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I dunno. We don't see air bending married couples in the series when the nomads were at their height. They seem to be the only benders who lack a traditional family matrix, although they seem to care for one another greatly.So the Tenzin and family story gets bumped to the B story Line...apparently Aang was a sucky dad.
Of course he was - they continue to not understand that all benders are descended from the Avatar. This means it is the children of the Avatar that refresh the Bender power genome with each generation - and it means that when the Avatar doesn't have children - like with the Air benders who turned Air bender after Air bender into Monk they undermined the continuity of Airbenders.
So Avatar - the Spiritual/political leader is the incorrect belief system that undermines the future - and Avatar the Parent of the next generation perpetuates it.
The Air Nomads were doing just fine... until that slight problem of Fire Lord Azulon going on a genocidal campaign to wipe them all out.
Aang did not stint on his child siring duties. For a short lived Avatar,he had four kids, even if only one of them turned out to have Bending potential, his grandkids seem to be making up for it.
Which was the problem...Air bending is not passing from parents to children. It is dead ending in the Monastic order of the Airbenders. This leads to less air benders being produced from those who are less likely to produce airbenders. It breeds a culture of genetic extinction.
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I completely agree that Korra's reaction was completely in keeping with her character. Was it rash and emotional? Yes, but that's because Korra is a hot tempered and rash character. We saw her struggle with this all of season 1 and people are forgetting that rather quickly.
I'm inclined to agree that the spirit portal was probably closed for a specific reason as well and I'm inclined to believe that when the civil war gets going we're going to see
I also look forward to seeing more the previous series kids and grandkids show up. We have yet to see any children that Sokka and Suki may have had. Plus, I'm sure Ty Lee found someone. Also, any children Azula may have had a chance to have would make great villains.
This is just me, but is anyone else annoyed by the new flying lemur look? Also, do the skybisons look different too?
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Which was the problem...Air bending is not passing from parents to children. It is dead ending in the Monastic order of the Airbenders. This leads to less air benders being produced from those who are less likely to produce airbenders. It breeds a culture of genetic extinction.I dunno. We don't see air bending married couples in the series when the nomads were at their height. They seem to be the only benders who lack a traditional family matrix, although they seem to care for one another greatly.So the Tenzin and family story gets bumped to the B story Line...apparently Aang was a sucky dad.
Of course he was - they continue to not understand that all benders are descended from the Avatar. This means it is the children of the Avatar that refresh the Bender power genome with each generation - and it means that when the Avatar doesn't have children - like with the Air benders who turned Air bender after Air bender into Monk they undermined the continuity of Airbenders.
So Avatar - the Spiritual/political leader is the incorrect belief system that undermines the future - and Avatar the Parent of the next generation perpetuates it.
The Air Nomads were doing just fine... until that slight problem of Fire Lord Azulon going on a genocidal campaign to wipe them all out.
Aang did not stint on his child siring duties. For a short lived Avatar,he had four kids, even if only one of them turned out to have Bending potential, his grandkids seem to be making up for it.
I was always led to believe air benders breed with one another but raise children communally so not as to have attachment to them. It would explain why Aang never really talks about his parents and has Gyatso as a surrogate father figure.
I don't agree that Korra's angered was justified (at least not to that extent).
However, I DO believe it was a realistic reaction from a teen, especially one with the pressures and responsibilities she has, and the hotheaded nature of the character.
Not justified, but in character.
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Well, that's what I was talking about. She is completely justified in that is exactly how her character would react. I can see both sides of it though. Korra is a very free spirit, much like Aang but in different aspects. And finding out that it was her father and Tenzin wishing to keep her locked away and Aang's doing. Admittedly it was to keep the Avatar safe and trained in a controlled environment, but this lead to a lack of skills in other areas she requires. We've seen her almost implicitly trust any authority figure placed in front of her. Despite the complications it lead to, see Tarrlok. And so seeing that trust betrayed she felt lied to, betrayed, and over-protected. The latter being something Korra feels she doesn't need.
So, I see both sides of the argument and firmly believe it was in character for her to react in that fashion.
