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Legend of Korra Book 4: Balance |OT| A Feast of Crows
- Thread starter Satch
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m_shortpants
Member
Primary character design has been consistently great, I can't fault Bryke there. Just wish they hadn't created more characters than the plot could adequately juggle. Cool characters like Tahno were never seen again and instead we got people like Kai...
I like Suyin but it feels like she and her family have had such a disproportionate amount of focus in seasons 3 and 4. :/
I feel like there are so many great stories they could have told simply WITHIN republic city. Shady cops, gangs, protection money, crime...in fact thats where I thought season one was going when I watched the first episode. Korra coming upon Republic City, Aangs magnum opus if you will, only to find that it (the city) had lost it's balance and intended purpose. Amon sort of touched on this I guess, but afterwards instead they went for the cataclysmic world ending stuff...
Edit: this post devolved into a stream of consciousness about things I wish had been done differently. Bah.
I think I'll look back at Korra with mixed feelings, for sure. I think, I'll of course cherish the experience of watching it with fans. I'll have appreciated just getting to spend time in the Avatar universe a little big longer. Whatever criticisms you have of the writers, there is no denying the world of Avatar is a fantastic one.
And i mean, for all the shows flaws and missteps, I still enjoyed visiting the world post Aang. I would also say, on a purely technical level, I think I'll end up loving at least 50% of this series. And while that might not seem like a great record, the fact that this show is only 4 books, means it's not this long drawn out thing. So it being paired off with ATLA...I think it was worth it.
I think, if anything...I'll just always feel a bit let down. Because, I think the show had so much potential. I think in concept, I actually like Korra more than Aang. Yep. I admit it. I do. But how they have handled this character. How they have gone about doing her plot. It's just ugh. So I think I'll feel let down more then anything. Just how much rich potential was there, and how much they squandered it.
I do think, Korra will hold up slightly better as years go by. Maybe not the writing. I think the writing will age poorly. And it will become more and more clear just how bad some of it was. BUT...I think on an entertainment level, and just getting to experience the world, I think it will hold up more then it is now. Because you will be able to dive in and not have to wait a year between shows. You won't have to wait a week for the next episode. It will be more like a mini-experience that you can dive in. And while yeah, it had some really big negatives, you can still watch it all and feel mostly good about it.
So yeah, that is my take on it, in terms of how it will age.
I do think, how it ends will have an impact on the perception of the show. Like...what was all this leading to? What was the show trying to tell? What was Korra's legend? What was she really all about? I mean, in terms of physical action, she's already done a lot. Harmonic Convergence alone, should be more then enough to cement her legacy as an Avatar. But in terms of the overall the show in terms of a narrative, what was this about? What was the point of it?
And i think, it's how they answer that question in these last 3 episodes, that will shape how people view the series on the whole. I don't feel too good about this final season. I do think they squandered their final act in this story. I'm really let down by the direction they took. And I think, if they just have Kuvira be a typical villain/fight, and it's nothing more then that for Korra, then the ending will sizzle out without a bang. And we'll be left asking, what the point of her journey really was.
I think the problem I have with this show (in terms of where I think it's going), is that it's supposed to be about the journey of this specific Avatar, like on a personal level. Her own struggles, and how she's tried to stay relevant and find her own way. BUT...the show has done such a bad job with characters, that I don't really feel that....it works. I don't feel that if the entire point of Korra was about this personal journey, that it will be satisfying.
Then again, some won't agree with me. I've already seen some defend the show relentlessly, and say that Korra's personally journey has been great. So maybe for some fans, the show has already delivered on whatever it sett out to do. That it's already satisfying. I think with ATLA, it had the personal journey for Aang (his personal struggles). But Aang was a much more fleshed out character. We were a lot more invested in him, and what happened. And having Sozin's Comet and Ozai (was like destroying the ring in Lord of the Rings)...it was a unifying plot. A goal. An end point. And that goal and end point tied into Aang's personal journey.
Korra seems to lack that. So its' more so just about her personal journey. But because I think they have botched the execution of how they told her character story (and fleshed it out), it just seems like an unsatisfying way to tie all this up. I'm still hoping Bryke has one last trick up their sleeve, and this season builds up to something greater that unifies it all. They've already kind of done this, with Korra basically looking back on all the people in each season trying to get rid of her. Her struggle to find her place, and relevancy. So if they focus on that some more in this series finale, and figure out a way for her to make her stand with regards to this issue, then I think they can land the ending.
