrong way, trying to bend the metal itself rather then the remaining earthen impurities in it. Once Toph figured that out it was easy for her and she could then teach it to others. With Lava bending I doubt many earth benders thought of it outside of trying it when actually in danger

Spoiler

(like Bolin)

.

It seems, to me, a logical thing where they just move the earth very fast and melt it with friction creating molten earth (lava) and then just bend that. It's just not many have tried it outside of Avatars.

 

[Mononoke]

Spoiler

I think Mercury is the idea poison here. There are still very few metal benders, and even fewer who could extract the poison from her body without causing even more damage. A water based poison might (might) be easier to extract. In general though, I doubt the poision itself was special.

Yeah you and Admiral are right.

Spoiler

I'm sure that was the intent of the writers. I just noticed earlier people were questioning the logistics. But yeah, it was death and not the poison that triggered it. Pretty clever on Zaheer's part to use that method.

 

[WrenchNinja]

Yes, they did. It wasn't always a 4 season show. Once upon a time it was a 12 episode miniseries and that was it. Why would they write an entire series if all they had at the time was 12 episodes?

And Avatar was NOT picked up for 12 episodes. It was made and planned to be 3 seasons from the beginning, but they didn't know if it would live past The Blue Spirit. My source is the dvd commentary. On the other hand, Korra was specifically made for 12 episodes from the beginning.

I know they wanted it to be a 12 episode show and they were green lit for it. I'm saying they didn't need to write it as if it would end with 12 episodes. Because they didn't write the story well enough to fit 12 episodes, as much as you like Book 1, It is readily apparent how rushed it is. All they had at the time of Avatar the Last Airbender available to them was only 13 episodes which would not complete the story they envisioned.

I didn't say they didn't conceive of a 3 season show, I said they only had a specific amount of episodes available to them. The point is, they did not need to end everything they did with season 1 of Korra just because of an arbitrary cap of 12 episodes.

And I have the boxsets too, dude. Whoa.

 

[Gotchaye]

This does raise some questions about how the Avatar State works, though.

Spoiler

I also figured that any poison would have worked; it's about the AS acting to try to keep Korra alive. But the implication is weird, right? If the AS involuntarily triggers every time the Avatar is in mortal danger of this sort, and since the Avatar dying in the AS breaks the cycle, it must be the case that no Avatar has ever died slowly, of poison or a serious wound or similar?

I mean, we know that the AS is stupid about this kind of thing. It kept Aang alive for 100 years in what was really a pretty bad gamble. But clearly the AS has to have some way to turn off when it recognizes that the Avatar is beyond saving, or else we wouldn't still have Avatars. Maybe it would have eventually deactivated and let Korra die, so it was necessary that the bad guys quickly kill her while the AS was still keeping her on life support. This suggests that it's harder to break the Avatar cycle than we usually think it is - dealing the AS Avatar a mortal wound isn't going to be sufficient; the actual death has to occur so quickly that the AS can't deactivate. Azula had the right idea.

 

[VeeP]

Man I can't believe this season is over already.

I honestly remember watching the trailer for season 3 and getting hyped! Spirits, more air benders, a bigger focus on Lin this season.

3 seasons down, 1 left. After that, we probably won't get a proper Avatar show for sometime, if ever. Maybe a reboot or something down the lines 10 years from now.

Spoiler

Just me making a guess.

Any idea when S4 hits? Next year? Or will it arrive sooner?

 

[ObbyDent]

I know they wanted it to be a 12 episode show and they were green lit for it. I'm saying they didn't need to write it as if it would end with 12 episodes. Because they didn't write the story well enough to fit 12 episodes, as much as you like Book 1, It is readily apparent how rushed it is. All they had at the time of Avatar the Last Airbender available to them was only 13 episodes which would not complete the story they envisioned.

I didn't say they didn't conceive of a 3 season show, I said they only had a specific amount of episodes available to them. The point is, they did not need to end everything they did with season 1 of Korra just because of an arbitrary cap of 12 episodes.

And I have the boxsets too, dude. Whoa.

'Grats

 

[Admiral Woofington]

This does raise some questions about how the Avatar State works, though.

Spoiler

I also figured that any poison would have worked; it's about the AS acting to try to keep Korra alive. But the implication is weird, right? If the AS involuntarily triggers every time the Avatar is in mortal danger of this sort, and since the Avatar dying in the AS breaks the cycle, it must be the case that no Avatar has ever died slowly, of poison or a serious wound or similar?

