The Legend of Korra: Book 4
- Thread starter Agent Richard07
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4x02: "Korra Alone"
Korra is taking this Zaheer thing pretty hard. She bounced back after Amon and Vaatu, so why did fall apart now? I'd say that everything simply caught up with her but maybe that's not it. What's different about the Zaheer situation? For one she almost died. Then she was made to feel as if she wasn't strong enough to fend for herself or do what the avatar is supposed to do.
Bolin didn't hit the ground running the way Sokka did but he's turning out to be pretty good comic relief in these later seasons. And it's not so much his character but the way his situations are written.
Then there's the ending. More on that later.
Korra is taking this Zaheer thing pretty hard. She bounced back after Amon and Vaatu, so why did fall apart now? I'd say that everything simply caught up with her but maybe that's not it. What's different about the Zaheer situation? For one she almost died. Then she was made to feel as if she wasn't strong enough to fend for herself or do what the avatar is supposed to do.
Bolin didn't hit the ground running the way Sokka did but he's turning out to be pretty good comic relief in these later seasons. And it's not so much his character but the way his situations are written.
Then there's the ending. More on that later.
She was also severely injured and half-paralyzed. Don't underestimate the toll that injury takes on the mind as well as the body. If anything, most fiction doesn't show protagonists enduring anywhere near the level of PTSD they'd likely experience after the kind of ordeals they go through. That's just one more thing that makes this series so impressive: that they're actually telling a story about her post-traumatic ordeal and recovery rather than just going "She's fine now and off to her next adventure!"
There's also the fact that she's become disconnected from the Avatar Spirit. That was something that happened temporarily at Unalaq's hands, but now she's had to live with that disconnection (or at least inability to access that part of herself) for three years. So she's spiritually incomplete, and that's bound to take its toll.
Anyway, great episode all around. The letters were cool. I love Bolin's formal, flowery letter-writing style -- and his childlike drawings. And I love it that Korra felt she could confide in Asami in a way she couldn't with the guys. More fuel for the Korrasami ship. It was also nice to see so much of Katara, and Korra's physical therapy success was very moving.
And yeah, neat ending.
"Nice to see you again, Twinkletoes."
I wonder, how exactly did Toph know the person she found was the Avatar? How is that within the range of her senses? I guess we'll find out in a week.
I wonder, how exactly did Toph know the person she found was the Avatar? How is that within the range of her senses? I guess we'll find out in a week.
Oh hell yes
!!!!!!!!!!
Toph
I knew something was "off" about that lil' Maltese type pup! Either it was part of Korra's dementia or it wasn't what it seemed.
(My cousin has a Maltese that she "spoils", so I had to smile upon seeing a dog with similar features.)
Say, have we seen "normal" dogs in either series? It seems nearly every animal is a blend of two different "real world" forms like turtle-seals or platypus-bears. Yes, I remember the Earth King's "normal" bear and the old lady who recommended frozen frogs (another "normal" creature) to cure Katara and Sokka appeared to have a "normal" fluffy cat. But I just can't remember any "normal" dogs at the moment.
Sincerely,
Bill
(My cousin has a Maltese that she "spoils", so I had to smile upon seeing a dog with similar features.)
Say, have we seen "normal" dogs in either series? It seems nearly every animal is a blend of two different "real world" forms like turtle-seals or platypus-bears. Yes, I remember the Earth King's "normal" bear and the old lady who recommended frozen frogs (another "normal" creature) to cure Katara and Sokka appeared to have a "normal" fluffy cat. But I just can't remember any "normal" dogs at the moment.
Sincerely,
Bill
Excellent episode with lots of great continuity touches. I particularly enjoyed her going back to the Tree of Time and having the spirits work to help her. I wonder if the vision of Evil Korra is her interpretation of Raava trying to break through to her getting twisted.
^It seems to me that the vision represents her fear of death. It's the way she appeared when she was under the influence of the poison, and it dragged her down into a pool of the metallic poison. Maybe it's a manifestation of the physical and spiritual damage done to her by the toxin.
Great episode. Lots of little touches like the episode title being a callback to TLA, and almost re-creation of the firebending sparring scene from the very first episode, the return to the tree of time and a photo of older Aang still pulling that goofy face and doing the spinning marble trick. Incidentally, was that the same fire nation fishing village from 'The Painted Lady'?
I thought the the letters were an especially nice touch. A good way to keep the rest of the cast present without actually being present. Each was very distinctive and very much in character; Mako can only talk about work and Bolin can only talk about his feelings. Nice they they've kept the Asami friendship thread going, even if friendship is all it is.
As for that last scene...
I thought the the letters were an especially nice touch. A good way to keep the rest of the cast present without actually being present. Each was very distinctive and very much in character; Mako can only talk about work and Bolin can only talk about his feelings. Nice they they've kept the Asami friendship thread going, even if friendship is all it is.
As for that last scene...
