[Legend of Korra Finale Spoilers] Implied with a sledgehammer!
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I heard it ended with Korra and Asami confessing their undying love and taking down Kuvira using the power of a lesbian orgy.
Kidding, kidding... mostly. As someone who hasn't really been keeping up with LoK and has been getting their updates through Tumblr, damn, this has been a confusing half hour.
And you know, I'm not one to really buy into homoerotic subtext, but this subtext is fifty-foot bold print. Kinda wish Bryke weren't so flip-floppy about it, though. Haven't got a problem with canon Korrasami, but saying "Mako and Korra were made for each other" and then pulling that was just cruel.
Meh, good thing I became completely un-invested in Korra during season 2.
Kidding, kidding... mostly. As someone who hasn't really been keeping up with LoK and has been getting their updates through Tumblr, damn, this has been a confusing half hour.
And you know, I'm not one to really buy into homoerotic subtext, but this subtext is fifty-foot bold print. Kinda wish Bryke weren't so flip-floppy about it, though. Haven't got a problem with canon Korrasami, but saying "Mako and Korra were made for each other" and then pulling that was just cruel.
Meh, good thing I became completely un-invested in Korra during season 2.
I THIS REAL? IS THIS REAL? I DON'T EVEN WATCH THE SHOW BUT I'M HAVING ALL THESE FEELINGS
*ahem*
I.....I think I might actually cry for real
the only way this would be more perfect is if they kissed
*ahem*
I.....I think I might actually cry for real
the only way this would be more perfect is if they kissed
its because women are more often than not have a LOT more leeway in regards to touching/intimacy with their friends. If it were two guys you'd assume they were in loveMike Hoffman said:
This is so canon. Any ambiguity is because no matter what, this is still Nick and they can't end it with two women making out, which apparently some people need to see to believe it's romantic.
[/spoiler]
Otherwise, even though the finale wasn't the strongest set of episodes we've seen in these series, I still liked it a lot, especially the last ten minutes. I'll write up the full review in the morning (been working all day) and should have it up [s]tomorrow[/s] this afternoon.
Otherwise, even though the finale wasn't the strongest set of episodes we've seen in these series, I still liked it a lot, especially the last ten minutes. I'll write up the full review in the morning (been working all day) and should have it up [s]tomorrow[/s] this afternoon.
I never did buy the whole Korra/Asami thing and honestly I still don't, but whatever, it was a satisfying enough ending to the show.
Season 3 I still feel was the strongest and the whole giant mech thing was pretty dumb, but again, still satisfying enough that I'm not left unhappy.
Season 3 I still feel was the strongest and the whole giant mech thing was pretty dumb, but again, still satisfying enough that I'm not left unhappy.
I know right? It is so perfect. Besides, how many romance triangle end with the two women ending up with each other?Vault101 said:
OT: *Me squeeing in the background for a solid two minutes* Yeah, I got nothing else to say. *goes back to squeeing*
THE UTTER BALLS IT TOOK TO DO THIS. HOLY FUCK. I didn't think these bastards had it in them, but the subtle implications built to the MOTHER OF IMPLICATIONS. OUT-FUCKING-STANDING!!!!
All and all, it was an awesome finale.
Yeah, maybe I'm blind but I never saw any subtle implications between Korra and Asami. They were friends and as far as I saw nothing beyond that, there was certainly nothing to imply it in the first two seasons when the pair are both all dove-eyed over Mako. Two women can't be good friends without it suddenly being sexual? Apparently not.Shock and Awe said:
But again whatever. I'll admit I think it's a bit annoying that the shows creators seemingly gave into pandering to their fans with this move, but it's not like it destroys my enjoyment of the show either and I'm sure it will make some people very excited so...
Yay?
Then again I'm also a bitter grump who thought The Last Airbender's ending kiss was corny and needless as well, so perhaps I'm just hopeless at this whole cartoon romance thing.
On the one hand, it would have been nice if they'd just gone balls-out and left it with zero ambiguity whatsoever because fuck off that's why. On the other hand, it's more in line with how their (Korra and Asami's) character and relationship dynamic has developed. It would have been really out of character if they'd started making out right then and there. That said, about the only thing I would have liked is some sort of anxiety on either of their parts in being a bit more open with their feelings. You know, maybe as they walk up to the spirit portal, Asami lagging behind Korra a few steps, she asks kind of nervously, "Um, c-can I..." and then just sort of goes for the hand grab, partly because she's still sad about her dad and partly because she wants to hold Korra's hand in a more forward manner. Korra looks surprised for a moment, then her face relaxes and her grip tightens, and then bam, they walk into the portal and the creators get to be even less ambiguous about it.
