Famous TV Series

TV series, the thing I loved the most when I watch TV. As you know (or didn't know), there were several TV series that got famous such as How I Met Your Mother, ER, House, Supernatural and bla3. I loved those series like...hell yeah~

Basically, there were so many TV series in the past ( I don't watch FRIENDS, Sex and the City, Spin City or Ally McBeal at that time, it bores me with no reason). With so many TV series to watch, I remember some of it because it's memorable. I believed you also watch that TV series too, or at least, you took a glance.

 1. Even Steven (1999-2003)

This series was the first start to stardom of Shia LaBeouf, the Transformer's lead actor that used to be a weird, eccentric, and goofy kid in Even Steven with a big 'L' on his head (a.k.a Loser). I liked the conflict between Louis and his sister, Ren and his difficult life-yet-funny in a college with his two best-buddies. Hmm, I missed the old Beouf~

2. That's so Raven (2003-2007)

This series is the latest one in my list but I don't remember much. What I remember the most about Raven is, she's a bomb in her family with an exaggerate taste in fashion, helping friends with her witty supernatural power and accompanied by her money-obsessed brother named Cory. She surely had a hectic life.

3. Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996-2003)

Sabrina, she's the young witch who lived with her two weird-and-bewitched aunts. The best episode that I watch from this series was when Sabrina learn her first magic lesson but turns everything into pineapple. The most unforgettable charm in this series is of course, the talking black cat Salem. He's the real thug.

4. My Wife and Kids (2001-2005)

I was forgot about this series until recently, my brother reminds me with the word 'INDEED'. If you need a story of an eccentric dad and dysfunctional family and the vasectomy with sex desperation, you should watch this and laugh-up.

5. Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995-1999)

I still remember this yellowish hair, pale-yellow shirt and leather pants hero. Back then, I was mesmerized with his strength and cool behaviour. But, my sister always questioned this: "Why Mr. Hercules keeps wearing the same cloth? Did he wash himself?" Sorry sister, I don't know the answer.

6. Xena Warrior Princess (1995-2001)

Girl power, that's the main theme of this TV series. Yet it also include the deeper meaning between Xena and her companion, Gabrielle and favored by gay community. I don't remember about the lesbo relationship but I prefer girl power influence.

7. Round the Twist (1989-2001)

Beginning at 1989, this Australian TV children-fantasy series attracts my attention about the mystery that happens around the haunted lighthouse that occupied by a father and his children. The magical adventures were based on the fantasy stories of Paul Jennings and other author's work. Besides, the recognizable theme song boomed its popularity until now and I still remember the story of the dried fur of blue-eyed fox that comes alive and ghosts who lived inside the lighthouse. You liked ghosts? Well, you'll loved this series.

8. Goosebumps (1995-1998)

Goosebumps is a Canadian's children horror TV series that I liked the most. I'm a horror fan, anyway. This horror fantasy was based on American author's work, R.L. Stine best selling Goosebumps book series. There were so much stories in this TV series, I don't know how to describe. You should go and watch it by yourself. It's thrilling~

9. Fantaghiro/The Cave of the Golden Rose (1999)

Fantaghiro is an Spanish TV fantasy series, I watch it in English voice-dubbing. I can't lie to you, this series really influence and expand my imagination, which becomes my inspiration nowadays as a writer. The talking stone, magical horse, powerful bow and arrows and rebellious pretty princess that lived in medieval era of castles and armor, what can I ask more? I am really contented.

10. Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2005)

This sitcom is about marriage and family. I used to watch this when I don't know what to watch. It's not so bad actually. I liked Raymond's dumb face whenever he faced some troubles. 

11. X-Files (1993-2002)

You must be crazy if you hate this series. I must say that this series is a cult and a huge masterpiece of science fiction and horror. Dana Scully and Fox Mulder, the two FBI special agents were so synonym with the unexplained and mind bending cases, I should called them as Jack and Sally.

12. Lizzie McGuire (2001-2004)

The series really boost up Hillary Duff's popularity as a Disney star and her cute taste in fashion becomes a huge trend around 2002 (if I'm not mistaken). The interesting part about this series is not about Duff's style or what, but the cartoon character that popped out to support the story line that attract my attention. I think Duff should stay acting, her singing is honestly bad.

@theMaGi2015

ref: www.pastemagazine.com| wikipedia | imdb.com 

Watching Avatar Korra: Book 4 (Balance)

Continue to Book 4.

