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Legend of Korra Book 3: Change |OT| SCHEDULEBENDING

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The airbender recruitment was bad. Cringeworthy bad.

I thought it was great. I thought the failed airbender recruitment montage was awesome and hilariously funny and exactly how I'd expect Tenzin to try to do it when jumping into it all excited when suddenly tasked with trying to reestablish an Airbender Nation, by trying too hard and not knowing exactly how to sweet talk recruitment let alone for his idea of traditional Airbender monks in a modern age.

but I wanted to shout to the heavens when all the characters literally just sat there and said "lol, I ain't touching this" and just hop on an airship away from all of that to go to Ba Sing Se so they can walk into a situation that's waaaaaaaaaaay too similar to one that Aang and friends found themselves in.

None of the characters really did this though, Korra got kicked out by the stupid President, sure they could fight it but I think it would force people to take sides plus Korra doesn't have a solution to the issue yet anyway so I'd say it would just cause tension with no solution in sight and with other important things going on that also need Korra's attention, letting that cool down may be the best choice with such an equally or some would say more important Airbender development, fighting him on it wouldn't accomplish much as we've seen how stubborn he is and if Korra can't do much to deal with the vines then the others probably can't either and he'll probably come around when he can't fix everything on his own again. As for the situation they got caught up in being familiar, yeah but I don't see that being the major part of their situation and more an added complication (then again I haven't seen any of the leaked eps) plus trying to force these kidnapped new airbenders into your army is a pretty decent relatively darker topic/tension builder.

The super duper dangerous gang seems kind of cool, but there hasn't been enough of them to say anything... Except that it is kind of a step down from fighting the very concept of chaos; I get that there's a lot of "where do we go from here" when you do something like that, but they still have a ways to go in proving that they're anywhere near the type of threat Vatu was. Also, Kai is already over the line on how annoying a character can get before you start to wonder why everyone still keeps him around, so they've got to make him really endearing really quick.

Agreed we haven't seen enough of them yet, though their action scenes were really cool and had some good thought in them. I'm looking forward to them showing off how dangerous they are. Also, if the fights are more dynamic and gritty then I think that will be a valid threat tradeoff, I'd say it's pretty likely they'll have to be a different level of threat then Vaatu though ofcouse so you'll have to accept a different kind of threat probably, probably more to the people like the Fire Nation in ATLA than Vaatu's direct threat to the Avatar and world-level threat.

Well, it's not like Wan didn't start out in similar to fashion to Kai, pulling pranks or stealing and getting in trouble. Agreed, let's see if he turns it around as fast.
 
Pretty good, pretty good.

Although if Korra's dad was banished from the NWT and he and his brother weren't friendly how did they build a secret...

Nah I won't nitpick what was a pretty decent return to form.

Zuko and Eska were pretty good playing off each other.

Also was it just me or fire bender lady's line a little...IDK suggestive?

Unalaq and Tonraq didn't get along much, but they didn't hate each other all those years ago and still managed to agree on some things, like Korra's safety.

Unalaq was probably still barely contemplating destroying the world, and
Sokka
, Zuko, Tenzin and Tonraq combined left Unalaq with no choice but to agree to the prison. Besides, even if Unalaq already had an idea of what to do with Harmonic Convergence, he still needed Korra alive to open the portals, so he would still be
 
Pretty good, pretty good.

Although if Korra's dad was banished from the NWT and he and his brother weren't friendly how did they build a secret...

Nah I won't nitpick what was a pretty decent return to form.

Zuko and Eska were pretty good playing off each other.

Also was it just me or fire bender lady's line a little...IDK suggestive?

He was originally in line to take over the chief position. He was close to his dad, and basically ruled next to him. So maybe the jail was established prior to Unalaq taking over. Which makes sense since Zuko talked about these people like he and the White Lotus locked them away and built the prisons.

The airbender villain said it was the end of the Avatar. Maybe they are an organization that would hunt down the next child to become the Avatar to kill them? Either way it seems the White Lotus put them away. So I assume Korras fathers father was a white lotus. And the jail was built prior to Unalaq taking power.
 
I just watched it again -- Zuko says "we built this place secretly with your father.."

That doesn't mean Tonraq was involved, of course it also doesn't mean he wasn't either. For all we know, it could have been after Tonraq's banishment (and it's not like Zuko would have known Unalaq's actual motives or that Unalaq would not work with Zuko on something that doesn't impede his own desires). It really just depends if Zuko's use of "we" was literal in the sense that it included Tonraq, or if the "we" was more general in that it included a bunch of other folks, but not necessarily Tonraq.
 
