ExtraPenguin

Well. First of all, I did not like the large focus on Korra's trauma journey and her getting beat up. It also brought clear all of the shortcomings of the previous seasons: too much Meelo, too much Mako, Korra getting beat up severely and losing a bit too often, too short seasons so the endings always feel rushed (LOK would've worked better as two 26-ep seasons). Things this season introduced that I disliked: Korra's haircut.

Things I liked included everything Toph, Lin kicking ass, Kuvira as a competent villain, the final Korra-Kuvira fight in the control room, and the teamwork of the finale was more ... believable, in a way, and less "oh but Korra can't defeat the villain for Reasons despite the fact that y'know Avatar state exists". Also, ( spoilers )

I think this show goes into the "love and also loathe" place. I generally don't write fic for non-book canons, but reading is a thing. Also, since this is audiovisual, fanvids! FFA has recced this one with Toph and Lin Beifong earthbending and a mainly-Korra vid set to "Monster" (which is an excellent choice of song, given what happens to Korra later). Other discoveries include Lin Beifong competence porn to music (ft. about as much Lin/Tenzin as I can take), Season 4: Korra going down in history, Korra and her demons, about 10% of the Avatar state no-holds-barred curb stomp I always wanted, another one with a similar premise, though this time with the Equalists, and s1 Korra going around pwning people.

So, rec me things! Vids, art, fic, anything. I really like bending/fighting displays of competence, esp from Korra and Lin Beifong. I also like Kuvira, Toph, and Asami, plus the idea of Amon (I really didn't like the "he was knowingly a bender all along!" thing; anything where he isn't/does not know he's a bender is fine – so eg "Amon is a desert kid who accidentally figured out bloodbending and how to de-bend people but did not realize this was bending" is A-OK, but the canon backstory is meh). NOTPs include Mako/anyone, Lin/Tenzin, all of Bolin's onscreen romances, and Kai/Jinora. I'm not interested in Suyin or Unalaq.

(And because I know you're interested, rankings are: Seasons go 4>3>1>2, villains go: idea of Amon > Zaheer = Kuvira > actual Amon > Unalaq. I most like Korra's biceps and bulky physique, Lin Beifong the BAMF who metalbends her uniform on, and Kuvira with her hair disheveled.)

I binged season 2 as well! (Seasons 3 and 4 will probably be one-ep-an-evening rewards for actually doing something useful.)

The plot was more standard stereotypical good vs evil. I liked the worldbuilding of the whole Avatar's origins thing and also the spirit realm. The whole business acquisitions and Ferric (sp?) B-plot was annoying, but I recognize that it sort of had to be there. Mako's noir cop subplot was not enjoyable. Again, I did not like Bolin or his subplot, and I did not at all like the romance. Mako came across as a two-timing asshole, as love triangle centerpoints are wont to.

The theme of family was a better fit to the writers' strengths than love subplots. I liked Tenzin and Bumi and Kaya sort of ... connecting with each other (though wow was Aang a bad parent). Iroh makes an appearance! (In fact, both Irohs made appearances! I am pleased with both.) Not enough Lin Bei Fong bending displays of awesome competence.

( spoilers )