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[Chariot]

Really do think that they mistitled books 1 and 3. Book 1 has fuck all to do about Air, but it definitely has so much change. It's a change of Avatar, a change of time and setting, a change of the kind of threats the world faces now. Even the final line from Aang is about the greatest change.

Well, the titles of every season always indicated what element the Avatar would learn to bend in it.

Water - Earth- Fire - Air - Spirits

Only change falls out of the picture.

 

[BeatResetsTheWorld]

I enjoyed the season finale.

Zahir's plan was FRIGGIN STUPID.

Spoiler

It is documented that in the avatar state, the avatar can throw entire islands on a whim. Why did he think that 4 platinum chains attached to NORMAL STONE would hold her? Even if it reduced her power 75%, this is a trap that literally every earth bender should be able to escape.

I really did want him to be smarter than that. I wanted the generals of the Red Lotus to be smarter than "WOOOO ANARCHY! KILLIN' STUFF BECAUSE REASONS!" Pretty easy to see why Unalaq didn't want to work with these idiots.

But there ARE people like that, so it's fine. Season 4 is gonna be interesting



He's still sad about losing his Yandere waifu.

Uhhh, maybe he thought the poison would have a greater effect?

 

[WrenchNinja]

If Korra and Aang switched places, Korra would have totally killed Ozai. If that's one thing I like about Korra is she doesn't just break down at the thought of having to kill someone. Ozai murdered thousands, tens of thousands and was on his way to committing genocide and despite his past avatars telling him he had to kill Ozai, Aang still refused to do it.

They didn't tell him to kill Ozai.

 

[googleplex]

Aang was smarter at 12 thats for sure.

For fucks sake. This Korra bashing has gone from ridiculous to down right creepy.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

It has more to do Aang's individual personality rather than him being an airbender. Yangchen would have destroyed Ozai without an issue, for example.

Aang was given energybending almost as free as Korra was given energybending. There's a reason people said that Aang Lion Turtle'd Korra,

Sozin destroyed the air nation because that's where the next avatar would come from. As a military threat, they weren't "scary" per se. Formidable, yes, but the air nomads had no formal army.

You make a good point, it still seems silly as in theory if you kill the avatar non it in the avatar state all it would have meant is a new avatar being born in the water tribe. Actually did they ever assume that they had killed the avatar? I mean I guess that since they didn't hear about the new avatar being born that they realized they dun goofed.

They didn't tell him to kill Ozai.

This. Most of what the past avatars seemed to had been hinting at is that they too saw no other way of getting past it besides killing Ozai, and Aang found the other way.

 

[Corronchilejano]

Uhhh, maybe he thought the poison would have a greater effect?

I think they thought the poison would eventually kill her but not fast enough for her to lose avatar state first and thus not end the cycles forever.

 

[WrenchNinja]

You make a good point, it still seems silly as in theory if you kill the avatar non it in the avatar state all it would have meant is a new avatar being born in the water tribe. Actually did they ever assume that they had killed the avatar? I mean I guess that since they didn't hear about the new avatar being born that they realized they dun goofed.

Yes, but if they wiped out the Air Nomads, the next Avatar would never be able to master all of the elements as there would be no one to teach him or her Airbending.

Anyway, Sozin never thought he killed the Avatar as he went on to continue searching for him till he passed away. Then it became a sort of royal snipe hunt for the Fire Nation, which is why Ozai gave Zuko an allegedly impossible task.

 

[darkazcura]

They didn't tell him to kill Ozai.

They basically did indirectly. They told him that they'd do whatever it takes, which always left Aang sad because he always came out of those conversations thinking "I guess I have no other choice". He was even surprised to hear the last Air Nomad Avatar essentially tell him that.

 

[DangerMouse]

When did Korra ever get a fair fight with Zaheer? The Red Lotus went out of their way to avoid a fair straight on fight with her and she still beat their asses.

It's everyone else who struggled with the Red Lotus

Korra would beat Aang's ass as badly as Toph beat his ass in the original series. Plus let's not forget that Aang is a doofus who would probably get himself captured mid fight.

Agreed. Also, this doesn't make Aang overly weak or anything.

Bullshit. Without being able to resort to Avatar state Korra would destroy Aang. The problem is the villains in Korra all know of the Avatar and are MUCH stronger. The strongest in Last Airbender are like mid tier in Korra

Uhh, because she was freakin poisoned? Did you miss the whole first half of the episode? You know, the part where they intentionally gave her something that would leave her near dead?!

Yup.