And i mean, for all the shows flaws and missteps, I still enjoyed visiting the world post Aang. I would also say, on a purely technical level, I think I'll end up loving at least 50% of this series. And while that might not seem like a great record, the fact that this show is only 4 books, means it's not this long drawn out thing. So it being paired off with ATLA...I think it was worth it.
I think, if anything...I'll just always feel a bit let down. Because, I think the show had so much potential. I think in concept, I actually like Korra more than Aang. Yep. I admit it. I do. But how they have handled this character. How they have gone about doing her plot. It's just ugh. So I think I'll feel let down more then anything. Just how much rich potential was there, and how much they squandered it.
I do think, Korra will hold up slightly better as years go by. Maybe not the writing. I think the writing will age poorly. And it will become more and more clear just how bad some of it was. BUT...I think on an entertainment level, and just getting to experience the world, I think it will hold up more then it is now. Because you will be able to dive in and not have to wait a year between shows. You won't have to wait a week for the next episode. It will be more like a mini-experience that you can dive in. And while yeah, it had some really big negatives, you can still watch it all and feel mostly good about it.
So yeah, that is my take on it, in terms of how it will age.
I do think, how it ends will have an impact on the perception of the show. Like...what was all this leading to? What was the show trying to tell? What was Korra's legend? What was she really all about? I mean, in terms of physical action, she's already done a lot. Harmonic Convergence alone, should be more then enough to cement her legacy as an Avatar. But in terms of the overall the show in terms of a narrative, what was this about? What was the point of it?
And i think, it's how they answer that question in these last 3 episodes, that will shape how people view the series on the whole. I don't feel too good about this final season. I do think they squandered their final act in this story. I'm really let down by the direction they took. And I think, if they just have Kuvira be a typical villain/fight, and it's nothing more then that for Korra, then the ending will sizzle out without a bang. And we'll be left asking, what the point of her journey really was.
I think the problem I have with this show (in terms of where I think it's going), is that it's supposed to be about the journey of this specific Avatar, like on a personal level. Her own struggles, and how she's tried to stay relevant and find her own way. BUT...the show has done such a bad job with characters, that I don't really feel that....it works. I don't feel that if the entire point of Korra was about this personal journey, that it will be satisfying.
Then again, some won't agree with me. I've already seen some defend the show relentlessly, and say that Korra's personally journey has been great. So maybe for some fans, the show has already delivered on whatever it sett out to do. That it's already satisfying. I think with ATLA, it had the personal journey for Aang (his personal struggles). But Aang was a much more fleshed out character. We were a lot more invested in him, and what happened. And having Sozin's Comet and Ozai (was like destroying the ring in Lord of the Rings)...it was a unifying plot. A goal. An end point. And that goal and end point tied into Aang's personal journey.
Korra seems to lack that. So its' more so just about her personal journey. But because I think they have botched the execution of how they told her character story (and fleshed it out), it just seems like an unsatisfying way to tie all this up. I'm still hoping Bryke has one last trick up their sleeve, and this season builds up to something greater that unifies it all. They've already kind of done this, with Korra basically looking back on all the people in each season trying to get rid of her. Her struggle to find her place, and relevancy. So if they focus on that some more in this series finale, and figure out a way for her to make her stand with regards to this issue, then I think they can land the ending.
You're missing out!
One of the things I'm most surprised about now that the series is coming to and end is how much Korra grew on me as a character and actually will make me miss the series more than anything (except for the technical achievements). Looking back at Book 3 and 4, I have to admit that Bryke managed to save her character just enough for me to wish we got see more of her and how she really could be an awesome Avatar and person now in adulthood.
In the end, I really liked Korra. In some aspects, more so than Aang.
And now I'm actually getting kind of sad thinking about it ending
What the...
In the end, I really liked Korra. In some aspects, more so than Aang.
And now I'm actually getting kind of sad thinking about it ending
What the...
Icyflamez96
Member
I sadly can't get into most of those shows because the artstyle is so unappealing to me.
TacticalFox88
Banned
I still say Korra is by far the most attractive female on the show.
Come at me bitches!
Come at me bitches!
