[Legend of Korra Finale Spoilers] Implied with a sledgehammer!

[gandhi the peacemake]

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

First: Ah, I see what you mean now. Second: I'm (clearly, if my mention of homoerotic subtext is any indication) not adverse to the pairing, but from what little fanfic perusing of that fandom I've done, most people don't do the pairing all that well. It seems to me more "they look visually appealing with each other, let's make them kiss" (an attitude more in line with other fandom's fic communities) and less "their relationship has complex undertones that would be fun to explore" (an attitude that I'm sure the best of the Frozen fandom's fic authors have).

Then again, I'm not a fan of Frozen, so it's of little consequence to me, I suppose.

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

I don't understand the need to do this. Well, I understand, but it kind of feels like taking the easy road. The incest dilemma presents so many interesting (and tragic and necessary, though that hardly needs mentioning) wrinkles and storytelling possibilities. And what with the two of them being royalty and Elsa in particular being a literal ice queen, I imagine they could squash any sociopolitical unrest fairly easily. It's not like European royalty doesn't have a history of close relatives being married off to each other or anything.

But A;LDFJA;SLKDJF Back to Korra!

At one point I actually thought Mako was gonna die.

My two preferred outcomes, in order of least to most preferred:

A.) He dies.

B.) Bolin tricks him and takes his place.

I mean, seriously, it was just unsettling the vines. I imagine Bolin could have had greater effect on them, what with his spinning disc of molten lava and all. Plus it would have been great to see him upstage his brother. I really do not need Mako to be The Hero again, especially when he's such a flat character. Hence also why I would have preferred he died. Wow, that sounds remarkably apathetic on my part, but I can't bring myself to care too much whether he lived or died. Like I said, flat character.

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.

In this case, it's all the more frustrating because TLA did romance, or at least affection, fairly well for the most part. Zuko's romantic threads that started and ended with Mai were some of the most unexpectedly complete explorations of romance and courtship I've seen; Sokka's relationship with Suki, as well as his hangup over and slow recovery from Yue, was well-paced; Toph's crush on Sokka was nicely understated; and all of that left Aang and Katara free to play the whole destined lovers thing straight.

Did I mention I disliked the Varrick/Zhu Li thing they threw at us out of left field? Well, I disliked the Varrick/Zhu Li thing they threw at us out of left field.

 

[Scarim Coral]

I did NOT see it coming well I was getting a strong vibe when Korra apologise to Asami for being gone for so long (she doesn't say that to Mako well kinda but not to Bolin!) and Asami said she couldn't handed it if she has lost both her father AND Korra!

As for the relationship itself, I ok with it as I wasn't convince with the whole MaKora thing when one of the producers/ creators wanted that shipped to happened again.

I feel this stunt is another reasons why Nick would never want them to produce ANOTHER Avatar in the future and also the fans should learn to just let it go seeing how LOK was created due to their demands.

Still it make me wonder how the possible future comics (stuff that happened in the show like what they are doing with Aang at the moment) will handed it (goof friends or are in a relationship)?

Lastly I will post my fully opinion on it when the Escapist review is on the featured content.

 

[Eddie the head]

I don't really know why we need all these relationships, but then to be a bit cynical about romance. Some people are just going live there life without any close romantic relationships and that's fine. Other then that good ending.

 

[SajuukKhar]

I honestly dread to see the MASSIVE EXPLOSION of KorraXAsami art that is going to happen after this. Seriously, I don't think they could have pushed that ship harder in this episode without having them make out.

 

[crazygameguy4ever]

So... is it just wishful thinking, or does this mean what everyone assumes it meant?

Personally I'm still hyperventilating from the whole experience

Most spectacular shot from the finale [https://gfycat.com/CompassionateHighHapuku]

your just imagining things... their not lesbians and people need to stop trying to make them into that.... I thought this was a actually discussion on what might REALLY happen in the final episodes .... not a strange forum topic straight out of a fanfiction story of trying to make two straight characters into gay ones...

 

[Raggedstar]

Considering all the love triangle bullshit happened after Asami was introduced, I almost feel this choice was kind of poetic lol. I hated that stupid love triangle and all the on-again-off-again really stilted everything in the first two seasons. I was terrified they were going to bring Mako back to her after his last speech, but thankfully they didn't.

Anyways, I'm no shipper, but I can accept this. I love how they were building on Asami and Korra's relationship starting at season 3 (friends or otherwise). Asami was Korra's rock for much of those seasons, and who Korra trusted the most emotionally. Perhaps it could've been written better (and it sure would've been a sight if they went balls-deep with the portrayal of them as a couple, but...yanno...Nick), but I'm satisfied as it is.

