This episode continues Alex and Connor’s review of the expanded universe content set in the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra. After reviewing the initial arc of six graphic novels that continued the story of the original Team Avatar, the hosts explore the shorter, character-focused, standalone comics that expand on specific characters centered around Avatar: The Last Avatar before diving into the two primary volumes that continue the story of Korra and her friends: Turf Wars and Ruins of the Empire, As before, the hosts explore the themes, worldbuild, and character work in each volume and discuss how each volume fits into the overall Avatar world.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Spoilers

ATLA Seasons 1 through 3, The Legend of Korra season 1 through 4, Suki Alone, Toph Beifong’s Metalbending Academy, Katara and the Pirate’s Silver, Azula in the Spirit Temple, Turf Wars, and Ruins of the Empire

Thank you for listening to Talking Star Wars with Connor and Alex!

Check us out on Reddit here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkingStarWars/

This episode begins Connor and Alex’s review of the expanded universe content set in the Avatar universe that continues and expands on the stories of both Team Avatar and the world at large. In this first episode, the hosts review the primary six graphic novels that continue the story of Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, Zuko, Suki, and others - from The Promise that is set immediately following season 3, to Imbalance that takes place more than a year afterwards. The hosts discuss the merits of each graphic novel series, the themes explored, and how each work fits into the overall Avatar universe.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Spoilers

ATLA Seasons 1 through 3, The Legend of Korra season 1 through 4, The Promise, The Search, The Rift, Smoke and Shadow, North and South, and Imbalance

Thank you for listening to Talking Star Wars with Connor and Alex!

Check us out on Reddit here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkingStarWars/

In this episode, Connor and Alex delve into the nature of the eponymous Avatar that gives the setting of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra their names and primary characters.The hosts explore the figure of the Avatar both through the lens of an in-universe figure of awe, power, mystery, and hope as well as from a storytelling perspective and what having an Avatar present in the setting does to focus the narratives set in the universe. Additionally, this episode provides a survey and exploration of all known Avatars, their unique traits, and what their character says about the world in which they lived.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Spoilers

ATLA Seasons 1 through 3, The Legend of Korra season 1 through 4, The Rise of Kyoshi, The Shadow of Kyoshi, The Dawn of Yangchen, The Legacy of Yangchen, and The Promise

Thank you for listening to Talking Star Wars with Connor and Alex!

Check us out on Reddit here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkingStarWars/

This episode dives into the more mystical side of the Avatar universe by examining spirits and the spirit world. Connor and Alex explore both the spirit world itself, including the ways that humans are able to journey spiritually and physically to and from this separate land, as well as surveying the unique denizens of that strange and emotionally-reactive land. From the terrifying lair of Koh the Face-Stealer to the sacred and dangerous library of Wan Shi Tong, learn about both the full range of named spirits that appear in the world and the more generic spirits that fill in the background while the hosts examine the spiritual roles they fill in the setting. The episode also delves into the narrative role of Raava and Vaatu, the ancient spirits of light and dark, and what “balance” means in the constant conflict between them.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Spoilers

ATLA Seasons 1 through 3, The Legend of Korra seasons 1 through 4, The Rise of Kyoshi, The Shadow of Kyoshi, The Search, The Rift, The Dawn of Yangchen, and The Legacy of Yangchen

Thank you for listening to Talking Star Wars with Connor and Alex!

Check us out on Reddit here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkingStarWars/

This episode explores the various political systems in place in the Avatar universe, from the tribal relationship of the Water Tribes, to the feudal monarchies and lordships of the Earth Kingdom, to the absolute monarchy of the Fire Lord. The hosts also explore how the political landscape changes between the time of Aang and Korra’s day, including the eventual rise of the first democracy (and the mixed feelings about the first President), the fragility of the Water Tribes’ system of government in a more modern setting, and how the Earth Kingdom falls to fascism by season 4. This episode also explores the rise of the modern-style nation-state in the Avatar universe and the factors that influence national identity and development.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Spoilers

ATLA seasons 1 through 3, The Legend of Korra seasons 1 through 4, Imbalance, Turf Wars, The Rise of Kyoshi, The Shadow of Kyoshi, The Dawn of Yangchen, and the Legacy of Yangchen.

Thank you for listening to Talking Star Wars with Connor and Alex!

