The Legend of Korra "Remembrances" Talkback [11/21/14]

[Neo Yi]

Premieres: Friday, November 21th, 2014 at 12:00 PM EST on Nick.com
Encores: Click here for updates


Like the second half of Book 3, these episodes will be available on Nickelodeon's official website.


Previous Talkbacks:
After All These Years
Korra Alone
The Coronation
The Calling
Enemy At The Gates
Battle of Zaofu
Reunion


So, according to Bryan Konietzko, this is going to be a clip show episode.


You can also discuss general Legend of Korra news in the Korra News and Discussion Thread.


Discuss

 

[zoombie]

It is a clip show, do I have use spoiler tags for this? Okay but I am taking them off later, it is a clips show, nothing major happens that requires spoiler tags.

Well the people that did "The Ember Island Players" that took a clip show and made it original and interesting, follow it up with a normal clips show, at least 2 of the 3 acts. Nothing wrong with that, but I always hoping if they did a clip show I wanted to see a mover based on the adventures of Avatar Korra and her friends, and you still have the characters watching themselves which made "Ember Island Players" so entertaining.

This episode is a combo of "The Ember Island Players" with a little bit of "Tales Of Ba Sing Se" thrown in.

Segment 1, for all the Mako haters, this was a way to let it all out though the other characters namely Wu and some of Mako's relatives. I wonder what kind of person Mako's grandfather was. I like how they poke fun at themslves here with all the relationship drama. Prince Wu was hilarious.

Segment 2, basicly just telling us all of Korra success and failures. It was like the old point / counter point, with Asami being pro Korra, while Korra herself was anti Korra. And leave it to Tenzen to settle it. Any Korra and Asami time is always a good thing.

Segment 3, by far the best segment of the episode, it most has the spirit of "Ember Island Players", in which it was telling it's own story. I love all of the past villains talking on the phone. And reminds us thatBolin was also a ladies man to, and unlike Mako he gets away with having multiply love interests, of course the difference is they were not part of the main cast and they were with him at different times of his life (except for Eska and Ginger, but he had a real relationship with Ginger). Poor Unaloq nobody likes you, and Zaheer talking to Amon, that is just a fan dream come true.

For a clip show, it was a great episode, especially the 3rd act, the 3rd act is what gets it a higher score. Also how they acknowledge of fans feedback such as Mako and Asami breakup not being a clear breakup or Unaloq being a boring and unpopular villain.

Okay, spoiler tags gone for this clips show.

 

[Dudley]

It is a clip show, do I have use spoiler tags for this? Okay but I am taking them off later, it is a clips show, nothing major happens that requires spoiler tags. * SPOILER *

I don't think we ever needed to put spoiler tags on. People should know there'd be spoilers in a talkback thread.

Anyway, as far as clip shows goes, it was alright. I came in expecting the worst but this was cute because they made subtle stabs at the weaker moments of the show (Unalaq, Mako's relationships), while still having the characters do fun things, like Varrick's mover idea and Prince Wu learning to fight.

 

[SaneMan]

as far as clip shows go, this was alright

yeah, nice feedback

 

[Neo Ultra Mike]

I also put my post in spoiler tags because I make long, incredibly ranty reviews about this series and if people don't like scrolling down to view them they don't have to. But yeah you know what? This is just a clip show so screw that though I do think there is still a lot to say about this one, namely why this was made....

See, I was afraid of this when I not only saw the preview clip for this episode, but also it's title. And thought "uh, are they going to do a clip show?" I was hoping that would wind up not happening and if there were flashbacks it would be of stuff we haven't you known actually seen. Since I thought there was an episode that detailed Varrick's past coming up and thought "oh well maybe it's that one and the talk between Mako and Wu doesn't go on that long" but it did. And then Korra had a clip show, and then Varrick did and yup, this episode is pretty much 85% recycled material. Which I honestly have to believe is because the network cut the budget of the show some. Yeah yeah I know they said that they had already completed the series outline and had worked on everything that was going into it before that was pulled and that it was still all going to happen, but I do think that they did get cutbacks in areas they didn't beleive they would. Part of me was kind of thinking of this throughout the season that it was cut back due to how few fights and big set pieces there were which was never the case with other seasons but thought "no this is just the natural progression of the plot. There doesn't need to be big battles every episode." But yeah stuff like this cinches it: they did need to do a clip show in order to save on the budget and still produce a 13 episode season. Remember this episode anytime in the next five you wonder why certain elements or believes didn't get fleshed out and why you didn't see certain things happen: it's because they had slashed costs and thus didn't have the effort to make the full 13 like I'm sure they originally intended. Because honestly, nothing in this episode progresses or forwards or does anything other then tell you what happened before. Even the supposed emotional conflict with Korra feels pointless due to how quickly that's resolved so yeah this is probably the most pointless an unneeded episode in the entire series.

