On my recent cabbage merchant art someone commented on this man’s sheer resilience and how he was the Sisyphus of ATLA and that inspired me.

[ID in Alt Text]

Woot woot! Get those prompts in! I tried to limit myself to half a dozen lol..

Alright Kataangers, it’s that time of year again!  

Kataang Week 2024 is tentatively scheduled for July 29th through August 5th!

Thank you to all who shared and responded to the interest check! There was resounding support for holding Kataang Week again this year, as you can see from the results of the survey.

And roughly 40 people (perhaps more, given the similar number of 'maybe' respondents) indicate they plan to create content for the week.

Prompt Submission will be open for the next 2 weeks. So from today, April 4th until April 18th, please submit any prompts you would like to be in the running this year.  

Please submit your ideas for prompts - 1 or 2 words/short phrases only! - through the survey linked here. Again, the last day to submit prompts will be April 18th!

And please reblog to help spread the word!

As always, feel free to send us an ask if you have any questions or concerns.

- The Mods

Beautiful art, and I couldn't agree more. I love it for all the depth it gives her. Like.. many people would just call Katara compassionate, and nurturing, and full of hope. AND SHE IS. But she's also just plain passionate, and stubborn, and full of anger at any extra bit of injustice she encounters because goodness knows she has seen ENOUGH of it. Let her feel. Let her have all the emotions. Let her have them OUT LOUD. Let my waterbender be as deep and varied as the oceans' waters themselves. There's plenty of facets to every person on the planet. No need to reduce them to just one.

I love her bad temper and mean words <3<3 rip every spinoff and adaptation but I'm different

Happy International Women's Day

From the badass women of AtLA

Let's do this!

We're having an interest check! From March 5 to March 19, the survey will be open to gauge interest for Kataang Week 2024. The projected dates for Kataang Week 2024 are from July 29 - August 5, 2024.

You can find the survey linked HERE.

Share this around by reblogging!

Questions? Comments? Send us an ask or if that doesn't work for you, we now have an email: [email protected].

- The Mods

I hear ya

Oh absolutely. It's stuff like that that makes me baffled when people can't see a buildup before the finale kiss. It's also stuff like this that I most miss from the live-action - our core group got mad trust in each other, unshakable, and especially Katara and Aang. In the live action we barely see them interact, and when we do it's to have Aang essentially say he thinks they'd get hurt and her following her dream would keep him from doing his job. Ticked forever about that. Was Aang always protective? Sure, he is in this Painted Lady scene as well. But he's also fiercely supportive and she has 100% faith he won't let her down. Okay, a little off track there. I, too, love this scene (and the factory part before it, and him chasing the "spirit" and being so taken by her looks that he can't help but say she's pretty - literally the only "other" person he calls pretty/beautiful is Katara. LOL) Beautiful Kataangy goodness all over this episode.

the painted lady 3x03

The biggest casualties of the Netflix Avatar show are Katara and Iroh. I already talked about Iroh, so, Katara...

Spoilers below. And anger below. Lots of rage. Sorry, guys.

Katara's anger is gone. "NO WAY AM I APOLOGIZING TO A SOUR OLD MAN LIKE YOU! I'll be outside if you're man enough to fight me." is instead "no uh i wouldn't have accepted that if i knew, uh, you're afraid of what you might learn if you fought me :(" and it's so fucking disheartening to see a 2020s production that doesn't know how to show justified feminine rage. Which Katara has, and which she's FUCKING ICONIC for.

Netflix Katara is such a pushover. OG Katara is compassionate, kind, nurturing, and FUCKING FURIOUS. Her compassion and kindness have a deep backdrop of RAGE to them. The world isn't how Katara wants it to be? Katara will FIGHT THE WORLD, and meanwhile, the Gaang will EAT THEIR VEGETABLES.

Like. Fuck. In my last, longer post I tried to be, like, fairly even and shit and channel my inner reviewer, and in this post, I RAGE ABOUT THE CHARACTER ASSASSINATION OF KATARA. Katara is not a meek dishrag. Katara is a smothering rageball and Katara is a kind, even-tempered person. Katara is capable of putting aside her own needs ("you have to learn from master Pakku, even if he is a big jerk", because yes, saving the world is the biggest priority) and then absolutely demanding her worth ("YOU CAN'T KNOCK ME DOWN!").