I mean, we know that the AS is stupid about this kind of thing. It kept Aang alive for 100 years in what was really a pretty bad gamble. But clearly the AS has to have some way to turn off when it recognizes that the Avatar is beyond saving, or else we wouldn't still have Avatars. Maybe it would have eventually deactivated and let Korra die, so it was necessary that the bad guys quickly kill her while the AS was still keeping her on life support.

Seems to be a defense mechanism of sorts that also triggers with extreme emotional turmoil. But agreed, there are no ground rules as to how it works as previously established ideas and rules are thrown out later for the sake of plot convenience at points. I guess the explanation of the writers could always end up being "it's such a mystical thing we can't pretend to understand how it works". But that cheapens out the writing behind it as it would make sense in the context of the people in the show that they don't understand entirely how it works, but the writers should.

 

[Cloud Strife]

 

[badcrumble]

I guess it's time to wait and hear about how

Spoiler

or whether

Book 4 is going to be produced.

 

[Mononoke]

Seems to be a defense mechanism of sorts that also triggers with extreme emotional turmoil. But agreed, there are no ground rules as to how it works as previously established ideas and rules are thrown out later for the sake of plot convenience at points. I guess the explanation of the writers could always end up being "it's such a mystical thing we can't pretend to understand how it works". But that cheapens out the writing behind it as it would make sense in the context of the people in the show that they don't understand entirely how it works, but the writers should.

Yeah. My understanding of the Avatar State was that it's both a powerful tool to be wielded when the Avatar needs all his/her past life's strength, but it also an a defense mechanism that will be used when the current Avatar is on the verge of death. It's kind of a safety net to ensure that the current Avatar doesn't die. It's how I understood it in ATLA, and so it made sense to me how they used it here.

I should probably say it's not necessarily automatic. Like, if Roku knew he was going to die in that Volcano, it didn't auto trigger for him.

Spoiler

But I think the mercury poison since it was in the system, basically forced it to trigger (since her body was at deaths door internally, and it wasn't a situational thing where she could resist it entirely).

 

[Hamlet]

Couple of reviews for the Book 3 finale.

AV Club

Spoiler

A for both episodes

This has been a truly magnificent season of television, delivering loads of character development, world building, socio-political commentary, and heart-racing action, all presented with beautifully smooth animation and impeccable voice acting (with one notable exception in that department).

IGN Enter the Void Review
IGN Venom of the Red Lotus Review

While The Legend of Korra's Book Two finale may still hold the record for highest stakes, Book Three's "Venom of the Red Lotus" offered a more emotional and poignant season finale, albeit one with just as much action and excitement.

 

[Chariot]

This does raise some questions about how the Avatar State works, though.

Spoiler

I also figured that any poison would have worked; it's about the AS acting to try to keep Korra alive. But the implication is weird, right? If the AS involuntarily triggers every time the Avatar is in mortal danger of this sort, and since the Avatar dying in the AS breaks the cycle, it must be the case that no Avatar has ever died slowly, of poison or a serious wound or similar?

I mean, we know that the AS is stupid about this kind of thing. It kept Aang alive for 100 years in what was really a pretty bad gamble. But clearly the AS has to have some way to turn off when it recognizes that the Avatar is beyond saving, or else we wouldn't still have Avatars. Maybe it would have eventually deactivated and let Korra die, so it was necessary that the bad guys quickly kill her while the AS was still keeping her on life support. This suggests that it's harder to break the Avatar cycle than we usually think it is - dealing the AS Avatar a mortal wound isn't going to be sufficient; the actual death has to occur so quickly that the AS can't deactivate. Azula had the right idea.

Good point, didn't even thought about it.
I guess, all avatars were aware about the circle and suppressed the avatar state (like Korra did, only more successful) or killed themselves in such a situation. Judging from their appearances when Korra and Aang talk with them, not one of the past Avatars died young, so everyone had at least a bit of experience and strength.

I wonder if not a lot of Avatars were poisoned. After all, they're probably the strongest human on earth, so taking them head on is difficult and poison should be a very obvious way of dispatch them, even without the thought of ending the circle.

 

[Hamlet]

I guess it's time to wait and hear about how

Spoiler

or whether

Book 4 is going to be produced.

Book 4 is already pretty far into production its just a matter of how Nick will be releasing the Book at this point.