Check us out on Reddit here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkingStarWars/

In this episode, Connor and Alex continue their ongoing miniseries about Avatar: The Last Airbender to discuss the role of technology in the Avatar universe.The hosts review how the world has largely organized society and what technology exists around bending and manipulation of the elements until the Hundred Years War, which involves a rapid industrial revolution that spreads to the entire world.The episode explores the role of technology in a world that focuses so heavily on mystical and spiritual arts, and how the supernatural and mundane both contrast and coexist in each nation. Connor and Alex also review the use of technology by each of the Four Nations as well as the use of giant mechanical devices and weapons as an ongoing plot point through Avatar and Korra.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Spoilers

ATLA seasons 1 through 3, The Legend of Korra seasons 1 through 4, The Rise of Kyoshi, The Shadow of Kyoshi, The Dawn of Yangchen, and the Legacy of Yangchen

Thank you for listening to Talking Star Wars with Connor and Alex!

Check us out on Reddit here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkingStarWars/

In this episode, the hosts review the primary protagonists of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra (Aang, Korra, and Zuko as a bonus deuteragonist) through the lens of The Hero’s Journey as popularized and codified by Joseph Campbell’s seminal work. Here, we see the patterns of the mythic hero play out in the lives of both Avatars, from the call to adventure, to the ordeal they must overcome, to the change they bring to the world.

Follow along with the steps of the Hero’s Journey here: https://www.imagineforest.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-heros-journey-cycle-stages.png

The 12 Steps:

1. The Ordinary World
2. Call of Adventure
3. Refusal of the Call
4. Meeting the Mentor
5. Crossing the Threshold
6. Tests, Allies, Enemies
7. The Approach
8. The Ordeal
9. Reward
10. The Road Back
11. Resurrection
12. Return with the Elixer

Avatar: The Last Airbender Spoilers

ATLA seasons 1 through 3, The Legend of Korra seasons 1 through 4

Star Wars Spoilers

Episodes IV through VI

Thank you for listening to Talking Star Wars with Connor and Alex!

Check us out on Reddit here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkingStarWars/

This episode explores a specific variance in the way that parental figures are portrayed in the Avatar world: one where this is a complex and distant father with a fraught relationship with his children; and where the mother is dead or otherwise entirely absent from the story, and characterized more by her absence than her ongoing agency. The hosts explore why this trope might exist, the ways in which parental roles evolve between Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, and what role gender roles play in this difference between how motherhood and fatherhood are portrayed. From the heinous and abusive Fire Lord Ozai compared to his vanished wife Ursa, to the tragically slain Kya (mother of Katara and Sokka) and off-at-war Hakoda, this episode dives into all maternal and paternal figures, how they are depicted, and explores why this dichotomy might exist.

Discussed content includes potential spoilers from the items listed below.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Spoilers

ATLA seasons 1 through 3, The Legend of Korra seasons 1 through 4, The Search, Imbalance, and Patterns in Time.

Star Wars Spoilers

Episodes I through VI

Thank you for listening to Talking Star Wars with Connor and Alex!

Check us out on Reddit here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkingStarWars/

This episode spotlights one of the most wholesome characters in popular fiction: Uncle Iroh, the Dragon of the West, and surrogate father figure to Prince Zuko. Known for his wisdom, his hidden depths, and his love of tea, Iroh also serves as an example of redemption and forgiveness for the entire cast. The hosts trace the trajectory of Iroh’s life, from his time as a ruthless General, to his secret life as Grand Lotus of the Order of the White Lotus, to his adventures with Prince Zuko and his attempts to keep his nephew both alive and pointed on a path towards good.

Discussed content includes potential spoilers from the items listed below.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Spoilers

ATLA seasons 1 through 3; The Legend of Korra seasons 1 through 4, and The Legacy of the Fire Nation

Thank you for listening to Talking Star Wars with Connor and Alex!

Check us out on Reddit here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkingStarWars/

This week, Connor and Alex examine the concept of bending in the Avatar universe: the ability to manipulate the four elements of air, water, earth, and fire. They survey the origins of bending in the setting, discuss the power as a worldbuilding element, and review each type of bending. This episode also explores how use of each element shapes Avatar societies and impacts their spiritual practices while surveying the unique special techniques and powers developed within each bending discipline, from bloodbending, metalbending, and lavabending to combustion bending, healing, and flight.

Discussed content includes potential spoilers from the items listed below.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Spoilers

ATLA seasons 1 through 3; The Legend of Korra seasons 1 through 4, The Rise of Kyoshi, The Shadow of Kyoshi, The Dawn of Yangchen

Thank you for listening to Talking Star Wars with Connor and Alex!

Check us out on Reddit here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkingStarWars/