287 replies to this topic

[Russ]

The whole facility wasn't made of pure platinum; that would be way too costly. The way metalbending works is that there's impurities in all metal, earth mixed in. So they bend the earth inside the metal to move the surrounding metal. It doesn't work on pure platinum because there's no earth there, at all. But that leads to issues. Platinum isn't exactly the strongest metal out there. And the machines would have to be completely platinum, not just a platinum coat, otherwise the metalbenders could rip off the platinum by tearing apart what's under it. So yeah... they'd have to be pretty soft machines.

[Lemon]

I love this show and everything it's creators write/touch. Howeve's I'm getting somewhat nostalgic for the softer pace of the earlier series. At least 2/3 of each season was just them meandering around the fantastic world they invented. I enjoy literally everything they've done thus far, how they've executed it, but man oh man are these episodes densely packed. It'd be neat to have an episode where the characters could just chill for a bit.

I'm also wondering when the rest of the world will get involved. There's benders elsewhere too, right? Especially considering the events of "...and the winner is" episode, it seems to me like the rest of the world's benders would start to contribute to the fight against the equalists.

[kurt91]

Platinum isn't exactly the strongest metal out there. And the machines would have to be completely platinum, not just a platinum coat, otherwise the metalbenders could rip off the platinum by tearing apart what's under it. So yeah... they'd have to be pretty soft machines.

Hang on... That means that their anti-bending mechs are vulnerable to a really hard physical strike. Seems interesting that the biggest weakness to something designed against bending is simply not bending and hitting it with anything else.

[Russ]

That would be a very bad idea. It would only strengthen Amon's arguments. "See how at the threat we pose, benders from across the world come to fight. They are afraid of us. They are afraid of the power we hold, to strip them over their coveted advantages, to make the world equal!" They'd be playing straight into his hand. If Amon is to be defeated, it had to be done by the government of Republic City and/or by the Avatar.

[Beefster]

The whole facility wasn't made of pure platinum; that would be way too costly. The way metalbending works is that there's impurities in all metal, earth mixed in. So they bend the earth inside the metal to move the surrounding metal. It doesn't work on pure platinum because there's no earth there, at all. But that leads to issues. Platinum isn't exactly the strongest metal out there. And the machines would have to be completely platinum, not just a platinum coat, otherwise the metalbenders could rip off the platinum by tearing apart what's under it. So yeah... they'd have to be pretty soft machines.

Maybe it's not pure platinum- it's just that Metalbenders can only bend certain metals- probably only oxidized metals and crystals (which is why Earthbending works: Silicon + Oxygen = Earth/Crystal). Sokka's Space Sword was probably composed of an alloy of osmium and iridium, with natural impurities such as crystallized osmium, platinum, and salts, explaining why Toph could still bend it.

I doubt the machines are pure platinum, but they're probably also composed of other metals that don't oxidize very well, probably chromium, nickel, and gold (and maybe some aluminum, since it only rusts slightly on the outside). It might even be that they're only COATED with platinum, having refined steel or aluminum underneath.

And while I'm at it, I might as well give a crack at explaining the science behind the other bending disciplines.

Waterbenders, in addition to the obvious aquakinesis, have the ability to manipulate the thermodynamics of water, so it might be derived from microwave radiation, which they can also shift out of phase to cool water. To explain healing, they might have some limited control over phospholipids or cell growth when channeled through water.

Firebenders have the ability to generate plasma (allowing for lightning). They also have the ability to release a flammable gas, probably methane, from their limbs. Naturally, they must also have the ability to produce said gas, whose production is likely tied to the limbic system due to its reliance on emotion.

Airbenders are pretty straightforward. If it has anything to do with specific real-world elements, they probably manipulate (pure O2) oxygen, as that seems to be present in the other three bending disciplines. Otherwise, it's exactly what it says on the tin: they manipulate air currents.

... But honestly, what does it matter? The Avatar world isn't based on science; it's based on medieval alchemy, where they thought you could turn lead into gold by removing its impurities. Maybe platinum is just more common there.

Edited by Beefster, 21 May 2012 - 12:09 AM.

