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[TheRealTalker]

this episode


like they looked at everything in Tumblr and just said fuck it


lolololol and people where joking about that ending pairing a few days ago

 

[Pappasman]

Oh, well that's ominous.

I take it's not great? The few minutes I watched seemed pretty interesting, if a little on the nose about what it's trying to achieve.

Its one of those Love it or Hate it type shows. Very divisive.

 

[Daemul]

So the ending, I took it to mean Korra and Asami are a couple (something I like as they felt like a perfect couple) or was it meant to be left open to interpretation?

Nah, they just did it that way so that they could have plausible deniablity if some people get mad, even though any grown adult will see exactly what's going on there.

 

[m_shortpants]

.

Worst Avatar ever.

I can't believe there wasn't more said about this. Republic City just got leveled. "oh well we'll build outwards". Like holy shit. A nuke just went off there. These are now ruins.

So what animation are you guys moving on to next?

Cowboy Bebop c:

 

[JadedWriter]

None. TLoK was the last one for me.

Go watch Kill La Kill for proper Kuvira or Jojo's Bizarre Adventure.

 

[Icyflamez96]

Just watch it if you want. Don't let people tell you not to try it out. There are obviously a lot of people who love it so it's probably worth a try.

 

[Trey]

lol. The themes they used as background settings, that really meant nothing?

They are substantial themes at face value, as substantial I think as AtLA's backdrop. Season 1 dealt with revolution, oppression, inequality (huge one that is fundamental to the show). Season 2 dealt with spirituality and bridging the physical and spiritual realms. Season 3 was about the corruption of government, the role of a world leader, political ideology. Season 4 was about will, family, dictatorships, technology. These are all some heavy ass themes.

I think Mike and Bryan looked at The Wire and thought they could do the same with Korra. But even ignoring that they had half as much run time to work with, they also didn't accomplish the key to tie all that together: that being a foundational element to tie all that together. In AtLA it was Aang and his friends. In the Wire it was the city of Baltimore. In the Legend of Korra, it should have been Korra.

 

[CDiggity]

Oh well at least Jojo comes back on the 9th. Time to head to Egypt.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

Its one of those Love it or Hate it type shows. Very divisive.

Ah, okay. I think I'll give it a shot. It's only 20 odd episodes, can't be all that bad.

Nah, they just did it that way so that they could have plausible deniablity if some people get mad, even though any grown adult will see exactly what's going on there.

I see. Well that's rather disappointing of the show runners.

 

[Mononoke]

Alright let's talk about the positive things about this finale:

* Mako using lighting
* Varrick wedding and doing the thing!
* The action set pieces were fun.
* Korrasami. Despite my issues with it, it was still two characters that were happy. And it was nice to see that.

I'm kind of sad i don't have a positive for Bolin. He was kind of just there. I guess we didn't get any bird calls? A positive?

 

[m_shortpants]

Alright let's talk about the positive things about this finale:

* Zuko using lightnig
* Varrick wedding and doing the thing!
* The action set pieces were fun.
* Korrasami. Despite my issues with it, it was still two characters that were happy. And it was nice to see that.

I'm kind of sad i don't have a positive for Bolin. He was kind of just there. I guess we didn't get any bird calls? A positive?

Zuko using lightning. If only

 

[Trey]

that freudian slip.

 

[Kinvara]

Might I suggest the anime adaptation of Naoki Urasawa's Monster?

Dammit my post got stuck on the last page.

But seriously check it out. Unlike most other anime out there, it's intended for an adult audience as opposed to teens.

 

[JadedWriter]

Oh well at least Jojo comes back on the 9th. Time to head to Egypt.

Can't wait to walk like an Egyptian myself. WRRRRRRYYYYYYY

Dammit my post got stuck on the last page.

But seriously check it out. Unlike most other anime out there, it's intended for an adult audience as opposed to teens.

I really need to finish this. I stopped at like ep 35 or something. Will watch again when I want something more slower paced. It's got great characters and an insane well written bad guy.

 

[Blackhead]

You're the one that said that the fact that Legend of Korra attempt at tackling those issues made it better than ATLA regardless of quality is rather silly. Even more so considering ATLA tackled more even if they were one-offs.

But I doubt you will listen to anything and just disagree without much thought.

wut? I didn't say that. That was Brawndo Addict's original point that I was responding to

Well there's content that simply entertains and then there's content that does more on a personal level in making you think/feel. If I stopped posting in this tread I would stop thinking about Korra pretty quickly; nothing from the show really stuck with me in any substantive way. Now that's fine, there's plenty of content that merely entertains, and most children's shows are designed to merely entertain (and sell toys).