Real angry about that, in case you couldn't tell. They might have just put a necklace on a wooden plank and written "GIRL" on it.

Characters of NATLA thoughts

Because we're not at all sick to death of picking this over yet. ROFL Thoughts on Aang as presented in the live-action. (And not commentary on acting chops, but on the show's story choices.)

I may share thoughts about others eventually, but I'm starting with Aang because the whole dang show is named for him and so he IS the main character. Taking away his outward tendency to be "fun" was, I think, a disservice. Part of the charm of OG Aang, part of what made him So Very Perfect for the current war-torn world was that he had literally never lived with the stresses of war. He had to work, he had to train, he even had to deal with the fallout of being told he was the avatar and having his peers look at him differently because of it. But he was still full of joy, and mischief, and curiosity. He knew how to live in a world at peace. 100 years later and no one knows how to do that - he is the perfect one to show them how because for him, it was just yesterday. So taking that away was the wrong tactic, I think. I mean, my guy didn't even get to show off his marble trick. They also decided to have him just happen to be away from the temple, on a clear-my-head ride on Appa, when the attack happened. He didn't run away in this one. I actually didn't hate this choice. What I did dislike was that he KNEW he didn't "run away", but never bothered to reassure the people that he didn't choose to leave them when he was accused of doing so. It makes it harder to see why he'd feel such guilt, basically, if he wasn't running. And I mean, in the original, he wasn't actually running because he was told he was the Avatar. He had still been around the temple after learning that. He was running from the news he overheard that the monks were going to separate him from Gyatso - the one person who still treated him like AANG first and foremost rather than the Avatar. It's a difference. But it's one I could see being easily muddled in a 12 yr olds head, and he did still choose to run, so in the original his guilt makes sense. I also prefer the original's way of having his new friends (Katara - who is the next person to see him as Aang first and foremost) help him through it, pointing out that he likely couldn't have done anything then and that he's here NOW when the world needs him. I mean, it was cool to get to see Gyatso again, but.. enh. Wasn't needed, didn't make as much story sense, and took away a moment that cemented some of the solid bonds between the core Gaang.

And my biggest I'll-die-mad change of all.. him deciding to NOT back Katara up when they got to the North. I mean, it bugged me since the start that they didn't have them excited to learn waterbending together. I figured they'd get there but it never happened. It's a very Aang-focused choice, when one of the things that made him awesome was thinking of others most of the time. And then for the whole journey North, they didn't show a lot of bond-forming between the core trio along the journey, skipping over most of it. We're told that they're friends, but it's much harder to be invested in it when we don't get to see it really. All the small scenes that were cut were actually important for building those bonds. And then when we do get a deep one-on-one moment, Katara comes to vent to Aang - supposedly her close friend - that Pakku says she shouldn't learn to fight. And Aang - who in the original was young, was at times unsure of himself and scared, but who always ALWAYS had unwavering belief in his friends being capable and pride in specifically Katara's talents - Aang in this version tells her Pakku's in the right. That basically if she works towards her dreams, she's in the way of him doing his job as Avatar. And this change is the one I will never forgive them for. Friendship was one thing that was so central to the spirit of the original, and they did it dirty.

Reacting to live action AtLA - ep 8

Spoilers warning, for the final time.

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Okay, fresh off my extreme dislike at episode 7's choice to have Aang not support Katara (seriously, I will hold onto that grudge with a fierceness that would put OG Katara to shame even. Worst change of the entire season for me.) I'm still grumpy, but I won't have time to watch tomorrow, so I just wanna get it over with. They have a lot to make up to me. :P

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Okay.. finally we get to see them fight together. Bout dang time. Where was THIS for the past 7 episodes? This is what we needed for Team Avatar-building.

Katara leading the other women.. I can deal with this change too. And she got given charge of the newbie recruits too. Again, I can do this.

The Ice Moon? Okay new plot twist. Let's see if you're passable or lame.

