This episodes starts in present time.
But before I go further, I would just like to say there was a point in this episode I thought I was watching Mui Siu Ching's series because it was so very noisy. Will tell you where it is.
Anyway, continue ...
Wai Lan was at home, uncle rushed to her and said loudly that Leung ran away. For what purpose he did that I do not know because later we know the uncle was actually very close to them. Wai Lan seemed non plussed. Leung and all siblings came home and Wai Lan asked "Did you run away?" which is a stupid question considering he was back and if he wanted to really run away why would he return? Uncle stood between them and poked fire, calling Leung liar when he denied until Tong dismissed him. They really don't respect the uncle. Kuen LOUDLY and I emphasise LOUDLY said, like this "MOTHER!!!!!!!!!!! LEUNG!!!!!!! BOUGHT YOU SOME GIFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HA!!!!!! HA!!!!!!!!! HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!" (Shirley, shouting does not equate to being cute!) and uncle said "I bought that!" and Tong said "That's by Leung! Yours is.. not here!" and uncle said "WHAT?! WHERE'S MINE?!" and we have chaos as in everybody happily arguing and all and rushed outside as Wai Lan who loved to talk to herself said in her mind "The gift was actually bought by Cheung, and yet these silly children protecting Leung lied. This family would have been together fully if not for mistaken words..."
And blast to the past, 1912.
Tak was having a hard time thanks to Fa who was intent on bullying him. In anger he did his kung fu thing again with his spear and again he got her clothes. Maybe this time is deliberate? She quickly caught him red handed and complained to Biu who again couldn't shut her up. Tak almost had it with her insulting him when he confessed "I was too into my own world, remembering my past, I didn't know I destroyed her clothings at all" and Fa sneered "Your past is exactly that; the past. You think you're someone great? You are no longer that someone! You're a nobody! You're useless!" and Tak lost his patience and said "SHUT UP!!" but Shing held him back and whispered "Mother has always been that way. Let her be, don't be angry for this, rise above this" and Biu finally said "Tak, you are still in the wrong. Apologise to your "si mou" now" but Tak very angry walked forward and said "Apologise? I was a "mou jong yuen" (graduate of martial arts, literally or rather someone picked to be the best fighter amonst the many participants), apologise to her? This spear has followed me since before I entered the competition. It has seen through my glory and has accompanied me through the bad times. If you so mind what I did..." and he broke the spear into half which shocked everyone and he said "Here it is, I shall no longer use this spear!!" and Biu looked at him and said "I am disappointed with you. One criticism and your reaction is so severe!" and he walked away. Tak of course harboured a deep hatred.
Next day or sometime later, not sure before or after this, everyone having dinner and Tak saw Fa walking up the ladder to pay respect to the ancestor on the huge altar. At night, still being very petty, he broke one of the steps on the ladder. Next day, indeed Fa stepped on that, fell down and fainted. Everyone was concerned but Tak was smiling.
Pause here.
A villain so petty can never be a great villain.
Back to present and uncle can't sleep because the house was very noisy and he went to see and indeed, like a scene out of Moonlight Resonance, everybody was so darn noisy! Uncle angry stomped off and then when he kept hearing the song "cha siu bao" he rushed back and loudly declared "I have decided, to sell this place and you can all sing all you want!!!" and we see the 3 brothers dressed as women and singing "cha siu bao" and circling the uncle who couldn't helped but laughed and then danced along with them.
Pause here.
Really? Seriously? Come on!! This scene was super noisy, super messy, badly written and awful just so to show how close they all are when I have seen such a scene like too many times in the other producer's series. I find it OTT, way OTT when I saw the 3 guys dressed as women, Tong included and now I am expected to take him seriously as the leader, respected master, etc? Give him a bit of dignity. I know, he can joke with his siblings but the same can be achieved by showing him with his mum laughing at their antics to show how mature he is and yet how close. After all he practically is the man of the house when his father and brother went missing.