If we compare Korra vs adult Aang, one who is way more spiritual at that, I can see the fight going Aang's way because he was creative. He even put on crystal armor once.

Given Korra's progress so far adult Korra will probably too. And Korra's done some rather smart things too, like she was smart enough to find a way to use some of the material from her clothes to avoid touching the metal in that cell before the Lieutenant tried to electric shock her unconscious again, escaping her own prison despite being alone and weakened.

They basically did indirectly. They told him that they'd do whatever it takes, which always left Aang said because he always came out of those conversations thinking "I guess I have no other choice". He was even surprised to hear the last Air Nomad Avatar essentially tell him that.

Yeah, most of them were indirectly pushing him to do it which is why he kept getting so depressed about it.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

Yes, but if they wiped out the Air Nomads, the next Avatar would never be able to master all of the elements as there would be no one to teach him or her Airbending.

Anyway, Sozin never thought he killed the Avatar as he went on to continue searching for him till he passed away. Then it became a sort of royal snipe hunt for the Fire Nation, which is why Ozai gave Zuko an allegedly impossible task.

He/she could have learned it from the sky bisons, since apparently they didn't go extinct. lol.

 

[Mononoke]

Korra and Asami had a lot of time together this season. Some effort definitely went into their friendship. She has been supportive and available all season, while nothing was built between Mako and Korra. And it will be jarring to have Mako become the character that Korra finds solace in next season, considering that's all Asami was doing for the past season while Mako was busy being a chump.

Well sure but I mean realistically. I would love a Korrasami relationship (even if I think they would handle it poorly). But I still dont see them doing it. So IMO the writers haven't really set up or built up to a main cast romance (well outside of Bolin and Opal) which is surprising going into Book 4. Which is why I think if they do have romance they will fall back on old ones vs establish something with a new character.

But you are right, if they wanted to do Korra x Asami, they did a good enough job this season establishing a new closeness between them (even if platonic), that there would be something to build off of. You have to figure Book 4 was written long before they knew they were going all digital though. I haven't watched Nick since I was younger but have they had gay relationships before in their shows? Kind of sad its still treated as inappropriate for a kids show. Oh the humanity how would they survive!

Then again I never thought I would see actual murder on screen in this series and here we are.

 

[Trey]

They didn't tell him to kill Ozai.

This. Most of what the past avatars seemed to had been hinting at is that they too saw no other way of getting past it besides killing Ozai, and Aang found the other way.

Damn, someone should have told Aang that his past lives didn't mean for him to kill Ozai, because that was definitely his takeaway.

 

[Mononoke]

Guys, you are comparing a child who was only Avatar for 3 years and didnt have proper training vs an avatar that was trained most of her life. That aang was more powerful in his avatar state at that age is impressive. Also we cant negate the avatar state in a fight between them because its apart of their arsenal. I don't think we can write Aang off as getting his ass kicked even if Korra has technically better bending and brute strength. Because it would come down to avatar state vs avatar state. Plus Aang was more defensive.

Lol just realized we are having vs fights of ones past life vs their current life.

 

[Corronchilejano]

Then again I never thought I would see actual murder on screen in this series and here we are.

Murder AND torture!

 

[WrenchNinja]

They basically did indirectly. They told him that they'd do whatever it takes, which always left Aang sad because he always came out of those conversations thinking "I guess I have no other choice". He was even surprised to hear the last Air Nomad Avatar essentially tell him that.

Roku: I offer you this wisdom, Aang. You must be decisive.
Kyoshi: I offer you this wisdom, Aang. Only justice will bring peace.
Kuruk: Aang, you must actively shape your own destiny, and the destiny of the World.
Yangchen: Here is my wisdom for you, selfless duty calls you to sacrifice your own spiritual needs and do whatever it takes to protect the World.

That's what the audience and Aang infers but wisdom is neutral. They are telling him that it his call to make, that whatever choice he does take, it has to be decisive, just, bring about change and ensure the world's safety.

 

[Mesoian]

Uhhh, maybe he thought the poison would have a greater effect?

I'm sure he did. It's still a fucking awful plan.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

Damn, someone should have told Aang that his past lives didn't mean for him to kill Ozai, because that was definitely his takeaway.

His takeaway was that there was no other way that they could see so in theory telling him he had to kill him and be decisive, the avatars aren't all knowing. When he was stuck in the lion turtle his first question to them was where the hell he was and they said "we have no fucking clue yo". Aang then found another way and didn't have to resort to kill him, therefore regaining his confidence.