That said, one of the reasons why this show irks me so much is because it lacks the subtlety required to pull something like that off. Were it up to the creators, they probably would have just had them blurt out "I love you" to each other like they did with every other character this episode. No depictions of love (or love blooming), just statements.
Same thing with the whole Kuvira-as-Korra-foil shtick near the end. Or, heck, Korra and Kuvira's entire spirit world dialogue. Kuvira's actions aren't the actions of someone who just wanted to build and protect her nation, but I guess we're supposed to believe her because she says so with a downcast expression and self-pity in her voice. Korra and she aren't foils at all, the way I see it. Korra's just a boneheaded incarnation of the Avatar, and Kuvira's just a maniacal dictator.
The show is much better at characterization when it doesn't actively try to characterize. Varrick and Zhu Li were amazingly well-characterized when they weren't the focus of attention, but once this season came about, their dialogues felt far more forced than natural. Same with Lin and Suyin, and Suyin's family, and so on and so forth. The only reason the Korrasami ending seems reasonable is because of those moments the four seasons prior when Korra and Asami could relax around each other. Contrast that with Asami and her father, where they say they love each other but there's no real reason for it. The saying of the words, I mean, not the love behind it. It's clear there's still a lot of distance that separates them and which would make voicing their true feelings extremely difficult. It would make more sense to have his utterance just before he dies be the only time they cross that gap (when the external peril trumps the emotional baggage).
But blah. Botched storytelling, and some other nitpicks here and there, but I got the ending I wanted, so I consider this series successful enough.
EDIT:
Even the first two seasons hinted that they were at the very least better friends with each other than with the boys. Just friends during this time, for sure, but certainly the foundations of a strong relationship, platonic or otherwise, were more firmly set between them. Then Asami was the one to take care of Korra during (and after?) season 3, and Asami was the one Korra wrote to during her three years of rehabilitation, and Asami was (I believe) the first person she talked to once she made it back to Republic City. Then their little conversations, and they always came across as happier around each other. Strong friendship? Maybe. Something more? Maybe that instead/as well.
That said, one of the reasons why this show irks me so much is because it lacks the subtlety required to pull something like that off. Were it up to the creators, they probably would have just had them blurt out "I love you" to each other like they did with every other character this episode. No depictions of love (or love blooming), just statements.
Same thing with the whole Kuvira-as-Korra-foil shtick near the end. Or, heck, Korra and Kuvira's entire spirit world dialogue. Kuvira's actions aren't the actions of someone who just wanted to build and protect her nation, but I guess we're supposed to believe her because she says so with a downcast expression and self-pity in her voice. Korra and she aren't foils at all, the way I see it. Korra's just a boneheaded incarnation of the Avatar, and Kuvira's just a maniacal dictator.
The show is much better at characterization when it doesn't actively try to characterize. Varrick and Zhu Li were amazingly well-characterized when they weren't the focus of attention, but once this season came about, their dialogues felt far more forced than natural. Same with Lin and Suyin, and Suyin's family, and so on and so forth. The only reason the Korrasami ending seems reasonable is because of those moments the four seasons prior when Korra and Asami could relax around each other. Contrast that with Asami and her father, where they say they love each other but there's no real reason for it. The saying of the words, I mean, not the love behind it. It's clear there's still a lot of distance that separates them and which would make voicing their true feelings extremely difficult. It would make more sense to have his utterance just before he dies be the only time they cross that gap (when the external peril trumps the emotional baggage).
But blah. Botched storytelling, and some other nitpicks here and there, but I got the ending I wanted, so I consider this series successful enough.
EDIT:
Of course they can, and I don't think anyone would have complained (too much) if they'd remained that way, but as you yourself said, the implications of something deeper were subtle; you're not blind, but maybe you're just not good at detecting subtlety.The Madman said:
Even the first two seasons hinted that they were at the very least better friends with each other than with the boys. Just friends during this time, for sure, but certainly the foundations of a strong relationship, platonic or otherwise, were more firmly set between them. Then Asami was the one to take care of Korra during (and after?) season 3, and Asami was the one Korra wrote to during her three years of rehabilitation, and Asami was (I believe) the first person she talked to once she made it back to Republic City. Then their little conversations, and they always came across as happier around each other. Strong friendship? Maybe. Something more? Maybe that instead/as well.