Lion turtle mention alert.

MOMO! I swear to goodness, this is the worst. Also, I knew the Oasis would look gorgeous in live action. Okay, he's better but I'm still not okay with that happening in the first place. :( Dirty trick.

So.. not gonna have Iroh threaten/disagree with Zhao?

Nice little icy straight jacket, though I'm ticked that apparently Zuko in this version can immediately bust out. Meh. I enjoyed the idea from the first of her having the upper hand for a while the moon was out.

Zhao calling out Ozai and his stupid games. Finally Iroh at least telling him he'll unleash on him.. though he didn't bother to try and actually DO anything yet. Yeah, there it is, finally!

This fight.. oof. It's intense. And it's nice to have a version where we don't have to hate Hahn. lol

YES, time for Aang as Koi-zilla. Kick some Zhao (and other fire nation) butt, Koizilla.

Ha, yes, firebending duel on a bridge. Way to not draw attention to yourselves from the fish giant that's utterly pissed at firebenders. I do enjoy the aangsty discourse though.

Hold up. Iroh took Zhao out, not the ocean spirit? I mean, I guess it's busy with the armada, but still. I liked it getting to mete out the justice for its pair.

Man, these poor water tribe siblings.. Sokka watching his girlfriend turn into the moon, Katara begging Aang to come back..

This does give a bit more of a reason/transition for Pakku to change his mind on training women, better than "well, you're my old girlfriend's daughter." I'm still unclear on how Katara was deemed a master as she got literally zero training in this version.

Azula taking over Omashu, getting word that the comet is "soon".. and done.

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Okay, this episode didn't make me near as stabby as the last (though they really didn't have to mess with Momo like that.) The fight was intense, but all the fight scenes have looked pretty good so I expected that. While I loved that Katara was declared a master, I still don't see how since she didn't get any teaching at all. And overall it seems an absolutely bizarre choice for Aang to not bend any water in the water book.

I dunno, mostly I'm glad to be done, okay with having watched it, and absolutely thrilled that the animated version is still there. I will probably start up a rewatch of that soon as a nice palate cleanser. LOL My thoughts on this haven't changed since halfway through - if I had seen just this live-action I might have enjoyed it more as I wouldn't know what I was missing, it would have been a show that I completed.. but it wouldn't have spurred me on to need "more" (hunting out others to obsess with, looking up fanfic, etc) the way the original did. The characters in this got better/more interesting, but took like 7 episodes to do so.. and that's entirely too long in an 8-episode season. And even by the end they weren't as engaging as their animated counterparts (NOT a commentary on the actors.. the scenes where they were given emotional dialogue, they did well. Just.. well there was a ton of splitting them up or sort of flat writing sometimes. Can't do much with that.)

Reacting to live action AtLA - ep 7

Spoilers, yo. So many spoilers.

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Since the last episode didn't leave me feeling like I needed to take a moment to pause and process my "I'm bummed they missed this" stuff, and life is giving me a calm Saturday, I'm just gonna plow ahead while I have time.

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Ooo.. suspense, subterfuge, sneaky-ass Zhao.. lol

Hmm, holding back thoughts on NWT. Gonna need them to let Katara get pissed before I can like this. The make-or-break of this episode for me, for real.

Still weirded out by the decision to have Azula not be the golden child. It's another way I think knowing the full story is hindering me. Having her be daddy's favorite all-in in the original set up the events of book 3 perfectly (where he had no issue with giving her his place while he declared himself Phoenix King.)

Okay, so Pakku still sending her to Yagoda. She does still need to learn to heal. Guess this is where that happens? And I still have hope that she'll get frustated and chew Pakku out for not teaching her actual bending.

Was Yue a bender in the original? I don't remember that being the case, but I don't hate it. Even kinda makes sense with the moon-spirit connection (assuming that still turns out to be there.)

Ah, here it is. Women aren't allowed. Get 'em Katara.

Wow.. were betrothed, huh? So you're saying she's available.

Aw, I was looking forward to the Spirit Oasis. This shrine's neat and all, but the oasis was lovely.. could have looked so cool in this. Dangit Kuruk, why are you adding to the people telling him to be alone?

