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Legend of Korra Book 3: Change |OT| SCHEDULEBENDING
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LAUGHTREY
Modesty becomes a woman
They're not up until tomorrow.
But I haven't seen them say that they're suppopsed to go up, they may just do it silently though.
Ok, episodes 3 thoughts:
Glad they are moving forward with some of these sub plots threads fairly fast instead of drawing them out like we'd seen in season 2. The queen's plans, Mako and Bolin's family, and the whole deal with airbenders in the city have been getting movement and it's been good. The true plot, which we will probably not see large chunks of for a few more episodes, is by far the best thing they've shown.
It's also pretty good we are getting some
time with Mako and Bolin, while Asami and Korra are off doing their own thing. It works and help keeps some of the awkwardness that was coming in during the first two episodes. I like it and it needs to continue. Plus, Korra showing actual backbone and not just plain stubbornness was highly refreshing. It really is like she's actually grown as a character. Keep it up.
Still, the kid story is kind of a let down and continues to be nothing but a plot device to keep things moving. That is all he's really good for right now. His shenanigans got us both
Maybe that will change as the season goes on, but as it being only issue I have right now, I think I can deal over the wealth of problems season 2 had.
Overall, I am way more optimistic about this season than I was at this point last season. Since we no longer get a several season arc like with ATLA, the writers are finally figuring out how to incorporate events from previous seasons while still allowing for the story to be self-contained. If they can keep doing that, I think we'll be fine.
Glad they are moving forward with some of these sub plots threads fairly fast instead of drawing them out like we'd seen in season 2. The queen's plans, Mako and Bolin's family, and the whole deal with airbenders in the city have been getting movement and it's been good. The true plot, which we will probably not see large chunks of for a few more episodes, is by far the best thing they've shown.
It's also pretty good we are getting some
family relation
Still, the kid story is kind of a let down and continues to be nothing but a plot device to keep things moving. That is all he's really good for right now. His shenanigans got us both
the family reunion and the evil plan from the queen regarding her airbender army.
Overall, I am way more optimistic about this season than I was at this point last season. Since we no longer get a several season arc like with ATLA, the writers are finally figuring out how to incorporate events from previous seasons while still allowing for the story to be self-contained. If they can keep doing that, I think we'll be fine.
Wafflecakes
Member
Really enjoyed the first three episodes.
I was mad at where it ended, but that is good because I wanted more. I felt like season 2 took way too long to get moving. This season is far better.
I was mad at where it ended, but that is good because I wanted more. I felt like season 2 took way too long to get moving. This season is far better.
Great start to the season. The new villain group was definitely the standout, especially the Water Arms Girl and Earth-Shuriken Man. Zaheer's voice actor sounded like he was reading emotionlessly off a script when I first heard him, but after rewatching it, his voice is alright I guess.
Other than Zaheer though, I thought the voice acting was phenomenal in every episode. Zuko, Kai, the Earth Queen, the Bolin/Mako family members, and the other villains all sounded perfect.
It's Beast Boy from Teen Titans. It took me a little while, but I recognized him even though he made his voice a little deeper haha.
Other than Zaheer though, I thought the voice acting was phenomenal in every episode. Zuko, Kai, the Earth Queen, the Bolin/Mako family members, and the other villains all sounded perfect.
It's Beast Boy from Teen Titans. It took me a little while, but I recognized him even though he made his voice a little deeper haha.
DangerMouse
Member
Also recognized him as Michelangelo from the current Turtles series thanks to the jokes at his stand lol.
Best to watch Season 2 as you'll probably be a bit lost at the start of Book 3 as it deals straight away with the aftermath of Book 2
Whilst Book 2 starts slow and is a bit of a mess it definitely improves after episodes 7 & 8 which are fantastic
Awkward firebenders: the show.
Not even season 3 can fix Mako being a tit, unfortunately. Atleast the girls just take sadistic amusement out of it now instead of getting wrapped up in his drama.
BTW, how many vacation days does this guy have? Goddamn....
Really great start except for two problems:
1.Zaheerr's voice is way off, he sounds much younger than he looks. Really poor choice of VA.
2.Kai is looking to be a really annoying little shit. Also I would have preferred any time he gets, to actually fleshing out the already large cast that we have. That said, they might flesh him out in an interesting way although his character development looks pretty obvious.
1.Zaheerr's voice is way off, he sounds much younger than he looks. Really poor choice of VA.
2.Kai is looking to be a really annoying little shit. Also I would have preferred any time he gets, to actually fleshing out the already large cast that we have. That said, they might flesh him out in an interesting way although his character development looks pretty obvious.
That's what I'm afraid of at this point. We already have a lot of stuff getting set up as is and I'm worried any kind of development for him will get lost in the shuffle. Who knows tho...I guess we'll see how it all shakes out in a few episodes.
