Legend of Korra Book 4: Balance |OT| A Feast of Crows
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Xpike
Unconfirmed Member
they're still going to release comics, the next one is called Smoke and Shadow and deals with Zuko legitimizing his throne against Ozai loyalists.
The more I have time to think about this, the more I think this was a pretty terrible ending to the series. Like the overall context of what Book 4 was, and what this ending was. I mean when we get right down to it, there was basically no reason for Book 4 to exist. The ONLY reason, was Korra's plot about overcoming her demons and finding relevancy for the Avatar. But that plot was all over the place (as it jumped back and forth to the half baked plot with Kuvira). And even when they did focus on Korra's stuff, it felt super jumbled and oddly structured (there wasn't a real follow through with it).
In the finale, Korra never really came to terms with...what the avatar should be. Or rather, what SHE should be, in this modern era. She never came to terms with, her own relevancy or her own self as an avatar. The end of her entire arc was Korra concluding "I needed to suffer,so I could show others compassion"....and that felt completely out of left field and tacked on. It really didn't fit in the Season 4 plot. And there was no build up to that specific revelation. Nor was it tied to her arc in any way.
The biggest problem with this finale outside of having basically no plot, and having nothing to say about the season, or the series as a whole, was just the lack of emotional pay off....for anything. Like, Kuvira just attacked the city. They stopped Kuvira. Then it just kind of ended. We got no closure to Mako or Bolin. Or Tenzin. Or the majority of the side characters. It was such a weird ending in that sense as well. The wedding with Varrick was a tear jerker, I mean oddly enough, Varrick ended up becoming one of the best things in the show. A real treasure. So the wedding was really awesome. But I was still expecting more for our characters. And we didn't get jack.
And in the end, it ends with a bizarro relationship with Korra and Asami, that doesn't feel earned. Like at all. When I think back on it, I feel so bad for the Asami character. They didn't use it whatsoever post Book 1. Her relationship with Korra and the group never made sense. And even this season, she was pushed to the background, and had little to do. She was a sad character, because of all the shit they piled on her, and the fact that they kept pushing her to the background.
So in that sense, I think it's great the ending is about her. She deserves happiness. But like, in the overall context of this show, and just what her relationship was to Korra, it really felt forced.
I went back and re-watched it this morning. And the big action set pieces were really awesome and fun. But I still think once you got past the big silly looking 50's sci-fi robot (got that design was so stupid) blowing shit up for most of the episode, the actual bending itself wasn't even as good as non-finale episodes. So we basically had a lot big dumb action pieces, pushed by a plot with no emotional weight, motivation or substance at all.
I feel like, even Korra wasn't even that interested in Kuvira by the end lol. Like she was just an annoying fly. Korra had this kind of peace and calm to her. Like she knew this was the ending, and just wanted to go on her vacation. So she was just going to show up and deal with this nuisance. That's pretty much what this finale felt like to me, because Kuvira was such a terrible character. Because her invading Republic City really had no weight or push. And it just felt like a low key distraction, that Korra could easily handle.
And it just blows my mind, this was the final plot of the show. Like huh. This is the final plot.
I've been watching TV for almost 14 years now. And this is by far one of the weirdest and baffling endings I've ever seen to a show. Like, in terms of the plot and what it had to say...it was basically 44 min of nothing. Like a story lobotomy. This whole last season feels like we were in a coma and we just needed the shock paddles. The show ended with Zaheer.
In the finale, Korra never really came to terms with...what the avatar should be. Or rather, what SHE should be, in this modern era. She never came to terms with, her own relevancy or her own self as an avatar. The end of her entire arc was Korra concluding "I needed to suffer,so I could show others compassion"....and that felt completely out of left field and tacked on. It really didn't fit in the Season 4 plot. And there was no build up to that specific revelation. Nor was it tied to her arc in any way.