 

[Busaiku]

Will Korra

Spoiler

learn to fly

next season.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

I really do hope Nick markets the shit out of Book 4 if the excuse is really that the online fanbase is much greater than the tv one. If that's the case then at the very least have a bunch of ads for it in websites, news telling us this, the channel itself with ads directing to the website, and more stuff. The show deserves at least some marketing and competent delivery.

 

[Cloud Strife]

So

Spoiler

Korra crying at the end

was ominous as fuck.

Also did anyone else get

Spoiler

mad ATLA vibes with Jinora's shaved head? Like a female Aang.

 

[Chariot]

Book 4 is already pretty far into production its just a matter of how Nick will be releasing the Book at this point.

Judging by their behavior this season, they will probably burn the produced show on camera and then feed the remainders to pigs.

So

Spoiler

Korra crying at the end

was ominous as fuck.

Also did anyone else get

Spoiler

mad ATLA vibes with Jinora's shaved head? Like a female Aang.

I think that is what they were going for.

 

[Busaiku]

Yes, I thought she looked like that too.

 

[Hidden One]

Book 4 is already pretty far into production its just a matter of how Nick will be releasing the Book at this point.

Does Nick own the rights to Avatar? i'd rather Avatar go to cartoon network. Hell make it more mature and put it on Toonami .

 

[ObbyDent]

Does Nick own the rights to Avatar? i'd rather Avatar go to cartoon network. Hell make it more mature and put it on Toonami .

Of course they do.

 

[WrenchNinja]

'Grats

What?

 

[Htown]

Yes, I thought she looked like that too.

I mean

She is related.

 

[Mononoke]

Book 4 is already pretty far into production its just a matter of how Nick will be releasing the Book at this point.

It will be interesting to see what Nick does with it. I could see them airing the first couple of episodes on TV (making a big deal out of it being the final season)...then moving it to digital. And then showing the final the 2 episodes on TV (and drumming it up like a mini-event. Kind of how they did with Book 3's series finale).

I think we might get a hybrid season of sorts (with regards to distribution).

Judging by their behavior this season, they will probably burn the produced show on camera and then feed the remainders to pigs.I think that is what they were going for.

I took it as Korra

Spoiler

being really happy for Jinora and the future of the air nation, while also being completely destroyed that she herself had been destroyed as well in the process. It was bittersweet ending.

 

[Chariot]

Does Nick own the rights to Avatar? i'd rather Avatar go to cartoon network. Hell make it more mature and put it on Toonami .

Don't you dare to throw it into the shithole that is Cartoon Network. I don't think my cartoon heart survives another Young Justice.

Heck, give it to the Hub, they treat My Little Pony very well.

Spoiler

I'm actually glad they decided to go the lava-bending route for Bolin rather than just letting him metal-bend, it gives Bolin more character that way.

Spoiler

Legend of Bolin: The Last Lavabender

 

[Neoxon]

Spoiler

I'm actually glad they decided to go the lava-bending route for Bolin rather than just letting him metal-bend, it gives Bolin more character that way.

Also, I have a gut feeling that

Spoiler

Korra was crying because either she isn't needed anymore, or that the poison made it to where she was the last Avatar because she did technically die before the poison was extracted.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

there were plenty of ATLA vibes

Spoiler

the fight between Korra and Zaheer was almost too obviously a reference to Aang vs Ozai what with the flying around everywhere and battling around tall towers of earth as the avatar makes giant discs to throw at the enemy. Jinora looking like Aang is also a reference, but also funny because of

 

[forgeforsaken]

Does Nick own the rights to Avatar? i'd rather Avatar go to cartoon network. Hell make it more mature and put it on Toonami .

Or Netflix.

 

[jordisok]

Spoiler

Zaheer really didn't seem that fussed about losing the love of his life, damn guru cutting your earthly ties shit

anyway so next season is gonna be a korra/asami road trip?

 

[DragonGirl]

Well you only mentioned that it was bs that he did it, not that it was bs that no one else in history had done it except guru laghima. In that case I agree that I'd expect there to be more monks that has been able to achieve that ability.

I think you're missing a key element from the episode. He specifically said he achieved flight by relinquishing all earthly connections and he only managed that after his beloved died. It's just like Aang and the guru who was trying to get him to let go of everything to connect with his avatar state. seems you basically have to let go of caring about anything to achieve flight. Not a lot of people have any motivation or reason to do that.

 

[Mononoke]

Or Netflix.

Netflix is like the only company I could see doing something good with it. I mean, it's not like the other networks are vastly better than Nick. Plus Netflix has more flexibility when it comes to ratings. They are more about subscribers and gathering content. And a lot of the Avatar fan base watches things online/digital. So it would be a good pairing.