Awkward firebenders: the show.
Mako was used right in this episode. Here we for him acting awkward as a REACTION to a past conflict (finally someone showing some emotion over something that has happened). I found his stiffness humorous and made him less douchey compared to his past personalities which were often cocky/aggressive. I really don't see why people have an issue with him in Book 3. Even Book 2 which I think he was better in (because his job have him something that set him apart, and the unintentional sympathy as someone dating an abusive partner), still had him with grating moments where he came off whiny or annoyingly aggressive (with his police work).
Also his pairing with Bolin worked fine. Only issue logistically is the idea that Lin would allow him to take off that much time. At least they kind of addressed it? Still silly. But better than him just randomly taking off. Maybe the bigger issue is having him get a job that clearly ties him down and doesn't work with him being an aid to the Avatar. Either way, while he might still not be the best character personality wise, I think this was the right way to use him overall.
Removing him as a romantic partner (and keeping him away from Korra and Asami) did wonders for the group.
Dominican Power
Member
Zuko is back!
He hasn't done anything particularly douchey this season, he's just a bit of a wet rag. Also, I think he should have been more effective at handling Kai, but that's a different issue. I don't like him and I don't understand why Korra considers him an invaluable member of the Krew, but as long as the romance between him, korra and/or asami is dead, whatever.
And yeah, his family is a good idea to explore. Should have happened in season 1, but, as I said, better late than never.
I kind of agree. Although I would say, at least he's fulfilling his obligation of being the heart of the group. Last season he was stupid as hell and wasn't even there emotionally for people. So I think more like Book 1 he's at least come back around to filling in that gap. But I agree his stupidity for the sake of comic relief is disappointing. Sadly I think the show has committed to him being that dumb and I don't think he'll grow out of that.
I personally enjoyed him in these episodes though. But overall i get where you are coming from (he had some moments where is gullibility for humor was annoying). Bumi is also a better role for the dumb comic relief because he's at least capable.
Eh Mako is what Mako is. The reality is that his personality or character design isn't interesting. I don't think it ever will be. At least to me, I think they used him the right way in these episodes. He works well with Bolin and they toned down his annoying nature. Pretty much all we can ask for.
As far as his role, I agree. But really, why does Team Avatar even exist? I mean MAYBE Asami is the only member that is actually capable. She can fight and has a lot of back up capital (in terms of weapons and travel). Neither Bolin or Mako make sense as being apart of the team. Then again I don't even know why she needs a team when she has people like Tenzin. So to your point, they never justified why these people hang out (even as friends), or why they are a team. To bring back your other point, Mako having to leave his job made it all the more sillier. But realistically if they are going to keep this group to the end they can't keep splitting them up. So at least paring them off is something.
But yeah I don't see Mako really ever being interesting. They can just minimize his negative aspects. But I'm not holding my breath. I imagine there is plenty of time to make him annoying this season or to put him in a role that doesn't work.
The Silver
Member
so I broke down and watched the leaked episodes, I liked them even more than the 1st three
what a turn around for this show *knocks on all the wood*
what a turn around for this show *knocks on all the wood*
Yep next 3 are great. I would say there are still flaws in the writing in a larger technical sense (I just mean in how there are moments that can sometimes be silly logically). But overall they have turned things around substantially from a writing perspective. These episodes are fun/enjoyable. So more so than Book 2 and even 1 to varying degrees, episodes are actually entertaining first and foremost. The other stuff like the over arching plot or mythology is also pretty good, nitpicking aside.
That said, I still have no faith in them bringing it together in the end. But I'll just have to wait and see lol
Team Avatar isn't team Avatar because of their abilities. Well, okay, to some small extent, they are. Toph was recruited because he needed an earthbending teacher. But Katara wasn't originally going to be his waterbending master, Sokka's tactical genius was discovered only later, and Zuko was on a personal mission of honor more than anything. But what made them team avatar is their friendship.
We went on about how we have no idea how these people can stand each other, and season 3 has made an effort to change that. Asami and Korra enjoy each others company and always have, they just didn't get a chance to show it all all in season 2 and most of season 1 because they were strangled by that stupid romance subplot. Tenzin and Korra have a close relationship despite his awfulness as a teacher. I don't get where Bolin and Mako come in. Bolin is a nice guy, but I don't think he and Korra talked to each other about anything nonplotrelated since their date in season 1, and you know the history with Mako.
The first two seasons really fucked up this show. They ruined any sort of groundwork or relationship building that this season could expand upon. It feels like they're trying to dig themselves out of the hole that they built themselves but man, the writers really did screw themselves over.
The hype continues.
DangerMouse
Member
Awesome! Can't wait to see them! But I will try to hold out for the fun of seeing them when they air, heh.