Continue, Wai Lan perpetually talking to herself thought "These children, they can still joke about one another and not take any offense. Who would have thought one harmless joke could be the beginning of my family's downfall..."
and back to the past.
Is it gonna be this way all the time? Whatever happened present is directly related or illustrated by the past?
Tak was walking past a shop and saw a very good quality spear. He wanted to buy it but the shop owner refused and said "You can show me first whether you can lift it!" since the spear was made of iron and he did and in the process always destroying something, this time nearby several logs of woods. The owner was impressed and said "I have never wanted to sell this spear because I can never find a man deemed fit to own it. Now I found that man. I will sell it to you! I will normally sell it for $200. But I shall let you name the price!" and Tak hesitated and said "I will not take advantage of your generosity. I will buy this for $100" and the owner said "DEAL!"
Tak rushed back, tried to find Shing to borrow money but Shing was out and so he went to the drawers and helped himself to $100 and quickly left. Fa saw everything.
He came home, with the spear and saw Shing sitting there looking glum and he quickly said "Shing, look! Look what I bought! An iron spear, for $100, what a bargain! Oh by the way, I..." and before he can finish his sentence Fa came rushing out and at her bitchiest said "I will tell you how he got that spear! He stole from the drawers!!!" and everyone was out now, even Biu and Tak said "Stole? I didn't steal. I wanted to ask you personally Shing but you weren't home so I had to just take the money first. I will repay you" and Shing said "It doesn't matter whether you asked or if you don't. The fact is you took from the drawers, that money does not belong to me but to this association. And I myself could hardly afford $100, how can you afford that luxurious spear?" and Tak shocked that Shing wasn't backing him up didn't say much when Fa continued on and on and on about how she knew he was a thief, and most damning of all "Still living in your own glorious past! Your glorious past is over!! You are an idiot! You think by holding that spear you are your old self? Wake up you thieving idiot!" and Tak very angry said "Sifu, I will repay the money, for an entire year you can deduct from my salary and I swear I will spend my days teaching the students diligently! I will write you an I.O.U now!" and as he walked in Biu said "You will write it here. You will write whatever I dictate and I will frame it up and put it in the hall. You will no longer teach your students, you have failed to appreciate the art of ethics and everytime the students walk into the hall they shall see that framed note and will learn how not to be you!"
Pause here.
Whilst I think I agree with Biu being angry and all, the way he put it was wrong. Tak sincerely wanted to repay the money, he wasn't stealing per se eventhough the way he thought he can take that money as of right is wrong and Biu with what he said basically insulted Tak to the core. I don't see how Biu is a respectable kung fu master. He can't even control his wife, his students, anyone.
Tak angrily looked at his sifu and said emotionally "Fine. If I shall beg or die of hunger, I will never return to this damn place!" and taking his spear he ran out but paused and said to Shing "I still see you as my friend. I will repay you every month!" and ran off whilst Shing cried "Brother! Brother!"
Poor Tak. A few months later he looked like he was suffering. He met with Shing for lunch, and Shing asked "How are you?" and he replied "Fine, I am working at the pier" but he didn't look fine. Shing concerned asked "The pier? Those places are controlled by gangsters. You must be careful!" and Tak said "Don't you worry, I am fine and here is the $10". And Tak repaid $10 and Shing said "You don't have to rush with the repayment"
Shing is a nice guy.
Tak said "No, I promised, so here it is" and Shing had to leave and wanted to pay for Tak's bowl of porridge which was 10 cents but Tak said "I can still afford this" and so Shing left but a few paces later turned back and saw Tak rummaging his pockets for money and mumbling "Where is my 30 cents? I thought I had it somewhere..." and finally found his entire fortune of 30 cents and smilingly paid the 10 cents and left. Shing felt wretched.
Pause here.
I am curious as to their relationship. Was Tak the oldest student of Biu who went out to win the martial art competition organised by the emperor? That means they went way back to childhood?
Shing went home and did some exercise on the wooden whatever. Lame kung fu time. Wai Lan passed by and lovingly wiped his sweat as they discussed their 2 young sons who liked ot sleep more than practice kung fu.