I'll agree on this point. On the one hand, I wasn't a fan of it considering everything the two of them had gone through; it probably would have played better had they mutually decided to take it slower, maybe just hold hands or even just give each other meaningful looks or something. But on the other hand, the entire show had been building up to, among many other things, their relationship becoming a full-on romantic pairing, so I can't say I was surprised.
how do you know it was that and not intentional? why does everything thats considered a deviation from the norm automatically chalked up as pandering? as from what others have said I get the feeling their down playing it only to appease those more sensitiveThe Madman said:
and yes two women can be friends without it turning sexual (happens all the time IRL and in fiction), but there is a reason fans jump on these kinds of ships with so much passion and certainty (I mean god just look at frozen), there's almost a need here...that we never get in mainstream media...because mainstream media is so full of disappointments, when you reply so much on subtext/fan fic/wishful thinking and then FOR ONCE something wonderful happens... you don't even have to be gay to appreciate it
Korra and Asami had the most believable and likable relationship for the past season and a bit (basically since they stopped with the love triangle nonsense), so I was expecting something like this. I was pretty surprised to see Tenzin come up to Korra at the end at first because I thought they were about to skip a tender Korra/Asami moment.
To be honest though, despite the fact that the implication they're relationship wasn't subtle at all, I'm just as much of a fan of the idea of them not being in a couple as I am the idea of them being a couple. Like I said, especially by the end, Korra and Asami had the most genuine seeming relationship, and they were probably the most likable pair of team avatar, so if anyone was going to hook up I'm glad it's those two. On the other hand, depicting a strong female friendship, especially in an action genre, is extremely welcome and refreshing. I also like the idea of the main character having a happy ending that doesn't involve being in a romantic relationship. Maybe in a way it would have been nicer if the show was completely committed to one of these outcomes but I guess I kinda like it in that I can look at it both ways and appreciate it.
Anyway, I really liked the finale in general.
To be honest though, despite the fact that the implication they're relationship wasn't subtle at all, I'm just as much of a fan of the idea of them not being in a couple as I am the idea of them being a couple. Like I said, especially by the end, Korra and Asami had the most genuine seeming relationship, and they were probably the most likable pair of team avatar, so if anyone was going to hook up I'm glad it's those two. On the other hand, depicting a strong female friendship, especially in an action genre, is extremely welcome and refreshing. I also like the idea of the main character having a happy ending that doesn't involve being in a romantic relationship. Maybe in a way it would have been nicer if the show was completely committed to one of these outcomes but I guess I kinda like it in that I can look at it both ways and appreciate it.
Anyway, I really liked the finale in general.
Is there some sort of romantic subplot I missed in Frozen as well, because I don't see why that of all movies is one you'd use as an example? Maybe I really am just clueless when it comes to spotting 'romance stuff'.Vault101 said:
And again I've got nothing against the romance, I just think it's corny as hell. I thought The Last Airbender's was as well, but at least that was clearly telegraphed over the course of three seasons. With Korra and Asami I just never saw anything beyond friendship which is why the whole 'suddenly romantic' thing has caught me off guard. I'd have preferred for the show to avoid any direct romance aside from the Varrick plot, simply because I feel it would have been more satisfying to leave something like that to the viewers imagination rather than tacking it on at the end... which they sorta did but not really.
In any case I certainly don't hate it, so please don't take my grumpiness as any sort of personal attack or hate for the show.
...is the implication here that Frozen should have ended with Elsa and Anna getting together romantically, or...? (Though from what I understand, they were supposed to be "best friends" in the original script, which would have made the homoerotic subtext a bit easier to handle.)Vault101 said:
I am super fucking pissed because this scene was spoiled for me on the Reddit app on my phone. I have even learned to avoid it because there are constant spoilers for this show on Reddit and Imgur, but this episode was up unreasonably earlier or I'm just up a lot later than usual. This is a common occurrence for this show and is pretty fucked up.
But while I was watching, the spoiler distracted me only a little because of how invested I was in each scene. This last episode was nothing short of amazing. Everyone working together and caring for each other really pulled on my heartstrings. At one point I actually thought Mako was gonna die. And the scene at the end between Korra and Tenzin, goddamn the emotions. There was definitely something special in the animation department as well, breathtaking scenes all around.
As for the nature of the their relationship, I would say they are together. Remember when Korra blushed when Asami complimented her hair? But honestly I wouldn't worry about it too much. The scene was perfect and they definitely love each other besides the disputable sexual stuff. And that was my favorite part, in how much they cared for each other was conveyed through the final scenes.
