Avatar 2x09 - Bitter Work ...last episode before 1 month break.

[timepiececlock]

As always, I am entertained. Even in its weaker episodes, A:TLAB entertains me in some way.

This episode was probably one of the weaker eps of the season because not a lot happened. Every series needs its transition episodes, and this was one of them. Nevertheless, it delivered a lot of good characterization for all the major characters. In both shows. You know what I mean: the Avatar: The Last Airbender show and the Zuko: Prince of Inner Pain show.

That sounds sarcastic, but really, I'm thoroughly enjoying Zuko's sidestory. It's entertaining, and his angst this episode was almost comical to me. Comical in a giddy-pleased-and-geeky way. Zuko's storyline is so literary and archetypal that I get a kick out of it when my predictions for his character prove correct. I've seen this character arc a bunch of times in books and film and even tv, but instead of making that boring, it actually amuses me because I want to see it all play out. And I'm twigged that this show really plays on all the epic story archetypes, because it's a kid's show that's not stupid. It works. I am entertained.

And really, seeing Zuko have a hissy fit and screaming at the storm and at the world as a whole at the same time? SO FUNNY. Tilt at those windmills, Zuko. Tilt at those windmills.

Side bar: If you don't know why that strikes me as so amusing, I'll give an anecdotal comparison... I laughed at the last scene of Cowboy Bebop. When I first watched it I laughed because it was EXACTLY what it was supposed to be, according to all the rules of vengence stories (the one big rule was one that Roy Mustang of FMA escaped, which is probably why his presence was so odd in the FMA movie). While watching the closing shot of Bebop I literally stood on my couch and, in a fit of amusing myself, pointed at the screen and shouted "I get it! Crime doesn't pay!"

...which wasn't the point of the last scene AT ALL, but it all amused me so much anyway because I totally got the last scene. People were like "It's so tragic!" and I'm like "Dude, you're telling me you DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING? How is it tragic when you knew it was gonna happen? It's so appropriate that it's great, and it's so great that it's funny." Do you see why I found CB's ending so perfect, and the fact that it was so perfect was amused the hell out of me? Zuko's entire multi-season story arc is the same exact way. He angsts and I giggle.




I liked Toph's teaching style; Aang needed to be forced into action, and it fits nicely with his characterization all along: Aang runs from things. He did it as a child to escape the war and the Avatar's responsibilities, and he's run from his power ever since. The characterizations they've given earthbending as a philosophy and martial art are just what Aang needs before he can be ready to face anyone: he needs to learn to make a stand, and to not fear the power he's capable of harnessing. If he's afraid of the power in Earthbending, then he'll be positively incapable of handling the more volatile power of fire. Like if you can harnass a bear first, the you can learn to harness a tiger.

I like that for all Katara appeared to be babying Aang, we saw from her surprise attack that she's certainly been teaching him effectively. Earthbending just needed a different approach.


I really want the episode to be uploaded soon so that I can watch the conversations in the middle that I missed. Like the whole explanation about how they do the lightning. I'm bugged that I missed that, given how the lightning thing has had me rolling my eyes since Iroh first did it.

I'm also curious to hear Iroh's speech about the elements again, to see how that compares with my Avatar: Genesis fic. Like the complimenting opposites thing:

Air is opposite to Earth.

Water is opposite to Fire.

Air and water are similar because both are about change and adaptation-- both flow on the path of least resistance.

Earth and Fire are similar because both require a great amount of control and discipline, an both are very much about the physical body: the stance, the breath.

Air and Fire overlap because both lack substance, and benders have their element with them at all times, meaning they can't be separated from it.

Earth and Water overlap because they are both full of substance, which makes them more forceful in controlling large and effective masses (ice, rock, water, sand), but means they must have their elements nearby.


Last thought: The idea that Zuko would learn to divert Azula's attacks with a technique originally based on waterbending amuses me for whole other ship-related reasons. That's worlds better than the ponytail comment of last week. On the other hand, based on Katara's behavior this episode I'm wondering if she isn't harboring a bit of a crush on Aang-- or more likely, she's feeling super affectionate because Toph is now a competing force for Aang's attention. Katara liked having Aang admire her and hang on every word-- she liked being the only girl, even if it wasn't a romantic relationship. Now that's shifted a little.


EDIT: the 4 elements / 4 nations speech *does* go pretty well with my fic, it turns out.

Iroh:

"-Fire is the element of power. The people of the Fire Nation have desire and will, and the energy and drive to achieve what they want.
-Earth is the element of substance. The people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistant and eduring.
-Air is the element of freedom. The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns, and found peace in freedom.
-Water is the element of change. The people of the Water Tribes are cabable of adapting to many things. They have a deep sense of community and love that holds them together through anything."

In my fic Avatar: Genesis I wrote:

Said the spirit of the Air,

I am life, and without me all comes to nothing. My will is law.

Said the spirit of the Water,

I am substance, and my body covers all. My will is law.

Said the spirit of the Earth,

I am shelter, and all rest upon my generosity. My will is law.

Said the spirit of the Fire,

I am knowledge, and allcrumble before me. My will is law.


I also wrote:

Said the spirit of the Air to the people who wandered,

Your souls are free and your hands are deft, I give of myself to you.

Said the spirit of the Water to the people at the ends of the world,

Your souls are nurturing but your hearts are vengeful, I give of myself to you.

Said the spirit of the Earth to the people on the mountainside,

Your souls are forthright and your feet are strong, I give of myself to you.

Said the spirit of the Fire to the people of the valley,

You have been passed over by the other spirits, so I will take you and I will make you greatest. Your souls are earnest but your minds are proud, I give of myself to you.


I'm pretty pleased I called a bunch of the stuff Iroh talked about: substance, will, freedom, strength, community/nurturing. That was way back in January.

Comments

[akavertigo.livejournal.com]

And Sokka. Oh, saint preserve us, Sokka. (Btw, the episode torrent is up at mininova.)

::just added stuff to the post::

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Sokka! I was going to write about him and forgot. He was pretty funny, and surprisingly calm for Sokka. I loved how he was going to give up sarcasm, and then his blatant sarcasm goes right over Aang's oblivious little head.

I loved the "Now come back, boomerang." The little continuity touches on this show make me love it about 10% more than I would otherwise.

[easytodistract.livejournal.com]

I.r.o.h.'s ALIVE!

XD

(has been saying the same thing all over the place)

(gahs...) I'm at work. Can't download until tonight. (sighs)