Avatar (animated TV show) ~potential spoilers~

Post by Haxzor

Same day as Sm4sh 3DS

Post by Rankkor

So..... Season 4 premiered last night. Here's the trailer.

It was pretty good, and raised some nice plotlines.

But first:

****SPOILER WARNING, THIS IS THE FIRST AND ONLY WARNING****

With that out of the way:

First off, I'm glad they're taking the realistic approach to all the fallout from Season 3. Korra had ended with PTSD and confined to a wheelchair, the earth kingdom had fallen to chaos and anarchy and disarray, and so on couldn't just be cleaned up overnight. Likewise, without an avatar to complain and whine about, the citizens of Republic City actually got used to the spirit wilds, and now its a frikking tourist attraction.

Now, 3 years later, they "miss her" and "wish her well". Pfft, ingrates >=( they're a large part of why she's in a PTSD condition in the first place. Could had shown some support SOONER.

Politically, Ba Sing Se is a no-man's land. One of the Nephews of the late queen, Prince Wu is next in line for the throne, but just like his aunt, he's an incompetent, pampered, hedonistic, self-centered, overly dramatic, casanova-wanna-be, who just spends his days enjoying the perks of his wealth and political importance, and is quickly shown to be a complete idiot.

And the worst part is that Republic city is actually trying to instate that idiot on the throne. Nothing good can come out of it. Sure, the Earth Kingdom needs a leader now more than ever, but this little royal brat aint it. He basically has the words "POLITICAL PUPPET" stamped all over his enormous forehead.

On the other side of the coin, a metalbender from Zaofu named Kovira, who was introduced on the last episode of season 3, seems to be the main antagonist for this season.

Before going into details, I must say we've come full circle. TLA featured an all-firebender villain roster. Korra, started then with a non-bender faction (Sure, their leader was secretly a waterbender, but the rest of the bad guys weren't), followed by a waterbender villain, followed by an airbender villain, only to cap it all off with an Earthbender villain. We've come full circle. So I'm guessing the next show will have firebenders as bad guys again? :P

Kovira, so far doesn't look AT ALL like a bad guy, she created an army (no idea where she got the funding, and manpower to do that, I guess when she left Zaofu several of its security force could had left with her, but the army she now possesses is tremendously large, and they're well funded, well equipped, and well stocked.) and is using this army to unify the Earth Kingdom.

She's been nicknamed "The Great Unifier" and is going state by state, offering them protection from roaming bandits, and supplies, in exchange for loyalty to her. Much like Zaheer, or Amon, she's not portrayed as your stereotypical saturday morning mustache-twirling villain, but rather like a humane character that actually has a few points of reason among their motivations, even if their methods suck big time. Except in Kovira's case, her methods are shown to be pretty darned effective, unlike that Cowardly Wu, she KNOWS how to lead a nation, knows how to organize a militia, and her men seem disciplined to a fault, instead of conquering marauders.

Korra has been on the run for six months unknown to everyone, cut off her hair and is now fighting underground matches in some seedy fight club (and getting the crap beaten out of her). The episode ends with her losing a match, and have her body battered and bruised. So maybe she hasn't really fully "bounced back" and is still a weak bender.

Must state again how nice it is to see that problems don't just magically disappear like they did on the end of Season 1, or 2. This time? all the toll her life has taken is shown, and her reaction to it all is far more realistic than just shruggin and going back to normal like nothing happened.

Finally, I gotta say I LOVE the new wing-suits the airbenders are using. Way to incorporate modern technology to replace those gliders. They look spectacular and allow them virtually endless capacity of flight.

Bleh, not everything was awesome though, the creepy romance tumor is poking its head in, after its glorious vanishing act on the previous season. This time, romance drama comes from Kai and Jinora who are in a relationship, and more importantly, Bolin and Opal who are also in a long distance relationship that is under strain.

Why? because Opal, like all airbenders, is now trying to bring balance to the world by helping the battered earth kingdom villages. Bolin? he's doing the same.......by joining the army of Kovira. Needless to say that while they have the same goals (help people) their methods are polar opposite and its driving a wedge on their relationship.

I hope to god they not only handle this drama better than they did with the god-awful romance tumors in seasons 1 and 2, but also that they don't derail the plot too much with them. Come on, season 1 had a full episode that was nothing but teen drama, and had nothing to do with the rest of the season, hell, you could skip it all except the last 20 seconds and not miss a thing.