I was always led to believe air benders breed with one another but raise children communally so not as to have attachment to them. It would explain why Aang never really talks about his parents and has Gyatso as a surrogate father figure.Which was the problem...Air bending is not passing from parents to children. It is dead ending in the Monastic order of the Airbenders. This leads to less air benders being produced from those who are less likely to produce airbenders. It breeds a culture of genetic extinction.I dunno. We don't see air bending married couples in the series when the nomads were at their height. They seem to be the only benders who lack a traditional family matrix, although they seem to care for one another greatly.So the Tenzin and family story gets bumped to the B story Line...apparently Aang was a sucky dad.
Of course he was - they continue to not understand that all benders are descended from the Avatar. This means it is the children of the Avatar that refresh the Bender power genome with each generation - and it means that when the Avatar doesn't have children - like with the Air benders who turned Air bender after Air bender into Monk they undermined the continuity of Airbenders.
So Avatar - the Spiritual/political leader is the incorrect belief system that undermines the future - and Avatar the Parent of the next generation perpetuates it.
The Air Nomads were doing just fine... until that slight problem of Fire Lord Azulon going on a genocidal campaign to wipe them all out.
Aang did not stint on his child siring duties. For a short lived Avatar,he had four kids, even if only one of them turned out to have Bending potential, his grandkids seem to be making up for it.
hm. That would lead to some serious inbreeding after a while though. I prefer yds theory.
2nd season started?!
2nd season started?!
yeah man, where you been!
Bah!
iTunes to the rescue!
Bah!
iTunes to the rescue!
They're also all up at nick.com, should you choose to go that route.
This is just me, but is anyone else annoyed by the new flying lemur look? Also, do the skybisons look different too?
It's a different animation studio than the one from last season for the first half of this one.
They're also all up at nick.com, should you choose to go that route.Bah!
iTunes to the rescue!
I thought of that, but I want to own them as well.
I have all of the original series as well, and rewatch the last episode frequently.When Ozai realizes who he just f'd with and runs like a b*tch from Aang, is like the best moment...
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They're also all up at nick.com, should you choose to go that route.Bah!
iTunes to the rescue!I thought of that, but I want to own them as well.
I have all of the original series as well, and rewatch the last episode frequently.When Ozai realizes who he just f'd with and runs like a b*tch from Aang, is like the best moment...
“I’m Sorry Toph! It looks like Boomerang isn’t coming back.” Tears ran from Toph’s eyes. For the second time today she could see death.
Trust me. Sokka didn’t even bother saying the words. He simply let go. The Bond between them had failed and Toph could feel nothing but the rush of air. It would be over in a little while.
Something heavy and fast moving fell against her and a strong hand crushed her to him. Sokka had jumped and would share her fate. She would not die alone. Lips kissed her forehead and she was happy for a moment.
“Hold my hand tightly Toph.” Sokka’s Voice was a comfort. She complied and found he was suddenly pushing her away. Was he below her now? What was he doing?
“When it happens you will feel the earth through my body for a moment. I need you to earth-bend Toph. I need you to live.” Sokka’s final plan emerged.
Toph screamed at the horror of his suggestion but he silenced her.
“In the Cave of Two Lovers, the Badger Moles love a love song.” Horror drowned beneath the Joy of Sokka’s final words. His shoulders went rigid.
Sokka turned and touched the rising earth and in that moment a blind girl holding the hand of the greatest warrior she had ever known could see every part of him.
Toph reached past Sokka to make contact with the earth that was bending to take her fall. A crater formed from the forces unleashed.
Toph Bei Fong lay on the uncaring earth for a long while. No Tears could express the pain she felt at what had just happened to her. For some reason all she could see was Sokka’s Face. The Sight of it blinded her to all else.
“Toph?” The Voice roused her from her suffering. It was Aang. Was it over? How long had she laid there? She hadn’t even noticed his approach. All Toph could see was Sokka. She didn’t even have the strength to stand.
“It’s all right Toph. I’ve got you.” It was Suki. She scooped the blind and helpless girl into her arms.
“How did you find me?” Suki’s grip on the child in her arms tightened but she said nothing. Aang embraced the two of them.
“The crater looks like Sokka’s face from the air.” Toph was taken by surprise at the words; and with a torrent of air all three companions were lifted to the remaining airship.
From the exterior Catwalk Suki carried Toph into the bowls of the Airship. Toph’s hand brushed a metal door and Sokka’s face emerged startling Suki who fell back from it in horror collapsing on the floor. Neither moved until Toph heard Suki’s crying.
