I'd find that easier to believe if there were other belief systems other characters espoused that did go in depth. The only reason I believe my theory about the planet moving the rock in TLA is that every other instance of spirituality was allowed growth and depth and other aspects of the show like psychology or politics were also depicted with surprisingly authenticity. Not so with LoK.
I think we're being amon'd again. He sounds like he has more depth than he does because he hasn't had a meaningful challenge in his belief system, so he's never had to dig deeper than surface level. While it's possible there is more to him, I doubt it.
I suppose. It's totally possible that Zaheer is just an idiot and shallow. Totally. But the only reason I'm willing to think there was more to his beliefs, is because they allude a lot to this supposed past. And unlike Amon, he seemed really passionate about thinking it was the right thing to do.
Ultimately, whether a character has depth to his views or not, is kind of pointless if it's not written. If it's not in the show, it's not in the show. So trying to speculate there could be more, based on things that don't exist...is well silly.
But I guess my perception of Zaheer was kind of shaped by some of these factors, that made me feel there was something going on more than Unalaq or Amon. Or even Kuvira (who doesn't seem to have any conviction at all). I am by no means trying to defend Zaheer or say he's a well written character. Rather, I just think the whole shallow anarchist view, was in a lot of ways, Bryke just unwilling to flesh out plot. But maybe I'm wrong. Zaheer could just be a shallow idiot.
Still, I personally liked Zaheer a lot more than Kuvira and Unalaq. Just on a shallow level, his fights were a lot more fun to watch. And I still think his conviction and passion about trying to accomplish his goal (even if we think that goal was really stupid), made you a bit more invested in what he was trying for, and made him more menacing. Even if it was shallow, a character seeming to give a damn can go a long way. Whereas with Kuvira, I really don't understand or know why she's doing the things she'd doing, outside of being a power hungry asshole. And even on that level, I never get a sense of passion or conviction for wanting that. She's just kind of there. And I find her stoic/personality to be quite annoying. I just want to punch her in the face.
EDIT: Kind of funny how, someone can have a really dumb goal. But just having a real drive to achieve it, can make it more interesting as opposed to someone with a more practical/understandable goal, who doesn't seem to have any conviction or motivation for doing it. I think Zaheer will always have the benefit of having that drive. But I can agree that Zaheer is lazy writing. He's pretty much the "illusion" of someone caring or with depth. At least, in terms of actual writing (since there was no writing).
I still cringe over how in the finale, they have that moment where Zaheer and his lover talk. It's like HEY GUYS, WE HAVE THIS INTERESTING BACK STORY WE WILL TELL YOU ABOUT IN 20 SECONDS, BUT YOU WILL NEVER ACTUALLY KNOW ABOUT IT. BUT PLEASE, FEEL SOMETHING FOR US. WE HAVE DEPTH.
That's how the scene came off to me. And I'll never understand why they focused on Kai and other BS instead of Zaheer and his gang (they actually were interesting. I liked that scene with Bolin talking to Zahee'r gang, and the gang's banter between each other).