Still, I have my doubts Nick would sell the IP anytime soon. And even if they did, I can't imagine Bryke want to jump into another Avatar show this soon either. I really feel like they want to take a break, and try to jump into another creation. But of course, just speculation. I really think it will be another 6-8 years before we get something Avatar related again. But I could totally be wrong. I hope I'm wrong.

Well, I guess it depends on what they do next with it.

 

[WrenchNinja]

Spoiler

I'm actually glad they decided to go the lava-bending route for Bolin rather than just letting him metal-bend, it gives Bolin more character that way.

Also, I have a gut feeling that

Spoiler

Korra was crying because either she isn't needed anymore, or that the poison made it to where she was the last Avatar because she did technically die before the poison was extracted.

Spoiler

Aang died when Azula shot him. I kind of doubt Korras temporary death, if it was one, made her the last Avatar

 

[Icyflamez96]

I think you're missing a key element from the episode. He specifically said he achieved flight by relinquishing all earthly connections and he only managed that after his beloved died. It's just like Aang and the guru who was trying to get him to let go of everything to connect with his avatar state. seems you basically have to let go of caring about anything to achieve flight. Not a lot of people have any motivation or reason to do that.

How did my post indicate that I was missing that? I know that, but I'd still think there would have been more than just Zaheer and Laghima to have achieved that ability.

 

[Frog-fu]

Well that was pretty damn good. A very strong finale to a very solid season. 8/10 for me.

 

[Chariot]

I totally forgot, there is still a possibility for more exploration of the Red Lotus, even if it postum: the comics. I wanna have some Lost Adventures of Korra.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

Spoiler

Aang died when Azula shot him. I kind of doubt Korras temporary death, if it was one, made her the last Avatar

Let's not forget that because of that Aang couldn't access the avatar state due to shock of death and shock of that point in the body but later recovered it when he was hit in that part of the body again

I think you're missing a key element from the episode. He specifically said he achieved flight by relinquishing all earthly connections and he only managed that after his beloved died. It's just like Aang and the guru who was trying to get him to let go of everything to connect with his avatar state. seems you basically have to let go of caring about anything to achieve flight. Not a lot of people have any motivation or reason to do that.

And I think you're missing the whole point of Air Nomad culture where people in it were highly likely to be able to do this.

 

[LX_Theo]

Anyone else think that

Spoiler

Jinora as a master

looks A LOT like

Spoiler

Aang, that one Avatar kid

? I mean, its for obvious reasons, but they look just a bit too similar for my liking.

 

[ObbyDent]

Netflix is like the only company I could see doing something good with it. I mean, it's not like the other networks are vastly better than Nick. Plus Netflix has more flexibility when it comes to ratings. They are more about subscribers and gathering content. And a lot of the Avatar fan base watches things online/digital. So it would be a good pairing.

Still, I have my doubts Nick would sell the IP anytime soon. And even if they did, I can't imagine Bryke want to jump into another Avatar show this soon either. I really feel like they want to take a break, and try to jump into another creation. But of course, just speculation. I really think it will be another 6-8 years before we get something Avatar related again. But I could totally be wrong. I hope I'm wrong.

Well, I guess it depends on what they do next with it.

They were kinda hinting that they'd do something non-Avatar related next. After a long break, of course.

 

[Hamlet]

It will be interesting to see what Nick does with it. I could see them airing the first couple of episodes on TV (making a big deal out of it being the final season)...then moving it to digital. And then showing the final the 2 episodes on TV (and drumming it up like a mini-event. Kind of how they did with Book 3's series finale).

I think we might get a hybrid season of sorts (with regards to distribution).

Sounds like a good way to do it but as its Nick I wouldn't even be that surprised if they were to send it off to die again with almost no marketing.
Also don't forget the fact that its ATLA's 10th anniversary next year so you expect Nick would do something big for that.

You should definitely give a listen to the latest Nerdist Podcast as it gives a great deal of insight into the show and its creation. Really gives a sense that current Nick doesn't really care about the show.

http://www.nerdist.com/pepisode/nerdist-writers-panel-154-legend-of-korraavatar-the-last-airbender/

 

[Raxus]

Couple of reviews for the Book 3 finale.

AV Club

Spoiler

A for both episodes

IGN Enter the Void Review
IGN Venom of the Red Lotus Review

Spoiler

A for the season as well, well deserved too.

