Avatar: episode 2x18

[timepiececlock]

You know why I love Avatar: The Last Airbender? Because it makes me laugh.

Not in humor, in delight. It's like when you go to see a play, and you have a pretty good idea what it will be (maybe you even read the ending in a book) but it's still your first time seeing it live at a theater, and you sit and stare as it all sprawls out in front of you and even when swords are swinging and folks are dying and lovers are being separated, all you can do is giggle and rock in your chair holding your sides because all of it is just. right. Not too hot, not too cold, just exactly perfect. Exactly what it should be.

That's why I like watching Avatar.


I missed the first ten minutes of this, as it seemed to have started early or something. But I don't think I missed much that I couldn't guess. I laughed when the important decisions were made, I laughed when symbols were dreamed, I laughed when the serious speeches were given (metamorphosis? you're killing me), and I laughed when the words of doom were spoken. And the promo? I was laughing my ass off. Not at the content, mind you, but at the apparent way the promotional department calculates the priorities of fans.

Comments

[rasielle.livejournal.com]

Ah! The laughing part might just be you, :D, but the episode was most certainly delightful, and not disappointing in the least, even in comparison to Lake Laogai and City of Walls and Secrets. Which is surprising enough, because those two were some kickass episodes.

The first half was nice enough - with some more-than-nice parts, like the Earth King himself, who I love as a character for his very misplaced naivety - but the pace hastened and once again this show's irony is delicious. "Things will go positively for us, from now on," says Sokka, and then wham! Treason! Kidnapping! Deceit! What does this show mean when they say 'positive', exactly?

Also, Zuko's messed up dreams were a real treat, especially the Aang one. Ah, what a messed up boy. and shirtless too but this show is, once again, ironic; he looked a bit starved and it did not appeal to me in the least

And I didn't catch the preview, but was totally spoiled for it over at K_Z. I don't mind, though; it was my fault. I walked right into the Spoiler Post expecting to not be spoiled ((not knowing there was anything to be spoiled for)), and well, yeah.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Ah! The laughing part might just be you

I laughed at the end of-- wait, I can't tell you. I'll tell you later. But I often laugh at inappropriate emotional moments in shows. I'm such a fan of the medium-- of fiction, of movies, of tv or anime-- that the feeling of delight in seeing it done well will make me laugh even when its a tragedy worth weeping for.


"Things will go positively for us, from now on," says Sokka

Being weaned on Buffy fandom, I laughed extra hard at that. (Also, if Aang/Katara ends up not happening, you saw the kiss of death of it, right there in that dialogue line.)

Also, Zuko's messed up dreams were a real treat, especially the Aang one. Ah, what a messed up boy

I thouht it was a nice touch with the Avatar tattoos, given that in the season premier Aang dreamed of killing Zuko in the Avatar State.

I was suprised by what a pretty boy Zuko would have been without the scar. When I first turned on in the middle of the episode and he was sitting on the throne, I wondered if it was Azula for a second. Then I wondered if it was a younger Ozai. Eventually I realized it was Zuko, and I was surprised. He looked so... feminine.

and shirtless too but this show is, once again, ironic; he looked a bit starved and it did not appeal to me in the least

I appreciated that. They've kept him lookin haggard all season and it makes sense, because even if he's getting a steady diet now he can't practice daily like he used to, he doesn't carry armor around on his shoulders everyday, and subequently he's lost a lot of muscle. He looks like a scrawny teenager.

And I didn't catch the preview, but was totally spoiled for it over at K_Z. I don't mind, though; it was my fault. I walked right into the Spoiler Post expecting to not be spoiled ((not knowing there was anything to be spoiled for)), and well, yeah.

It was cheesy on a fanfiction-level. I am pretty sure the actual scene won't be nearly so bad, but I was giggling at the two clips they chose and the way they edited them together for maximum shmaltziness.

It's like they went, "Hey, let's make the first promo for the season finale! But let's not make it about the world war or the separation of the team or the Avatar's quest or the political intrigue arc, let's make it about...Zuko and Katara talking! Yeah, that'll sell it!"

[rasielle.livejournal.com]

let's make it about...Zuko and Katara talking! Yeah, that'll sell it!"

They- they use us, s'all they do :(

*ten seconds later*

Okay, I just saw the preview on YouTube, and... wow. I've read something like that in a fanfic somewhere, I just know it. And the whole touching Zuko's scar? TOTALLY stolen from Zutara speculation boards. This is fanservice, isn't it?

