Thoughts on Avatar Spoilers
Aug. 19th, 2006 01:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
crienseltWatch as I ramble, drink some cactus juice, and come to terms with those new spoilers.
I knew that damned ComiCon panel would lead me only to ruin. It raised my hopes in spite of my best efforts to keep them down and now my heart lies shattered into a million pieces on the floor. Tear. Oddly, enough, I am most upset by the Toph -> Sokka thing. Dude, he's already got two living chicks after him not to mention a dead princess-pseudo-goddess. It most undoubtedly deserves a giant "BuWUH????!??! Where did that come from?" **is bitter they'll make that crack cannon but deny Taang and Zutara.** (Maybe Taang can work in that they both had a crush on one of the water siblings at some point in time...? Or not... It just feels so unlike her. Maybe the "thing" is literal? **hopes**)
Now, I have grown to accept the fact that Kataang will become cannon, but I had not anticipated this much this soon. In fact, if I was a Kataang, I'd be a little reticent about it. That is, Aang confesses and Katara accepts. Now what? There's nothing left for them to do. Once a couple is established there is no where else for them to go, except apart, which is why relationships are usually drawn out in most media. Y'know, they're kept apart until nearer to the end b/c once they get together there's nothing left to do with them romantically speaking. ...Or something like that. The words aren't forming correctly, but well, I think you should kind of know what I mean.
I think the scene is going to be one that I really have to see to know what I think of it. After all, what does "Katara accepts him with tears in her eyes" mean? Accepts what? His feelings for her? How so? And what's with the tears? Are they going to be like a couple from now on and what does that mean for the future of their relationship? We're only half way through Book II and there's a whole other season ahead. I don't know about the Kataang population, but I prefer my romances long and drawn out and full of tension and obstacles. There has to be something that'll throw a wrench into their fluffy bliss or it will be just plain boring. (A/K/Z love triangle ftw! **dreams** ...Seriously, Avatar needs a good love triangle. Of course, I'll have to eat my words when a Song/Zuko/Mai triangle emerges. Though, the non-inclusion of Song in the shipping panel makes me think she's probably gone. That, naturally, kills all dreams of the not-necessarily-cracky Song/Haru ship, and that makes me sad, but...not too much.)
Ooo, random fun thought: The necklace thing could be a set up for a A/K/Z love triangle. Y'know, Zuko picks it up, Aang gives it back to her... It could...mean...something...? Maybe? (Gah, y'know, I actually don't even like love triangles, but at this point, I'll take just about anything! ^_-)
...So yeah, I'll need to see the scene for myself to know how tragic an occurrence it is. **drinks cactus juice** It could wind up being a good thing. Maybe it will force Katara to figure out exactly what she feels for Aang--"But I'm his mommy!" Maybe, if they do get together, Aang'll be able to get the crush out of his system? Maybe it won't work out? Maybe I'm being delusional? (Yes, I think I really kind of am.) Wonder what the Kataang means for the fancy clothes party thing. God, it'll be Sokka and Toph dancing and Katara and Aang, won't it? Boourns to that! (...Actually, though, come to think of it, why do I even think there will be dancing? I guess people dance at parties, but...)
I think everything will be okay so long as Zutara stays strong and remains as much a presence in the fandom as it is now. Cause let's face it, it is the most active, fun, and all around lively ship in the Avatar community, generally speaking. (But what about Taaaaaaaaaaang? It hasn't had time to properly establish itself! And it's so wonderful! There've been times when I've been watching "The Blind Bandit" and thought, "Screw, Zutara, Taang's awesome!" What about it?")