Pause here.
This was like the very first time I see them actually touching one another or rather Tavia touching Kevin. But I feel no intimacy. And does Kevin look like a father of 5 young chidren? No. Not at all.
Anyway continue..
Wai Lan asked "How is 1st brother?" and Shing said "The last I know is he worked for a few days somewhere and then left abruptly. I may have learned the martial arts style but until I met brother, I never knew what a natural talent is. He was the natural talent." and suddenly Pai Jeong (the one who in ep 1 got scolded by Biu who is also a cop) rushed in and stammered "I found 1st Brother! He has been arrested by the police, for stealing!!" and so they rushed to him.
We see Tak, tied up and being beaten very very severely, the police making him confess to being a pickpocket but he refused. Shing rushed in and the police knew Shing as Biu was once his master too if I am not mistaken and even were their family's doctor. Shing said quietly "You think you can let him go? Here is some money..." and the police said "I can't. This idiot when to work at the pier and stole the local gangster's business so we were ordered to arrest him. He resisted arrest and beat up my men, one of whom is the *somebody powerful*'s son. I am under orders" and Shing said to Wai Lan "Rush home now and bring back more money".
Next scene, we see Biu rummaging for money and asked Fa "Didn't I give you $30 for some jewelery? Let me have those first!" and Fa said "WHAT? For that idiot? No!" and Biu said "I said give now, I didn't say I won't return later. Come on" and Fa reluctantly did and Biu and Wai Lan rushed to the police.
Biu walked in and Tak saw Biu and Biu smiled and said "Here is $200. Take it and I will hold a banquet to apologise to your fellow men later" and the police said "I can't accept this, I am sorry" and Biu insisted and said "I know you can settle this for me. I never said no to you so please, help an old master" and the police said "I will try"
Next scene, the banquet and Tak holding a cup of tea for a powerful man (I suppose the father who may be the police chief? I am confused about the ranks) and said "Thank you for saving my life" and the police dude said "You should thank your master" and Tak went to sit. Biu thanked him back and suddenly the powerful guy wanted Biu to perform some kung fu on a chair and everyone was excited, Fa was standing far away and frowned and Wai Lan said "I am so sorry. My father is not feeling well" and Shing said "Why not we show you instead?" and Biu noticed the guy's face changed and quickly he said "If I have to perform on a chair, I am afraid I won't be able to do so. But if on the floor, I shall very much obliged".
Of course we never got to see that scene so I wonder is he that great a kung fu master?
Wai Lan was rubbing her father's knees as Fa scolded "When you were waking up in the morning you had to wait a little to relax your knees so that you can walk. Now you went and perform kung fu?!" and Biu said "You didn't see his face. He wasn't happy, I had to do it!" and Tak went right up, emotionally kneeled down hard whilst holding a cup of tea and said "Sifu, I know I am wrong!! I know why I am wrong! Please forgive me!" and Biu looked at him I supposed gently and said "Tak, you have all the talent, but none the patience. I know you looked at your past, you're proud of it but they're all in the past. The emperor no longer exist, don't go dreaming foolish dream of such accolades. Stand on your own two feet firmly on the ground, work hard, stop looking back at the past and be a good teacher to your students!" and Tak tearfully said "I will sifu!"
And so Tak remains and for some time, he worked hard. He saw his 3 students in the hall as they discussed kung fu when a timid looking postman walked in and stuttered "Hau .. Ho... Fa..." and repeated a few times, Fa walked out, angrily took the letter and walked back in and the postman rushed off. Then the 3 students laughed loudly and Tak asked what was so funny and they said "Her name when he stuttered. The first time he came here, she threw something at him, hurting his head, hence the bandage" and Tak said "What's so funny about her name? Hau Ho Fa?" and the students laughed and said "Say her name really really fast for 5 times!" and Tak somehow for no reason just shouted her name loudly and said "HAU HO FA! HAU HO FA! HAU HO FA! HAU PO FA!" and he stopped.