Overall I think the season has a strong start and is really outlining things with clear goals. Also the characters were all pretty good liked the KorrAsami scenes and the Korra and Tenzin scene early on was pretty good. Only thing I will say is that I hoped for more consequences of the spirit world being opened. Outside of republic city there were no spirits.
 
wonder what the heck the anti-avatar squad wants, if Zuko felt the need to play them up with that much hyperbole he should've just killed them.

And that dude was a pretty damn good airbender for someone who just got his powers.
 
wonder what the heck the anti-avatar squad wants, if Zuko felt the need to play them up with that much hyperbole he should've just killed them.

And that dude was a pretty damn good airbender for someone who just got his powers.

Yeah not being able to kill in this show can rear its ugly head with this series. With Aang it kind of worked because of his own personal crisis/philosophies (even though the lion turtle was kind of a cop out ). But there are times where death is justified and them not doing so is ridiculous.

The woes of being a kids show. I'm assuming these prisoners are apart of a group aimed at hurting whoever the current avatar is(for philosophical reasons), since Zuko and the white lotus have gone out of the way to separate and jail them. I just hope they don't say these criminals were active during Aangs time or else why didn't he just energy bend them if they are so dangerous?

I'm assuming well get flashbacks. Honestly i wish they were just really powerful criminals that start messing shit up. I would rather that then a convoluted plot tied to the avatar.
 
Some Reviews are starting to pop up for the episodes
Pretty positive so far for Book 3

Hollywood Reporter
The Legend of Korra has gotten its groove back.

IGN
At long last, Book Three is here! This week, Nickelodeon debuted a whopping three new episodes of The Legend of Korra, starting with the aptly titled "A Breath of Fresh Air." Not surprisingly, a lot had changed since Korra's showdown with Unavaatu.

AV Club
With the visuals and the plot back on track, Book Three is the Change that The Legend Of Korra needed, and I’m very excited to see what other surprises are in store.
 
It's implied why they didn't kill them in the next episode.

They tried to kidnap Korra right after it was revealed she was the Avatar. Sokka, Tenzin, Zuko and Tonraq captured them. For 13 years they interrogated Zaheer and the rest, without ever revealed why they wanted Korra in the first place.

Besides, I'm sure that trying to kidnap the Avatar isn't a death penalty crime, especially in a world very adverse to killing. A life sentence, yes, especially with their abilities, but not death sentence.
 
Joey, if you're not going to learn how to use spoiler tags, I'm going to have to politely request that you stop posting content from the leaked episodes.

You've absolutely no sense of self control with regards to these leaks. You're like a GOT book reader in the show thread. You're not being helpful.

I've even watched the episodes and I'm annoyed by your inability to keep your spoilers to yourself. Show some damn restraint.
 
Just watched so I can't give full impressions but here's what I thought:

Episode 1: B- (Missed the first ten minutes though)
Episode 2: B
Episode 3: A

If that last episode is a sign of things to come, what with complex power struggles and economics and whatnot, I'm game.

Edit: Whoa what the hell is with these future episode spoilers? Not everyone has watched the leaks. I might have to bump outta this thread if thats the way its gonna go. :(

Someone PM when it's safe to come in again.
 
Teeny-tiny, insignificant gripe: I've noticed this series uses "take down" very frequently. Like when Zuko says something like "Individually they could take down any bender. Together, they could take down the entire world." It just sounds wrong. Like.. don't be afraid to use, destroy, or kill, or obliterate, or... just, something else! It's something I noticed in past seasons as well.
 
Im gonna take a bet that Pema will end up an airbender. At a crucial point she will airbend and her and Kya will either save Tenzin and co or protecting the air island.

Also its odd how Jinora, Bumi and Tenzin kinda dropped out towards the end. I wonder what they were up to while Korra and Asami went on tax collector mission, Bolin and Mako discovered their family (which was a nice plot point and was a lot more interesting for them), and Kai is now in a secret prison.
 
The moment I saw Zuko:

Ermahgerd-fangirl-mode-feels.gif
 
Let me just say, I really really liked these episodes. Obviously, I've been really positive (maybe even glowing) about the premiere. But if I had any gripes, I guess it would be:

I. The 3D CGI is kind of jarring. I noticed it more on my second watch. It just doesn't look that good. It's not like a HUGE thing, because it was only a couple of scenes. But I didn't care for it. I'm not sure if it's just a stylistic choice, or it's just easier to do (for action scenes). I do remember ATLA using it a few times in their epic episodes (mostly finales or two part episodes), but I don't recall it being as often.

