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Legend of Korra Book 4: Balance |OT| A Feast of Crows
- Thread starter Satch
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Xpike
Unconfirmed Member
Well Sokka had his reasons for trashtalking Ozai, including he being responsable for the murder of his mother, the reason he had to grow up fast, and even being face to face with death a few moments ago.
Bolin putting a sock into Zaheer's mouth is just him being a zany comic relief.
It was the wrong moment for me. We were in an epic and desperate fight with Korra slowly dying of poising and only the united force of the new airbenders saving her in the last moment from the real threat of Zaheer. Korra was down and still down after Boling had to make the terrible joke instead of looking for her health. It felt so wrong.
You know Bolin will attempt it the second an opportunity springs up.
I'm more curious to see whether Kuvira will come out alive by the end of the Book or not as LOK isn't exactly scared from killing off its villains.
The awkward "Classic Bolin" line from Opal didn't help either, lampshading it by having a character subtly acknowledge how obnoxious it was doesn't make it any less obnoxious.
Korra from the very beginning has tried to take on a different tone from ATLA. The writers set the tone for the show, and then betray it. It's not really excusable. Or at least, they need to decide what they want to do with this show.
Book 3 and Book 4 have taken very mature plot/themes and so a moment like a Sock in Zaheer's mouth is really low brow, and stupid. TBH, I actually didn't even like the ALTA moment with Ozai. It kind of reduced Ozai to a joke, and just felt like a "kiddy" moment just to have it in there. I always kind of cringed at that moment. But on the other hand, ATLA also never really hid the fact that, it was a kids show. And even thought it got more mature as it went on, they always kind of held on to it being an adventure/journey show through the eyes of kids. So that scene I guess (while I think was bad), at least felt a bit more appropriate given the age range of the characters, and the overall style of the show.
I can understand though, that it's been done before. That it's something the writers HAVE done...so it's not like unheard of. But I don't really think that gives them a free pass. I think it's really bizarre how they frame Zaheer and his philosophies, and then reduce him to just being a "babbling crazy person". It basically shows that they had no real intention of looking at Zaheer's position in a serious light.
So I just find it irritating I guess. It's pretty consistent with Bryke, where they set up these mature themes in Korra, and then really have no intention of actually looking into it beyond just presenting the surface idea (like the equalist movement). For me, the Sock in Zahee'r mouth scene was just bad though tonally, because you just had this really emotional and dark moment for Korra. And it's kind of like...okay, so Bolin is REALLY going to make this moment about him? Like really?
Just felt really jarring I think tone wise. And again, it really just kind of reduced Zaheer down to like a tea party loony. Meh fuck that.
She's gonna get a pie in the face by Wu with the sad trumpet playing in the background.
"Now that's what we call balance!" Freeze frame of team avatar laughing to end the series.
Speaking of Bolin, I really hope they don't make him an idiot this season. I mean he's obviously dumb. That won't change. But please, for the love of Satan please no more bird calls. Please no more ruining moments by disrupting the tone, just to get your moment in the spotlight. Bryke, stahp it.
This is the major criticism I would charge Korra with: bringing up interesting yet complex and serious themes, but having no inclination to do the proper leg work to justify those themes.
Every single season is the same as the last in this regard, and the self contained story arcs are just the dumbest thing to me.
Yeah, agreed. But I don't think the writers should get a pass for that, just because the writing is consistently bad. I guess we could make the argument that it's "expected". But things being expected doesn't justify or excuse it.
I think what bugs me too, is that like Bryke had some excuses for Book 1 and 2. But really no excuse for Book 3 and 4. And thing is, I saw a lot of Book 3 as them learning from their mistakes. Them re-adjusting things, and taking another shot at it. I loved Book 3 front to back. But it is disappointing to see them shy away from still willing to jump fully in to those themes. You know?
Because at least for me, I see this pretty big shift in the show's writing with Book 3 and 4. And it's in a really good way.
