~KyokoMari

**SPoiLERS DUHR...**

KATAANGERS:

Here to bash and gloat? One acronym for you in that case. GTFO.

My other, friendly Kataangers, however, Congratulations. Thank you so much for being respectful and giving your ship a good name among everyone else who has given us Zutarians a hard time throughout this long journey and thank you also for enjoying our art. You don't know how much that means to all of us.

You guys deserve it, and I admit it was a beautiful scene all things considered. That's coming from a Die-Hard Zutarian, as you know.

--

All this is my own opinion, though, and I know there are very diverse feelings throughout the fandom about the finale. This is just mine. and Yes, it's a bit angry. But please do not take it personally.

--

So, this has been a painful 24 hours for me personally. I mean, I knew what had happened HOURS before the finale aired, thanks to whoever thought it would be cute to upload all the screenshots and spread them around the fandom.

Me and Kat confronted it together, and went through a range of emotions...

Right now, I'm pretty much heart-broken, crestfallen and disappointed...But I'm calm now...I'm more EMPTY about the whole thing. I've had a headache since last night, I couldn't get to sleep before work...It's just been rough.

And this isn't even about Zutara not happening. Not completely.

I accept that Kataang happened. I do. I just can't accept Kataang itself, still. I mean, the main reason to this is because of the continuity and development...or lack there of. I mean, JUST in Ember Island Players, Katara said she was confused. But what about? Why was she confused? How was it resolved? This whole journey has not shown much at all about HER side of this romance, and THAT is what bugs me. It was one-sided until that last minute. There was no explanation, there were no words. At least the return of Maiko had words...Kataang was the pair that REALLY needed them but had none at all.

And honestly, I would have been FINE had they ended it after the hug. But the kiss...it was like the book(as was everything): It came out of no where, with no explanation, it just...happened.

I feel as if a part of Katara's character got cheated here. Where was her side of the romance, really? Why has it always been so ambiuous and motherly? She just...complies, right at the end? What was she confused over? Why did it take so long?

I'm sorry, but I can't understand that after what we saw in EIP. I have said that in the case of Kataang happening, I would try to see it, but I would be a tough customer to sell it to. And really, I've tried to see it, and I'm disappointed with it.

And Zutara could have happened. If they wanted to, they could have played it up, a lot, and it would have been believeable, even in the setting of following the plot of the book. I mean...all of the wonderful Zutara moments were like...Not developed to their full potential. It would have worked.

And don't tell me that Mike and Bryan don't understand Zutara, because they do! All those Zutara moments were perfect, they exemplify what we have known for ages; they are each-other's comfort, they are each other's steadfast support. They truly suit each other for this.

The Agni Kai...I mean, spectacular scene, but the dialogue killed it! I was Hoping against hope that they'd use something ELSE for that scene, but...*sigh*

I'm also a little ticked that it took like...2 seconds to heal Zuko's wound when Aang's took the Spirit Water and weeks of recovery...

But shipping aside, what I'm really disappointed with is that spirit-bending thing. I was hoping that THAT wouldn't be there either. I mean, talk about pulling an unheard of mystical power out of nowhere! I'm sorry, but I'm a die-hard fan of discovering a power and developing it to it's potential, taking a journey as you do so. which leads me to the most aggrevating part of this thing...

The Avatar State and Aang "unlocking" it.

He didn't even unlock it. and this isn't to do with shipping so much as it is with the actual story and foreshadowed events.

Basically, we go through ALL that development of the AS, and that mounts to the most important thing of all, The GURU teaching Aang about it and it's powers and how to CONTROL THEM.

The Guru said he needed to learn to LET GO. Did Aang let go? Did he take it upon himself to take that spiritual journey and "do whatever it takes to save the world"?? No, he didn't.

He got jabbed in the back by a rock. Which somehow opens a locked Chakra. What about all the stress on letting go? What about all the growing up and maturing that Aang could have done through that? I mean...Augh, it just feels like a cop out. A major loophole in everything that had been discussed thus far in the show about the AS.

And Sokka had to make a sacrifice...but our HERO, Aang, did not? When it was pretty much outlined that he needed to? Which would be more EPIC, Sokka losing his weapons, or Aang searching deep within himself, and letting go of something that has held him back all this time? Something he holds so dear? Which is the bigger sacrifice, the greatest tribute to character, the greatest path of growth??

