Any Christian fans of Legend of Korra?

[needmorelight]

I was wondering if there are any Christian fans of the Legend of Korra? I’ved watched every single episode of Korra and have always thought highly of the series despite criticisms of the main character in Book 2. I was enjoying the finale of Book 4…until the last 4 minutes played out. Even though I wasn’t really into the romantic interactions, the final scene implying a bisexual relationship between Korra and Asami just took me by surprise and left a bad taste in my mouth.

Based on the narrative, I thought either Korra would get back together with Mako or remain single. I, as a viewer, never saw hints that the creators were planning the two female main characters to be attracted to each other. As a Catholic though, I feel like I cannot in good conscience, approve of the finale. I was disappointed with the decision of the creators to end the series on this note. I know there are other fans on the internet that are also angry with the way the series ended based on the narrative standpoint. I’ve seen other Christians reacting negatively because of obvious moral reasons but are shut down and accused of being homophobic.

I’ve invested my time watching and relating to the story of this series and was planning on even buying the DVD’s of the last 3 Books. Now, I’m not so sure. I’ve prayed for discernment on this but I want to know if there are other Christian fans in this forum who feel the same way as I do. Korra’s story, for the most part, really resonated with me and I don’t know how I’ll be rewatching this series with the same enjoyment I had before the finale :/.

 

[cena]

I was wondering if there are any Christian fans of the Legend of Korra? I’ved watched every single episode of Korra and have always thought highly of the series despite criticisms of the main character in Book 2. I was enjoying the finale of Book 4…until the last 4 minutes played out. Even though I wasn’t really into the romantic interactions, the final scene implying a bisexual relationship between Korra and Asami just took me by surprise and left a bad taste in my mouth.

Based on the narrative, I thought either Korra would get back together with Mako or remain single. I, as a viewer, never saw hints that the creators were planning the two female main characters to be attracted to each other. As a Catholic though, I feel like I cannot in good conscience, approve of the finale. I was disappointed with the decision of the creators to end the series on this note. I know there are other fans on the internet that are also angry with the way the series ended based on the narrative standpoint. I’ve seen other Christians reacting negatively because of obvious moral reasons but are shut down and accused of being homophobic.

I’ve invested my time watching and relating to the story of this series and was planning on even buying the DVD’s of the last 3 Books. Now, I’m not so sure. I’ve prayed for discernment on this but I want to know if there are other Christian fans in this forum who feel the same way as I do. Korra’s story, for the most part, really resonated with me and I don’t know how I’ll be rewatching this series with the same enjoyment I had before the finale :/.

Avatar the last airbender was such an amazing show. Book 2 was not great…but Book 3 and 4 were amazing (except the last 2 to 3minutes). I loved the show even when people absolutely hated everything about especially Korra.
I was literally so disappointed when I saw that to be honest. It really ruined the show for me. It was such a great show for me and now I can’t even think about it. I mean it doesn’t even make sense in the first two books they fought over the same guy. The girl Korra ends up with stole her ex boyfriend less than a week after Korra. and Mako and broke up. It’s just weird.

I find it annoying that I can not even watch TV Y7 show without homosexuality in it. The first time I had your sort of problem was when I read Heroes of Olympus series (which middle schoolers read) and now it is happening to kids’ shows.

Also Asami is Korra’s first friend that was a girl, why couldn’t they just be platonic best friends?
Well homosexuality is morally objectionable.
Homophobic is just a word used to shut down any potential arguments against homosexuality, even if it isn’t directed towards homosexuality in general. The word is overused.

Also, I don’t know if you are aware of this but in the Legend of Korra fandom online a lot of people wanted them together.

 

[ToeInTheWater]

Also, I don’t know if you are aware of this but in the Legend of Korra fandom online a lot of people wanted them together.

Reminds me of what happened to Xena/Gabrielle…they started out as pretty much the female version of Hercules and his sidekick (though ironically, in Greek mythology Hercules and Iolaus WERE portrayed as lovers, they were not in the TV show), but the relationship became more and more eroticized as the series went on, to cater to the slash fans.

I hadn’t been following the show (though I did watch the original Avatar show with Aang and company), but if Asami really was Korra’s only female friend, the message winds up being “the most important relationship in one’s life HAS to be romantic/sexual”, then I think this is unfortunate even for those who are more liberal-minded about same-sex romantic relationships. As if close friendship between two people can never measure up to erotic love.

I mean, I recall HP fans slash-shipping Remus/Sirius (and essentially going into orbit when Remus got married to a woman) but they managed to do so without denigrating the platonic bond between James and Sirius, and no one mistook the idea that in Goblet of Fire, RON was the most important person in Harry’s life, as a hint that they were lovers.

It’s also interesting that on many secular sites, the episode has gotten heat for not going far ENOUGH by not showing actual “making out” between the two female characters, and therefore being “homophobic” in some way.

 

[cena]

Reminds me of what happened to Xena/Gabrielle…they started out as pretty much the female version of Hercules and his sidekick (though ironically, in Greek mythology Hercules and Iolaus WERE portrayed as lovers, they were not in the TV show), but the relationship became more and more eroticized as the series went on, to cater to the slash fans.

I hadn’t been following the show (though I did watch the original Avatar show with Aang and company), but if Asami really was Korra’s only female friend, the message winds up being “the most important relationship in one’s life HAS to be romantic/sexual”, then I think this is unfortunate even for those who are more liberal-minded about same-sex romantic relationships. As if close friendship between two people can never measure up to erotic love.

I mean, I recall HP fans slash-shipping Remus/Sirius (and essentially going into orbit when Remus got married to a woman) but they managed to do so without denigrating the platonic bond between James and Sirius, and no one mistook the idea that in Goblet of Fire, RON was the most important person in Harry’s life, as a hint that they were lovers.

It’s also interesting that on many secular sites, the episode has gotten heat for not going far ENOUGH by not showing actual “making out” between the two female characters, and therefore being “homophobic” in some way.

I know I hate that in order to be close or love someone it must be sexual / romantic. Whatever happened to close friendships?

The whole homophobic thing is nonsense. That word is overused to the point it almost has no meaning

 

[Kmon23]

I enjoyed Korra but wasn’t what I’d call the best show on earth or anything (ATLA definitely better ).
The last couple minutes definitely put a bad taste in my mouth. From personal views, I do not support homosexuality or bisexuality, so that is obvious. From a narrative standpoint it just doesn’t make sense. The only two things that may contribute to the idea of such a relationship was when Korra blushed once when Asami complemented her, and the fact that they shared letters. Besides that, this is completely out of nowhere.

There are some who say that it is just a strong friendship, but just the actions of holding hands and looking into each others eyes seem to imply the bisexual relationship strongly. Honestly I wanted Korra to not end in a relationship. She is a strong individual, and at this point in her life as an avatar, relationships are just not relevant. At least with Korra, her having a relationship is irrelevant, and I wanted to see her single at the end an Avatar that has matured throughout all the books.

My friend who is extremely pro LGBQT, talked about how awesome this ending was. But from the things she said espousing LGBQT (although I disagree on the actions of such relationships), I do wonder whether more representation of the LGBQT community should be in media. But then again, I don’t see how having LGBQT relationships could be portrayed well in a way without implying that it’s perfectly fine (which it isn’t). Representation vs. moral implications.

 

[cena]

I enjoyed Korra but wasn’t what I’d call the best show on earth or anything (ATLA definitely better ).
The last couple minutes definitely put a bad taste in my mouth. From personal views, I do not support homosexuality or bisexuality, so that is obvious. From a narrative standpoint it just doesn’t make sense. The only two things that may contribute to the idea of such a relationship was when Korra blushed once when Asami complemented her, and the fact that they shared letters. Besides that, this is completely out of nowhere.

There are some who say that it is just a strong friendship, but just the actions of holding hands and looking into each others eyes seem to imply the bisexual relationship strongly. Honestly I wanted Korra to not end in a relationship. She is a strong individual, and at this point in her life as an avatar, relationships are just not relevant. At least with Korra, her having a relationship is irrelevant, and I wanted to see her single at the end an Avatar that has matured throughout all the books.

My friend who is extremely pro LGBQT, talked about how awesome this ending was. But from the things she said espousing LGBQT (although I disagree on the actions of such relationships), I do wonder whether more representation of the LGBQT community should be in media. But then again, I don’t see how having LGBQT relationships could be portrayed well in a way without implying that it’s perfectly fine (which it isn’t). Representation vs. moral implications.