The biggest problem with this finale outside of having basically no plot, and having nothing to say about the season, or the series as a whole, was just the lack of emotional pay off....for anything. Like, Kuvira just attacked the city. They stopped Kuvira. Then it just kind of ended. We got no closure to Mako or Bolin. Or Tenzin. Or the majority of the side characters. It was such a weird ending in that sense as well. The wedding with Varrick was a tear jerker, I mean oddly enough, Varrick ended up becoming one of the best things in the show. A real treasure. So the wedding was really awesome. But I was still expecting more for our characters. And we didn't get jack.
And in the end, it ends with a bizarro relationship with Korra and Asami, that doesn't feel earned. Like at all. When I think back on it, I feel so bad for the Asami character. They didn't use it whatsoever post Book 1. Her relationship with Korra and the group never made sense. And even this season, she was pushed to the background, and had little to do. She was a sad character, because of all the shit they piled on her, and the fact that they kept pushing her to the background.
So in that sense, I think it's great the ending is about her. She deserves happiness. But like, in the overall context of this show, and just what her relationship was to Korra, it really felt forced.
I went back and re-watched it this morning. And the big action set pieces were really awesome and fun. But I still think once you got past the big silly looking 50's sci-fi robot (got that design was so stupid) blowing shit up for most of the episode, the actual bending itself wasn't even as good as non-finale episodes. So we basically had a lot big dumb action pieces, pushed by a plot with no emotional weight, motivation or substance at all.
I feel like, even Korra wasn't even that interested in Kuvira by the end lol. Like she was just an annoying fly. Korra had this kind of peace and calm to her. Like she knew this was the ending, and just wanted to go on her vacation. So she was just going to show up and deal with this nuisance. That's pretty much what this finale felt like to me, because Kuvira was such a terrible character. Because her invading Republic City really had no weight or push. And it just felt like a low key distraction, that Korra could easily handle.
And it just blows my mind, this was the final plot of the show. Like huh. This is the final plot.
I've been watching TV for almost 14 years now. And this is by far one of the weirdest and baffling endings I've ever seen to a show. Like, in terms of the plot and what it had to say...it was basically 44 min of nothing. Like a story lobotomy. This whole last season feels like we were in a coma and we just needed the shock paddles. The show ended with Zaheer.
Tal Shiar Agent
Banned
Likely. The comics may continue, but I believe any chance of a second sequel series is dead. Nick gave up on the franchise. I wish they'd be open to selling it. Netflix, DC (imagine CW live action Avatar series), or any number of publishers would be great.
But I feel it ended on a well enough note that I don't feel the need for another series immediately. I'm not sure they could even flesh out Korrasami on Nick unless they change their policies.
And_Gignac
Member
Critics are raving over the Korra series finale
I dont know why most members here have to be so cynical. Theres a level of vitrol against the series (and the finale as of now) that I dont see reproduced in other places, not even in goddamn 4chan.
lol me too. My friends are starting to get annoyed by it.
CreeperBlocks
Banned
What resolution?
Korra had no resolution as a character. That was no plot to have resolution. ATLA had much more pay off with Aang's journey, and the side characters journey. ATLA's series finale basically was an entire epic journey's ending. This was just a one off season ending (to a season with no plot). How can that have more resolution than ATLA's finale.
I'm so confused.
Admiral Woofington
Member
she sure got over REAL fast her dad dying. She was already smiling and shit way before the flash forward lol
She sure got over a lot of things. Feels like Asami was just whatever you needed her to be.
You can argue it was bad or mishandled, but she absolutely had a resolution.
Tal Shiar Agent
Banned
I don't understand it either. At no point, even during the lowest of book 2 or the never ending probending of book 1 did I feel like these people apparently do.
All shows have their ups and downs. Korra had a lot of downs, but it's ups (finale included) were just so amazing.
Then explain it to me. What was it.
Because the only resolution I saw, was that Korra thought she needed to know pain, so she could give others compassion. That was not tied to a plot at all, and was tacked on. Nothing about her arc this season was resolved in this finale.