But is it the worst? It's... one of the worst because of it's pointlessness sure but there are some meritable moments in there. It's obvious that the team wanted to make something like "Ember Island Players" here with taking previous past events and spoofing and making fun of them and pointing out "yeah we know that these are stupid moments to and we're sorry for that". As evidence in pointing out how much of a "jerk" (I'd say something else but it'd just be censored on this board) Mako was being in handling his relationships with Asami and Korra and how obviously he could of played it a lot better. And even when they pointed out how boring/annoying a villian Unalaq was and how none of the other baddies would want to hang out with him. I'm sure they could of had a lot more fun with that if you know they had the budget for it. Seriously imagine this episode playing out just as a take on Varrick's "mover" and how he kept switching perspectives to everyone being played by different actors and it being some sort of big hollywood esque budgeted extravagansva. That way it wouldn't just be another "spoof play" and instead be able to take the comedy in a whole other direction. But when you feel like you have to justify this episode by giving it emotional weight (which BTW in "Ember Island Players" was justified in detailing relaitonships that needed more resolving or talking about things that weren't in the forefront before) and even when you're trying to be silly you can't really afford to make new material so thus have to keep using clips, even though it's ovious when hearing what's happening it'd be funnier if the footage wasn't what you saw before. Seriously even if it was just like crayon drawings or stick figures arguing amongst themselves enacting previous events it'd be better then simply rehashing what we've seen already. But I'm guessing even that might of been too much money or this may of been a late last minute decision and the only choice they had was to use clips. Honestly if they didn't have the budget they should of just went full out silly and just rush it and have it all be like a dream or something in someone's head to excuse the less then quality animation but eh kind of too late to complain now.


I do admit that this one also isn't a total failure because it is still pretty funny. And even though it shows the stupid romance and drama and reminds me how terrible those moments in seasons 1 and 2 were it also says the characters moved past them with Mako wanting to prove himself by not being in a relationship and Korra's will strengthening... which isn't something we needed to see but I guess it at least justifes the clips a bit more by showing the characters getting over them. And again there were some funny bits: everyone in those comedic head circles (and obvious anime esque trick but with Korra's style it works well) Wu pointing out how he doesn't know anything about Mako even after his story, Wu and Mako's cousin high fiving, everyone's on Mako's case for how he treated the situation "I also learned girls are insane... no offense grandma" "none taken", Varrick telling the guy he had a very boring story he was trying to ignore, Bolin being confused on whether he's nuntuk or himself and Varrick saying they're just using the licensce to bring the audience in, the alliance of evil with Zaheer taunting Vaatu in a tree and somehow rebrought back dead Amon (I'm sure that's a fanfiction idea that's been done several times so nice to see the show use it in some form), Varrick constantly saying evil Jud Dee even though she doesn't appear on screen at all, the ridiculous inane plot of the supposed mover and the Steve Blum voiced guy telling Bolin not to take the mover idea so seriously. So yeah at least this was a fairly funny episode... granted a lot of the jokes are in the later half and the middle even in this pointless episode feels really out of place and doesn't do anything whatsoever but... I can't hate on this episode. See with "The Sting" it was clear these were these guys coming up with a storyline and failing on so many levels and making so many mistakes. Here they were sort of acknowledging it and honestly felt like they had no other choice but to make this episode because of Nickelodeon. Who even now keeps finding ways of screwing up the series. Since I'm sure if the team would of they would of had more of a purpose to this episode and the general storyline but couldn't so... we're stuck with this. This is still the weak mark of the season because yeah... it's still a clip show but it's one at least you could see they were put in a place and forced to do and did their best with. Plus I will admit it's really really rare nowadays to have a cartoon who actually has an episode that's a real cip show. Ed Edd n Eddy, Powerpuff Girls, Duck Dodgers and others have had fake clip shows, and Avatar obviously did one of their own, but not an actual series. What was the last clip cartoon that even had a clip show? The Simpsons "Gump Roast"? I can't think of anything else since then. Oh wait there was the Phineas and Ferb clip show episode but that was more of a spoof on one while I beleive "Gump Roast" like other clip shows by the Simpsons was done for the same reasons here: not enough money in the budget for all the episodes so had to clip show one. I may be wrong and if I am feel free to tell me but yeah this is a rarity... for a good reason and one I hope to never see again but a rarity all the same.

 

[Dudley]

The creators explain why they ended up doing a clip show.
If you didn't hate Nick's treatment of the show before, you might now.

