Legend of Korra: Book 2, Chapters 8-14

[ljlee]

The second half of LoK Book 2 did some really interesting things story-wise, including telling the story of the first Avatar and providing an ending with real consequences, one that set the stage for the next and arguably the best season of the show. There were some weaknesses in the buildup that I think undercut the conclusion, but overall I was

Comments

[loopy777]

Good insights. I came to call this problem the "Sound and Fury," and to a varying degrees, I think it plagued LoK throughout its run. Lots of the action seemed to exist for its own sake. The rule to which I try to adhere is that an action sequence should have stakes for both winning and losing. If the main characters fail the action sequence, there should be drastic consequences, but if they succeed, there should also be drastic, plot-twisting circumstances. And, of course, the biggest battles should also reflect the themes of the story. Without any of that, the action is just sound and fury

[ljlee]

The rule to which I try to adhere is that an action sequence should have stakes for both winning and losing.

That is incidentally a good rule for gamemastering, too. It now occurs to me it's also indispensable for writing.

And, of course, the biggest battles should also reflect the themes of the story. Without any of that, the action is just sound and fury.

Maybe being the biggest and baddest dude around was the theme of Book 2? Or at least that was the only conclusion I could draw from the events of the season. I particularly remember how Vaatu said he can't be defeated by fighting because he's the embodiment of chaos and violence etc., which in fact sounded completely logical and presented an interesting story opportunity. However it turned out to be nonsense within the bounds of the story and all Korra had to do was ignore him and punch harder, which I found hilarious.

it's a matter of whether you like Chex Mix better than a chewy, fatty, overcooked steak.Oh, choices, choices. For sheer comedic value I'll have to go with Book 2

[loopy777]

Vaatu's claim was especially painful after reading the "Revenge of the Sith" novelization. (By Matthew Woodring Stover, of course.) During the final battle, the internal POV for Yoda has him realizing that the Sith have made war and combat into their weapon, and that the very act of fighting them would only increase their power, even if the individual Sith opponent could be struck down. Yoda thinks that this could be the key to defeating them, but can't figure out how, exactly.

Of course, in "Return of the Jedi," Luke defeats both Vader and the Emperor by throwing down his lightsaber and refusing to fight, prompting Vader to turn against his master and the dark side, destroying them both.

Korra should have just taught Luke how to do Glow Punches. XD

[ljlee]

And that's the difference between a work that has actual philosophical coherence versus one that only cares about how awesome stuff looks. If the only thing going for the side of order and light is that it punches harder than the other guys, then what's the point?

I've got to hand it to Stover for building that bridge between the mess of the prequels to the climactic moment of the original movies. Who would have thought a "Revenge of the Sith" novel would end up working?