“I’m sorry Suki. I’ve lost control of my bending. Sokka’s face is all I see now.” Suki became silent.
“Is the Prisoner still secure?” Suki’s voice was commanding.
“Yes Captain.” The Voice of a Fire nation soldier caught Toph by surprise. He seemed happy someone sane was in charge.
“Prepare to retrieve Survivors. We are returning to the Fire nation.”
“Yes Captain.” Toph relaxed against Suki. Had the fire nation soldier departed?
“Suki? Why did Sokka do that?” Suki understood that Sokka had sacrificed himself for Toph. The name ‘Yue’ came to her and she laughed.
“Do you remember that stupid Play?”
Ok I'm caught up now.
I know this is a kids show, but do the bad guys have to be so obvious?
Ok I'm caught up now.
I know this is a kids show, but do the bad guys have to be so obvious?
Think back to the original series, and how often there was a big twist or some justification for the obvious bad guy's actions that made him interesting.
The series is a whopping 3 episodes in, cool your jets.
Even the last season had "obvious bad guy Tarrlok" turn out to be a somewhat sympathetic kind of guy, even if he was obviously up to something.
Ok I'm caught up now.
I know this is a kids show, but do the bad guys have to be so obvious?
Ask yourself: Isn't Unalaq not a bit too obvious for the quality of writing otherwise exhibited in the franchise?
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Ask yourself: Isn't Unalaq not a bit too obvious for the quality of writing otherwise exhibited in the franchise?Ok I'm caught up now.
I know this is a kids show, but do the bad guys have to be so obvious?
True, but we also have to remember it is a kids show.
If anything he'll probably end up being the well meaning villain.
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Ask yourself: Isn't Unalaq not a bit too obvious for the quality of writing otherwise exhibited in the franchise?Ok I'm caught up now.
I know this is a kids show, but do the bad guys have to be so obvious?True, but we also have to remember it is a kids show.
If anything he'll probably end up being the well meaning villain.
Which is not the same as being The Villain. The current complaint about him in fan circles is that "OMG, he is obvious a villain, why are you so stupid and can't notice that, Korra!?!" (paraphrased ^^). And I think he is being set up way, waaay too obviously as such, so there will be a catch.
My current hypothesis on this is that he is possessed/influenced by the dark spirits and thus mentally unsound. The scene in the throne room, with his upper torso being in shadows, seems to be a sign to me that his mind is not completley his own. Think about it: If he is the only one who can influence those dark spirits, who is to say that they can't influence him back?
I'm trying to like the series, but Korra's angst is really, really annoying. Why can't we have an emotionally stable avatar? I'd like her so much more if she wasn't so childish... and then, I realize I'm watching a show mainly advertised to children (sigh).
Or to teenagers, who obviously deal in angst a lot. Actually, most characters in most shows deal with angst and it actually drives most character development.
This fabled interesting character who doesn't has to deal with emotional problems or can always deal maturely with then if s/he actually has to is just that... a fable. It would be nice if people would stop trying to hold up their imaginary supercool flawless power fantasy characters against the characters we actually got.
Angst is fine. It's the methods that a character employs in sorting their problems that define whether they're an interesting character, at least, for me. An irrational teenager just doesn't cut it; I can't relate to Korra's stupidity at times, and thus, the disconnect. Can't blame a guy for not relating to the character. It's not about realizing a power fantasy, it's about not being a tool. Korra is pretty much just that: a tool. She blames other people, such as her boyfriend, for her own shortcomings (like her indecision).
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But this is common among many teens and twenty somethings. True it's something most people grow out of, but not everyone. Perhaps you've just grown beyond that age and don't remember that kind of feeling. That or you were lucky enough to not experience it.
Plus, it kinda makes sense. Korra is constantly called on to do this and solve that. She has this immense responsibility thrust on with no choice in the matter. Everyone expects so much of her, and yet she's still only a teenager. Despite all her power she still feels helpless at times. Can't really blame her for blaming others since so much is expected of her
I never said that any of her actions were out of character, just that it's difficult for me to relate to them. That's why I'm struggling with the show. It seems they've tried to retain a lot of the audience from the first series, but in doing so, they've aged the characters up and made them even more unrelated to me than children were. I mean, Aang was fine, even if he was a kid, but Korra... she's something else entirely.
