#tlok zaheer

[i-dont-know-anything-anymore]

TLOK + Text Posts

3/?

[haven-of-dusk]

It's kind of impressive how people can watch something, see a character repeatedly established as a liar and manipulator, and then believe stuff they say and take it as truthful or believe it makes them "more justified"

Like...Palpatine, proven liar, master manipulator, that's his PRIMARY CHARACTER TRAIT, badmouths the Jedi, and a bunch of viewers just went "yeah, that checks out".

Peter Hale, repeatedly said to be the least trustworthy person imagineable, Satan in a V-neck, makes claims about his own strength compared to Scott, and despite him definitely being a paper tiger, a bunch of viewers went, "yeah, that checks out." And write off Scott as far weaker than he actually is.

"Maybe Zaheer had a point" Uh...no shit, that was the problem. He was not wrong that the Earth Queen was a terrible ruler, but his solution of ANARCHY is not better, it's just a different type of problem. Just because someone can identify a systemic problem, doesn't mean you should trust them to have the solution. Republicans in modern America occasionally identify real problems, like a crisis with mental health. But their "solutions" are only going to make the problem WORSE. Just like Zaheer mudering an 18 year old currently doing her best to spread peace and prosperity is not justified just because the Earth Kingdom monarchy was a mistake...killing Korra is just making things even worse.

I got a little off track there, but I hope the point still came across...

[weirdlyhereandincandescentig]

lok naming the episode where the earth queen literally gets the air pulled out of her lungs and murdered by zaheer “long live the queen” is insaaaaaane i love this fucking show

[sh3nlong-promakh0s]

zaheer is a great villain omfg or like chaotic neutral character love him loved s3 of LOK

he is genuinely scary as shit and chaotic, i still can't really pin him down to having a single motivation other than his ideology of freedom, sort of like the joker but anyway he rules

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[emblemxeno]

Legend of Korra First Watch: Book 3 Thoughts

Full thoughts under the cut!

-----Fight choreography and animation is even better, was absolutely amazing to watch.

-----Zaheer and The Red Lotus are a much better antagonistic force than Unalaq. The bar is low of course, but it's actually such a difference in quality.

Now, Unalaq formerly being a part of the Red Lotus? Eh, okay sure, I guess. Idk how considering his bending isn't all that's cracked up to be and he gets his way through manipulation and sneak attacks most of the time.

Each major member of the Red Lotus is intimidating and a force to be reckoned with, and that makes each encounter with them a sight to see. I've got to be honest however: could've used a little work on the personality side. Zaheer is obviously exempt of course, but the others come just short of being as personable or as engaging as Tarrlok. There were attempts of course! Mako and Bolin talking with Ghazan and Ming-Hua, as well as P'li's relationship with Zaheer are good moments of characterization, but I feel it just misses the mark.

...Though, thinking about it, I could be incorrect. There's plenty to glean from their personalities just through what they do in the journey to get to Korra. Ghazan is affable and calculated, bringing down entire structures with surgical lava strikes. Ming-Hua is fucking nuts, and is most prone to violence as a way to counter-balance her lack of a rare skill. P'li is determined and is the most dangerous when considering how damn calm she is. It's little wonder that each of them meet their ends when getting these aspects taken advantage of: Ghazan's fear of going back to prison overtakes his laid-back attitude, and that in tandem with Bolin learning lava-bending and being fought by him and Mako, he crumbles and tries to take them down with him. Ming-Hua's love of the hunt narrows her mind, and she doesn't even consider how her water-arms can be used against her, especially by a firebender; it's little wonder she gets electrocuted, she probably didn't think or wonder if Mako could do it, and is so full of herself that she thought she could take anyone so long as she has water. P'li, in spite of her calm demeanor, is so cemented in her role and making sure Zaheer is alright that she misses how she's kind of an easy target. She's strategically always put in places where she's just out of reach so she has the greatest advantage and the lowest chance of getting hurt, but loses whenever her blind spots are used against her. Her blind spots are getting hit in the third eye, anything that's not in front of her or in her peripheries... and Zaheer. When Zaheer is out of his element, she loses concentration; her earthly tether is in danger so she gets more frazzled, which is ironic considering Zaheer himself got more dangerous when he loses P'li entirely.

