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silverthunder) wrote2009-11-24 11:21 am
silverthunder) wrote2009-11-24 11:21 am
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Avatar Season Two
Yesterday, Cody and I watched the last two episodes of Avatar season two.
I know this has been said by others, but I'll start by commenting that, as good as season one was, season two was infinitely better. Like I mentioned in my spastic remarks back when I was about halfway through it, the series does seem to be getting progressively more epic as it leads into the final weeks of summer. It's as if that comet is picking up speed. The plot is picking up speed, too. And there's more to lose, less to cling to.
I don't know if this review will get anywhere near as long as the last one, since I spent a lot of time commenting on the world and the storyline and the bending abilities and I won't need to go into that here. However, I do want to comment on certain aspects of the plot that are getting more complex (and, in some cases, darker).
The first thing that makes you take notice in season two is the Avatar state. You get hints of this in the first season, that it's out of control, that it only seems to take over when Aang is in danger or upset. The second season begins to present it in a more sinister light, right from the first episode. Not necessarily in how he is unable to control who or what he harms with it - we've seen this before - but in how the General reacts to it. We start to see Aang being treated as a commodity here, speculations made on how to manipulate his psyche for the use of others (the "good of the world", even). The Avatar state begins to represent negativity within Aang - his fear, his anger, his lack of control over his emotions. And at the very end, just as we're starting to see it as something that can be controlled in a positive way... the story throws us into another loop.
I think Iroh is wise to say that attachment can be more powerful than detaching oneself. I think this is the lesson we're meant to take from that scene at the end - those who've seen the series know the one. As Aang begins this process of distancing himself, we get definitive proof that it's not the right thing to do.
Maybe the Avatar state is what they need, but evidence makes it clear that Aang is going about using it the wrong way. I think the Guru went with what he knew. But I don't think it's right for Aang.
Beyond just the Avatar state, though, there's a sense of *wrongness* in season two that goes beyond season one. It becomes progressively harder to find those who are trustworthy and those who care. Sanctuary is all but non-existant; safety is an illusion. The sense of the other nations standing strong against the Fire Nation begins to crumble. It's vague at first, but once Appa is taken it becomes more blatant, coming to a head in Ba Sing Se - the city that withstood everything the Fire Nation threw at it, and supposedly their strongest allies. The first episode inside the city is possibly the creepiest I've seen so far. The division of 'power' from 'strength' is clear at this point.
The second major death in the show so far happens near the end of season two, and though they didn't come right out and say it or show it, the way it was handled managed to get the point across. I expect the characters to carry that regret with them even if they never say another word about it.
A lot of things happen to the characters in this season: Aang becomes more serious and less frivolous as his responsibilities begin to press down on him. We see Katara's determination in the desert with no help at all from the others, and Sokka's willful and unrepentant deceipt in the library. But I think the most noteworthy character journey this season belongs to Zuko. Throughout every episode, we see him struggling with his sense of his own honor and self-worth; what these words mean to him, how they define what he chooses to do with his life. And just when we think he's come to a final decision... well. I wonder what would have happened if he'd chosen differently.
The only character who doesn't go through a personal journey of some sort this season is Iroh, who has already gone through many of life's journeys and who we learn more about gradually. His short in the 'Tales of Ba Sing Se' episode was very powerful. He really is Zuko's rock of stability - and his conscience - and I'm curious to see what his role is going to be like in the coming episodes. His scenes in the last episode were brilliant; it'll be hard to match that in season three.
A whole lot of new characters are brought in this season, too. Rather than feeling awkward, this is a natural transition. We have had time to get to know the characters from the first season well, but the incorporation of others even at this late stage feels like the sort of thing that happens on a journey.
First of all, Toph. I wish plot allowed for further exploration of her character. My impression of Toph is all arrogance and insecurity. She has the power to back up her towering self confidence, but you can see moments where this confidence deserts her and her vulnerabilities are laid bare. One thing I admire about her is that, rather than running from these moments, she stares them down. It's like spitting in the face of your fears. At the library in the desert, we see her make a hard choice, but she doesn't back down or feel sorry for herself afterwards. Her reaction to her mistakes is "how can I fix this?" rather than "how could I have done this?" I have a lot of respect for that.
