bendgineer

Things I have criticism for:

1. Pacing - Even cutting out some stuff, they still had to pack a lot into the limited amount of episodes. While I enjoyed parts of the first three episodes, there were also parts I thought dragged. And then other parts seemed rushed? It was better in episodes 4-7. Part of my issue with the early episodes might have been because the show was doing some exposition stuff, that if you've seen the original, you would already know so it's a little dull.  

2. Dialogue - Some odd choices for the dialogue occasionally. Too long of monologues. While they did keep some iconic (and needed) lines, I also think they left some important stuff out. Iroh mainly. He didn't explain why he studied the water benders, that just as the avatar is powerful because of all four elements, zuko can also use all four elements to make him more powerful. His conversation with Aang was nice, but different than the original. About friendship, which I think is less meaningful than the original where they discuss wanting power and perfection vs happiness. I also am a bit confused about how they wrote about metal bending. I'm pretty sure it's not mentioned no one has ever metal bent until after Toph metal bends. Which seems like they should have set that up differently. Aang also came off a bit whiny this season. He should be more "fun" and that's important, because when the pressure does get to him, it's a much bigger difference in his demeanor. 

3. Themes - I think they dumbed down the themes of this season. I sort of mentioned this with Iroh's dialogue, but it wasn't just him and what he talked about. The whole thing with Aang's attachment to his friends (mainly Katara) was totally dropped.  They replaced it with a generic "your true friends will accept you!" message instead of actual philosophy pulled from budhism (chakras). I think this was a poor choice. 

Things I enjoyed:

1. Iroh  - I think it was a good choice to show him having to face the consequences of his siege of Ba Sing Se back when he was a general waging war. Not just him losing his son, but also the death and destruction he caused to the Earth Kingdom. 

2. Toph was great!  - The actress was excellent. I think she really captured Toph's spirit. I also enjoyed the changes they made to her character arc with her parents. 

3. Sokka  - Was much better this season. The writing and acting were admirable. He had an actual personality, and the actor did a good job showing that off. 

4. Ba Sing Se  - the plotlines were greatly improved. The "mind control" thing in the original was a bit silly. I think it was a good decision to use realistic ways that authoritarian governments control people, rather than that. I am glad they found a way for Jet to be in this season without that mind control aspect too. The fire nation defectors in Ba Sing Se were brilliant too! I also liked that they made the Earth King not totally oblivious to the war, but rather just uncaring and apathetic to it. I think that to, is more realistic, and highlights why it's a negative thing to be one of those "I don't do politics" people. 

5. BABY APPA 

6. Azula - NGL Azula straight up murdering all the Earth Kingdom generals was an "oh shit!" moment. I like that they made Azula offer Zuko "redemption" because of their mom. Its not overlooked that yes, Azula thinks her mom thought she was a monster, but she also still loves her mom and is traumatized by losing her! Her mental instability is also showing earlier. One moment she says she wants to kill Zuko, and then when she actually sees him, she helps him. Also her asking Mai and Ty Lee to kill each other was some straight up psycho shit too.