After spending a whole day 2 days ago, thanks to Animeflavor.com, I was able to complete my 'watching' routine and put an entry about Avatar Korra Book 4, which is Balance.

The Synopsis of Book 4

Book 4 (Balance) is a continuous story from Book 3. After Korra managed to defeat Zaheer, she went paralyzed (both of her legs) and she was lived in frustrated. Although Suyin able to pull out metal poison from her body, Korra still weak and having problems to bend. After Katara helps her to heal at time to time, Korra's feeling still unrest and worried. She didn't realized that she was psychologically injured. She can't entered the spirit world, she saw her evil side with glowing eyes and lonely. At the end, she escaped from her house and decided to come back to Republic City. But soon she reached there, she got scared and stepped back. After wandering at a lot of places, searching her weakness and find peace, she ended herself at the old spiritual Foggy Swamp land (where Aang learned the true connection of the world). Surprisingly, Korra met someone who will make her understand about internal connection strength.

Back to the Earth Kingdom, after the Queen being overthrown, the Republic City counsels chose Suyin to lead Earth Kingdom for temporary. Ever since the Queen died, that land was in terrible chaos. However, Suyin refused to accept the offer because she feels that the one should lead the land is the real heir of Earth royal family. Because Suyin pushed the offers, her protege, Kuvira feels mad and suddenly got patriotic to help her kingdom. So Kuvira went out, take Suyin's elder son and build up an army. Kuvira becomes the Great Uniter and the reign of iron fist began at Earth Kingdom. 

After 3 years without any news, Korra finally come back to stop Kuvira's military force.

The Starting Point in Book 4

The first episode in Book 4 shows the news reporter giving his report about what happened before, during and what happened next. A cutting clip technique is good to remind the previous scene. Although I kinda annoying with that reporter, I begin to like his report now especially when he made a cynical face. This remembrance is the resemblance of Ember Island Players, the episodes of life's understanding and history part. Well, I loved history.


Plus, Mako's humor face while chatting with Prince Wu is a kind of face I wanna see from Mako. A very good starting point for the serious-macho-face Mako.

The Interesting Supporting Characters

Suyin continued as the lead of supporting characters when her city, Zaofu was under attacked by Kuvira's military force. Meanwhile, Opal (Suyin's daughter) and Kai helps Earth people with food supply and settle down few conflicts with thieves but none of it really solved the chaotic situation after the death of the Queen. But the best part is, Korra finally met the one who will help her to understand the internal strength. 

I've seen Katara, I've seen Aang and I've seen Zuko. Finally, the next previous star reappears. Welcome back my favourite character, Toph Beifong! Although Toph is no longer a petite girl (instead, she's an old lady right now) but her crankiness, badass and toughness is still there. And, her powerful bending is still no one can defeat, even Kuvira got shock when she saw Toph attacked her armies. Additional characters that shows improvement is Milo the air-bender who loved to fart, pee and vomit (ew~). Ikki's character is just so-so, but her spiritual energy and mind-strategy is getting much better. Jinora is kinda serious (she's heading to become Lin, perhaps) and Prince Wu, the skimpy Earth heir shows a lot of progress as a leader although his first appearance was unlikable by others. 



In other hand, the witty-clever Varrick reminds me with Sokka. His story-telling is overwhelming, he's the inventor and talks a lot. Nickeledeon, please return Sokka back on-screen. Or at least, tell us a story of his meteorite lost-sword~

The Strong Role of Kuvira

Kuvira was a protege of Suyin Beifong. She was thrown away by her parents, Suyin took her in as a family. Kuvira always had a desire to lead, and she became a most important officer in Metal Clan at Zaofu. After Suyin refused the offer to become a leader in Earth Kingdom, Kuvira step further and held the responsibilities to put balance in Earth Kingdom for 3 years. With her strict orders, discipline, iron fist and military force, people started to worry about her influence. Kuvira began to think that she's better than Avatar.

As the main antagonist, Kuvira's roles show a huge potential of being the most dangerous enemy. Why? Let's see the reason:

• Fire Lord had used Sozin comet to empower his military but he has to wait 100 years to execute his plan (because Sozin comet appears every 100 years). 
• Meanwhile, Amon using his blood bending technique to equalize people but still fragile to the innovation called 'electrical explosion'. 
• Unalaq is kinda danger enemy, using spirits to conquer to world but then, he perished. 
• And Zaheer is addicted with the principal  of 'becoming wind', 'freedom' and 'destruct before peace' but then he got completely chained and lived in prison forever. 