 

[ShadowBeast]

Okay last I checked it was Korra and Asami who kissed Mako not the other way around.
This episode is the king of fillers with all of the flashbacks (of the weakest parts of the series), I found Varrick's tale with the villains hilarious especially when they hung up on Unalaq the most boring villain ever, and did Varrick just put Bolin's face on Korra's body?

 

[Doguineta]

I had my doubts when I realized it was a clip show, but then the fourway call between Vaatu, Zaheer, zombie Amon and Unalaq begun and it's the funniest thing the show's ever done. This whole episode was worth it just for that. Hilarious.

 

[Lerkero]

Its wasn't bad for a clip episode. The writers made it an interesting presentation and managed to present some new perspectives on past events.

I think cutting Korra's budget is significant proof that Nick no longer cares about "action" or "mature" shows. Soon there won't be anywhere to go to find shows like Korra.

 

[Srebak]

It always feels like i'm on the opposite side of the popular opinions of these fandoms. While i truly did not like Mako's memories, as they only reminded me of how i disliked how they handled Korra and Mako's relationship, everyone else seems to think that it was good storytelling.

 

[Dudley]

Uhm...I don't know anyone who liked how that romance was handled. The majority says it's been the weakest element of the whole show.

Its wasn't bad for a clip episode. The writers made it an interesting presentation and managed to present some new perspectives on past events. I think cutting Korra's budget is significant proof that Nick no longer cares about "action" or "mature" shows. Soon there won't be anywhere to go to find shows like Korra.

Except maybe the internet?

 

[Lerkero]

If you know of a show with as high production values and plotting as Korra that airs only on the internet I would like to see it. The only reason Korra is on the net now is because Nick doesn't want to promote it on TV broadcast.

 

[Rhaynebow]

Yeah, totally considered skipping this one when I saw it was a clip show, but stuck around anyway.

And this episode...wasn't too terrible. I like how they pointed out the flaws in the romance and Unalaq. Now, unlike...I dunno, probably a majority of the posters on this thread, I enjoyed the romance in this show simply because I'm a shipper, so I care immensely even if the couples themselves aren't good. Ship fulfillment is a great feeling. But hearing how Mako wanted to find himself by not having a chick on his arm was pretty dang cool. Nowadays, you rarely see a cartoon where guys and girls can just be friends. They almost ALWAYS have some kind of romance tied in, unless the show's educational, typically. This gives Mako a clear character as Mako the guy and not Mako the Boyfriend/Love interest. I can move on with this Makorra vs Masami because Mako doesn't want either of them romantically now, which is good. *oogles over Varrick and Zhu Li fanart*

The creators explain why they ended up doing a clip show. If you didn't hate Nick's treatment of the show before, you might now.

Well, I hope this doesn't mean the rest of the season is going to look bad because of budget cuts. If Nick was going to treat this show so badly, why did they order three more seasons?

 

[Light Lucario]

The creators explain why they ended up doing a clip show.
If you didn't hate Nick's treatment of the show before, you might now.

I'm honestly not too surprised by that. Nickelodeon has been treating the show rather poorly since around the second season. I do like how they didn't even consider the first option of letting a significant number of their staff go earlier. That really shows how kind they are.

It always feels like i'm on the opposite side of the popular opinions of these fandoms. While i truly did not like Mako's memories, as they only reminded me of how i disliked how they handled Korra and Mako's relationship, everyone else seems to think that it was good storytelling.

I don't know why you think that everyone seemed to think it was good storytelling. I've seen way more people complaining about the romance and calling it one of the weakest aspects of the series than anyone praising the romance as anything good.

Anyway, for a clip show, I thought it was okay. The first segment mostly bothered me because it reminded me how much I really hate Mako. Going through his relationship conflicts from the first two seasons and especially how he kept trying to say he wasn't officially dating Asami during the second season really made him look so unappealing. At least the other characters pointed out his issues, which was satisfying. It also does seem like Mako isn't romantically interested in either Korra or Asami right now, which is good because I would hate it if they brought either of those relationships back at this point, especially with Korra given how terrible their relationship was. Having them just be good friends is perfectly fine and would be kind of refreshing since a lot of shows and movies try to pair characters together, especially the female leads.

The segment with Korra and Asami was okay. It didn't really offer much of anything new or interesting, but it was serviceable in showcasing how Korra has changed over the last few years.

The last segment with Varrick was hilarious. That was easily the most entertaining part of the episode and made sitting through the other segments well worth it. Poking fun at Unalaq was great and a three way call between the other villains was priceless. I would have loved this episode if it was Varrick trying to make a movie version of the whole series instead of just about Bolin, even though I'm not sure how that would have worked out given that he isn't familiar with everything that happened. Still, it would have been fantastic and entertaining. At least it ended the episode on a high note. Overall, this was an okay clip show.

