The Legend of Korra - Book Two: Spirits

[RoJoHen]

I am really enjoying the Tenzin story, but I am definitely wondering how it's going to fit back in with Korra's main plot. Will Korra go find him at the Air Temple? Will he and his family return to Republic City and meet up with them there?

Too bad Hawky isn't still around. They could send each other messages.

 

[RoJoHen]

Ideally, it would have been nice if the events at the end of Book 1 weren't rushed but I understand the reasons behind that and what you're saying, Christopher, about not wanting a rehash is fair enough. I wouldn't have wanted that either. And I yes it does look like we'll be getting some good stuff on Korra's journey and the history of bending anyway and I look forward to that.

I think a more appropriate story would have been for Korra to get her bending back by getting in touch with the spiritual aspects of her Avatar self. She wouldn't need to re-learn how to do it; she would just need to learn how to access it. Basically, it could have been a very extended story based on the last few scenes of Season 1. Instead of Aang just showing up and giving her bending back, Korra could have gone on a more spiritual journey in order to restore it herself.

And maybe something like that would have happened if they had known there would be more episodes. As it was, though, I understand why the writers did what they did.

 

[Edit_XYZ]

Anyone can learn kung fu. They have it in them. If they don't have legs, they'd need to go a step further and get some. They'd need to learn something about genetics, cloning and a lot of other medical stuff in order to get those legs but they can learn kung fu.

Oh, come on! You don't get to make up whatever random fantasies you want to justify things happening the way you want them to. You don't get to reinvent someone else's fantasy universe at whim to force it to fit your imaginings of how you think it "should" work. You have to understand and accept the laws and limitations that are set down within that universe and recognize that some things are just not going to be possible within it.

Of course not. You obviously reserve this privilege for yourself with your fantasies about how the 'avatar' universe should work, Christopher.

 

[Christopher]

I think a more appropriate story would have been for Korra to get her bending back by getting in touch with the spiritual aspects of her Avatar self. She wouldn't need to re-learn how to do it; she would just need to learn how to access it. Basically, it could have been a very extended story based on the last few scenes of Season 1. Instead of Aang just showing up and giving her bending back, Korra could have gone on a more spiritual journey in order to restore it herself.

On the one hand, it would've been a smoother transition if Korra losing her spiritual connection at the end of Book 1 had led to her going on a spiritual quest in Book 2. But on the other hand, as I've been saying, we already got a "learning how to bend" storyline, so this way we get to have a different kind of story, one that's less about Korra learning skills and more about delving into larger, more global issues, politically, historically, and spiritually.

Besides, it plays into the differences in personality between Aang and Korra. Aang's story was about learning new abilities, but it's appropriate for Korra that her arc this season is about having too much power and too little control and judgment -- and about the consequences that result from that mix.

 

[Agent Richard07]

Anyone can learn kung fu. They have it in them. If they don't have legs, they'd need to go a step further and get some. They'd need to learn something about genetics, cloning and a lot of other medical stuff in order to get those legs but they can learn kung fu.

Oh, come on! You don't get to make up whatever random fantasies you want to justify things happening the way you want them to. You don't get to reinvent someone else's fantasy universe at whim to force it to fit your imaginings of how you think it "should" work. You have to understand and accept the laws and limitations that are set down within that universe and recognize that some things are just not going to be possible within it.

I would like to address that last point. Certain things would apply no matter which universe you're in. 2+2 sill equals 4 and a process can be duplicated if you can understand and recreate the conditions. So in that sense, I'm not applying my own ideas to the rules laid down in the show and stand by the notion that the secrets to bending could be unlocked and recreated. That said, I'm fine with the show not going there.

One thing though... Is there anything particularly offensive about the idea? I see that a number of you aren't too keen on it.

 

[Christopher]

It's not the idea that offends me, it's the methodology -- just make up whatever arbitrary justifications you want for the thing you want to be true and ignore any evidence-based counterarguments.

 

[Agent Richard07]

I offered what I thought was a solid case based on good reasoning.

 

[Mr Light]

I know they said that air bison, badgermoles, and dragons taught the first benders, but did they ever say koi fish on the show? I don't remember them saying that in "Siege of the North".