Really it is the most emotional finale in Avatar.

 

[Chariot]

Anyone else think that

Spoiler

Jinora as a master

looks A LOT like

Spoiler

Aang, that one Avatar kid

? I mean, its for obvious reasons, but they look just a bit too similar for my liking.

Spoiler

A Hwton said, they're family. She is his granddaughter.

 

[The Silver]

Wasn't there some canon online game where Aang had to "fix" the avatar state after Azula killed him?

 

[Admiral Woofington]

I'm sad that none of the people in

Spoiler

Team Demise

have come out to admit they have to eat crow. I was prepared to make a crow salad y'all are no fun.

 

[Mononoke]

Spoiler

Zaheer really didn't seem that fussed about losing the love of his life, damn guru cutting your earthly ties shit

anyway so next season is gonna be a korra/asami road trip?

Yeah, that is again the problematic nature of how this show handles characters.

Spoiler

We never really understood how Zaheer became the person he is today. We never got a lot of insight into his fierce dedication to his philosophies. So intense, that when the love of his life died, he could quickly suppress his emotions and detach himself.

But we are expected to know that Zaheer is a man who cares deeply about his philosophy, who is willing to sacrifice everything. Which to be fair, 99% of the time we see Zaheer, he's meditating. So we do see HOW dedicated he is. I guess it would have been nice to get a little more insight into how he became so dedicated. Basically, a little more exposition and time with Zaheer might have fleshed him out a bit more. Logically though, I think it made sense.

They were kinda hinting that they'd do something non-Avatar related next. After a long break, of course.

Yeah, I've seen some interviews where they basically hinted at it. Side note, I wanted to apologize to you for earlier. I was actually at a doctors appointment and was on my phone. I legitimately had no idea what you were talking about, and thought you were saying I was saying something..I wasn't saying! I didn't realize until after the fact that my initial post was poorly worded. So that was all on me that others didn't understand what I said. Still, no excuse for the aggressive exchange. Won't happen again. Hope we can move past things and be friends.

 

[WrenchNinja]

Wasn't there some canon online game where Aang had to "fix" the avatar state after Azula killed him?

Escape from the Spirit World. It was the first time we're formally introduced to Avatar Kuruk and Avatar Yangchen. It's available in the Book 2 box set.

 

[Gorillaz]

Im not gonna lie that last scene tho with

Spoiler

korra crying

for some reason hit me in the feels

 

[Silvawuff]

I'm still not quite sure what to make of the Book 3 finale -- so much happened. All I can really say for sure is that I can't wait for Book 4. I really do hope Nick gives Korra more love; this season came and went sort of weird. I do like how it's challenging perceptions of how deep and serious a story can go, especially given the target audience of the network it's airing on.

 

[LX_Theo]

Spoiler

A Hwton said, they're family. She is his granddaughter.

True, but I really think they should do something

Spoiler

to make her look like a different character

. Hopefully at the start of next season

Spoiler

she grows her hair out a little or something.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

I see Book three similar to book two and three of ATLA when the guys realized their target audience wasn't solely children and started to tackle more mature subjects they could get away with in a children's cartoon.

 

[Mononoke]

Im not gonna lie that last scene tho with

Spoiler

korra crying

for some reason hit me in the feels

I agree with ObbyDent.

Spoiler

I think her reaction here is how Book 1 should have happened. It had much more of an emotional impact, and you actually felt like Korra was broken. It just felt more measured and painful (and less melodramatic). Korra literally looks broken here.

Although I suppose with Book 3, it's more of a mixture of her happiness for what she accomplished, as well as her suffering for what she had to go through to get it. It's a pretty great ending. I saw some people earlier not liking it. But I thought it was actually a really great/mature ending for this show.

 

[Zomba13]

Yeah, that is again the problematic nature of how this show handles characters.

Spoiler

We never really understood how Zaheer became the person he is today. We never got a lot of insight into his fierce dedication to his philosophies. So intense, that when the love of his life died, he could quickly suppress his emotions and detach himself.

But we are expected to know that Zaheer is a man who cares deeply about his philosophy, who is willing to sacrifice everything. Which to be fair, 99% of the time we see Zaheer, he's meditating. So we do see HOW dedicated he is. I guess it would have been nice to get a little more insight into how he became so dedicated. Basically, a little more exposition and time with Zaheer might have fleshed him out a bit more. Logically though, I think it made sense.

What we needed was one flashback episode showing the formation of the Red Lotus and them attempting to kidnap Korra.