But I think TLA was able to more reliably go beyond being mere entertainment content. I do think it was able to make viewers think and feel in ways that Korra did not, and that as a result, from a critical perspective, it has more value to me and and the children I want to see it than something like Korra does.

So yeah, I'm judging Korra from the prism of the TLA because I want more content that treats children as something more than an avenue into my wallet, that treats them in a mature manner and speaks to them about real life issues in a substantive way that they can relate to.

huh? Each of the four villains in LoK tackled more substantive and diverse topics than the single main villain in ATLA. It's basically why love LoK so much. ATLA is a very well crafted crafted children's show. LoK is a much more ambitious artistic project that took mature risks. Some of those didn't pay off very well but the highs are much more rewarding that ATLA

In theory sure. Having super high ambitions that you don't come close to delivering on doesn't really mean much though. And in some cases it backfired entirely, such as the non-benders plotline getting tossed to the curb.

Say what you will about the execution (which was no less Deus ex Machina than the ATLA ending) LoK clearly tackled many more mature themes which was your original complaint. Season 1, 3, 4, in particulars delivered on the high ambitions.

This particular bit is what I was responding to:

But I think TLA was able to more reliably go beyond being mere entertainment content. I do think it was able to make viewers think and feel in ways that Korra did not, and that as a result, from a critical perspective, it has more value to me and and the children I want to see it than something like Korra does.

I disagree completely with that completely. I love ATLA but its theme of young good boy fights pure evil to save the world is very a common and basic trope for an american children's cartoon show. I don't think it often went past 'mere' extremely well crafted entertainment.

 

[Mononoke]

Zuko using lightning. If only

Hahah. Typed that on my phone. Dat typo.

 

[Brawndo Addict]

They are substantial themes at face value, as substantial I think as AtLA's backdrop. Season 1 dealt with revolution, oppression, inequality (huge one that is fundamental to the show). Season 2 dealt with spirituality and bridging the physical and spiritual realms. Season 3 was about the corruption of government, the role of a world leader, political ideology. Season 4 was about will, family, dictatorships, technology. These are all some heavy ass themes.

I think Mike and Bryan looked at The Wire and thought they could do the same with Korra. But even ignoring that they had half as much run time to work with, they also didn't accomplish the key to tie all that together: that being a foundational element to tie all that together. In AtLA it was Aang and his friends. In the Wire it was the city of Baltimore. In the Legend of Korra, it should have been Korra.

I want to note that I'm not trying to suggest that these ideas weren't present, or that they should have been expressed in a super academic or serious way. They should be trying to get them across in a way that kids can understand and grapple with, I just don't think Korra did it effectively. Say Book 1 for example, I think they used the nonbender issue not as something to explore but as a way to give power to Amon and raise the stakes. In my opinion, the movement was treated as discredited with the unmasking of Amon.

Similarly for the government thing, things develop and happen plotwise, but the characters don't seem like they particularly care or have opinions about it. In fact, the default seems to be that the monarchy should exist. Korra doesn't really get into addressing the problems of the Earth Queen with Zaheer, and with Wu, she says something like "You're the rightful king!" before immediately supporting Wu's decision to dissolve the state "They should be free!".

 

[Mononoke]

wut? I didn't say that. That was Brawndo Addict's original point that I was responding to




This particular bit is what I was responding to:


I disagree completely with that completely. I love ATLA but its theme of young good boy fights pure evil to save the world is very a common and basic trope for an american children's cartoon show. I don't think it often went past 'mere' extremely well crafted entertainment.

Except it did.

You are right that at its core, ATLA is a heros journey. But there were a lot of rich subtext and underling themes that backed up the simplistic journey. Korra on the other hand, presents deeper themes as ideas, but they are just background setting. They don't mean anything, and never touch into the narrative in a meaningful way.

 

[JadedWriter]

Ah, okay. I think I'll give it a shot. It's only 20 odd episodes, can't be all that bad.

It's not that bad. Just get used to a rather random first half and nippleless boobs.

 

[Pappasman]

Alright let's talk about the positive things about this finale:

* Mako using lightnig
* Varrick wedding and doing the thing!
* The action set pieces were fun.
* Korrasami. Despite my issues with it, it was still two characters that were happy. And it was nice to see that.

I'm kind of sad i don't have a positive for Bolin. He was kind of just there. I guess we didn't get any bird calls? A positive?

