Recently started watching ATLA on (Latin American) Netflix. I'm up to S02E07, so if you wish to discuss or reference future events PLEASE USE SPOILER TAGS. Discussion of episodes before that are fine without spoiler warnings or tags 
Yesterday I watched "Zuko Alone" and... my god. MY GOD. This show has everything. I'm impressed with the setting and world building, the color palettes and the art style, the fluid and breathtaking animation and he epic direction, but most of all - I'm impressed with the quality of the writing. This is far more than a children's cartoon. It exceeds that label completely. This is something that's crafted with love and respect for both its inspirations and it's audience. Something that manages to be funny, thought provoking, epic and heartbreaking in the same episode - in less than 30 minutes!! It takes gender tropes and manages to subvert them thoroughly (Sokka is a teenage boy who thinks himself a manly warrior but he's also a compulsive shopper that feels buyer's remorse. Katara was prohibited from learning waterbending by the Northern tribe because she was a girl and she wasn't supposed to do that, YET SHE STILL DID AND SURPASSED THE OTHER STUDENTS. And so on). It lovingly references pop culture in a way that feels organic. It isn't afraid to show the ugly part of a war, managing to be scary and dark without going overboard with dread (and no gore!).
Of course, it's not perfect. Both "The Great Divide" and "Avatar Day" are the weakest episodes so far, both relying on unlikeable "villagers of the week" that truly are one dimensional, unlike the main cast, and somewhat ridiculous premises. They both have saving graces, though, and avoid to be completely bad or boring. But for every Great Divide or Avatar Day, there's a The Storm or Zuko Alone. And the latter one prompted me to write this thread.
It reminded me of the better parts of LOST, managing to use flashbacks to further and reinforce the narrative instead of hindering it. A sad, beautiful tale of struggling to define identity, a dysfunctional family, political maneuvering AND a western homage. It exceeds expectations and transforms an already great series into an amazing one. Not only for children, but for everyone.
So... discuss your favorite moments, tease me about future episodes, share favorite lines, ship your favorite couple, etc.
PS: TOPH and UNCLE IROH ARE THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST
PPS: Azula's a fucking monster. What a sociopath. Bloody great antagonist, though. Chilling.
Yesterday I watched "Zuko Alone" and... my god. MY GOD. This show has everything. I'm impressed with the setting and world building, the color palettes and the art style, the fluid and breathtaking animation and he epic direction, but most of all - I'm impressed with the quality of the writing. This is far more than a children's cartoon. It exceeds that label completely. This is something that's crafted with love and respect for both its inspirations and it's audience. Something that manages to be funny, thought provoking, epic and heartbreaking in the same episode - in less than 30 minutes!! It takes gender tropes and manages to subvert them thoroughly (Sokka is a teenage boy who thinks himself a manly warrior but he's also a compulsive shopper that feels buyer's remorse. Katara was prohibited from learning waterbending by the Northern tribe because she was a girl and she wasn't supposed to do that, YET SHE STILL DID AND SURPASSED THE OTHER STUDENTS. And so on). It lovingly references pop culture in a way that feels organic. It isn't afraid to show the ugly part of a war, managing to be scary and dark without going overboard with dread (and no gore!).
Of course, it's not perfect. Both "The Great Divide" and "Avatar Day" are the weakest episodes so far, both relying on unlikeable "villagers of the week" that truly are one dimensional, unlike the main cast, and somewhat ridiculous premises. They both have saving graces, though, and avoid to be completely bad or boring. But for every Great Divide or Avatar Day, there's a The Storm or Zuko Alone. And the latter one prompted me to write this thread.
It reminded me of the better parts of LOST, managing to use flashbacks to further and reinforce the narrative instead of hindering it. A sad, beautiful tale of struggling to define identity, a dysfunctional family, political maneuvering AND a western homage. It exceeds expectations and transforms an already great series into an amazing one. Not only for children, but for everyone.
So... discuss your favorite moments, tease me about future episodes, share favorite lines, ship your favorite couple, etc.
PS: TOPH and UNCLE IROH ARE THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST
PPS: Azula's a fucking monster. What a sociopath. Bloody great antagonist, though. Chilling.