 

[ShadowBeast]

Anyway, for a clip show, I thought it was okay. The first segment mostly bothered me because it reminded me how much I really hate Mako. Going through his relationship conflicts from the first two seasons and especially how he kept trying to say he wasn't officially dating Asami during the second season really made him look so unappealing. At least the other characters pointed out his issues.

But Mako wasn't dating Asami in the second season, she kissed him not the other way around.

 

[Neo Ultra Mike]

originally posted by Dudley
The creators explain why they ended up doing a clip show.

Yeah that's pretty much what I figured though I didn't know it came between doing the series and firing people. Honestly though what they should of done is instead of clips have the entire episode be Varrick imaginging a movie with false information of how the show would go, but have the entire thing be realllllly low budgeted and cheap looking. And that's part of the joke of how cruddy it looks and how everything is like barely animated. Honestly if it came between a throwaway clip show episode and a throw away totally low budgeted episode i'd go with the later as that would yield more unique results but eh, again maybe they didn't even have the time for that.

originally posted by Lerkero
I think cutting Korra's budget is significant proof that Nick no longer cares about "action" or "mature" shows. Soon there won't be anywhere to go to find shows like Korra.

I can't really even think of anywhere now for shows like Korra or Avatar honestly. Nickelodeon clearly wants either comedy cartoons or ones with more of a lean towards wacky comedy like TMNT. Cartoon Network just straight up doesn't care for action shows and Disney is pretty much the same way. And not like any other network feels the same way, be it basic cable or premium channel, at least for kids cartoons. So yeah Korra maybe be the last kind of show like this, at least until this perception changes anyway.

originally posted by Srebak
t always feels like i'm on the opposite side of the popular opinions of these fandoms. While i truly did not like Mako's memories, as they only reminded me of how i disliked how they handled Korra and Mako's relationship, everyone else seems to think that it was good storytelling.

Like others have said, there were a lot of people on this board who hated Mako and Korra or Mako and Korra's relationship as the show was going on and commenting on that. If you mean people thinking it was good storytelling to have that be the focus of the flashbacks... well I don't think it's good I just think it's "the best they can do" storytelling. And honestly the closest the characters in the show can come to poiting out how terrible Mako acted in that whole relationship. And point out he isn't looking for love anymore. Honestly I do wish they could of crapped on the relationship more but eh couldn't for how they set up the flashbacks or characters so... have tot take what you can get with this.

originally posted by Darissa Townes
. If Nick was going to treat this show so badly, why did they order three more seasons?

Well obviously that was never Nickelodeon's original intention. Granted they did a terrible job of how they handled Avatar in it's last season and how they aired those episodes but Nick and the crew still had a tight relationship. And once Nick was on board with Korra they did want to expand it more then just the originally planned mini season. Especially since in it's first season Korra was actually getting some good ratings. However I think either some executive fool who didn't care much about the show or the wait between season one and two kind of forced the marketting department to drop the ball in how to promote the series. And honestly I think even in the last couple of years there's been more of a shift in what Nick focuses on and seems pretty obvious that's mostly in the wacky out there comedy department. I can't beleive the same people who wanted 4 seasons of Korra are the same people who handle the show now so yeah something did change during that time. I don't know exactly what but obviously something.

 

[Alonso Torrejon]

The sooner Korra is mentally cured, the better.

 

[ShadowBeast]

Now that they've just shown 8 episodes, it looks like we're down to the final four.

The sooner Korra is mentally cured, the better.

5, there are 13 episodes, though hopefully the final 2 will be shown together.

 

[cwjakesteel]

When I realized it was a clip show, I immediately lost all hope for this series. But then it got funny and was well executed, and I liked it. I really liked Wu in this episode and Varrick's story too. Maybe in the end Wu will learn something from living with Mako and his Grandmama and become a not-so-terrible King.

So now you know what it is and why it happened. I hope you do end up enjoying it after all, especially as a last lighthearted, nostalgic romp before POOP. GETS. REAL. And then the series is done.

The clip show was just enjoyable enough for me to be satisfied without learning anything new, really. Finally we can get into 5 episodes of POOP. GETTING. REAL.

 

[Light Lucario]

But Mako wasn't dating Asami in the second season, she kissed him not the other way around.

I know that Asami kissed him and not the other way around, but it seemed like they had gotten back together given what I remember from their interactions/body language around each other afterwards. He claims that he wasn't in this flashback, but even that's point out as simply being denial.