A Fistful Of Stances [2010][TVB][E]

Let me start by saying the series is now growing on me, because things get a bit settled, characters get a bit of a revamp and the story whilst usual is at least going somewhere. I didn't pay much attention since I was busy calculating how much I owe my country in terms of taxes but when I did start to pay attention, I must admit, this episode is quite riveting for the right reasons although I just wish for one moment that there won't be that Moonlight Resonance moments but unfortunately it has. Weighing the good and the bad, I feel the good is more than bad.

Jeung is now a rickshaw puller and is back with the family, since I assume he knew the truth of his past. He was joined by Ming who now became his official guide to everything Koo. Suddenly Man Kwan appears with I suppose the sifu his father hired. Let me say no wonder Man Kwan went bad. First the father is already bad, and yeung sui and so Man Kwan is also bad, and yeung sui. Now the sifu is as yeung sui and even worse. The villains is this series biggest problem apart from dialogue, casting, acting... everything. Kinda caricature. Anyway that weirdo sifu teased Ming and warned Ming to back off from the Wing family or else and Jeung chased them away. However Sifu said to Man Kwan "Maybe it is time to test what you've learned. Use it on that bull" which is Jeung who has the strength but no skills. So basically Jeung became the punching bag as Ming cried "No! Stop! No! No! Stop! Please! Stop!!" and Jeung managed to give one huge punch onto Man Kwan's tummy and he reeled back in pain. GOOD! But then Jeung got pummeled again and Ming cried "If you don't stop, I will blow the whistle (= calling the police)" and she did when sifu went to her and basically sorta molested her with his "yam sap" & "ham sap" eyes. Ming got the chills and she I believe fought him or something when police came and shouted "What is going on?" and Jeung said "He was..." and saved his breath when the police became very polite to Man Kwan who said nothing happened. And that was that.

Jeung and Ming walked back silently when Jeung asked "Who were they? They seemed to know you and target you" and Ming said "That was Wing Tak's son, Wing Man Kwan" and Jeung shocked said "That Wing Tak who tore our family apart?" and Ming said "Yes but please don't tell anyone about this" and Jeung said "Why? They tried to bother you!" and Ming said "Mother has too much to deal with already. Moreover mentioning Wing Tak will bring up old memories that will only hurt mother even more" and so Jeung agreed.

Wrong move! Mother needs to know, mother needs to be angry, mother needs to fight!! This will be addressed by Jeung later.

Next scene some mundane boring ones of Leung asking Yan to help him pursue Yau but Yan looked reluctant. We will know not long later when Leung came by with flowers I believe to give to Yau who was told Yau is at the park. He went to the park and saw Yau and Yan together, Yau looking angry and saying "I thought you love me!" and Yan said "I do!" and Yau said "So why won't you make it official?" and Yan said "Leung is my brother. I can't hurt his feelings!" and Yau angry left and Yan sat down dejected and then Yau came back and they made up. Leung was angry.

And rightfully so but come on, between Yan and Leung, who would you choose?

Yes, NEITHER. Give me Tong!

I think somewhere here Ming and Jeung saw Man Kwan's sifu being handcuffed and led away and the sifu eyed Ming up and down which gives Ming the creeps.

Man Kwan at home. The mother, Chu wanted to speak with Tak who again was eating. It seems Dominic Lam's role in present time is to eat at the dinner table and nothing else. Was he eating? I think he was! Man Kwan cheerfully asked about Chu who cheerfully replied Man Kwan. If Tak was a better parent, Man Kwan wouldn't be such a jerk. Anyway Chu said "Tak, can we talk in private?" and Tak said "Whatever you wish to discuss, discuss it here" and Chu said "It is about Man Kwan's sifu. He is a bad example. He is trouble. Send him away! First he molested some girls, then when arrested, he resisted arrest and broke some bones, then he became drunkard and caused more problems! He is more trouble than he is worth and for him to teach our son!" and Tak said "He is teaching Man Kwan kung fu. The duty to teach Man Kwan into a good son is our duty, nothing to do with him" but Chu wanted to argue more, however Tak refused to budge whilst Man Kwan basically didn't have much to say since he really likes the progress he is showing under this sifu.

Anyway back at home Leung was sullen and didn't feel like teaching Jeung kung fu even when Ming pushed him. When he saw Yan, he just sulked away leaving everyone confused. Then Kuen came back and saw Tong and Wai Lan who was ready to go to another town to see a patient when Jeung stood there looking at Kuen begging Wai Lan and Tong for I believe $4 to buy a new dresss? Tong argued with him (like a big brother) that "But that is your 1 month salary!" and Kuen said "But that is a very nice dress! Sponsor me! Please! Mother! Please!!!" and Wai Lan said no and Tong after a while said "Ok, $3? I give $3!" and Kuen said "Not enough! Motherrrrr! Brother!!!!" as Jeung looked on and finally Wai Lan said "Ok ok, Tong, give her the money" and happily she went with Tong who said "Ok lar! Come lar!". Jeung looked upset and left sullenly as Ming followed him and ask "Are you upset Leung is not teaching you the kung fu? Don't be angry with him" and Jeung said "No, not that. Is it always like this? Mother going for work, everybody else seems so free? I mean is Leung educated?" and Ming said "No he isn't. He's not good with books" and Jeung asked "Yan then? He looks like one" and Ming said "Mother tried but again he is not the studying type. So he was put under apprenticeship but quickly cried, he couldn't stand the pressure and so brother Tong and mother took him home" and Jeung looked on thoughtfully and was sullen in his observation.

I thought it was because he as big brother did not contribute to his siblings well being, like he felt bad not being able to buy Kuen the dress, etc, but I thought wrong. More on that later.

Hereafter a bit fuzzy on the timeline since I can't remember which came first but basically the scenes are as described.

We see Leung sulkily by his own, all sitting down for dinner or something when Yan came home and gave Leung a very expensive gift; a watch. Kuen cried "Unfair! It is my birthday too, so how come I don't have the same gift?!" and Yan pushed her away and went to Leung and said "Here, take it Leung" and Leung looked at the watch and said "Wow, so nice" and then threw the watch onto the floor. Everyone was shocked, most of all Tong and Jeung just sat there, observing. Leung said "Why are you giving me this watch? Feeling guilty eh?" and Yan stammered and said "No! It's your birthday, you said you liked the watch so I bought it for you!"

Pause here.

If a $4 dress is considered a luxury, how the hell Yan could afford a watch? Yau gave him the money?

Anyway Leung said "Or maybe it is a shut my mouth gift! So that everyone here won't know what you did! Stealing your own brother's girlfriend and pretending it was all ok!" and Yan stammered and tearfully said "Not true! Yau said she doesn't feel anything for you, it wasn't like how you said it!" and Leung said "Don't lie! I followed you both, meets at the park, dinner dates, going to watch movies.. do you think I am an idiot?!" and Yan said "No it isn't like that Leung! It isn't!" and Leung shouted "I am done with your excuses! You cheating despicable liar!" and then Jeung shouted "ENOUGH!!!!" and Jeung stood up and scolded Leung "Fighting over a girl!" and to Kuen "You! All the money for a dress you can't afford. How much you paid to mother for monthly allowance? And you get back twice the amount for this dress!" and he continued "You all are a disgrace! Mother had to earn money, going to next town just to see a patient and you all do nothing substantial around here, just sit around and do nothing. I wish I had your luck, to have this shop, I would have done more!" and Tong said "Enough brother, they learned their lesson" and Jeung said "Tong, you're the worst of the lot!" and Tong shocked said "WHAT?!" and Jeung said "It is true! You allowed them to be this way; you spoilt them! As a big brother you not only failed to teach, you let them run wild, you let them walk all over you!" and Tong offended wanted to defend himself when Leung said "Oh shut up! Who do you think you are?!" and Tong said "Leung, shut up! Don't speak like that to brother!" and Leung said "Brother? I hardly knew him and here he is spewing his righteous talks of brotherly love. Who do you think you are? Just a week ago you called be Yan! I don't even know you! What gives you the right to lecture us?" and Jeung knew Leung was right and so he left silently whilst everyone stood shocked except Leung who was pissed.

Sometime later Ming saw Jeung and said "Don't be angry, brother Tong scolded Leung after you left, Leung knows he did wrong" and Jeung said "I am not angry. It's just that I feel closer to you than to them. They may be my siblings by blood, but I just feel we are not close at all. I feel I don't know them" and Ming said "It takes time to get close, but I am sure you will do just fine". I remember Jeung walked away for a moment when again weird sifu and anal Man Kwan walked by (I suppose deliberately) and again disturbed Ming. Ming was very brave to tell them off but that sifu seems keen on bothering her. She tried to fight him but he held her hands tightly. Jeung appeared and tried to fight them, Man Kwan again pummeling him when Tong appeared and shouted "RUN!!" but Jeung refused, he wanted to fight when Tong said "We have to go home! Mother fainted!" and with that Jeung, Ming and Tong all ran home.

Pause here.

I thought Tong is a better fighter? Can't he fight Man Kwan? Well we will know why later.

Back at home Tong felt happy they escaped Man Kwan and sifu. Jeung asked "Where is mother?" and Tong said "Oh, she is still at the nearby town" and Jeung angrily said "You used mother to lie?" and Tong said "It was the only way you would leave" and Jeung said "How dare you use mother as a lie? Using her wellbeing? I believed you!" and Tong said "That's Wing Man Kwan. Let's not cause trouble" and Jeung angrily said "I may have issues with the younger ones, but my biggest problem is you!" as he pointed at Tong who again was shocked as Jeung said "We could have fought him! He was disturbing Ming, did you know that?" and Tong said "You have no idea how powerful Wing Tak is. He is that sort we can't offend, not just yet!" and Jeung angrily said "Tong, you're a coward! You were too happy to run away from a fight than to fight the son of the man who destroyed our family! You let mother and our brothers and sisters live in shame. This place lacks direction because you lack leadership qualities!" and Tong by now was so offended he was speechless when suddenly, Wai Lan's voice spoke up "Your brother is not a coward"