I grew to like Korra more during Book 3. But, I still think the way they have handled her plot in Book 4 has been really bad. And has made me really frustrated in her. I should be feeling sympathetic and empathetic to her struggles. But I find myself more so, annoyed then anything else.
I really wish they would handled this plot differently. I wish they would have handled her overall story differently. But I can agree that, I've come to like her quite a bit. Which is a massive shift from Book 2. But dammit. I think in concept, I like her more than Aang. Maybe even in like...flashes of her personality (I can relate more to her). But overall, I still think she's a failed character. And sadly doesn't come close to Aang.
I wish she did. I wanted her to.
EDIT: With regards to Aang. I've always liked his story better (how it was told). I always felt more invested in his struggles. The odd thing is, I can't relate to Aang. Him being a really young kid. And his personality at times was grating (but again it was an age thing). So again, in concept Korra is a lot better character. But in terms of the story, Aang was just by and far a better protagonist for me. I cared a lot more about him by the end of the show, and what his goal was. What his struggles were.
I care a lot less about Korra at this point. I feel pity...more then empathy. And that's a problem. I think Korra is pitiful and I feel bad for her.
Anime has some great artysle. What you on about.
But none like ATLA and LoK on TV nowadays, especially Western television. And it's a shame very few animated series have come along for the ride during this golden age of TV.
Quality animation is stuck in a limbo where it's either too mature for young viewers or not taken seriously by older ones, and shows like ATLA, LoK and others struggle with an audience. I like a lot of anime, but I still prefer Western story telling.
Yeah well, Anime has its own charm. And really, I'll take good story over lackluster writing and superb animation.
EDIT: Anime can have shit writing. However, I find that there is just so much content in a given season, you can always find at least 2-3 anime shows with stellar writing, and pretty animation. You can always find the cream of the crop if you are willing to look. But I can agree that Korra had great Animation. I really wish it had a full budget. The shit they could have done with more money.
Icyflamez96
Member
Some do, but the specific animes that I was really considering watching just has an artstyle that turns me off.
That Dude John
Member
Ya'll just make me feel like my standards for television are low. lol
Like, I read what ya'll post about an episode and it makes perfect sense in retrospect, but on the first time through I noticed none of it and was not too bothered by it afterwards outside of some very specific scenarios.
Like, I read what ya'll post about an episode and it makes perfect sense in retrospect, but on the first time through I noticed none of it and was not too bothered by it afterwards outside of some very specific scenarios.
The big question though is short hair or long hair Korra.
To be clear, I don't want to dislike something. I don't go out of my way to dislike it. I always want something to be great (especially when i t's something I love). Especially when I know they have more potential, and have done better in the past. So it's not something I want, or I seek out.
I just watch something, and it's how I feel about it. But it should be made clear that, I never ever ever think that my views are objective. That others should see it the same way as me. If you don't see the same issues. If you enjoyed the episode more then me. That is all that matters. I don't think you should ever feel bad, or think you have low standards.
I don't think it's about standards. I don't think people have high standards. Or people have low standards. People just perceive and take things differently. No one is really right. I mean, I think we can have debates and discussions about the technical aspects of this show. But at the end of the day, it really comes down to feeling. How did it make you feel. How did you enjoy it.
I've always thought that mattered more then the technical.
The only time people are wrong, is if they are attacking others, or getting angry at them for not sharing the same opinion. Or I guess if people are saying stuff, but not willing to really elaborate. But yeah, I think what has always mattered to me more then anything (with regards to art)...is how the art makes you feel. I think that always trumps everything.
Icyflamez96
Member
I am sort of on your boat. I catch and agree with most of peoples' criticisms, but I still have a very fun time watching the show regardless.
That's great. Thing is, a lot of times, I'm not having fun or don't like it...when I want to like it. I mean, I could criticize something on a technical level, and still say I enjoyed it. Because as I said in my post above, I think emotion and how something makes you feel, always trumps technical criticisms.
I guess with Korra, I'm about 50/50. I find it's very hit or miss for me (both on a technical level, and how it makes me feel).
Book 4 is strange. Because I think on a technical episode to episode level, the writing has been tight and fine. But I think in the larger scale, the main plot and how it's being written is sloppy and a mess. However, I've been able to enjoy most of this season episode to episode. So I guess that matters more then anything. It's just, lately I haven't been enjoying this season as much. Because it's starting to build up for me (the negatives are starting to build up). And I'm kind of burnt out. I'm burnt out on what they are doing.