I especially make this about Aang and the avatars disagreeing because in the comics

Spoiler

Aang discusses a tough decision with Roku and Roku's immediate response to everything is "you have to kill him", because of his failure. Roku is human and flawed and feels shame as well

 

[Bold One]

For fucks sake. This Korra bashing has gone from ridiculous to down right creepy.

calm down, Its just an observation, Korra was very sheltered and less spiritual. I am not attacking her, my beef is with the writers,

The Korra defenders are getting really paranoid about any criticism

 

[BeatResetsTheWorld]

Guys, you are comparing a small child who was only Avatar for 3 years and didnt have proper training vs an avatar that was trained most oh her life. That aang was more powerful in his avatar state at that age is impressive. Also we cant negate the avatar state in a fight between them because its apart of their arsenal.

Lol just realized we are having vs fights of ones past life vs their current life.

Nah, I just chalk it up to being because he was more spiritual. He was raised an air nomad and probably meditated a ton. The avatar state is essentially connecting the avatar to the spirits inside them and the past avatars, so it makes sense that its strength is proportional to that spiritual connection (an aspect Korra has always been bad at)

Roku: I offer you this wisdom, Aang. You must be decisive.
Kyoshi: I offer you this wisdom, Aang. Only justice will bring peace.
Kuruk: Aang, you must actively shape your own destiny, and the destiny of the World.
Yangchen: Here is my wisdom for you, selfless duty calls you to sacrifice your own spiritual needs and do whatever it takes to protect the World.

That's what the audience and Aang infers but wisdom is neutral. They are telling him that it his call to make, that whatever choice he does take, it has to be decisive, just, bring about change and ensure the world's safety.

Oh come on, you're being obtuse. The first piece of advice hinted at killing pretty heavily and the last quote is as heavily as you can imply killingwithout explicitely saying it. I don't know why you're trying so hard to argue otherwise

 

[Mononoke]

Nah, I just chalk it up to being because he was more spiritual. He was raised an air nomad and probably meditated a ton. The avatar state is essentially connecting the avatar to the spirits inside them and the past avatars, so it makes sense that its strength is proportional to that spiritual connection (and aspect Korra has always been bad at)

Yeah that's a fair point. I knew that, but now that you bring it up its not something he has talent for or had to train for. Although regardless it still factors into a hypothetical fight. I still say its silly comparing an Avatar 3 years in vs 15 years in. We don't exactly know how technically great Aang becomes 15 years in. So im not sure how we can properly compare the two.

Aang had energy bending and we saw him use it. Korra has it sort of (at least we saw her be able to give bending back), but haven't seen her use it offensively to take it away.

 

[Trey]

Roku: I offer you this wisdom, Aang. You must be decisive.
Kyoshi: I offer you this wisdom, Aang. Only justice will bring peace.
Kuruk: Aang, you must actively shape your own destiny, and the destiny of the World.
Yangchen: Here is my wisdom for you, selfless duty calls you to sacrifice your own spiritual needs and do whatever it takes to protect the World.

That's what the audience and Aang infers but wisdom is neutral. They are telling him that it his call to make, that whatever choice he does take, it has to be decisive, just, bring about change and ensure the world's safety.

His takeaway was that there was no other way that they could see so in theory telling him he had to kill him and be decisive, the avatars aren't all knowing. When he was stuck in the lion turtle his first question to them was where the hell he was and they said "we have no fucking clue yo". Aang then found another way and didn't have to resort to kill him, therefore regaining his confidence.

Aang specifically challenges two of his past lives on the point and they basically said get over it, you have to do what you have to do (kill Ozai). Roku said to be decisive, Kuruk said to be proactive, Kyoshi said do whatever it takes, and Yangchen said that your conscience comes second to the needs of the world because that's your duty as Avatar.

It stands to reason given the context of the situation and Aang's interpretation of the spiritual counseling that the past Avatars were telling him to kill Ozai.

It's a very explicit scene. Aang was looking for an out for his personal conscience and he did not get one from his spiritual mentors.

 

[WrenchNinja]

Oh come on, you're being obtuse. The first piece of advice hinted at killing pretty heavily and the last quote is as heavily as you can imply killingwithout explicitely saying it. I don't know why you're trying so hard to argue otherwise

I am literally quoting what they said from the episode. They did not tell him to kill Ozai. That is a fact. That you want to put words in their mouths that they did not say is your prerogative.

It's not even some Y7 censoring thing, Aang's takeaway from the conversations is that he had to kill Fire Lord. He says kill. But that is not what they told him to do.

