The Last Airbender: Legend of Korra

[Captain Brandsson]

I really enjoy the show.  I was hoping for steampunk, but it really isn't.  The aesthetics and technology aren't appropriate.  Much more of a 1920's feel with some good dieselpunk elements.  It is a very good show though.  

Those were my thoughts as well.
Something I noticed however, is that while the aesthetic is very much dieselpunk... the actual technology is either bending-powered (firebenders creating heat sources for steam or generating electricity being espesically notable) or tesla-esque electricity.

The style is truly a well-executed mish-mash.

I am hoping to see more of the technology.  I recall seeing benders make electricity - I assume for the power plant.  I am not sure what the cars run on, but I am assuming some type of internal combustion engine instead of steam power.  But I really dig the style of autos they have.  

Based on the observation that the Equalists seem to have an affinity for electric weaponry (those awesome gloves and tasers), I am almost certain that the cars are electric.

The evolution makes sense.  Early Fire Nation tech was most certainly steam-powered.  Sometime between the end of the 100 Year War (when only powerful members of the royal family seemed to be able to do it) and now (when grunts in a power plant do it regularly), more firebenders learned how to manipulate lightning.  It stands to reason that "lightning benders" started developing tech that moved away from bulky steam to more stremlined electricity.  Non-bender Sato, possibly, improved on that tech so that non-benders could use it with ease.

[Atterton]

Looking at the Satomobile, it seems to have a v-shaped cylinder setup similar to what you'd expect from an internal combustion engine.

[The Corsair]

Looking at the Satomobile, it seems to have a v-shaped cylinder setup similar to what you'd expect from an internal combustion engine.

I think that doesn't mean much in terms of how the engine actually runs. Remember that the Satomobile is meant to look like early Fords and the like so having an engine that looks like an internal combustion engine is almost definitely just a design choice by the animators. I find myself agreeing with Brandsson in that they could well be electric... I have yet to see a petrol station in republic city...

[Julian]

But I haven't seen anyplace to recharge the cars either. 

It could be electricity, but at the same time, it might not be.  Can look for a tail pipe if they ever show the back or maybe they will open the hood in an episode. 

[Captain Brandsson]

Looking at the Satomobile, it seems to have a v-shaped cylinder setup similar to what you'd expect from an internal combustion engine.

Oh, I agree... but has been pointed out that may just be a design choice by the animators, not am actual engineering conclusion.

You will also notice that Republic City has far less smog then one might expect with so many satomobiles if they were combustion.
But that could ALSO be a design move by the animators and not indicative of anything.

I still suspect, based on little more than the Equalists seeming affinity for electric weapons, that the satomobiles are more likely to be electric than not.

[Atterton]

Could any of those weapons have been done with diesel?

[Captain Brandsson]

Could any of those weapons have been done with diesel?

The mecha... absolutely.
The gloves and tazers... unlikely.

I think by assuming diesel we are getting ahead of ourselves. 
There is no solid evidence that fuel of that sort is present, we KNOW electricity is.  We make assumptions based on our own technology but the Avatarverse tends to only borrow shell designs and that the internal workings are often nothing like we could ever apply (usually due to bending).

I will have to rewatch, but the one rear satomobile pic I found on line shows no exhaust pipe.

[Julian]

The latest episode is up on the web.  There is a car in it.  It shows tailpipes and there is thick exhaust that comes out of it.  Based on the evidence, it is an internal combustion engines in the cars.  Given the dieselpunk look of everything, I think we could conclude that it uses diesel. 

[Captain Brandsson]

The latest episode is up on the web.  There is a car in it.  It shows tailpipes and there is thick exhaust that comes out of it.  Based on the evidence, it is an internal combustion engines in the cars.  Given the dieselpunk look of everything, I think we could conclude that it uses diesel. 

Well cool.
That settles it, as far as I am concerned.  Well done, Julian.

[Julian]

Hmm not sure who Amon is now.  I am guessing that it is someone not introduced yet. 

[Augustus Longeye]

More likely than not, yeah. Nobody I can think of fits the description, so rather than there being some deeper story perhaps he IS just who he says he is....

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

a farmhand who had a bad experience....

~Longeye~

[The Corsair]

The Amon theory I've found myself subscribing to is that he's something of an annulled Avatar.

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Remember how Aang technically dies when he is hit by Azula's lightning and he is then brought back by that fancy water stuff? The theory goes that a new avatar was still born but when Aang was brought back this avatar ceased to be the avatar, however they still have the ability to 'energybend' and thus remove people's bending. The idea is that this 'almost-avatar' is Amon.

Given that the Lion-Turtle states that everyone used to energybend it could well just be that Amon is a farmboy who had a bad experience and also learned how to energybend, giving him the ability (somehow) to take away people's bending.

Also,

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Remember how Amon states the spirits gave him the ability to take away people's bending, which is something only the avatar can normally do? It could well just be that Amon is a regular bloke that learned how to energybend and, seeing this, some spirits that don't really 'support' the whole avatar thing helped him out to try and remove benders and the avatar.

[Augustus Longeye]

I think the latter is more likely, though the former is certainly interesting.... I'd not thought of it, but it's certainly something that would make a damned good story!
~Longeye~

[Calvin Sinclair]

I love it! Oh Gaahl, new episode today! So many feeeels.
I think Asami's electroglove would be a nice touch to my costume

[The Corsair]

ABSOLUTELY SHIPPING IRAMI!

I do think, though, using Basco's voice for 'new Iroh' mighn't have been the best idea. I first thought 'oh hey, Zuko's scar healed', then realised the character was way too young to be Zuko, then there was the mention of his actual name.

Also, anyone else noticed Bolin being substantially sidelined? It feels like they've perhaps lost their comic relief touch (given that all we got for comic relief this episode was two easy-to-miss Bolin lines and a Meelo fart joke)

[Calvin Sinclair]

ABSOLUTELY SHIPPING IRAMI!

I do think, though, using Basco's voice for 'new Iroh' mighn't have been the best idea. I first thought 'oh hey, Zuko's scar healed', then realised the character was way too young to be Zuko, then there was the mention of his actual name.

Also, anyone else noticed Bolin being substantially sidelined? It feels like they've perhaps lost their comic relief touch (given that all we got for comic relief this episode was two easy-to-miss Bolin lines and a Meelo fart joke)

I don't suppose you have a Tumblr...

[The Corsair]

ABSOLUTELY SHIPPING IRAMI!

I do think, though, using Basco's voice for 'new Iroh' mighn't have been the best idea. I first thought 'oh hey, Zuko's scar healed', then realised the character was way too young to be Zuko, then there was the mention of his actual name.

Also, anyone else noticed Bolin being substantially sidelined? It feels like they've perhaps lost their comic relief touch (given that all we got for comic relief this episode was two easy-to-miss Bolin lines and a Meelo fart joke)

I don't suppose you have a Tumblr...

I do. Oh god, is it that noticeable?

[Calvin Sinclair]

ABSOLUTELY SHIPPING IRAMI!

I do think, though, using Basco's voice for 'new Iroh' mighn't have been the best idea. I first thought 'oh hey, Zuko's scar healed', then realised the character was way too young to be Zuko, then there was the mention of his actual name.

Also, anyone else noticed Bolin being substantially sidelined? It feels like they've perhaps lost their comic relief touch (given that all we got for comic relief this episode was two easy-to-miss Bolin lines and a Meelo fart joke)

I don't suppose you have a Tumblr...

I do. Oh god, is it that noticeable?

asdsfgdmjk

Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy
But here's my Tumblr (sglblues), so reblog me maybe.

[Calvin Sinclair]

DYING

[Boston Jones]

Finale today

[Augustus Longeye]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

So now all has become clear about Amon.... but holy crap that conclusion to his tale was a bit.... much, for Avatar!

I loved it. Next series?

~Longeye~

[Lady Evelyn Grey]

I just finished the show last night and agree with all the above comments that it was a beautiful series. Once again, I am in awe of whoever did the character and especially costume designs.

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However the ending seemed so rushed- in a way I don't remember the original series to be. Maybe that is because my taste in movies and plots has matured over the years, but there was enough potential material to draw the series out over at least two seasons. And the worry of (real spoiler)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Korra losing 3/4ths of her Avatar ability would have made for some wonderful, extended drama.

Finally, according to wikipedia, a second season is TBA. What will it be about? Aren't all the loose ends tied up with the ending that Mr. Longeye mentioned?

[The Corsair]

Remember that Book 1 was originally a miniseries.

Also, did anyone else find themselves thinking how awesome it could've been if

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it turned out Tarlokk had lied and Amon was just some random who had his parents killed by firebenders? It could have left room for a second book dealing with Amon and Tarlokk as separate villains.

Finally

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Theory is, on the cliff Korra was considering suicide. Deny all you want ('No! Korra's a strong person, she'd never consider it!') but remember that she's always used to feeling strong. It frightened her to her core when she first met with Amon and felt powerless. The fact that she thought she'd never be powerful again would be enough to break her I think...

Actually, one more thing...

KIDS SHOW! KIDS SHOW!

[Augustus Longeye]

Book 2 has been confirmed apparently; it WAS going to be a mini-series but it's been so popular that they posted to their facebook page "we're working to make book 2 the best it can be" or something like that.

Corsair; I originally thought your first point was the case, which would have made it even more convoluted, but quite interesting... however I think I do prefer the way it panned out now.

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The way that he not only "just gave up" but realized their both pawns and  knew that nothing would change, so decided to just end it was incredibly mature for, as you say, a kids' show!

I'm not sure about the suicide thing, but to be honest it's not that far of a stretch... after losing everything that badly and that quickly, I would be surprised at all if she was considering it.

~Longeye~

[Lady Evelyn Grey]

Corsair, I was actually hoping your first point was true right after I saw that episode. It would have made a wonderful twist. But, as you rightly pointed out, it is a kid's show- no matter how complex the themes dealt with throughout the show.