Ships: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Sep. 26th, 2009 08:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
crienseltIn the interest of attempting to organize my thoughts and feelings regarding the various ships of my fandoms, I am endeavoring to go through them, more or less one by one, and collect my opinions here. First up, Avatar!
OTP:
Katara/Zuko:
The first episode of Avatar I ever saw was the “Great Divide,” which was certainly not the best representation of the series’ merit. However it was immediately followed “The Storm,” arguably one of the deeper, more mature episodes of season one. It hooked me, and while Zuko and Katara shared zero screen time, by the end of the episode I was firm Zuatara supporter. Something about each of their respective characters, as presented during the episode, just sort of meshed with me. What’s more, the idea of Kataang hadn’t even crossed my mind, and upon discovering people actually shipped them (after I’d gone online in search of more Avatar info), I was flabbergasted. But my feelings regarding Kataang are another issue entirely.
Anyway, Zutara! Having fallen in love with the idea of the ship, I went in search of all the previous episodes I had missed. My infatuation with the pairing increased and I dove headfirst (in so much as a lurker can) into the fandom. By the next new episode, I was full fledged Avatarard. Everything I saw only added to my love of Zutara and its potential. At the end of Season One, I really believed it would be canon. Alas.
That said, I really do rather enjoy its non-canon status post finale. Zutara is my first non-canon ship; the only fictional romance I’ve ever “called wrong.” And, judging by the manner in which the canon romances were handled, I think I prefer the freedom Zutara has, not having to be tied down to poorly conceived and slapdash canon afterthoughts as to how they got together like the poor canon ships have been. And, I must admit, my more malevolent side really does enjoy the amount of frustration Zutara causes for the canon drones. The hate is strong, and while the prejudice directed at Zutarians can get old, the fandom is so vast, so full of life and energy, fun, artistic expression and lulz that I find it does not bother me long. Especially when I take into consider how much the aforementioned vivaciousness of Zuatara must kill the haters. (Otherwise, why would they bother?)
It’s often hard for me to articulate what, exactly, I enjoy so much about any particular pairing, and others have managed to express my feelings on the subject much better than I ever could. But I shall try—just don’t expect any deep thoughts or extensive details. First, I have always felt their personalities meshed well, and their canon interactions and ultimate friendship back this up. It would certainly be a relationship of equals. I do like the fire/water, unity in opposites, yin/yang “symbolism” the ship has going for it. I also feel they have one of if not the most interesting dynamics of all the character interactions (second, maybe, to Aang and Zuko). They also have the most entertaining and engaging story in regard to their relationship. It has gone through many changes and they have overcome much to end up where they do. Maybe some would say the whole enemy turned lover thing is cliché, but they would forget that a cliché when done well is not a cliché at all but an archetype. Their fights were fascinating and their teamwork kickass. And we all know Katara would make an amazing fire lady…and that entire concept just opens the door for more amazing stories and developments—a member of the water tribe being fire lady. I love it! …All of this and the fact that Iroh and Ursa would approve—and Sokka and Zuko would be hilarious bro-in-laws.
And I’m sure I left something out, but what are ya gonna do? My point is they would have been awesome and while I hesitate to say that Zutara has replaced Anne and Gilbert as my OTP of OTPs, if only due to nostalgic affection, Zutara has somehow managed to become the ship for which I have the strongest feelings for. And I think, perhaps, I have its not-canon status to thank for it!
Ships I love:
Toph/Aang:
I fell in love with this ship from Toph’s introductory episode. Again, I feel their personalities mesh well and each offers something that the other lacks. I feel they would positively impact each other and would be an entertaining duo if nothing else. I have a special place in my heart for the reincarnation theories about this ship and the whole Koh/swamp visions = loved and lost thing. Of course, I like to imagine such hardships over come, but that’s just me. (Although I do yield that there is something beautiful in the tragedy as well.) There was a time in season two where my interest in Taang exceeded Zuatara, and I love this ship dearly. I resent any “side-shipping” accusations. However, in general I do find it harder to read fics and such for these two if only because it is so difficult for me to imagine Aang grown. That said, I enjoy the whole “she beat me up when we were little and acts like a boy now we’re grown up and she looks like a girl does not compute are those boobs?” thing (as well as the “but I love Katara why do I keep thinking of Toph” idea). They’d have one of those classic childhood friend romances. I like that.
