Here's the article I've been mentioning: http://www.themarysue.com/legend-of-korra-ending-scene/
I've been going back and forth with myself on why exactly the ending of LoK made me as happy as it did regardless of the criticms I could find easily within it, the book itself, and the whole show it concludes. I think it's because there's actual representation of a minority group within a children's show on a network that had every ability to nix any sign of bisexuality.
That said, regardless of myself and others knowing full well the pairing was true at the end before Bryke both came out to reaffirm it, we all honestly felt there could've been more to build up it. Either to help some audience see where the 'crazy shippers' were coming from or to give folks who geninuely saw Korra and Asami compatible together some more tangible and concrete to see how close the two really were, there could've been more even if the two never kissed. Potentially, this would've been something sprinkled throughout the show in their own small three or four minute segments as opposed to this extravagant display of Korra and Asami at the end.
Them hugging or admitting they loved each other right before the colossus attack or something. Anything. When you think about it, if such a moment existed between the two characters, then the reception of Bryke's blog articles about Korrasami being canon wouldn't have been as big as it was, you know? Even I got hyped about it.
I can't say for sure if Nick censored Bryke's plans to have the two interact more intimately (they definitely were on par for the course, you'd think), but I think we should take into consideration that the writers shot themselves in the foot when they, again, decided they should make shorter books and write them with underwhelming stories for all four books.
Here's a part of the article I'll probably reference for a long time:
As both a minority (a black man) and a writer, that last paragraph notes something I've always wanted but never actually experienced. I've never looked at representation as being lackluster considering it happens so little, but the writer makes a damn good point IMO.
God I forgot how relentless YJ was with its characters.
*sigh* Season 3....
You know, I'm wondering if it's even worth putting a show on a network. Granted, I don't like RWBY but that show is popular enough without needing to be on any channel.
I've been going back and forth with myself on why exactly the ending of LoK made me as happy as it did regardless of the criticms I could find easily within it, the book itself, and the whole show it concludes. I think it's because there's actual representation of a minority group within a children's show on a network that had every ability to nix any sign of bisexuality.
That said, regardless of myself and others knowing full well the pairing was true at the end before Bryke both came out to reaffirm it, we all honestly felt there could've been more to build up it. Either to help some audience see where the 'crazy shippers' were coming from or to give folks who geninuely saw Korra and Asami compatible together some more tangible and concrete to see how close the two really were, there could've been more even if the two never kissed. Potentially, this would've been something sprinkled throughout the show in their own small three or four minute segments as opposed to this extravagant display of Korra and Asami at the end.
Them hugging or admitting they loved each other right before the colossus attack or something. Anything. When you think about it, if such a moment existed between the two characters, then the reception of Bryke's blog articles about Korrasami being canon wouldn't have been as big as it was, you know? Even I got hyped about it.
I can't say for sure if Nick censored Bryke's plans to have the two interact more intimately (they definitely were on par for the course, you'd think), but I think we should take into consideration that the writers shot themselves in the foot when they, again, decided they should make shorter books and write them with underwhelming stories for all four books.
Here's a part of the article I'll probably reference for a long time:
And here’s the biggest frustration with the finished result. Because while it’s clear to me that it’s not platonic, I wanted there to be no ambiguity. I wanted the writers and animators to have been able to include just one more detail to that moment to sell home that “This isn’t a fluke. This isn’t coincidence.” Of course to parallel A:TLA’s finale I’d want them to kiss in the last shot, but even a kiss on the cheek when they spoke at the wedding would have helped. Even an “I love you” from one to the other as they stepped into the portal (which the network could in good faith interpret as a platonic sort of love if they wanted to feign ignorance. Or, I don’t know, tell themselves the girls are cousins). Even just a little bit more to take away the naysayers. I feel like maybe we’re even missing a scene somewhere around the time of the clip show, something where Korra and Asami relay their feelings to each other but put it aside because they need to stop this dictator before anything else. Because everything is set up perfectly except for confirming each other’s feelings.
Yes, I interpret the intent of the last scene to be romantic and I respect the fans shouting to the heavens that it’s “100% canon” to describe that ending moment, but at the same time I don’t want LGBT+ fans settling on anything less than explicit because dang it, queer relationships deserve proper representation. This shouldn’t be the closest we get to explicit confirmation.
Yes, I interpret the intent of the last scene to be romantic and I respect the fans shouting to the heavens that it’s “100% canon” to describe that ending moment, but at the same time I don’t want LGBT+ fans settling on anything less than explicit because dang it, queer relationships deserve proper representation. This shouldn’t be the closest we get to explicit confirmation.
As both a minority (a black man) and a writer, that last paragraph notes something I've always wanted but never actually experienced. I've never looked at representation as being lackluster considering it happens so little, but the writer makes a damn good point IMO.
Well... did you see season 2?She kinda dies and he has not relationship from there on. So he could easily get attracted to another boy. Maybe it's something they wanted to play with in season 3.
God I forgot how relentless YJ was with its characters.
*sigh* Season 3....
You know, I'm wondering if it's even worth putting a show on a network. Granted, I don't like RWBY but that show is popular enough without needing to be on any channel.