And that concludes my impressions of Season 4. First episode wasn't as impacting to me as the first of season 3 was, nor was the antagonist as impressive as Zaheer (but make no mistake, Kovira was shown to be a complete badass, in taking out a dozen bandits all by herself in a whooping fifteen seconds) but it was still pretty good, and it felt refreshing to see SO.FRIKKING.MANY stereotyped and clished conventions common in TV shows defied. Specially for what is supposed to be a children's show.

I sincerely hope they have plans for a new show when this one is over, since this is gonna be the last season of Korra, but I really don't wanna let this universe they've created just fade away, I really want it to continue with a new avatar (Following the reincarnation cycle, the next avatar after korra would be an earthbender)

Post by Gone

So the air nation is going around policing the rest of the world, and we have some quasi-warlord snatching up Earth Kingdom territories in exchange for "protection." Metaphor much?

Post by Rankkor

For those who watch today's episode, bring a tissue. Or a dozen. You'll need them.

T_T

On a personal level, I underwent a similar trauma to what Korra did, so this one really hit close to home for me.

of course, EVERYONE is gonna laugh when they see how Aang went from this, to this.

Post by Titan

Old Woman Toph.

I DID NOT KNOW I NEEDED THIS

Post by morginar

I'm curious is kyoshi island to the east or the west of the earth kingdom mainland? There is a unified island to the east and a unconquerd island to the west on the train map.

I'd like to see the avatars amazon fanclub of badass.

And given their history they fit as a independet state of the earth kingdom.

Post by Rankkor

I'd like to see Kuvira trying to annex Kyoshi Island to her new Empire, if only just so I can see the Kyoshi Warriors in the present day.

Also, *sighs* at Kuvira renaming her domain as "The Empire". Way to make it sound evil. Just once I'd like to see an empire that isn't portrayed as the villain. Why couldn't she name her new nation something less evil-sounding like "The Federation" or whatever. Also, renaming the Earth Kingdom as the Earth Empire, if its an empire, and she's the leader, does that mean she is their empress? moreover does she intend to just replace one monarchy with another? or instead establish a meritocracy?

Old Woman Toph also looks remarkably A LOT like that bloodbending old woman who was the main bad guy on the scariest episode of TLA. From her face, her hair, and even her voice. Thankfully she's not scary, just badass.

Post by morginar

I'd like to see Kuvira trying to annex Kyoshi Island to her new Empire, if only just so I can see the Kyoshi Warriors in the present day. Indeed, and see what happened with Ty lee, Zuki and Sokka.

Also, *sighs* at Kuvira renaming her domain as "The Empire". Way to make it sound evil. Just once I'd like to see an empire that isn't portrayed as the villain. Why couldn't she name her new nation something less evil-sounding like "The Federation" or whatever. Also, renaming the Earth Kingdom as the Earth Empire, if its an empire, and she's the leader, does that mean she is their empress? moreover does she intend to just replace one monarchy with another? or instead establish a meritocracy? The american empire is always the goody two shoes, Alexander the great is seen and great and noble imperial. Not to mention the swedish empire the best empire evah.

Either you die a hero or see yourself become the villian you sought to destroy... Think thats Kuvira's theme, once she wanted to destroy monarchy and now she became the new monarch.

And Empire is just a thing for us to see who is the villian, "The empire" gives a evil image in our heads, yet when UK was a empire, people though it good. Modern views makes some words evil or good, regardless of what they realy are.

Old Woman Toph also looks remarkably A LOT like that bloodbending old woman who was the main bad guy on the scariest episode of TLA. From her face, her hair, and even her voice. Thankfully she's not scary, just badass.

Tormenting the avatar, just like in the good old days. Mahahahahaha kneel before the melon lord!

Post by Gone

So glad they didn't turn Toph into the generic wise old person cliche.

Post by morginar

Zhu li Noooooooooooooooooooo!

Wait, is she faking it to rescue Varrick and Bolin at a later date?

Post by Rankkor

You know, there is one thing I don't like about this season. Meelo went from weird, but funny, to obnoxious and annoying. I can't stand the little brat. His entire antics on the previous episode, and on this one just make me cringe. I seriously hope he has less presence on the rest of the season.