I'm.. not minding this twist to Yue. it's kind of--wow, that escalated quickly. LOL Go get 'im, Yue.

"It's stupid and it's wrong." YAS!! They better let Aang back her--wait, WHAT?! What the actual everloving hell? I could probably forgive about any other change. Unwavering support of each other between Aang and Katara being tossed aside is not one I can forgive.

Azula vs Ozai, okay.

At least Sokka's got Katara's back. I will forever be salty about not hearing Aang support her, cheer for her on this, from moment one. Also stupid that he keeps getting told to do it alone, since that was never a thing. Roku actually made sure to focus on not just his relationship with Sozin (which bit him in the butt) but on mentioning Ta Min, who he was in love with and lived a long life with. Clearly not someone focusing on being alone. Anyway, cool fight with Pakku, but it can't hit the same if only 1 of the 2 in her crew are cheering her on.

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This one shocked me. I thought so long as they gave me the fight, I'd be fine. They did, and really the rest of it I'm okay with... but Aang not believing in his friends? No. Not a decision I can get behind, no matter if you eventually end on him getting talked back into it. It's doubly awful because they honestly haven't shown that much interaction between the Team Avatar trio, and having us finally get some and THIS being it... yes, I will need a moment to steam.

Reacting to live action AtLA - ep 6

Spoiler warning, blah blah blah

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Pressing onward so that I can stop trying to avert my eyes from everywhere else online in hopes that I don't get spoiled or let others' thoughts guide my opinion. We last left off with spirit worlded Sokka & Katara's bodies being watched over by Appa & Momo (who I was really hoping to see more of, but I suppose CGI gets spendy), Aang heading off to Roku's temple on his lonesome, and Zuko & Iroh joining up with June. Let's see where we go from here..

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Okay, gonna be the baby Zuko in the war council meeting this episode maybe?

Yes! New and improved Zhao showing up, much more reminiscent of OG Zhao.

Jokester Roku, um, okay. And now info from.. comics.. alright. But people need to stop telling this kid to do it alone. And no channeling of Roku this time. And June's got him? Head spinning.

Okay, flashback time now? Nah, only part of a flashback.

Yep, Zhao is definitely improved now. Still different than original, but I can get behind this take at least.

Blue Spirit, let's go (please please make this bit still hit hard). Okay, so far so good with this scene. Will we get the "friends" comment though? The focus on friendship was always the heart of the show. Enh, didn't quite get it.

Okay.. now time for the flashback? They're actually having him fight and not just kneel? Not impressed with that choice.. but I guess it fits with the direction this time. It just seemed to solidify Ozai as worse in my head to attack a kneeling, non-combative "opponent."

Ah good, they did include the friends comment. Seed planted.

I like this extended flashback choice, with the crew learning they're the soldiers that he saved. Still, I miss Zuko getting to demonstrate through his actions that he does value them (in the original, where he saves the guy in the storm/sets a safer course). Words are nice, actions are better.

Aww.. Aang's face when Gyatso was gone. :( I mean, you could tell that it would be so, but still.

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Overall, this was probably my favorite episode so far. Still things I didn't agree with, and still things I miss. Like the building of a really strong friendship bond between the Gaang still seems to be not a priority. And now we've got backstories on people, but the season's 75% done and we should have had some demonstrated growth too. BUT, I'm finally getting to see the "layers of bad guy" that I thought was so unique from the original - where the trio is being sought by both Zuko and Zhao and meanwhile Zuko and Zhao are also against one another. Having them cooperative at first was very meh. Roku didn't fit with how I remember him from the first, but I can get past it. They hit pretty much all the points of the Blue Spirit episode.. which is odd, because now it almost is easier to see the bond between Zuko/Aang being possible than it is between Katara/Sokka/Aang (we're told it's there.. but I'm needy and want to SEE it not just be told.) Again, odd priority choice.

