Avatar: DONE!

[sholio]

We just finished the finale!

One word: EPIC. That was epic, and incredible, and ... how do they do all this on a kids' show, when most grown-up shows can't manage half this level of emotion and adrenaline and warmth and beauty?

I kinda see what xparrot means, because ... I'm not really sure if I want to fic this! There's nothing left to write about; it's all there, in canon itself -- friendship and sacrifice and heroism, love and redemption, incredible fight scenes, warm character moments. That was ... amazing.

I think I need some time to let it settle in my brain, because right now I'm just kind of flailing and all the thoughts that I have on the show are jostling around in my brain and failing to coalesce. WHY IS THERE NOT MORE TV LIKE THIS?!

... okay, one random thought: the Zuko & Katara storyline blows my mind because the focus on them at the end -- enmity becoming friendship and mutual respect/affection; fighting together against a common enemy -- made me realize that I don't know if I've ever seen that sort of story done with a man and a woman without a hint of sexual attraction, shippiness, or romantic angst. I didn't even know if it was possible to do that! Normally you'd get that sort of storyline between two (platonic) guys, or between two people who become lovers. But they did it so well. (And yes, I know that there is a fandom following for Zuko/Katara, and while to each their own and all of that, I plan to avoid it like the plague, because what makes me love about the relationship between those two is that it's totally platonic and remains so to the end. Besides, I really love the canon couples in this show, and would never want to see them broken up!)

As for the rest of it ... I just don't know where to start! SO MUCH TO SQUEE ABOUT, SO LITTLE TIME.

Comments

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

YES <3333

The finale is so, so, so gorgeous - the animation and the story and the relationships and the music and the fighting and the cute and the hugs and the everything ^___^

[sholio]

Hee, and now I know where your icon comes from. ("Being part of the group means being part of the group hugs!")

The music! Yes! Especially the fight with Azula -- I'm so glad they didn't use something with a hard beat and a fast tempo, because it made the fight so much more, well, gorgeous, and emotionally powerful.

I love this show so much. <3 Also, I know you don't read fanfic for it, but if you're interested at all, you really ought to try this one! It's short, and too adorable for words. It takes place early in Zuko's time in the Air Temple; he finds himself on the receiving end of two 12-year-olds who think he needs a hug. (Yeah, I've pretty much spent the afternoon poking through ff.net, AO3 and various recs sites. I think I've found my next fandom ...)

[ranlynn.livejournal.com]

I kinda see what xparrot means, because ... I'm not really sure if I want to fic this! There's nothing left to write about; it's all there, in canon itself -- friendship and sacrifice and heroism, love and redemption, incredible fight scenes, warm character moments. That was ... amazing.

Well..we still don't know what happened to Zuko's mother. Only that she is alive somewhere.

[sholio]

That's true! I was actually a little surprised that they left it dangling like that; it feels more like a loose end, since they bring it up right at the end, than it would if they'd simply dropped it ages ago. I'm not sure if they were planning on doing a sequel and Nickelodeon didn't go for it, or what ...

This fandom seems to be generally lacking long, plotty fic. HMMM.

[gnine.livejournal.com]

It is amazingly awesomely epic, no?! God I love the ending so so sooo much! And you're right about the Zuko/Katara storyline, do love the way that's handled and that it stays platonic.

...and then there are the HUGS in the finale. HOMG, the Zuko/Iroh hug I have maybe watched like a GAZILLION times, just...cause...ohohohoh, so adorably sweet and we KNEW of course Iroh would forgive him and would be proud but it's just SO! HAPPY! And the Aang/Zuko hug at the end as well.

And the "C'mon, if you're gonna be part of the group, you're gonna be part of the group hugs" hug. SO. MANY. HUGS! ^___________^

[sholio]

It is epic! And wonderful! And yes, the hugs ... they are a really huggy bunch, these characters, which I guess makes sense with them being kids and all -- but I get a special kick out of prickly Zuko getting drawn into as many hugs as he does. (His face when they insisted on the group hug! bwahaha! He tries so hard to be all cool and dignified, and then they go and do things like that to him ...)

And, yeah, the reunion scene between Zuko and Iroh was all I'd hoped for and more. :D