The Sword and Laser discussion

Getting into Avatar on Netflix. It seemed childish at first, but it's really clicked for me in S1:E13 with Aang's mysterious rescuer.

Tamahome wrote: "Getting into Avatar on Netflix. It seemed childish at first, but it's really clicked for me in S1:E13 with Aang's mysterious rescuer."

I envy you, experiencing it for the first time. You have a long, awesome journey ahead. And don't forget to continue to Avatar Korra!

This show is amazing! And the further you get into it the better it gets. Great character development.

I’m rewatching Korra now. The first 2 seasons are on CBS all access here in the US. While I remember watching through season 3 the first time, I don’t think I was able to catch season 4, for some reason. Although I remember when it ended, and I may have read a Wikipedia synopsis of that last season, I don’t remember for sure.

Tamahome I think that was roughly where I found the series, maybe a few episodes before. I was randomly flipping through the tv on a Saturday, and came across a mini marathon of part of the first season. IIrc they weren’t much farther then that along in the series. I had not heard anything about it, and I normally don’t watch Nickelodeon shows, but I was drawn in by the art, and stayed due to the story. Like Silvana said, it only gets better from there. I think you really will enjoy the series.

Edit: just looked up some dates. I don’t think I saw that mini marathon until at least season 1 was over, maybe even later. I do remember being caught up, and watching season 3 as it aired. But we are talking almost 15 years ago, so I’m not surprised I messed up the details.

I’m watching it for the first time now too! I only saw an episode or two back when it originally aired. It’s lovely! Appa is my favorite.

Ruthifred wrote: "I’m watching it for the first time now too! I only saw an episode or two back when it originally aired. It’s lovely! Appa is my favorite."

Sky bisons are awesome. So do polar bear dogs.

The movie is on Netflix too, but it seems really terrible.

Tamahome wrote: "The movie is on Netflix too, but it seems really terrible."

Oh, do not watch it! I repeat, do NOT watch it.

I know this is rare, but I saw the live action movie first & I liked the concept so much that I decided to watch the animated series (which I loved)! I probably wouldn’t have given it a chance otherwise. I also didn’t finish watching Legend of Korra, but I want to.

Tamahome wrote: "The movie is on Netflix too, but it seems really terrible."

TV Show 10/10
Movie 0/10

Also watch "The Legend of Korra". It is set about 70 years after A:TLA and as has a bit of a steam punk setting. It is really good too. Some of the original characters return. Much older of course.

I own both series already. But I'm happy to see other people discovering and enjoying it.

I haven’t yet watched it, but I loved The Dragon Prince on Netflix, which was created by one of the writers of Airbender.

Trike wrote: "I haven’t yet watched it, but I loved The Dragon Prince on Netflix, which was created by one of the writers of Airbender."

Oh, I've seen the title on Netflix. Good to know.

I, too, am just getting started with Avatar on Netflix.

I watched the first couple of seasons of Korra when they first came out - so LA feels familiar.

Dave Filoni got his bones on this show . Watch for his name to show up. I thought that Star Wars Resistance was Dave blowing a kiss to this series. Plus Tea has a cool role in the later seasons

Dave also mentioned in passing that he had done some of his early work on "King of the Hill". I know it is not really relative to most of the topics here, but I've been watching/ rewatching the series for the last couple of years. I just find the show nice and relaxing. I use it sort of as a night cap and watch an episode before going to bed, but not every night. And that is why it is taking a while to go through the series.

I finished season 1 last night. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I can definitely see the connections and similar storytelling in The Dragon Prince.

As with TDP, I like the fact that it’s not just illustrated radio — they actually add purely visual stuff in addition to the dialogue, which not a lot of modern animation does.

Trike wrote: "I finished season 1 last night.

...they actually add purely visual stuff in addition to the dialogue"

I think this is a mark of excellent animation and direction. Star Wars The Clone Wars does this well too.

I'm on season 3 episode 7 out of 16. I finished Prince of Dragons too. The thing I liked most in Prince of Dragons was the humor -- 'human Rayla'. Same here, I like the characters and the humor more than anything else. I'm kind of over action. It seems like a deluded way to solve a problem. The characters and the animation get more sophisticated as the show goes on. I'm such a procrastinator; I have to finish this (~6 hours left)

I’m at s2e11 — this season has had some really standout moments but the overall story doesn’t flow quite as well as the first season. During the trial episode, for instance, you can feel the heavy hand of the writers searching for a way out of the corner they painted themselves into.

But that was a minor hiccup overall. It’s still solid.

I like both the non-computer animation style here, and the computer animation in Prince of Dragons. My co-worker doesn't like that computer animated style. I liked the computer animation to see the extra pretty effects and when there was something really big. The Avatar has a new look in the third season that is appropriate for our times: (view spoiler)[he needs a haircut (hide spoiler)]

Trike wrote: "I’m at s2e11 — this season has had some really standout moments but the overall story doesn’t flow quite as well as the first season. During the trial episode, for instance, you can feel the heavy ..."

