Yep, but when she becomes police Chief and is responsible for kids, it makes her a worse person. When she was a kid it was totally endearing. But now she's just an asshole (in the bad kind of way). Guess I can't fault the writers for keeping her in character though. Pretty good continuity! I still wonder why shed become Police Chief though.
Legend of Korra Book 3: Change |OT| SCHEDULEBENDING
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Yep, but when she becomes police Chief and is responsible for kids, it makes her a worse person. When she was a kid it was totally endearing. But now she's just an asshole (in the bad kind of way). Guess I can't fault the writers for keeping her in character though. Pretty good continuity! I still wonder why shed become Police Chief though.
i guess it makes sense in some weird way that toph hating authority and being a general ass would mean that she would want to be the one in control of authority
but it still feels a bit contrived. i find it hard to believe that someone who hated being under control of her parents (and really, anyone) would decide to make a career out of doing that to other people. and, it's been a while since i watched avatar, but i just have this feeling that toph didn't really care about helping people who weren't helping themselves. that hardly seems like the type of person who would take up the burden of being chief of police
I agree with you. But to be fair the writers can always pull the "people change when they are adults"card, which is reasonable. I just don't like how we didn't get to see those changes. So I find these kind of flashbacks that tell the story of past characters to be problematic.
Plus it doesn't help when Tophs actions are in line with what she'd do when she's younger. But that then contradicts the supposed changes she had to become chief of police. Tophs attitude about letting her kids have freedom makes sense given her upbringing and how she felt about it. But then it's strange she would become chief of police and then allow her daughter to run wild and do criminal activities without a care. It's hard to believe a chief of police would take that attitude, especially at the point the daughters actions become criminal.
Just do what I do.
View LoK as a noncanon, hypothetical continuation of Avatar. The sad truth is that LoK has added almost nothing of large value to the universe. There are things I do like about it. Tenzin's kids are funny and cute. The designs of most of the characters are really great. Some of the action choreography has been good. It's all decent stuff, but none of it is something that makes me think that despite all the series flaws, I'm glad it exists because X or Y is now part of the universe. Amon would have been that, but that was a dud. Wan might have been that, but it was just a huge retcon with a videogame explanation that made little sense. And this is an assessment that doesn't even factor in the numerous things it fails at or the several things it does that harm the universe it's supposed to expand.
Zaheer might be the first significant positive thing they add to the universe if he is done right. But we can't assume that until we figure out his deal.
View LoK as a noncanon, hypothetical continuation of Avatar. The sad truth is that LoK has added almost nothing of large value to the universe. There are things I do like about it. Tenzin's kids are funny and cute. The designs of most of the characters are really great. Some of the action choreography has been good. It's all decent stuff, but none of it is something that makes me think that despite all the series flaws, I'm glad it exists because X or Y is now part of the universe. Amon would have been that, but that was a dud. Wan might have been that, but it was just a huge retcon with a videogame explanation that made little sense. And this is an assessment that doesn't even factor in the numerous things it fails at or the several things it does that harm the universe it's supposed to expand.
Zaheer might be the first significant positive thing they add to the universe if he is done right. But we can't assume that until we figure out his deal.
Come to think of it, this is actually a not altogether uncommon plot point when it comes to 'The Police Commissioner' type of characters. Usually single parents much to busy to look after their children. Usually Daughters.
Significant examples I can think of (other than police procedurals):
-Commissioner Gordon
-Captain Stacey
Both worse in some continuities than others. Depending, there is eventually some shoplifting plot point where some other police office look the other way.
I touched on this in an earlier post, but I think that bringing back child characters as adult versions of themselves is a really tricky thing, perhaps trickier than the creators anticipated. On the one hand, I'm really glad that they decided to do a sequel that isn't just retreading the same ground and that actually tries something new. I'm not opposed to the time skip, and while it's pretty depressing to find out that the 100 years Aang spent in the iceberg caused him to die when he was in his mid-60s (mentally and physically, if not chronologically), I'm glad they're not shoehorning in ATLA characters left and right.
Tthe problem is that when they do show us ATLA characters again, they're basically completely different people. That's undoubtedly more realistic than giving them the same personalities as when they were pre-teens, but I find it unsatisfying in terms of drama and story. The fact is that the connection we as an audience made with the characters was with their pre-teen selves, so we have no context for anything else in their later lives. That's why, as silly as it might be for, say, all of the major characters in Harry Potter to marry schoolmates, it's still better than hearing "oh, they married someone they met in college, years later, who you know nothing about and will never learn about because there are no stories set in that time period." As goofy as it is to expect Toph to have married or at least had a kid with Sokka on the grounds of an unreciprocated crush at the age of 12, it's been an immensely popular theory because it's the only shred of evidence we have about Toph's potential romantic involvements (at least until the most recent comic).