Nothing about overcoming her demons, or finding who she is. Or what her relevancy is. Or being comfortable with what she is, or what she wants to be.
m_shortpants
Member
Great post, agree completely. I'm not even sad the show is over to be honest. :/
It's just so baffling. It almost seems out of character for Korra and Asami to go on "vacation" by themselves. Like they really wouldn't invite Bolin and Mako? Aren't they supposed to be friends or something?
The end of TLA the kiss was something that just happened on the side of a friend gathering. This felt like they just eloped. So weird.
People love Twilight. It makes them feel good. Fans of that probably don't understand either why people hate it so much.
Anyone can love anything. All that matters is how something makes you feel. I wouldn't care if someone else didn't like something (unless you were interested in what they had to say). But yeah. If you thought the series was great front to back. That's awesome.
Admiral Woofington
Member
If you liked the finale that's great man, others here have standards that the finale didn't satisfy. Don't worry worry too much about it.
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Xpike
Unconfirmed Member
lol went to fuck, with the flimsy relationship they had right?
How sad is it, that Varrick had a more believable romance and became more fleshed out then Asami. Jeebus. But to be fair, I think the writers probably had a lot of push back from the network. Since gay couples aren't allowed in kids shows (that's fuckin pathetic tbh).
So assuming Bryke actually legit wanted them together. Like it wasn't shipper fuel, but they legit always wanted it. Then I could understand them having to dance around things because the network.
Still doesn't excuse their terrible use of Asami, and not fleshing her out more with her relationships. SMH.
Korra knows who she is. She's the avatar, deal with it. And she's so awesome and stuff. Tenzin said so.
Admiral Woofington
Member
not even the storyboard people expected it apparently, Bryke decided to please shipping fans, but at the same time disappointed many other fans with the decision out of nowhere.
edit: and no, teasing fans with lines here and there wasn't enough. They did the same with Zuko and Katara and with Mako at the end. They're just teases in general.
X
Xpike
Unconfirmed Member
pfft ive seen more rushed relationships irl
But yeah, I assume Byrke's intention was for them to kiss at the end, mirroring Aang and Katara, but they couldn't since Nick would not allow that.
m_shortpants
Member
The only closure we get on Mako's character is that he's reduced to being a shipper bait fakeout. Poor guy, lol.
It's only out of nowhere if you expected something much more substantial.
They've been hinting at the two growing close since the first episode of Book 3.
And that he's duty bound and fiercely loyal.
Oh shit, so they just tacked that on?
Wow, that makes it...gross. I was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. Like, around Book 2 they wanted them to be together. But knew because Networks don't allow gay romance in kids shows, they had to dance around it. They couldn't tell the story up in front.
But...if they just added that on for shippers. Ugh. Just no.
Growing as friends, you mean. There was nothing ever implied more then that. And honestly, even them growing as friends was flimsy.
m_shortpants
Member
To me that also detracts from the progressive nature of an LGBT relationship...because it feels tacked on and just pandering to fans.
Admiral Woofington
Member
I mean don't quote me on it, but somebody here has been posting info on how one of the storyboard artists came out and said he/she didn't know about it, which implies it might've been a last minute decision as there's no reason they'd keep info away from their own team.
CreeperBlocks
Banned
So am I the only one that feels Korra and Asami is super forced and they only did this to please the shippers on tumblr?
lol Come on Trey. How do you stand by this garbage. Mako...duty bound and fiercely loyal. THAT IS YOUR RESOLUTION BRO.
This fuckin ending man.
The point of entertainment is to pander to fans.
Yeah yeah yeah. You guys want to say it's this massive progressive thing. This bold/brave deep thing. But when you find out it wasn't, it was just pandering. "The entire point is to pander to fans".
Make up your mind.
Admiral Woofington
Member
That's a very close-minded definition. If you're writing a book there's a chance you want to write something that you want to make. Similar with movies. If your fans like it that's fantastic, but you're not making everything with "will people who call themselves my fans like this?"
I think the Korrasami ship at the end was pandering, but I think it was handled well too.
Considering how this show has dealt with relationships between other characters, the relationship between Korra and Asami felt like the real deal in comparison. I'm not mad about it at all. It's actually super sweet and a nice way to end that side of Korra's arc.