 

[RoJoHen]

I think a more appropriate story would have been for Korra to get her bending back by getting in touch with the spiritual aspects of her Avatar self. She wouldn't need to re-learn how to do it; she would just need to learn how to access it. Basically, it could have been a very extended story based on the last few scenes of Season 1. Instead of Aang just showing up and giving her bending back, Korra could have gone on a more spiritual journey in order to restore it herself.

On the one hand, it would've been a smoother transition if Korra losing her spiritual connection at the end of Book 1 had led to her going on a spiritual quest in Book 2. But on the other hand, as I've been saying, we already got a "learning how to bend" storyline, so this way we get to have a different kind of story, one that's less about Korra learning skills and more about delving into larger, more global issues, politically, historically, and spiritually.

I don't disagree with you, and I didn't want a full season of Korra "learning how to bend." Maybe just one or two episodes of her getting in touch with her spirituality in order to get her bending back. I was even thinking it could have been the Season 1 finale. She meditates...enters the spirit world...goes on a little adventure with Aang...and by the end of that episode she is a full-fledged Avatar, master of all the elements and the Avatar state.

 

[Reverend]

Not that I agree that just anyone can learn bending, there is still a bit of a logic gap in the whole process. Specifically, how the first benders were "taught" by animals; badgermoles, flying bison, dragons and koi fish respectively. That last one make sense since they are incarnations of the moon and ocean spirits.

The first element benders who learned from animals must have been energy benders, whether latent or active. The Giant Lion Turtle pretty much says that.

I don't recall exactly what it said, but I think it was something along the lines of "in the time before the avatar we bent not the elements around us but the energy within." I'm pretty sure it's not specified who the "we" are in that statement. Other giant turtle lions? Animals in general? Or all forms of life? Was that turtlelion "normal" for it's kind; are they all sapient or is it another spirit in physical form like the koi fish and that giant owl in the library?

I know they said that air bison, badgermoles, and dragons taught the first benders, but did they ever say koi fish on the show? I don't remember them saying that in "Siege of the North".

Now that you say that I think I was wrong. I now recall something about them watching the moon and the oceans's push/pull ying/yang interaction. Mind you, the physical incarnation of the moon and ocean spirits are *right there* in the palace. They must have had something to do with it.

 

[Christopher]

I don't disagree with you, and I didn't want a full season of Korra "learning how to bend." Maybe just one or two episodes of her getting in touch with her spirituality in order to get her bending back. I was even thinking it could have been the Season 1 finale. She meditates...enters the spirit world...goes on a little adventure with Aang...and by the end of that episode she is a full-fledged Avatar, master of all the elements and the Avatar state.

Sure, would've been nice, but they weren't given that option. Nickelodeon only gave them 12 episodes for the first season and didn't order a second until after the story was locked in.

 

[Agent Richard07]

Found some great live-action clips…

This man has mastered all four elements. Is he the modern-day avatar?

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV_j0RvnXfk[/yt]

This is how firebenders make breakfast…

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp40FBTRyhw[/yt]

Some guys airbending in the park…

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GbsyAOUAv0[/yt]

And here's a duel that doesn't end well…

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg6UALQkIko[/yt]

 

[JD]

Those second two clips make me hope that they do a third series set in something closer to our modern world. I think it would be interesting to see what some of the more modern tech, like computers, the internet, and TV would be like in the Avatar would.
Would they be watching historical TV series based on the lives of Aang or Korra?
Would people be watching bending gone wrong videos on the internet?
Would Sunday TV be filled with Pro-Bending matches?

 

[Agent Richard07]

^ I've imagined the same thing as a natural progression of the Avatar universe. I wonder what effect a world like ours would have on such a culture and vice versa. The idea of a show like that doesn't sound too far fetched either because I don't think the franchise will end with Korra.

And just for fun, I've even imagined an episode of Stargate where the team pays a visit to an advanced world much like our own with skyscrapers, the hustle and bustle of downtown New York or Hong Kong, etc. They're in a place called Republic City on a routine diplomatic mission and Daniel is keen on seeing "the wall". The whole thing would only take place during the teaser to another story set on another world though, so it would just be a brief homage.