I actually really liked the scene where Mako had to charge up his lightning. In ATLA every character that wants to shoot lighting has to do a long winding charge up which added a lot of weight and emphasis on the skill. In Korra, if I recall correctly, every time we see lightning someone just blasts it out with no build up. So when I saw this scene I was really happy that they were really emphasizing the importance of that technique again.


Edit: dumb spelling haha

 

[Trey]

I want to note that I'm not trying to suggest that these ideas weren't present, or that they should have been expressed in a super academic or serious way. They should be trying to get them across in a way that kids can understand and grapple with, I just don't think Korra did it effectively. Say Book 1 for example, I think they used the nonbender issue not as something to explore but as a way to give power to Amon and raise the stakes. In my opinion, the movement was treated as discredited with the unmasking of Amon.

Similarly for the government thing, things develop and happen plotwise, but the characters don't seem like they particularly care or have opinions about it. In fact, the default seems to be that the monarchy should exist. Korra doesn't really get into addressing the problems of the Earth Queen with Zaheer, and with Wu, she says something like "You're the rightful king!" before immediately supporting Wu's decision to dissolve the state "They should be free!".

I agree completely. AtLA is far superior in executing its themes. I'm saying that Korra was bloated by cramming in so much stuff it had no real intention of addressing.

 

[jackissocool]

gimme dat korrasami yum yum yum

 

[Gorillaz]

Alright let's talk about the positive things about this finale:

* Mako using lighting
* Varrick wedding and doing the thing!
* The action set pieces were fun.
* Korrasami. Despite my issues with it, it was still two characters that were happy. And it was nice to see that.

I'm kind of sad i don't have a positive for Bolin. He was kind of just there. I guess we didn't get any bird calls? A positive?

The back and forth with Korra and Kuvira was pretty nice

 

[Not]

"A feast of crows" indeed. Holy cow.

 

[Mononoke]

The back and forth with Korra and Kuvira was pretty nice

Yeah that was epic. I kind of thought the overall choreography with bending wasn't as good as past finales. But there was some incredible moments still.

 

[Satch]

im happy that korra and asami finally get to be happy
they have both been thru some shit

now if i could get lin to get happy too... i was shook when she was just staring at a kebab by herself at the end. i know she's old but bumi probably has that good dick. snatch it queen.

 

[That Dude John]

I actually really liked the scene where Mako had to charge up his lightning. In ATLA every character that wants to shoot lighting has to do a long winding charge up which added a lot of weight and emphasis on the skill. In Korra, if I recall correctly, every time we see lightning someone just blasts it out with no build up. So when I saw this seen I was really happy that they were really emphasizing the importance of that technique again.

The music that played during that sequence was amazing. Truly surprised, he didn't kick da bucket given the drama and build up.

 

[JadedWriter]

im happy that korra and asami finally get to be happy
they have both been thru some shit

now if i could get lin to get happy too... i was shook when she was just staring at a kebab by herself at the end. i know she's old but bumi probably has that good dick. snatch it queen.

I wonder how she ate that kebab.

 

[Sheroking]

I respect the hell out of the Korrasami thing.

Now, in almost all other respects, I don't think any other shows should seriously consider making the slash fiction of it's fanbase a reality. You'll never convince me that they always intended to go this way, or even as recently as the last book thought about pursuing this, but here it worked, and in animation I think it makes a bigger statement.

Now, if the next thing can maybe more directly represent LGBT characters from the beginning, that'd be sweet.

I agree completely. AtLA is far superior in executing its themes. I'm saying that Korra was bloated by cramming in so much stuff it had no real intention of addressing.

I feel like the comparison is unnecessary due to it's obviousness. The Last Airbender was clearly the better, more consistent show in practically all respects. It doesn't disqualify Korra from being a worthwhile watch to say it wasn't quite as good as it's excellent predecessor.

 

[Brawndo Addict]

I actually really liked the scene where Mako had to charge up his lightning. In ATLA every character that wants to shoot lighting has to do a long winding charge up which added a lot of weight and emphasis on the skill. In Korra, if I recall correctly, every time we see lightning someone just blasts it out with no build up. So when I saw this seen I was really happy that they were really emphasizing the importance of that technique again.

This was such a great touch that I honestly thought they were setting it up for his death, especially with his shirt starting to blow apart. It wasn't until he collapsed on the exit that I remembered, oh yeah, that would be a pretty heavy way for a main character to go out on children's show.

 

[Blackhead]

I agree completely. AtLA is far superior in executing its themes. I'm saying that Korra was bloated by cramming in so much stuff it had no real intention of addressing.