Considering how this show has dealt with relationships between other characters, the relationship between Korra and Asami felt like the real deal in comparison. I'm not mad about it at all. It's actually super sweet and a nice way to end that side of Korra's arc.
The Korrasami thing always felt like an on running joke due to the simple fact the show has failed making any real "ship" last and the only thing that made 'sense' was just putting tagging them together.
They felt more like close girlfriends, like someone for Korra to unravel with after being frustrated with everything else. I don't honestly feel they built up to it at all. In a way I would say it was pandering.
They felt more like close girlfriends, like someone for Korra to unravel with after being frustrated with everything else. I don't honestly feel they built up to it at all. In a way I would say it was pandering.
Phoenician_Viking
Banned
Who is Suyin's father?
We don't know anything about adult Sokka. Like seriously wtf?
Putting Katara and Toph aside like they were nothing is ridiculous. Yes I know that the series is not about them, but you don't sideline legendary characters like that.
We don't know anything about adult Sokka. Like seriously wtf?
Putting Katara and Toph aside like they were nothing is ridiculous. Yes I know that the series is not about them, but you don't sideline legendary characters like that.
lol Come on Trey. How do you stand by this garbage. Mako...duty bound and fiercely loyal. THAT IS YOUR RESOLUTION BRO.
This fuckin ending man.
Because I don't think it's garbage. Even if they threw in the scene last moment, I don't mind. I liked the scene, it was heartfelt to me. For all my many issues with the Legend of Korra, this finale was enjoyable to me.
I don't need the Legend of Korra to be progressive. I just need to enjoy it, and I did.
I think in an odd way, you are right. Because previous romances just kind of happened. Whereas this one had that close friendship built first. But I guess my issue is that, I found the close friendship with Asami and Korra to feel kind of tacked on in Book 3. It never really made sense to me.
And if you step back and look at this relationship, there wasn't much to it. Like in most of Book 3, they really had no scenes together. In Book 4 they had no scenes together. So Bryke basically had to establish the bulk of their closeness, with Korra only writing Asami when she was away.
That's pretty much the only plot we got of them getting closer. And I mean, I guess?
The Mako stuff was garbage I mean.
EDIT: My garbage line was just talking about the overall ending with the characters having no resolution and laughing at Makos resolution of being fiercely loyal.
Wow... This ending pretty much saved the season IMO... No deus ex, a legit battle (and , Kuvira showing some damn character rather than OMGWTF DOMINATION AHAHAH. Also, Zhu Li and Varrick were mad cute together, Varrick redeemed as the real MVP.
About Korrasami... I found it cute. Like they've been through so much shit and really care about each other...
About Korrasami... I found it cute. Like they've been through so much shit and really care about each other...
Even tho Mako held that L
Mako took the biggest L of this series.
Because an artist should do what they want. Giving in to fans, is a really dumb thing to do. Especially when fans always want something else, and can never agree as a whole. Also fans don't have the same kind of insight into the story or characters like the creators do. So pandering usually isn't a good thing.
Pandering only is good, if the creators find a way to work it into the plot. So that it makes sense, and can actually be built on.
CreeperBlocks
Banned
X
Xpike
Unconfirmed Member
Apart from that, I agree it's a pretty bad ending, no one got any closure, I guess Mako and Bolin will need to fine another job, Opal and Bolin are still dating I guess, Kai and Jinora will fade into obscurity until they're called to keep the airbender race alive, Tenzin will keep being a crappy mentor, Meelo will continue with his fart jokes, Toph will die in a swamp alone but not before going to visit Zuko to finally have their eye-opening journey across the world, Lin will keep being a grumpy policewoman, Su and her family will keep being the leaders of Metal City like nothing happened. And Korra and Asami I guess will be fine, but they didn't even get a definitive "they do" confirmation like Aang and Katara, so we still have some people in denial over it.
