Avatar: The Legend Of Korra - Part 5

[Lencho01]

The thing she always does.

[YT]Uvw0t7SpKKQ[/YT]

Ah, I forgot he always says that. I think we had too little of Varrick this past season. And I wanted to see more of that magnet suit they made.

 

[DA_Champion]

It wasn't very interesting pre-Wan episode. The Wan episode was one of the best of the franchise. The post-Wan episodes were better until the final 3-4 where it was just a complete and utter mess.

It was a mess relative to the rest of the franchise, but overall it was still satisfactory, and still better than most stuff that passes for scifi/fantasy.

 

[BlackMagicWolf]

I am SO EXCITED for the upcoming season. I love all the Earth tones...maybe a hint that we WILL get a third series?!?!!?!??...a guy can dream...

My only problem is the time jump. The nine months between Book One and Book Two was believable, and it worked in many ways. Their was only one month between Two and Three, which was fine. I'm not sure how I feel about this, it seems...a little much. Obviously this can change once the show airs, but I'm just saying.

Regardless, I'm totally watching this, and I can't wait to chat about it with you all!

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

I broke and watched the trailer... Now I am even more excited. The stuff is all free of context so really, I don't think anything was spoiled of importance. The design of things and the ideas seen are cool to me though. Especially the Airbenders new suits. That is a cool idea that is so obvious in hindsight. October, get here soon!

 

[Primal Slayer]

I am SO EXCITED for the upcoming season. I love all the Earth tones...maybe a hint that we WILL get a third series?!?!!?!??...a guy can dream...

My only problem is the time jump. The nine months between Book One and Book Two was believable, and it worked in many ways. Their was only one month between Two and Three, which was fine. I'm not sure how I feel about this, it seems...a little much. Obviously this can change once the show airs, but I'm just saying.

Regardless, I'm totally watching this, and I can't wait to chat about it with you all!

It looks like they are starting off in the present before doing the time jump so it won't be so jarring.

While s2 wasn't the greatest, it is much more enjoyable when watched back 2 back. But every show has it's weak point and this is no different.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

[YT]NCEFMY4TWGw[/YT]

Book 4 Trailer

Ok... Was watching the trailer again... And AGAIN... and again...

Some thoughts on what might be:

Spoiler

Seeing this new opposing force which might be a threat from the Earth Kingdom, it's interesting that Korra looks to be in the colors of the antagonists for many sequences. In the 3 year skip did Korra get co-opted by the "bad guys"? Was someone from the Earth Kingdom responsible for healing Korra, and thus she leaves Republic City for some time and leaves the rebuilding of the Air Nomads to Tenzin and his family? Or does she turn her attention to the Earth Kingdom simply because post the assassination of the Earth Queen it's in a state of violent flux? (And for a moment there, did it look like maybe Korra was partaking in one of those underground Earth Bending fights from A:TLA Book 2?) Did Korra spend time training with the Metal benders even more after Book 3 as part of her healing process?

Is this Book's antagonist a true representative of the Earth Kingdom, or are we seeing something else? Perhaps with the power bases of the Kingdom in turmoil the Metal Clan steps into the vacuum? Does the Metal Clan, against Lin's sisters wishes, become expansionist? Is the quasi-fascist look of the uniforms we see indicative of a Metal Nation on the move?

Is Korra in need of going on a quest of some kind? A lot of the imagery of Korra looked like she was alone on a journey to... something. Has she turned more inward after the depredations of the Red Lotus? Could she have cut herself off from Bolin, Makko, Tenzin and the rest? We see what looks like the light of the spirit portals in the North Pole and what looks like more giant plant life in Republic City. Is Korra going to have to deal with the intermingling of the two worlds again? Will they deal with the repercussions finally of what happened in Book 2 other than the return of the Air Benders?

That's just what was rolling around in my mind since seeing the trailer.

 

[BlackMagicWolf]

It looks like they are starting off in the present before doing the time jump so it won't be so jarring.

While s2 wasn't the greatest, it is much more enjoyable when watched back 2 back. But every show has it's weak point and this is no different.

I know you're right on that count as a clip from apparently the first episode shows Mako, Bolin, and Asami wishing Korra well as she returns to the Southern Water Tribe. So I think if anything it'll be the end of the first episode that does the "three years later" jump.

Still...that's a long time. And I hope it doesn't dwell on what happened in those three years instead of pushing the plot towards it's hopefully epic conclusion.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

Here's hoping that the relationships are all sorted out in that 3 year skip.

Even stating that I have to ask again...

Spoiler

What is up with Asami's protective nature with Korra? The clip I saw on KorraSpirit Tumblr had Asami wanting to go with Korra to the Water Tribe. I get that they have a bond, are friends and have been on a few adventures together... Still it sticks out for me. Going web only... Could NICK go where no American action adventure cartoon has gone before? I'm not pushing this. I'm not saying it HAS to be that way... It's just odd to me Asami getting so attached to Korra as a friend now. Is it something else? Is it maybe something they did think of doing only to get it shot down, but many of the hints still made it into the final script phase?

