All Comments

Great review, and thanks for the name drop :). And THANK YOU for mentioning that part about the spirits being played down (I might've mentioned it before, but it was still music to my ears now).

As for the endless ATLA cameos, well, with a title like "Korra Alone", I'm not too optimistic about that. and as for the spirit turning into the dog..."What's that Lassy?! Timmy fell in the well?! (Sorry, had to be done XD)" And also: they seem to be using Jeff Bennet's voice ALOT don't they?

But, other than that, I agree it was a really good episode. In fact, I think it's the first one that's given me a (positive) emotional reaction to Korra since the one where she faced down Amon. I'd say if they keep this up, this ho-hum show might end on a high note!

P.S, I agree with you on Amon taking a nose dive during the last half of season 1. Zaheer was a better developed character (even with a sort-of lackluster voice performance). too bad the same couldn't have been said about his entourage...what a waste of Grey De Lisle's talent!

Thanks and no problem for the name drop. And you have mentioned the spirits thing before but I don't think I addressed it properly.

"As for the endless ATLA cameos, well, with a title like "Korra Alone", I'm not too optimistic about that. and as for the spirit turning into the dog..."What's that Lassy?! Timmy fell in the well?! (Sorry, had to be done XD)" And also: they seem to be using Jeff Bennet's voice ALOT don't they?"

- XD! I don't usually pay attention to a series using the same voice actors as long as they get their job done and as long as they don't sound the same.

"But, other than that, I agree it was a really good episode. In fact, I think it's the first one that's given me a (positive) emotional reaction to Korra since the one where she faced down Amon. I'd say if they keep this up, this ho-hum show might end on a high note!"

- Agreed. Let's just hope that they don't mess up.

"P.S, I agree with you on Amon taking a nose dive during the last half of season 1. Zaheer was a better developed character (even with a sort-of lackluster voice performance). too bad the same couldn't have been said about his entourage...what a waste of Grey De Lisle's talent!"

- Zaheer did kinda have a weird voice but I didn't really pay attention to that. And his entourage, this is kinda what I meant about the Red Lotus being one-dimensional. If you're going to show some kind of relationship dynamic, then EXPAND ON IT!!! But that's a problem with the series in general so yeah.

I'm glad that Toph was at least acting in character, but all she did the entire time was rough up Korra, call her the worst Avatar ever and give up (all of which I enjoyed, but she could've helped out a little). So, she's no Yoda, but her comeback is at least more interesting than Zuko's and I'll enjoy seeing how it pans out (if it does).

I actually thought this was the first time we got to see some character development with the prince (him facing the fact he's a dolt and all). I don't know, he may actually prove to be a relevant character (but his antics are still a frustrating waste of plot time).

And the politics...again it seems to show more than tell. We never get to see Kuvira's alleged tyranny besides her harsh retaliations in the first episode, we have to rely on word of mouth. This may be for a purpose, maybe withholding information for shock value, but we could use some visuals at this point. Episode IV of Star Wars didn't have a very broad scope in terms of characters, focusing mainly on the leads, but it let us know that the Imperials were bad news through it's imagery (opening scene) and showing us at least one of their tyrannical deeds (blowing up a planet as a demonstration of power). I'm not seeing any of that here, just a bunch of yapping.

And why did we need to see Desna and Eska again?

Overall, a pretty good episode, and I'm interested to see where they're going with the spirit root thing (I pray to god they don't just turn it into a nuke, though it may provide an interesting conflict). I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that the spirits will become relevant again.

Yeah Toph at least acting in character is a plus for me but I feel that she did help out. Especially in episode 4.

The Prince did get SOME character development but he was barely fleshed out.

And yeah the politics do need more visuals and of course it has a bunch of yapping. But it was better than how Season 1 handled it in my opinion.

I hope the Spirits become relevant too but I have a feeling that the damage was already done.

I nearly reached for my gun this episode. That may sound serious, but you're talking to the guy who hates Meelo and Ikki as much as Star Wars fans hated Jar Jar Binks and bratling Anakin. It also seems that Meelo is being used to shoehorn in one of the creator's random drawings, either that or Meelo just draws better than Bryke.

Aaaand we have another cute animal side kick in the already too long list of cute animal side kicks (including but not limited to: Naga, Pabu, Meelo's Lemur, pretty much every frickin' spirit, Bumi's rabbit, etc.)

I was holding my breath at the part when Ikki discovers the logging camp, partly in hope that they would bring back Hebai, a spirit you can actually take seriously and maybe tie into the ruthlessly industrial aspect of Kuvira's empire, and partly in dread that they would pull a Ferngully on us. Neither happened, so I guess it cancels out...I guess.

Aaaaand Toph shares Radagast's love of mushrooms in addition to Yoda's taste in real-estate. She also seems to disappear without address to why she moved to the swamp in the first place. Though she did more to help Korra and acted more in character throughout her screen time, I can envision her meeting Zuko in group therapy for discarded characters. "My name is Toph." "Hiiiiii Toph."

