#jack/zhao

[blluespirit]

Overall NATLA Thoughts

Okay, now that I've watched the series, I can give my thoughts.

Overall, I thought it was good!!! I had fun watching it! I'd rate it a solid 6.5/10. It's nowhere as good as the original, but it was definitely enjoyable and made some nice changes here and there that I liked. There were also some things I was also Not a fan of too.

I said in another post that it's best to treat this like an AU of the original. There will things that are great and things that are bad. That's the nature of adapting something.

Having said that, I need to get my initial thoughts off my chest... here we go.

Things I thought were good:

Sokka's characterisation - I really enjoyed him! I thought Ian did a good job! He played the funny moments well and retained the underlying seriousness/cautiousness. It wasn't perfect, but I enjoyed the changes a lot and think it was overall a solid performance.

Zuko's characterisation - Like Sokka, I do think I was most satisfied with their performances. A lot of Zuko's moments from the cartoon are sometimes... well, cartoonish and definitely wouldn't translate to live action, but I think Dallas did a nice job at balancing Zuko's desperate anger and that occasional sassiness well.

Zuko and Iroh moments were great. Had me on the floor crying. As it should have.

The bending looks a trillion times better than the movie - I understand it would not have been easy for the actors but, overall, I was very happy about it.

The scenery was stunning. It just looked so beautiful. I loved it so much.

Absolutely ADORE that they made Zuko a good calligrapher and artist. I read a fic about a million years ago where Zuko is a fantastic calligrapher and I thought it was perfect and made so much sense, and now I can say it's canon. This is perfect for me.

S U K I

The Freedom Fighters were ✨ perfect

They were so real for making Oma and Shu lesbians

Koh, Wan Shi Tong and Hei Bai looked fantastic, but I have more to say about all of them below, unfortunately.

I actually like the change they made that Katara is Aang's sole waterbending teacher.

Aang is not perfect, and needed more goofy scenes HOWEVER, I did like how they've had Aang's guilt more prominent in the story. The original didn't do a very good job with that, imo.

Zuko entering is breaking and entering era by breaking into an impenetrable Earth Kingdom prison is just perfect.

In Masks, I like how Aang and Zuko got a longer conversation - that was pretty cute.

I liked how they changed Yue a bit and got her out of the arranged marriage... how Yue saw Sokka in the Spirit World before meeting him in the real world.

Things I didn't like:

Far too much info-dumping/exposition. So much spelling things out. It was not as egregious as the movie, and I get there's a lot of information that needs to be conveyed well and quickly... but sometimes it really took me out of the show.

Why are Mai and Ty Lee here.... I was hoping the live action would give them a bit more depth (and they might as it goes forward!), but why put them in season 1 at all if they're just going to stand around???

Some odd changes - putting this as one point, but there are some bizarre changes that didn't make sense to me, as they did not benefit the story or deepen the characters. I have two main examples: a) making it so Aang didn't run away from home, and b) making it so Zuko actually fights Ozai in the Agni Kai.

Characterisation of Katara was Not Great. I don't think I got many hints of the reckless, compassionate, badass Katara until the end when she fights Pakku and rallies all the women together to fight (which happens off-screen). She was sweet and kind, but she just lacked the fire that OG Katara has.

Azula's characterisation - Azula is desperate to impress Ozai and so her character is just…. brewing with anger, frustration, desperation. I was SO excited to see the Azula we are introduced too… perpetually and irritatingly calm, calculating and ruthless. She's perfect, she's terrifying! She's literally the character of all time. But this Azula had more Zuko vibes? I don't think there's anything wrong with giving Azula more concrete motivation by wanting to impress Ozai and establishing that Ozai is abusive to both his kids, but I do think trying to do that right off the bat is a mistake.

WHY is Wan Shi Tong here. I love Wan Shi Tong, but like I said: Why Is He Here? Why could we not have his iconic, ominous as fuck introduction from The Library, and instead he's introduced in a random season 1 episode giving Aang Information(tm) about the Spirit World.

When Aang gave Koh the statue, and then he just takes it and immediately lets all the villages go, and neither of them even say anything, I actually laughed out loud. Like, I am so sorry, but what in the jesus fuck was that.

Speaking of Koh - I think Koh is better the less we know about him. Roku saying ~all Koh wants is a family like the rest of us~ just pissed me off?? I like my Koh the Face Stealer Terrifying and Unknowable, thank you.

NOTHING EVER REALLY HAPPENS WITH HEI BAI!!?? where's my precious spirit bear?? Like Aang never really does anything with him and the replacement Koh story is boring and it sucks.

Bumi.... sorry I just didn't vibe with him at all.

Things I can't decide on:

Fancy spirit knife to kill the moon spirit annoyed me a bit, but I guess they wanted to Kuruk something to work with and a little bit more interaction with Aang which I get but idk. I really flip/flop on this one.