I don't think I'm trying very hard by quoting the episode, but okay.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

I see a difference in somebody telling you "kill him" to hinting at "if there is no other way and we can't think of anything else" but that's just going to be an argument of semantics and I'm not about to go that far in this thread, I'd rather argue over something else.

 

[Corronchilejano]

Oh come on, you're being obtuse. The first piece of advice hinted at killing pretty heavily and the last quote is as heavily as you can imply killingwithout explicitely saying it. I don't know why you're trying so hard to argue otherwise

Being decisive meant not being afraid and having a heavy hand and doing what needs to be done. Killing is on the table, but I think the important part they wanted to get through is that he had to go all the way to defeat him and make sure he would never be able to be a menace again.

Removing his bending was good enough.

 

[WrenchNinja]

Aang specifically challenges two of his past lives on the point and they basically said get over it, you have to do what you have to do (kill Ozai). Roku said to be decisive, Kuruk said to be proactive, Kyoshi said do whatever it takes, and Yangchen said that your conscience comes second to the needs of the world because that's your duty as Avatar.

It stands to reason given the context of the situation and Aang's interpretation of the spiritual counseling that the past Avatars were telling him to kill Ozai.

It's a very explicit scene. Aang was looking for an out for his personal conscience and he did not get one from his spiritual mentors.

Interpretation is one thing, but their advice is neutral. If they wanted him to kill the Fire Lord, they would have just told him to kill the Fire Lord. What they are trying to instill in him is that whatever choice he ends up making, it has to be for the right reasons.

 

[DangerMouse]

Uhhh, maybe he thought the poison would have a greater effect?

Plus to me they also basically say they didn't count on her being able to actually fight off the Avatar State while dying of poison, they were ready to take her out almost right away, they had to keep waiting so they'd probably admit they were impressed by that and unprepared for it. Also, if even some fans with the benefit of the wider view still theorized about her having a weaker Avatar State which I'd say she proved wrong after seeing it and what she can do even while dying, I think it's fair that Zaheer and the others got more than they bargained for when she finally unleashed it and not even the controlled one but the raw emotional one.

I see a difference in somebody telling you "kill him" to hinting at "if there is no other way and we can't think of anything else" but that's just going to be an argument of semantics and I'm not about to go that far in this thread, I'd rather argue over something else.

Maybe for a couple of them, but not that last one telling Aang to sacrifice his own spiritual needs and do whatever it takes, which was his need to not kill him. I think that one is pretty decisively "kill the bastard".

Lol just realized we are having vs fights of ones past life vs their current life.

Yeah, it's kinda weird LOL.

 

[Trey]

Avatar Trey: Look Aang, you have to make Ozai powerless in all respect, virtually disarming him of any agency in this life and this world. He cannot be allowed to continue undeterred, and the best way I can see in ensuring that is to knock him unconscious permanently.

Aang: So, kill him?

Avatar Trey: What? Who said anything about killing? This is my wisdom that I give to you.

 

[BeatResetsTheWorld]

I am literally quoting what they said from the episode. They did not tell him to kill Ozai. That is a fact. That you want to put words in their mouths that they did not say is your prerogative.

It's not even some Y7 censoring thing, Aang's takeaway from the conversations is that he had to kill Fire Lord. He says kill. But that is not what they told him to do.

I don't think I'm trying very hard by quoting the episode, but okay.

So why the last comment selfless duty calls you to sacrifice your own spiritual needs and do whatever it takes?

What act would act commit that would have caused him to sacrifice his spiritual needs aside from permanently maiming the Fire Lord (not something I consider simply taking his bending to be equivalent to) or killing him? I think the advice is hardly neutral. And they very much wouldn't have mentioned killing because it's a Y7 show. In fact, I strongly suspect that part of the reason Korra was moved to being online was because of the increasingly rating boundary pushing content in the later eps of this season

As for my advice

Avatar Beat: Listen Aang, worse comes to worse you reserve the right to fuck him up.
Aang: F-fu-ef him up?
Avatar Beat: I'm just saying, if he happened to catch a stray rock bullet or bolt of lightning...I mean, it could've come from anywhere!

 

[Bold One]

Avatar Bold'Un: Kill dat sucka!

Avatar Aang: What?

Avatar Bold'Un: you heard me...

 

[NEO0MJ]

I haven't watched Nick since I was younger but have they had gay relationships before in their shows? Kind of sad its still treated as inappropriate for a kids show. Oh the humanity how would they survive!

Spongebob and Patrick!