EDIT: Not to beat a dead horse. But as I said earlier too, it's even more crazy when we consider that Bryke continues to add more characters and more side plots. It's like they are doing this to themselves. They set up really rich plot/characters, then refuse to actually go into them (like they should), and then waste the time they needed for them on other bullshit. I like Kai, and I think he ended up being a cool character. But why he even exists and took up 3 episodes is beyond me. Truly baffling, when Zaheer + his gang were far more interesting, and needed just a tad bit more to flesh them and their philosophies out. Bryke is lucky that Zaheer plus the Z-team were entertaining as hell on a surface level. So even though they lacked some stuff (on a theme level), they were still amazing to watch in terms of a threat level.
Yeah, bending is way toned down in power from what it would actually be IRL. Hell, some dude died from having a dropped tape measurer fall on his head. Can you imagine how many people would be dying from rocks to the chest? Or firebending actually burning people. Man, the bending world wouldn't not be pleasnt if it was realized in a more adult series.
Yes, that too.
It's to real to be funny ;___;
As someone pointed out, he works with Varrick. He isn't the usual straight man, but goes half way with Varricks ridiculous antics, which is fun to see. But I fear the moment he isn't near Varrick or tries to make a joke on his own.
firehawk12
Subete no aware
Ugh, Kuvira is turning into the cartoon villain I hoped she wouldn't be. At least this is the last book I guess.
Airbending and water bending shold be the deadliest since the human body is made up of those. Zaheer didn't have to choke out the earth queen. He could have easily exploded her lungs.
Guess who's rocking the Earth Clan emblem in COD? This guy.
But it's Bryke.
Though I DO like pie.
Same here. I'm hoping she goes out in a blaze of glory or at the very least realizes what she's done.
But it's Bryke.
Stop. You're hurting my feelings. ;_;
Though I DO like pie.
I have felt the same way during his time in Season 3.
Forget Kai. Should've developed Kuvira instead.
Yeah, it's really strange. And he's had like zero screen time this season. And you just know he will only be in a couple scenes. There is just NO time for him. So why even bother? I mean, we have Kya and Bumi still that barely get screen time. We have main characters that don't even get screen time.
The writers are crazy.
There to be the cool avatar version of Aladdin or something and a crush for Jinora also I suppose.
Jinora could have used some of that Kai screen time.
My favourite thing about Kuvira is how well she built her narrative here. Everyone in the action will see her for what she is, but on the outside it looks totally different.
What people are going to hear is that:
*Kuvira united the Earth Kingdom and stabilized it.
*Kuvira is a better alternative to the "idiot" king.
*Zao Fu is a stubborn holdout that refuses to fall in line or share its abundant resources.
*Kuvira offered a truce, but Suyin broke it by staging an assassination attempt like a coward.
*Kuvira beat the Avatar in a one on one duel in front of hundreds of witnesses but was attacked by her supporters in the middle of it.
I know we see exactly what she is, but it's not going to look like that at all to the others. The outside world won't see the massive army that was waiting outside the whole time, they're just going to see the selective facts. It's true that Suyin refused the peace offering, it's true that she tried to assassinate her enemy during a truce, and it's true that Korra's crew broke the terms of the duel.
The best part is how calculated it was. It's so clear that this is what she wanted from the beginning. She didn't expect Suyin to ever accept her offer, she just made it so she can say she made it. She offered a truce to Korra knowing Suyin would break it, and she approached Korra with killing intent by the end because she knew the airbenders would interfere (notice how quickly she jumped to saying "YOU BROKE OUR AGREEMENT, ATTACK!" when that happened).
Every move with her seems carefully planned, which is why I got hyped at the end of the episode when she said "Begin dismantling the domes". I know this is building up into something huge, I can feel it in my bones.
What people are going to hear is that:
*Kuvira united the Earth Kingdom and stabilized it.
*Kuvira is a better alternative to the "idiot" king.
*Zao Fu is a stubborn holdout that refuses to fall in line or share its abundant resources.
*Kuvira offered a truce, but Suyin broke it by staging an assassination attempt like a coward.
*Kuvira beat the Avatar in a one on one duel in front of hundreds of witnesses but was attacked by her supporters in the middle of it.