 

[Thundercrack85]

Would it really be that mind blowing if they did go that route?

I mean, this is a show that had a murder suicide on screen.

A character being gay is pretty damn unremarkable in this day and age. Or should be, anyway.

Are One Million Moms (more like a few thousand) going to boycott Nickeloden?

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

Would it really be that mind blowing if they did go that route?

I mean, this is a show that had a murder suicide on screen.

A character being gay is pretty damn unremarkable in this day and age. Or should be, anyway.

Are One Million Moms (more like a few thousand) going to boycott Nickeloden?

I can't argue that after the Amon/Tarlok end game that little should surprise us with the show, though nothing quite as shocking/intense has happened to match it in the following seasons either. I'm not saying I am for it (or against it) or anything like that. IF it did happen though, even if it's just one sided from Asami, then it would be a big deal if only because I can't think of anything close to a publicly stated same sex romance in an American produced cartoon. In SUPERMAN:TAS you had Maggie Sawyer and if I am remembering correctly, they had her life partner in one episode, but were coy about her relationship. They never just flat out said what she was to Maggie or were explicit that they were a romantic couple. On WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN they were equally coy about Domino and Rogue. If you look at that show it can easily come across as if Domino is in love with Rogue, not just a deep friendship. Again, it's not explicit as to Domino's feelings but they sure seem like more than passing friendship to me and others. Even if it's just Asami saying, "I care for you as more than a friend Korra... More than I ever cared for Makko" with no reciprocity from Korra, that would still be something I've never seen in toon like this in America.

I also wonder why this is controversial to a certain degree, given the context of the subject matter of the show. The Avatar is born into both genders after all. Korra's past lives have been with both men and women, so... yeah. In a way, she's kind of already bi-sexual. Her past lives were in love with both genders and if the idea is that those aspects of the spirit live on then something in Korra is indeed capable of loving someone of her own gender. Again... I'm not pushing for it, and as of right now, they seem to keep showing Asami, not Korra, with this overly protective nature about Korra's well being that is interesting to note. But if they went through with it, I dare say it would be a first in American animated franchise fare.

 

[Thundercrack85]

My only issue would be two characters suddenly becoming gay, even though both have exhibited romantic interest in characters of the opposite sex.

Sure, one could be bisexual, but both? That would be the biggest ass pull since Season 2.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

My only issue would be two characters suddenly becoming gay, even though both have exhibited romantic interest in characters of the opposite sex.

Sure, one could be bisexual, but both? That would be the biggest ass pull since Season 2.

Sexuality is a roller coaster ride for many a young person, hell, for many an older person too. You may not like to think about it, but you have probably known many people that have struggled with the outside world's expectations of what their sexual orientation SHOULD be and what they experience as an individual in their own spiritual interior. Sorry, but... That's real life for millions of people. It in no way would be a sphincter pull. I mean... gay people don't come out of the womb with some check list they have to fill out before the age of 18 to qualify as homosexual to the heterosexual majority. Given the world the way it is, it can be a personal evolution for some. You would be wrong to think it's some hard and fast rule.

 

[DA_Champion]

I know of several people who had their first gay relationships in their mid 20s. Everybody's different, people are on a different level on the orientation continuum, and some people may have a harder time understanding and interpreting their own feelings.

 

[Primal Slayer]

I think people are just being slightly blinded by their desires for a Korsami relationship. They are friends, been through a lot together so it isnt that surprising that Asami would want to be there for Korra.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

I think people are just being slightly blinded by their desires for a Korsami relationship. They are friends, been through a lot together so it isnt that surprising that Asami would want to be there for Korra.

It might be that PS, though I'm not pulling for Korra and Asami to be paired up. Frankly, I was pulling in the first season for Bolin and Korra to hook up and be a couple. It's far more original than pairing Korra and studly Makko, and would give Bolin more to do than just be a man-child comedic relief. Granted, at this point, Bolin's got quite the resume (Mover Star, Pro-Bender, Lava Bender, compatriot of the Avatar). It's too bad they can't make him just a tad more mature more often. He can be cunning, but that's just it, when he is cunning it seems to clash with his idiocy, so if feels off. I guess this is part of the weakness of trying to do an AIR BENDER level show without the benefit of AIR BENDER's number of episodes. Bolin might have gone through an evolution the way Sokka did if they had dedicated more time to him. Which isn't to say I don't love Bolin and his voice actor in the role. He just seems way more... Cartoony, than every one else on the show. Three seasons and he hasn't progressed much on any front.

But back to the issue at hand... I don't think that people are just seeing what they want PS (I could be wrong and the moments of Asami showing such concern for Korra will be described by Michael and Bryan as just that, friendly concern and nothing else), if only because those moments do stick out for a reason. Sure, Asami is part of Korra's coterie of friends and allies and it was quite recently that she basically said to Asami that she was her only female friend, and they have a link with both having loved Makko. They've shared some interesting times together. But this concern that the writers seem to have Asami show is curious to me, and now that we've learned that KORRA the show is going to be an online exclusive... I don't know. Maybe Bryan and Michael are going to go "there"?