Yeah, I felt uncomfortable when Korra blushed about that. I don’t support homosexual/bisexual behavior at all ever. The LGBTQ community is extremely small. There are a lot more pedophiles than there are of LGBTQ people. The media just obsessed about it som much people overestimate how many people there really.
A lot of people use the letters as evidence. But when you think about Korra was at her lowest point it took awhile for her to start walking again and she couldn’t even tell her parents about it. Bolin isn’t a very serious guy(would you write to Bolin?), Mako is her ex boyfriend and Asami is a girl so I thought it made sense that she would tell her without it hinting anything romantic.

I’ve seen straight girls hold hands, but the whole looking at each other at the end was not implying platonic feelings.

Honestly, I wish we could go back to the days where girls could support their friends (especially when their friend’s dad just died) without it being romantic

 

[Mintaka]

Five minutes after they portray similar actions between Korra and an enemy as totally nonsexual, they change the music and lighting and try to show it as sexual. (Knowing that kids watch it, and that many viewers will never be able to watch the show in good conscience ever again.)

Well, it’s not like they ever put much thought into Korra plotlines, so this is just more sloppy, thoughtless work by the writers. I guess it will help them look liberal enough for their next job.

 

[ToeInTheWater]

There are some who say that it is just a strong friendship, but just the actions of holding hands and looking into each others eyes seem to imply the bisexual relationship strongly. Honestly I wanted Korra to not end in a relationship. She is a strong individual, and at this point in her life as an avatar, relationships are just not relevant. At least with Korra, her having a relationship is irrelevant, and I wanted to see her single at the end an Avatar that has matured throughout all the books.

Like I said, I wasn’t following Korra, but I did catch a couple episodes when it was still on TV, and I really liked the original series as well. Although even the original episodes were strongly Eastern in philosophy and accepts reincarnation as fact, Korra isn’t just the “new Avatar”, she is actually meant to be the re-incarnation of Aang, as Aang himself was the re-incarnation of prior Avatars, when the Avatar enters the “Avatar state” s/he becomes very powerful because they can draw upon the accumulated experiences and powers of all the prior lives.

But anyway, it seemed that in general, the tradition was indeed that the Avatar would not only remain single in terms of not having romantic relationships, but refrain from personal attachments in general, which is in keeping with Eastern monastic traditions. In the Guru episode from the original series, it is clearly stated that Aang’s love for Katara is holding him back from reaching his true potential. Now I realize that Aang and Katara wind up married anyway but this really seemed to be portrayed as an exception to the norm.

At least the Korra/Asami shippers weren’t supporting incest like the Elsa/Anna shippers. Yes, there are people who are so deluded out there about the Primacy of Eros, that the message they get from a movie that emphasizes sisterly over romantic love, is that of course the sisters must be secretly lusting for each other! (I blame Game of Thrones for this, even though incest is NOT really presented that favorably in it, the most notorious incestuous couple really are not shown as characters to emulate, and I think it’s made fairly obvious that incest led not only to the madness of King Joffrey, but the madness of the last Targaryen king, Aerys II, as well.)

 

[Kmon23]

Like I said, I wasn’t following Korra, but I did catch a couple episodes when it was still on TV, and I really liked the original series as well. Although even the original episodes were strongly Eastern in philosophy and accepts reincarnation as fact, Korra isn’t just the “new Avatar”, she is actually meant to be the re-incarnation of Aang, as Aang himself was the re-incarnation of prior Avatars, when the Avatar enters the “Avatar state” s/he becomes very powerful because they can draw upon the accumulated experiences and powers of all the prior lives.

But anyway, it seemed that in general, the tradition was indeed that the Avatar would not only remain single in terms of not having romantic relationships, but refrain from personal attachments in general, which is in keeping with Eastern monastic traditions. In the Guru episode from the original series, it is clearly stated that Aang’s love for Katara is holding him back from reaching his true potential. Now I realize that Aang and Katara wind up married anyway but this really seemed to be portrayed as an exception to the norm.

At least the Korra/Asami shippers weren’t supporting incest like the Elsa/Anna shippers. Yes, there are people who are so deluded out there about the Primacy of Eros, that the message they get from a movie that emphasizes sisterly over romantic love, is that of course the sisters must be secretly lusting for each other! (I blame Game of Thrones for this, even though incest is NOT really presented that favorably in it, the most notorious incestuous couple really are not shown as characters to emulate, and I think it’s made fairly obvious that incest led not only to the madness of King Joffrey, but the madness of the last Targaryen king, Aerys II, as well.)

Wait… shippers of Elsa/Anna!!!

 

[cena]

Wait… shippers of Elsa/Anna!!!

Never join fandoms or read fanfiction some of them have very disturbing minds.

 

[ToeInTheWater]

Wait… shippers of Elsa/Anna!!!

Yes, unfortunately. I WISH I was not serious. No, I don’t think such shippers would actually support incest in RL, but it DOES seem that incest has become “trendy” in some (mostly teenage) circles. But I recall when HP was a big fandom, and I just don’t recall any serious incest ships. Indeed, I recall that Narcissa/Sirius was a popular ship only PRIOR to the reveal in Order of the Phoenix that they were cousins, and then that ship became very unpopular, even though first cousins marrying I believe is still legal in the UK.

But now many people seem to be in some race to show how much more sexually open-minded they are than the next person. There also seems to be a tendency to turn every sexual preference into an “orientation”. Have you ever heard of the “demisexual” orientation? That refers to people who are ONLY sexually attracted to people they have a strong emotional connection to. The flip side is the idea that only a “demisexual” (or asexual) has a legitimate excuse for not hooking up with every available partner, that a non-demisexual who IS attracted to people they’re not emotionally attached to MUST fulfill those attractions or be somehow denying their sexuality. Because of course ALL sexual attractions must be consummated, otherwise we’ll all shrivel up and die!

So I don’t really blame Game of Thrones by itself for the popularity of “incest ships”, since the show itself really doesn’t show incest in a great light, they are shown as either being frankly abusive (Craster and his daughters), more due to political considerations of consolidating power in one family than passion (the Targaryens), or just really twisted and unhealthy (Jaime and Cersei). I think the popularity of such ships indicates the general degeneration of society.

 

[UnumCorpus]

I am a big fan of both ATLA and LoK, and I, too, found the ending of LoK distressing and disappointing.

The show refrained from showing a more obvious representation of Korra and Asami becoming a couple (i.e. they didn’t actually kiss as they went through the portal). It was a bit open-ended, so I hoped that maybe it could be interpreted that Korra and Asami were like sisters and not lovers.

But it is highly suggestive that their relationship is growing into a sexual one. The final shot of LoK was reminiscent of the final shot of ATLA, where Aang and Katara were kissing with the sun setting in the background. Except here, it’s Korra and Asami holding hands and gazing into each others’ eyes as the light flows around them. Some even say that it looks like they are being wed at an altar.

I’ve enjoyed the overall maturity level of the show. I enjoyed the late 1920s/early 1930s-esque setting (it’s one of my favourite time periods), the presence of both strong female and male characters of all age groups, Korra’s character development from an arrogant teenager to a mature and wise adult, the themes of social injustice. The show unfortunately had pacing issues and I was not a fan of Book 2, but overall I highly enjoyed it. I thought it was better than most of the stuff on TV.

I won’t say that the ending ruined the show as a whole for me…but it did ruin much of the finale itself. I don’t think they were planning on Korra being bi-sexual from the beginning (especially not during Book 1, back when they thought LoK was just going to be 12 episodes). I just wish the makers of the show hadn’t pandered to some of the most vocal fans of the show.

 

[needmorelight]

Avatar the last airbender was such an amazing show. Book 2 was not great…but Book 3 and 4 were amazing (except the last 2 to 3minutes). I loved the show even when people absolutely hated everything about especially Korra.
I was literally so disappointed when I saw that to be honest. It really ruined the show for me. It was such a great show for me and now I can’t even think about it. I mean it doesn’t even make sense in the first two books they fought over the same guy. The girl Korra ends up with stole her ex boyfriend less than a week after Korra. and Mako and broke up. It’s just weird.

I find it annoying that I can not even watch TV Y7 show without homosexuality in it. The first time I had your sort of problem was when I read Heroes of Olympus series (which middle schoolers read) and now it is happening to kids’ shows.

Also Asami is Korra’s first friend that was a girl, why couldn’t they just be platonic best friends?
Well homosexuality is morally objectionable.
Homophobic is just a word used to shut down any potential arguments against homosexuality, even if it isn’t directed towards homosexuality in general. The word is overused.

Also, I don’t know if you are aware of this but in the Legend of Korra fandom online a lot of people wanted them together.

I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who finds the ending morally problematic. ATLA is a great series but there was a lot of filler episodes especially in Book 3 which is why LOK appealed a lot to me with its fast-paced storytelling. Visually, I thought the animation was superior to ATLA’s.

I actually thought Book 2 was not as bad since the second half of the season really blew me away, especially Avatar Wan’s story. One of the reasons I like Avatar Korra was that I saw a lot of myself in her. I had a bad temper, a big ego and thought my abilities was what defined me as a person. When she fell into depression in Book 4, I was like, woahh that happened to me too. Ironically, it was my depression that made me return to the Church and seeing Korra’s feeling of isolation, helplessness and her suffering just reminded me of my own struggles and Christ’s love. It’s just sad that this show that made me reflect on my Catholic faith has now taken a political statement that goes against what any faithful Christian believes.

I wasn’t aware that Korrasami shippers would have an influential voice on the outcome of the story. I thought it was a crack ship to be honest which is why the ending scene felt like I was hit by 2 x 4 . I wasn’t invested on shipping too but I I just realized that maybe I had been a Makorra shipper. I just felt betrayed by the ending and disappointed with the creators deciding to make a statement rather than staying true to the logic of the story. Had I known that the creators would go in this direction, I might have stayed away and not invested so much of my time and energy with this series .

I guess I should enter the void, let go of my love for this series and probably distance myself from LOK from now on. I take it none of you will be buying the DVD’s?

 

[UnumCorpus]

But anyway, it seemed that in general, the tradition was indeed that the Avatar would not only remain single in terms of not having romantic relationships, but refrain from personal attachments in general, which is in keeping with Eastern monastic traditions. In the Guru episode from the original series, it is clearly stated that Aang’s love for Katara is holding him back from reaching his true potential. Now I realize that Aang and Katara wind up married anyway but this really seemed to be portrayed as an exception to the norm.

It’s true that episodes like The Guru implied that it is ideal if the Avatar remains romantically unattached. But I don’t think Aang was presented as a special exception. I can think of three other avatars who had romantic attachments. There are lots of avatars we know nothing about, so it is possible the rest were unattached. Admittedly it’s hard to say.

Avatar Roku had a wife and daughter, which explains how Zuko was descended from Roku on one side of his family. Avatar Kuruk (I think he was 2-3 avatars before Aang) also had a fiancee who ended up getting lost in the Spirit World. And of course now Korra.

That being said, I think there were scenes in Korra Book 2 where it is revealed that Aang was not a very good father due to his responsibilities as an avatar. He spent much more time with his one airbending son Tenzin at the expense of his other two children.

So I suppose it is a bad idea for the avatar to be romantically attached, but it doesn’t stop at least some from doing so.

I actually thought Book 2 was not as bad since the second half of the season really blew me away, especially Avatar Wan’s story. One of the reasons I like Avatar Korra was that I saw a lot of myself in her. I had a bad temper, a big ego and thought my abilities was what defined me as a person. When she fell into depression in Book 4, I was like, woahh that happened to me too. Ironically, it was my depression that made me return to the Church and seeing Korra’s feeling of isolation, helplessness and her suffering just reminded me of my own struggles and Christ’s love. It’s just sad that this show that made me reflect on my Catholic faith has now taken a political statement that goes against what any faithful Christian believes.

I feel this way too. I thought their portrayal of Korra’s PTSD was mature and really well done. There were so many great moments in both shows from a Christian point of view, such as Asami finally forgiving her father, and him redeeming himself by his sacrificial death.

I guess I should enter the void, let go of my love for this series and probably distance myself from LOK from now on. I take it none of you will be buying the DVD’s?

I have already bought the DVDs for Books 1 and 2, so I will likely still buy Books 3 and 4. The finale didn’t ruin the show as a whole for me IMO. But I can understand your wariness in buying the DVDs.