I think season 2 was my favorite. Wait till you get to Appa's Lost Days, Lake Laogai, until the finale.

Going a bit off topic here, but as I said near the beginning. I'm rewatching Korra on CBS right now. And I really do enjoy the series. They've also added seasons 3 & 4, so I'll complete the series.

But one thing seems really off to me. The character model and voice of adult Aang. The rest of the returning charcters make sense to me, but adult Aang doesn't work for me. I don't see any of him in there. I don't know if that is because besides him aging, they had a transition to a more realistic art style, or what. But the voice also sounds too ... normal, I can't hear any child Aang in there at all. Yet with the other charcters I can, see and hear the influence of there younger self's. For such an important character, this just seemed odd to me. Especially since the creators seem to take such care with every other aspect of the series.

Don't get me wrong, the series is still absolutely great, and this is such a small part, it hardly detracts, but I really wanted to share.

Adult Aang? I barely remembered he was in Korra except in a very few flashbacks. All I remember was thinking, oooh, he grew up nicely....

Looks like those here watching it now are not alone.
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cul...

That would be a good Quick Burn.

Thanks for the suggestion Tamahome, but I think I'll leave that for someone else.

Since this is primary a book club, I try and keep the news stories I post to Quick Burns mostly related to SF&F book and comic properties, or at least things that started there life there. Unless it is really big news that affects the community.

And then I just hang out and talk about these other fun SF&F projects in this sub grouping. I don't think the supremes visit down here in the bowels that often, but Rob keeps us in line, shoveling the coal. ;-)

In all honesty if Tom or Veronica had expressed much love for the series over the years, I might have posted it there. But it doesn't seem to be there jam, and I'm cool with that.

Staying away from the quick burns, ey? You must be of the water tribe. Perhaps you can heal my slight plantar fasciitis. I still haven't finished the third season. I'm still on episode 8. I must have ADD. Or I need an elf character like in Prince of Dragons to spur me on. Avatar Prism Power, Make Up!

John (Nevets) wrote: "Looks like those here watching it now are not alone.
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cul..."

Nice article yet I wonder why the writer decided to spoil Korra. (view spoiler)[her ending with Asami was one of the most fulfilling thing in the series. And it's slow burn as heck. (hide spoiler)]

...and finished. That was really satisfying.

I agree. During the quarantine, my 6 year old grand son and I have been spending a LOT of time together. And it has been really hard to find a series we can watch together that (yes, seriously) has a good moral attitude, a definite story line, and not as much shrill screaming as most animated series seem to have now. Avatar has been good for us. We are now on to The Deep, co authored by Tom Taylor, who had done great comic work.
Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Avoiding the 'kill it'solution, and 'fight it' as the go to reactions. Romance okay, but he hates the kissing parts.

Well Prince of Dragons on Netflix has one of the same creators, so that's a logical thing to follow Avatar with. The animation has more computer work. Some of the humor is quite good. The elves have cute Scottish accents. The villian gets a little creepy. You'll get action similar to Avatar.

I'd agree with Prince of Dragons. I'd also recommend Infinity Train, which is apparently on HBO Max I guess. But that's very short.

I would almost think Star Wars: Rebels. It hits almost all the criteria. The only exception is that while it doesn't always resolve issues withe fighting and (presumed) killing, it still has a fair share. It does give more thought to the violence then the Clone Wars cartoon, but still has a bit more offensive (vs defensive) violence then Avatar. I'd say if you are comfortable with your grandson seeing the first Star Wars movie, you would be OK with this.

Robin, seriously, Star War Lego: Freemakers Adventures. I guarantee you and your Grandson will love it . It is funny, kind of serious and a complete joy.

I concur with the above.

The Deep
The Dragon Prince
Dragons Race to the Edge (how to train your dragon TV series)
Lego anything
Shaun the Sheep Adventures
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Star Wars: Rebels

Well, of course, Shaun the Sheep! Also Wallace and Grommit. We've done one or two Lego. I will look at more of them. As several people have mentioned The Dragon Prince, I'll try to screen a couple of those, too.

Thank you to anyone who made suggestions.

Robin

The Legend of Korra arrives on Netflix August 14th.

https://www.polygon.com/tv/2020/7/21/...

Why people like Zuko

v.

Why people like Aang

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/avat...

Trike wrote: "The Legend of Korra arrives on Netflix August 14th.

https://www.polygon.com/tv/2020/7/21/..."

Nice. I might need to rewatch. I miss Naga, Tenzin's annoyed expression, and Blueberry Spicehead.

Interesting article on the Legend of Korra by Jeannette Ng

The Inescapable Whiteness of AVATAR: THE LEGEND OF KORRA, and its Uncomfortable Implications
https://medium.com/@nettlefish/the-in...

This unfortunate news poped up in another discord today. Doesn't give me the warm fuzzies.

https://www.michaeldantedimartino.com...