Reacting to live action AtLA - ep 5

Spoilers, everywhere. (But it's getting harder to avoid them everywhere too. Gonna try my best to get this second half knocked out over the next two days so I can stop ignoring the internet. lol)

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Well, before I start, based on the first half of this book, my thoughts are pretty solidly meh. The fight scenes look cool. I would love to say it's neat to see my favorite characters brought to life, except a lot of them don't feel like the same characters. The characters don't have that obvious bond that was there, and not the layers of complexity that I loved. I think I would be enjoying this more if I hadn't seen the original.. I didn't expect it to be the same, but this doesn't feel like it's the same spirit of the original even. If I had seen only this live-action, it wouldn't have pushed me to need to seek out "more" - fanfic, other people to obsess with lol, etc. The original absolutely did. Maybe the second half of the season can redeem it, but I'm not holding my breath. But onward we go anyway...

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Katara getting better at bending. I sure hope they still let her wail on Pakku.

The setup for Hei Bai village seems a little clunky.

It is kind of cool to see Ozai absolutely pitting the two fire sibs against either other.

They can see the spirit body? Wait, both of them are with him? Hm, okay.. let's see how this goes.

Wan Shi Tong? Now? WHY ARE THEY BRINGING SEASON 2?? He does look dope though.

Azula is as good at throwing a tantrum as her brother is. Weird to see her cracking now though. Meh. I guess they didn't know if they'd get other seasons, or want to put hints of it in early. I liked it when it was triggered by her support leaving her, but then again Ozai in this is making her feel not good enough where she was golden child before so I guess that could work. Not the biggest issue anyway.

There's Hei Bai. Aaand, they're all split up in the forest. Spirit fog. More book 2 stuff. It's getting pretty obvious why a lot of this has felt rushed despite having about the same run time as original book 1 - they're just pulling book 2 bits in right and left. This flashback though. And holy crap, Koh?

Okay so.. he got to do ice dodging? I liked the ritual including Katara and Aang as a bit of bonding and cementing Aang as an honorary part of their tribe.

Aang's better at this. And there's Koh! All these flashback are definite heartstring-tuggers.

Fog of Lost Souls? So... not the Book 2 swamp? Or.. oh I give up trying to figure out what they're doing. LOL At least he gets to have one adult figure tell him it's not his fault.

Seriously though, going to the Roku temple alone? Leaving Appa to guard the two sibs. They sure like to split the group in this adaptation.

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Not gonna bother with overall thoughts here. Mainly it just keeps being a cycle of something happening in the show and me thinking "Well that was certainly.. a choice."

Count me in as a female who is prepared to die mad about it

No way they got rid of katara's anger in THE feminine rage era

Live Reacting to Live Action AtLA - ep 4

Nothing about this is spoiler-free. You have been warned. Skip til after you've seen if you're worried.

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Okay, just like with the first three, this will be my space to blather my way through the 4th NAtLA episode. Almost to the halfway point. Here's hoping this one brings it, cuz if there's a Bumi who is "toned down" I will be just screaming into the void. Firing it up now...

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Well. At least they let Katara be the one to be out looking for Aang. I feel like she hasn't gotten enough "umph" in this version.

Secret love cave is turning into secret haunted tunnels. *sigh* Gonna guess this change won't be one I like.

Wait, what? They're skipping WAY THROUGH a ton of Bumi lead up. Straight to instant knowing. *deep breath*

Yay, she gets a water skin now an-- oooh, Jet's back. Kick his ASS, girl! One hope speech then his stubborn ass goes down. YES! Yes that WAS you!! woohoo.. okay, favorite part so far. LOL

Pun game is strong with Bumi.

At least we still get the nomads, but.. this bit isn't even a book 1 thing. And it being here is gonna probably mean skipping a fairly iconic part from the OG.

Wait, Iroh dropped a pai sho tile? But that stinky sandal turned out to be an MVP later.. lol..

Okay, still having crazy Bumi trials of a sort.

Sokka's instincts showing up to lead them out of the cave. I kind of love their sibling fights. Giving me hope for Katara getting better writing as we're going on, because she clearly acts well (and her imperfect, layered self was always my favorite and I want none of that toned down.)

Guard/Iroh exchange is actually a pretty standout scene, acting-wise. And Iroh's expressions.. oh man, if those expressions didn't hit you in the feels enough, here's the flashback. Shades of Leaves on the vine..