II. The one villain being a master airbender immediately (well not a master, but damn good). OKAY, yeah I get it. He studied an airbender. And yeah, I get the whole "natural" thing. But it's still kind of silly that the guy just happens to get it after convergence, and is able to completely dominate. THAT SAID, love Henry Rollins, love the character design, and he's bad ass. So this is just a tiny gripe I suppose (although I can see why this might irk some people, that already think bending has been dumbed down and made less special).

III. Studio Mir is awesome, and the faces are more alive than Book 2 (which Mir only did half of, and was rushed even in the back half). But one thing that still kind of bugs me, is how other people in the frame won't react. For instance, when Bolin runs up to the deck and is excited they are flying over Ba Sing Se, the scene is framed with Korra and Tenzin in the foreground and they are just staring blankly. You would think at least Korra would have smiled or looked at Bolin as he yelled in excitement. I've noticed this in other scenes, where the people talking have expressions, but others in the frame don't. I don't mind this too much if people are in the background or not a main focus. But Korra and Tenzin just had a talk on the deck, and were in the foreground, so it felt odd to me (again, more of a small gripe).

I guess that's really it. These are all minor issues for me. I really didn't take any issue with the overall story. I like where it's going. I liked all the characters. I liked the pacing/structure. I just found the episodes to be really enjoyable. I guess I found Kai to be annoying, but as long as they progress him and he's not annoying all season long, I really don't have an issue with that kind of character.
 
Wow, loved those episodes. On the topic of the prison, the firebender woman mentioned being in prison for 13 years, and seeing as Korra is 16+, the prisons were constructed after Korra was born. It makes sense that Zuko would say "your father" to Eska because Unalaq was already in charge or the succeasor to the Northern Water Tribe throne.
 
Wow, loved those episodes. On the topic of the prison, the firebender woman mentioned being in prison for 13 years, and seeing as Korra is 16+, the prisons were constructed after Korra was born. It makes sense that Zuko would say "your father" to Eska because Unalaq was already in charge or the succeasor to the Northern Water Tribe throne.
Also on topic but it is more than possible that Zuko and the White Lotus saw things Aang's way and avoided killing.
 
Wow, loved those episodes. On the topic of the prison, the firebender woman mentioned being in prison for 13 years, and seeing as Korra is 16+, the prisons were constructed after Korra was born. It makes sense that Zuko would say "your father" to Eska because Unalaq was already in charge or the succeasor to the Northern Water Tribe throne.

Well then, didn't pay attention to that part (her saying 13 years). My gut reaction is that it's strange that Unalaq would build the prison. Or that he would cooperate with the White Lotus. But if these people are going after the Avatar (assuming they are since the air bender said it's the end of the Avatar), I guess Unalaq would want Korra to be safe so he could use her years later for his plan.

So it's not that far fetched he would have built the prison. Plus, for all the crazy Unalaq was, I don't see why he would care for someone like that girl (he was pretty spiritual, and against humanity. So I could see him agreeing to putting her away).
 
I enjoyed this start, far more than season 2 of course. The first episode was the weakest of them all tbh, and the second wasn't that much of an improvement but once they got into Ba sing se I started to get more and more interested. The new villains seem alright, it's pretty cool to have an airbender villain (though I'm weirded out by how good he is doing it even though he recently got airbending). I'm sure they'll be much better than Unalaq, not much effort needed for that. I'm glad that Zuko finally has a good appearance, been waiting for him to show up. I'm hoping we get to see the fire nation sometime after they leave Ba sing se. I liked the new characters shown, the Queen is a shitty person but the Earth Kingdom can't avoid shitty people I guess. I like Kai, he reminds me of Toph. I'm sure he'll get into some fun trouble sometime.

Oh, and lol at the Dai Li. Doesn't matter how much time passes, they're still asshats.

And wtf with the leaked episode spoilers, I'm just trying to read impressions, didn't expect that. -_-
 
The airbender recruitment was bad. Cringeworthy bad.

I wish they spent some more time on it and made less of a joke of it, I thought the montage was funny, but it really outweighed the more serious tone they started with. That's why I said I like the general premise.
 
Well then, didn't pay attention to that part (her saying 13 years). Kind of strange that Unalaq would build the prison. Or that he would cooperate with the White Lotus. But if these people are going after the Avatar (assuming they are since the air bender said it's the end of the Avatar), I guess Unalaq would want Korra to be safe so he could use her.