Again... I have no axe to grind. I'm not saying I want them to do this, or that they "must" do this, or the opposite. The moments just stand out to me and if they did do it it would be groundbreaking for an American toon that is part of a big corporate franchise.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Being an online show has nothing to do with this season, it was basically in the bag during S3 and before Nick came to the decision to move it online so either they will go there or they wont but it wont because of where the show airs.

I'm cool with it either which way but I don't see it happening. But I rather have everyone be single in this show since the romance angle has continually been it's weakest point.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

Was it really in the bag before Season 3 ended though? I've listened to the commentary on Book One a couple of times and Bryan and Michael pointed out in a few episodes that they often hear from fans how they are "just sitting on completed episodes" but in truth are working far closer to the air dates for completion than we ever would have guessed. That while it might not be up to the last minute cram work, it's usually more down to the wire, and it's not unusual for the show to be that way.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Yes because they've been working on both simultaneously and they even said that S3 had been done for a while and Nick was down to the wire of airing it. No way only a month goes by and they would be airing S4 straight through if it werent done for a while. But even if it werent they wouldn't have time to change anything drastically due to it only airing on-line now.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

Yes because they've been working on both simultaneously and they even said that S3 had been done for a while and Nick was down to the wire of airing it. No way only a month goes by and they would be airing S4 straight through if it werent done for a while. But even if it werent they wouldn't have time to change anything drastically due to it only airing on-line now.

Yes... That makes sense. I was unaware that they had spoken about Book 3 and Book 4 being produced at the same time.

 

[Loki882]

I can't argue that after the Amon/Tarlok end game that little should surprise us with the show, though nothing quite as shocking/intense has happened to match it in the following seasons either. I'm not saying I am for it (or against it) or anything like that. IF it did happen though, even if it's just one sided from Asami, then it would be a big deal if only because I can't think of anything close to a publicly stated same sex romance in an American produced cartoon. In SUPERMAN:TAS you had Maggie Sawyer and if I am remembering correctly, they had her life partner in one episode, but were coy about her relationship. They never just flat out said what she was to Maggie or were explicit that they were a romantic couple. On WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN they were equally coy about Domino and Rogue. If you look at that show it can easily come across as if Domino is in love with Rogue, not just a deep friendship. Again, it's not explicit as to Domino's feelings but they sure seem like more than passing friendship to me and others. Even if it's just Asami saying, "I care for you as more than a friend Korra... More than I ever cared for Makko" with no reciprocity from Korra, that would still be something I've never seen in toon like this in America.

I also wonder why this is controversial to a certain degree, given the context of the subject matter of the show. The Avatar is born into both genders after all. Korra's past lives have been with both men and women, so... yeah. In a way, she's kind of already bi-sexual. Her past lives were in love with both genders and if the idea is that those aspects of the spirit live on then something in Korra is indeed capable of loving someone of her own gender. Again... I'm not pushing for it, and as of right now, they seem to keep showing Asami, not Korra, with this overly protective nature about Korra's well being that is interesting to note. But if they went through with it, I dare say it would be a first in American animated franchise fare.

I'd say that P'li accidently blowing her own head off was pretty darn hardcore. And I'm hoping that the show now being exclusively online will let the creators push the envelope even more.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

I'd say that P'li accidently blowing her own head off was pretty darn hardcore. And I'm hoping that the show now being exclusively online will let the creators push the envelope even more.

Ooh... Forgot about that. That was something that had impact without us even seeing the full moment due to canny editing. It was also how it went down, with the Beifong sisters looking out for one another while this crazy battle was occurring and how fast it was, Zaheer's near instant reaction to his love losing her life... it was a memorable moment to be sure. I guess I would put it a notch below the season one shock of Tarlok ending the threat of blood benders (for the moment) if only because in Book one it's so matter of fact and it was more than just one bad guy offing another one. It was a suicide too, which is not what I would've expected at all from a NICK toon. But the combustion death of Zaheer's love is pretty badass indeed and gave the impression that in a fight with benders, a small miscalculation of any kind can prove dangerous.

 

[blksuperman2]

Wow, I broke down and watched the trailer and I'm even more excited about this Season. If Kuvira is indeed the main villain it'll be a welcome change of pace. I always felt the scenes w/ Azula were the best and hopefully Kuvira is the same. As far as the hate for Unalaq I hadn't noticed how much of rehash he was of Tarrlok until I rewatched Book 1. He was basically the same guy so I guess that's why he seems so lame.

 

[rashad]

 

[Primal Slayer]

Not really a fan of Asamis new outfit, I like to see her fight and that is far to restricting and she looks so serious and like her mother. Which makes me wonder if maybe her and Mako are married.

It is weird seeing Korra out of her watertribe outfit.

 

[Loki882]

It looks like more professional attire. She's still got a company to run after all.