Yep she had the appropriate hair and skin-tone.

Yes, everything about this season is much more diverse and varied. The characters, the bending, the locations, etc.

One thing I love is that when Tenzin airbends he is very…sort of meditative about it. He doesn't just do various stances, he closes his eyes and has his other hand set in a certain position close to his body.

Yeah it was an emotional moment for Tenzin at the end. Simmons' voice acting really brings out the strength of his character.

I wouldn't even be mad if Zuko's daughter is also voiced by Grey DeLisle ;D

Remember, Zuko referred to [The Red Lotus] as some of the strongest and most dangerous benders alive (alone, when combined they could take down the whole world).

Yeah the Kai ending scene was needless and really detracted from the weight of the Tenzin fade away.

You can't really blame them. The Red Lotus had the element of surprise and Bumi is hardly adept at airbending. I daresay Kya is less battle-worn than Ming Hua is and Tenzin WAS beating Zaheer. He was only brought down when the Red Lotus in its entirety focused on him.

The fight's animation seemed as smooth and awe-inspiring to me online as it has on TV. *shrugs*

That was one of the best fight scenes in all of Avatar. The music resonated, the pacing heightened the characters' predicaments, the animation was simply breathtaking and exhilarating.