 

[DangerMouse]

Avatar Trey: Look Aang, you have to make Ozai powerless in all respect, virtually disarming him of any agency in this life and this world. He cannot be allowed to continue undeterred, and the best way I can see in ensuring that is to knock him unconscious permanently.

Aang: So, kill him?

Avatar Trey: What? Who said anything about killing? This is my wisdom that I give to you.

LOL

 

[Mononoke]

Spongebob and Patrick!

The best OTP there ever was.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

The best OTP there ever was.

He's bringing sexy back.

 

[Chariot]

Avatar Chariot: You mustn't kill Oozai!

Aang: Why and how?

Avatar Chariot: I don't know and I don't know. Ask Kyoshi or something, I'm busy playing on the PS Vita™.

 

[Jacob]

I drifted away from Korra around the time it went online-only, in part because I had gotten used to watching it in HD on DVR, but moreso because I went on vacation shortly thereafter and also because of a lot of family drama going (always a great combination, those two). I caught up over the last few days and just finished the finale, though. It's definitely the best finale of Korra so far, and the Z Team were the best antagonists and the writing throughout this season was the highest tier Korra has enjoyed so far. I'm not trying to damn this season with faint praise, because there really were a lot of good parts, but the bar was so low after Book 2 that I'm hesitant to lavish too much praise on Book 3 just because it wasn't a trainwreck. The Jinora stuff is still poorly handled, though I was glad that she had a much smaller role this time around. Bolin is still almost entirely dumb, annoying comic relief, though he was somewhat useful this time around. Asami is still marginalized, though not to the same extent she was last finale. And Korra, despite continuing to make the same mistakes as always for most of this season, might finally be making some growth. And at least she didn't have her powers given back in the last minute of the last episode.

So I guess my point is, this season is head and shoulders above its predcessors for a lot of reasons, but I'm not emotionally invested in the story or characters the way I would have to be to have stuck with any other show through three seasons, and I'm not sure how much they're really going to be able to manage to do in the final 13 episodes. It felt like they were setting up the Red Lotus plot to continue in the final conversation between Tenzin and President Raiko, but people said the same thing about the last two finales, so I'm not gonna get my hopes up about that until I see it for myself. But still, I have to acknowledge and respect the improvements we've seen. Kudos, Bryke. This was more than I dared hope for three months ago.

 

[AlimNassor]

I would seriously be afraid of Korra more so then Aang. At least with Aang you know he would never strike you down, but, Korra would not show mercy.

 

[m_shortpants]

Season 4 already finished animation and VA. The question right now is "will it be televised or online only."

It's finished VA. Pretty sure animation is ongoing.

 

[Orbis Tabula]

One thing I'm a little disappointed about is how little they've fleshed out the sub-disciplines of bending. One of my favorite parts about lightning bending was when Oooh was describing it to Zuko, and told him you actually use waterbending forms, controlling the energy flow like water. I really like that idea, of hidden disciplines that require studying others forms. It further connects the elements and also explains why so few people can do these subtypes. Very few firebenders learn water bending forms, so lightning bending was rare. I'd like then to go into that more. Make it so lava bending is doing waterbending forms to the earth. Or maybe firebending. Either one. Make sandbending work by doing airbending forms. I really dig that idea and I'd love to see it more fleshed out.

 

[Trey]

Interpretation is one thing, but their advice is neutral. If they wanted him to kill the Fire Lord, they would have just told him to kill the Fire Lord. What they are trying to instill in him is that whatever choice he ends up making, it has to be for the right reasons.

Roku specifically recounts the time when he spared Sozin's life and it led to both Roku's death and an ethnic purging. The moral was that if Roku was more decisive (killed Sozin, an old friend), the world would not have been thrown out of balance.

Aang says that Kyoshi didn't really kill the Emperor Chin, and Kyoshi responds that she didn't personally see the difference. And it didn't matter, because she would have done whatever it took to preserve balance (killing Chin).

Kuruk says that he lost everything he cared for because he wasn't proactive. Evil prevailed over him because he did not do all that he should have and could have in order to protect an innocent.

Yangchen cuts straight to the point with Aang, saying his personal need to save his conscience and not kill is irrelevant to his duty to the world.

They don't tell Aang to find his own way, they tell him to be decisive and absolute, which at that point of the episode meant killing Ozai. That was his only option, and that's what his past lives were telling him to do. That's what the audience and Aang infer because that's what they were saying.

All of the above play into why the the Lion Turtle is such an exceptionally bad Deus Ex Machina.