-----Zaheer himself is extremely compelling and interesting to think about. Anarchism is something that's not taken seriously by most of the general public because they have a shallow view of what anarchism is. It's the skepticism and dislike of authoritarian institutions that divide and beat down the marginalized, such as capitalist nation-states. But like every school of thought, it has extreme, utopian, and dangerous limits and sects. In Zaheer's case, he believes disorder is natural and something that people will come out of stronger for it.

He has a point to a certain extent (and trust me, as a leftist, I'm aware that TLOK falls into a similar liberal writing trap that ATLA did in that bad people who have good points/ideas are written to be even more evil in their actions in order to undermine their ideas as a whole, but that kind of discussion is best saved for a different day), but his extreme relies upon two fallacies: one, that people will maintain the freedom that goes by his design-which if the Red Lotus were to try and maintain that design, he'd just end up a hypocrite-and two, that people wouldn't just band around another leader. In fact, creating such a big power vacuum could lead to an even more oppressive force to take over in the previous one's destruction. And I know all about the fascist-allegory in season 4 of LOK, so... yeah, that didn't work.

Something else I like about him is how he's almost a corruption of Air Nomad culture. Freedom's negative extreme is chaos and selfishness, and it's in deep contrast to what Tenzin wants the new Air Nation to accomplish at the end of the season, which is harmony and justice. So in a way, Zaheer got a little of what he wanted, but ironically in losing all his tethers, he lost what makes a person a person, and becomes so utterly lost in his self-made void of emptiness, that when brought back to the earth, he loses his mind.

Thinking back on it, it's what I liked about Amon and Tarrlok as well. Water is the element of change, and the water tribe celebrates community and emotion. The natural negative extremes of that is enforced rules and proticols to quell unrest and protect the people from themselves, which is like trying to redirect a powerful river (Tarrlok), and violent, immediate social unrest and revolution, which is like a sudden current shift or careening down a waterfall (Amon). Were I to think on it more, I could probably do a similar thing with Unalaq and the Water Tribe civil war, but given I just pulled the previous examples out of my head near instantly, it kind of goes to show that Book 2 is a bit too bloated with other things for me to properly dissect and reconnect the philosophy to the elements of it.

-----I think Tenzin has moved into comfort character territory for me, I just love whenever he's onscreen. The weight of the air nation culture on his shoulders was resolved last season, but it comes back now that harmonic convergence re-established balance by having new air benders pop up. I think that was a fair way to bring back his angst, and it parallels neatly with Jinora's continued main role as an airbending master and spiritual guide in her own right. What Tenzin lacked in natural talents or skills in maintaining community, he makes up for in raw experience, and its vice versa with Jinora. The air family's dynamic was always a treat to experience, and Kai's introduction into the show was quite beneficial IMO. It gave Jinora an earthly tether and all the good and bad that comes with it (heightens her immaturity and rebelliousness, but also fosters a better connection with her spiritual side and improves her ability to talk and direct others).

Back to Tenzin and him being a comfort character though... Guys I was almost brought to tears when the Northern Air Temple was attacked. I hated seeing Tenzin get beat up, like I was actually upset. "As long as I'm breathing, it's not over." 🥹🥹🥹

-----Lin and Suyin! I like their dynamic a lot, and I'm so happy that Lin is a major character again in this season. The Beifong family is fun to watch, and I like how stubborn each of the sisters were, until Opal-much like an airbender would-was able to enlighten them by reminding them of their sisterhood and love for each other. Achieve freedom from your past by letting go of resentment, and all that.

Given that Kuvira was introduced in this Book, I expect Lin and Suyin to have even more screen time next season, and with that I also expect deeper moments to comment on. I have other thoughts I could share, but I think watching season 4 would make them more solidified. Also, Suyin voiced by Anne Heche? Absolutely love, it's a treat for the ears.