Pause here.
Hau Po Fa means "Flirty Fa"! Which isn't very nice to call a woman. Tak laughed and all laughed.
Frankly I don't get why they have to talk so loud. What a badly written scene just to justify his hatred for that woman.
She threw something at him. He was very angry and she scolded the 3 students and they left and Tak said "It was only a joke" and she sneered "I know those 3, they can joke, but NOT YOU! You're nobody, you have no right to joke!"
Pause here.
** I can't remember where this was but there was a scene after where Fa complained to Biu, made a whole lot of noise and Biu said "Fa! It is your name! Many will make the same mistake. Who told your parents to name you that instead of Hau ** Fa, Hau ** Fa, or Hau ** Fa? Try saying your own name 5 times!". ** is something I forgot what he said. Fa loudly said very fast "HAU HO FA! HAU HO FA! HAU HO FA! HAU HO FA! HAU HO FAAAAAAAAAAAA!!" staring straight at Tak. "Only he got it wrong because he is holding a grudge!" Biu couldn't stand her and so left.**
Pause here.
** I can't remember where this was but there was a scene after where Fa complained to Biu, made a whole lot of noise and Biu said "Fa! It is your name! Many will make the same mistake. Who told your parents to name you that instead of Hau ** Fa, Hau ** Fa, or Hau ** Fa? Try saying your own name 5 times!". ** is something I forgot what he said. Fa loudly said very fast "HAU HO FA! HAU HO FA! HAU HO FA! HAU HO FA! HAU HO FAAAAAAAAAAAA!!" staring straight at Tak. "Only he got it wrong because he is holding a grudge!" Biu couldn't stand her and so left.**
Again Tak being very angry let go of his steam by punching walls by the alley. Shing found him and said "You know how mother is like. Let it go" and Tak said "Let it go? I was once the winner of the martial arts competition organised by the emperor. I saw the emperor, I served him and if the empire didn't fall... let it go? I know my status have changed but I didn't know that I need a high status to tell a joke!" and Shing understood his pain and said gently "You will never forever be this way. You will regain your glory. We are organising a martial arts competition. I can't guarantee you're the best fighter in this country but I don't think anyone in this district can beat you so join it, this competition if you win in this level, then regionals, it will be the same like the past competition" and Tak was hopeful now with regaining his good name and reputation.
Pause here.
I think that scene was just an excuse for him to kill her later. To call your own si-mou Hau Po Fa so darn loud and laughed hard, I too would have threw something at him. I find this Tak has no tact whatsoever. He seems to think he is the victim, forever the victim when frankly he too shares the blame.
Present time, Wai Lan suddenly had abdominal and Tong and Ming rushed her to see a doctor when she couldn't go on. Tong rushed to find the doctor and stumbled to guess who? Yes lady daughter, still nameless but we know she is Tak's oldest daughter, Ching. She diagnosed her and said she has got slow appendicitis. And then she asked if Tong was ok and all that. As they bicycled away, they teased him about liking the lady doctor.
Later in the hospital Ching arranged for Wai Lan for surgery which she refused and ran off, Tong also ran off and the doctor stopped him and he said "Who would want to be sliced open? Since it is slow acting appendicitis, give her some medicines then" but Ching said "That's the problem with slow acting appendicitis. Her life will be in danger if she doesn't do the surgery" and with one of the worst ever end scene, we see Tong's shocked face.
And if that is gonna encourage me to watch the next episode, I think TVB should have edited a better end scene.
Next episode, Tak kills Fa.
This episode is just weird. I hate the back and forth. Everything must somehow be connected, why must they? Every character is poorly developed, either cliche or with really terrible dialogues. The writing is horrendous and some scenes is just a complete waste of time.
But the acting deserves a huge slap in the face.
Shirley Yeung was particularly painful. She screamed her lines, went OTT thinking perhaps it was cute or whatever. She managed to spoil every little scene she was in.