Ah, sibling love. Um, okay. Yeah, still don't like it. This adaptation already has so much they cram in, no reason for them to try and reach out for more season 2 stories to shove in.

Aang and Bumi fight.. I wish that they would have Aang explain that he didn't "leave", not in this version. He and Appa were out for a midnight stroll when stuff happened to go down. What's the point of making that change if he's still letting the world think he left them? (Which, I mean, he was 12 and understandable.)

Yes!! A (very brief) mail chute ride AND a MY CABBAGES!! Some of my prayers have been answered.

Okay, and I approve the addition of this Zuko/Iroh flashback. "Everything I need is on this boat." Uncle Iroh, you and these ninjas-chopping-onions moments.

Ah, ending on Zuko ignoring an Appa sighting. Guessing that's why they were making Bumi completely hammer on Aang having run away (though he didn't) - because they were trying to get a couple points from The Storm in.

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Alright, well. This one was a roller coaster for me. I actually did love the added scenes (the Iroh/Zuko flashbacks), and they seemed to start writing Katara better (please keep it up), and I got my tiny glimpse of a fun ride. Also got to see Katara put the smack on Jet, but the awesomeness was dampened a bit since she was immediately making excuses for him in the cave with Sokka. And then a lot of the rest of it was disappointing. Putting Cave of Two Lovers in there for no reason was a big L, and I remain frustrated by the repeated "you ran from this" stuff that is getting tossed at Aang - including by his own past life who would 100% know that didn't happen (in this version). It was a decision to change it to make it not a running away, but then there's no decision to have Aang reassure the world he never chose to leave them? Bonkers. I mean, it was frustrating enough in the original, since when he ran was when they were removing him from Gyatso.. he had been still around the temple after being told he was the Avatar, he wasn't running from that alone. But at least he was choosing to run, so I kind of "got it" then. But they changed it and now he hasn't even run and just.. meh. I'm also frustrated at the pretty big lack of showing the Gaang actually forming a close bond. It's all the little "fun" things that they cut out that just don't let us see how they're close friends.. we just have to be told at the end of the fight, I guess.

Live Reacting Live Action AtLA - ep 3

DANGER: Spoilers all up in here. Keep scrolling if you need more time to get to this spot in the series (or if you just don't care what I think about it. LOL)

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If you're sticking around, let's get ready to ramble on about things that cross my mind as I watch episode 3.

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Hmm, well this would have been a more effective "surprise" if they hadn't been showing Azula's actress for ages. Clearly this resistance group hadn't watched the marketing.. lol.. I do appreciate Azula being more obvious that she's a young teen.

"I might even listen to them" (Aang, about the NWT bending teachers).. now that would be a change. Ha!

I'm very meh on the way they've gone with Zhao. Random crew of Zuko reminds me more of Zhao.. heh.. But mainly the working-together (well.. supposedly together, we know he's a weasel) is throwing me off. I loved the one-upsmanship of the bad guy vs bad guy thing.

MY CABBAGES!

Always bummed we never got to see Toph in Omashu. Not that that fits this series at all, since she's not here yet bu...

Hold up. Teo/Mechanist are in Omashu, not an air temple? Unsure about this. They better put some of the fun of Omashu episode back in here. We didn't get penguin sledding, havent yet gotten mail chute sliding.. or even Bumi's trials of craziness. There's time yet though.

Azula as a crackshot archer. Hmm, wonder if she'll be one of the YuYan? Could be an extra layer when we get to the Blue Spirit part, if it's similar.

Hook swords comin' out, time to kick fire nation spy bootie! (I'll cheer for you until you go for innocent people, Jet. Assuming they left that bit in.) Also.. rest of the Freedom Fighters. Woot! Not as cool with the choice to not have Sokka there to be skeptical about it.. but then he's needed with the Mechanist, so.. Maybe he and Aang will be added in later?

Hmm, is Aang the one going to know Jet's leading shady dealing? Go little dude!

Oookay, Azula getting Zhao on her side.