 

[needmorelight]

I feel this way too. I thought their portrayal of Korra’s PTSD was mature and really well done. There were so many great moments in both shows from a Christian point of view, such as Asami finally forgiving her father, and him redeeming himself by his sacrificial death.

I have already bought the DVDs for Books 1 and 2, so I will likely still buy Books 3 and 4. The finale didn’t ruin the show as a whole for me IMO. But I can understand your wariness in buying the DVDs.

I already have Book 1. I don’t know how I can rewatch Book 2-4 and not feel like the last minutes of the series invalidated the rest of the narrative and be like . Maybe the ending did ruin the series for me and it sucks. Such a shame since Korra was such an amazing character and now it seems her sexuality is what’s defining her in the media. All those amazing themes in the show have now been overshadowed by the fact that she’s poof bi. I wish I could suspend my disbelief if I were to watch this again but the fact that we saw these two women as romantic rivals for two seasons then ended up together at the 11:59 th hour is really mind boggling.

 

[needmorelight]

My friend who is extremely pro LGBQT, talked about how awesome this ending was. But from the things she said espousing LGBQT (although I disagree on the actions of such relationships), I do wonder whether more representation of the LGBQT community should be in media. But then again, I don’t see how having LGBQT relationships could be portrayed well in a way without implying that it’s perfectly fine (which it isn’t). Representation vs. moral implications.

The last scene looks like a token representation at best of the LGBT community. There was no logic to this scene. There could have been better avenues for the creators to give representation to the LGBT community but not the story of Korra. It just didn’t fit at all the narrative. Don’t get me wrong, I was glad that mako and Korra broke up. Korra was immature and Mako was definitely confused when Asami made advances on him. They had a lot to learn if they wanted to make their relationship work. Which is why as the series progressed, I was actually rooting for Mako and Korra to try again. Instead, we got the ending.

I’m all for strong independent women but apparently, you don’t need a man anymore, just another woman :ehh:.

 

[CatholicWhovian]

I loved Avatar: the Last Airbender. For Legend of Korra, I have to admit I only watched Book 1. I got lazy catching up.

Stumbled upon this article containing the explanation of the ending by the creators of Korra:

ign.com/articles/2014/12/23/the-legend-of-korra-co-creator-explains-the-finale-and-korrasami?utm_campaign=fbposts&utm_source=facebook

 

[ToeInTheWater]

I loved Avatar: the Last Airbender. For Legend of Korra, I have to admit I only watched Book 1. I got lazy catching up.

Stumbled upon this article containing the explanation of the ending by the creators of Korra:

ign.com/articles/2014/12/23/the-legend-of-korra-co-creator-explains-the-finale-and-korrasami?utm_campaign=fbposts&utm_source=facebook

Well, thanks for actually confirming that the creators DID mean to have a Korrasami ending.

The problem I have, even more than the actual same-sex pairing itself, is the insinuation that (1) anyone who thinks the pairing was “forced” is either overtly homophobic or somehow not open-minded enough, which this quote seems to imply:

“If it seems out of the blue to you, I think a second viewing of the last two seasons would show that perhaps you were looking at it only through a hetero lens.”

That’s basically a way to stifle any actual critique of the way the show played out by implying that those who don’t think this ending was set up well, are homophobic, too invested in a heteronormative worldview, etc.

And yet, the show creators themselves also seem to have never been open to the possibility of Korra not ending up with ANYONE at the end.

“There is the inevitable reaction, ‘Mike and Bryan just caved in to the fans.’ Well, which fans? There were plenty of Makorra shippers out there, so if we had gone back on our decision and gotten those characters back together, would that have meant we caved in to those fans instead? Either direction we went, there would inevitably be a faction that was elated and another that was devastated.

The unintentional (or perhaps not so unintentional) fallout of all this open-minded ness about sexuality, there just seems to be this emphasis that EVERYONE has to have a sexual/romantic partner in order to be happy and fulfilled, except I suppose for the asexual or aromantic. There also seems to be this idea that “real” love can ONLY be sexual or familial, and the idea that yes, same-sex friends can actually LOVE each other, love each other deeply, and yet NOT have any sexual undertext to such a relationship, has been forgotten.

Especially considering the target audience for the show, mostly teens and perhaps some pre-teens who definitely feel a lot of pressure to have a girlfriend or boyfriend in order to gain social cred.