I'm a huge fan of weaponry and sharp pointy objects, myself, but, the answer here is CLEAR.

I'm sorry, and I don't mean to bitch so much, but really. The letting go path would have matured Aang so much, that would show him FINALLY giving up on EXPECTING Katara to love him back, his possessive feelings that he so well demonstrated in EIP, and it would show that the kid has become more mature. That was what I was hoping for. I hate Aang when he's being possessive of Katara. I hate Aang when he forces himself on her for a kiss.

True, the whole fight did wonders on maturing Aang as a person and a fighter and an Avatar, but really, the kid STILL doesn't know how romance is supposed to work.

Basically, it's that same old hero-gets-the-girl thing that I was hoping Avatar would avoid, and it pretty much says that as long as you keep forcing your love on someone, they'll come around eventually!

Aang gets cheated out of a HUGE chunk of development and growth and maturity and a lesson of the REAL FECKING WORLD, Katara gets cheated out of HER SIDE OF THE STORY, which I honestly think makes her nothing more than a PRIZE to Aang, who has thrown fits and acts childish and possessive whenever he thinks he can't have her...

THAT is what I hate about the ending.

Maiko...I shouldn't even have to explain. I'm not going to waste more space and time...

And the thing with Ursa barely getting a footnote? That...was not cool. I mean, it'd be cool if there was going to be another season of this Avatar arc, but I'm pretty sure there isn't.

------

Ok, done bitching now. I've got that off of my chest.

So. All shipping and loopholes aside...This was actually a great Finale.

The good thing about knowing what happened hours before was that it gave me the chance to just watch the finale as an Avatard. The Zutara moments, while sweet and beautiful, stung a little given that I knew the outcome and that the full potential wouldn't be reached. But over all, it was a good ride, as Avatar has always been.

The animation, as always, was something to behold. Every sequence was beautiful, even as I was fuming about the whole Chakra loophole, I found myself captivated by the stunning, moving work of the fight itself.

And the bending was also very awesome. Especially Aang and his quenching of the fires. I really did find that amazing and breath-taking and of course epic. The firebenders were enough to stop your breath for what they did to the land....and once Aang did get into the AS(regardless of how he got there...) He did whoop some Ozai Ass with all four elements. The entire fight scene was amazing.

The Music, was perfect. The sad theme for the Agni Kai was HAUNTING. It was PERFECT in EVERY WAY. To me, it mirrored not only what was about to happen to Zuko, but Azula's tragic slip into madness. the slow-motion action was just stunning in combo with the music. I think my obsession with the Epic LOTR scores has some competition, just in this one scene!!

Speaking of the Agni Kai, It was beautiful, even though it didn't amount to what it should have. Zuko taking a bolt for her...REACHING FOR HER...I mean, if that is not epic LOVE, I don't know what is. Dammit, go and watch that entire scene again, and TELL ME that it is not LOVE! D< (Augh, I'm sorry, I keep getting aggrevated...)

The Iroh/Zuko reunion was just unbelievably touching. If it didn't leave you wanting to bawl your eyes out, then you have no heart. lol. Zuko...Crying....Iroh hugging....OMG.

Jun didn't stay long enough, dammit!! D:

The White Lotus was totally bad ass. Pakku/Kanna was something we all saw coming from a mile away, but it was still so cute! lol! And Jeong Jeong on his little platform of fire. Can you say BAD ASS? Iroh and his fire trick as the comet arrived...GAWD I LOVE IROH!!!!

Bumi. Shit, we should have just gotten HIM to defeat the Fire Lord. He wouldn't be afraid to do it.

Anything Toph/Sokka/Suki was just awesome. Toph + Metal armor = Enough said.

Ozai was crazy awesome. MAN that guy can strip. D: lmao!! I'm a little miffed at how they portrayed him when Sokka and Suki and Toph showed up though. They made him look totally degraded...I mean, the little Ozai drooling on the foreground of the shot was a little much for my taste.
But Ozai was awesome while he lasted.

Azula was just hilarious, then tragic. When she started freaking out after being chained up...I mean, my god. That poor girl.

But Katara fighting her was sweet. Freezing them both, then chaining her up IN the water? I mean, wow. That was win right there in and of itself.

The Beach party was fun too. I spotted some Taang there too, but alas, what can you do. Toph can SAND BEND NOW, TOO? FUCK. I love it.