Jet/Mai
Kick ass ship of kick ass ships. I immediately thought of Jet following Mai’s introduction and her “I’m bored” shtick. You can’t tell me Mai’s life wouldn’t be interesting with Jet. And I think he’d appreciate her badass-ry. At the very least, they’re another “overcome adversity” ship, which I like. I can easily see them being rouges or pirates or something along those lines. I also think Mai might help ground Jet while Jet could potentially give Mai a reality check from time to time. Also, while it is a weak argument and I am loath to give it, fans are always making comparisons between Jet and Zuko. It can’t be said that the traits Jet shares with Zuko are the ones that attract Mai, but at the very least I suppose it means Jet isn’t entirely out of the running as Mai’s type. Again, weak, I know, but I feel it is that argument that spares Jet/Mai from being complete and utter crack. And even if it doesn’t, I still say sign me up because Jet/Mai is hot. It needs a bigger, more active fandom.
Mai/TyLee
The fact that they are such opposites and yet such good friends says it all. The (platonic) love is already there. Ty Lee risked it all for Mai, and that’s something. Her pink with Mai’s bleak amuses me and I think this ship could be awesome.
Ships I enjoy:
Sokka/Suki: The canon was well done.
Sokka/Toph: The sarcasm, oh the sarcasm.
Sokka/TyLee: It would have been cute. Very jock/cheerleader.
Jet/Katara: Angst.
Jet/Zuko/Katara: Whether frozen or tied to, tree bondage would be involved.
Jet/Song: Sweet and redemptive.
Haru/TyLee: They’re kids would be soooo pretty!
Haru/Song: They definitely have a lot in common…at least I think so.
Teo/Toph: The impaired unite!
Smellerbee/Longshot: Can’t say it isn’t cute.
Pakku/Kanna: I love old people love stories…the bittersweet coming together at last after so many years…
Azula/Zhao: It’s fun crack.
Ozai/Ursa: Can't say I actually "enjoy" it, but it definitely intrigues me
Meng/Lee: Again, it would be cute!
Ships to which I am Indifferent:
Sokka/Yue: Didn’t do anything for me. (My first thought: What about Suki?)
Sokka/Azula: Can’t imagine it myself, but I can see the appeal for others.
Song/Zuko: I didn’t like it, but I have nothing but respect for the remaining Song/Zuko shippers. Everybody was all about it until Jin came along, but the true shippers stayed strong. Props to you!
Jin/Zuko: Same as above. Everybody loved it until the trailer with Mai sucking face with Zuko came out. I can’t say I’ve actually seen a Jin/Zuko person since then, but for those that are out there, hats off to you!
Haru/Katara: Meh.
Ships I do not Enjoy:
Aang/Katara:
I probably would have been able to have filed this under “indifferent” were it not for the manner in which it was ultimately handled. And that horrible make-out. I’ve never liked seeing kids kiss (those cutesy black-and-white-with-bits-of-color photos they sell have always bothered me), let alone have a full on make out. Call me old fashioned (and hey I know kids are maturing faster these days), but I don’t want to see a twelve year old, whose emotional maturity has always been questionable and who generally looks younger than twelve, sucking face with a fourteen year old, who both acts and looks older than she is. It’s an immature sixth grader hooking up with a mature Freshmen. Hell, I don’t want to see a twelve year old kid kissing period, let alone with tongue. I just…don’t understand why they included that. And it was so random. Why not just have them smile lovingly, hold hands and look off into the sunset? Much less icky…but still symbolic!
Aside from simply not caring for the way in which their personalities messed, my biggest complaint with it was that we never got to see Katara fall for him. I mean, her jealous reaction in “The Headband” was exactly the same as her jealous reaction way back in the “Warriors of Kyoshi.” No development in two/three whole seasons. And even after all the blushing in CoTL, there was no change in her treatment of him or behavior towards him. And then they went from Surprise!Kiss during the invasion to no mention of it to suddenly “No kiss for you, I’m confused” to full on making out—with no development in between. It just…wasn’t well done in my opinion
The then of course there is all the mother-child/dependency stuff that others have harped on before. I too got the vibe, and I too didn’t like it.
To me it always made sense that Aang would have a crush on her. She brought him back to life. She’s the first girl he’s every really known, and she’s smart, and pretty. Not too many maternal figures growing up, it would seem, and here she is all kindness and love and compassion. She supported him and looked out for him, and played with him. How could he not be sweet on her? (To be honest, it always reminded me of the boy I babysat and his crush on me.)