I know we see exactly what she is, but it's not going to look like that at all to the others. The outside world won't see the massive army that was waiting outside the whole time, they're just going to see the selective facts. It's true that Suyin refused the peace offering, it's true that she tried to assassinate her enemy during a truce, and it's true that Korra's crew broke the terms of the duel.
The best part is how calculated it was. It's so clear that this is what she wanted from the beginning. She didn't expect Suyin to ever accept her offer, she just made it so she can say she made it. She offered a truce to Korra knowing Suyin would break it, and she approached Korra with killing intent by the end because she knew the airbenders would interfere (notice how quickly she jumped to saying "YOU BROKE OUR AGREEMENT, ATTACK!" when that happened).
Every move with her seems carefully planned, which is why I got hyped at the end of the episode when she said "Begin dismantling the domes". I know this is building up into something huge, I can feel it in my bones.
Slamtastic
Member
Korra defeats Kuvira, but there's still a Spirit Bomb about to go off. She has to use the Avatar State to contain the blast, peacefully accepting that the avatar isn't needed anymore. Zhu Li betrays Kuvira and helps Varrick, who apologizes for how he treated her and they kissu. Wu becomes a great person and leader thanks to the power of friendship with Mako and leads the Earth kingdom to prosperity, with Zaofu being independent, Asami forgives her father, benders and nonbenders live in peace thanks to the nonbender leader of Republic City, and humans and spirits get used to each other and peacefully coexist.
Series over, all plot points tied up with a nice bow.
In 3 years we get a new Avatar series by Nick without Bryke, a Flash animated chibi series that's all comedy, that is more successful than the original ever was.
action animation in the united states
1941 - 2014
Series over, all plot points tied up with a nice bow.
In 3 years we get a new Avatar series by Nick without Bryke, a Flash animated chibi series that's all comedy, that is more successful than the original ever was.
action animation in the united states
1941 - 2014
Would make sense. I think. Although technically she had no connection to her past spirits in Book 3 and could still go into the Avatar State. So she doesn't need it to do it. But it might be the solution to her current problem (her demons or whatever). It might help her.
EDIT: You said up the power, my bad. The Avatar State stuff is really all over the place and confusing IMO. The only time we ever got clarity on the Avatar State being changed, was Aang unblocking all his Chi Pathways. But that just to control it. The Avatar State is supposed to be all the past lives combining their power into one. But that explanation no longer makes sense, given that Korra could still go into the State without the connections at all. Or I guess it makes sense, like she's just starting over with just her current spirit as the base for it (and it's just weak as hell because it doesn't have the other spirits to back it up).
Basically, yeah, I think going based on the mythology, her having her connections would make it stronger.
Agreed, he added nothing of substance. Some of the established characters could fill the different roles he had in the plot.
It was never really alive in the new millennium. There were only a few outliers who were almost all strangled by their networks. We have to look for anime.
Btw. I recommend everyone here the currently running Rage of Bahamut. It's great.
We don't know, because the Avatar state became bloody inconsistent.
I assumed that the Avatar state worked like Link, where she absorbs the combat ability of every Avatar before her. If she has no connection then she only has her own abilities if they were maxed out, right?
Wouldn't it be awesome if she did?
I used to think this until Unalaq became the Dark Avatar or whatever and that turned out to be total garbage.
It would make no sense whatsoever but yeah it would be awesome.
Eagerly awaiting the payoff of Chekov's spirit vine eclipse cannon
I see it more like, a boost. So yeah, it's kind of like a boost in energy from all the past lives combining together. We do know that, Aang wasn't able to learn powers or abilities from past spirits. They kind of broke that when spirit Aang was able to give Korra her bending back, as well as give her the ability to bend energy (giving bending back to people), as well as giving her access to the Avatar State.
Prior to that, the past lives were just a build up of energy and they couldn't actually give the current Avatar powers, or new powers. They could only give them strength by making the Avatar State more powerful. So theoretically, Wan's Avatar State wouldn't be as strong as an Avatar 1,000 years later, as they now have 1,000 years of Avatar spirits now backing up that Avatar State. Going by that logic, you are right. If she does in fact connect to her spirits, her Avatar State would be more powerful.
