Dear Internets: Help me understand!

[norcumi]

So I'ma just gonna sit down and DO this. After a near miss of a major rant at a poor unsuspecting victim, I'm going to unleash some questions out onto LJ.

What is UP with Avatar: The Last Airbender? And while we're at it, WHY is so much of my friends list enamored of My Little Ponies: Friendship is Magic?

No, I'm not (randomly?) bashing. I'm seriously curious as to what folks like about these. WARNING! SPOILERS PROLLY ABOUND!

So I've watched all of Avatar, season 1.* And it failed. Oh, there are things I liked about the series, elements that had a touch of fascination for me. I liked the variety of cultures. I adore the fact that in order to bend elements to one's whim, one has to make the motions you want said element to take – it makes sense to me in the way many magic systems don't. The variety and depth of cultural heritage, and the obvious research they did of parts of the world that far more often become parodies in cartoons were instead rich, and flavorful, and often realistic. It was pretty clear that underneath everything, there was a planned out story, and a thematic solidity that isn't often seen. Characters had hints of depth and history.

And then they took that, and covered it with fart jokes. They trimmed the story down, and hid it under a fear of losing the interest of an audience that would apparently be more amused by super distorted rubber faces and crazed expressions. Most anime at least has a consistency on when they become super distorted, and it's a structured known device. This was "hey, we can get a laugh if Sokka looks super dumb now!"

The bathroom humor was excessive – admittedly I never found that very funny back in the day when I WAS in the age range they were aiming for, but – why engage in the sacrilege of having a good, decently written story, and then "taking a break from it" to make all involved look stupid? I get using humor to take a break from drama, but this was way past that point.

I get that the main characters are early to mid teens – they're not expected to be brilliant. Aang wanting to go haring off to ride [critter of the day] is understandable – but do we have to hit the single note all. The. Time? Sokka likes to eat. Katara doesn't get people. Kay. Can we get more development, less repetition? Please?

I think my biggest complaint is wrapped up and well illustrated by the last 3(?) episodes of the season, honestly. They've made it to the North Pole, huzzah! Water bending master, yay! Angst, and drama, and culture shock! Character history being relevant! Yes, please!

And then it gets dropped on the floor. Again. Example! Neat Princess who is a realistic love interest – and her betrothed is... um... ::fumbles around in the Prop Closet:: THIS cardboard cutout! Who you are gua-ran-teed to hate, even if you somehow don't like Sokka who's everyone's favorite dorky kid brother!

… Why couldn't he have been a decent if culturally limited dude, with reasonably limited ideas about what works and what doesn't, rather than Anti!Sokka? If he wasn't the raid leader, and it was some other douchebag that was mocking Sokka and being a moron, and despite yourself you and Sokka might actually respect Yue's dude on the battlefield rather than him being the jock brat of the locker room?

Not to mention some closure would've been nice. Did he die out there? Or just get *cue the stupid bathroom humor again* dumped overboard again and again and again like Daffy Duck meeting Bugs when let's face it, Zhao is more than batshit enough to enjoy slowly killing morons like this? Can we get maybe a flicker of regret from Yue, or Sokka, about a guy who might've been decent enough though he'd like to be better for Yue?

Nope. Too realistic? Too much work?**

Which leads to one of my biggest issues with that little three-parter.

They needed another episode in there. I get it, budget prolly didn't allow for it, all the logistical reasons why this couldn't have happened.

But. Story-wise? My gods, it needed more pipe. There was too much pulled out of a hat. Yue digs Sokka? Bam! Bethrothed! Spirits abound! Bam! Here's a tie in to the strange girl – and BAM! Deus ex machina for when the spirits Get In Trouble! And then let's wrap up it all with Koizilla, for that blockbuster pulling a rabbit out of my hat feel!

Ok, let me calm down for a moment. See, I have no doubt whatsoever that the writing team had the Yue/spirits angle down from the beginning. Her interaction patterns with her father, the character design, it all said "there's something unusual here" – but nothing was said until five seconds before it was relevant.

That's bad writing, bad timing, and not having any dramatic chops whatsoever. If I wrote fanfic like that, I sure as hell hope my beta would send me back to my writing desk in shame for not putting together a more solid story.

