2013-10-21, 18:30 | Link #1163 |
Corrupted fool
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: I'm everywhere
Age: 33
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Wan probably had one of the best origin stories ever. The problem here is that gives the main story a lot of hype and considering how disappointing Korra's character and story in season 2 have been to me, I'm not really impatient to watch the next. By seeing Wan's story, I noticed more of Korra's flaws just like wanting to start the war. While Mako's character suddenly got a lot better, Bolin still hasn't done anything relevant.
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2013-10-22, 10:52 | Link #1164 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: East Cupcake
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What a beautiful episode. Simple, yet evocative. The Legend of Wan is very reminiscent of earlier Aang stories. Similar to Aang, Wan exists in a fairly black and white world, not necessarily the nitty gritty details (the interactions between humans and spirits, and later humans with other humans speaks of the great grayness in the world), but in this overarching struggle between Order and Chaos (whose semi-Taoist and Buddhist representation here is endlessly debatable, and the spin this puts on the whole Avatar cycle is quite interesting) which is a fairly simplistic good-vs.-evil morality (or at least it is presented that way) - It's always nice to have a dedicated somewhat simplistic evil to fight. This mythology creates a wonderful origin story, plus it adds to the debates concerning what life was like pre-bending (I love how bending helps create a more egalitarian society, though it should be noted that the people of the pre-bending world seem to have been less violent than those who gained bending).
That being said, stellar animation abound throughout the episode. Japanese animation studio Pierrot has been doing a lot of the animation for this season, and frankly it shows, and not in a good way. So, it was nice to see Korra's original animation studio, Studio Mir, back in action. The movements were crisper (just look at how the Lemur spirit moves and fidgets, and compare it to the fairly static work on Varrick in most episodes), the camera actually moves (zooming, panning, and lots of erratic movements during the climatic fight scene) the elements are more artistically rendered (they even have curlicues ), and the backgrounds are wonderfully stylized ala traditional paper cut-outs or woodcut prints. The fighting is similarly well animated, looking larger and more powerful than anything we've seen since the original series' finale. Also, the voice acting by Steven Yeun was quite great. With wonderful nuance and subtlety mixed with effortless humour, Yeun, of Walking Dead fame, is more than up to the task of commanding an entire episode by himself. And the work he did during Wan's death scene was simply superb. Overall, this was a near perfect episode and a wonderful shot in the arm for Korra. I'm very eager to see how she accepts and understands the teachings of Wan and just what the harmonic convergence will mean for the Avatar. 95/100. |
2013-10-22, 13:24 | Link #1166 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: East Cupcake
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The old Fire Lady seemingly knowing everything for no apparent reason (and having a stockpile of air bison was also a little annoying). There was also some set-up between one of Tenzin's tykes and Wan that was never really delivered on. I was also confused as to why bending worked in the spirit world, but I assume that is because Wan entered the world in body rather than just spirit (ala Aang way back when). I was also upset we didn't get to see the early Water-bending and Earth-bending cities.
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2013-10-26, 23:54 | Link #1170 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
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So there was an era before wan where people lived in the world but then Vaatu broke down the barrier between the two world and cause the humans to lived on lion turtles? And only the lion turtle knew energybending? Cause from the first series I thought everyone did before the era of the avatar. But yeah it was a great episodes. Could human lived in the spirit world too?
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2013-11-02, 19:28 | Link #1173 |
Easy Muffin
Join Date: Jan 2013
Age: 30
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Seems like Masami is coming back quicker than I thought. I seriously did not expect that embrace and kiss. But I still think an episode or two before the finale, Korra and Mako will get back together.
I really hope Varrick isn't evil for the rest of the show, I love that guy. The work by Studio Perriot pales in comparison to the work Studio Mir did in the Wan episodes, that animation and art was beautiful. Why would they ever want to go to a different studio? I'm glad that the final 5 episodes Mir is doing. |
2013-11-03, 18:03 | Link #1174 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
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It was a good episode but that Masami kiss... WTF? Like I don't mind the pairing but that just came out of nowhere. In last episode they were all awkward and now they are hugging/kissing like if it was natural.
And as Bolin said, Korra was only gone for a week. Mako switches girls way too fast and I don't even want to know how Mako will dump Asami again for Korra. He really is a jerk when it comes to relationship. Story wise, am confused as to why Unolaq wants dark spirit out.
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2013-11-03, 22:58 | Link #1175 |
The Last Frontier
Join Date: Apr 2004
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Seems like the creators are re-using s1 basically. I think since they didn't know if they would get another season, they just settled the love triangle by the end of s1. But now that they know they're getting several, they're going to make it drag on
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2013-11-03, 23:20 | Link #1176 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Quote:
Either way, he doesn't like where the world currently is and where he sees it is heading. |
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2013-11-04, 13:50 | Link #1177 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: East Cupcake
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Decent transitional episode. I'm glad they tied oldest-air-daughter back into the Story of Wan and the Spirit story arc. It was a nice development, and Tenzen's character development from this reveal was quite nice (it also gave us a decent apology from Korra). Tenzen, in many respects has grown the most this season, as he has been forced to constantly deal with his flaws in several somewhat distracting side-stories.
The Asami x Mako development was a little quick, but still understandable and fairly solid. I am upset that the two crooked looking police officers seem to have turned out to be crooked (I was hoping they were just messing with Mako in earlier episodes, but they've been pushed from minor annoyance to sleazy too quickly to be anything but crooked), but otherwise this reveal is okay, especially since it will give Asami something to do next week since Mako will be locked up. I'm still upset Bolin is going to be nothing but a joke for the entire season, but at least he's a constantly fun joke, and I'm holding out hope that he and Asami will team up next week to bring down Varick (Bolin and Asami are easily the most underused characters of this overstuffed season, so something solid from them would be nice). The Unalaq bit was a little silly (and it paved the way for the twins eventual betrayal), but it should all come together next week as Korra and that girl enter the spirit realm (here's hoping the Lemur spirit returns). 85/100. Side note: I loved Tenzen's "I knew this would happen!" line after Korra's quick expository infodump at the start of the episode. Also, Bumi and his new spiritual son were great. Additional, and happy, side note: this seems to be the last episode Studio Pierrot animates for the season. I hope and pray this is true since much of my displeasure from this season stems in part from the very average work they've done (or haven't done) in animating the episodes. Thankfully Studio Mir (who did the first season and the two-part "Beginnings" episodes) is taking over again. |
2013-11-07, 09:54 | Link #1178 |
Corrupted fool
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: I'm everywhere
Age: 33
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Nice of Korra to apologize to Tenzin. I always thought she made a harsh goodbye regardless of reasons.
Also, I really hope Beifong is just pretending to be incompetent cos I can't believe I'm disliking her after what she did in season 1. |
2013-11-09, 13:59 | Link #1179 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Really Korra? Really? You've seen Wan's story and the first thing you do is attack spirits in their homes?
I'm afraid this girl will never learn! Because of her Jinora got captured and second portal was open, IDIOT! If Iroh's teachings won't help either, I give up on this girl.
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2013-11-09, 14:23 | Link #1180 |
Kamen Rider Muppeteer
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Unknown
Age: 39
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Now now, don't be too hard on her. She's just doing what comes natural to her.
Wittle Awatar Kowwa so cuuuuuuuuuuute! Where did Unolaq even LEARN this spiritual affinity crap? Even getting that owl spirit on his side? |
Tags |
avatar the last airbender, korra |
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