Alright then let's discuss this: What are the themes that AtLA addresses and Korra was bloated by cramming in with no real attention of addressing? AtLA had genoicide (of Air Nation), Race superiority (by Fire Nation), Sexism (in Water Nation) as well but it was as backdrops for particular episodes. LoK took it up a notch as a 'backdrop'/motivations for season villains. Those are not the shows' themes though.

 

[tirminyl]

Yeah that was epic. I kind of thought the overall choreography with bending wasn't as good as past finales. But there was some incredible moments still.

Yeah, I was sitting saying to my self "You're almost there, just do the thing!" but it never happened. I'm still happy, there were some good moments!

 

[rexor0717]

I feel like they might have some Korra comics coming down the line. They never answered who is Su's father, and Nick even made a point to put together a family tree with a big "?"
Also the ending was really open ended so there are plenty of stories left to tell.

 

[WrenchNinja]

Wait, when was this? When his connection was severed Cosmic Aang just tipped over and fell like he had too much to drink. Then Katara got upset and revived him. That's all that happened.

At most, all you can say as a counter is Aang meeting Roku on the Solstice. Even then, it was Roku's dragon that took him to the Fire Temple, and then Aang was just shown visions. I don't even think Aang actually talked to Roku until he meditated at the temple. Unless you have another spiritual event, there is nothing to suggest that it is not equally probable to say that the lives are within Aang. Whenever they manifest in the physical world, they manifest through Aang. Or appear from within Aang.

Book 2 finale leads into Escape from the Spirit World.

 

[aly]

I really wish that Korra had one singular plot and that it had been the Amon stuff cause this entire thing has been nothing but disappointing imo. Or at least seasons 2 and 4 have been disappointing. Kuvira especially. Ugh not to mention the whole shipping stuff. I don't care because it was all awful. Good for the shippers who were pleased with that ending I guess, but I wanted real closure on everyone else.

 

[Mononoke]

im happy that korra and asami finally get to be happy
they have both been thru some shit

now if i could get lin to get happy too... i was shook when she was just staring at a kebab by herself at the end. i know she's old but bumi probably has that good dick. snatch it queen.

I actually forgot about Lin.

Damn. I wish we got just a little bit more time with these people. I mean in the end. I find it strange that Lin, and Bolin were both very prominent figures in this show. And both felt kind of pushed to the side. Especially in the last 10 min.

 

[Trey]

I feel like the comparison is unnecessary due to it's obviousness. The Last Airbender was clearly the better, more consistent show in practically all respects. It doesn't disqualify Korra from being a worthwhile watch to say it wasn't quite as good as it's excellent predecessor.

It's absolutely necessary. You can see the beginning stages of writing pratfalls nestled within AtLA that would go on to become the bane of the Legend of Korra.

Beside all of that, I love both of these series for different reasons. Sure, it would be nice if the Legend of Korra had characters as well made as AtLA. But there are things in Korra that I like much better than in AtLA. I'm glad I can enjoy both.

 

[Mononoke]

It's absolutely necessary. You can see the beginning stages of writing pratfalls nestled within AtLA that would go on to become the bane of the Legend of Korra.

Beside all of that, I love both of these series for different reasons. Sure, it would be nice if the Legend of Korra had characters as well made as AtLA. But there are things in Korra that I like much better than in AtLA. I'm glad I can enjoy both.

Yeah, I will say...while I think ATLA is better than Korra in almost every way, there are things that Korra certainly did better.

I always went into Korra with the mind set that it would be its own thing. The writers...kept trying to connect both series (lol which made it difficult). But I still tried to view it as its own separate thing.

Honestly, most of my issues with Korra while I do think, they are problems carried over from ATLA, were kind of issues I felt were in the context of Korra. Like, I didn't need Korra to be as good as ATLA. I think, we can have those discussions of how one series did something better than the other. Or, try to figure out why we liked one series more than the other.

But Korra was not worse for not being as good, or being ATLA. I think, whatever issues it had, were self contained issues that fall back on Bryke and the writing. There were always going to be people that didn't like Korra for not living up to ATLA, or not being ATLA. And that's fine. You were never going to please those people.

However, Korra as its own thing, then became accountable to itself. And that's where I think some of these issues within Korra are valid to point out. Like, they are issues that weren't there simply because of the pressures of living up to ATLA. They were just issues in general within what they were trying to do with Korra as its own thing.

I remember when Book 1 came out, a lot of people had a chip on their shoulder. They kept wanting the show to be ATLA. And I totally just accepted Korra as its own thing. And I fell in love with it, as its own thing. I still think Book 1 had writing issues, but I don't think it was a result of living up to anything. They were just general, basic writing issues.

