yiceman
Bosco
Not all who wander are lost.
Posts: 2,929
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Post by yiceman on Jun 12, 2007 19:46:15 GMT -5
I thought it was funny ;p
And I think you misninturpret me...I don't think broody and angsty are good traits in a hero. I'm not proclaiming Zuko's superiority here...
What I specifically remember saying was "dignity, reserve, strength, wisdom and empathy" were the traits I look for in a hero.
Currently, I think Aang lacks the first two, while Zuko lacks wisdom.
And sadly, the first two are far more visible.
Which is why I said I'd like Aang to grow more...not that I'd like Zuko to usurp him as the protagonist.
As for my example, in all seriousness, appearance does have a wide effect on this. A sense of confidence is very important, and often displays on the person's character visibly.
You look at Aang, rolling around in the grass and giggling, and your first impression is "Wait, the fate of the world is in his hands? Oh crap" As you get to know him more you see he's got skills and smarts, but, all in all, he's still a goofy kid deep down.
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Post by Amira on Jun 12, 2007 19:55:41 GMT -5
But he's a kid. He is 12. And that's part of his charm. That he's got this adult sized mega burden and he still can be a kid at times.
I think carrying yourself with a sense of joy and love and forgiveness even after all the tragedy and loss is pretty darn dignified. Zuko chased Aang and put his safety in danger and yet Aang still wondered if they could've been friends, still saved Zuko's life. Being reserved will come with age, but when the situation calls for it, Aang is serious.
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yiceman
Bosco
Not all who wander are lost.
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Post by yiceman on Jun 12, 2007 19:57:23 GMT -5
Which is precicely why you prefer Aang.
Other people admire other qualities in a hero.
Which is exactly what I've been saying this whole time ;p
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Post by Amira on Jun 12, 2007 20:01:01 GMT -5
And the point of this was what then?
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yiceman
Bosco
Not all who wander are lost.
Posts: 2,929
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Post by yiceman on Jun 12, 2007 20:05:09 GMT -5
Well, I kinda thought the entire point of this whole website was so that fans could express their opinions and have discussions about the tv show, heh.
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Post by Amira on Jun 12, 2007 20:07:30 GMT -5
No duh. But when you repeatedly go and discuss a topic with someone only to make some snarky remark at the end, one has to wonder what the point of the discussion was.
Because if explaining my point of view will only to prompt such responses, then why engage me in a discussion?
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yiceman
Bosco
Not all who wander are lost.
Posts: 2,929
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Post by yiceman on Jun 12, 2007 20:16:13 GMT -5
I think the reason the discussion took place was entirely due to a misunderstanding in which you thought I was saying Aang was a bad hero, so we discussed it for a while until we reached an understanding.
Why, what's wrong? That seems like a very good discussion to me. If you thought I was being snarky, sorry, I wasn't trying to be...I just don't understand your demand for a point when this is a discussion board....meaing it's specifically designed for discussion...which is what we were doing.
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Post by luthien on Jun 12, 2007 20:17:28 GMT -5
I love both Zuko and Aang, actually. I think the majority of people do. They balance the show out, and are just the opposite sides of the same coin. Sure there are people who fall firmly on one side or the other, but I think most of us have a soft spot in our hearts for both, and the different qualities they bring to the show. I like Aang for his lightheartedness, his optimism, his joy (that laugh during the beginning narration is priceless and makes me smile every time I hear it). Zuko, on the other hand, I empathize with so much. I feel his pain and his desire to prove his worth. I think everyone's been there at some point, so I identify with his struggles and root for him to overcome them and prove all his doubters wrong. I really hope, sometime in the third season (though I'm terribly worried it won't come to pass), that Aang and Zuko *do* become a team because I feel they have a great deal to learn from each other. Zuko needs a bit of Aang's lightheartedness to rub off on him, and Aang wouldn't hurt to pick up on a little of Zuko's determination to achieve a certain goal. They are the same character, merely different aspects of him. The hero and the anti-hero - the light and dark, the balance that this show is all about.