Regarding Zhu Li, I'm glad to see her having some actual characterization, but I think she may be indeed faking it so that she can rescue Varrick and Bolin later.

Also, *sighs* we're back to season 2 where we have a completely unambiguously "black-morality" evil antagonist.

Season 1 and 3 had bad guys that while evil, were of a gray shade, where they had a good point, but their methods to bring that point were questionable. Zaheer specially came across as the more "human" enemy yet. But Kuvira, while starting on the same principle, has now shifted into full Conqueror Warmongering mode now. And we're not even at the season half-point yet.

/frown.

Season 4 has been okay so far, but between Kuvira's evilness showing too quickly, meelo becoming unbelievably annoying, Korra recovering from her problems with a real quick fix, its just not as awesome as Season 3, which honestly kept me at the edge of my seat from start to finish.

I guess its hard to top off the Red Lotus as enemies, those guys were AWESOME.

Lastly, I really had to sigh at Bolin being so slow on using the lava, he could had easily finished the fight right from the start if he had used it, instead of clumsily trying to fight on the mechanized suit. Zhu Li was a total badass on this episode though, and her finally having a spine to talk back to her boss was awesome.

Post by Titan

I totally missed last night's episode...what with handing out candy..

Oops, I should probably fix that.

Post by morginar

Looks like Varrick is now Tony Stark.

And the iron clan has fallen Whooo! Hopes for Kuvira turing it's face to Kyoshi isle rises, if you consider the island neutral as it was seperated from the mainland by the avatar so it wasn't conquered. That old conquest might have been the origin of the earth kingdom, thus Kyoshi isn't a part of it. (The show needs a non-tech non-bending martial artist Sokka style)

Otherwise the unifier might go cray cray Azula style for there is nothing more to unify than the other nations.

Post by Rankkor

I absolutely loved this episode (7)

Varric was a BLAST here, being both funny AND useful. From the way he sped-talked to that guard, to how he improvised an EMP pulse to take out the mecha. However, damn, I really can't fault Zhu Li for turning on him, he made her carry him 20 miles in a single day after she sprained her ankle? I honestly am surprised she stuck with him as long as she did.

Is it just me, or is that Firebender who was leading the escaped convicts looking a lot like Avatar Wan?

Those mecha-suits are OP as frick. Good god, those would be unstoppable if mass produced. They make the mechs from season 1 look like toys.

Edit: Also, I forgot to mention this for the previous episode, but I love the cute little hat that Zhu Li has been wearing this whole season now that she's been in Kuvira's Army. Kawaii Desu ^_^(##RESPBREAK##)520##DELIM##Rankkor##DELIM##

Post by morginar

I absolutely loved this episode (7) You ain't the only wan.

Varric was a BLAST here, being both funny AND useful. From the way he sped-talked to that guard, to how he improvised an EMP pulse to take out the mecha. I think his last name is Stark now.

Is it just me, or is that Firebender who was leading the escaped convicts looking a lot like Avatar Wan? Well.. He is fire nation, maybe Wan is his ancestor?

Those mecha-suits are OP as frick. Good god, those would be unstoppable if mass produced. They make the mechs from season 1 look like toys. I generaly find technology in Avatar now to be OP whilst bending seems nerfed.

Post by Haxzor

Toph gonna #$%^ up some Mechs

Post by Titan

Kuvira headed to the swamps.

Toph ain't gonna have none of that $%^&.

No sir.

Post by Haxzor

It's done :'(

Didn't expect them to end it like that. Damn Bryke.

Post by Rankkor

Dat ending.......

THE FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, dat korra&asami subtext. I know they couldn't actually show it, nickelodeon being a children's channel and all that, and TV not having matured enough to understand that being gay doesn't have or needs to have any adult connotations, but it SERIOUSLY looks as if those two turned into a couple.

Come on, the way they held each other at the end, the only way that scene could had been perfect was if they kissed, but alas, they couldn't show that and keep their jobs, and the tidal wave of lawsuits from the "moral guardians". Maybe in a few decades they'll do a revamp? who knows.

At the very least they should address this in the one medium the Moral Guardians can't touch, Comics. Do a single-issue comic, 1 year later, confirming if they're really a couple or not. But seriously, that ending makes it as unambiguous as it can get without showing an actual kiss. I applaud them for it, that must have taken guts. Even if they couldn't take that last step in, they got pretty darned close.

