<p>We know that when the term was first coined, a majority of analysts applied it only to fan-created characters. The article you linked specifically says "Originally, the term used to apply exclusively to fanfiction." Then over time it started to gradually be used more widely. But those wider uses have still not been accepted by enough analysts to justify incorporating them into the definition. Just the simple fact that there's <i>this</i> <i>much</i> controversy about it is indicative of that. Until there is a consensus on that, the proper way to conduct an analysis on the topic is to fall back to the last definition that was firmly established by a majority. </p>

<p>A sex therapist. Who dismisses all available research on inbreeding depression as "scare tactics." Right, & I'm the Queen of England. </p> <div class="quote"><i>(There was some question as to whether or not she was a parody, so I looked it up. And the author was, in fact, snarking stories in which ridiculous over-the-top original characters immediately win every heart the author deems worth winning, save the day repeatedly, and—as often as not—die at the end because they're too good for this sinful universe.)</i></div>
<p>Yeah, now that I look again, it says that right on the page. </p>

<p>God save the queen! </p><p>Soooo, yeah, Jinora. Maybe Pema was Mr. Spock's daughter. </p>

<div class="quote"><i> <p>Weltall8000 wrote: God save the queen! </p><p>Soooo, yeah, Jinora. Maybe Pema was Mr. Spock's daughter. </p> </i></div>
<p>And she dodecawields lightsabers. </p>

<p style="font-weight:normal;">I sense some projected jealousy/insecurity/hate toward a fictional character that's not entirely healthy... :P</p> <p style="font-weight:normal;">Real talk though, I can see how Jinora sometimes comes off as deus ex machina in ways that doesn't entirely make sense, but then again, neither does the whole 'spirit world' business. Trying to apply real-world logic to powers beyond our understanding is kind of moot, don't you think? So she has weird and oddly timely spirit powers that manifests at convienient times... but honestly that's not Jinora's fault, she was born with these weird things (decided by the creators of the show). I can see why people would take issue with that but I find the degree of vitriolic hate disproportional. Heck, the Avatar is a character born with the spirit of Raava and the ability to bend all sorts of weird things that's overpowered by standard of the show itself (even Zaheer said the Avatar's power is limitless). So why don't people find the whole premise of superpowers overrated? Also, if you want to nitpick, Jinora isn't the only one who all of a sudden discovers powers at critical moments, Bolin did too. There wasn't any indication on why he would be or should be able to lavabend but voila, he lavabent at the most opportune time.</p> <p style="font-weight:normal;">At the end of the day, it's fiction, it's a kids show. The "good guys" are suppose to be able to beat the "bad guys" and somehow (doesn't always need to make perfect sense) always save the world. It's an escape from real world where things can actually not work out and sometimes "bad" things do happen to "good" people. And the point of the series isn't who has what powers when, it's friendship and personal growth and how we can deal more kindly with each other, to empathise no matter our disagreements. So how about let's not over-analyze every detail and every character, and let's put hate aside and celebrate what the show is truly about? Just a thought.</p>

<p>Jinora is an atrociously superfluous character whose entire contribution to the series consists of two actions, one of which came entirely out of left field and one of which was sketchy: her contribution to Vaatu's defeat and her mysterious knowledge that the Red Lotus was using mercury to poison Korra respectively. </p><p>Also, she has poor taste in men. </p><p>However, I wouldn't go so far as to say she sucks. Even a superfluous character can be charming at times. </p>

"Mysterious." Mercury has a very distinct appearance.

She did also find the kidnapped airbenders which really kickstarted the new Air Nation... I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss all her contributions as "superfluous". But I can understand how people might take issue with how the creators sometimes used her as deus ex Jinora. xD

I tend to not even notice Jinora until someone complains about her.

<p>Jinora is my Nr 1 Fave character in LoK. My only complaints are her not helping New Team Avatar via book smarts in Book 1, us not seeing Book 2 from Jinora's POV aside from the Wa Shi Tong part, an' the way she was instantly crushing on & later dating Kai; woulda preferred it if he'd been left out in early Book 3 & she'd instead played his role as it wouldn't require much tweaking to work (Kai could still be her friend, but I'd have liked it if their frindship started out a bit differently). Instead of Kai, a Jinora dressed in Earth Kingdom clothes coulda been caught & she'd have 1st tried to gather information about the secret airbender army before letting Korra know a few hours later via Astral Projection when in her cell. When I was watching that Episode, (despite my love of Kai's amusing personality & impressive skills) I couldn't help seeing this scenario play out instead. </p><p>There's also the way Jinora STAYED ON AIR TEMPLE ISLAND INSTEAD OF TRAVELLING THE WORLD HELPING PEOPLE WITH KAI & OPAL, which pisses me off big time coz she's supposed to be the semi-leader of her new people but doesn't DO anything for 3 years. That coulda been easily prevented by e.g. carrying on from her mild confrontation & heart-to-heart with Tenzin in Book 3; she'd argue with him again, this time about needing to be as example to their people due to her position as the semi-leader while he's (completely correctly) worried about her safety after that fiasco with Zaheer, an' then either convince him to let her go or runs away Toph-style coz she's feeling very guilty for having been useless (aside from finding the kidnapped airbenders & that tornado thing; those were awesome) in Book 3. Voila, character development! An' it'd sorta parallel Korra's like how Zuko's more or less parallelled Aang's in 'Avatar: The Last Airbender'. </p><p>What cha think? </p>