I've been very on the fence about having Azula (and Ozai) being in the show in season 1 in general. I'm not sure if it benefited either of their characters.

Azula & Ozai's dynamic - Okay, so, I think they're trying to give Azula more depth, right? They're trying to establish what it was like for Azula to live with Ozai and that she's also (like Zuko) trying to desperately prove herself to him, but Ozai using Zuko's... achievements to do that just felt so weird. I get he's doing it to manipulate her, but that just felt so wrong when in canon it's very obvious that Ozai just didn't give a single fuck about Zuko. Ozai pits Azula against Zuko by saying he's a failure, he's a bad bender etc. Azula is born lucky, Zuko is lucky to be born - like, Ozai says that to Zuko's face. I don't know if I am communicating this point very well, but it just didn't seem right to me??

Zuko vs Zhao in the Siege of the North... I genuinely do not know how to feel about it! I didn't love it, I didn't hate it. I don't know how to feel about Zhao telling Zuko that his mission is a sham and that Azula is the prized one... It feels like it's saying the quiet part out loud? In the OG we all know that Ozai sending Zuko on that mission was an excuse to get rid of him, but we can work that out, no one actually says it. And then Iroh just fucking killing him/mortally wounding him instead of the Iconic scene where Zuko reaches out to save him despite everything Zhao has done to him, but Zhao's own pride gets in the way from letting him accept help from Zuko.

Zuko’s crew being the 41st is not necessarily a bad thing at all!!! But I do just want to say that in the original, the attack goes ahead, and presumably, those soldiers die. It’s horrible. Zuko’s sacrifice is in vain, and it was always going to be in vain because the Fire Nation as it stands would not allow Zuko's compassion to win. Ozai would not allow it. While not necessarily a bad choice (all the soldiers bowing to Zuko on the boat was so sweet I loved it!) but I think it does take away some of the horror of Zuko’s story (same as it does with making Zuko fight back in my opinion) because the whole point is that Zuko did the right thing - and he was punished for it, and those soldiers died anyway.

anyway...

Okay!! got that off my chest. I know I just had a big whine here, but I still had a lot of fun watching this show. I think some of the backlash is a bit over the top and unwarranted. It was never going to stand up to the original - and that's okay.

Enjoy it for what it is!

[michaeladrianwright]

Tartakovsky's Lost Avatar

Fan art of Avatar the Last Airbender in the style of Genndy Tartakovsky's Samurai Jack and made to look like screenshots of a 1990s Cartoon Network broadcast.

[vrag-veshtica]

if I had a nickel each time I lost my mind over the second couple in bl ID BE SO FILTHY RICH BY NOW I could pay for the therapy I need to figure out what's happening

[gabrielokun]

[thebramblewood]

Helena and heavy drinking definitely do not mix, which I fear is a lesson she's still in the process of learning.

Previous / Next

Transcript under the cut.

Helena: When can I see you again?

Lilith: I'm throwing a little party Sunday night. You should stop by if you can.

Ulrike's voicemail: This is Faust. Leave a message or don't. [BEEP]

Helena: I think I will, Faust, thank you very much. Why were we always calling each other by last name? [giggle] It's so fucking stupid! Anyway, I just thought you should know I'm not even mad at you anymore. In fact, I think you did me a huge favor by breaking my heart. Because guess what, Ulrike? [hiccup] I just spent all night dancing with the hottest girl I've ever met, yes, including you. Take that, Faust! Plus, we made out. Like, for a really long time. Hard. She invited me to a party this weekend, and I think I'll go! So, yeah, just letting you know I'm doing great! [burp] I just hope you're not still all broken up over me...

[yawn] I'd love to chat more, but I think I'll just lie down for a nice little nap first. Mm. Yes. This seems like a good place for a nap. Bye-bye now...

Charlie Jack: Helena, are you crazy? Why are you out here alone? We've been looking all over!

Yuki: Uh, Charlie, she doesn't look so hot. I think we'd better get her home.

[dyminesblog]

Here are my favorite characters

[conscbgb]

Andy & Kenny reunion 🙌👏

[nerdypotatoe5]

Weird but funny coincidence

If I had a dollar for every time that I've watched a Taiwanese BL series featuring a gang, where the secondary couple has someone who picks up his partner and throws him over his shoulder and 'kidnaps' him from where he was standing beside his friend and puts him down on/in a mode of transport - I would have 2 dollars.

Which isn't a lot, it's just weird that it happened twice.

[itsanidiom]

15 DAY BL CHALLENGE - DAY 3

Side Dish(es) That Should Have Been The Main Course

This one is hard for me because I have a few!