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Aside from her snapping at Mako so much, I think her behaviour is actually justified. She obviously has issues with being given orders all the time, which is understandable in someone who has been cooped up under guard in a compound for most of her life. She just found out that Tenzin and her father were the ones responsible for her being secluded in that compound and that she had been lied to about that for her whole life.
As for her trying to trust Unalaq, he is her uncle. Given how until now (OMG, FOR THREE WHOLE EPISODES, BURN THE WITCH!) she was feeling angry with her father, it makes sense that she would turn to her uncle. Especially since he a.) has a method for helping her deal with those angry spirits (whose existance was kept from her, too, by Tenzin and her father, btw.) and b.) who actually lets her deal with stuff on her own terms, so I can easily see how she'd extend some trust towards him.
And she is maturing at a rather fast pace. She tried to solve things peacefully in this last episode, rather than going to her usual modus operandi of cracking heads.
I think much of fandom is immensely unfair to the character at this time.
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Agreed with magnuskn. Until the warships showed up, Korra had absolutely no reason not to trust her uncle. When family gets involved with trouble, it's natural to make excuses and not immediately assume the worst.
Granted, given how that last episode ended, I'm thinking it's safe for her to say the worst can now be assumed.
At least Korra didn't run from her job as Avatar like Aang did which lasted a 100 years before he got to fix that mistake.
I haven't seen any comments on it yet, but what do think is up with Jinora?
Probably some connection to the first Avatar, whose statue I think we've seen in episode two.
Well, the statue already looked a lot like Wan (who we've seen from the first trailer), so I think it's him.
Korra was ostracized by her peers when she came to the city. Aang lost his people but they never showed his parents or him even mentioning them.
I, um, huh. Maybe I kinda overestimated the writers a tad in their cleverness, because Unalaq is wearing the black hat pretty openly right now. Well, that "influenced by dark spirits" idea of mine might still be good to go, but as of now it just looks like he rather went the full "mwhaha!" route by himself.
More detailed thoughts on the episode tomorrow.
I'm rather annoyed at the latest development. There was plenty of room to make Unalaq an antagonist without making him go full blown Ozai. They could have just stopped at him trying to isolate Korra, and that would have been fine, but they had to take it one step further.
So, this new episode. Aside from the issue of Unalaq having turned out to be pretty unequivocally a bad guy (again, maybe I was trying to think it through too much before), I loved much of this episode. In some respects the show has dipped into absurdity (the whole Bolin/Eska relationship and almost everything Varrick does. "Gather around Ping-Ping", heh. ^^), but since I dig absurdist humor, this isn't a bad thing from my perspective.
The B-Plot of Tenzins family troubles also took a more unexpected path, with Tenzin showing his less mature side. Very sweet throughout, though. I guess some people are upset that Aang turned out to be not a perfect parent, but then again who ever is? Mistakes are human and Aang was just as human as everybody else.
On the A-Plot side, Korra pretty much badassed her way throughout the entire episode. That thing with Naga... man, that kinda made me want to play a Druid. I guess polar bear dogs are not an official Pathfinder druid animal, huh? Very Batman of her, anyway. I had some minor issues with her publicly threatening to kill a judge for a ruling she didn't like, but then again the trial was such an obvious kangoroo court that it didn't feel too out of place.
Once again I think it is me judging the series from too adult an perspective, I expected the corrupt justice to be a little bit less obvious, but I guess either the writers didn't get it completely right or Unalaq is just not as smart a villain as he thinks he is. I had no issues with Korra using heavy intimidation tactics to get her information, though. It actually was a pitch perfect use of the Intimidate skill, with some heavy circumstance modifiers due to Naga. ^^
Paizo isn't planning an "Avatar" base class, I fear? It wouldn't be that unbalanced, compared to some of the other stuff other classes can do. About every episode of this series makes me want to play something like this more. Oh, well, pipedream.
The last third of the episode had a ton of stuff happening, but I think I like this fast pace they use to resolve things. That we don't even see Korra fighting her way through the ship to free the captives just tells us how much above in power level she is to the soldiers and we can get on with the plot to important things.