 

[darkazcura]

Roku: I offer you this wisdom, Aang. You must be decisive.
Kyoshi: I offer you this wisdom, Aang. Only justice will bring peace.
Kuruk: Aang, you must actively shape your own destiny, and the destiny of the World.
Yangchen: Here is my wisdom for you, selfless duty calls you to sacrifice your own spiritual needs and do whatever it takes to protect the World.

That's what the audience and Aang infers but wisdom is neutral. They are telling him that it his call to make, that whatever choice he does take, it has to be decisive, just, bring about change and ensure the world's safety.

You are taking the advice out of context a little there. I have no idea how you find Yangchen's advice neutral. Aang basically came to her with the question (paraphrasing), "how can I kill him when it goes against everything I learned as an air nomad", and Avatar Yangchen basically said "yeah screw that, you have to put your teachings aside and do what is best for the world". She didn't say "Kill him", but her response/challenge was in direct response to the question "what can I do other than kill him?".

Kyoshi gave her advice based on the situation with the Earth Warlord/Emperor. She was basically saying "I killed him, and I'm proud of it". Aang even said "but it was an accident", and she said "I don't see the difference" essentially.

Roku's advice basically boiled down to "I spared Sozin's life when I probably shouldn't have. I ignored the problem when I should have ended it when I could have". What else does this infer? This isn't about interpretation. The avatars didn't have to say "kill him" directly to imply that's what they meant.

EDIT: Beaten.

 

[360pages]

For fucks sake. This Korra bashing has gone from ridiculous to down right creepy.

Even if you like Korra, her problem solving skills are hilariously low, then again that could be said for most of the characters in Legend of Korra.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

I would seriously be afraid of Korra more so then Aang. At least with Aang you know he would never strike you down, but, Korra would not show mercy.

that doesn't say much about the skills in comparative times as much as the mental state of the Avatar in question. Coincidentally once Aang was past the Ozai battle in the comics

Spoiler

he had less of a problem with striking down for the sake of the world

than before.

 

[Bold One]

One thing I'm a little disappointed about is how little they've fleshed out the sub-disciplines of bending. One of my favorite parts about lightning bending was when Oooh was describing it to Zuko, and told him you actually use waterbending forms, controlling the energy flow like water. I really like that idea, of hidden disciplines that require studying others forms. It further connects the elements and also explains why so few people can do these subtypes. Very few firebenders learn water bending forms, so lightning bending was rare. I'd like then to go into that more. Make it so lava bending is doing waterbending forms to the earth. Or maybe firebending. Either one. Make sandbending work by doing airbending forms. I really dig that idea and I'd love to see it more fleshed out.

it really emphasises the show's biggest problem which is what I have been saying all along, 13 episodes is not enough, it will always feel rushed, your characters will always be reacting instead of growing organically, things don't get explained as well as they should or resolved *cough* EP 6 *cough*.

overall, its my favourite of the 3 seasons

 

[Orbis Tabula]

it really emphasises the show's biggest problem which is what I have been saying all along, 13 episodes is not enough, it will always feel rushed, your characters will always be reacting instead of growing organically, things don't get explained as well as they should or resolved *cough* EP 6 *cough*.

overall, its my favourite of the 3 seasons

Yeah, absolutely. A 20 episode season would solve so many issues I have with Korra. I really love it, too, but it's so suffocated by the short season. Hopefully when Netflix eventually picks it up, they give it some room to breathe. I want more Avatar, dammit.

 

[Mononoke]

Ever since Book 2 ended, Korra has not been an asshole to the people she loves. She doesn't ignore advice and think she knows better than everyone else. She also doesn't take two steps back at every corner.

Quite frankly, I found the way they did Korra's arc (in this regard) to be atrocious. I get logically how they explained it with her being raised in isolation, and people not telling her things. But from a story perspective (how the audience experiences her), it was way too much. And I also am not a fan of how quick the character flipped a switch after the Wan episode (although it was a welcome relief after the BS we went through before).

But Book 3 Korra was totally fine. Whenever she was angry, it was used the way it should be (like the President being an asshole, or that hipster being a dick). And most of her actions in the finale weren't questionable. And she was pretty damn competent throughout the entire season. The ONLY thing you could criticize, is why she didn't go into the Avatar state the moment that they found out Zaheer had lied about turning the hostages over. Because she should have been able to beat Zaheer in the Avatar state (the only reason she didn't at the end, was because the poison was draining her energy). But then again, it's kind of confusing as to whether she can enter the Avatar state at will (after she lost her connection). We do see her eyes glow in the first episode when she soothes the vine spirits. But eh.