I've enjoyed many of the adult ATLA characters' cameos as much as anyone else, but I don't think it's surprising that they have proved unsatisfying to many fans after examination. I'm sure the creators of the show put plenty of thought into the dynamics of Aang's relationships with his children, but the only bits of the backstory that we actually get to see paint Aang in a really bad light. The creators seemed genuinely surprised that people interpreted Aang in that way, but I think it should be expected that people will be taken aback by that sort of revelation about a character for whom that was never foreshadowed. Of course, the notion that Aang became less carefree and pleasant as he got older is perfectly realistic, as plenty of people on GAF were happy to point out when Book 2 was airing, but it doesn't change the fact that adult Aang is a very different character from the one we knew and it's a bit of a slap in the face to find out unpleasant things about him in such a nonchalant, indirect way.
Admiral Woofington
Member
To be fair aang was apparently a horrible dad
Zantetsuken
Member
That chin strap still throws me off.
both the last airbender and the legend of korra go into the 'sins of the father' stuff kind of a lot. aside from ozai, the preceding generations are full of people who had to make tough choices thinking they were doing the right thing, and getting by doing the best they could.
Zuko's daughter apparently turned out alright.
Admiral Woofington
Member
Yeah. Katara was also apparently a good mom. Aang just had avatar business nobody can blame him
nah he just wasn't perfect. same with toph. i like pretty much everything they've done w/ the adult ATLA characters.
I'm sure Aang was a good dad, or at least tried to be good, it is just difficult to be the child of a famous father. It is like if a father is a famous mathematician and one of his children also shows an aptitude for math, his other kids feel jealous and neglected because there is a special world that they cannot take part in. As for Toph, I feel like her actions fit with her personality. I think for Toph being a police officer was more about "fighting the bad guys" than trying to uphold the letter of the law in every instance. The same qualities that make her endearing as a rebel make her lousy as an authority figure.
My friend put it this way:
I think this show requires you to really step back and look at the bigger picture with a lot of these plot points. They are showing us very brief chunks of moments, and then you just have to go from there and put it into context to everything we know. I agree that Aang probably felt a lot pressure and a lot of guilt about what happened to his people. It makes sense that when he had Tenzin, he had to pass on everything he possibly could (as well as training the air acolytes), because he wasn't going to live forever. And if Tenzin wasn't a good air bender (or god forbid died), then there people would be lost forever.
That's a huge burden. If you put that into context to how it impacted him as a father, I think it becomes a bit more understandable. That doesn't mean that he wasn't a shit father. Clearly he should have been there more for his other children. But it at least puts a little more context to the situation.
I still go back and forth on using flashbacks to tell future plot for characters we know really well. Because it does cut out everything that came before, and we have to just accept any changes the characters might have gone through as people. The only way to try to do this is to take what we knew about them in the past, and try to apply it to their actions in the future.
But for me, I still find Toph kind of a confusing character (in regard to this storytelling). I mean I GET why her actions make sense. Toph was someone that didn't like being told what to do, or who she had to be. She rejected this idea that she needed to grow up and fulfill her family's wishes. So it makes sense why she would have kids and then give them complete freedom to be whoever they want to be.
I just struggle with how Toph came to be Police Chief (the person she comes to be, that wants to accept that position). And I just feel at the point that Toph is the person to take that role, I just wonder why she would 100% hold on to her old beliefs (such as allowing her one daughter to run free and be a criminal at the expense of their family). Toph was always bossy, and wouldn't let people fuck around with her. So while I get her belief is that her kids have the right to be who they want to be, I just have a hard time imagining Toph putting up with that shit (to a certain point). Especially if shes changed as a person to the point she would take up Chief of police.
THAT is my issue with her character (or rather, why I think Toph is a terrible person). I don't think it's acceptable that she gave Lin a cold shoulder and was dissapointed in her for wanting to be like her mom. Again, I can understand why Toph felt that way initially. But to hold on to those feelings and put that off on Lin is completely fucked up. Especially when she allowed her sister to run all over the family.
