I will say, though, that as much as I enjoy Korra, I don't think the characters are as well developed as The Last Airbender. I've actually been re-watching TLA on Netflix and I feel much more connected, concerned, and engaged by the characters, their story, and their development. I really don't see much in the way of character development among most of the Korra cast, including Korra (though she has had some). The only character to have any kind of development has been Tenzin. Feel free to discuss or disagree with that, though.
I completely agree.
I now feel I can retort to this now that I've done a Book 2 marathon the last few days. I was pleased enough with the first book but much less with the second book.
I find this follow-up to the TLA in general a great disservice to its fans and completely contrived from businessmen and marketing analysts who clearly can't do their jobs once again. Why limit this season to a mere 14 episodes is ... an incredibly dumb decision as this show is incredibly popular. Why not provide at least 20? 25? Why only 14? Doing so limits the amount of people watching your network and limits the quality of the work as well. Re-runs. DVD sales. Etc...
Dumb.
The characters on a whole have gotten no more than a few character development that was barely enough to scrape the surface just for the sake of advancing the main storyline. That's it, that's all.
The best part of Book 2? Watching the 2 part series of the first Avatar's life. Wow. That was the best since TLA. Far beyond the mediocrity of Book 2 and the disappointment of Book 1. Yet, it was still essential to the storyline. Never a bonus. You'll notice that not a whole lot of scenes were done for the sake of it being done. It was always part of the storyline.
Think about it.
In TLA, we got so many treats, that had almost nothing to do to advance the main storyline. Heck, in TLA we even got an episode of the flying monkey. AND it was really good! Also, need I remind anyone of the same episode having a tiny section for Iroh's scene? Did I mention, my eyes were tearing up when he sang his song?
RIP Mako.
TEAM AVATAR :
Korra : A cute tomboish poor man's Aang and Aang was a mere child. She so incredibly stubborn, headstrong and useless it actually annoys me. I hate how her Avatar state is a mere Korra 1.5 that still gets its ass kicked just as handily. Remember when Aang was like I'M LOSING MY SHIT!!!! And then everyone is like WTF!!!! His friends were like NOOOOOOOOO, you might die... WE MIGHT DIE! And the enemies were like either RUNNNNNNN or DIEEEE AVATA- AAAH! Now I get Korra white eyes that gets her ass kicked. (more to come later)
Mako : Generic surly face fire bending dude. No issues with him. All the hot chicks want him. I get it.
Bolin : The star of this show. Seriously. Sure he's way too silly at times but he's basically Saka 2.0 but with bending power. Love it. Also, wife loves his green eyes. I like how he makes me laugh. Win/Win. The MOVER movies were pretty bad though....
Asami : This series greatest tragedy. Can I mention how hot she is? Black hair, green eyes? Jay Kryponite. Er... for anime? Sooooo under-developed that it's a crime. Basically a plot piece, nothing more. Notice how she wasn't even used more than a scene in the finale. Useless.
Most of the support cast were annoying other than the blind girl's daughter.
All in all, beyond the rushed storyline and limited episodes, I think my main issue is character development (or lack thereof) is honestly due to the fact I strongly dislike Korra.
She has no concept of the qualities of heroism.
She has sacrificed nothing, has taken as she pleased, has shown no maturity or growth in the majority of the episodes (beyond the last few) and constantly disrespects everyone with her entitled ways. Her recklessness and sense of self-entitlement goes beyond annoying to me. The first half of both season is pretty much this.
She is the antithesis of Aang in every way. She has no virtue beyond her powers and cares more about her own desires than the greater good and has a complete disregard for even the most basic considerations of those around her. Where Aang was a hero and someone I would be happy for Leyla to watch the show as a role model, Korra is an anti-hero and exudes the selfishness and inflated sense of entitlement commonly taught to today's young women. Which I hope to avoid with my daughter.
It's a shame the concept of main protagonist went to an oaf of a female, how I would have liked to seen Avatar Kyoshi instead.
And there's going to be a 3rd Book? FUCK.
Oh, and it's 13 episodes. Yey.
korra : 3 Books = 39 episodes
tla : 3 Books = 61 episodes
22 less episodes.... that speaks wonders. (that's like an entire season missing)