So it's not that far fetched he would have built the prison.
A lot of my memory from Book 2 has faded but it seemed to me like the other nations and Republic City interacted and complied with each other and the White Lotus and they stayed out of internal matters like Unalaq and Tonraq's feud. I see no reason to believe that prior to the "dark spirits" arc that Unalaq wouldnt have complied with Zuko and the White Lotus' wishes.
 
A lot of my memory from Book 2 has faded but it seemed to me like the other nations and Republic City interacted and complied with each other and the White Lotus and they stayed out of internal matters like Unalaq and Tonraq's feud. I see no reason to believe that prior to the "dark spirits" arc that Unalaq wouldnt have complied with Zuko and the White Lotus' wishes.

Yeah true. I edited my post, but I actually don't think it's that far fetched. My initial gut reaction was that it must have been Unlaq's father that did it (and when he said your father, he was talking to Tonraq). But now it makes more sense that it was Unalaq.

I wish they spent some more time on it and made less of a joke of it, I thought the montage was funny, but it really outweighed the more serious tone they started with. That's why I said I like the general premise.

I personally loved the montage and enjoyed the humor. Reminded me of how ATLA handled conflicts in their journey. That said, it's definitely interesting to see people not like it. I'm guessing Veelk is going to hate that segment.
 
Anybody know when these will be uploaded? Am on another continent right now

:(

Nick might have them on their site tomorrow but given you are in another continent there is a good chance it will be IP blocked.



Yeah not being able to kill in this show can rear its ugly head with this series. With Aang it kind of worked because of his own personal crisis/philosophies (even though the lion turtle was kind of a cop out ). But there are times where death is justified and them not doing so is ridiculous.

The woes of being a kids show. I'm assuming these prisoners are apart of a group aimed at hurting whoever the current avatar is(for philosophical reasons), since Zuko and the white lotus have gone out of the way to separate and jail them. I just hope they don't say these criminals were active during Aangs time or else why didn't he just energy bend them if they are so dangerous?

I'm assuming well get flashbacks. Honestly i wish they were just really powerful criminals that start messing shit up. I would rather that then a convoluted plot tied to the avatar.

if you watched the leaked eps

it has to do with the avatar but we don't know why he wants her and also why he knows so more about airbending culture/philosophy/martial art style.

there is a reason why he's badass with the powers since he's pretty much more of an airbender than everyone save for Tenzin. And with that i'm intrigued by his motives


If not

it seems we will get some info since he's seems way too comfortable with these powers and his crew is no joke.
 
Not bad. Not bad at all.

It might be too early to say, but it feels like they've taken the many criticisms of the first 2 Books to heart and are addressing them. Especially with the Korra and Asami bonding, and Mako not being kissed up to or shoehorned into everything (well, at least not as much as before).

Really liking the unique bending of the villains too.

EDIT: Oh boy, I see a spoiler complaint above. If people are spoiling things, I guess I should lay low until the leaked episodes have aired.
 
I enjoyed this start, far more than season 2 of course. The first episode was the weakest of them all tbh, and the second wasn't that much of an improvement but once they got into Ba sing se I started to get more and more interested. The new villains seem alright, it's pretty cool to have an airbender villain (though I'm weirded out by how good he is doing it even though he recently got airbending). I'm sure they'll be much better than Unalaq, not much effort needed for that. I'm glad that Zuko finally has a good appearance, been waiting for him to show up. I'm hoping we get to see the fire nation sometime after they leave Ba sing se. I liked the new characters shown, the Queen is a shitty person but the Earth Kingdom can't avoid shitty people I guess. I like Kai, he reminds me of Toph. I'm sure he'll get into some fun trouble sometime.

Oh, and lol at the Dai Li. Doesn't matter how much time passes, they're still asshats.

And wtf with the leaked episode spoilers, I'm just trying to read impressions, didn't expect that. -_-
Im gonna go out on a limb here and guess most of this season will take place in the Earth Kingdom, Air Temples and Republic City. Next season, I'll hazard a guess that it will take place more on the Fire Nation and Republic City. Although who knows but it wouldnt surprise me since most of S2 took place in the Water Tribes and Republic City. This season seems to have made plenty of plot points to keep them grounded in the Earth Kingdom for a couple episodes. I could see them going with a theme of focusing on one nation per book.
Yeah true. I edited my post, but I actually don't think it's that far fetched. My initial gut reaction was that it must have been Unlaq's father that did it (and when he said your father, he was talking to Tonraq). But now it makes more sense that it was Unalaq.



