Shipping meme

Jan 13, 2011 10:46

Taken from lavanyasix who took it from avocado_love via sejitsu

LJ cut )

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martikhoras February 12 2011, 16:48:50 UTC
Never that much of a Taang fan because of the fact of how it was used. Buuuut... there was the one moment I saw it and appreciated the idea but haven't favored it because of its dominance by Zutara-esque aims.
The night in the garden scene. The problem is that all the dreck surrounding it (instantly SHOVING aang to toph followed by Toph browbeating Aang into a shape more pleasing to the audience before...well youknowwhat showed up).

It didn't help that outside of that I found Toph a brat and a little...overpowered, I mellowed and began to appreciate her later but I still prefer her taken down a notch or at least not being a voice of unqualified wisdom. Thus bitter work is my least favorite display of Toph as she behaves, in my opinion, horribly and Aang has to learn to man up (though Toph does confess she switched tactics to the end). I also tend to reject any criticism to Aang even when it has a point and I think Toph missed hers. She seemed... well like a twelve year old with power and able to indulge in her ambition.
When people saw them as equals/playmates that grew deeper I could understand. When... anyways.
The main problem is Kataang and Taang evolved in Zutara's shadow and are shaped by them. My largest hate for the idea is how much good thinking its sucked up for what could be to what was there. As such.. well kataang fiction tends to be fluffy or spending time retaliating or not having people with as much go in them.

Okay this is an odd defense of Taang. Its just the real blows to the idea we more Toph and aang's behavior. I saw it as a real possibility until The Desert and later Toph crushed/fellfor on Sokka which made things much different and made me even re-evaluate my understanding of the character. As is I can't see it much anymore but appreciate those who can. Just I often fear it as a vehicle for Zutara or criticism for immaturity in Aang/narrative/canon/etc.

I am sorry the canon pairing of Katara/Aang doesn't do it for you but I've found, outside one or two well recommended fluff pieces, the best takes are from people that favor something else. Maiko, and so on.

The cake was a lie CREEPS me the fuck out.

I just have to admit...Azulaang does moreso. I've seen it work but just not ... the point.

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clockwerkchaos March 4 2011, 16:25:39 UTC
I'm sorry this took so long, I really don't have an excuse.
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I would agree that the issue with Taang is growing up in the shadow of Zutara, as I said, when not taking place in a Zutara fic, I don't mind it. I have not issue with Taang. I have issue with Taang as a vehicle for Zutara.

As for the fanfic thanks, but I'll pas, I'm really not a fan of fluff. Honestly, shipping on it's own just doesn't interest me. That's not a comment on quality. Some people don't like country music, or barbecue or whatever, I don't care for shipping on it's own.

The only way I like shipping is as a expansion of character exploration, like what I had in "Life Bound" Ohev and Toph's relationship there doesn't exist so we can see how wonderful they are together. It exists to provide dramatic conflict when she faces him, and to highlight themes of the work, such as gender roles, conception of self vs reality, everyone deciding what's best for her, and her skill vs the limits of her power.

I like shipping as a method to explore characters or help plots. I don't mind it as a larger component of a story, but it doesn't do anything for me, and shipping focused fics aren't something I've ever been able to bring myself to care about.

And yeah, Azulaang is scary and weird and out there, which is why it interests me. There is a lot of potential for character exploration or conflict in it.

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