Now. I keep hearing season 2 is better, and I'm increasingly frustrated that Toph keeps popping up as a Character To Dig. I was stupid and started reading Vathara's Embers - stupid because she writes delicious fic, but more often than not presupposes the reader has an intimate familiarity with the show she's writing for that I just do not have – AND it's not done yet. And I keep swinging around and wondering if the second season gets better.

But. I already gave it one. If the show didn't do its job, and catch me by the end of the first. entire. season – then it's not doing its job. It failed.

So I'm asking the internets what I'm missing. ***

So this takes us to our second topic. I've watched the first two and a half episodes of Friendship is Magic.

Um. My tolerance for an unguided tour is much lower than that of someone sitting there who can discuss their obsession with me, and so while I did make sure I got the first ep (two parter, but I'm going to call it the collective first episode) down – I couldn't make it through the second one.

There's the vague impression that there might be continuity – and there wasn't. It's spastic without the charm of Freakazoid, there are arbitrary musical numbers without the consistent illogic of Animaniacs, and the plot is such a thin veneer over "get to the end of the episode" that just... irks me. I didn't find any of the stereotypical personality types to be endearing, just annoying. And while I will grant that the art style is consistent and decent, it's just not my cuppa tea.

So I guess I'm a cranky old fart that just doesn't get it? Where's the charm? What am I missing? Why does everyone around me seem to like these things?





* Pardon a touch of hyperbole – my Avatar tour guide did not want to sit through the Hatfield vs McCoy episode, so I got a summary of that one, without actually watching it

** We're going to ignore S and P here – things could've been implied, or done without the bathroom humor approach, or whatever. F'r instance, I'm not saying that just because Zhao would, they should've shown onscreen him bending fire to flambe all those guys alive as long as it takes, or whatever.

*** Also, after writing all that, I realize I sound like such a Sokka fangirl, and many of my issues are with him getting short end of the stick or something. No? These are just the easy examples I have, sorry!

Comments

[haikujaguar.livejournal.com]

The first two episodes of MLP are oddly inconsistent with the rest of the show, which is more slice-of-life with odd mythological world-building than the show opener. While I'm not fanatic about the show—I played with ponies the first time they came around and have my own notions about them, and anything that comes after is a curiosity—I am rather bemused by episodes with themes like "pleasing clients is hard for artists" and "management and organization is a valid talent even though it's not as exciting as being athletic or artistic" or "just because someone's ladylike doesn't mean they can't take care of themselves when they meet trouble."

I don't know why other people love the ponies. But watching it, I wish there had been a show like it when I was a kid, because it's not just clever, it's wholesome, and its messages are startlingly useful. I could have used the lesson of the finale, where all the ponies go to the grand gala expecting it to be the best night of their lives (all for different reasons), and they're all disappointed because it was nothing like they imagined... it would have helped me get over how boring prom was. ;)

[norcumi.livejournal.com]

Hurm. Ok, that explains the mixed tones I was getting. Thank you for letting me know which is the dominant one!

... I think I might have to explore this more, maybe. The feedback is greatly appreciated!

Also, a side note: you liked the random Guild members in Ashenvale story I posted in wow_fanart, there's now apparently four entries in that series. Mel has a nice set of links at the latest here. We don't seem to have a driving theme or anything, just... who's amused by what today. :)

[haikujaguar.livejournal.com]

If you want to jump around, pony-wise, I suggest watching "Suited for Success" and "A Dog and Pony Show," as the episodes that startled me most. There are lots of other sweet and funny ones, though. Really the first two are the worst.

I'm also kind of amused at the world-building. In the original My Little Pony there really wasn't much thought given to the universe the ponies live in. In this one, they are mythological constructs that create weather and change the seasons (literally: they have to wrap-up winter), and they all have roles and things they do. Plus, this one has thought given to little things like "how do creatures with four feet dress"... there's one episode where a pony shows up with an umbrella, which is mounted to a saddle on her back. Because, of course, how else would she be able to hold it. :)

Anyway, yes. Poke around, see if it amuses you more.

And thank you for that link! I will go read it tonight, while winding down for bed. :)

[haikujaguar.livejournal.com]

*reads*

That is a lot of fun! It must be awesome to be going back and forth like that. :)

[norcumi.livejournal.com]

Eee, thank you for the specific episode recs! I'll look into those!