I totally get why fans are frustrated with Korra especially in the larger context of the series. But I don't see why anyone should have been so with her in Book 3. She was a great character and was used effectively. And even if you feel frustrated that she's an Avatar that is constantly struggling, I think you should actually find some endearment in that. Not from the failures she caused in Book 1 and 2 from being stupid. I mean the overall hurdles she's had to face (the world trying to move on without the Avatar, he struggle for relevancy, Amon taking away her powers, Unalaq cutting off her past connections and trying to get rid of her, Zaheer trying to remove the Avatar all together). It's a non stop struggle for her to have a place in the world. I think that's a harsh path she has to walk. And I would think people could actually have sympathy and relate to her.

Again, I do get her personal failures early on because of her own actions (and how fatiguing she was). But I do think they have course corrected Korra, and she shouldn't be weighed down by the past writing mistakes.

 

[ObbyDent]

Ever since Book 2 ended, Korra has not been an asshole to the people she loves. She doesn't ignore advice and think she knows better than everyone else. She also doesn't take two steps back at every corner.

Quite frankly, I found the way they did Korra's arc (in this regard) to be atrocious. I get logically how they explained it with her being raised in isolation, and people not telling her things. But from a story perspective (how the audience experiences her), it was way too much. And I also am not a fan of how quick the character flipped a switch after the Wan episode (although it was a welcome relief after the BS we went through before).

But Book 3 Korra was totally fine. Whenever she was angry, it was used the way it should be (like the President being an asshole, or that hipster being a dick). And most of her actions in the finale weren't questionable. And she was pretty damn competent throughout the entire season. The ONLY thing you could criticize, is why she didn't go into the Avatar state the moment that they found out Zaheer had lied about turning the hostages over. Because she should have been able to beat Zaheer in the Avatar state (the only reason she didn't at the end, was because the poison was draining her energy). But then again, it's kind of confusing as to whether she can enter the Avatar state at will (after she lost her connection). We do see her eyes glow in the first episode when she soothes the vine spirits. But eh.

I totally get why fans are frustrated with Korra especially in the larger context of the series. But I don't see why anyone should have been so with her in Book 3. She was a great character and was used effectively. And even if you feel frustrated that she's an Avatar that is constantly struggling, I think you should actually find some endearment in that. Not from the failures she caused in Book 1 and 2 from being stupid. I mean the overall hurdles she's had to face (the world trying to move on without the Avatar, he struggle for relevancy, Amon taking away her powers, Unalaq cutting off her past connections and trying to get rid of her, Zaheer trying to remove the Avatar all together). It's a non stop struggle for her to have a place in the world. I think that's a harsh path she has to walk. And I would think people could actually have sympathy and relate to her.

Again, I do get her personal failures early on because of her own actions (and how fatiguing she was). But I do think they have course corrected Korra, and she shouldn't be weighed down by the past writing mistakes.

I'd like to note something I've seen lately: almost none of the more "casual" fans give a shit about this. I have friends who casually watch the show and I ask them about Season 2 or Korra's characterization throughout the series and they always say that they love every single bit of the show.

Its only those who analyze it like us who bitch and moan about every part of this show.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

Ever since Book 2 ended, Korra has not been an asshole to the people she loves. She doesn't ignore advice and think she knows better than everyone else. She also doesn't take two steps back at every corner.

Quite frankly, I found the way they did Korra's arc (in this regard) to be atrocious. I get logically how they explained it with her being raised in isolation, and people not telling her things. But from a story perspective (how the audience experiences her), it was way too much. And I also am not a fan of how quick the character flipped a switch after the Wan episode (although it was a welcome relief after the BS we went through before).

But Book 3 Korra was totally fine. Whenever she was angry, it was used the way it should be (like the President being an asshole, or that hipster being a dick). And most of her actions in the finale weren't questionable. And she was pretty damn competent throughout the entire season. The ONLY thing you could criticize, is why she didn't go into the Avatar state the moment that they found out Zaheer had lied about turning the hostages over. Because she should have been able to beat Zaheer in the Avatar state (the only reason she didn't at the end, was because the poison was draining her energy). But then again, it's kind of confusing as to whether she can enter the Avatar state at will (after she lost her connection). We do see her eyes glow in the first episode when she soothes the vine spirits. But eh.