And I really just don’t see how we’re supposed to accept that Aang is ready for a relationship. (Or really, Katara for that matter. Maybe that’s why Zutara and Taang always worked better for me…they were always future oriented.) Age aside, he’s just not there mentally, as seen in the way in which he pursued her. I might have been able to accept the idea of him maturing, his feelings becoming something real and understandable over time. (And Katara’s as well.) But then they had them go and make out. Bleh.
Also, the whole “you have to give her up!”/”oh, hey, no you don’t…have some dues ex machina!” ruined any possible chance of making Kataang interesting for me (it could have been rather tragicly beautiful with its “could have been but not to be…” potential). Not to mention it was just sloppy writing.
But, hey, at least it’s easy to imagine them breaking up but staying friends!
Mai/Zuko:
I’ve tried to see the appeal in this ship, I really have, but I just can’t. At least with Kataang, there is sweetness to it and society does have a predisposition to the-hero-gets-the-girl scenarios. And Aang’s so cute, it’s understandable people would root for him. Heck, Kataang squicks me, but I still found his crush endearing and adorable! Not so with Maiko. I just don’t get it. Fail to see even the slightest glimmer of compatibility between them, and they seem to want such very different things out of life. I also fail to see how they make each other better people or what aspects of their respective personalities enhance the other’s.
Really, the entire ship felt like an after thought. Hell, they got together in a comic that a lot of viewers didn’t even see. I know more than one person who had a major WTF? moment when they were suddenly making out. In general, the most interesting part of any fiction love story tends to be how they got together. (Even in real life, what the first question people ask a couple? “So how’d you two meet?”) Apparently, Bryke didn’t find it interesting or important enough to include, and that reflects on the ship and its merits. To that end, Mai’s random reappearance at the end of the finale is almost laughable. Perhaps, Mai and Zuko’s love story went the way of Ursa’s…but that doesn’t make it any better…or acceptable.
Plus, while I love Mai’s character, the whole Omashu/Tomtom incident just makes it difficult for me to ship her with Zuko. Really, the fact that such a kick-ass character as Mai was confined to the roll of Zuko’s girlfriend also bothers me (as well as the fact he became her sole motivation). That, and the fact they have completely different world views, interests, and priorities…
Again, at least is easy for me to imagine a break-up that is not forever damning.
OTP:
Katara/Zuko:
The first episode of Avatar I ever saw was the “Great Divide,” which was certainly not the best representation of the series’ merit. However it was immediately followed “The Storm,” arguably one of the deeper, more mature episodes of season one. It hooked me, and while Zuko and Katara shared zero screen time, by the end of the episode I was firm Zuatara supporter. Something about each of their respective characters, as presented during the episode, just sort of meshed with me. What’s more, the idea of Kataang hadn’t even crossed my mind, and upon discovering people actually shipped them (after I’d gone online in search of more Avatar info), I was flabbergasted. But my feelings regarding Kataang are another issue entirely.
Anyway, Zutara! Having fallen in love with the idea of the ship, I went in search of all the previous episodes I had missed. My infatuation with the pairing increased and I dove headfirst (in so much as a lurker can) into the fandom. By the next new episode, I was full fledged Avatarard. Everything I saw only added to my love of Zutara and its potential. At the end of Season One, I really believed it would be canon. Alas.
That said, I really do rather enjoy its non-canon status post finale. Zutara is my first non-canon ship; the only fictional romance I’ve ever “called wrong.” And, judging by the manner in which the canon romances were handled, I think I prefer the freedom Zutara has, not having to be tied down to poorly conceived and slapdash canon afterthoughts as to how they got together like the poor canon ships have been. And, I must admit, my more malevolent side really does enjoy the amount of frustration Zutara causes for the canon drones. The hate is strong, and while the prejudice directed at Zutarians can get old, the fandom is so vast, so full of life and energy, fun, artistic expression and lulz that I find it does not bother me long. Especially when I take into consider how much the aforementioned vivaciousness of Zuatara must kill the haters. (Otherwise, why would they bother?)