(though I still think season 3's finale was better)

 

[laggyteabag]

The only way that it could have been implied just a little more is if they ended with the song "Korra and Asami sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G".

I was actually pretty surprised that this is a thing, because I really thought that Nickolodeon would have slapped down even the slightest hint that this was going to be the case. Anyway, at least it wasn't Mako, and for that, I am very, very happy about it.

As for the episode itself, I actually thought that it was a pretty great ending, and probably the best finale that they have ever done, even beating out the Aang vs Ozai fight from TLA.

 

[47_Ronin]

Hahaha, as a man myself, I cannot help but laugh and wonder about my fellow penis-wielder's male gaze. Whatever is the case (and I don't mind either read on the situation), it is truly comical and mesmerizing to see the reactions. I'd like to remind the male audience, though, that women are far more intimate with each other in platonic relationships.

 

[Josh123914]

your just imagining things... their not lesbians and people need to stop trying to make them into that.... I thought this was a actually discussion on what might REALLY happen in the final episodes .... not a strange forum topic straight out of a fanfiction story of trying to make two straight characters into gay ones...

Well, they aren't lesbians since they had straight relationships that just didn't work out (not because of their sexual preference but due to partners fucking up / not having the same feelings). They are bisexual.

And it happened in the final episodes. The last fucking shot was as subtle as a brick.

Yeah, it wasn't some forced fan-ficky event.
This is canon.

 

[WhiteWolfe]

I thought I'd been seeing hints of this all season, and I'm glad it didn't turn out to be teasing by the creators. Also, it's really nice to see more inclusion, even if subtle. I don't want to sound like a broken record but I'm a huge believer that love can be found between anyone and there shouldn't be any more or less stigma for S-S pairings. I hope that someday when I'm older and have kids, two woman can be in love and kiss in the series finale of a show without the collective watchdogs shitting themselves in fear of corrupting morales.

Two thumbs up guys. The whole finale was balls to the wall awesome.

 

[Vault101]

your just imagining things... their not lesbians and people need to stop trying to make them into that.... I thought this was a actually discussion on what might REALLY happen in the final episodes .... not a strange forum topic straight out of a fanfiction story of trying to make two straight characters into gay ones...

aaand whats there to indicate that they aren't bisexual at least? I mean for eff sake [i/]look at them[/i]

you can't always assume what people orientation may or may not be

Yeah, it wasn't some forced fan-ficky event.
This is canon.

Spoiler: Cannon Bitches!!!!!!

[img/]http://media.timesfreepress.com/img/photos/2013/09/23/cannon.gif[/img]

I'd like to remind the male audience, though, that women are far more intimate with each other in platonic relationships.

I don't get what your saying here, most shippers ship who they want regardless of anything

I honestly dread to see the MASSIVE EXPLOSION of KorraXAsami art that is going to happen after this. Seriously, I don't think they could have pushed that ship harder in this episode without having them make out.

why would you dread such a thing?

 

[47_Ronin]

I'd like to remind the male audience, though, that women are far more intimate with each other in platonic relationships.

I don't get what your saying here, most shippers ship who they want regardless of anything

I was more referring to the various posters on different sites, that immediately jumped on the yay-lesbian/ ugh-lesbian bandwagons. I looked up 'shippers' after I posted in order to lift my confusion. And, again, I like both interpretations, it's just that I hadn't seen any indications for romantic love between them in previous episodes. Maybe I just missed it, maybe Nickelodeon had to be too careful (which I find unnecessary in this day and age).

/edit: haha, horribly misspelled Nickelodeon.

 

[KazeAizen]

Spoiler: Spoilered for Vulgarity

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.

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.

Thing is a lot of the season 1 and 2 problems were the fault of Nick circle jerking them around. It went something like this.
Creators: We want to make a sequel movie dealing with the loose end of Zuko's mother.
Nick: No! It was too successful make a sequel series instead!
Creators: Ok but it is just going to be a one off mini series.
Nick after season 1's animation and voice work have wrapped: There is a demand make a second season!
Creators: But we...
Nick: Second season now!

Pretty much what it looks like and how it played out. That's why season 2 was damn rocky. Sure they still could've written some of the stuff better but I think these guys work best when they have an end goal and time. For season 2 they didn't really have either of that and it clearly suffered. It had enough good stuff that it is still worth watching and it is still miles better than most of the stuff on TV today but it is by far the weakest season in the entire Avatar franchise.

As for Korra's and Asami's relationship the creators just swore off anything between those 2 and Mako at the end of the second season because they realized that none of it was working really. Turns out though that in season 3 and 4 the best relationship in general was between Korra and Asami. They just worked well off each other. The one major hint in season 4 was that Korra blushed when Asami complimented her new hair. I thought that would be the end of it personally. Apparently not.


I'm sure you'll have the types yelling about "political correctness" and "agendas" and "social progressiveness" but in all honesty it doesn't come off that way to me. This honestly feels like the most organic romance and relationship in the entire series. I mean despite the Zuko/Katara fan shipping and their good heartfelt moments it was pretty clear early on Aang and Katara were going to be together. Being on a kids network no one dreamed they would do something like this implied or otherwise. Korra and Asami played off each other so well in the last 2 seasons that this sledge hammer of subtext doesn't even really feel shoe horned. Meaning they did their job damn well by my estimation.

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

Maybe I just missed it, maybe Nikolodeon had to be too careful (which I find unnecessary in this day and age).

Funny you should mention that because, unfortunately they do. I can't speak for Nickelodeon, but Disney censored a same sex relationship in Gravity Falls, and that wasn't even between two major characters.

Spoiler

Source #1 [http://arythusa.tumblr.com/post/104366869577/gravity-falls-the-love-god-intro]
Source #2 (for relevant clipped storyboard panels) [http://phantomrose96.tumblr.com/post/105239566547/and-alex-hirsch-has-definitely-been-trying-to-put]

That being said, Cartoon Network doesn't seem to have the same reservations. Steven Universe loves breaking convention.[footnote]Not that CN hasn't done anything to piss people off, I just like Steven Universe as a series and I'm happy they gave it a go.
I wouldn't at all be surprised if there were things censored out of their storyboards as well.[/footnote]

Now whether censoring these things is something that's warranted in this day and age? I don't personally think so either, but apparently some of the networks believe they should be :/

-----------------------------
OT: I'll take Korrasami over Makorra any day. I think they could have done better to build up the relationship though, it feels a little like an off the cuff decision made at the beginning of season 4, but "could have done better" seems to be the series motto at this point.


Edit:

This ship sailed.

That wordplay made me laugh probably more than it should have.

 

[Beffudled Sheep_v1legacy]

Snip

How does Steven Universe break conventions?
I don't watch it regularly so I probably missed some cool stuff.

 

[KazeAizen]

In this case, it's all the more frustrating because TLA did romance, or at least affection, fairly well for the most part. Zuko's romantic threads that started and ended with Mai were some of the most unexpectedly complete explorations of romance and courtship I've seen; Sokka's relationship with Suki, as well as his hangup over and slow recovery from Yue, was well-paced; Toph's crush on Sokka was nicely understated; and all of that left Aang and Katara free to play the whole destined lovers thing straight.

I'm still of the opinion that a lot of season 1 and season 2's problems came from the production side. I mean it sort of seemed to play out like a school teacher adding onto a final project you had already finished ahead of time and gives you 3 days to do what would amount to a weeks worth of work. No matter how good you are you can't Frankenstein an after thought onto your finished product and still have it look flawless. Coupled with the fact that its rushed will only make things worse. The first series had several advantages that this one didn't. One was they knew what the ultimate end game would be. However they left their first season finale open ended enough that should it be cancelled they could at least round out what they had. Also knowing they had 3 seasons with 20 episodes each they could let the characters breathe and just have episodes devoted to a relationship or character building for one.

Korra didn't really have any of those advantages. Conceived as a self contained mini series with a severely limited episode count. It probably would've been best if they had written out the romance angle all together but then again personally I still think it needed to be there because these characters are teens and they do worry about that stuff. Also the whole debacle with Remembrances shows that Nick really was a gigantic stick up their ass. I mean you can tell when they knew full well what they were doing. Seasons 3 and 4 bled into each other much better than 1 and 2. 3 and 4 were also better written with a lot less padding. Its because Nick had given them breathing room.

 

[Burnouts3s3]

As a Korrasami shipper, this was very pleasant to me. However, I do think the ending is 'vague' enough so that either interpretations of Korra and Asami being platonic or more are both correct.

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

Snip

How does Steven Universe break conventions?
I don't watch it regularly so I probably missed some cool stuff.

Spoiler: Not Korra related

Mostly in their portrayal of female characters and characters in general as the most obvious. They're all shown not perfect, even the crystal gems, which are as close to living gods as the show gets.

Spoiler

As for their portrayal of relationships, Steven's father is this guy.

Spoiler

Obviously he's not perfect either. He lives in a van and writes mediocre music, but in later episodes where it shows a little bit more of his and Rose's relationship, they're shown to be very much in love with each other despite all that.

Steven himself is a chubby kid, who is also a hero and they tackle interracial couples and characters without a second glance.

Spoiler

There's some more subtle stuff running around the internet, but YMMV on fan theories and the show is still newish, but it's overall very well written IMO and you can only cover so much ground in 35 episodes.