**drinks some more cactus juice** This is where my evil, evil hope rears it's head. Zutara is not finished. One thing I've never understood is why the successful launching of one ship is supposed to sink another. Kataang does not mean no Zutara. (Or Taang.) I still expect a moment or two here or there for us to pounce on and claim as foreshadowing. As I've noted before, Zuko/Katara interaction has never failed to disappoint. And there's a reason ComiCon got my hopes up. Zutara was the "grand finale" of the shipping slideshow**ignores the face I'm seeing what I want to see**, they showed two pieces of Zutara art **ignores the fact a Haru/Katara piece was shown as well...of course Haru having a crush on Katara is cannon, so...,** and that guy did say something to the extent of, "No one's going to ask about Zutara?" (Of course no one asked. We don't want to be shot down, fool! And I actually like to think that he was just disappointed he didn't get to give some super great evasive answer of awesome he'd created for just that purpose.) Now, I know they realize Zutara is a huge part of their fandom and they probably just wanted to give us some service, but I refuse to think their so sadistic as to give us false hope. (Those bastards!...she said jokingly, as I don't believe in creator-hate. You may not enjoy their work as much as you thought you did, but it's still THEIR work.) Zutara may not become cannon in the same way that Kataang is, but I don't think it will be ignored either.
...And really, provided there isn't some sort of epilogue, (Please, Lord, no!) we can freely go on with our postshow shipping as we please. (I don't care what anyone says, Toph and Aang will be the cutest little old couple ever! Wee-hee-hee! ...Because he could loose her at age 90 just as easily as at 19.) After all, they're all young--esp. Toph and Aang--and I'm opposed to the idea and myth cartoons so often perpetuate that the person you crush on when your twelve will be your be all end all, be all soul mate. I'd rather Aang have a nice romance after hitting puberty and Zuko after he gets his life together. ...But that's just me. So long live the post-finale-without-an-epilogue-fic! B/c I really don't anticipate an epilogue. Those are more for extended coming of age stories, and while Aang, Zuko and the Gaang may be maturing, it isn't a coming of age story. Those involve the passing of years, right? (I'm so gonna cry when it skips ahead twenty years and Katara's rearing a bunch of airbenders, aren't I?)
My main problem with these spoilers is that they came out too soon. We've got just under a month to go before we actually get to see the episodes, and now my dread of the effect it'll have on the fandom is overshadowing my excitement and anticipation of new Avatar. Even though everything aside from the Kataang and possible random Tokka, sounds awesome, we all know none of it will matter. There will only be one thing the majority of the fandom cares about and that will be shipping. The Kataangs will claim victory and "nyaaa~nyaaa~" all around, dismissing Zutara with cries of "We told you so! We're cannon, bitches! You're non-existent fanon crack...(whoes)! Psh! Get over it and yourselves!"
The Zutarians will scramble to dismiss Katara's reaction with condescending explanations citing her tears as a result of her pity for him/feelings of guilt for not being able to return his affections. They'll argue that this or that is a loop hole and point out how this bit of vaguery is really a Zuko/Katara hint. They'll break down the entire scene and take photos of this or that facial reaction to use as evidence against Kataang, who will be utterly dismissive and laugh and point and frolic. Other Zutarians (of whom I will most likely be a member) will simply adopt a wait and see, the show's not over, Zutara isn't sunk yet, wait until Zuko starts interacting with the Gaang more (b/c he'll have to at some point to progress the plot, right?) attitude. The Kataangs will call them delusional and will be baffled that people still ship and or believe Zutara has a chance. That's not to say there won't be some kinder natured Kataang souls out there who will say, "Man, that's sucks. I feel for you." Some Zutarians will be irritated and not want their pity. Others may genuinely appreciate it. ...And there will always be those who are more seasoned in shipping and fandoms and will care less about who is cannon and who isn't and ship whatever the hell s/he wants.
Meanwhile, the fandom will raise a collective eyebrow at Toph->Sokka, save those few who actually supported it and those who are laughing at the surprising crackiness of it, as heard at ComiCon. The Taangers will also be in an agitated state, befuddled at having never been given a true chance to shine but still optimistic that there might be good things on the horizon. They too will work to find evidence for their ship and against the enemy vessels. After all, they were given such a nice set up in the Blind Bandit and a certain rivalry/juxtaposition was set up between Toph and Katara that it seems impossible for the ship to be so quickly discarded. Nay, like the Zutarians, they will continue to hope and bide their time, fighting just as fiercely as Toph would herself in the meantime. Then, of course, there will be the random Sokka/Yue, Sokka/Suki, Sokka/Ty Lee squabbles, all of whom will probably back up Taang, though those debates promise to be more sedate. I do, however, foresee both Sokka and Suki bashing from some of the Sokka/Yues.