It will be interesting to go back and watch Book 4 later. I wonder how I'll feel about it watching it front to back.
Same.
I'm biased because TLOK was one of the few shows on American TV right now (or used to be lolNick) that featured Asian protagonists.
At least I still have Elementary.
If you guys liked the show and had no issue with it, then what does it matter what others think about it. I mean, it's interesting to see another's take on it. And it can even be an interesting exercise in, thinking about it again, and reflecting again on your own take on it.
But I mean, if you watched every single episode in this series, and found yourself loving every single one, and never having an issue. Then I dunno. That's pretty awesome. Wouldn't matter what someone else thought. I always find it interesting how different other people's views on this are. That, some think this is a superior show to ATLA. That some love every single episode/season and think Korra is one of the best characters of all time.
I think it's fascinating. And I think it's amazing tbh. Wish I felt that way.
You say that, but try actually doing it.
While Gotham has not been perfect, I think it is surprisingly good. But you go to the thread, and all you see is people writing how selena and Barbara and Montoya need to die because they had a 30 second scene that didn't immediately tickle the entertainment center of their brains (I wish I was exaggerating).
It's tiresome, and you really don't know how rare a community as sophisticated like the one we have is. Here, analysis and criticism is welcome while drive by hate/love posts are discouraged or at least ignored. Even people who don't like korra don't come in here all "this bitch needs to die". We make posts with substance to them. I don't post much in arrow anymore, but I lurked in the thread and they don't talk about anything like character arcs or deeper motivations or themes. They all love the show, but it's often surface level discourse.
Being a minority in a community that overwhelmingly loves or hates a thing you don't, even though you have really well reasoned opinions for it, is tiring. There is a certain lack of communication in those threads that make it a pain to participate in, even if you have strong things to say on it.
Okay, so what is the takeaway. That we shouldn't talk about the show, if you have criticisms? I mean lol
The only takeaway I'm getting is that I'm an asshole piece of shit for not loving the show. Guess I should have kept it to myself, instead of making people feel bad for watching this show.
That's never what I wanted. So if people felt they couldn't enjoy the show because of a thread on here, then that's pretty fuckin awful. So I don't really know what the balance is. Do you just, only speak about the positives, and keep everything else you don't like inside, because you don't want other people that loved it, to have to hear it.
I know you are saying this thread was sophisticated and that people had debates and had critical analysis. But the more I think about it, the more I feel like people generally didn't like a lot of our posts in this thread. That they would have much preferred a thread that was about celebrating the show, and didn't have people that didn't like it posting in it. I've always taken the view that, if you have something negative to say, you should actually take the time to express why you feel that way. That you go out of your way, to really articulate, and try to keep it open to discussion. That in the end, that would outweigh it purely being a negative view. That there was value to it. But honestly, I'm starting to regret ever having even posted in these threads. I read more and more people posting on here, and it just seems like they just wanted to talk about a show they loved, and not have to listen to people that aren't loving the way they do.
*shrugs*
Guess it's pointless now. Only 3 episodes left. But we should have probably fucked off during Book 2, so people could have enjoyed the show more. Sorry everyone.
Uh, whoa there.
All I'm saying is that it's tough being a grain of sand in an ocean of contrary opinion. I really like Gotham, but I don't like visiting the thread because I know it will be filled with a lot of bullshit posts.
I can still enjoy the show, but I'd enjoy it even more if I could engage the community in discourse, but that's just not possible when certain opinions are prevalent enough. If someone is enjoying the show, I can get how the stuff written on here turns that to ash in their mouths, because once they are aware of the flaws, it's hard to ignore them if you don't know how. So the choice is either not to engage the community or harden yourself to the criticism of the thing you love.
Don't be. I'm not. Negative feelings are just as valid as positive feelings, and the fact of the matter is that we won because the negative view of the show is just far better supported than the positive view.
It's internet darwinism without anyone's real death. I mean, it happened to me. I was crushed when the things I loved had all these flaws pointed out to me. But by sticking with it, I learned how to think critically.
And by learning that, and using it, I learned how to be able to think critically of a show AND enjoy it, despite it's flaws.
Sucks. Don't know what to tell that person. Must be awful to like something and be surrounded by a bunch of people with negative opinions. Maybe the people with negative opinions should stop pushing these environments.
