by MessengerOfDreams » September 14th, 2013, 2:25 pm
Sigh.
This is starting to get on my nerves.
The thing that I loved the most about A:TLA was the characters. It was amazing how many different layers the characters had. I envy the skill the writers of the show had in how they created each one. While each had their own disposition, their own traits, they had so many layers they they felt real, like you knew them. While Sokka was a dork and goofball, he would fight to the death for anyone he cared about and knew when to take things seriously. Katara was comforting and motherly but had her moments where she acted immaturely because she was still a kid, and she wasn't perfect. Zuko was the angry banished prince singlehandedly devoted to capturing the avatar to restore his honor, but his anger had a basis, and he had an innate sense of right that was blinded by his confusion and hatred for his circumstances. Even generally one dimensional villains like Azula had layers; behind her cold evil exterior lay complete social awkwardness and suppressed mental trauma. Every character had traits but there was so much more to them.
On the flipside, I can't help but sense that there is a lot of flanderization, stereotyping, shallowness, or flatness with the characters creeping up on the show. Korra spent the entire premiere being a stereotypical petulant ♥♥♥♥♥ and moaning teenage girl with her other traits largely ignored. If she's not shoving off Tenzin coldly, she's telling her father to ♥♥♥♥ off or accusing Mako of taking sides. That's all of her characterization, and we don't see any of her better traits. Bolin is being watered down to klutzy horny cheesy comedic relief who spent this episode being klutzy and not badass at all. I wasn't a fan of the twins but I loved that the chick was voiced by Aubrey Plaza, but I fear they'll be hugely one dimensional. I hate to say it, but the only one who has felt like they've had more than one trait this episode is Mako (somewhat Tenzin, maybe Jinora, on a lighter note). Maybe It's too early to tell, but I felt it towards the end of last season too. I really hope I'm just a bit impatient because I'm not getting a good feeling about this season.


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