Oh! and Toko! lol! Toph's life changing field trip with Zuko!

...So...Unless I'm forgetting anything, that's pretty much it.

---

I'd say my over all opinion on this whole finale is about 50-50. There was a lot I loved, but there was also so much I can't see, so much that didn't get developed, questions that never got answered, and a completely awesome ship, that, by everything in this show, should have happened.

I just watched the ZEFID lesson on EIP, and I gotta say. The show up until the finale was pointing towards Zutara. It's like the finale was different, or it just didn't take the ship drama from EIP into account AT ALL. It's like they completely swtiched gears, or something. That's very disheartening.

But I guess that Mike and Bryan were just Kataangers all along. Whatever, I respect their right to do what they want with their story, I just can't say I'm impressed with some of their decisions.

What really gets me though, is what THEY think of the fandom then. It puts all of those interview answers into question, the one about them not leading people on, the contradictory one about Sokka and his weaponry...

and the real kicker, the whole Zutara question from the book that everyone prayed was fake. I personally find this as a slap in the face once I start considering Mike and Bryan into this whole Finale equation. What does it make EIP? The Chibi Shorts? Are those mocking? I mean, to what extent is this? Are they no better than a bashing KAtaanger?? They've always seemed like such great sports about shipping, and even provided Zutarians with our "Fierce, Passionate and tenacious" catch phrase. But how much of that was mocking? Was it ever completely sincere admiration? or were they really just playing with us this whole time? Why did they put in so many things that connected Zuko and Katara? Baiting us?

That's what I'm really not cool about.

They said that everyone would be happy with the end...But I can't see it. Yes, I'm happy about all the Zutara moments, but it's a bittersweet type of thing; I know they could have done better, and I simply can't see Katara having a healthier relationship with Aang than what she could get from Zuko. The simple psycology keeps getting in my way of my considering Kataang.

Maybe I'm over reacting. Maybe I'm being Butt-hurt. But I'm really scared. I have worshipped these guys on the level of Miyazaki, and even though I'm disappointed and mad about some key points in this finale, I still do for giving me and so many others a fantastic ride, but really, what do they truly think of Zutara and Zutarians? It just puts all that into question.

I will always love Avatar for what it gave me this last year; great friends that I hope to keep, a chance to challenge my art talents, an engaging story, WONDERFUL characters, and some psycological plotline amidst the mindless toilet humor that is the rest of American Kid's TV.

But as it is with this finale, I think I'm going to scuttle back into the world of Anime and cozy back up to my other favorite work of art with a wonderful storyline and open(but resolved) shipping status, Oban Star Racers, by Savin Yeatman-Eiffel. I already know Kat and Isa are coming with me. Anyone else?

If Mike and Bryan come out with a new series or season or WHATEVER...I will probably watch it...but I'm decidedly not getting too attached to anything in them. Chances are it won't happen or work out.

I love Avatar, but I need some time. I'm coming to terms with it, but still.

Whatever happened in the Finale, Zutara could have, and should have been canon. And I will ALWAYS be proud to call myself a Canon-Zutarian.

I now declare GreenifyME's ongoing comic of "Revealing Destiny" to be CANON.

Perhaps even Fandomme's Ozai's Vengeance.

Because we all know what REALLY happens after the show ends.

---
Anyway, can't wait for Comicon, I want to hear what Bryke has to say about all this.
---

A perfect song to go along with this end to the show as well, or more like how I feel about Zutara at this point.
Kind of abstract, but Zutarians can figure out the whole meaning in regards to this ship, right?

White Flag, by Dido

I know you think that I shouldn't still love you,
Or tell you that.
But if I didn't say it, well I'd still have felt it
where's the sense in that?

I promise I'm not trying to make your life harder
Or return to where we were

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

I know I left too much mess and
destruction to come back again
And I caused nothing but trouble
I understand if you can't talk to me again
And if you live by the rules of "it's over"
then I'm sure that that makes sense

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

And when we meet
Which I'm sure we will
All that was there
Will be there still
I'll let it pass
And hold my tongue
And you will think
That I've moved on....

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

Zutarians, whatever anyone says, no matter what happened in the finale, we always have each other, the community we've built, and FANON. And Zutara will NEVER DIE as long as we still remember it for what it was;

THE BEST DAMN SHIP AVATAR HAS TO OFFER.