It's a shame one of the promos spoilt the surprise, but it's still great to see Toph again. After all these years she still has the same smirk and questionable hygiene. Also love that she called Korra "twinkle toes". It's interesting that she's the only one so far to treat Korra as if she's the same person as Aang, rather than someone who inherited a legacy.
Also, is that meant to be the same swamp from TLA? The one where Aang first saw a vision of Toph before they met. I wonder if there's a connection there somehow.
Also, is that meant to be the same swamp from TLA? The one where Aang first saw a vision of Toph before they met. I wonder if there's a connection there somehow.
Interesting thought about the fishing village. The scene here took place upon a beach whereas the community in "The Painted Lady" was erected in the middle of a lake fed by a large river. Of course, I just assumed the beach in this latest episode was the seashore variety, but it could have been the lakefront type. The "Painted Lady" village could have migrated or expanded to the lake's edge.
In other words, uh, maybe?
Sincerely,
Bill
In other words, uh, maybe?
Sincerely,
Bill
The fishing village was in the Earth Kingdom, not the Fire Nation.
I definitely felt some dagobah vibes at the end. Toph as Yoda, Korra as Luke and I'm guessing a dark avatar cave out there somewhere.
I also liked that Aang was still a goof in his later years.
I also liked that Aang was still a goof in his later years.
I don't think Aang would ever lose that joy he had. That's why he couldn't kill Ozai.
I guess I don't have a lot to say except that...
Toph comes off like a scary witch. Old age combined with that personality of hers will do that, I suppose.
4x03: "The Coronation"
An excellent episode with lots of good stuff. I hope that we get to see more of Zuko's daughter. And what do you suppose was up with the spirit tree hooked into that device? Will they have an energy source that surpasses anything we've got in the real world? Or does she want to use it to "listen" to everything the way Toph does?
I also found it interesting that even Toph said that the world doesn't need an avatar. They're continuing with that and I'm anxious to see where it goes.
Man, I wish I could breeze through the entire season all at once. By the way, I the production number for this episode is 216. I found that odd, then I saw that it means that this is the 16th episode of the 2nd season.
An excellent episode with lots of good stuff. I hope that we get to see more of Zuko's daughter. And what do you suppose was up with the spirit tree hooked into that device? Will they have an energy source that surpasses anything we've got in the real world? Or does she want to use it to "listen" to everything the way Toph does?
I also found it interesting that even Toph said that the world doesn't need an avatar. They're continuing with that and I'm anxious to see where it goes.
Man, I wish I could breeze through the entire season all at once. By the way, I the production number for this episode is 216. I found that odd, then I saw that it means that this is the 16th episode of the 2nd season.
I'm disappointed that Kuvira was so overt in her power grab. I was hoping for something more nuanced. Also a little disappointed that Korra's problem is just a matter of still having poison in her system -- although I'm hoping that's just something Toph made up in order to get her to regain her confidence somehow, Dumbo's-feather style.
It is funny that Toph has gotten even more cranky and mean with age. She could've told Korra about the source of her weakness earlier, but apparently she just wanted an excuse to beat up the Avatar for a while.
As far as I can tell, Toph is now one of only two main characters in the franchise to have been played by three different actors in the series proper (not counting the original pilot or the movie). She's been played by Jessie Flower as a kid, Kate Higgins in her police-chief days, and Philece Sampler as an old lady. The other was Zuko, played by Elijah Runcom as a small child, Dante Basco as a teenager, and Bruce Davison as an old man. (Go beyond lead characters and you could count Amon/Noatak and Tarrlok, who were played in flashbacks by two different child actors each in addition to their regular portrayers.)
It is funny that Toph has gotten even more cranky and mean with age. She could've told Korra about the source of her weakness earlier, but apparently she just wanted an excuse to beat up the Avatar for a while.
As far as I can tell, Toph is now one of only two main characters in the franchise to have been played by three different actors in the series proper (not counting the original pilot or the movie). She's been played by Jessie Flower as a kid, Kate Higgins in her police-chief days, and Philece Sampler as an old lady. The other was Zuko, played by Elijah Runcom as a small child, Dante Basco as a teenager, and Bruce Davison as an old man. (Go beyond lead characters and you could count Amon/Noatak and Tarrlok, who were played in flashbacks by two different child actors each in addition to their regular portrayers.)
I was surprised that Kuvira could get away with that without being taken into custody or something.
By whom? Who would have the authority? She hadn't committed any crimes in Republic City, just made a speech. And as a representative of the Earth Kingdom -- indeed, its acting and now permanent ruler -- she presumably had diplomatic immunity. You don't just go around arresting other countries' political or military leaders for making inflammatory speeches, because that would be an act of war and you'd invite retaliation. Kuvira has the Earth Kingdom/Empire military on her side, after all. They sure as hell wouldn't arrest her. I doubt anyone in the EK would be interested in backing Wu over her, except for some really dedicated royalists like maybe Mako & Bolin's grandmother.
