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Post by Musogato on Jun 9, 2012 2:32:39 GMT -5
Discussion for episode 9, airing June 9. "Korra tries to analyze the mysterious visions she's been having. Meanwhile, Tenzin and Beifong look for Equalist hostages."
Eee! Beifong!
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Esile
Casual Zuko
The Artist Formerly Known as Koikitten
Posts: 929
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Post by Esile on Jun 9, 2012 11:17:57 GMT -5
Chief Bei Fong is my favorite character, hands down. This episode cemented that for me. I may end up changing my signature to her now.
There were a ton of things about this episode that I loved. I must admit that the bloodbending was far more intense than I expected in this episode and I'm not sure if that's a plus or not. It definitely would have freaked me out if I were in the target audience for the show. It's just such a primal fear that bloodbending plays on.
The Mako/Asami/Korra triangle felt a little bit forced again to me. I'm starting to feel bad for Asami now to be entirely honest. Mako needs to make up his mind and stop stringing both girls along.
My favorite little touch of the episode was Meelo sleeping in Pema and Tenzin's bed. So cute!
The flashback scenes were fantastic, but seeing the Gaang bloodbended was absolutely heartwrenching for me. The scenes were done exceptionally well though, especially the Aang/Yakone fight. Loved the voices, loved the fact their personalities were exactly the same.
And that animation. MAN THAT ANIMATION WAS AMAZING.
I can't find who Yakone's VA was, but to me, he sounded exactly like Beau Billingslea (Jet from Cowboy BeBop).
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Post by KrystalFruit22 on Jun 9, 2012 11:35:35 GMT -5
In terms of action, this is definitely my favorite episode so far. I agree, seeing the gaang bloodbended, especially Aang when Yakone was about to kill him, made me want to cry. I was so happy to see them all again though. It was a real treat to see a whole scene with all of them as adults. I do feel bad for Asami though. She didn't do anything to deserve this, and it's kind of like adding insult to injury after everything that happened with her dad. Who does she have to turn to now? I'm sorta hoping that Korra will do something unselfish/noble and let Asami have him. In any case, with that finale preview, does that mean there's no new episode next week? I thought there were supposed to be 14 this season O.o
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Post by MasterEcabob on Jun 9, 2012 12:59:25 GMT -5
That...was a bit underwhelming. Not to say I didn't like it, but, wow things are moving way too fast. Seriously, last episode built up Tarrlok and made a huge deal out of Korra being trapped. Then...one episode later he's out of the picture and everything's back to normal? That'd be like if Katara got her mom's neckless back one episode after she lost it, or if Appa came back at the end of the Desert. A huge bit of tension is suddenly gone.
While for the most part, the shorter style has worked for Korra, I take this as pretty much a demonstration of why the longer seasons of tlab were better. Asami, Tarrlok, and Amon each needed AT LEAST one more episode focusing on them before the finale. Oh well, hopefully the next season should be a little better at that...
As for the positives, the action in this episode was pretty dang awesome. While we all pretty much saw the whole Yakone thing coming, it was still great to see it fully acted out. I don't see what they were thinking sentencing him to life in prison though. Hello, Sokka? I also wish they had delved a bit more into how exactly Yakone blood bended during the day, unless they are planning to leave that one up in the air for now.
Speaking of air, this was episode 9. I'm honesty surprised Korra didn't master air bending, but I guess this isn't the first season to break that tradition. Oh well, can't wrap everything up yet, we've still got three episodes to go!
Final thought: Amon was great this episode. His main strategy is the menacing, slow walk and man was it even more menacing knowing that Tarrlok was trying to blood bend him the whole time! Although it seems pretty obvious he'll be directing the final battle from one of those mecha, I really hope we get some straight one-on-one action with him and Korra, sans mecha.
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Post by Paraiba Ocean on Jun 9, 2012 13:40:06 GMT -5
I am eternally frustrated at the treatment Asami gets; she has the potential to be such a good character but yet again she's just a foil for Makorra. If she's not busy being perfection, she's busy being jealous. And I want to like Mako, but he irritates me too because he really is stringing along both girls. I just think Mako and Asami both need more fleshing out, which is sort of the sucky thing about having a lean and mean season/series. You don't have filler episodes, but you don't get the character development that comes from the filler episodes. Aside from that, my yays and my nays of the episode: Yay: I'm excited for the season finale; I think this episode set up a lot, and it confirmed what I originally suspected about the relationship between Amon and Tarrlok (enemies). Furthermore, wtf at Amon not being affected by Tarrlok's bloodbending. There's so much about him we need to see; part of me actually hopes the conflict with him ISN'T resolved in the season finale lol. Lin has become an even better character, and I think I might love her as much as Toph. I'm also glad to see Korra finally connecting with Aang (I wonder if they'll do him to Korra as Aang did to Roku) and touching with the spirituality. But she's got a long way to go, and I'm kind of hoping she doesn't go all Avatar Spirit during the season finale. Also, did anyone else notice that Aang - yet again - used the same form to strip Yakone of his bending abilities? There's just something not right with Amon taking away bending... I guess we'll find out eventually what his deal is. Nays: Aside from my gripes against the Asami/Mako/Korra triangle/character developments, there were a few things I was disappointed about. First of all, I felt a little ripped off by grownup!Toph. It sort of looks like they just made her taller and called it a day. And then I felt like Sokka's "humor" during the episode was a little out of place. It felt too much like "remember how Sokka is funny," and it didn't seem to fit with the scene or what I would expect a 40-something year old man sitting on a council dealing with a very serious/dangerous criminal. Also sad because we didn't get to see grownup!Katara or Zuko. And I was kind of hoping it would be one of them to save the day from Yakone, not Aang. :x oh well, I guess that goes along with him being the Avatar.