Like, there's plenty of stuff I could criticize if I genuinely wanted to.
But so far Book 3 and 4 have enough positive elements that the negative aspects don't bother me as much.
The romance bullcrap was the most distracting thing to me in Book 1 and 2 so since that's gone I find it a lot easier to enjoy the show.
It's still a flawed show but I love it all the same.
But so far Book 3 and 4 have enough positive elements that the negative aspects don't bother me as much.
The romance bullcrap was the most distracting thing to me in Book 1 and 2 so since that's gone I find it a lot easier to enjoy the show.
It's still a flawed show but I love it all the same.
Or have negative opinions in a sea of positve ones. I've been in both, and either way, it's tiring.
They'll survive. I did. And it was ultimately lead me to the understanding of narrative structure that I have today. I literally could not be able to talk about the things I do if I hadn't been confronted with the rational flaws of the things I liked and had to put aside my person love of them to see them. Later on, I realized that my love for those things didn't die. I still loved them, flaws and all.
I sometimes feel as though people have forgotten how to love a thing that's not perfect, and that's the biggest shame of all.
Icyflamez96
Member
why is it so hard for me to comprehend this conversation right now
We are forming opinions about opinions, and how they are expressed in various communities in instances and perspectives of extreme individual outliers.
Psychology mixed with sociology, I guess. Do you even science?
Icyflamez96
Member
Yeah I guess.
I got alot of flak for saying this last time, but I still think LoK should have been about unfinished storylines focusing on the original cast.
For example.
Book 1: Amon's father was actually a bloodbender that katara tried to kill years and years ago.
Book 3: Zaheer was sent to prison because he assassinated Aang
Book 4: Toph defeats Kuvira and becomes Earth Queen (lol jk.. or am I?)
Woah, no man. I like your post about the show. And Veelk.
It's about disagreeing, agreeing and enjoying the conversation. Nobody (well, almost nobody) is here just to shout "Korra's a bitch" and "korra's awesome!" and go. I might be on the "glass is half-full" side of the conversation most of the time, but I very much am interested more in having an honest discussion about the show's flaws and enjoy your high-expectations.
That's basically what Veelk said.
Atraveller
Banned
Why not both?
Icyflamez96
Member
I like long hair with hair down korra the best.
I've been thinking about this as well. We've had so much great television lately, but not enough quality western animated television that can be taken seriously by older audiences.
Aw that sucks, I really enjoyed your opinions about the show in that thread. You always made a lot of good points in there.
Well, I haven't quit it entirely. I've just been busy with finals. I'll visit it more often when I'm done with those. It's just a pain to go there when I know half of them will be complaining about Selina's wierd pose for the thousandth time or whatever.
Hush There can be only one!
But yeah I like hair down Korra quite a bit and especially the hair down angry avatar Korra from the Book 3 finale.
Atraveller
Banned
Hair-down Korra
Such a babe!
Such a babe!
Icyflamez96
Member
Ok, if I we're to be more specific, I'd say I like avatar state hair down Korra the best. There is just something beastly and exotic looking about it. As far as normal states go, I think short hair Korra slightly edges out for the best. It's grown on me a ton, and looks great in animation. I remember being excited about it when I first saw it just because it was a change and I get excited when I see timeskip designs, but I was still a bit iffy about the hair. Actually to this day I still think Korra with short hair in that promotional artwork looks a bit weird.
Atraveller
Banned
Serious answer, I like her because of her demeanor, kind of hard to pin it down with a still image.
Loved her funny faces.
Loved her funny faces.
Yup.Hair-down Korra
Such a babe!
I can't disagree.Hair-down Korra
Such a babe!
Serious answer, I like her because of her demeanor, kind of hard to pin it down with a still image.
Loved her funny faces.
Yeah she's had some great expressions throughout the series.
JadedWriter
Member
Who makes these things? They're great.
Where are you guys finding all this glorious Fanart? I mean this is just amazing and the best one posted yet.Who makes these things? They're great.
Atraveller
Banned
She's probably choking Kuvira to death.
"Please excuse me. I'm a little old fashioned. Really dislike using bending to choke people."
A lot of the fan art posted in here both good and lewd usually comes from Tumblr.
Here is the source for a lot of the cute Kuvira fanart that's been posted this past week by the way.
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