[kurt91]

Science-y stuff

I would be absolutely fascinated at whatever direction the series took if you ever got to work in production. After they finish this steampunk themed entry into the series, I now demand they do a modern-day or futuristic setting for the next one.

[LinktheMaster]

Spoilers ahead!

I've been really enjoying the series so far. It's definitely different from the first series, but not in a bad way. I enjoy the darker and more grown up feel of the show.

I will say, though, that I didn't care too much for the latest episode for multiple reasons.

Maybe it was just me, but when they started the episode, I thought it was really obvious that Sato was going to be an equalist. I mean, they started the episode with Korra being overly suspicious and timid about going to the mansion. They tried to make it out to seem like Korra was just jealous, and all that just wasn't executed well in my opinion. I also feel like they were trying to make the impact of Sato being an equalist a bit stronger by making Korra and Asami to be friends before she overheard Sato's conversation. The problem with that was that their friendship lasted all of 30 seconds before the initial "bombshell" was dropped.

When they got to the "mechs"... well... I dunno. I understand the steampunk stuff and enjoy the mix with bending. It's really interesting. But mechs just feel like way too much, especially without some sort of bending to help explain it. I almost feel like a gigantic mech with a bunch of metal benders in it would be okay, but that small kind... just... it feels really out of place. We can't do that stuff today, let alone in the 20s, which is around where their technology is. Plus the CGI was horrendous and really just stuck out. It was really ugly and really put me off.

Finally, there was the ending with the metalbenders being taken away, causing Beifong to go rogue. With this, I feel like it would have to have been someone more important for me to care too much. Beifong has been made out to be a very strict "by the book" person, so it feels a bit odd for her to give up everything to save them.

It was still a good episode, I just felt like it could have been executed a lot better. I feel like they're trying to rush through things too much (which makes sense I guess because they have lot fewer episodes to work with in comparison to the first season), so things just don't feel as powerful to me as I can tell they want them to.

[Russ]

So I found these and almost died laughing. Figured I'd post them here.

Spoiler

Oh Korra. Making memes by the fifth episode.

[ShadowTiger]

I forgot to mention the amazing reference to the Cabbage cart from Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Spoiler

[Jared]

Just finished episodes 6 and 7.
I didn't expect Asami to overtake her father that way, with the electric glove thing. Kept my mouth wide open, along with the rest of them.
I am loving this so far. It feels almost as if it's a video game, with the music, character development and storyline. Can't wait for episode 8!

I feel so bad for Asami. Now, she has no one...but Mako. Hopefully.

Edited by Jared, 25 May 2012 - 10:18 PM.

[The Satellite]

First of all I want to open with this:

Image inside

Anyways, I've finally caught up in a... I forget when I started honestly. Moved slowly through The Last Airbender season one, a bit quicker in season two... finished season 3 in two days.

Anyways... I'm really not feeling Korra at all. I had enjoyed The Last Airbender; it was a wild ride with many twists and turns and mysticism and spirituality. This... feels empty in comparison. The animation is crisp and nice, but the characters are nowhere near as endearing; some of them just feel like bad attempts to replace the original characters. Republic City just isn't as interesting and the "pro-bending" sport, while a neat concept, had way too much of a focus and was just boring, which is why I'm glad the arena's been shut down.

It has its moments. Asami shocking her dad and Lin deciding to go vigilante for example. But honestly, without Tenzin and family, without an actually really incredibly solid and intriguing villain (and villainous organization), I would be ready to say that I'd stop watching this series. It just... doesn't have the same charm as The Last Airbender. It so far lacks the mysticism, which is half of what the original series was. Granted there's still time to introduce that, and of course the teasing snippets of Aang and crew as adults are enough for fans of the old series to bite on and want to know more of, but so far... the show's just missing something.

[The Satellite]

Am I the only one who heard Saikon (EDIT: Okay so it's spelled "Saikhan" apparently) and thought of Sakon for some reason?

I also feel obligated to point out how a lot of the music played when the New Team Avatar set out on vigilante missions was very reminiscent of Batman Begins/The Dark Knight's soundtracks. That and... I like the dynamics introduced and expanded upon in this episode. Finally started to dip into some spirituality, even if it was just a small bit at the beginning.