First thought is Jack/Zhao Zi, but I love the main couple in History 3: Trapped too. HOWEVER, I definitely watched a video that cuts together just Jack/Zhao Zi's plot multiple times...was gonna link it, but I can't find it anymore. ( ;A; ) Anyway, I just love how smoll and innocent Zhao Zi is and Jack is just like "I've only had Zhao Zi for a day and a half..."

Staying in Taiwan bl dramaland, my second thought is Li Chen and Mu Ren from History 4: Closer to you. I will admit...this story had two main couples, so Li Chen and Mu Ren might not count as a side dish. HOWEVER, I would straight up CUT the other couple completely or alter their backstory beyond recognition. The younger brother character creeps me the fuck out and makes the show nearly unwatchable to me. Li Chen and Mu Ren redeem it because I fucking love their love and their figuring out their relationship together...but it's so hard to watch the other couple's plot play out. I skip when I rewatch ngl.

My final, and probably most valid thought, is Nuer and Syn from Cutie Pie. Like...I know we got to see this actor couple again Middle Man's, but I found their personalities absolutely grating in that show (especially poor Yim's character my GOD). I would love to see a series explore Syn's monkhood vs the obvious sexual tension with Tutor more. We got a little bit in the second season...BUT I WANT MORE.

UPDATE: HOW DID I FORGET ABOUT THEM?!?!

[castial]

god i'm really obsessed with them!! they stole all my attention from minute 1 <3

[blluespirit]

Let’s go episode 5 😉

Here are my thoughts on episode 4 and here are my thoughts on episodes 1-3 😌

Things I liked:

Sokka with the little girl 🥺 so cute

Always LOVED the concept of Hei Bai. the spirits haunting a place. fuck yeah.

Zuko’s facial expressions of utter exasperation are so great

A lot of people have expressed a dislike of Aang’s change of personality but I am actually liking it. I always felt the og did not explore Aang’s guilt enough and tended to brush over it where this Aang is taking on all this responsibility bc he left and his entire world was wiped out. that guilt would just be unbearable. They could have included some more fun-loving moments, but it could be worse and they are pressed for time so I can forgive it to some extent so far.

Hei Bai looks incredible holy shit

Sobbing screaming launching myself into the void about Katara seeing Kya and the Fire Nation attack on the village. Absolutely gut wrenching when it transitions from older Katara to little Katara.

Koh looks absolutely terrifying. it’s perfect 🤩

Things I’m not a fan of:

Why did you guys think Ozai keeps giving Zuko praise to put Azula down? Is it to make the audience more sympathetic for her? If so, do you think that’s a good thing? From first glance Im not a big fan. Im curious to see how they’ll handle this going forward, especially since they’ve introduced Ozai and Azula so early.

While Wan Shi Tong looked AMAZING I’m sort of confused why they chose to introduce him this way rather than wait for a second season (if it gets renewed) and have him introduced in the desert which would be a far better introduction than him just info-dumping abt the spirit world. it feels a bit shallow introducing him like this

I forgot to mention this before but I think they needed to include more Zhao being a villain like in the og. We have not had enough adversity between him and Zuko and I wasn’t a fan of them working together. I’m keeping an open mind going into the next episode, but like. Zuko and Zhao had an intense hatred of each other in the og and it just feels weird not having that there. Zuko does not respect Zhao. Like at all. I really hope they keep Zhao trying to have Zuko killed in, since they removed other moments like the Agni Kai.

This was fine, although I feel like the pacing of this episode felt a bit off, but overall it was fine!

[chrisjake-cp]

Zhaozi, I’ve never lied to you.

You’re lying to me now.

[gabrielokun]

[thebramblewood]

🎵 I can't wait to live it up tonight

It's a girls' night out 💋

Previous / Next

Transcript under the cut.

Yuki: Nooooo! Helena, why are we sulking? We're supposed to be dancing!

Charlie Jack: Oh, God. Here come the waterworks again.

Helena: [furiously blinks back tears] I promise I'm trying! It's just hard to put on a smile when we're barely 500 feet from where Ulrike broke my heart!

Yuki: Yeah, okay, that's definitely our bad.

Charlie Jack: In our defense, it's not exactly easy to throw into a conversation. "By the way, Helena, can you tell us the precise location of your loss?" Especially when you were hardly in a chatty mood to begin with.

Helena: Maybe I should just go home. [sniffles] I've got a paper to write anyway... from scratch... by hand... because my laptop is totally fried.

Yuki: Shake off that defeatist attitude, girl! We're totally going to fix this.

Helena: How?

Yuki: For starters, you're going to need to get busy on that drink. Then we're going to need to order a few more. [shouts] Bartender!

...

Charlie Jack: Shots?

Yuki: WHAT?!?

Charlie Jack: We should do shots, right?

Yuki: Fuck, yeah! Helena, you good for a minute on your own?

Helena: I'VE NEVER BEEN BETTER!!!

[katzeni]

[OLD] Jack & Zhao Zi

Lord how I adore these two!!