On the clash between Katara and Toph: Katara is a team player, the mediator and organizer of the group. Toph is the kind who doesn't like to rely on others - I'd go so far as to say she has an aversion to it, not based on a lack of desire to help, but a lack of desire to be helped. They have other personality clashes as well; Katara can't let go of the past, but Toph can't wait to leave it behind her. Katara is friendly and naive; Toph is abrasive and cynical. It's natural that this would come out in the open, especially given the situation. It's also nice to see them reconcile and even grow a bit closer later on, although I can't imagine them ever becoming best buddies.
We're also introduced to Azula, Zuko's psychotic sister. Iroh's line is best here: "She's crazy, and needs to go down." She is crazy. I blame bad parenting; her mother favored Zuko and her father favored her, both of them to the point of very nearly ignoring the other child. It's not just a 'coincidence' that Zuko and Azula both ended up pretty fucked up. Azula, however, is the prodigy child her father obviously wanted as heir, and I think she was quick to jump on that and keep his favor (possibly because she knew she was never going to get her mother's favor). That's probably why she's so ruthlessly clever, although I think part of that is also because she enjoys having power over others and knowing they fear her.
It seems that Azula will be one of our major villains, a role that Zuko spectacularly failed at. I also suspect we'll be forced to feel sorry for her at some point. Right now I just want to see her go down - as Iroh puts it. Unlike with Zhao, her arrogance is fully justified, though - she's been able to wring some advantage from everything she does, it seems.
A few less major characters are also introduced.
Suki is a re-introduction, since we met her in season one. I like her, but I wish we got more of a sense of her. We know that she's strong and protective, that she's both loyal and independent, and we know that she won't back down from a challenge. That's as much as I can estimate about her personality from what I've seen.
Mai and Ty Lee are a study in contrasts: one cheerful, one aloof. Neither of them SEEM to be afraid of Azula, but at some level we know that they are aware that associating with her is much like holding a live snake. Ty Lee's case is more obvious because of what happened at the circus, but she acts so... bubbly... all the time that it's easy to forget. Mai was a lot harder to read, because she makes such a show of being bored by everything, but I get the feeling there's more to her than meets the eye. Actually, I think both of them are more complex than they seem and I hope that comes out in the final season.
Okay... shipping, again.
I was looking for a good Sokka pairing, and now I've found more than one... Sokka/Suki is the obvious, and it's really endearing. The thing I like about this one is that neither of them drops everything to run off with the other. They both have their own business, and they both understand that without needing to say anything to each other. But at the same time, they're very protective of each other. I hope they meet again, and that circumstances permit them to stay together this time. But we'll see.
Sokka/Ty Lee is more of a guilty ship than anything, but they're on awfully good terms for enemies. Plus, their interactions are just plain cute and funny. I guess you could say that these are the two comic relief characters of either team.
I have an abiding interest in Sokka/Toph just because I haven't quite figured out what the status of these two is. Yeah, they interact, but... not to the point where I sense a lot of closeness between them. There were a couple of vague hints that Toph has a crush on him, but they seem oddly out of place. I wouldn't mind seeing a real connection formed between them just to get an idea of what it feels like.
Aang/Katara got a lot of development right near the end of the season, on his end through his thoughts and words and on hers through her actions. I really love this pairing. That "I'm sorry, Katara" line really wrung at my heart, and I think I was holding my breath at her desperation near the end. I am more convinced than ever that this will happen in the end - not that it matters, though, because I couldn't be pried away from shipping this with a crowbar now.
I don't really have a Zuko pairing yet. I know Zuko/Katara is popular, and I *finally* saw a scene that made this seem remotely possible, but I just don't see it working. Could be a bias on my part, but... meh. Bad boy/good girl is not usually my kind of pairing. It also seems... superficial, in a way. Like pairing her with Zuko is a way to avoid pairing her with Aang (because he's short and bald and cheerful and she needs someone tall and dark and brooding for some reason). I personally am looking forward to seeing him interact with Mai. There's some evidence that she may have feelings for him and I think he'd probably be better off with someone who isn't as prone to getting angry as he is (this would definitely NOT be Katara). Mai seems more calm and sarcastic, and would probably be a good influence (although I am still convinced that he could benefit from anger-management sessions).
This is one of the rare series where Cody and I disagree on pairings; he's a fan of Aang/Toph. He doesn't care about pairing off anyone else; Toph is his favorite character, and he liked her interaction with Aang. Just thought I'd mention.
Last, I have to make mention of the Super-Deformed skits on the last DVD. They were FUNNY. The best one was the bending wars. Iroh was terribly amusing right there at the end. The others were cute too, but that one really made us laugh.
One final thought: I'm really looking forward to watching the 'Women of Avatar' feature on the last DVD in season three. So many awesome and cunning and strong and wonderful female characters in this series. It's great to watch!