That's what I'm afraid of at this point. We already have a lot of stuff getting set up as is and I'm worried any kind of development for him will get lost in the shuffle. Who knows tho...I guess we'll see how it all shakes out in a few episodes.
Love that smooth slide lol.
m_shortpants
Member
I thoroughly enjoyed these first three episodes. The season is off to a far better start than the last.
Sure but they still fulfilled roles that required their skills and abilities. I only brought up their abilities because you brought up Mako not bringing anything to the table. That said if you meant that in terms of his personality and his friendship, then I agree with you there too. Mako and Bolin overall do not fill the obligations for being a team. Bolin kind of does in that he can be the heart of the group. But he's not reliable or consistent enough. And Mako, well outside of being a lover boy for the two girls, him and Bolin get along...sometimes.
Not really disagreeing with you. Just that at least to me, I find the Team pretty questionable both in its members physical and emotional contributions. I don't think the writers ever justified why they are friends (an issue with Book 1s lack of depth to their relationship) and Book 2 decision to split everyone up. But at this point they can't really fix this outside of having the characters spend more time with each other even if someone like Mako isn't interesting.
I think Korra + Asami fulfilled this and Bolin + Mako too. Now they just have to bring them together and figure out a way to make good scenes with all 4 of them or them paired off in different pairs. Outside of that I can't see Mako ever being interesting or likable. It's a shame. As Jarmel said, the groundwork for these relationships was never started in Book 1 and 2. They've already shot themselves in the foot. So going into Book 4 they just have to do whatever they can to make us okay with them being a group even if doesn't make sense. Basically there is no fixing this from a technical perspective. It will always be forced at this point.
EDIT: I suppose I'm just focusing on these things episode to episode vs an overall picture kind of thing. Because I don't think it's possible to fix certain aspects of this show. So as long as it doesn't screw up the episode (in terms of the scenes/flow), then I think they have used them effectively. But if we are talking like the bigger picture, and these pieces are working in the machine. Yeah, I just don't ever see that working. Even in these episodes, as you pointed out, why does Korra see him as such an essential part of the team? Well, because they care about each other and are deep friends. At least, that is supposed to be the truth. But we never saw that. Quite the opposite in Book 2. And then the silly aspect of him being forced along the journey (having to take a break from his job, which is very important). So yeah, in a big picture sense Mako is still bad.
But in terms like his overall role and how they used him scene to scene, I think he was used well.
I'm of the opinion that it can always be improved, but yeah, that bad start will never go away.
Honestly, it'd be interesting if Mako brought up how distant everyone is from each other at one point and asks korra why she cares so much that he and bolin are there. That alone might justify it if Korra gives a decent response.
Mako and Bolin have the most believable relationship and that's really it. Nobody else has any sort of chemistry inside the group and they really don't function as a whole. The best moments are when they're broken up into pairs. However when all four are there, somebody either gets left in the wayside or becomes annoying.
The relationship stuff really ruined any sort of dynamic within the group.
The relationship stuff really ruined any sort of dynamic within the group.
I think the show is TOO far in at this point to improve it (in terms of the bigger picture). We have to believe that Mako and Bolin supposedly have this deep relationship with Korra and Asami (and vice versa) that we never really got to see. It will always be forced IMO.
The best they can do, is have good scenes with them interacting with each other (which I think these episodes did. Well, I mean with the pairings at least. I wouldn't say there was any good scenes with all 4 of them together). But I mean, unless they can magically change Mako's personality and make him interesting. I'm not seeing how they could really do that at this point.
EDIT: Sorry to ignore your last point. I think Mako bringing this up and them dealing with their issues would be good! As I said below, I think it was nice to see Korra and Asami address things head on. I agree that a WAY to handle it, would be for Mako to eventually just open up about his issues with the group and how they've been distant (hell even Asami and Bolin brought this up in Book 2). So I agree that they should tackle that head on. It would definitely go a long way towards the group.
I wonder what they will do with Mako this season. I mean they already set up the fact that he feels distant from the group. SO...writing 101 suggests, his arc will revolve around this. WELL if the writers were competent there would be a follow through with this and some kind of conclusion. I can only hope that Mako doesn't go from being awkward to just randomly okay with everyone out of nowhere. But you know with these writers!
Totally. It's funny how obvious the romance shit was terrible in these episodes. Removing Mako as a romantic role and keeping him away from the girls only highlighted the negative impact it had on the group. I kind of liked in some way, the creators kind of addressing that head on with Asami + Korra talking about Mako and becoming closer as friends. It's also kind of why I liked Mako being awkward after a break up (because it makes sense logically, and emotionally). So I feel like on some level, at least they are addressing these things (whereas past seasons they kind of just dug their head in the sand and ignored everything)
victreeb3l
Member
^ LOL Luigi death stare. Funny enough my bro and I were thinking about that during that scene.
