Live Blogs Turtlebutter Watches Avatar The Last Airbender

Turtlebutter2012-06-18 09:58:16

I have been going to school year round for about 2 years now, working on a Bachelor's degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences. My summer semester classes have been cancelled, so I find myself with a good deal of free time that Im totally not used to.

I have decided to give myself certain tasks to keep myself busy, and one of them is to watch Avatar the Last Airbender (henceforth referred to as ATLA) and liveblog about it.

I am going into this as a Virgin, the most I have seen about ATLA were some commercials for toys several years ago, and whatever random bits and pieces that have come up on the My Little Pony thread in Western Animation.

A few things about me... Im 32 years old, female, and somewhat disillusioned with television programming. I typically prefer to read or play video games so watching a long running television series is going to be a rather new thing for me. I like Ponies...

Oh, and MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD... just in case you couldn't figure that out on your own :P

So... kick back, relax, and deal with my excessive and improper use of elipses...!

Comments

Eegah Since: Dec, 1969

Jun 11th 2012 at 6:01:40 AM

Mostly the reason The Great Divide is so hated is that it feels like a regular kids' show, when already by this point the fans were expecting more and were right to do so. I cringe thinking that there were probably several people who kept telling their friends about this new cartoon that tackled mature subject matter and didn't talk down to the audience, and then had this be the next episode that aired.

Turtlebutter Since: Dec, 1969

Jun 11th 2012 at 9:53:30 AM

So it probably wouldn't have had a bad reception if it had been played earlier on in the season? Up until The Winter Solstice episodes it followed that formula.

MasterGhandalf Since: Dec, 1969

Jun 11th 2012 at 1:53:02 PM

There's also the fact that the next two episodes, the Storm and the Blue Spirit, are both very big, important ones, and the fact that Great Divide is one of the only episodes that is pure filler, adding literally nothing noteworthy to the Myth Arc, worldbuilding, or characteriztion.

Seraphem Since: Dec, 1969

Jun 11th 2012 at 4:21:54 PM

Yeah, combo of it being written WAY more kiddie and Anvilicious and being damn near the ONLY episode that in no way shape or form has ANY bearing on the plot and/or character development for someone, baring a Discontinuity Nod in the penultimate episode.

I've heard from sevral fans that there are two episodes that are skipped the most, That one, because it's useless and boring, and Appa's Lost Days, because of just how emotional and tearjerking it can be for some people.

SalFishFin Since: Dec, 1969

Jun 11th 2012 at 4:32:37 PM

FYI: Episodes that have absolutely no bearing on the overall plot:

• The Great Divide.
• Avatar Day, but it's still largely enjoyable.
• Half of season 3, but it gets a pass for all the character building.

Seraphem Since: Dec, 1969

Jun 11th 2012 at 5:44:13 PM

Well Avatar day doe show us the creation of Kyoshi Island, as well as a bit of insight into Avatar Kyoshi. And yeah a lot of Season 3 isn't really plot relevant, between episodes, but it's mostly showing either CD or exploring more of the Fire Nation. only one i can think of that totally skippable is The Painted Lady

Bluespade Since: Dec, 1969

Jun 12th 2012 at 12:28:16 AM

I never got the hate for The Great Divide myself. It's not a bad episode. It's at least worth it to see the 3 unique art styles it shifts into during the story segments.

Eegah Since: Dec, 1969

Jun 12th 2012 at 8:14:32 AM

And Aang turning into Elmer Fudd during his meltdown at the end.

At least Rene Auberjonois was able to come back to the show as a much better character.

Seraphem Since: Dec, 1969

Jun 12th 2012 at 2:48:53 PM

Really it's a lot like the hate for MMDW among bronies, it's not "bad" by any objective standard, it's just not up to same quality as the rest of the show.

RobbieRotten Since: Dec, 1969

Jun 13th 2012 at 11:23:45 AM

i actually really liek the episode. good moral, interesting one shot characters, and awesome moment for aang!

Digi Since: Dec, 1969

Jun 17th 2012 at 9:27:16 AM

Lets put it thus way: "The Great Divide" is the WORST ATLAB has to offer. And it's still better than the average kids show.