Varrick is turning out to be a really fun characters with all this absurdity. Bolin is working much on the same level. Mako and Asami could get some more character development, but I was so happy to see Asami back, that I can overlook this now.
All in all, best episode of the season yet. Of course on other sites some people are still screaming bloody murder over Korra not being a peace-loving avatar like Aang, but it has become much less severe than the last weeks. Still, vastly annoying, since they refuse to accept that she isn't Aang and uses her own way of getting things done.
A bender class would be cool wich would be a monk+sorcerer and would have been a lot cooler then some of the classes announced for the ACG.
I did enjoy the episode though I wish Korra's uncle didn't go full villain but as long as he isn't the main threat of the season then I will be fine. I really hope we get to the spirit stuff soon.
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I found myself a bit impatient with this episode. We knew going in that Unalaq's trial would be a kangaroo court;
I'm with Dragon78, we need the coming episodes to unravel the mystery of the angry spirits a bit more. If it all turns out that Unalaq was controlling the spirits from the start, I'll be annoyed because I want it to be deeper and more "spiritual" than a mere mortal's dynastic feud. The spirits are bound up with nature, so something of consequence in nature must be going on...the kraken spirit in episode 1 couldn't have been Unalaq's doing too, could it? And if it does turn out to be him all along, we need to know why he has a special connection to the spirits when everyone else except Korra doesn't.
We knew going in that Unalaq's trial would be a kangaroo court; **
Um, no "we" didn't. I was honestly surprised at how openly this trial was unfair, to the point where any problems in the portrayal of Korra's reaction were rather based, IMO, in how little she reacted to the incredibly obviously unfair verdicts. Yes, that includes threatening the judge in public.
that Unalaq not only usurped his brother but set up the raiders to depose him was a bit surprising, but I'm also surprised the judge talked that much, even given that Naga was about to chomp his head. And I have mixed feelings about how Korra's dad has been reacting to all of this.
Really, you thought the judge being intimated by Korra + Naga was bad? That was the most badass Batman moment I've seen on this show and a perfect representation how the Intimidate skill would work in Pathfinder. A skill I think Korra probably would have maxed out if she were a player character (still want that Avatar base class, Paizo! :p).
I think Varrick is incredibly annoying, and I hope he isn't going to remain part of the regular cast; Asami deserves to shine as the non-bending gadget-wielder, and right now she's just sort of there, not doing much and with little to say.
I quite like the guy. I am not sure yet what the point of him is, though, aside from the absurdist humor.
I'm with Dragon78, we need the coming episodes to unravel the mystery of the angry spirits a bit more. If it all turns out that Unalaq was controlling the spirits from the start, I'll be annoyed because I want it to be deeper and more "spiritual" than a mere mortal's dynastic feud. The spirits are bound up with nature, so something of consequence in nature must be going on...the kraken spirit in episode 1 couldn't have been Unalaq's doing too, could it? And if it does turn out to be him all along, we need to know why he has a special connection to the spirits when everyone else except Korra doesn't.
Well, I obviously am not going to make another bold prediction seeing how my last one seems to have not been correct (with the caveat that it still might be, but that's a thing for the next episodes). But I would still think it a bit too simplistic if it would all come down to "Unalaq being evil".
Well, Studio Mir will do the second half of the season.
I enjoyed this episode. I think Varrick is hilarious, especially when he plays off Bolin.
Unalaq being teh evolz was disappointing, but not very surprising. We'll see if they develop that further.
I'm not as disappointed as others since I don't mind clear bad guys as long as they have clear motivations. Unalaq does, so I'm content enough for the nonce.
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I really liked the episode as well. Thought it was greatly done. I do wish it'd had a little more content. But the part with the plane was great.
Well, my favorite part was Korra shoving that judge's head into Naga's mouth. Made me want to play a Druid, for about the first time in years. :p Second best was every scene with Varrick in the Platypus-Bear suit. ^^
Something that I twigged to during the Getaway Boat bit:
Is it possible that once she realized he wasn't going to roll over and play the good pet Monkey-Dog, she actually grew a heart and got it broken all at once?
Worth a thought, anyway.
Well, my favorite part was Korra shoving that judge's head into Naga's mouth. Made me want to play a Druid, for about the first time in years. :p Second best was every scene with Varrick in the Platypus-Bear suit. ^^
GATHER ROUND PING-PING!