I know this has been said by others, but I'll start by commenting that, as good as season one was, season two was infinitely better. Like I mentioned in my spastic remarks back when I was about halfway through it, the series does seem to be getting progressively more epic as it leads into the final weeks of summer. It's as if that comet is picking up speed. The plot is picking up speed, too. And there's more to lose, less to cling to.
I don't know if this review will get anywhere near as long as the last one, since I spent a lot of time commenting on the world and the storyline and the bending abilities and I won't need to go into that here. However, I do want to comment on certain aspects of the plot that are getting more complex (and, in some cases, darker).
The first thing that makes you take notice in season two is the Avatar state. You get hints of this in the first season, that it's out of control, that it only seems to take over when Aang is in danger or upset. The second season begins to present it in a more sinister light, right from the first episode. Not necessarily in how he is unable to control who or what he harms with it - we've seen this before - but in how the General reacts to it. We start to see Aang being treated as a commodity here, speculations made on how to manipulate his psyche for the use of others (the "good of the world", even). The Avatar state begins to represent negativity within Aang - his fear, his anger, his lack of control over his emotions. And at the very end, just as we're starting to see it as something that can be controlled in a positive way... the story throws us into another loop.
I think Iroh is wise to say that attachment can be more powerful than detaching oneself. I think this is the lesson we're meant to take from that scene at the end - those who've seen the series know the one. As Aang begins this process of distancing himself, we get definitive proof that it's not the right thing to do.
Maybe the Avatar state is what they need, but evidence makes it clear that Aang is going about using it the wrong way. I think the Guru went with what he knew. But I don't think it's right for Aang.
Beyond just the Avatar state, though, there's a sense of *wrongness* in season two that goes beyond season one. It becomes progressively harder to find those who are trustworthy and those who care. Sanctuary is all but non-existant; safety is an illusion. The sense of the other nations standing strong against the Fire Nation begins to crumble. It's vague at first, but once Appa is taken it becomes more blatant, coming to a head in Ba Sing Se - the city that withstood everything the Fire Nation threw at it, and supposedly their strongest allies. The first episode inside the city is possibly the creepiest I've seen so far. The division of 'power' from 'strength' is clear at this point.
The second major death in the show so far happens near the end of season two, and though they didn't come right out and say it or show it, the way it was handled managed to get the point across. I expect the characters to carry that regret with them even if they never say another word about it.
A lot of things happen to the characters in this season: Aang becomes more serious and less frivolous as his responsibilities begin to press down on him. We see Katara's determination in the desert with no help at all from the others, and Sokka's willful and unrepentant deceipt in the library. But I think the most noteworthy character journey this season belongs to Zuko. Throughout every episode, we see him struggling with his sense of his own honor and self-worth; what these words mean to him, how they define what he chooses to do with his life. And just when we think he's come to a final decision... well. I wonder what would have happened if he'd chosen differently.
The only character who doesn't go through a personal journey of some sort this season is Iroh, who has already gone through many of life's journeys and who we learn more about gradually. His short in the 'Tales of Ba Sing Se' episode was very powerful. He really is Zuko's rock of stability - and his conscience - and I'm curious to see what his role is going to be like in the coming episodes. His scenes in the last episode were brilliant; it'll be hard to match that in season three.
A whole lot of new characters are brought in this season, too. Rather than feeling awkward, this is a natural transition. We have had time to get to know the characters from the first season well, but the incorporation of others even at this late stage feels like the sort of thing that happens on a journey.
First of all, Toph. I wish plot allowed for further exploration of her character. My impression of Toph is all arrogance and insecurity. She has the power to back up her towering self confidence, but you can see moments where this confidence deserts her and her vulnerabilities are laid bare. One thing I admire about her is that, rather than running from these moments, she stares them down. It's like spitting in the face of your fears. At the library in the desert, we see her make a hard choice, but she doesn't back down or feel sorry for herself afterwards. Her reaction to her mistakes is "how can I fix this?" rather than "how could I have done this?" I have a lot of respect for that.
On the clash between Katara and Toph: Katara is a team player, the mediator and organizer of the group. Toph is the kind who doesn't like to rely on others - I'd go so far as to say she has an aversion to it, not based on a lack of desire to help, but a lack of desire to be helped. They have other personality clashes as well; Katara can't let go of the past, but Toph can't wait to leave it behind her. Katara is friendly and naive; Toph is abrasive and cynical. It's natural that this would come out in the open, especially given the situation. It's also nice to see them reconcile and even grow a bit closer later on, although I can't imagine them ever becoming best buddies.