Other than that, the part with Korra in it was great, though I was expecting Korra's experience with the Banyan tree to connect to her to the world and have an intense spiritual moment instead of just telephoning the Three Stooges.

As for what Nostalgia critic said: Bryke can apologize all they want, but seasons 1-3 happened (I'm counting season 3 as polished feces, though polished it still felt like a huge waste of time). Season 4 came too late to save the show in my eyes and it has only just started. That is further punctuated by the tarnished quality of this episode and it's hand in interrupting the flow of good to semi-good episodes we were enjoying.

As someone who found Season 1 decent but not up to the original series, and Season 2 somewhat disappointing, I'm less than enthusiastic about the other two seasons, and what I've read so far has done little to disprove that. Do you(WilliamsonK, the author of the liveblog and anyone else who would like to weigh in) agree with this perspective on the two more recent seasons of Legend of Korra?

Valiona, I really wouldn't take Williamson K and this liveblog as truth for the quality for Book 3 & 4. It's universally agreed that Book 3 and so far 4 was a major step up.

These two just nitpick the series to death. And seriously Williamson K? Book 3 was polished feces? It's clear you hate the show so why even bother. =/

Alright, I may have been exaggerating. Season 3 was an improvement over season 2 and the latter parts of season 1, but it just felt like a wild goose chase in terms of character development. And yes, I'm rather disappointed with it, but as a sequel to one of my favorite shows I will naturally watch it out of curiosity for how the continuity of the franchise will turn out.

As for nitpicking: Yes, I can be really harsh on Lo K sometimes, but it had a tough act to follow and didn't deliver in my opinion. Some of the things I point out range in relevance, but regardless the show does have flaws that bring down its storytelling potential, despite the "universal" agreement of this show's claques. As for Ryochi's commentary, he's displayed far more patience and fairness for the show's quality than I have so reserve your anger for me.

And I'm sorry for using that particular term to describe season 3, but after witnessing the return of something just as gross in Meelo and his insufferable fart-bending after the 4th season had given us some wonderful character development for Korra, I wasn't particularly in the mood to sing it a paean.

Those are hardly justified reason to give the entire series rip for a moment that occur for like what? Three Seconds?

And you're nitpicking are horrible, like seriously so what if Korra isn't on the original series pedestal it still a good and entertaining show in it's own right. We all know you didn't judge the original series so harshly so it makes no sense to whine at minor things Korra does.

And that's just silly so because of brief fart joke which is eye rolling at best, you're going to rant about the entire series being a disappointment? That is such a petty thing to get worked up over.

I'm starting to see why you guys don't comment on the thread. You complain about things nobody cares about and you make mountains out of molehills.

Afro Warrior 27:

We'll he's right about one thing. Don't think that our opinions are clear cut answers about the quality of the series. This is true. This is only an opinion.

Plus I already explained why I feel that Seasons 1 and 2 isn't as good as Seasons 3 and 4 in terms of storytelling. So I won't even bother unless someone asks.

Please explain what exactly I am nitpicking because I am still working on that. I really don't see what I nitpicked in this episode because these are legitimate flaws.

"And that's just silly so because of brief fart joke which is eye rolling at best, you're going to rant about the entire series being a disappointment? That is such a petty thing to get worked up over."

-When the heck did I mention anything about fart jokes? Like seriously, when? My beef with the Airbender kids isn't just the fact that they make bad jokes, my BEEF is that they make bad jokes AND took up most of the screentime in this episode. They serve no purpose besides being comic relief in trying to find Korra.

"I'm starting to see why you guys don't comment on the thread. You complain about things nobody cares about and you make mountains out of molehills."

-No I point out legitimate flaws because nothing is perfect regardless of how good it is. And I only recall pointing out a few flaws in the past episodes anyways.

Valiona:

"As someone who found Season 1 decent but not up to the original series, and Season 2 somewhat disappointing, I'm less than enthusiastic about the other two seasons, and what I've read so far has done little to disprove that. Do you(Williamson K, the author of the liveblog and anyone else who would like to weigh in) agree with this perspective on the two more recent seasons of Legend of Korra?"

If you haven't left and you still wish to know my opinion...I find Season 3 to still have flaws but is otherwise a major improvement from the previous seasons in my opinion. Season 4 seems to be even better than Season 3. It Improves on its characterization and storytelling and is better than any of the previous seasons as a result. Regardless of what happens later on, these episodes will stand as a sign of improvement.

So yeah, give Seasons 3 and 4 a watch but just warning you, this episode is one of the weaker ones.

Williamson K (I'll reply to you later sorry...)

You point out legitimate flaws? Please because i'm sure "Jinora has a weird voice." is such a legimate flaw.