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yiceman
Bosco
Not all who wander are lost.
Posts: 2,929
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Post by yiceman on Jun 12, 2007 20:21:45 GMT -5
^I agree, which is why I said a mix between the two would be awesome.
Each of them display heroic characteristics the other lacks, imo. I'm really looking forward to seeing them interact together peacefully.
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Post by Amira on Jun 12, 2007 20:25:37 GMT -5
I think the reason the discussion took place was entirely due to a misunderstanding in which you thought I was saying Aang was a bad hero, so we discussed it for a while until we reached an understanding. Why, what's wrong? That seems like a very good discussion to me. If you thought I was being snarky, sorry, I wasn't trying to be...I just don't understand your demand for a point when this is a discussion board....meaing it's specifically designed for discussion...which is what we were doing. No, my problem with your answers was not "is Aang a bad hero," but more the reasoning that Aang cannot be seen as digified and heroic because his personality is more carefree and joyous. Because he walks around with a smile rather than a serious "blah" expression. And maybe that's what you weren't trying to say. But I thoroughly disagree with that message and it seems to be a message that sadly part of the fandom seems to grasp onto. I don't think being geniunely happy and fun-loving suddenly makes someone unable to be taken seriously. And I do think that being able to smile and be happy and find even some small joy in life after having one's life completely uprooted is pretty darn heroic.
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yiceman
Bosco
Not all who wander are lost.
Posts: 2,929
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Post by yiceman on Jun 12, 2007 20:31:09 GMT -5
I was saying I personally prefer heroes who radiate an aura of reserve and dignity that implies an innate heroism, and it is my humble opinion that Aang lacks that at the moment, and that I would like to see him evolve to this level. An example of what I'd like would be Iroh. He's reserved and dignified, but he's not a serious grouch.
So, considering your previous post, it seems you're misunderstanding what I want...again.
To summarize: Ideal personality = kind of like Iroh.
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Post by luthien on Jun 12, 2007 20:33:44 GMT -5
Iroh is love. Ideally I think he's what both Aang and Zuko should aspire to be one day.
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Post by Amira on Jun 12, 2007 20:36:01 GMT -5
No, I understand what you want and I disagree. Aang has an aura of reserve and dignity. It just doesn't fit your definition apparently.
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Post by aangryjerk on Jun 12, 2007 20:43:47 GMT -5
I have to admit, for me Zuko stole the show. I'm relatively new to Avatar, and I originally watched it off and on because I liked the pretty colors and cool fighting. I liked Aang and Sokka most, because they are cute and funny. I didn't pay much attention to Zuko at first. But CoD made me a Zuko fan. I alway liked stories about royalty, what with the politics, intrigue and backstabbing that goes on. I am just completely obsessed with the Royal Fire Nation Family now--The Mystery of Ursa, Wicked Azula's plots, Ozai's greed for power, and the underdog prince. I just salivate for season 3 thinking of it. I still like Aang and Sokka though.
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Ana
Metalbending Cop
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Post by Ana on Jun 12, 2007 21:46:18 GMT -5
Meh. You could just easily say when things get serious Aang’s reaction is: screenshots.avatarspiritmedia.net/119/115.jpgscreenshots.avatarspiritmedia.net/213/040.jpgI think Aang is pretty unique in terms of Chosen One characters. Those characters usually angst about they want to be normal, they wished they hadn’t been chosen, etc. and Aang’s optimism (I say that instead of joyfulness or goofiness because the last time Aang really goofed off was the The Siege of the North) differs from that. That said, opinions differ. For some Zuko stole the show and Aang’s constant optimism is annoying and for others Aang stole the show and Zuko's constant angst is annoying. I think because of said differing opinions it’s really stretching it to say Zuko is the reason for the show’s success.
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