The poor (or lucky) multishippers will be torn, (as if that is really anything new for them) and split their time between celebrating with the Kataangs and wangsting with the others.
At any rate, there will be bloodshed, and, cruising around the fandom, it's all ready starting. I cannot tell you how much I despise shipping wars. I don't understand why people can't just go along, shipping who they want to ship and enjoying what they want to enjoy without arguing about it. I mean, I don't like Kataang. It detracts from rather than adds to my enjoyment of the show. And I may not be able to understand why anyone would want to ship them, (I understand why they do ship them and why they think they are cannon, but I cannot understand actually wanting the couple or finding them the least bit entertaining) but that does not mean for one instant that I would ever think ill of someone who does. Nor would I ever endeavor to change or disprove something s/he finds so favorable. People should be able to ship without being harassed or constantly hounded for shipping something another finds disagreeable. (I do grant people some space for ship bashing as you're free to dislike something as much as to like it, but said ship bashing and bemoaning should be kept away from place where people ship the defamed. It just isn't necessary... Of course, negativity is never a good thing, but sometimes people just need to vent.) And if a ship isn't cannon, chances are they already know and do not need to be reminded of something that undoubtablly causes them some pain. JKR had it right. People do get overly militant, and the ship wars are just crazy. And I find it all so very, very upsetting.
...Who the hell gives such a spoilerific preview anyway?
Edit: Also, to be more positive, I'm really hoping "Tales of Ba Sing Se" is done in a "20 (or whatever number it was) Short Stories about Springfield" manner or any number of other Simpsons episodes where it's a bunch of short stories but they all connect even if it's just like well there's a bee on the flower Toph's holding and it flies off to Zuko, who swats at it... You know what I mean? I'd like that.
Edit 2 for some more random thoughts: If Aang's confession was happening in the 12th episode of Season 3, yes, Zutara and Taang would be sunk without any hope of cannonization. However, as the series is only half over, we aren't sunk yet and won't be until season 3. (And then we can just assume an air of self-importance and claim they hooked up after the show, when they were older. And if the show time jumps, we can claim that they really did love each other but couldn't be together for this or that reason and so they married who they were supposed to while secretly longing for each other, and it is in that way that this generation of Oma and Shu were ripped apart! Oh, the tragedy!) Saying Zutara is sunk because of Kataang now would be like saying (to use a Harry Potter reference as so many people are want to do) that Harry/Cho sunk all the the Harry ships (I'll go with H/G just because that was what became cannon.) And that just isn't true.
They were going to have to deal with Aang's feelings eventually, and maybe it is a good thing we're getting it out of the way sooner than later. And, if I was Kataang, I would be disappointed b/c this kills part of the fun of them dressing up. Before it would have been, OOO~ How's Aang going to reacct when he sees how gorgeous Katara looks? Now it's like, meh, well he's already told her, so she's going to expect it and we're going to expect it, and what does it matter how he reaccts b/c it's already done. (Wow, that made very little sense.)
I don't really know what the point of this thought is, but people saying that "Kataang has won the battle but not the war!" brings to me thoughts of the American Civil War. (And that's what ship wars are, aren't they? Civil wars.) Y'know, the South won more battles but lost the war simply because the North had more men (shippers) and better supplies and factories and what not (fanworks). The North could outlast them. Now, I'm not saying Zutara will become cannon because of any weird sort of parallel between the Civil War, but I think that, if the ship stays strong in it's fanworks, we will out last them. My only fear is for Taang. I want Taang fanworks, and it's life has been so short... Ah, well, maybe I'll actually have to try my hand at fanfic. I've already vowed to do so for the sake of Jin/Pellegri, (b/c it really does need more of a fan presence) but I have so much else to do. **sigh** We shall see.
Edit 3 for the pictures: Ah, yes, we will be able to manip these nicely! ...And am I the only one who thinks it's kinda creepy the way the author of the article is oggling Katara. Yeah, she looks pretty and older than 14 in that shot, but... a bit sceeved by the guy nevertheless! And Suki! She's pretty! Yeee!