It’s often hard for me to articulate what, exactly, I enjoy so much about any particular pairing, and others have managed to express my feelings on the subject much better than I ever could. But I shall try—just don’t expect any deep thoughts or extensive details. First, I have always felt their personalities meshed well, and their canon interactions and ultimate friendship back this up. It would certainly be a relationship of equals. I do like the fire/water, unity in opposites, yin/yang “symbolism” the ship has going for it. I also feel they have one of if not the most interesting dynamics of all the character interactions (second, maybe, to Aang and Zuko). They also have the most entertaining and engaging story in regard to their relationship. It has gone through many changes and they have overcome much to end up where they do. Maybe some would say the whole enemy turned lover thing is cliché, but they would forget that a cliché when done well is not a cliché at all but an archetype. Their fights were fascinating and their teamwork kickass. And we all know Katara would make an amazing fire lady…and that entire concept just opens the door for more amazing stories and developments—a member of the water tribe being fire lady. I love it! …All of this and the fact that Iroh and Ursa would approve—and Sokka and Zuko would be hilarious bro-in-laws.
And I’m sure I left something out, but what are ya gonna do? My point is they would have been awesome and while I hesitate to say that Zutara has replaced Anne and Gilbert as my OTP of OTPs, if only due to nostalgic affection, Zutara has somehow managed to become the ship for which I have the strongest feelings for. And I think, perhaps, I have its not-canon status to thank for it!
Ships I love:
Toph/Aang:
I fell in love with this ship from Toph’s introductory episode. Again, I feel their personalities mesh well and each offers something that the other lacks. I feel they would positively impact each other and would be an entertaining duo if nothing else. I have a special place in my heart for the reincarnation theories about this ship and the whole Koh/swamp visions = loved and lost thing. Of course, I like to imagine such hardships over come, but that’s just me. (Although I do yield that there is something beautiful in the tragedy as well.) There was a time in season two where my interest in Taang exceeded Zuatara, and I love this ship dearly. I resent any “side-shipping” accusations. However, in general I do find it harder to read fics and such for these two if only because it is so difficult for me to imagine Aang grown. That said, I enjoy the whole “she beat me up when we were little and acts like a boy now we’re grown up and she looks like a girl does not compute are those boobs?” thing (as well as the “but I love Katara why do I keep thinking of Toph” idea). They’d have one of those classic childhood friend romances. I like that.
Jet/Mai
Kick ass ship of kick ass ships. I immediately thought of Jet following Mai’s introduction and her “I’m bored” shtick. You can’t tell me Mai’s life wouldn’t be interesting with Jet. And I think he’d appreciate her badass-ry. At the very least, they’re another “overcome adversity” ship, which I like. I can easily see them being rouges or pirates or something along those lines. I also think Mai might help ground Jet while Jet could potentially give Mai a reality check from time to time. Also, while it is a weak argument and I am loath to give it, fans are always making comparisons between Jet and Zuko. It can’t be said that the traits Jet shares with Zuko are the ones that attract Mai, but at the very least I suppose it means Jet isn’t entirely out of the running as Mai’s type. Again, weak, I know, but I feel it is that argument that spares Jet/Mai from being complete and utter crack. And even if it doesn’t, I still say sign me up because Jet/Mai is hot. It needs a bigger, more active fandom.
Mai/TyLee
The fact that they are such opposites and yet such good friends says it all. The (platonic) love is already there. Ty Lee risked it all for Mai, and that’s something. Her pink with Mai’s bleak amuses me and I think this ship could be awesome.
Ships I enjoy:
Sokka/Suki: The canon was well done.
Sokka/Toph: The sarcasm, oh the sarcasm.
Sokka/TyLee: It would have been cute. Very jock/cheerleader.
Jet/Katara: Angst.
Jet/Zuko/Katara: Whether frozen or tied to, tree bondage would be involved.
Jet/Song: Sweet and redemptive.
Haru/TyLee: They’re kids would be soooo pretty!
Haru/Song: They definitely have a lot in common…at least I think so.
Teo/Toph: The impaired unite!
Smellerbee/Longshot: Can’t say it isn’t cute.
Pakku/Kanna: I love old people love stories…the bittersweet coming together at last after so many years…
Azula/Zhao: It’s fun crack.
Ozai/Ursa: Can't say I actually "enjoy" it, but it definitely intrigues me
Meng/Lee: Again, it would be cute!
Ships to which I am Indifferent:
Sokka/Yue: Didn’t do anything for me. (My first thought: What about Suki?)
Sokka/Azula: Can’t imagine it myself, but I can see the appeal for others.
Song/Zuko: I didn’t like it, but I have nothing but respect for the remaining Song/Zuko shippers. Everybody was all about it until Jin came along, but the true shippers stayed strong. Props to you!