I don't know if canonship would come, to be honest, but any interaction should jumpstart the non-annoying part of the fandom, which is the most important part of the Zutara ship, IMO. So that's fine. But if I'm wrong ((which more than half of me hopes I am)), I'm praying they don't lose the verbal-sparring part of the relationship, which I live for. At the moment, they're using the sympathy card; I'm not quite sure how I feel about that.

He looked so... feminine.

Indeed; and he looked so young. I tuned in a little earlier so I knew it was him, but that didn't stop the gawking. He looked maybe, what, 13 years old or so, just because he was so fresh-faced and not-scowling and, using your word, pretty.

re: his physical condition - The realism and continuity of that really was nice, but still ironic; and, consequently, amusing. Not once did I see shirtless!Zuko squeeing, as much as I've browsed. Impressive.

I thouht it was a nice touch with the Avatar tattoos, given that in the season premier Aang dreamed of killing Zuko in the Avatar State.

Oh! Completely forgot about that as well! So Zuko-joining the Gaang or not, Zutara or not, it's canon that Zuko and Aang are tied. And is it possible that during the dream you just mentioned (Aang's), it wasn't only his terror of killing, but the terror of killing Zuko? Sure, Zuko was the only active antagonist Aang was aware of at that point, but by now it's pretty evident that there's a mutual sort of respect here. With some envy on Zuko's part, probably. (/offtopic speculation)

the feeling of delight in seeing it done well will make me laugh even when its a tragedy worth weeping for.

Ahh, I get you. Myself, I'm more inclined to clap, but laughing out of delight, clapping out of delight - s'all the same thing. :D

popping in

[chantalthespy.livejournal.com]

it's canon that Zuko and Aang are tied.

(shipping aisde) That's definitely what I'm most looking forward to next season is the development of Aang and Zuko's friendship(?).

Re: popping in

[rasielle.livejournal.com]

If not friendship, then perhaps mutual-alliance-respect-cooperative... thing. Lol.

Now that my immediate phase of shippy delight has warn off, it's something to be skeptical of. I'm trying very earnestly not to think about it. Fandom isn't helping.

[easytodistract.livejournal.com]

I knew about Zuko dreaming he was Aang before seeing the ep but the scene still surprised me. I think I was actually scared of it.

Another ironic aspect is that though it was the girls who wanted to leave Ba Seng Se ASAP, they were the ones who stayed behind.

[rasielle.livejournal.com]

Another ironic aspect is that though it was the girls who wanted to leave Ba Seng Se ASAP, they were the ones who stayed behind.

Oh yeah! Totally forgot about that! That's a good point, though; one voluntarily stayed, and the other didn't. ((Toooph, nooo))

But I loved what they called her. I've been trying to find the right description for her for a while, and "loud-mouthed brat" just about nails it.

I knew about Zuko dreaming he was Aang before seeing the ep but the scene still surprised me.

Really? Was it Nick being lax with the info again, or were there real spoilers floating about? And yeah, it was definitely a bit scary. Good thing it was a dream, though, because after that 'inner metamorphosis is also physical' thing, I would've sworn Avatar was spinning into anime-reminiscent crack. *is just a beginning otaku, and there are some crazy storylines out there*

OT ...

[donna-c-punk.livejournal.com]

... but I direct your attention here. You're the first person I thought, "Hey, she might like this track!" when I heard it in the pilot of The 4400. Unless you've heard/have it already ...

Re: OT ...

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Prezzie!

http://www.sendspace.com/file/2wc8eu

[loveroftheflame.livejournal.com]

I too thought it was a younger Ozai at first. The hubby was all like "Uh NO... that is Zuko."

He was sooooo darn PRETTY!!!

And yeah he looked a bit thin... but I got to see hipbones and lower belly so it was all good to me... LOL!!

AND... it shows that the spirit of continuity lives in this show like none I have ever seen... you go Mike and Brian!!!

About the promo... well hey, at least they know their audience. *smirk*

Keep laughing. I know I was!

[jakia.livejournal.com]

And the promo? I was laughing my ass off. Not at the content, mind you, but at the apparent way the promotional department calculates the priorities of fans.

But is it not so very true?

Mike and Bryan (or whoever else put it up) know us well.