I knew that damned ComiCon panel would lead me only to ruin. It raised my hopes in spite of my best efforts to keep them down and now my heart lies shattered into a million pieces on the floor. Tear. Oddly, enough, I am most upset by the Toph -> Sokka thing. Dude, he's already got two living chicks after him not to mention a dead princess-pseudo-goddess. It most undoubtedly deserves a giant "BuWUH????!??! Where did that come from?" **is bitter they'll make that crack cannon but deny Taang and Zutara.** (Maybe Taang can work in that they both had a crush on one of the water siblings at some point in time...? Or not... It just feels so unlike her. Maybe the "thing" is literal? **hopes**)
Now, I have grown to accept the fact that Kataang will become cannon, but I had not anticipated this much this soon. In fact, if I was a Kataang, I'd be a little reticent about it. That is, Aang confesses and Katara accepts. Now what? There's nothing left for them to do. Once a couple is established there is no where else for them to go, except apart, which is why relationships are usually drawn out in most media. Y'know, they're kept apart until nearer to the end b/c once they get together there's nothing left to do with them romantically speaking. ...Or something like that. The words aren't forming correctly, but well, I think you should kind of know what I mean.
I think the scene is going to be one that I really have to see to know what I think of it. After all, what does "Katara accepts him with tears in her eyes" mean? Accepts what? His feelings for her? How so? And what's with the tears? Are they going to be like a couple from now on and what does that mean for the future of their relationship? We're only half way through Book II and there's a whole other season ahead. I don't know about the Kataang population, but I prefer my romances long and drawn out and full of tension and obstacles. There has to be something that'll throw a wrench into their fluffy bliss or it will be just plain boring. (A/K/Z love triangle ftw! **dreams** ...Seriously, Avatar needs a good love triangle. Of course, I'll have to eat my words when a Song/Zuko/Mai triangle emerges. Though, the non-inclusion of Song in the shipping panel makes me think she's probably gone. That, naturally, kills all dreams of the not-necessarily-cracky Song/Haru ship, and that makes me sad, but...not too much.)
Ooo, random fun thought: The necklace thing could be a set up for a A/K/Z love triangle. Y'know, Zuko picks it up, Aang gives it back to her... It could...mean...something...? Maybe? (Gah, y'know, I actually don't even like love triangles, but at this point, I'll take just about anything! ^_-)
...So yeah, I'll need to see the scene for myself to know how tragic an occurrence it is. **drinks cactus juice** It could wind up being a good thing. Maybe it will force Katara to figure out exactly what she feels for Aang--"But I'm his mommy!" Maybe, if they do get together, Aang'll be able to get the crush out of his system? Maybe it won't work out? Maybe I'm being delusional? (Yes, I think I really kind of am.) Wonder what the Kataang means for the fancy clothes party thing. God, it'll be Sokka and Toph dancing and Katara and Aang, won't it? Boourns to that! (...Actually, though, come to think of it, why do I even think there will be dancing? I guess people dance at parties, but...)
I think everything will be okay so long as Zutara stays strong and remains as much a presence in the fandom as it is now. Cause let's face it, it is the most active, fun, and all around lively ship in the Avatar community, generally speaking. (But what about Taaaaaaaaaaang? It hasn't had time to properly establish itself! And it's so wonderful! There've been times when I've been watching "The Blind Bandit" and thought, "Screw, Zutara, Taang's awesome!" What about it?")