-----Bolin and Mako! Finally I have nothing but positive things to say about each of them! Now that they're not sharing the spotlight with police drama or political bureaucracy, they have new opportunities to grow. I'm glad they got to meet their Earth Kingdom family, and as a mixed kid myself, I have a soft spot for mixed ancestry depictions in shows.

Bolin thrives when he's having a crisis about his identity and who he wants to be; giving him lavabending (something relatively unique) instead of metal-bending (something most other earthbenders, now including Korra, can do) is brilliant, as it gives him an opportunity to chart his own path on almost uncharted territories, rather than try to fit into the mold.

Mako thrives when his connections to his family and his past are brought to the forefront; he's always been a talented bender, but his power as a bender and his goodness as a person, shine brightest when he needs to help/encourage Bolin, when giving Kai advice, when rescuing his extended family, or when he's reminiscing on his past on the streets. He's out of his element when boxed into a poorly written love triangle, and boring to watch when he's a police officer. He's a great watch when he's freed from those restrictions, and it's a great layer to the overall theme of freedom in Book 3.

-----Man Korra was put through the wringer in this season. Now, I still don't like how the connections to past avatars was done as a consequence to Raava getting defeated, but I do like how it impacts Korra as a character, when deciding her own path without needing to seek advice at every turn. I... don't think it results in a completely rash decision on her part, just that her insecurity over being considered a poor Avatar means she's more willing to self-sacrifice for the benefits of overs, even if it means everyone suffers in the long term.

I was so proud of her character at the end of the season but also so heartbroken when she was shown in the wheelchair. She's so despondent, and it's clear that it's not just physical trauma she's suffering from anymore. I hope season 4 capitalizes on this.

Honest confession, I was crying heavy during the final scene during Jinora's tattoo ceremony, for multiple reasons. Jinora reaching her peak and being respected for her mastery, Tenzin being proud, Korra being traumatized, and Korra crying both because of her experiences as an Avatar so far and because-or at least what I headcanon-it's subtly Aang also crying through her seeing his culture and people restored. I just think it's a bittersweet and emotionally well done finale to the season.

-Korrasami ship tease in this season was so cuuuuuute!!! Sorry if this is an awkward way to end this post, but I just really like them together. Any time it's just the two of them, I smile. I wish there was more overt ship tease, but I understand it was the execs behind the scenes breathing down the necks of the writers. At least Korrasami won out in the end.

Book 4 is next! What a wild ride it's been!

[aether-link]

You know what, been thinking about Zaheer. I just love him. I want to put an egg on his head. Point at him. Like, yeah? Idk I just love air benders dude.

[xrgl40]

New story: The Natural Order is Disorder

"When the news of Republic City's fall and Avatar Korra's death reaches his cell, Zaheer knows it's his time to act.

He has dedicated his life to anarchism, and he brought down the Earth Kingdom in its name, now he vows to do the same to the Earth Empire."

Link for full story:

[edsheerankinnie]

im like midway thru season 3

I dont get how Korra could have possibly gotten PTSD from zaheer alone like. she's almost died and seen the world almost end multiple times by now. Heck, shes been blood-bended on and locked in a tiny ass metal box for hours! It cant possibly get worse than that, right? Surely Zaheer's actions werent THAT awful, right??

[kibutsulove]

atla twitter memes while I’m outside. filler post

[i-dont-know-anything-anymore]

TLOK + Text Posts

6/?

[edsheerankinnie]

Everyone else: *having a normal conversation*

Zaheer: Did you ever hear the tale of Guru Laghima? I thought not. Its not a story the Air Nomads

Did you ever hear the tale of Guru Laghima? I thought not. It's not a story the Air Nomads would tell you. It's an Airbender legend. Guru Laghima was a renowned poet who lived at the Northern Air Temple, so powerful and so wise he discovered the secret to weightlessness...

[wilcze-kudly]

Im sick and delirious with fever so i unleash these upon ye

[dukeofdelirium]

the way ppl still act like Zaheer is the best airbender in the ATLA universe… the disrespect lmao. Aang was a fucking MASTER at 12 and was the youngest airbending master in history, until Jinora, Aang and Katara’s granddaughter, surpassed him as a master at ELEVEN!

Tenzin, Katara and Aang’s youngest son was openly beating Zaheer’s ass with ease and the only reason Tenzin even lost that fight was bc the rest of Zaheer’s group ganged up on him 🙄

Zaheer is nowhere near a master airbender. He’s not even a relatively good airbender, either. He disrespected everything Air Nomad’s believed in, and almost always targeted individuals who were relatively helpless. When he was actually fighting against master airbenders, like Tenzin and Korra, he didn’t even stand a chance.

If Aang had been alive when Zaheer got airbending abilities, he would have absolutely destroyed him in half a second be so for real. Jinora could body his weenie hut jr ass too. Hell, Meelo could wipe the damn floor with him 😒

[jasminedragonart]

not too sure if I’m set on these

[azulaaaaaaah]

atla/tlok characters that i think did *it* (but i just can’t prove it)

this is the most unserious post i’ve ever made. (AND I WANT TO PREFACE BY SAYING BY *IT* I MEAN KISSING)

Sozin and Roku

and history will say that they were just great friends…

this is the only one where ill legitimately die on this hill

like i’m 90% sure roku just showed Aang their friendship in the flashbacks to prevent awkwardly explaining to a 12 year old monk that he was romantically and/or physically involved with the person who committed a g*nocide against his people

LIKE CMON WHY IN THE WORLD WAS SOZIN SO PRESSED IN THE BACKGROUND OF ROKU’S WEDDING ??? AND FOR NO REASON?? WHY WAS THEIR FRIENDSHIP SO INTENSE?

sozin i feel loved roku (to an obsessive level) and roku literally dgaf. king shit

Wan and Raava

genuinely what the fuck was going on between these two. like i don’t even have any words

canonically at the very least it was a domestic partnership

S2 korra doesn’t make sense at the best of times. imagine trying to explain the intensity of this pair’s devotion to each other, to someone who hasn’t seen the show- all the while knowing raava is a disembodied spirit practically older than time

she’s the embodiment of everything good and light in the universe and he’s just wan. (and he’s wanough <3)

‘do you think we’re soulmates in every life?’

‘bet’

‘wait that’s not what i-‘

Cabbage Merchant and his cabbages (or at least a cabbage)

yeah i’m not touching this one with a 10 foot pole

Every member of the red lotus squad

ah yes it’s my favourite evil polycule

amidst plans to kidnap children and topple monarchies what else is there to do except… kiss.

let’s be real there’s something so inherently romantic about being apart of an elite, vaguely murderous anarchist squad

they all share one exact bed. it’s canon

(p’li somehow big spoons all of them)

The S2 Nomads

these dudes are the textbook definition of anti-monogamy

like they’re obsessed with love so i fully believe that they think ‘it should be spread amongst others’ or some shit

oh to be a travelling communist nomad in a band, wandering the wilds with my wife, and our several partners

they’re somehow the opposite of the red lotus and yet the same. they all share a single bed/sleep area

The dangerous ladies (but all separately)

i don’t ship any of these particularly and yet can still admit that it’s canon

ty-lee and azula have kissed bc azula probably made up a dumb excuse like ‘oh i don’t want my first kiss with a guy to be… erm… bad’

mai and ty-lee have kissed because they both probably have genuine, vaguely deep rooted romantic feelings for each other

mai and azula have kissed to purely spite zuko (and yknow what ty-lee too)

HOWEVER A KEY ASPECT TO THIS DYNAMIC: azula is completely unaware about the ty-lee and mai thing. it’s uh… better off that way.

Hakoda and Bato

i ship this about 50% but like… it’s got to have happened once right? considering all that down time they spent together on a boat away from the repercussions of water tribe society…

also considering they were leaders i doubt the other warriors were in a position to ever call them out on it

like cmoooooooon what’s a little kiss between the homies every now and again?

hakoda is where sokka gets his rizz/flagrant bisexuality from and i can’t change that guys