Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Actually...
I think I've pretty much completely transferred my blogging from blogger to Jux. Join me at Jux to follow the conversation! We'd love to have you.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Storytelling: Legend of Korra
Let me begin by saying that Legend of Korra is a great series. I'd say it's a phenomenal kids series. However, imagine if the show were made for an older target audience! There is so much potential in the story line that is wasted to corniness and feel good moments. I understand why. When I was young, I loved watching movies that were hopeful, heroic, sugary, spicy, and everything nice. I'm not saying the writers of this series should do otherwise. But in a perfect world, there would be an adult version and a kids version. :D
Here are some things that would have transformed the story from great to phenomenal:
1) An extended Amon storyline. Given that this is a two season series, the writers should have focused the whole story arch on Amon and the Equalist revolution. However, Amon seems to have perished and the Equalists seem to have been utterly defeated. Unless the Equalists can find a new leader or Amon didn't really die, there will have to be a new story introduced for the 14 episodes that remain.
Another thing, Amon had lots of screen time but very little character development. There was an attempt to develop his character in the finale but it was through his brother. There were hints behind his motivations, but not enough.
2) Korra should have permanently lost her connection to the other elements. This would provide the opportunity to explore how she deals with it and how this affects Avatar-ness. One of Kurt Vonnegut's rules for a good story is to make your characters suffer in order to see what they are made of (not have her suffer for 5 secs before she gets her powers back).
3) Also, don't give back Lin's powers either. She could have even been given a heroic death. Again, you made the character suffer and gave it back to her. What is the point of taking it from her in the first place? At least, have her deal with it first before giving it back to her.
4) Corny love triangle.
5) End the season at the point where Amon takes away her bending. In the first season of a two season series, a cliff hangar would leave viewers salivating for more. It's torturous, but you have to admit you like it. You'll spend the next few months talking about how the writers are going to write themselves out of that one. You'd enjoy the discussions you and your friends will have. Perhaps you think Korra will lose all her bending. Maybe, Bob will think she won't be affected because she is the Avatar. Bill suggests the possibility that she lose her powers but gains the elusive airbending powers she's been training for. He won't know it, but Bill is right, despite all your bitter arguing.
6) General Iroh was a one-dimensional character. His purpose was to make Zuko fans happy. Why is he one-dimensional? The purpose of his fleet was to introduce the byplanes. After that, the Korra crew didn't really have need of him. But since he was there, he was in some cool action scenes. Obviously, this is something that can be remedied in season two. Personally, I would have introduced him earlier in the story.
7) Also, I would have shortened the first half of the season, where everyone is mostly safe and sound, and extended the second half. Pro-bending dragged on way to long and sort of out of place. Kurt Vonnegut rule again! Be a sadist and see how characters deal! Plus, it makes the readers anxious. In fact, I would have had the Korra team fail in the finale and be forced to go back underground.
Sorry for the rant. I actually really like Korra. But once you've been exposed to stuff like Game of Thrones, you just want to see all your characters suffer (because it makes the story better. I'm not a sadist). That is all. I can't wait to see what the writers have in store for us next season.
Here are some things that would have transformed the story from great to phenomenal:
1) An extended Amon storyline. Given that this is a two season series, the writers should have focused the whole story arch on Amon and the Equalist revolution. However, Amon seems to have perished and the Equalists seem to have been utterly defeated. Unless the Equalists can find a new leader or Amon didn't really die, there will have to be a new story introduced for the 14 episodes that remain.
Another thing, Amon had lots of screen time but very little character development. There was an attempt to develop his character in the finale but it was through his brother. There were hints behind his motivations, but not enough.
2) Korra should have permanently lost her connection to the other elements. This would provide the opportunity to explore how she deals with it and how this affects Avatar-ness. One of Kurt Vonnegut's rules for a good story is to make your characters suffer in order to see what they are made of (not have her suffer for 5 secs before she gets her powers back).
3) Also, don't give back Lin's powers either. She could have even been given a heroic death. Again, you made the character suffer and gave it back to her. What is the point of taking it from her in the first place? At least, have her deal with it first before giving it back to her.
4) Corny love triangle.
5) End the season at the point where Amon takes away her bending. In the first season of a two season series, a cliff hangar would leave viewers salivating for more. It's torturous, but you have to admit you like it. You'll spend the next few months talking about how the writers are going to write themselves out of that one. You'd enjoy the discussions you and your friends will have. Perhaps you think Korra will lose all her bending. Maybe, Bob will think she won't be affected because she is the Avatar. Bill suggests the possibility that she lose her powers but gains the elusive airbending powers she's been training for. He won't know it, but Bill is right, despite all your bitter arguing.
6) General Iroh was a one-dimensional character. His purpose was to make Zuko fans happy. Why is he one-dimensional? The purpose of his fleet was to introduce the byplanes. After that, the Korra crew didn't really have need of him. But since he was there, he was in some cool action scenes. Obviously, this is something that can be remedied in season two. Personally, I would have introduced him earlier in the story.
7) Also, I would have shortened the first half of the season, where everyone is mostly safe and sound, and extended the second half. Pro-bending dragged on way to long and sort of out of place. Kurt Vonnegut rule again! Be a sadist and see how characters deal! Plus, it makes the readers anxious. In fact, I would have had the Korra team fail in the finale and be forced to go back underground.
Sorry for the rant. I actually really like Korra. But once you've been exposed to stuff like Game of Thrones, you just want to see all your characters suffer (because it makes the story better. I'm not a sadist). That is all. I can't wait to see what the writers have in store for us next season.
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