I totally get why fans are frustrated with Korra especially in the larger context of the series. But I don't see why anyone should have been so with her in Book 3. She was a great character and was used effectively. And even if you feel frustrated that she's an Avatar that is constantly struggling, I think you should actually find some endearment in that. Not from the failures she caused in Book 1 and 2 from being stupid. I mean the overall hurdles she's had to face (the world trying to move on without the Avatar, he struggle for relevancy, Amon taking away her powers, Unalaq cutting off her past connections and trying to get rid of her, Zaheer trying to remove the Avatar all together). It's a non stop struggle for her to have a place in the world. I think that's a harsh path she has to walk. And I would think people could actually have sympathy and relate to her.

Again, I do get her personal failures early on because of her own actions (and how fatiguing she was). But I do think they have course corrected Korra, and she shouldn't be weighed down by the past writing mistakes.

Korra in season 3 was leaps and bounds better than season 1 and 2 Korra. And yeah agreed her change after Wan as a bit too much for me, almost like the writers realized the backlash she was getting and decided to change her personality deus ex Wan-kina style.

I'd like to note something I've seen lately: almost none of the more "casual" fans give a shit about this. I have friends who casually watch the show and I ask them about Season 2 or Korra's characterization throughout the series and they always say that they love every single bit of the show.

Its only those who analyze it like us who bitch and moan about every part of this show.

I wouldn't say it's just us who analyze the show and world, even casual viewers who are known to be nitpicky in other subjects such as my friend can still agree that Korra is annoying, and he's getting past season 2 right now but I've said too many things about season 3 for him to stop.

 

[Jacob]

Again, I do get her personal failures early on because of her own actions (and how fatiguing she was). But I do think they have course corrected Korra, and she shouldn't be weighed down by the past writing mistakes.

Good post, well argued, and I think you're generally right. One Korra moment that really bugged me was during The Stakeout, when she agrees with Mako to be sneaky and observe Ai Wei, and then abruptly changes her mind and storms over to kick in his door. But on further reflection, that's probably less of a poor characterization moment, and more that the writers couldn't think of a less clumsy way for Korra to learn that Zaheer was in the spirit world.

I'd like to note something I've seen lately: almost none of the more "casual" fans give a shit about this. I have friends who casually watch the show and I ask them about Season 2 or Korra's characterization throughout the series and they always say that they love every single bit of the show.

Its only those who analyze it like us who bitch and moan about every part of this show.

Casual viewers are, by definition, not interested in picking apart the show and analyzing what works and what doesn't. That's totally cool; most people are casual viewers of most of the media they consume, and it's arguably a much better way to enjoy something. But I don't think that "most people don't complain about this stuff" really indicates much. Most people don't complain about much beyond the surface level, period. And Korra (especially in Book 3) is pretty damn good at the surface level.

 

[Mononoke]

I'd like to note something I've seen lately: almost none of the more "casual" fans give a ahit about this. I have friends who casually watch the show and I ask them about Season 2 or Korea's characterization throughout the series and they always say that they love every single bit of the show.

Its only those who analyze it like us who bitch and moan about every part of this show.

Eh. I agree some people have liked Korra all along. And I respect that. I personally found her to be fatiguing. But I wouldn't blame that on the character, as so much as I wasn't a fan of how the writers transitioned from Book 1 to 2. I really felt like Book 2 felt like a reboot (ignoring a lot of the character growth from Book 1).

That said, I think you are right that people often ignore the logical aspect to why things are. ie. Korra was being lied to by the people around her, and she wasn't allowed to be in the real world, and mature the way she should have (the way past Avatars have). That played a huge role in her frustration, and how her personality came across.

If some weren't bothered by Korra's personality, then that's great. Means they are able to enjoy the show much more overall. But I really can't say I was a fan of like, her extreme emotional swings (what I think was a pretty abusive relationship to Mako). Although again, logically it makes sense why she is feeling that way (ie. because no one is willing to help her in this conflict, and she has a lot of pressure on her).

Basically, I feel you can step back and look at Korra's actions and attitude, and logically explain all of it. But I do feel that in any kind of story, sometimes something can be a bit too much (can be fatiguing). And it's a very tricky balancing act, especially with a protagonist or character that you want to be liked by the audience. But that's just me. But I do think people are being unusually harsh on the character (they are hyper-sensitive and quick to jump on anything she does), because of their issues with her actions/attitudes in the past. And I think that's unfortunate, as I do think Korra from Book 3 on has been excellent (the right way to use her).

I do respect those that love the show front to back (even if I don't, or don't agree). Then again, I would never say my opinion is objective. BTW we both agree on Book 1 (I personally loved it, even if I think it had flaws). I really enjoyed it quite a bit!

 

[Admiral Woofington]

I've watched too much anime, both good and bad, to recognize annoying characters and/or bad writing, so unfortunately this switch can't be flipped off.