As far as I can see, Kuvira is a combination of Fire Lord + Unalaq, using spirit vines as the absolute weapon. Of course, her ideas of freedom, leadership and equalizing Republic City as the Earth Empire's land shows the influence of Amon and Zaheer. The best part is, Kuvira's signature mole, her sweet cynical face and her 'blinding  and binding' fighting skill is far more dangerous than other enemies (because the previous enemies were men in lead)

The New Appearance of Korra

I think Zaheer's attempt to kill Korra did wonders. Although Korra faced a difficult time to heal physically and mentally, her wisdom also getting better. Her decision to cut her long hair is by far, the best decision. I hate her long pony-tailed hair actually. With her new short hair and new outfit, the essence of being Avatar is much clearer. I also realized that...her chest has been reshaped a bit because in Book 1, her chest is too bountiful as a fighter. Probably the shift of different studio changed the sketch. 

The Ideology in Book 4

Few Korra's fans said that Book 4 has a bit of Evangelion ideology. I guess I don't have to speak about that now.

Book 4 is about balance, and few episodes shows the ideology of balance such as Korra's psychology balance went great thanks to Zaheer's help. Meanwile, Asami also reconciled with his high-treason dad, Hiroshi. Hiroshi even willing to sacrifice in order to defeat Kuvira's new weapon. Bolin who helped Kuvira before also found his path to return to Team Avatar and reconciled with his girlfriend, Opal. Mako and Prince Wu seems to get better to each other although Mako don't liked him at first. During the critical battle, the serious Lin and the estranged Suyin able to work hand to hand, fighting the giant controlled by Kuvira. And the main part of being balanced is how Korra able to get in line with Kuvira's power weapon and open up a new spirit portal at the middle of Republic City. The world's back to a natural order.

The end part of this part can be seen as 'fishy, questionable and doubtful'. It shows Korra held Asami's hand and they looked at each other. Some commentators wrote down that this last episode signify Asami and Korra as a romantic couple, or bisexual or avoid the error of strict divide between 'straight' and 'gay' and lastly, pushing the boundaries of LGBT. It can be true, I can't avoid that. But my other personal opinion would be( I said it again, my personal opinion):

• Asami and Korra just need a space after breaking up with a same guy they loved. 
• Nothing's weird when best friend holding hand. 
• Aang also closed to Zuko. Best friend is of course, close to each other.
• Korra did say in Book 3 that she never had a female friend before. So what's wrong if the writer wants to give Korra a female friend?
• For a girl, to speak problems to the opposite gender can be uncomfortable or touchy. Both must be avoided!
• Asami never went to the spirit world. So if you become Asami, when you step into the spirit world, you would held hand with Korra.
• Or maybe, Korra still in 'mind injured' so it's easy to turn her love to Asami *the end of argument~

Book 4 shows me a lot of potential in storyline. The fighting scene, the battle, the definition of psychological injury, the presence of the enemy and the great teamwork (also the meaningful of family values) is the improvement from the Book 3. I expect to see the great things in Book 5.

@themagi2015

Watching Avatar Korra: Book 3 (Change)

Avatar Aang, my favourite. Avatar Korra? Not sure yet. Let's go back to the earliest book.

The storyline in Book 1 annoys me with Korra's clingy and spoiled attitude. Well, she lived in isolated and protective area, everyone is so concern about her. The only thing that attracts me to watch Book 1 is the mission of Equalizer led by Amon the blood bender. Amon's mask is amazing and surprisingly, blood bending can take away the bending ability. Isn't that crazy awesome?

About the storyline in Book 2, the idea of repeating nature phenomenon, which is harmonic convergence is brilliant. It takes a further step in the world's changing and teaches Korra to become a better avatar. I just don't really fond with Korra's one-way solution without considering other's opinion and in this book, I can see that she's easy to get influence by others (by her uncle, Unalaq) and believed the white lies about her dad without investigating it carefully. Korra is lack of wisdom, perhaps. And the most headache part is, she turned into a blue giant and strike blue light power from her chest (like Ultraman or something like that). If only she just used her blue light power punch and strike like a UFC female fighter, I believe I can take it as the best part.

Okey...the end for the Book 1 and Book 2 review. Now, Book 3

The Short Synopsis

The storyline in Book 3 is about the change they must accept after harmonic convergence. The spirit vines has growing so vast at Republic City and citizen refused to lived together with those vines. Korra tried to settle it down by purify it but she failed. So the president bashed her away from the city. The only great thing that happened about harmonic convergence is the rebirth of lost civilization which is, air nomad. Few non-benders are gifted with air bending ability and they were scattered around the world. After being bashed from the city, Korra set a new purpose in her life; to gathered all new air benders to become once again, a big nation. And Korra and her friends set out a journey to find the new air nomad. But Korra didn't know that there's a group of terrorist try to kidnap her.