 

[JadedWriter]

I actually forgot about Lin.

Damn. I wish we got just a little bit more time with these people. I mean in the end. I find it strange that Lin, and Bolin were both very prominent figures in this show. And both felt kind of pushed to the side. Especially in the last 10 min.

I would like to think Lin grew up a bit. I was shocked when she was at the wedding wearing actual clothes and not her police uniform. Unlike Su and fucking sleeveless ass Tonraq she made it a point to dress differently. Whether it's to actually celebrate the occasion or to not be like Toph whom wore the same clothing and hairstyle for 70 fucking years. I think it shows some actual progress to her character.

 

[Mononoke]

. Unlike Su and fucking sleeveless ass Tonraq she made it a point to dress differently. Whether it's to actually celebrate the occasion or to not be like Toph whom wore the same clothing and hairstyle for 70 fucking years.

You just made me burst out laughing.

Fuckin slobs at a wedding. Well done.

 

[Nesotenso]

mako lightning music was best part

 

[Trey]

However, Korra as its own thing, then became accountable to itself. And that's where I think some of these issues within Korra are valid to point out. Like, they are issues that weren't there simply because of the pressures of living up to ATLA. They were just issues in general within what they were trying to do with Korra as its own thing.

I remember when Book 1 came out, a lot of people had a chip on their shoulder. They kept wanting the show to be ATLA. And I totally just accepted Korra as its own thing. And I fell in love with it, as its own thing. I still think Book 1 had writing issues, but I don't think it was a result of living up to anything. They were just general, basic writing issues.

No doubt. We'll be going over the many fuckups in the Legend of Korra pretty soon, I'm sure.

 

[JadedWriter]

You just made me burst out laughing.

Fuckin slobs at a wedding. Well done.

He hasn't had sleeves since Zaheer and Unalaq kicked his ass. It's like he has a sleeve phobia now.

 

[Trey]

Alright then let's discuss this: What are the themes that AtLA addresses and Korra was bloated by cramming in with no real attention of addressing? AtLA had genoicide (of Air Nation), Race superiority (by Fire Nation), Sexism (in Water Nation) as well but it was as backdrops for particular episodes. LoK took it up a notch as a 'backdrop'/motivations for season villains. Those are not the shows' themes though.

AtLA's major themes are friendship, forgiveness, letting go of pain and believing in oneself, all of which it absolutely nailed.

When you boil Korra down to its base components, things aren't as clear - it's like the show didn't even know what it wanted to be. As such, it has this scatterbrained vibe to it, as plot thread upon plot thread are thrown into the pot. It's a mess. A beautiful mess, mind you, but a mess all the same.

 

[CDiggity]

No matter what happens. Bryke are still a couple of massive trolls and this ending is the perfect exclamation point to a series full of jabs callbacks pandering and other shenanigans. The best jokes are always the ones played on the audience.

 

[Shaanyboi]

So what animation are you guys moving on to next?

I suppose I should see why people keep praising Clone Wars. Didn't like the handful of episodes I saw, but it apparently gets amazing, and aside from the movies, it's the only holdover in Star Wars canon.

 

[mm04]

My 16 year old niece just watched the finale and she didn't pick up any romantic overtones between Korra and Asami at all. She viewed them as being the sisters each never had. My niece doesn't have a sister, FWIW.

 

[WrenchNinja]

My 16 year old niece just watched the finale and she didn't pick up any romantic overtones between Korra and Asami at all. She viewed them as being the sisters each never had. My niece doesn't have a sister, FWIW.

My 15 year old niece picked up on it but then again, she was a Korraassmi shipper. My niece has a younger sister.

 

[JadedWriter]

I suppose I should see why people keep praising Clone Wars. Didn't like the handful of episodes I saw, but it apparently gets amazing, and aside from the movies, it's the only holdover in Star Wars canon.

It's good, just skip the eps that revolve around either padme, Jar Jar or fucking droids. When it's an actual Jedi focused ep it's pretty good. Show is top notch when it's not pandering to the kid demographic. Assaj is fucking awesome and Ashoka grows a lot in the show. Be patient with it.

 

[Blackhead]

AtLA's major themes are friendship, forgiveness, letting go of pain and believing in oneself, all of which it absolutely nailed.

When you boil Korra down to its base components, things aren't as clear - it's like the show didn't even know what it wanted to be. As such, it has this scatterbrained vibe to it, as plot thread upon plot thread are thrown into the pot. It's a mess. A beautiful mess, mind you, but a mess all the same.

How can you not clearly see that season 4 of LoK was about 'letting go of pain' and 'believing in oneself'?