And yes, it's very fun to toss something silly out there, and to get something zany but wonderful back. :D We're not really planning anything, it just... sort of happened.

[justicevoles.livejournal.com]

Honestly, idk what to tell you. Enjoyment of anything artistic is such an emotional thing that an intellectual "explanation" of why someone else finds something enjoyable, or not, is unlikely to be terribly productive.

It's like when Bart sold Milhouse his soul and couldn't laugh anymore. "See, intellectually I know that's funny. But I'm just not laughing."

For instance, someone could probably wax poetic about the Beatles to me for hours, explaining their cultural relevance, lyrical depth, etc, etc. But at the end of the session, I'm still going to hate them.

But because I can't ever shut up...

Most of the characters in Avatar are boys of around Jr. High-ish age. It would be deeply unrealistic if they didn't find flatulence a major source of amusement.

As for MLP:FiM, you could give it a few more eps. I almost gave up on the series after episode three myself, in my disappointment that the series didn't stay with the tone of the opening two-parter and turn into a sort of "Pirates of Dark Water with ponies" as our heroes scour the land of Equestria gathering plot coupons for a final confrontation with the big bad in the season finale... It does, however, turn into industrial grade crack, which makes me squee happily at least twice an episode.

YMMV.

[norcumi.livejournal.com]

Hurm. Fair point, though I have no objection to hearing the whys involved. ;)

And gods bless, someone else who thinks that about the Beatles! ::glomp!::

So there's NOT an overarching plot, and I'm just missing something? It's just crack?

... huh. Ok, I might need to poke at a few more eps at some point. Hurm.

[mel-redcap.livejournal.com]

I am fine with being the audience of sudden random rants, just so you know. XD

(Can't help with the ponies and Avatar. Know very little, not intrigued by what I've heard, staying away 'cause I already have plenty of fun timewasters :P)

[norcumi.livejournal.com]

::grins:: I am very glad for it, but I try not to inflict too much ranting at you, especially when it will probably make both of us just sit back and scratch our heads in confusion.

[lynati-1.livejournal.com]

I think I could put together an attempted explanation as to why for Avatar, but it would take me a couple weeks at my current busy-ness level. On the other hand, I doubt you're in a huge hurry for it...

Ponies is harder to explain. Like many others, I wasn't caught by the early episodes, but boy did that show grow on me after a few more. (Maybe it's all the knocking-over of cliches they like to do; in one episode, Pinky has a song number intended to bring two disparate cultures together in understanding, only it has the opposite effect.)

I've been acting as a minion for my friend Nikki, who makes outerwear corsets for a living. (Other costumes, too.) She's got a fashion show coming up the weekend after this and a wedding party she's been working on at the same time, and I found myself thinking of this song while pinning together pattern pieces. I told her I was going to play it for her, but when she found out it was from MLP, she balked. "I don't need ponies in my life," she said at one point. And I kept saying, "I'm going to play this song for you. You'll really be able to appreciate it." She finally relented, I played the song, and afterwards she said: "...That's my life."

So, if you have any interest in steven sondheim parodies...or simply in songs that one of your friends has a bizarre but abiding love for, check out this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSbXGsysAAk

I don't know if you'll enjoy it, but the amount that I do, that they created something that I can watch over and over and smile every time, is part of what draws me to MLP. And while characters look pretty die cast on the surface, they're all more than what they first appear to be. I wound up liking a couple of the characters a lot more than I thought I would, because they didn't turn out to be the kind of ponies I expected them to be from their first introductions.

[norcumi.livejournal.com]

Hee, if you want to write up a detailed commentary, I certainly wouldn't object, but you seem to have lots of life things going on right now. If you ever get around to it, it's all good, but otherwise I can just pick your brains IRL sometime. ;)

And fair points. I appreciate the feedback, and it's looking like I'll poke at this more. And screw the viewing order and theory of continuity, apparently. :)

[lynati-1.livejournal.com]

I was thinking of editing together some prime moments of the footage, moving illustrations of what kept brining me back to the show, a picture being a thousand words and all. Since you aren't currently planning on watching more airbender, I'm not worrying terribly much about spoilers. And if you do wind up watching more, it would likely become a, "oh, *here*'s the context for this."