Natalie Tong till now has so little to do except to be the sidekick adopted sister. And why must her every scene acted with such urgency, like she is always has something urgent going on with the stressed look even when joking?
Yuen Qiu is still busy talking to herself, I find her so called close relationship with the children rather forced. I feel no closeness, I feel no chemistry. And her acting is mostly miss. When is she gonna fight?
Selena Li is pretty, and she looks sorta like Natalie Tong but she has the honour of having 2 helmet hairs by now; one in BTROC and now this one. Awful hair! And her character is so far kind nice gentle pretty western medicine doctor. Nothing else.
Tavia Yeung we all know is a guest star so she has nothing much to do except to look stressed or in pain. Her chemistry with the wooden Kevin Cheng is non existing. If you say they're a married couple with no less than 5 children, I will say no way because these two, even with plenty of wiping of sweat scene or feeding each other scene is like no chemistry, at all. In fact, Tavia did all the affection, Kevin did.. nothing.
Kevin Cheng is such a problem. He is so handsome, but next to Dominic Lam, he looks tiny and everytime I see him, whether standing, kung fu-ing, eating, whatever, he seems like he is so unsure of himself. His performance suffers I believe from the lack of confidence in himself because he looks perpetually sorta nervous in the eyes but wooden everywhere else. But to be fair, his acting didn't pull down this episode. This episode's writing is the reason why this episode was bad, although not as worst as the previous episodes.
Chung King Fai is a problem, a huge one. He exhibited no respect nor honour as Biu. His actings is terrible, when the scene where he scolded a repentant Dominic Lam should have been the highlight, but the camera chose to focus on him and at some point, there were long pauses, like as if he was waiting for Dominic to do something.
Kenneth Ma is also a problem. I really like his look in here; tall, robust, handsome, ok hair, cute face... problem is I wanna pinch his cheeks all the time. I don't see his Tong as a leader, a master, a brother, but a joke just filling in until the real older brother returns to take over the helm as leader. He is like the leader's assistant's assistant. His acting is as usual, but nothing to really tell me who is Tong. In fact his character thus far has most scenes, apart from Dominic's.
Only 2 name deserves some applause for trying;
Eileen Yeow with her all out bitchy Hau Ho Fa even if her character is just a caricature waiting to be killed. She really contorted her entire face and became such an annoying despicable bitch.
Dominic Lam deserves some applause for trying to carve a villain out of such a badly written character. However some scenes with some strange scripting just didn't do Tak justice at all, and he ended up looking like some stupid petty "I am so damn right" sorta villain, like Tavia's Kam Ling in BTROC and we all know how "villain" Kam Ling was. Are there no more true great villains anymore? And I feel he didn't bring out the desperation enough. We know Tak is at the bottom, felt small thanks to constant reminder of how great he was but how nobody knows him now, eventhough everyone treats him well except for Fa but somehow his "ng fan hei" is not enough. He is just not angry enough.
Everybody else was forgettable.
The chemistry between the actors all failed big time. I can't feel the atmosphere.
The sets are great, the costume gorgeous, but this episode is just so badly scripted. I hate the Moonlight Resonance moments. I thought I was watching a different producer's show and to resort to that for some cheap laughs or to illustrate how close they all are as family is such a poor way to do just that. It's like ideas taken here, and there and rehashed.
I am bitterly disappointed with this series thus far. Hopefully when Tak becomes a full villain and his rise to power, it will be better. But for a kung fu series, there isn't a lot of kung fu and when there is, feels more like aerobics.
March 29, 2011 at 5:34 PM
Not finish reading yet. Halfway. But reading how everyone treated Tak, no wonder he hated the family.
Shing should have let Biu shouted 'Shut Up' that time. What kind of men are they? They talk about ethics but allow the woman to be so bitchy, with no manners and insult people all the time. Or are they only strict to men and not women?
I also agree with you. What Biu did to Tak's IOU is insulting to the core.
Shing is supposed to be kind-hearted and nice and all, why he did say some good words for Tak? There is the compassion?