We're also introduced to Azula, Zuko's psychotic sister. Iroh's line is best here: "She's crazy, and needs to go down." She is crazy. I blame bad parenting; her mother favored Zuko and her father favored her, both of them to the point of very nearly ignoring the other child. It's not just a 'coincidence' that Zuko and Azula both ended up pretty fucked up. Azula, however, is the prodigy child her father obviously wanted as heir, and I think she was quick to jump on that and keep his favor (possibly because she knew she was never going to get her mother's favor). That's probably why she's so ruthlessly clever, although I think part of that is also because she enjoys having power over others and knowing they fear her.
It seems that Azula will be one of our major villains, a role that Zuko spectacularly failed at. I also suspect we'll be forced to feel sorry for her at some point. Right now I just want to see her go down - as Iroh puts it. Unlike with Zhao, her arrogance is fully justified, though - she's been able to wring some advantage from everything she does, it seems.
A few less major characters are also introduced.
Suki is a re-introduction, since we met her in season one. I like her, but I wish we got more of a sense of her. We know that she's strong and protective, that she's both loyal and independent, and we know that she won't back down from a challenge. That's as much as I can estimate about her personality from what I've seen.
Mai and Ty Lee are a study in contrasts: one cheerful, one aloof. Neither of them SEEM to be afraid of Azula, but at some level we know that they are aware that associating with her is much like holding a live snake. Ty Lee's case is more obvious because of what happened at the circus, but she acts so... bubbly... all the time that it's easy to forget. Mai was a lot harder to read, because she makes such a show of being bored by everything, but I get the feeling there's more to her than meets the eye. Actually, I think both of them are more complex than they seem and I hope that comes out in the final season.
Okay... shipping, again.
I was looking for a good Sokka pairing, and now I've found more than one... Sokka/Suki is the obvious, and it's really endearing. The thing I like about this one is that neither of them drops everything to run off with the other. They both have their own business, and they both understand that without needing to say anything to each other. But at the same time, they're very protective of each other. I hope they meet again, and that circumstances permit them to stay together this time. But we'll see.
Sokka/Ty Lee is more of a guilty ship than anything, but they're on awfully good terms for enemies. Plus, their interactions are just plain cute and funny. I guess you could say that these are the two comic relief characters of either team.
I have an abiding interest in Sokka/Toph just because I haven't quite figured out what the status of these two is. Yeah, they interact, but... not to the point where I sense a lot of closeness between them. There were a couple of vague hints that Toph has a crush on him, but they seem oddly out of place. I wouldn't mind seeing a real connection formed between them just to get an idea of what it feels like.
Aang/Katara got a lot of development right near the end of the season, on his end through his thoughts and words and on hers through her actions. I really love this pairing. That "I'm sorry, Katara" line really wrung at my heart, and I think I was holding my breath at her desperation near the end. I am more convinced than ever that this will happen in the end - not that it matters, though, because I couldn't be pried away from shipping this with a crowbar now.
I don't really have a Zuko pairing yet. I know Zuko/Katara is popular, and I *finally* saw a scene that made this seem remotely possible, but I just don't see it working. Could be a bias on my part, but... meh. Bad boy/good girl is not usually my kind of pairing. It also seems... superficial, in a way. Like pairing her with Zuko is a way to avoid pairing her with Aang (because he's short and bald and cheerful and she needs someone tall and dark and brooding for some reason). I personally am looking forward to seeing him interact with Mai. There's some evidence that she may have feelings for him and I think he'd probably be better off with someone who isn't as prone to getting angry as he is (this would definitely NOT be Katara). Mai seems more calm and sarcastic, and would probably be a good influence (although I am still convinced that he could benefit from anger-management sessions).
This is one of the rare series where Cody and I disagree on pairings; he's a fan of Aang/Toph. He doesn't care about pairing off anyone else; Toph is his favorite character, and he liked her interaction with Aang. Just thought I'd mention.
Last, I have to make mention of the Super-Deformed skits on the last DVD. They were FUNNY. The best one was the bending wars. Iroh was terribly amusing right there at the end. The others were cute too, but that one really made us laugh.
One final thought: I'm really looking forward to watching the 'Women of Avatar' feature on the last DVD in season three. So many awesome and cunning and strong and wonderful female characters in this series. It's great to watch!
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|Meduza|
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Feel free to try and convince me, though!