Enjoying season 3 so far. Already better than S1+2 combined. The new villains look completely menacing and I cant wait to see them wreak havoc.
gave me a brain boner.
I'm also enjoying Mako a lot more now. I completely forgot Asami's name. The only notable thing shes done so far is being Makos rich ex GF but she was badass during the fight.
And man the fight scenes look incredible. Great animation and choreography.
Bring it on!
Enjoying season 3 so far. Already better than S1+2 combined. The new villains look completely menacing and I cant wait to see them wreak havoc.
And my man Zuko is back. Damn, seing him and his dragon
I'm also enjoying Mako a lot more now. I completely forgot Asami's name. The only notable thing shes done so far is being Makos rich ex GF but she was badass during the fight.
And man the fight scenes look incredible. Great animation and choreography.
Bring it on!
LAUGHTREY
Modesty becomes a woman
Korra just overpowers everyone else unless she's only got 1 or 2 other people to talk to is the thing. For every one line of dialogue, Korra has double or triple anyone else.
It was never like that in AtLA, and not to draw comparisons with the earlier show, it's just something you have to do with the ensemble cast. No one is the main character.
I can see how the Air Nomad storyline is gonna play out. People will not want to leave their way of life, Tenzin will get annoyed, but then accept the change that Air Nomad culture isn't really going to come back in the way it was, but it will be better, following the theme of the season of course.
After all, he lives with his family, something the old air nomads didn't do. IIRC they never knew who their parents were. I just wish it wasn't going to be so predictable. Air Nomads are all about freedom and peace, everything else is just tertiary I think.
then again, I think it'll all come full circle that Zahir was one of the voluntary air nomads that aren't benders that live on air temple island/southern air temple, and became disillusioned by aang or something. Also pointing out that the air nomad culture isn't exclusive to air benders anymore, so it doesn't matter if the air benders join or not, the important parts of the culture are intact.
The only little nitpick I have with airbenders appearing all of a sudden, the air acolytes, think about it, these are people that on their own will embraced the air nomad culture and had been there since the 100 years war ended and apparently none of them became airbenders.
I'm not saying that all of them should become airbenders, but it would have been great and logical to have some of them become one, like having a scene where Tenzin gets a message that a couple of air acolytes in X air temple have started to airbend.
Now this is the question, are all the new airbenders citizens from the earth kingdom? one would thought that there should be some of them in the fire nation or the water tribes but so far the reports just talk about earth kingdom.
I'm not saying that all of them should become airbenders, but it would have been great and logical to have some of them become one, like having a scene where Tenzin gets a message that a couple of air acolytes in X air temple have started to airbend.
Now this is the question, are all the new airbenders citizens from the earth kingdom? one would thought that there should be some of them in the fire nation or the water tribes but so far the reports just talk about earth kingdom.
LAUGHTREY
Modesty becomes a woman
I think they're just starting with the earth kingdom, since it's the biggest. Mako said he only asked around the earth kingdom too. Gotta leave some for season 4 right?
The Silver
Member
Why do the firebenders(Zuko,Roku,Sozin) ride such small dragons, they need one of those giant beasts like Ran and Shaw with their rainbow fire breath.
She only single handedly saved their lives in episode 7 of the first season but ~~~~~whatever~~~~~
You think they will continue with their search in book 4? well maybe, but since every season is kind of self contained I'm not sure about it, would be cool though, but I'm still disappointed there's no air acolyte that can bend (so far).
Doubt it. It might be talked about briefly. These writers do things in a bubble/ self contained arcs. Although if they do continue the search in Book 4 it would be derailed by a bigger conflict. I think it's more likely Tenzin accepts things as they are and heads up one of the main Air Temples for those that want to learn but leaves it up to people to come vs forcing it.
But I can't see them having a two part season revolving around this (or at least for Korra ).
Perfect Cha0s
Member
My guess is that those who take dragons as pets/companions get them when they are young or newborn. Ran and Shaw (sp?) are probably very, very old, so while humans age and die, their dragon may still be an adolescent in terms of dragon lifespans.
Infinite Justice
Member
I will add to this.
those eps made me more interested in the Villains (especially the main dude).
we'll see if they can pull them off until the end
spoiler from leaked ep
water arm lady
can use them to drive a fucking truck LOLOL
I don't think they have the balls, they will just have him lose the fight and then find the avatar and warn her
Discotheque
Banned
i think one thing this show has done much better than the previous series is the humor. i find the jokes funnier in this than anything in avatar.
but they've really just trampled any decent character development with the main cast. our only hope is side-characters now. and i think the villains could be interesting here.
but they've really just trampled any decent character development with the main cast. our only hope is side-characters now. and i think the villains could be interesting here.
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