Although Unum Corpus has pointed out that not only Aang, but his pre-decessor Roku, were married, and that Kruk planned to do so, I think there was also enough world-building that gave the alternative of some Avatars being celibate. (As opposed to many traditional societies where pretty much everyone was expected to marry and beget heirs.)

 

[needmorelight]

Well, thanks for actually confirming that the creators DID mean to have a Korrasami ending.

The problem I have, even more than the actual same-sex pairing itself, is the insinuation that (1) anyone who thinks the pairing was “forced” is either overtly homophobic or somehow not open-minded enough, which this quote seems to imply:

That’s basically a way to stifle any actual critique of the way the show played out by implying that those who don’t think this ending was set up well, are homophobic, too invested in a heteronormative worldview, etc.

This is what upsets me the most with Bryke’s statement. Just because someone disapproves of the homosexual lifestyle doesn’t mean we’re hateful. I find it strange though when he talked about viewers having a heteronormative worldview. I’m heterosexual, it’s the only perspective that I know. I’ve held hands with women before, blushed when they compliment me. That doesn’t mean I’m in love with them. How else am I suppose to interpret those gestures but platonic?

But you’re right in that calling people who disagree as homophobes is actually shutting down any meaningful discussion of the story from the narrative standpoint. If they have to spell it out for viewers what their intentions were in the “romance” department, then I’m sorry but that’s just bad writing.

And yet, the show creators themselves also seem to have never been open to the possibility of Korra not ending up with ANYONE at the end.

The unintentional (or perhaps not so unintentional) fallout of all this open-minded ness about sexuality, there just seems to be this emphasis that EVERYONE has to have a sexual/romantic partner in order to be happy and fulfilled, except I suppose for the asexual or aromantic. There also seems to be this idea that “real” love can ONLY be sexual or familial, and the idea that yes, same-sex friends can actually LOVE each other, love each other deeply, and yet NOT have any sexual undertext to such a relationship, has been forgotten.

Especially considering the target audience for the show, mostly teens and perhaps some pre-teens who definitely feel a lot of pressure to have a girlfriend or boyfriend in order to gain social cred.

I agree. It used to bother me a lot that I never had a boyfriend even now especially when people assume that there’s something wrong with you for being single.

I’m done with this series. It seems like the creators just made a really bad decision to gain credentials for being “progressive”. Seriously, it was an amazing journey but I prefer to stay away from tv shows that were written because of an agenda.

This show did make me think about how I can defend my beliefs and show compassion to people who have SSA. I’m sad to say goodbye to a series that really resonated with me but I feel deceived by the creators. Please pray that I may find peace.

 

[ToeInTheWater]

This show did make me think about how I can defend my beliefs and show compassion to people who have SSA. I’m sad to say goodbye to a series that really resonated with me but I feel deceived by the creators. Please pray that I may find peace.

It is very sad that you feel deceived by the creators, certainly I will pray for you. I’ll say that I am a bit too old to have really been invested in the ATLA “fandom”, but I found the original series to be amazingly deep and introspective for a “children’s show”, especially Book 2 with its unflinching portrayal of the corruption within the Earth Nation that leads to its downfall, as well as the beginning of Zuko’s redemption after being cast in a much more traditionally villainous role in Book 1.

But personally, the luster of the Avatar franchise wore off a bit after the disastrous film version (which I resolutely refused to see) came out. I’m really not a “Social Justice Warrior” type at all but I found it quite offensive that the main characters in an adaptation of a show obviously set in an Asian/Inuit alternate universe were all white. And even without that “racebending” issue, from almost all reviews, it was a horrible adaptation.

Now I also realize that often, creators of the original material don’t have much control over what happens to adaptations. But still, that did make me much less enthusiastic about other Avatar spinoffs. I suppose that might have been for the best.

Anyway, I do hope it was helpful to have a place to vent about this. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to have a real, honest discussion these days about any issue involving homosexuality or bisexuality in the secular world without people using words such as “homophobe” to shut down all discussion. Although unfortunately I do think some on CAF find it way too easy to rail against homosexual acts and do border on hatefulness toward homosexuals, I do think that in general, the discussions on CAF are much more civil than most other places on the Net.