Well I don't know about you guys, but I've been in shock ever since the finale.  I'm not gonna spoil it for anybody who hasn't seen it, but it was sure one giant thrill-ride which ended in a very unpredictable way.

Anyway, I am currently dissatisfied with some people on TV.com and elsewhere.  They insist they know when the season will start.  Some sites say March, some say in the New Year (as was reported at PMX).  However, my very reliable contact at Nick tells me that if the creators said the new season would start "with the new year" that they misspoke.  The first episode of the season won't even be completed until April of next year, making it impossible for the show to come back with new episodes in January or March.

Yet still people seem to not listen.  Well they will all be disappointed next year when there's no new Avatar when they expected.  Kind of like when I was telling everybody it was Azula and not Zula last year during the break between seasons 1 and 2.  And I was proved correct, of course.  Not that I like to toot my own horn or anything.

So as far as the site goes, I am going to work on the new nation-themed skins and should be ready within the next couple weeks.  The Character Guide will be changed up a bit, and more updates will come throughout the winter.  We'll also have those spoilers I promised right here!

I have been thinking and with the whole recent hoopla over Youtube, I am thinking of allowing fan-made Avatar-themed music videos on DF.  I'll have to think about how it would work, among other things.  Let me know in the C-Box how you feel.

Yep, the Avatar season 2 finale is almost here!  Just hours away!~  As most of you all know I'm also editor of Avatar at TV.com (pooldude256) and I have been pounded over there with threads and threads of Zutarians cherring and Kataangs keeping faith.  Finally, though, we are going to get some answers!  Then the forums will be even more crazier!

Anyway, I know I promised updates by the finale.  Well doesn't this count as an update?  No.  Pfft...whatever.  I'm way behind on my bios and just about everything else.  But once the finale airs I am going to work to get things finally up to date and things ready for the next season!

As promised I am going to squeeze some teasers out about the new season, as well as some episode titles!  It definitely won't be anything huge or giant spoilers about the season finale or anything, but I'll have some stuff periodically during our hiatus, which will likely end in late April/early May (as the first episode of the season won't be completed until April).

If you guys want to discuss the finale here on the C-Box that is very much acceptable!  That's what it's there for!  I recommend though that if you're west coast and the airing will occur after the rest of the country sees it, that you don't do the double-tasking and just come here after it airs to discuss it so nothing's spoiled.  You can discuss before, during and after if you want!

Well obviously I haven't updated in a while, and I'M SORRY!  Since we last talked Nick aired an AWESOME episode of Avatar with the most thrilling twist I've seen in a TV show in a while (at least it was for me - I know many "predicted" it so were far less surprised, oh well, they're loss!).  Obviously ifyou haven't seen "The Earth King" you don't know what the heck I'm talking about, and I definitely won't spoil it for you.    It's a pretty good twist!

There has also been much buzz on forums across the online community where the fandom have either been cheering Zutara, trying to disprove the Zutarians and say Kataang will happen, or not caring at all and just freaking out at the last episode.  I'm with the latter.  I don't support any ships on this show, but realize there will be something that happens.  Some people (not mentioning any names) are real serious about their ships, though,  Personally I don't want Kataang or Zutara.  I'm quite fond of the Mai/Zuko pairing, though, but that's about it.  Again I don't support any ship, but if I would that would probably be the one ;-) .

Now that all that nonsense is done with.  On to site matters.  I feel bad for not doing any updates recently.  I PROMISE I'll do some by the finale.  That Destinations section I was telling you about before will probably be here at some point.  It does take some time to write.  I've already gotten a few of them done.  Also, there will be some new skins.  I'll be putting them together shortly and they should be live within a week.  Graphics for these were done by none other than our fellow admin pianist (who does basically all of our graphical stuff - if it has color and is not a screen cap!)!

A couple weeks ago I bought the Avatar video game.  I'm pretty disappointed.  Not only are the graphics pretty muchcrap, but the game doesn't even follow the same storyline as the show.  You don't meet characters in the same way either.  I was hoping for new adventures and new characters.  NOT a ripped off version of the show!  I wouldn't spend more than $20 (which is what I bought it for), though I have seen it for as much as $40!  I personally don't think it's worth it...

EDIT: I just received some information.  It may not seem important at all, but Joaquim Dos Santos, who joined the team as a storyboarder late this season, is actually a director next season.  Source.  Unless the creators decided to go with four directors again, this means one of our beloved directors will be leaving after this season ends, similar to Dave Filoni leaving at the end of season 1.  Ethan Spaulding took his place.  Anywho, Joaquim is a famous director from Justice League Unlimited, and directed some kick(butt) action scenes!  So he'll fit in right with our show!

 As was revealed by myself on TV.com, the title for episode 2.20 is "The Crossroads of Destiny."  When I first heard this title, it definitely intriuged my interest, more than anything else I've seen on Avatar.  What could this title mean?  Aang's destiny as Avatar, or perhaps another character's destiny?  And the crossroads - somebody could be reaching their breaking point?!  It's gonna be an awesome rest of the season.

I'm disappointed to say today that Nick.com has yet again messed up with our precious Avatar.  For those counting, that's now the foruth screw-up (including two "leaks" and a schedule mess up) Nick.com has errored in the past 3 months.  I still haven't been able to figure out how they posted a complete episode online on TurboNick a week before it airs on TV and didn't notice it for days!  In fact, had I not contacted my Nick contact, it may still be up there!  Geez!  The episode is on Youtube now, though, but I encourage you to wait until this Friday's airing if you haven't seen it yet.  I haven't seen it yet and don't plan on until Friday night.  PLEASE tune in Friday even if you have seen it, it will be worth it!

On a sort of related note, co-creators Mike DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko continue to earn their nod as Best Show Creators Ever by stopping by the Pacific Media Expo this past Saturday.  They answered questions from the audience, had an autograph session, and even took pictures with Avatar cosplayers!  There are several reports on Livejournal.com now of reports of this event, so check those out.  Among the highlights (highlight for a minor spoiler): In the season finale, Mike said Katara and Zuko will be trapped in a cave together, but it won't be like the Cave of Two Lovers!  Also season 3 is supposed to start with the New Year.  I'm still trying to get confirmation on what exactly that means.  Oh, and there's an Airbender Avatar named Susan (revealed by Bryan - I think he was kidding!),

At about 6:30 last night I received a reply from someone at Nick whom I had contacted regarding the issue of scheduling.  According to this person, the schedule for the rest of the season is going to look like this, subject to change:

11/3 - "Lake Laogai"

11/17 - "The Earth King"

12/1 - "The Guru" and 2.20

My source did stress that it is subject to change.  Apparently, "Lake Laogai" is a can't miss episode, at least according to my "insider".  You'll want to fire up the biggest TV in your house, turn all the lights out, make some popcorn, hide the remote and enjoy!  You have to catch this episode!