If this episode had caught me on a different day, I'd definitely cry my eyes out at this ending.
:' )
But while I was watching, the spoiler distracted me only a little because of how invested I was in each scene. This last episode was nothing short of amazing. Everyone working together and caring for each other really pulled on my heartstrings. At one point I actually thought Mako was gonna die. And the scene at the end between Korra and Tenzin, goddamn the emotions. There was definitely something special in the animation department as well, breathtaking scenes all around.
As for the nature of the their relationship, I would say they are together. Remember when Korra blushed when Asami complimented her hair? But honestly I wouldn't worry about it too much. The scene was perfect and they definitely love each other besides the disputable sexual stuff. And that was my favorite part, in how much they cared for each other was conveyed through the final scenes.
If this episode had caught me on a different day, I'd definitely cry my eyes out at this ending.
:' )
oh no, not at all..I just placed that mention in the wrong spotgandhi the peacemake said:
no I meant Frozen as an example of a very VERY obsessive ship within the fandom, I mean I'm actually a fan of elsanna but some people insist its TRUE SECRET CANNON which would never be the case as we know they are sisters[footnote/]although some people within their fanfics like to imply Elsa and anna are not biological to get over the "uhh guys this IS incest" thing[/footnote] the reason Frozen exploded over fandoms like this is because it is a disney movie that focuses on the relationship between two women, it might be a sisterly love but that spoke to a lot of people in other ways, again so different to what we usually get
[quote/](Though from what I understand, they were supposed to be "best friends" in the original script, which would have made the homoerotic subtext a bit easier to handle.)[/quote]
the internet would explode at the idea
personally I'm all for a "oh you mean our parents are different!?" retcon...but in the unlikley event disney did that its too late, moral groups would have a shit fit
no, as I said above I used to frozen to illustrate how obsessive/passionate people became over something because it was something they had never gotten beforeThe Madman said:
Actual, as far as representation goes, this has been the year for female/female ships. Adventure Time, Attack on Titan, Carmella, and now Legend of Korra (there's one more this year but I've forgotten it) have all had confirmed lesbian relationships. Heck, the Legend of Korra is perhaps the most subtle of all these ships. It's really awesome.Vault101 said:
Well, if you are looking for any korrasmai moments before the third season, you're going to be disappointed as the romance for those two seasons were tired into the horrible love triangles. It's seems pretty clear that the main couple was changed during the seasons, so it's unfair to point to the first two seasons as proof that Korra/Asami wasn't hinted at from the beginning because it wasn't planned at the beginning.The Madman said:
To be fair, a lot of the "subtle" implications in the third season was easily identifiable as friendship moments. The reason why so many people jumped on the Korrasami ship was because these were the only moments for Korra during that season. Bolin and Mako barely talked to Korra during that season (or this one for that matter). It really wasn't until the third season finale with Asami holding hands when people started to seriously consider Korrasami to be a legitimate paring. Basically, here is the "subtle" korrasami moments
* 3x01: Korra and Asami calling each other girlfriends (the weakest one as they're clearly talking about a close friend)
* 3x12: Asmai "If you want to talk...or anything"
* 4x02: Asami's Letter to Korra and Korra's Response Letter
* 4x07: Korra blushing when being complimented by Asami
These are the most obvious of the "subtle" hints. There are others, but those can easily be considered something a friend would do. It also helped that this season did show that Mako no longer thought of Korra as a girlfriend.
So yeah, that was the big moments that got people thinking that this ship would be canon, and we were right!
If it helps, I'm on the same page as you as far the finale kiss for Last Airbender goes. Corny and not really necessary - there were better ways to go "Katara and Aaang are a thing now." Considering how LoK handle it's various romantic arcs, I don't think Bryke can write romance very well. It seems to just be "Here are two characters, they really like each other, now they're fucking." Kinda annoys me, and I'm a hopeless romantic type! Granted, I firmly believe that if you can't do romance well, you shouldn't do it at all. I'm tired of being blue-balled by idiot writers who don't know how to pen a decent love story.The Madman said:
Case in point.gandhi the peacemake said:
Hey, whatever floats your metaphorical boat, I still think it's corny though. Then again I also seem to be in the minority in that regard so I'm at least happy that the ending made other people so happy, plus it's not like I hated the ending myself either.xaszatm said:
Thanks for that, nice to know I'm not completely alone.Saetha said: