The Equalists as a Non-Bender Gang: Failures of Government and Community

[ljlee]

The gist of it: The Equalists did not arise out of a vacuum, but the show also has no evidence of systematic oppression. Rather I argue that the Equalists were a non-bender gang that gained power because the United Republic failed as a government and as a community, leaving non-benders without protection and support. This flaw in the UR is a

Comments

[fairladyz2005]

No harm done. It was really late when I posted last night too. It is kinda hard to compare to uncomparable - Books Water and Air - since I have even argued myself before that Korra's structure is different than TLA. But I would argue that Amon and Equalists are just one part of the larger whole of RC's problems. Korra doesn't have one whole over arching villain but the problems she faces, while different each season, may have some unbrella theme that will tie into Korra's journey as a whole once the show is over, imho.

I keep going back and forth about whether I want to do a essay defending the show or not. I feel the need to at least makes some comments for the sake of closure of doing a full season review, but I may not get around to it for a while yet.

Sorry you got so burned. It is a different experience watching a show as it unfolds on air as opposed to catching up later. It's wonderful when it's a rare gem that was worth it (DS9 was one for me) but it's definately safer to watch something a few years after its over. When did you get into TLA exactly? Was it within the pastt couple years like I did? Or was it a case of over in America but just starting to air in Korea?

And have you see the SDCC pic of the Gaang in their 20's/30's yet? They look awesome, but especially Zuko as you can sorts see from my fuzzy new Avatar um avatar. Even if it season 2 of Korra sucks, I'd kill to see a flashback of the Gaang all looking like that in it.

P.S. As for the X-Men thing. Jean did die a noble death. Then they brought her back. Then they killed be again, but before they killed he a second time in a bad story that more or less rehashed the first time it happened, Scott started cheating on her with a character called Emma Frost. To put it in Avatar terms it would be like if after 13-15 years of marriage Aang cheated on Katara with a reformed Azula and then after Karata died saving the world the first thing Aang and Azula do is make out on Katara's grave. Not even Jean/Wolverine which is like the Zutatra of X-Men ever came close to something that discusting.

[ljlee]

I certainly hope they define the setting and the character better from Book 2 onward. Republic City was a big blank in Book 1, and Korra as a character had no character arc--she went from believing that superior force solves all problems and that bending is the coolest thing in the world to... believing that superior force solves all problems and that bending is the coolest thing in the world. Character-wise it was just a wasted season and it could very well have been a wasted show. As you say, the creators had better start using their extra seasons wisely.

I'd be interested in seeing your essay, and I'm sure we'll have a vigorous debate. :) My flist is generally disappointed with Book 1, and it'll be nice to see different perspectives.

I got into ATLA in late 2010-early 2011, long after it was over even in Korea, and only because my boyfriend got me into it. I am always a Jenny-come-lately to these things. :) The exceptions were Harry Potter and Korra.

I saw the poster in your SDCC post, and it looks awesome. Interesting to see that Zuko seems to have gone fully two swords in a look that's reminiscent of the Lieutenant. I had thought he might have given up on the dao since he hardly ever used it past "The Firebending Masters," but it's nice to see him look every inch a swordsman.

Ouch, looks like the X-men writers came down with a case of being too clever for their own good. Always sucks when you get invested in characters and they turn into crazy versions of their former selves, courtesy of bad writing.