A Hugo for Korra
I’ve done my own award eligibility post, talking about Invisible. Now I want to push something else, because I believe this past season of Legend of Korra deserves to be on the Hugo ballot.
I wasn’t familiar with Avatar: The Last Airbender when the first season of Legend of Korra came out, but I watched a few episodes of Korra, and I was hooked. Then I went back to watch Avatar. By the time I finished, I was a hardcore fanboy for life.
The Legend of Korra has had its ups and downs. I wasn’t as happy with season two, but season three started to turn things around.
And then the fourth and final season came out last year, despite some bumps and troubles from the network, and holy crap! This season was amazing. The artwork and animation was gorgeous, showing the blend of our world with the spirit world. The story took on PTSD and empire-building and compassion and redemption and family and war and so much more, and it avoided going for easy answers or resolutions. And then there was that final episode, where the writers finally Did the Thing!
I want Korra to win a rocket. I suspect the odds are against it, but I firmly believe this show and its creators have earned a spot on that ballot.
The Hugo Award Categories address serialized TV works:
Works such as TV series, comics and sometimes even whole novels are sometimes published in multiple parts making up a complete story arc. The individual elements of such a story arc are always eligible for their year of publication. However, voters may want to nominate a complete story arc. In such cases it is the publication date of the final installment of the series that counts for eligibility purposes.
Season four aired between October and December of 2014, so both the full season and all individual season four episodes are eligible for the Hugo.
I believe the entire season deserves to be nominated:
Best Dramatic Presentation (Long Form): Legend of Korra, Season Four. Created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko
I would also encourage people to nominate individual episodes for the Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form) category, if you have a favorite. To be honest, I’m still struggling to try to pick one. I’m leaning toward the final two episodes. And since you can nominate up to five things in each category, why not both?
Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form): Legend of Korra, “Day of the Colossus.” Written by Tim Hedrick.
Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form): Legend of Korra, “The Last Stand.” Written by Michael Dante DiMartino.
ETA: A number of people are also recommending the second episode, which directly addresses Korra’s trauma and PTSD. I agree that this was one of the strongest episodes of a very strong season.
Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form): Legend of Korra, “Korra Alone.” Written by Michael Dante DiMartino.
I think Avatar: The Last Airbender was one of the best shows to ever go on television, and in it’s final season, I think Korra finally matched the quality, the artistry, the thoughtfulness, the storytelling, and the power of its predecessor.
If you’re eligible to nominate, I’d encourage you to check the show out (if you haven’t already), and to add it to your ballot.
Please feel free to link and share this post.
J
January 16, 2015 @ 6:07 pm
Best Dramatic Presentation (Long Form) is a crowded field this year. I don’t know if I can bump The Lego Movie for Legend of Korra.
But I’m totally cool with nominating an episode or two of Legend of Korra in the Best Doctor Who Episode category. It’s way better than Game of Sexploitation.
Dara Korra'ti
January 16, 2015 @ 8:01 pm
I would also suggest “Korra, Alone” for short form.
SmileyPillow
January 17, 2015 @ 1:46 am
(Apologies if this is a stupid question)
The page says that:
“If an individual installment of a story arc achieves a nomination on its own then the complete story arc will probably be ruled ineligible if nominated.”
In that case, wouldn’t nominating individual episodes reduce the chances that the entire story/arc could successfully be nominated?
SmileyPillow
January 17, 2015 @ 2:04 am
Ack–by which I meant, wouldn’t nominating individual episodes of Korra make it less likely that the whole season could be nominated. Sorry for being unclear.
Ira
January 17, 2015 @ 10:10 pm
Thanks for this! From the comments, I agree that Long Form is crowded this year, and also agree that “Korra Alone” is also a worthy nominee from Short Form. The episode has already been nominated in at least one other poll ( http://www.ign.com/lists/best-of-television/episode ). The two finale episodes are great, and the very last episode is especially important because of Korra and Asami’s relationship, but “Korra Alone” represents a wrenching, painful, and sensitive portrayal of PTSD and recovery, and may be less overwhelming for non-viewers to watch than the jam-packed finale.
Ira
January 17, 2015 @ 10:58 pm
Ah, here’s a more comprehensive link with awards for Korra, including “Korra Alone”
http://nickanimationstudio.tumblr.com/post/108032062525/you-voted-the-legend-of-korra-won-ign-official
Jim C. Hines
January 18, 2015 @ 8:05 pm
Thanks, all – I’ve updated the post to include “Korra Alone” in the short form recommendations!
Terry O'Brien
January 21, 2015 @ 12:19 pm
Hugos? Sure, I’m all for that, but why stop there?
I’m talking Primetime Emmy Awards. Animated Program. Art Direction. Main Title Design. Main Title Music. Music Composition. Sound Editing. Children’s Programming. (I was looking for one for sound effects but I didn’t see one.)I feel they should have a shot at all of these. (There is also an award for Outstanding Narrator and Outstanding Voiceover. I’m still trying to figure out which would apply, if not both.)