(Also, LMAO)

Also I TOTALLY KNEW IT, Zhu Li was not a traitor, I loved how she and varric ended up together. And Mako had one hell of an awesome scene with that little lightning show.

Damn Bryke.

~~I'm confused. Why are you damning him?~~

I get it now. This was the grand finale of the avatar franchise. There are no further installments planned. nuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu T_T

Now here are the parts that I didn't understand.

1: that giant robot is made of metal, doesn't matter if its platinum, its still metal. Why couldn't they just get a bunch of firebenders and zap the thing to hell? metal is an excellent conductor of electricity, unless platinum blocks it and I'm too dumb to know that.

2: when Kuvira ordered her forces to stand down, why did it all happened so smoothly? armies don't work like that, it feels like it was too neat and convenient and....... well...... rushed. On TLA the fire nation was actually defeated in the war. Here, the Earth Empire still had its full army, still had legions of mecha-suits, still had scores of airships, and tanks, and troops, and resources. They lost their main weapon, and their leader surrendered, but I dunno, that army just like that throwing down their arms and surrendering just due to those 2 factors sounds like BS to me.

and finally 3: Why the hell did nobody thought about abolishing the monarchy before? I applaud Wu for doing that himself rather than wanting to abuse of his privileged position, but seriously, this is something the rest of the world should had thought about instead of trying to put Wu in there in the first place. It would had certainly made it harder for Kuvira to try to instate herself as dictator, give people the choice between an elected leader, or a self-appointed monarch, and most people will go for the elected leader.

It seems like almost all the problems in this season could had been avoided if this alternative was pursued in the first place.(##RESPBREAK##)520##DELIM##Rankkor##DELIM##

Post by morginar

1: that giant robot is made of metal, doesn't matter if its platinum, its still metal. Why couldn't they just get a bunch of firebenders and zap the thing to hell? metal is an excellent conductor of electricity, unless platinum blocks it and I'm too dumb to know that.

I have a beter question. If lavabending could take down air temple, why is the foot of the colossal mecha so dificult?

2: when Kuvira ordered her forces to stand down, why did it all happened so smoothly? armies don't work like that, it feels like it was too neat and convenient and....... well...... rushed. On TLA the fire nation was actually defeated in the war. Here, the Earth Empire still had its full army, still had legions of mecha-suits, still had scores of airships, and tanks, and troops, and resources. They lost their main weapon, and their leader surrendered, but I dunno, that army just like that throwing down their arms and surrendering just due to those 2 factors sounds like BS to me.
Well, all we saw was a few mechas that heard her say it personaly, maybe the stand down was sent via raido or it took a lot of ofscreen time?

and finally 3: Why the hell did nobody thought about abolishing the monarchy before? I applaud Wu for doing that himself rather than wanting to abuse of his privileged position, but seriously, this is something the rest of the world should had thought about instead of trying to put Wu in there in the first place. It would had certainly made it harder for Kuvira to try to instate herself as dictator, give people the choice between an elected leader, or a self-appointed monarch, and most people will go for the elected leader. Becouse going directly from monarchy to democracy is a bad idea, slow smoth evolution is beter, or it'll spawn chaos and dictators. And if they could vote in the begining they would vote for Kuvira, people have voted for dictators in earth's past.

Also, dat korra&asami subtext. I know they couldn't actually show it, nickelodeon being a children's channel and all that, and TV not having matured enough to understand that being gay doesn't have or needs to have any adult connotations, but it SERIOUSLY looks as if those two turned into a couple.

Come on, the way they held each other at the end, the only way that scene could had been perfect was if they kissed, but alas, they couldn't show that and keep their jobs, and the tidal wave of lawsuits from the "moral guardians". Maybe in a few decades they'll do a revamp? who knows.

Din't one of the bei fong twins go homo on Bholin? But that being for humor and thus overlooked. Well, I doubt a revamp is going to happen, but a beter question will we see a new avatar? A earth bender one then, hopefully with less technology, that theme was a bit overdone in Korra. A techno phobia might emerge from Kuviras Colossal mecha (That thing was totaly attack on titan) and make tech go back to swords, martal arts and boomerangs.

Avatar (animated TV show) ~potential spoilers~

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