*Whistles* I haven't been here in a while. I blame summer semester and Mickey D's eating my time. However, I have been watching the Legend of Korra and commenting on it greatly in my head. Recently, I got a fellow dojo-buddy into it. He saw the first two episodes and said it wasn't as good. Here, I copy and paste my response to his email.
(Begin)
I must say I wholeheartedly disagree. I will break down your important points.
"I still feel like it lacks the wit and humor of the Last Airbender"
As times change (as in the present and in the show's universe) what is considered funny also does. That is not refuting anything, just an observation on the perception of change and the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia. What is 'wit' and 'humor' is partially and issue similar to Congress's definition of pornography--"I know it when I see it."
"Bolin does not by any means live up to the hilarity of Sokka"
Bolin and Sokka are two separate characters with two different roles. In my opinion, their roles in the show (not counting in-universe) are foil (Korra's foil that is) to Mako's serious nature developed in adaptation to street life (versus Korra's rather sheltered life) and a mirror of Korra's fun-loving nature without the burden of being an Avatar, while Sokka is comic relief and a non-bender's perspective on the then-heavily bender-ruled world.
"I think the plot is kind of transparent"
Transparency does not always mean bad. From the viewer's standpoint, we are familiar enough with cliches to point them out, but the characters don't have that perspective of all of the presented plot. In addition, referencing my next point, hindsight is twenty-twenty, to use another cliche.
"The power-hungry councilman was a lying bad guy?"
Power and ambition does not necessarily mean evil (*coughcough*Slytherin*coughcough*). At first, Tarlokk struck me as an ambitious, though relatively normal power-seeker just looking to make his own living comfortable and to pursue his own goals. Only later in the show was his parentage and special skills revealed. In addition, his convincing nature and ability to round up all non-benders is a parallel of Nazi Germany (a cliche to us, but there is no Germany in the Avatar world) leads a frightening parallel to what happened in history. The show is aimed at children, who may not always pick this up, but their parents have a much greater chance of seeing this, adding a darker tone to the series.
"And the wealthy industrialist was too?!"
As stated before, power and ambition don't always lead to evil. Mr. Sato's offer was portrayed in a manner to not make it look like cover, but a generous investment benefiting both the Fire Ferrets and Future Industries. I have to agree, the firebender killing Ms. Sato was a bit cliche, but I hoped that Mr. Sato would have the sense to see that not all benders are evil, given time to recuperate of course. Going along with previous statements, evaluating past episodes with the perspective of recent ones can always twist our thinking into picking out little tidbits that may not mean much.
"the voice talent is lacking"
That is simple opinion. New does not always mean bad.
"the animation is more like your traditional run-of-the-mill anime"
From what I have read from critics, the art is said to be a stunning combination of Eastern and Western animation, paralleling the East and West combination of the two Avatar series. There are elements of both in Avatar, making it unique.
"I feel like the whole thing is just for the most part just kind of cliche"
As TV Tropes is famous for saying, tropes used responsibly can enhance a story.
Now on to my own points.
Amon
In my opinion, Amon is like a combination of Hitler and Big Brother. Amon is a great orator, raising a crowd to an uproar for a point that is actually valid, if not accomplished in the best ways. Yes, benders do have an advantage that non-benders can ever hope to achieve in any way. This philosophy of power and its use is a deep thought point for the show. Yes, benders have oppressed non-benders for years, causing nearly every war (the war between Oma and Shu's villages is one that was not--the lovers learned earthbending from the badger moles). Yes, they can use their abilities to harm others, but many use them to help. Even if they become irrelevant to society, they are like bows and arrows to today's guns--an important part of culture and useful for other things. For example, waterbending for healing, earthbending for fast, simple building construction, firebending's lightning generation for clean power, and airbending for its peaceful manner of disarming opponents, with or without wind. A parallel would be Germany's great history tarnished by the events of World War I, using the second World War to get revenge and feel better by using scapegoats, similar to Amon. Both Hitler and Amon have valid points, but oppressing another group of people, be it Jews or non-benders.
Now on to the Big Brother portion. As he has demonstrated time and time again in the series that he is a superb planner, evasive, and highly observant, both personally and with his spies around the city. He seems to be many steps ahead of the Krew and the city's official forces, as well as conspirators within the city such as Tarlokk. Again, he rallies the crowd to a cause which on the surface is amazing (i.e., socialism so everyone is equal, stripping away an innate part of oneself to make them equal, etc.), but with great flaws that can be overlooked by some people with differing outlooks.
Mako
If any character is a bit bland so far, it would be Mako. Why is Korra interested? Is it because he's a attractive and a good bender? His personality does not seem like much more than a nice guy who turned a bit cynical, a less extreme Zuko one may say. Mako's good points are a nice foil to his brother and Korra, with the addition of a sense of levelheadedness to the Krew. Mako's decent, but needs a bit more development which I think he will get in the last three episodes.
Bolin
Now this is a good character from the series. Similar to Korra, he keeps up a shield of bravado, but breaks down like a normal human under stress, like when he thought he was going to lose not only a part of himself, but his earthbending livelihood that kept him off the streets. He may be dramatic at points, but some people are like that. To some, it is endearing, while to others, irritating, just like in real life. He talks to Pabu in a manner suggesting that he wishes he was taken more seriously, but enjoys a touch of lightness to diffuse a difficult situation.
Asami
Asami's okay. Too many people in these two series have been killed by firebenders. Why can't a nonbender or some other bender be a murderer for a change? Yep, she has a nice strength to her (shown through her defeat of the Lieutenant and her rejection of her father) countered by a slight naievety from a privileged upbringing, but she hasn't had enough airtime to be much more than a love interest, though like Mako, she still has a chance.
Naga
Naga is one of my gripes. In the first serious, the dang spirit companion of the Avatar was a lot more important, not just a failed ride and a prank. The personality shown in the first episode had the nice cross between almost-human intelligence and animal instinct (like Appa), but she has not been shown much. Part of the issue is essentially a giant dog in the rather tiny streets of a young city, but she should have some personality bits here or there.
Future Aang, Toph, and Sokka
Thank goodness Toph kept a little bit of her humor. I understand a police force needs some decorum, but I enjoyed the mild jibes that occur between Aang and Toph. Aang lost a bit too much of his normal enthusiasm. This was probably not a normal scene for him, but I expected a little something out of the pre-arrest scene.
Sokka...is Sokka. Yes, he turned out a lot like his father, Hakoda. He can be serious, with a sense of humor and a magnetic speaking quality, such as with his explanation of atypical benders.
Yakone
Yakone is a 'must...know...more...' point for me. Bloodbending in the daylight nowhere near a full moon?! For all I know, he's a descendant of Hama, the original bloodbender.
Overall, I can see on a shallow level why you say it does not live up to Aang's journey, as there isn't as much exploration of the world, jokes, and a typical black-and-white plot that is loved by many. However, I believe that due to the multiple levels of plot and the food for thought arisen by Korra's legend (not to mention it breaking the 'adventure to learn' cliche in a nice manner), this darker tale with fascist and socialist references makes it superior as a standalone, but both are excellent cartoons together and apart.
(End)
On the side, Borra is adorable.
~ 