Loving the sibling fight lol and I'm glad to be seeing a little more assertiveness from Katara. That temper we all loved from the first one. (even if she's wrong here lol)

Hooray for a fun Aang-Zuko fight

Well, I got my slide moment. Don't feel as fulfilled since it's high-stress rather than light-hearted joyride reminiscing.

MY CABBAGES! (will always warrant a comment)

Oh no, a cliffhanger? Well, I need sleep so it'll have to keep on hangin.

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Overall, I could see how they were working in things from Jet and from the Northern Air Temple (obviously), and from the Waterbending Scroll (the learning of the water whip).. just sticking it in this. Mainly though, it's a huge letdown to fire up an episode called Omashu and NOT get to see Bumi. And stripping most of the fun things from the episode - Aang's old man costume, him on the mail chutes, his Bumi flashbacks. Or even from the other episodes referenced.. I quite loved the showboating glider competition between Aang and Teo at the temple. Bumi better still be allowed to be a delightfully offbeat crazy old man in the next one. I don't want it fun all the time but man.. you can't take ALL the moments that spark joy. Don't be reverse-Kondoing this. LOL You've got to leave me with more than "well, the fight scenes looked cool and the music was on point." The other part that got taken away was Katara absolutely laying into Jet when she found out he was crooked. I absolutely love her strong personality, and I'm sad we have really not gotten to see it much yet. Fingers crossed ep 4 will bring me everything I want.. but tomorrow. I'm tired.

live react of live action AtLA - ep 2

Again with the "here there be spoilers" warning, so scroll on by if you're needing to keep it unsullied for you.

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Just like I did with the first episode, my stream-of-consciousness babble about ep 2 will go below. Woop woop!

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Yes, Zuko channeling his best Kylo Ren impression with this tantrum to start us off here. LOL

Lemur!

Hm, okay so looking like the pirates part will get skipped over. Gran Gran really stepping up in this live-action adaptation... outing Aang as the Avatar, delivering the iconic "everything changed" lines, and now being the way Katara got the waterbending scroll. And.. as a bonus.. Gran Gran tells her (though not in exact wording) to always remember who she is. Shades of Gyatso telling Aang something similar. Awww.. got some feels.

And more feels with the Gyatso burial.. I'm glad they added more air temple. It felt so rushed at the end of last episode.

Kyoshi warriors, let's goooo!

Sokka doing Sokka things.. lol.. trying to impress with his foot in his mouth.

Commander Sideburns has a much calmer voice/presence - and apparently not as much backhistory with Zuko/Iroh here.

Gah, in love with the playing in the creek moment with Aang & Katara.

Hmmm, trying to decide how I feel about Suki. I mean I like her, but it doesn't feel like original Suki either. It feels like she's absolutely not sure how to flirt with Sokka even if she wants to.

Aang saying he had people scared of him, like Katara and Sokka were when he was in the avatar state.. it's one of the sad things I miss about the changes. In the original, it was more like Katara at least was scared FOR him, not OF him, when he was in that state. Maybe this chat will help it get to that point though.

Oh okay. A little training montage to help with the flirting lol. Looks like they're giving Suki the "help him with his form" that Katara had with Aang in the original.

Avatar Kyoshi guide. Okay. Who needs Roku lol

OMG, Suki Mama is a badass too.. so cool.

So. Making Zhao trash Kyoshi village sort of feels like trying to make Zuko not as much the bad guy. Meanwhile, Zuko fighting Katara while she's trying to protect spirit-journeyed Aang seems like a nod to what originally happened at the NWT, so I wonder if that will be altered now too. And I mean, awesome for Kyoshi Island to get to see "Kyoshi" fighting but.. I dunno, I kind of like the original better. Okay.. reminder to self.. remember your promise to imagine this being an "AU fanfic done big".

..

Okay, this one didn't feel as rushed pacing-wise. Mainly it just focused on one episode of the original though, with nods pulled in from other episodes. The costuming was super cool, and there was a lot of pretty lighting with the camerawork, and I appreciate the little lighthearted scenes sprinkled in too. I hope we keep getting those because all-heavy, all the time would be exhausting.. and not true to the spirit of the original, where Aang brought light and joy.