Well, it triggers my curiousity~

The Timeline of Book 3

Now, the arrangement of Book 3's story. The starting point in this book a bit slow and a lot of talk, in order to explain why Korra's had to lived in protective area. That's because there's a terrorist group known as Red Lotus and led by the leader named Zaheer (that name is kinda ironic) and followed by the Combustion Girl (the opposite of Sparky Sparky Boom Man in Avatar Aang series), the Lava bender (cool!) and the no-hand water bender (she got style) tried to kidnap Korra but no one knows their purposes. The early episodes are lack of action and when it comes to the middle, action on-screen. Love it.

The Interesting Supporting Characters

The new characters in Book 3 shows a good progress in order to expand the storyline such as Suyin Beifong, the second child of Toph Beifong and the younger sister of Lin Beifong. Suyin, the leader of the Zaofu city and the Metal Clan is one of a kind lady. Rebellious, thief and mischief in her past life, I can't blame Suyin because she got that from Toph. Meanwhile, Lin is the opposite of Suyin, growing up as a strict, discipline and serious woman (and she got that too from Toph, Toph was a strict sifu before). The additional character that comes from the early series is my man, Lord Zuko in his old age. Thanks Nickeledeon by showing Zuko back to us. Kuvira, Suyin's protege has shown a bit little in this book but you'll be surprise with her mind full of tricks. Oh, don't forget Eska and Desna, they helped Korra to prevent the no-hand water bender after being bored sitting on their northern water tribe's throne. What a cousin~

The Idea of Zaheer's Mission

And back to the Zaheer's plot to kidnap Korra again when they managed to escape from the high-security prison. Because of harmonic convergence, Zaheer, who was a non-bender became an air-bender. As I can see and evaluate, Zaheer is so deep in his new power and too absorb in air-nomad teaching. Later, it shows that Zaheer wants to kidnap Korra and killed her when she's in Avatar state so Avatar is no longer be reborn in the future. Zaheer's mission is based on air nomad ideology which is- to lived peace there must be a destruction, people can lived by their own and leader is no longer need. And that's how the tyranny big-blabber mouth Earth Queen ended her life (Zaheer choked her but I'm okay with that). Ow, ow, the best part about Zaheer's committed beliefs has unlocked the ancient practice in air nomad- elevating without using the staff. He can fly!

The Changes in Relationships

The storyline in Book 3 has shown a lot of good changes in Bolin 's love-interest towards Opal (Suyin's daughter) and Bolin's humour began to get better than before (especially when he acted as his grandma and the last sentence is- and she died is funny). Suyin, the additional character becomes the major part in Korra's life as her metal bender sifu (which declares Korra as the first metal bender avatar) and somehow I hope that Korra will learn the other bending technique, which is lava bending. Jinora shows a lot of improvement and she deserved to get her blue-grandmaster tattoo and Kai, her good friend reminds me with Aang. While Asami, (the girl that annoys Korra before) becomes Korra's new best friend as Korra never had a girl as a friend before. Actually, I do appreciate Asami's effort to help Korra while she in danger and saved Korra's life many times- and she's a pretty engineer and business pioneer too. What to lose, right? The writer's decision to set aside the love-triangle is a good choice.

The Battle: Standing shoulder to shoulder with Avatar Aang

And the last part in my blabbing review, the last harrowing battle is the reminisce of Aang's final battle with Fire Lord. Great fight, indeed. As the avatar in new age, lived in a protective area, always get what she wants and was proud with her abilities before, Korra's attitude has a lot of improvement as she realized about a lot of things. She realized as the Avatar, she's surrounded by fragility, danger and hatred. When Zaheer poisoned her with metal liquid, it crushed her internal part inside and went paralyzed. She also engaged with severe trauma such as: Amon wants to equalize (take Korra's bending by force), Unalaq wants to lead (put Korra under influence and betrays her later) and Zaheer wants freedom (kidnap Korra and try to kill her when she's in Avatar state). The constant fragility, danger and hatred puts Korra in distress but as the theme of this book is Change and Taoist motto said that, "the is constant change...", the hardwork in this Book 3 shows the real changes, which is the Avatar itself.


@themagi2015