 

[bbjeg]

I'm finally caught up, marathoned them from my brothers DVR. I'm liking it (though leaving during a civil war? I don't get why she can't mop that up).

Ju Lee, do the thing!

 

[Christopher]

Last-minute heads up: Nickelodeon has moved The Legend of Korra to 8:30 PM. It's still on tonight, just 90 minutes later. Apparently this was announced a couple of days ago, but I didn't find out until just now.

 

[Redfern]

Ooh! Thanks for the "heads up". I noticed it was not on at 7, but I didn't scroll the schedule grid far enough into the future.

Sincerely,

Bill

 

[Redfern]

Ah, ha! Hair dye as a business opportunity! I suspected the writers had an explanation in keeping with the "world" they've created.

Oh, there's something I've failed to notice all these years I've watched the series (Aang's journey and Korra's). Benders have distinctive eye colors don't they. Blue for water, green for earth, amber for fire and pale grey for air. Non-benders tend to have shades of brown. Am I right? If so, I'm a schmuck for never noticing that all this time.

Sincerely,

Bill

 

[Mr Light]

I believe the eye color bit was invented for the Korra series. Along with the incredibly subtle decision for every character to always wear a colored scarf denoting their power

2X5 Peacekeepers

Even an interim episode like this I'm still finding enjoyable. Though I was instantly bored being back in Republic City, I want to see new locales! Nice to see Iroh again. Asian Teddy Roosevelt was an interesting character; how come this character didn't exist in the first season when the Equalists were taking over Republic City?

Can't wait to visit the Fire Nation!

This episode raised an interesting question. In this episode we learn that the Water Tribes are completely autonomous and separate from the Republic. So, where is the Earth Kingdom then? Because the Republic seems to exist where the Earth Kingdom used to be. Is the primary continent on Avatar world split between the Republic and the Earth Kingdom?

 

[Christopher]

This was a pretty impressive episode, but I'm getting tired of Korra being an idiot. I guess I can understand that she's angry and worried about her family, but she's just ignoring everything her mentors have told her. But no doubt that's why that spirit was angered and why it attacked her. She's on a destructive path and needs to be set straight. Which I assume will be the point of the "Beginnings" 2-parter which starts in two weeks, but before that there's an episode called "The Sting."

Still, we got to see more of the world, including a strong showing by President Raiko, the police station where Mako and Lin work, a return to the pro-bending arena, more of Varrick's life and work, a return appearance by General Iroh, etc. I wonder if Korra will actually get to the Fire Nation next week, or if her enforced spiritual journey will divert her.

Tenzin's subplot with Meelo was kind of nice, but not as impressive as what we got last week. The best bit was when Meelo said "Being the alpha lemur is lonely" and Tenzin said, "I know."

Apparently the reason for the time-slot move is that the 7 PM slot was a "ratings graveyard," according to Bryan Konietzko. But it's still doing quite well on iTunes and Nick.com. So we probably have nothing to fear. I was a bit worried a few days ago when io9 mentioned a rumor that Nickelodeon might be dropping the show and moving it to NickToons, but probably that was a misunderstanding of the planned time-slot move. (Although the advantage of NickToons would be that it doesn't have the persistent audio dropouts that Nickelodeon has on my cable system.)

I believe the eye color bit was invented for the Korra series.

No, it was very much present in A:TLA as well.

Asian Teddy Roosevelt was an interesting character; how come this character didn't exist in the first season when the Equalists were taking over Republic City?

Because at the time, the executive branch was the Council instead of a president. They've changed the system. Though it's a fair question what Raiko's background is and how he came to be president.

So, where is the Earth Kingdom then? Because the Republic seems to exist where the Earth Kingdom used to be. Is the primary continent on Avatar world split between the Republic and the Earth Kingdom?

The United Republic occupies the territory of what used to be the Fire Nation colonies in the western Earth Kingdom. The comics show how those colonies had come to be multicultural over the decades of their existence, with Aang and Zuko originally trying to dismantle them but then realizing that despite their origins in conquest, the new society that had evolved there had a right to survive. And that was the foundation of the United Republic.