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Post by Musogato on Jun 9, 2012 15:26:53 GMT -5
I've got mixed feelings, too. Mostly happy though, but, I have to agree that it's disappointing that Tarrlok was taken out so quickly. He's been so conniving and worrisome up to this point, but it almost seems like his end was just to show how tricked out Amon is -- that he can even withstand bloodbending. How does that even work? I really hope that will be explained, and the day-time bloodbending ability as well. Speaking of, I just realized, Yakone = Al Capone? Haha. But wow, to be able to bloodbend and knock out a large room full of people is crazy powerful. So the fan-theory connection to Tarrlok was correct, and the reason no one knew was because he lied about it. Hm.
Seeing and hearing old!Gaang was asljdsfl though! I'm a little disappointed that Katara wasn't there, and Suki too, but I was fairly happy with the voice actors chosen. They sort of resembled the ATLA voices and style, but really it's just seeing Old!Gaang again. ;~; I love that Aang used a giant air scooter, haha. Sokka's ramble was a bit too... nostalgia-reaching, but then weren't most of his speeches a little rambly? I still laugh at his commentary on Haru's mustache during the DOBS invasion speech, though, you'd think some decades might help with that.
Lin! Amazing as always. <3 I really love the sound effect that accompanies the earthbending radar sense now, or has that always been there? Either way, great to see her back in action and teaming up with Team Avatar/Tenzin again. And the return of the no-longer-metalbending cops, aww. I find it kind of funny that only Tenzin seems to care that the teens are supposed to still be in jail. And yeah, Meelo staying in their bed and answering the phone was super cute. xD Also yay for Naga tracking Korra on her own.
So Asami finds out about the kiss, that's good. Since there was a preview for the finale but not the next episode, I'm guessing more of the shipping stuff will take place in the next ep along with prepping for the finale's circumstances. With how Mako was acting, especially at the end with Korra, I'm guessing he'll choose her, but I really hope there's something big in store for Asami because this really sucks for her. And not just a rematch with Hiroshi either. And hopefully not a 'you broke my heart/stole my boyfriend! I'm joining the bad guys!' twist either, although like the Yakone/Tarrlok thing this feels a bit inevitable. :/
*sigh* I have to agree; while the shorter season has made the episodes more exciting plot-moving wise, the character development for non-main characters has really taken a hit. Even if Asami has near perfect stats in the only things we've seen her do (and I don't have a problem with characters having great skills), she still feels tacked on to the group rather than her own character, because they only seem to use her for A) her skills/wealth, or B) a Makkora obstacle. There's no room to humanize her (aside from jealousy which may be further explored next ep, but as the pre-finale episode, that's pretty late in the game), or even really interact with others. Lin has only had a few appearances, is an old flame to an Avatar-connected person, and is awesomely skilled, and yet feels like a well-developed character. So why are they failing Asami? It can't just be because Asami is nice and Lin is tough as nails. It feels like most of Asami's time is just spent saying hi to Mako. Just, augh.
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Post by Paraiba Ocean on Jun 9, 2012 17:03:50 GMT -5
I completely agree. I think despite Lin's initial objections to Tenzin and by default Korra, she has come to prove herself as a skilled fighter and decently developed character. I think there's a lot more potential for Lin to develop in her own ways, but I at least feel somewhat comfortable with describing Lin as a character using both assets and flaws.
Asami just feels... flat. Like a one, maybe two episode arc character. I would honestly say some characters from the first season that had only one or two episodes were a lot more developed than Asami has been for nearly an entire season (Jet comes to mind). I want to feel bad for her, and I want to like her, but it's hard if the only qualities to a character are pretty, wealthy, smart, talented, etc. Being jealous of your boyfriend for kissing another girl (especially when he was dating Asami at this time too) isn't a flaw, but kinda... rational. And even then, I'm having a hard time finding Korra's attraction to Mako because he's pretty flat too...
Lately, I feel like Lin, Korra, Tarrlok, Amon, and Tenzin are really the only developed characters in this series. Bolin, Mako, and Asami are just tacked on so Korra isn't friendless/out braving it on her own.