Compare to The Last Airbender, which dedicated the whole last half of their final episode to the epilogue. We see all secondary characters in the coronation scene, while also seeing how Aang and Zuko are now best friends. It also gives closure to Ty Lee and Mai by having them join a group of friendly warriors and supporting the new Fire Lord regime, respectively. Then we see all of the protagonists, the characters we've been following for 3 seasons, finally just being able to relax at Iroh's tea shop (giving him closure too), with everyone in Earth Kingdom attire, demostrating how the cultures have been united finally, just joking around, making fun of Sokka. And finally, the show gives us a 3 second conclusion of Katara and Aang finally using tongue, showing how they can finally be at peace with their emotions, a stark contrast to what Katara said like 4 episodes ago, and a closure to the storyline that was introduced in the very first episode. Sure, we know all the world will need rebuilding after the war, but for now, we know the characters we love are safe and finally have a bright future ahead of them. The only misstep, if you can call it that, is the "Where is my mother?" scene, but that was already explained in the comics.
Compare to The Last Airbender, which dedicated the whole last half of their final episode to the epilogue. We see all secondary characters in the coronation scene, while also seeing how Aang and Zuko are now best friends. It also gives closure to Ty Lee and Mai by having them join a group of friendly warriors and supporting the new Fire Lord regime, respectively. Then we see all of the protagonists, the characters we've been following for 3 seasons, finally just being able to relax at Iroh's tea shop (giving him closure too), with everyone in Earth Kingdom attire, demostrating how the cultures have been united finally, just joking around, making fun of Sokka. And finally, the show gives us a 3 second conclusion of Katara and Aang finally using tongue, showing how they can finally be at peace with their emotions, a stark contrast to what Katara said like 4 episodes ago, and a closure to the storyline that was introduced in the very first episode. Sure, we know all the world will need rebuilding after the war, but for now, we know the characters we love are safe and finally have a bright future ahead of them. The only misstep, if you can call it that, is the "Where is my mother?" scene, but that was already explained in the comics.
Honestly, it's probably because I'm jaded and seen so many animated series from both Japan and other places that I can't rate this highly.
It just felt like it kind of ended. I mean, I hate the Buu Saga in DBZ but the final fight with Kid Buu, the use of the spirit bomb, the resolution of see all the characters relax and the time skip easily still closed off a lot of character threads.
This just kind of ends.
It just felt like it kind of ended. I mean, I hate the Buu Saga in DBZ but the final fight with Kid Buu, the use of the spirit bomb, the resolution of see all the characters relax and the time skip easily still closed off a lot of character threads.
This just kind of ends.
We've been back and forth on the Korrasami thing since the hints really started to come out. Even if you think they only grew close as friends, the ending did nothing to subvert that. It was obvious since the beginning of this season that Korra trusted Asami the most.
The Mako stuff was garbage I mean.
EDIT: My garbage line was just talking about the overall ending with the characters having no resolution and laughing at Makos resolution of being fiercely loyal.
His resolution is Carth Onasi, and it's perfect.
TangerineCloud
Banned
I had a problems with Legend of Korra, but I'm actually glad that the ATLA characters didn't have larger roles. The series already had way too many throwbacks to ATLA (for example, every season of Korra has shoehorned in aspects of Aang's fight against Ozai), and fucked with the lore a little too much.
CreeperBlocks
Banned
What About the Red Lotus? Aren't there still some around?
To be fair, ATLA's series ending was the ending of an entire journey. Book 4's ending was an ending to a one off season (and a season with a very weak plot). I truly wish that, Book 4 had justified its existence by having a better character plot written out for Korra.
I really believe Korra's emotional character arc in Book 4 was failed. It was all over the place, and had no sense of direction. It had no follow through, which means it had no pay off in the end. I think had they nailed Korra's personal story, and found a way to tie it all in (especially since her issues were tied back to the past Season's events)...then this season could have worked.
But the writers failed the Korra character. And thus the finale also failed.
This season is kind of a product of a terrible format (the self-closed one off season format). It worked against Bryke in this case and reared its ugly head.
TangerineCloud
Banned
They're in the same underground bunker that the Equalists are in.
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