Jin/Zuko: Same as above. Everybody loved it until the trailer with Mai sucking face with Zuko came out. I can’t say I’ve actually seen a Jin/Zuko person since then, but for those that are out there, hats off to you!
Haru/Katara: Meh.
Ships I do not Enjoy:
Aang/Katara:
I probably would have been able to have filed this under “indifferent” were it not for the manner in which it was ultimately handled. And that horrible make-out. I’ve never liked seeing kids kiss (those cutesy black-and-white-with-bits-of-color photos they sell have always bothered me), let alone have a full on make out. Call me old fashioned (and hey I know kids are maturing faster these days), but I don’t want to see a twelve year old, whose emotional maturity has always been questionable and who generally looks younger than twelve, sucking face with a fourteen year old, who both acts and looks older than she is. It’s an immature sixth grader hooking up with a mature Freshmen. Hell, I don’t want to see a twelve year old kid kissing period, let alone with tongue. I just…don’t understand why they included that. And it was so random. Why not just have them smile lovingly, hold hands and look off into the sunset? Much less icky…but still symbolic!
Aside from simply not caring for the way in which their personalities messed, my biggest complaint with it was that we never got to see Katara fall for him. I mean, her jealous reaction in “The Headband” was exactly the same as her jealous reaction way back in the “Warriors of Kyoshi.” No development in two/three whole seasons. And even after all the blushing in CoTL, there was no change in her treatment of him or behavior towards him. And then they went from Surprise!Kiss during the invasion to no mention of it to suddenly “No kiss for you, I’m confused” to full on making out—with no development in between. It just…wasn’t well done in my opinion
The then of course there is all the mother-child/dependency stuff that others have harped on before. I too got the vibe, and I too didn’t like it.
To me it always made sense that Aang would have a crush on her. She brought him back to life. She’s the first girl he’s every really known, and she’s smart, and pretty. Not too many maternal figures growing up, it would seem, and here she is all kindness and love and compassion. She supported him and looked out for him, and played with him. How could he not be sweet on her? (To be honest, it always reminded me of the boy I babysat and his crush on me.)
And I really just don’t see how we’re supposed to accept that Aang is ready for a relationship. (Or really, Katara for that matter. Maybe that’s why Zutara and Taang always worked better for me…they were always future oriented.) Age aside, he’s just not there mentally, as seen in the way in which he pursued her. I might have been able to accept the idea of him maturing, his feelings becoming something real and understandable over time. (And Katara’s as well.) But then they had them go and make out. Bleh.
Also, the whole “you have to give her up!”/”oh, hey, no you don’t…have some dues ex machina!” ruined any possible chance of making Kataang interesting for me (it could have been rather tragicly beautiful with its “could have been but not to be…” potential). Not to mention it was just sloppy writing.
But, hey, at least it’s easy to imagine them breaking up but staying friends!
Mai/Zuko:
I’ve tried to see the appeal in this ship, I really have, but I just can’t. At least with Kataang, there is sweetness to it and society does have a predisposition to the-hero-gets-the-girl scenarios. And Aang’s so cute, it’s understandable people would root for him. Heck, Kataang squicks me, but I still found his crush endearing and adorable! Not so with Maiko. I just don’t get it. Fail to see even the slightest glimmer of compatibility between them, and they seem to want such very different things out of life. I also fail to see how they make each other better people or what aspects of their respective personalities enhance the other’s.
Really, the entire ship felt like an after thought. Hell, they got together in a comic that a lot of viewers didn’t even see. I know more than one person who had a major WTF? moment when they were suddenly making out. In general, the most interesting part of any fiction love story tends to be how they got together. (Even in real life, what the first question people ask a couple? “So how’d you two meet?”) Apparently, Bryke didn’t find it interesting or important enough to include, and that reflects on the ship and its merits. To that end, Mai’s random reappearance at the end of the finale is almost laughable. Perhaps, Mai and Zuko’s love story went the way of Ursa’s…but that doesn’t make it any better…or acceptable.
Plus, while I love Mai’s character, the whole Omashu/Tomtom incident just makes it difficult for me to ship her with Zuko. Really, the fact that such a kick-ass character as Mai was confined to the roll of Zuko’s girlfriend also bothers me (as well as the fact he became her sole motivation). That, and the fact they have completely different world views, interests, and priorities…
Again, at least is easy for me to imagine a break-up that is not forever damning.