And it silly you need to claim you find season 3 has flaw. Everything has flaws even the original series, flaws an anything is to be expected, there's no such thing as a story with no flaws.

Afrowarrior27:

Excuse any spelling mistakes I am typing on my phone.

I recall jinora having a really weird voice whenever she talked in this episode. I cant really explain it but whoever is voice acting her isnt really doing a good job...

"And it silly you need to claim you find season 3 has flaw. Everything has flaws even the original series, flaws an anything is to be expected, there's no such thing as a story with no flaws."

Oh you want me to be specific now? Fine. I Probably should have said that there were a few GLARING flaws in season 3. You happy now?

Plus I already said that I dont think anything is perfect so why are you repeating what I just said?

And I know about the flaws in the original series. I'm just saying that they aren't as bad as this series' flaws. Maybe the love subplot in the original wasn't well handled. But it was better than the shameful love triangle in seasons 1 and 2 of the legend of korra. The original had deus ex machinas for sure, but they dont interfere with the characterization unlike this series.

So dont go telling me that nothing is perfect. I know that.

I bet those so called glaring flaws in Season 3 are just one of your personal nitpicks.

And also don't try to justify Dues Ex Machinas in the original series, that you simply showing your biased.

Those are some interesting comments all around. I'll consider Season 3 by the time it comes out on DVD, but my enthusiasm for Legend of Korra is still fairly low.

We never said our interpretations of the show's quality were the set-in-stone gospel truth, Ryochi, though it seems a few among the crusading legions of Lok's sycophants think otherwise of our criticisms.

Afro Warrior 27- No, I think by glaring flaws, he means GLARING FLAWS. He's been careful to distinguish between those and his MINOR nitpicks in the past. And he wasn't trying to justify ATLA's Dues Ex Machinas either.

And if Star Wars fans have license to complain about the cheap toilet humor Jar Jar Binks indulged in (not to mention the tastes-like-diabetes Ewoks) then, well...you get the idea. And that's not what makes me rant about the entire series being a disappointment, it's some parts of the series BEING a disappointment to me that make me rant about it being a disappointment. But hey, it's just my opinion.

Besides, both I and Ryochi have acknowledged the great strides this season has been taking so far, we're just pointing out how jar-jarring this particular episode was in the list of great ones we've been getting so far.

Listen, I can understand if hearing our critiques (mine in particular, sorry If I sound like a vehement jerk) is aggravating, but there's a difference between saying you enjoy something despite it's flaws and going on a crusade against those who's opinions or criticisms are as valid as anyone else's.

But I have recently become beleaguered by this Jihad, having a laundry list of things to do on my plate and (as some of you will no doubt be relieved to hear) I plan on hanging up my kepi and scimitar, bothering only to check in on the odd occasion. So farewell and Happy Halloween. Thanks for putting up with me, Ryochi.

Afro Warrior 27:

I am not biased first of all. I just simply think that this is a weaker series compared to the original.

And the Deus Ex Machina's didn't interfere with the development of the characters. At the end of season 3, Azula's still insane, Aang saved the world, Zuko wants to know about his mother, and him and Aang are both leading a united nation.

In the Legend of Korra at the end of season 2, Tenzin tells Korra that she needs to depend on herself and find power inside herself.

Cue her turning into a giant spirit monster out of nowhere and going on to fight Vaatu. It completely defeats the purpose of that statement.

See what I mean now?

Valiona:

I watched episode 5 of season 4 and I must tell you that once you get past season 3 (which is still pretty good halfway through), you will get a slew of great episodes.

Williamson K:

"As for what Nostalgia critic said: Bryke can apologize all they want, but seasons 1-3 happened (I'm counting season 3 as polished feces, though polished it still felt like a huge waste of time). Season 4 came too late to save the show in my eyes and it has only just started. That is further punctuated by the tarnished quality of this episode and it's hand in interrupting the flow of good to semi-good episodes we were enjoying."

-Well I think you may be excited to hear that the Airbender kids aren't in episode 5 for long and is a really good episode as a result.

"Yes, I can be really harsh on Lo K sometimes, but it had a tough act to follow and didn't deliver in my opinion."

- *cough* until season 4. *cough* Season 3 was good but not as good as Season 4 *cough*

"As for Ryochi's commentary, he's displayed far more patience and fairness for the show's quality than I have so reserve your anger for me."

-Usually, I wouldn't take credit for this because I don't want to seem like a jerk. But yeah, after what happened in Seasons 1 and 2. I've been pretty patient with this shows quality. And i'm glad I did.

"But I have recently become beleaguered by this Jihad, having a laundry list of things to do on my plate and (as some of you will no doubt be relieved to hear) I plan on hanging up my kepi and scimitar, bothering only to check in on the odd occasion. So farewell and Happy Halloween. Thanks for putting up with me, Ryochi."

-No problem. Hope you get back on soon and Happy Halloween to you too....oh wait its November....