Then again, I guess some people are stubborn. *shrugs*. We see that with Tenzin, who still has trouble letting go. Maybe Toph was just someone that couldn't accept her philosophies weren't working, and she was being a shit parent.
toph was kind of a shit person in the last airbender too. she only ever really got along with iroh. of course it's entertaining because she was a kid. it's not so fun when she's an adult and has responsibilities other than herself.
as for how she became police chief- i don't really know why that wasn't sokka. however i think everyone in the gaang sort of became huge celebrities, so expectations on all of them were forced on them for all their lives. maybe she was convinced by her friends that chief of police would be good for her. maybe she thought she needed to do something that would at least help them out in some way. the small clips we've seen of her as an adult don't give me the impression she ever liked her job.
as for how she became police chief- i don't really know why that wasn't sokka. however i think everyone in the gaang sort of became huge celebrities, so expectations on all of them were forced on them for all their lives. maybe she was convinced by her friends that chief of police would be good for her. maybe she thought she needed to do something that would at least help them out in some way. the small clips we've seen of her as an adult don't give me the impression she ever liked her job.
I would think Aang probably convinced her to do it, on the idea that her metal bending abilities would be particularly helpful there. He was always good at convincing people to try to save the world, don't see why that'd change when he was an adult (hell, he clearly inspired it in Tenzin to the point of a near psychosis).
I'm actually really enjoying this season over all. A lot more episodic, a lot more actually interesting bending fights (they've stopped making every move be a projected punch). If there's one thing that annoys me right now, it's actually that Ba Sing Se is still so fucked up. Just seems boring to go back to evil brainwashing dai li led by a powerhungry megalomaniac.
Admiral Woofington
Member
Now that I think about it whatever happened to sokka? Did he marry Suki? They haven't mentioned him once lol
Just finished Season 2 for the first time. Lot of confusing stuff in there, especially the whole Jinora.... thing with the light and what not. I am really enjoying the series as a whole though, it's all just more intense and serious than Airbender, which I like. Definitely missing out on the chemistry of the original characters but there are some good moments.
And Verric? Holy shit, that dude is hilarious. Constantly laughing at his remarks, great character.
"Do the thing!"
On to Season 3 then, but I don't have a good way to watch them right now.
I do hope the seasons don't fall into the archetype of *Korra loses her avatar power but comes back to save the day* each and every time, though it felt different enough from Season 1 to instill a bit of "Oh shit... really?" Did she actually lose her connection to past avatars... even though she is reunited with Rava? Got a lot of questions I need to dig through on the web.
One last thing in my ramble -- loved the storyline about Wan, even though you sort of saw how it was playing out it was really neat to see the avatar origin story visualized -- and visualized in such a unique way.
And Verric? Holy shit, that dude is hilarious. Constantly laughing at his remarks, great character.
"Do the thing!"
On to Season 3 then, but I don't have a good way to watch them right now.
I do hope the seasons don't fall into the archetype of *Korra loses her avatar power but comes back to save the day* each and every time, though it felt different enough from Season 1 to instill a bit of "Oh shit... really?" Did she actually lose her connection to past avatars... even though she is reunited with Rava? Got a lot of questions I need to dig through on the web.
One last thing in my ramble -- loved the storyline about Wan, even though you sort of saw how it was playing out it was really neat to see the avatar origin story visualized -- and visualized in such a unique way.
I don't think it's been made clear. We assume he and Suki got married, but no idea if they ever had kids or anything.
Icyflamez96
Member
and thats not even some kind of great accomplishment considering how often tenzin gets rekt by everyone he gets in combat with
Admiral Woofington
Member
Yeah I find that weird. Right from the get go of season 1 we knew about the future of 4 of the main 5. Sokka appeared in the flashback of the court. That's basically it.
D
Deleted member 231381
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Kai is such a bad character he makes my teeth sore.
Admiral Woofington
Member
He's basically Mr edgy mc cool. I don't know what it is with the writers in this show and having to always make the bad boy a love interest.
TacticalFox88
Banned
He's like the Vegeta of the Avatarverse.
Icyflamez96
Member
Kai's a lil beast
D
Deleted member 231381
Unconfirmed Member
I bbelieve the technical term is "the Worf".
Hidden One
Member
lol Earth Queen ate the bear. For some reason I find that hilarious. She's cold.
SlowRevolution
Member
Normally I'd be against forcing old characters into a sequel series, but after seeing how they've handled them in Korra I think it would've been cool if they had focused on them one more time before moving onto new characters set so much later on. There's just so much unexplained character stuff, and a lot of the time it seems like they're still so invested in the older series that they don't bother focusing on the newer people. On one hand it's cool that the shows tie together so much, and that it can generate discussion and make people look at the characters in a more realistic way, but considering how important people like adult Toph have turned out to be I wish we could've seen more of them. It seems like something that would have been way more suited for a miniseries, too, since it's more of a direct continuation and people would be watching for the older characters, not necessarily for some huge story. I doubt Nick would've had any interest in a show with adults as the main characters, but it probably could've made going from TLA to LoK way less jarring.