Not sure if she really needs that though, when Kuvira was able to be taken down and defeated by a single gust of wind in her level 1 Avatar State. lmao
But they could. They gave Aang Waterbending proficiency to save himself and beat Zuko before he knew a thing about Waterbending. My thoughts were that it's a buff that stacks over time. Korra's stack is currently at 1. Maybe she'll get them all back and pull a Kyoshi, but instead of isolating Zaofu, she strands Kuvira on her own little speck of land where she goes crazy.
Er, what? I don't remember them giving Aang the ability to water bend? Unless you mean the Moon spirit. I don't recall past Avatar's physically giving him a new ability. The only thing I recall the Avatar Spirits in the past doing, was just giving advice and wisdom. Outside of that, their only help was being a boost for the Avatar State.
Cheesy B-tier villain status with that and her complete blindness to Zhu Li. At least they got it out of the way instead of neutering her in 10 seconds flat like they did with Zaheer.
Not that I'm not expecting worse by the end.
No. We already had a dark Avatar and it was really awful. Don't need them going that route again. Nope. No thank you.
Icyflamez96
Member
The dark avatar idea is not a bad concept at all, but it was already tried, the execution was terrible, and it definitely should be tried again so soon after Book 2.
I always thought it be a better idea if there were just an overarching villain who could control 4 elements and had an avatar state. I really didn't like the way it was handled with Unaloq
I always thought it be a better idea if there were just an overarching villain who could control 4 elements and had an avatar state. I really didn't like the way it was handled with Unaloq
m_shortpants
Member
Which platform are you CoDing on?
Nah, bro. It's only episode 6. She can still rise from your silly ranking system.
You don't even deserve to wear that avatar anymore.
Dark Avatar had an awesome finale, dude. Imagine how much better Avatar State Kuvira could be.
PLANETS COULD BEND!
The One and only baby.
shira
Member
Kuvira is going to be related to Azula and will have dormant fire bending abilities.
Series ends with the knowledge that all 4 elements are the same and that everyone can bend all 4 of the elements in some way or another
Astral Dog
Member
But Suyin said most of her army are made to work for Kuvira agains their will, and by most its probably everyone except Baatar Jr.
That fight, its like it was Kuvira against wheelchair Korra.
Did not Tenzin, the White lotus, Tonraq, Mako, Bolin, Suyin, Unalaq,Tarlock, Katara,Jinora,Toph teach her anything? Its all because of the poison, or it was always like that?
lol I would give up all hope if Kuvira was related to Azula.
Did you not see her men cheer for her when she crushed the coronation and the avatar? The nobles and elite soldiers she departed surely followed her out of loyalty or because they supported the cause, not because she forced them to. I am sure the people in the re-education camps are a tad bit unhappy, I am pretty sure that her army is presented very loyal.
m_shortpants
Member
Ah, nvm. I'm on pee ess four.
After the last few episodes I think it's pretty safe to say their engagement was really just a way to weaken or persuade Suyin into giving up the city. Bataar seems like such a chump.
Hmmm. I guess lol. I don't really get this plot though tbh
Icyflamez96
Member
Bataar will be the real villain
I guess what I mean is, I never really understood Kuvira's "effort" to get Su to join peacefully. Like, what was even the point. Su was really the last hold out. And Kuvira was willing to go crazy the instant her plan wouldn't work. So why even bother with all the charades? I get that, she doesn't want the outside world to think she's a dictator or whatever. So in that sense I bought her pushing an "image" of herself.
But lol getting engaged to chump Bataar and being with him for all those years, just on the hopes that might get Su to join them. lol I guess?
But lol getting engaged to chump Bataar and being with him for all those years, just on the hopes that might get Su to join them. lol I guess?
It also gives her a political edge not just with the citizens of Zaofu but with the rest of the empire. Bataar might be a loser but he comes from a powerful family.
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