Huh... Just a couple days after saying that only Tenzin, Amon, and the flashbacks are what were keeping me anchored to the show, and then they manage to impress me without— Well without Amon at any rate. That episode was pretty good, actually. Maybe it just needed some time to find its legs, is all. That said...

 

Spoiler material

ZUKO CAMEO IN THE LAST FLASHBACK. ... ahem. On second look, nope, was seeing things. Oh, and the return of bloodbending; I was wondering just the other day when it would resurface, and here it is. There's a lot behind Tarrlok, and him dropping hints at how Korra knew nothing of who he was... He doesn't have any relation to Katara or the Southern Water Tribe itself, does he? Damn, the show managed to get interesting quick. That didn't take long.

One last thing: Damn cliffhangers. Cuts off at a bad time, but immediately after the end title card plays, the portrait from SpongeBob shows up. "Are ya ready, kids?" he asks. "Yeah, to find out what happens in the next episode! D:" I think.

And now, I'd like to close with another image:

 

Image inside

[Russ]

Spoiler

He doesn't have any relation to Katara or the Southern Water Tribe itself, does he?

Seeing as he's the representative of the Northern Water Tribe, I doubt it. Then again, who knows?

But oh man, that episode was amazing. Ya know what, I'm just gonna put most of this post in spoiler tags.

Spoiler

First off, Meelo continues to be amazing. Second, that face Korra made when Ikki said she liked Mako. I was eating when I saw it. I choked laughing so hard.

Tarrlac's really showing his true colors now, and I can't help but think he might be Amon, actually. After he knocked Korra out, the glimpse of him reaching towards her seemed awfully similar to how Amon reaches out to remove a person's bending. It's a farfetched theory, granted, but who knows?

So the scene with him arresting everybody. Am I the only one who was screaming at Korra to smash his head with the two boulders?

But about Tarrlac. The flashbacks to Aang's life that Korra had, it seemed almost like they were trying to fight Tarrlac to me. Maybe it's just me, but it looked like Aang was struggling against bloodbending. Which leads to the question, how can Tarrlac even bloodbend when it's not a full moon?

Next week can't come soon enough...

[kurt91]

Spoilers due to being related to the above post.

Spoiler

I haven't seen the new episode yet, but if that is the case, you don't suppose that Amon's bending-removal abilities have anything to do with bloodbending, do you? If you think about it, both of them involve manipulating the inner workings of another, and it could just be something as simple as using the victim's blood to permanently block their chi points that allow bending. Basically, making strategic blood clots that won't physically harm the victim, but put constant pressure on the chi points that they need in order to use their bending.

If bloodbending is still a little-known forbidden art or whatever, then it would make sense that all the doctors and everybody can't figure out how they're having their bending removed. Also, if that is the case, then it would provide a possible explanation as to how the series will end.

Theory Time: Korra battles Amon. Amon uses his abilities to cut off her bending abilities one-by-one until she can't do anything.

Theory 1: Korra finally is able to activate "Avatar Mode" at will at this crucial time. (Evidence: It's been stated that Korra has been able to quickly master the physical side of bending, but not the spiritual side. Naturally, this is probably going to be important at some point later on)

Theory 2: Korra's "Avatar Mode" will overrule Amon's bending-blocking ability because it isn't true chi-bending. She'll then use this time to kick his ass just like Aang did to Ozai at the end of the first series. (Evidence: I'm fairly certain at one point, Aang's "Avatar Mode" negated Ty-Lee's chi-blocking. I may be wrong or mis-remembering things, though.)

Theory 1 seems plausible to the point where I'm certain that it will happen. Theory 2 is much more spotty in the evidence department, so I'm going to say that it's got about a 35-40% chance of being accurate.

Any thoughts?

[The Satellite]

Spoiler

Seeing as he's the representative of the Northern Water Tribe, I doubt it. Then again, who knows?

I forget these details, sue me.

Spoiler

Second, that face Korra made when Ikki said she liked Mako.

No real comment on this, except that that's why we didn't notice her name was the same as Medabots' main protagonist: His name was pronounced "Icky," hers is more like "ee-key."