**drinks some more cactus juice** This is where my evil, evil hope rears it's head. Zutara is not finished. One thing I've never understood is why the successful launching of one ship is supposed to sink another. Kataang does not mean no Zutara. (Or Taang.) I still expect a moment or two here or there for us to pounce on and claim as foreshadowing. As I've noted before, Zuko/Katara interaction has never failed to disappoint. And there's a reason ComiCon got my hopes up. Zutara was the "grand finale" of the shipping slideshow**ignores the face I'm seeing what I want to see**, they showed two pieces of Zutara art **ignores the fact a Haru/Katara piece was shown as well...of course Haru having a crush on Katara is cannon, so...,** and that guy did say something to the extent of, "No one's going to ask about Zutara?" (Of course no one asked. We don't want to be shot down, fool! And I actually like to think that he was just disappointed he didn't get to give some super great evasive answer of awesome he'd created for just that purpose.) Now, I know they realize Zutara is a huge part of their fandom and they probably just wanted to give us some service, but I refuse to think their so sadistic as to give us false hope. (Those bastards!...she said jokingly, as I don't believe in creator-hate. You may not enjoy their work as much as you thought you did, but it's still THEIR work.) Zutara may not become cannon in the same way that Kataang is, but I don't think it will be ignored either.
...And really, provided there isn't some sort of epilogue, (Please, Lord, no!) we can freely go on with our postshow shipping as we please. (I don't care what anyone says, Toph and Aang will be the cutest little old couple ever! Wee-hee-hee! ...Because he could loose her at age 90 just as easily as at 19.) After all, they're all young--esp. Toph and Aang--and I'm opposed to the idea and myth cartoons so often perpetuate that the person you crush on when your twelve will be your be all end all, be all soul mate. I'd rather Aang have a nice romance after hitting puberty and Zuko after he gets his life together. ...But that's just me. So long live the post-finale-without-an-epilogue-fic! B/c I really don't anticipate an epilogue. Those are more for extended coming of age stories, and while Aang, Zuko and the Gaang may be maturing, it isn't a coming of age story. Those involve the passing of years, right? (I'm so gonna cry when it skips ahead twenty years and Katara's rearing a bunch of airbenders, aren't I?)
My main problem with these spoilers is that they came out too soon. We've got just under a month to go before we actually get to see the episodes, and now my dread of the effect it'll have on the fandom is overshadowing my excitement and anticipation of new Avatar. Even though everything aside from the Kataang and possible random Tokka, sounds awesome, we all know none of it will matter. There will only be one thing the majority of the fandom cares about and that will be shipping. The Kataangs will claim victory and "nyaaa~nyaaa~" all around, dismissing Zutara with cries of "We told you so! We're cannon, bitches! You're non-existent fanon crack...(whoes)! Psh! Get over it and yourselves!"
The Zutarians will scramble to dismiss Katara's reaction with condescending explanations citing her tears as a result of her pity for him/feelings of guilt for not being able to return his affections. They'll argue that this or that is a loop hole and point out how this bit of vaguery is really a Zuko/Katara hint. They'll break down the entire scene and take photos of this or that facial reaction to use as evidence against Kataang, who will be utterly dismissive and laugh and point and frolic. Other Zutarians (of whom I will most likely be a member) will simply adopt a wait and see, the show's not over, Zutara isn't sunk yet, wait until Zuko starts interacting with the Gaang more (b/c he'll have to at some point to progress the plot, right?) attitude. The Kataangs will call them delusional and will be baffled that people still ship and or believe Zutara has a chance. That's not to say there won't be some kinder natured Kataang souls out there who will say, "Man, that's sucks. I feel for you." Some Zutarians will be irritated and not want their pity. Others may genuinely appreciate it. ...And there will always be those who are more seasoned in shipping and fandoms and will care less about who is cannon and who isn't and ship whatever the hell s/he wants.
Meanwhile, the fandom will raise a collective eyebrow at Toph->Sokka, save those few who actually supported it and those who are laughing at the surprising crackiness of it, as heard at ComiCon. The Taangers will also be in an agitated state, befuddled at having never been given a true chance to shine but still optimistic that there might be good things on the horizon. They too will work to find evidence for their ship and against the enemy vessels. After all, they were given such a nice set up in the Blind Bandit and a certain rivalry/juxtaposition was set up between Toph and Katara that it seems impossible for the ship to be so quickly discarded. Nay, like the Zutarians, they will continue to hope and bide their time, fighting just as fiercely as Toph would herself in the meantime. Then, of course, there will be the random Sokka/Yue, Sokka/Suki, Sokka/Ty Lee squabbles, all of whom will probably back up Taang, though those debates promise to be more sedate. I do, however, foresee both Sokka and Suki bashing from some of the Sokka/Yues.