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Post by MasterEcabob on Jun 9, 2012 18:06:10 GMT -5
Tacked on, that's a pretty good way to put it. I mean, the rest of the Krew are nice in battles...but they aren't really needed seeing as Tenzin and Lin have pretty much handled everything the few episodes they actually fought equalists. And as much as I love Bolin, I'm pretty sure that nothing of value would have been lost plot wise if Amon had taken his bending in Episode 3. The only "progression" the others have offered has been in the Tourney, which they were designed to lose, and in ousting Asami's father which hasn't really led to much at all yet.
Then again, if Aang had had Bumi and Iroh or some of the other tough benders helping out from the start Katara and Sokka probably would have fallen by the wayside too. I guess that's kind of the problem with basing LoK in a city of powerful benders. Huh.
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Horyo
RP Admin
All your bending are belong to us.
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Horyo on Jun 9, 2012 18:06:13 GMT -5
Did anyone notice that Korra would've been safe in the box anyway? She didn't have to hang with her band either.
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nandireya
Zuko's Path to Redemption Mod
...tickled pink...
Posts: 6,822
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Post by nandireya on Jun 9, 2012 21:28:27 GMT -5
Yeah...like you're safe in your car during a lightening storm as long as you stay inside it...lightening just arcs over the metal... But...was I the only one who thought of this guy when Amon was uneffected by Tarlok?
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Post by Darryl on Jun 10, 2012 1:21:30 GMT -5
I felt that Yakone & Tarrlok's bloodbending-without-full-moon's justification was not justified well at all.
The apparent reason they gave was just kinda like, "Oh, some people are special. That's it." I expected some sort of link to Amon's nega-bending, spiritual-wise.
Also, I felt that there was much more to explore with that: Yakone (and probably Tarrlok too) was said to be able to bloodbend everyday EXCEPT the day of the full moon. That seemed kinda interesting to me.
This episode also felt the most........fanserviced? Can't find a right word for it. Felt like Bryke just wanted an episode that reminded us of the first series.
Well, they better have a dang good reason behind Amon's resistance to bloodbending...
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Post by MasterEcabob on Jun 10, 2012 1:27:55 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure Yakone COULD bloodbend during the full moon...but was deliberately not doing so as to confuse the authorities. Hard to charge a man for something he literally could not do (as far as the gAang knew). That said, it is truly a wonder they didn't consider debending him from the start. Playing with fire, much?
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Post by Paraiba Ocean on Jun 10, 2012 10:01:41 GMT -5
I agree that Sokka's reasoning was kind of flimsy, but then at the same time - after some consideration - how can you explain Yakone and Tarrlok's abilities?
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Horyo
RP Admin
All your bending are belong to us.
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Horyo on Jun 10, 2012 15:12:30 GMT -5
The only two bloodbenders shown before this series were Hama and Katara. Hama discovered the technique because waterbending is enhanced during the full moon, and thus she probably assumed it was only possible during that time. Katara learned it more or less the same way the very same day (whereas it supposedly took Hama longer). Katara supposedly was against ever using it again, so she probably never invested any more learning into the technique.
Since that time, information on bloodbending was probably made public knowledge (as it was outlawed), and so more benders were exposed to the idea of being able to bloodbend. Further experimentation and efforts probably revealed that the technique could be changed, but because of strict laws and usually living witnesses existing, the practice was not furthered until you have someone in Yakone's position, as ruler of Republic City's crimeworld.
I mean, we all assumed bloodbending was only possible during a full moon (as did most of the cast), but really, we only took it on Hama/Katara's word.
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Escalus (Syn)
Avatar Kyoshi
Your Avatar title might impress some people, but not me.
Posts: 1,336
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Post by Escalus (Syn) on Jun 10, 2012 15:58:03 GMT -5
Hey.... been browsing since Korra started, and now I think its a good time to hop back in a bit.
In terms of this episode (and forgive its lack of detail, my friend is having me babysit lol) I thought that it showed Korra in the same unflattering detail that I have come accustomed to in this series. She seems to have a knowledge of the mainstays of the original series, such as what bloodbending is, but steadfastly avoids some of the most obvious solutions presented, such as... 1. In a time where she had learned earthbending, and there is a police force comprised of metalbenders, why does she not even attempt an escape from a metal box?
It continues, as Paraiba stated before... to be the rushed romance of Mako and Korra, which frankly I have never be interested in. Granted, It very much resembles other ships in the previous series, and I'm fine with it..... but I would have loved more Asami screentime before then.
Overall, I like where it is going though. While I might not like Korra herself nearly as much as Aang, I love the writing in the series. It never ceases to amaze me, and I haven't had a TV show, cartoon or not, make me think in a few years. (Here's hoping that new Sorkin show is as go as the West Wing *crosses fingers*) Amon is a better fleshed out character than Ozai was in the end, even now. Here's hoping that they go full steam ahead instead of pulling a DOBS type ending. It would be a shame to retread old plots for the sake of nostalgia. (Sokka in this episode-----sorry... I felt it was cringeworthy)
Can't wait for the finale!!!
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