Spoiler

Tarrlac's really showing his true colors now, and I can't help but think he might be Amon, actually. After he knocked Korra out, the glimpse of him reaching towards her seemed awfully similar to how Amon reaches out to remove a person's bending. It's a farfetched theory, granted, but who knows?

Firstly, *Tarrlok. That was bugging me, though I can't blame you for misspelling names; the show is notorious for having names you won't be able to spell unless you're a master at Chinese, and even then sometimes. Anyways, for the spoiler stuff:

Spoiler

It briefly crossed my mind that he could be Amon, but it quickly passed. It just wouldn't make sense. Plus, the two are played by different actors. Sure, it could be a clever ploy to disguise his identity, but from a real-world perspective, I tend to think that's definitive, but if I'm wrong, whatever. It would definitely help in enforcing Amon's idea that "Benders are lording themselves over non-benders," but it could also be paranoia. I honestly feel like he was wronged by Aang or someone else from that group in the past, or an ancestor was. Or maybe he's Sokka's descendant...

Spoiler

So the scene with him arresting everybody. Am I the only one who was screaming at Korra to smash his head with the two boulders?

Not screaming, but encouraging...

>_>

<_<

Spoiler

But about Tarrlac. The flashbacks to Aang's life that Korra had, it seemed almost like they were trying to fight Tarrlac to me. Maybe it's just me, but it looked like Aang was struggling against bloodbending. Which leads to the question, how can Tarrlac even bloodbend when it's not a full moon?

Spoiler

I didn't notice anything that looked like that, then again I was still geeking out over the glimpse at Zuko. I'd have to look at that scene again. And who knows? How can Amon steal Bending when before only the Avatar could do that? There's definitely something more at stake here, although I'm surprised he also didn't just sap water from the air like Katara was taught to do.

Next week can't come soon enough...

This was why getting through Airbender was easier; they were all right at my fingertips and I didn't have to wait if I didn't want to.

Spoilers due to being related to the above post.

Spoiler

I haven't seen the new episode yet, but if that is the case, you don't suppose that Amon's bending-removal abilities have anything to do with bloodbending, do you? If you think about it, both of them involve manipulating the inner workings of another, and it could just be something as simple as using the victim's blood to permanently block their chi points that allow bending. Basically, making strategic blood clots that won't physically harm the victim, but put constant pressure on the chi points that they need in order to use their bending.

If bloodbending is still a little-known forbidden art or whatever, then it would make sense that all the doctors and everybody can't figure out how they're having their bending removed. Also, if that is the case, then it would provide a possible explanation as to how the series will end.

Theory Time: Korra battles Amon. Amon uses his abilities to cut off her bending abilities one-by-one until she can't do anything.

Theory 1: Korra finally is able to activate "Avatar Mode" at will at this crucial time. (Evidence: It's been stated that Korra has been able to quickly master the physical side of bending, but not the spiritual side. Naturally, this is probably going to be important at some point later on)

Theory 2: Korra's "Avatar Mode" will overrule Amon's bending-blocking ability because it isn't true chi-bending. She'll then use this time to kick his ass just like Aang did to Ozai at the end of the first series. (Evidence: I'm fairly certain at one point, Aang's "Avatar Mode" negated Ty-Lee's chi-blocking. I may be wrong or mis-remembering things, though.)

Theory 1 seems plausible to the point where I'm certain that it will happen. Theory 2 is much more spotty in the evidence department, so I'm going to say that it's got about a 35-40% chance of being accurate.

Any thoughts?

Spoiler

There are some interesting theories here, but I actually don't recall Ty Lee ever laying a finger on Aang. Unless I'm just forgetting. Although the Avatar state is what I've been waiting to see, hoping it surfaces soon, and hoping we get to see Aang as an adult speaking to Korra. As far as bloodbending removing the bending abilities, I'm not sure that's what it is; I tend to think bending is a result of using energy in the body, which may or may not come from the blood. If this is the truth, well, that's an interesting way to take Bloodbending to whole new levels. I just think it's some sort of super-advanced chi-blocking. We'll eventually find out, of course.

As well as what happened to Zuko's mother.