I personally loved the montage and enjoyed the humor. Reminded me of how ATLA handled conflicts in their journey. That said, it's definitely interesting to see people not like it. I'm guessing Veelk is going to hate that segment.
I could see it going either way. Unalaq couldve seen it as a way to get some leverage so that the other nations didnt interfere with his business.

The montage was very kids cartoony which is disorienting since it can be very serious at times but ive gotten used to sequences like this since as you said its been around from the start of the series.
 
Im gonna go out on a limb here and guess most of this season will take place in the Earth Kingdom, Air Temples and Republic City. Next season, I'll hazard a guess that it will take place more on the Fire Nation and Republic City. Although who knows but it wouldnt surprise me since most of S2 took place in the Water Tribes and Republic City. This season seems to have made plenty of plot points to keep them grounded in the Earth Kingdom for a couple episodes. I could see them going with a theme of focusing on one nation per book.

I could see it going either way. Unalaq couldve seen it as a way to get some leverage so that the other nations didnt interfere with his business.

The montage was very kids cartoony which is disorienting since it can be very serious at times but ive gotten used to sequences like this since as you said its been around from the start of the series.

Fair enough! I always like to hear others perspectives on things. So interesting to see how people received certain things differently. I've seen a couple of people say they hated that segment, so others felt that way too. My only issue (personally), was Tenzin's approach to the first recruit (more so, how he reacted once he should have realized he was being naive).
 
did this show get removed from the US iTunes Store?

Strange, I just bought Book 2 through Apple TV like 4 days ago (caught my family up on the series). But yeah, I'm not even seeing Book 1 or 2 on the iTunes store on my PC. Very weird. I mean, maybe they are just updating it for Book 3? Not sure why they would need to take down Book 1 and 2 tho.

EDIT: Found old links that says "The item isn't currently available in the US" hmmm. All outlets say that the new episodes will be on sale tomorrow on iTunes and Amazon. *shrugs*

Just for discussions sake, the guy is an earthbender right? I'd imagine he is vibrating the rock super fast causing it to melt.

That's exactly what he did IMO. He spun the rocks together at such a fast speed that they started to melt.

EDIT: Or vibration. But yeah, he was using his earthbending to heat the rocks up. Was awesome.
 
I got to watch the premiere after I got back tonight. I'm trying to read through everything I missed, but the thread has more than doubled in length since before the episodes began airing. It's great to see so much activity, but I have work tomorrow morning (yay retail) so I can't really stick around for much longer. Here are some miscellaneous observations.

- The comedy has vastly improved. Bolin in particular is funnier now than he has been in ages.

- I'm glad they're doing the groundwork to show that not everyone will just agree with Korra and Tenzin, but it doesn't do much to make the characters seem sympathetic or even just slightly intelligent. Tenzin at least has an excuse since they've established that he is super invested in the whole restoring the Air Nomads thing, but Korra is just doing the same thing she always has.

- New villains all seem pretty badass, but it sort of feels like I just watched the Pentagon break-out scene from "Days of Future Past" four times in one episode, though not as cool as that scene, of course. Also, the voice actors for Zuko and the first guy who escaped are really jarring sounding.

- It's nice to see Asami actually doing something, and also not being a doormat towards Mako. The overall character dynamics are still really shaky but at least it's not awful like the beginning (and end, to be honest) of Book 2 was.

- "Why do I get the feeling that he's right?" I dunno Korra, it might have something to do with your shit-awful judgement, as evidenced by your choosing the wrong side of literally every conflict in the first two seasons.

- The Kai stuff has been pretty predictable so far but hopefully his character will improve.

- It's nice to have Studio Mir back and all, but the CGI here is terrible. The falling building was the far and away the worst, but the vehicles continue to be ugly and fake looking as well.

- Honestly these weren't necessarily poorly made episodes or anything, but we're into the third season now and I don't have any connection to or affection for any of the characters. If I did, I'm sure I'd have a positive impression about the premiere. But as it is, all I can say is that at least it wasn't like the Book 2 premiere. Hopefully it will continue to improve.

Also, for what it's worth, I managed to convince my brother to watch the premiere with me since he happened to be around, even though he bailed on Book 2 after only the first two episodes. He was singularly unimpressed, more so than me. I wonder if that's because his expectations had not been bottomed out as thoroughly as mine, since I actually sat through the entirety of Book 2. :P
 
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