NHarmonic.
Member
I think this is quite sad to be honest, to say nothing of value has been added to the avatar universe? ...
I don't know, i personally feel the lore is a lot more richer now, tbh. And for that i'm quite thankful for Korra (it's clearly not the best that could have come, but hey, it brought a lot of attention back to ATLA, that was shamefully lost after the horrible movie and the irrelevant comics).
We don't know.
Then ducking show us or shut the hell up. Man I really want to like Jinora but she's starting to get annoying.
I blame Korra.
Kai just bores me he looks like Aang, seriously why?, but lacks the character that makes him interesting.
Admiral Woofington
Member
Yeah Jinora just seems to be here for the sake of grown up child drama and being slightly against your doofus father. Meelo on the other hand is just an all around badass. He deserves his own show. If he were older he could kick zaheer's ass.
Infinite Justice
Member
damn son, damn
Upon reflecting on the different elemental bending arts presented in the show, what exactly do Air Benders have that give them an edge in combat? Both Fire & Earth Benders can learn to create/manipulate lightning & metal respectively, & Amon was vicious with his ability to bloodbend, further proving that the antagonists are not just Fire & Earth Benders.
Compared to the other elements, Air Benders don't have an upper hand on anything.
Compared to the other elements, Air Benders don't have an upper hand on anything.
Air is literally everywhere so there's that...
Airbending has been described as a defensive art form hence the air nomad's pacifist culture.
Astral projection is being hinted as the higher level form of airbending.
I'm pretty sure if an airbender really wanted, he could straight up suck the air out of dudes' lungs. Guaranteed kill without any of the muss and fuss of lightning bending.
Been going back through this thread trying to get the general consensus on the show and, unsurprisingly it's more negative than mine. No big deal though, that seems to be true of most things for me on GAF.
Anyways, after finishing Season 2 today and finding it entertaining yet absolutely all over the place, I've decided that Season 1 is definitely much better... no surprises there. What I don't get is the dislike for the last few episodes in Season 1. Maybe I need to go back and re-watch but I was pretty floored by Korra getting her bending taken away and was legitimately concerned with whether or not she'd get it back. Additionally, seeing the lines of benders being disposed by Amon was pretty heavy stuff, along with the way him and his brother went out. I don't know, I thought it was all pretty well done and was laced with a good amount of intrigue, but it looks like not a lot of people were fans so I'm trying to gauge why.
Keep in mind I'm a pretty casual fan of the franchise, just interested to hear why.
Anyways, after finishing Season 2 today and finding it entertaining yet absolutely all over the place, I've decided that Season 1 is definitely much better... no surprises there. What I don't get is the dislike for the last few episodes in Season 1. Maybe I need to go back and re-watch but I was pretty floored by Korra getting her bending taken away and was legitimately concerned with whether or not she'd get it back. Additionally, seeing the lines of benders being disposed by Amon was pretty heavy stuff, along with the way him and his brother went out. I don't know, I thought it was all pretty well done and was laced with a good amount of intrigue, but it looks like not a lot of people were fans so I'm trying to gauge why.
Keep in mind I'm a pretty casual fan of the franchise, just interested to hear why.
LAUGHTREY
Modesty becomes a woman
Zaheer wrecks shit.
Korra wrecked Amon when she air bent at him.
Aand always fought off tons of dude with just pure, non-avatar air bending. It's super good, and you can't negate them like the other 3, just look at the bad-guy benders from this season.
If Zaheer was an air bender and they needed a special prison for him, what could they have done?
This is such a perfect reply.
sure but so far what we've seen in the show the air nomads were a peaceful sort so there really was no need to try and learn more attacking forms of bending compared to the other benders
still Airbenders have been shown to be pretty powerful when needed and i'm sure Zaheer will be showing off more attacking forms of airbending this season
does anybody have the gif from ATLA where the combustion man shoots his laser thing at aang and then aang uses his airbending to contain/weaken the blast
Admiral Woofington
Member
Air bender culture was never about fighting they are by far the most peaceful out of all the other nations. If somebody out of the monks ever actually researched specialized air bending it would have gotten lost among all the research pre-atla. Aang was the last airbender and a kid and didn't have time to investigate as he learned other bending types. And tenzin is too focused on culture and peace to research specialized shit.
If anybody in this world can learn and experiment it's zaheer. And lord knows he won't because of the writing.
This one?
YAAASSSSSSSSS
ive never been attached to aang but he has his moments of brilliance
that is definitely one of them
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