The poor (or lucky) multishippers will be torn, (as if that is really anything new for them) and split their time between celebrating with the Kataangs and wangsting with the others.
At any rate, there will be bloodshed, and, cruising around the fandom, it's all ready starting. I cannot tell you how much I despise shipping wars. I don't understand why people can't just go along, shipping who they want to ship and enjoying what they want to enjoy without arguing about it. I mean, I don't like Kataang. It detracts from rather than adds to my enjoyment of the show. And I may not be able to understand why anyone would want to ship them, (I understand why they do ship them and why they think they are cannon, but I cannot understand actually wanting the couple or finding them the least bit entertaining) but that does not mean for one instant that I would ever think ill of someone who does. Nor would I ever endeavor to change or disprove something s/he finds so favorable. People should be able to ship without being harassed or constantly hounded for shipping something another finds disagreeable. (I do grant people some space for ship bashing as you're free to dislike something as much as to like it, but said ship bashing and bemoaning should be kept away from place where people ship the defamed. It just isn't necessary... Of course, negativity is never a good thing, but sometimes people just need to vent.) And if a ship isn't cannon, chances are they already know and do not need to be reminded of something that undoubtablly causes them some pain. JKR had it right. People do get overly militant, and the ship wars are just crazy. And I find it all so very, very upsetting.
...Who the hell gives such a spoilerific preview anyway?
Edit: Also, to be more positive, I'm really hoping "Tales of Ba Sing Se" is done in a "20 (or whatever number it was) Short Stories about Springfield" manner or any number of other Simpsons episodes where it's a bunch of short stories but they all connect even if it's just like well there's a bee on the flower Toph's holding and it flies off to Zuko, who swats at it... You know what I mean? I'd like that.
Edit 2 for some more random thoughts: If Aang's confession was happening in the 12th episode of Season 3, yes, Zutara and Taang would be sunk without any hope of cannonization. However, as the series is only half over, we aren't sunk yet and won't be until season 3. (And then we can just assume an air of self-importance and claim they hooked up after the show, when they were older. And if the show time jumps, we can claim that they really did love each other but couldn't be together for this or that reason and so they married who they were supposed to while secretly longing for each other, and it is in that way that this generation of Oma and Shu were ripped apart! Oh, the tragedy!) Saying Zutara is sunk because of Kataang now would be like saying (to use a Harry Potter reference as so many people are want to do) that Harry/Cho sunk all the the Harry ships (I'll go with H/G just because that was what became cannon.) And that just isn't true.
They were going to have to deal with Aang's feelings eventually, and maybe it is a good thing we're getting it out of the way sooner than later. And, if I was Kataang, I would be disappointed b/c this kills part of the fun of them dressing up. Before it would have been, OOO~ How's Aang going to reacct when he sees how gorgeous Katara looks? Now it's like, meh, well he's already told her, so she's going to expect it and we're going to expect it, and what does it matter how he reaccts b/c it's already done. (Wow, that made very little sense.)
I don't really know what the point of this thought is, but people saying that "Kataang has won the battle but not the war!" brings to me thoughts of the American Civil War. (And that's what ship wars are, aren't they? Civil wars.) Y'know, the South won more battles but lost the war simply because the North had more men (shippers) and better supplies and factories and what not (fanworks). The North could outlast them. Now, I'm not saying Zutara will become cannon because of any weird sort of parallel between the Civil War, but I think that, if the ship stays strong in it's fanworks, we will out last them. My only fear is for Taang. I want Taang fanworks, and it's life has been so short... Ah, well, maybe I'll actually have to try my hand at fanfic. I've already vowed to do so for the sake of Jin/Pellegri, (b/c it really does need more of a fan presence) but I have so much else to do. **sigh** We shall see.
Edit 3 for the pictures: Ah, yes, we will be able to manip these nicely! ...And am I the only one who thinks it's kinda creepy the way the author of the article is oggling Katara. Yeah, she looks pretty and older than 14 in that shot, but... a bit sceeved by the guy nevertheless! And Suki! She's pretty! Yeee!