Wai Lan came back and Jeung looked at Wai Lan as Wai Lan began to speak;

"Your brother is a very brave man and he was a very brave boy. He knew from an early age Wing Tak is our sworn enemy. He saw Wing Takand can you imagine, a 6 year old boy, small and yet with determination told me he will win the grand championship and fight Wing Tak on the stage to win back our family's honour and for revenge. So he started training, and he trained hard, night and day and when he was 19 he actually won the grand championship"

Jeung looked at Tong with renewed eyes as Wai Lan choked back tears and said "But the heavens really know how to calculate! Right after winning, Tong collapsed and he was diagnosed with asthma and became the laughingstock, the "Everything Also Knows Master" (Master Hiu). The doctor said it was because he trained too hard, he weakened his health. If it hadn't been for me, he wouldn't have gotten the illness. He wasn't the one who said to avoid Wing Tak; I did. I told him to avoid Wing Tak. Why?" and Wai Lan began to cry harder as she said "Because... I was scared of him. I still do. I fear him, he terrifies me. I tried to defy him and he came with doctors and police, ready to drag me to an asylum. If I was in an asylum, I can never see you all again, and who will take care of you? I was so scared of him, I decided to avoid him. And every night I wonder what happened to you? Are you eating well? Who is taking care of you? I was worried, I was scared. I was scared if I offend Wing Tak, what will he do next. I am the coward, Jeung. Not your brother. I am the coward" and she cried, everyone cried as Jeung held I believe Tong's hands or Wai Lan's hands and said "Mother, I swear, I swear Tong and I will work together to rebuild this school! I swear!" and Tong agreed as Leung said "Mother, I swear I won't be so petty anymore!" as Kuen also swore to not simply spend money on frivolous things.

And they all hugged each other and cried hard.

Next episode... can't remember what happened next episode! I think Man Kwan again beating up Jeung.

Story wise, this is a well written episode. We understand why Tong rather avoid confrontation with Wings because his mother told him. After all she is still worried what he will do to any of the children. We see Tong's difficulties as well as for once, we see his closeness with the other siblings. In fact with Jeung in a scene, Jeung is the serious brother. Tong is the silly one. I know I complained about Tong not having leadership and now I know it is deliberate. What Jeung said was true; Tong was more buddy than brother or master with the siblings. Jeung was far more serious and more big brother. But to call Tong a coward is a bit too much.

I love the scene involving Tong and Jeung since it contrasts between 2 brothers. I especially love Tong's scenes with his siblings, the way he reacted, the way he never really scolded then, the way he lets them walk all over him, the siblings lacking direction and discipline. For once I see the buddy-brother-closeness that was missing earlier episodes. Jeung's presence help to establish Tong's presence in a way. And Tong's presence shows how an outsider Jeung was since he was not close to the siblings.

I find these 2 characters work best when together, especially for dramatic moments. When separated, neither can be dramatic.

Man Kwan is a perplexing character. I believe his father taught him wrongly, so he ended up a rotten character.

So far, I am beginning to like Tong. Without Jeung, I wouldn't notice Tong at all as I find him too goofy to be a leader. With Jeung and what he said, I realise Tong is lacking leadership quality. Anyway poor Wai Lan; having to live with the guilt of first Jeung missing for decades, and then of course Tong having illness. How much guilt can a person carry? Anyway with Wai Lan busy working to earn a living, I can easily see Tong as the one taking care of the siblings, hence their closeness and his inability to scold them or reprimand them.

Performances wise, I have good news all around.

Kenneth Ma is beginning to fit comfortably into his role, since now I understand the purpose of Tong and his characteristic. He was at his best during those goofy moments as goofy brother and 2 of such stand out moments were during Kuen asking for money to buy a dress and when Leung scolding Jeung. His expression is priceless and the way he shifts between being stern brother to loving brother to goofy brother to "I know I am losing this argument" brother and then to offended looks were seamless. When Kenneth is in the background, he shines. But he often fails when the spotlight is on him like in earlier episodes. At least he cut down on the dramatic acting since the dialogue is becoming almost human again.

Kevin Cheng may not be such a competent actor but he works well with Kenneth Ma, together the share this chemistry that works. His acting is ok, his biggest problem is I have a hard time believing he is Jeung. He is like Kevin playing Kevin playing Jeung. His body language is awful. There are still times I feel he is unsure of himself as an actor and it shows in his lack of confidence when Jeung is supposed to be confident. But at least he didn't spoil a scene.

Natalie Tong is ok, much too keen in her performance, still the faithful follower rather than a standout.

Yuen Qiu did better but I had a hard time understanding her when she cried and talk and held back on tears. She was really crying, choking up. It was an emotional scene but again it could have been much better acted with someone known for crying + choking + acting. Again her body language is a problem. She just seems unsure where to stand or whether to walk. I am also a bit surprised at the lack of touch between her and the children.

Everybody else was ok, except Shirley Yeung who wasn't bad. In fact I like her dress that pink one, I like that scene where she showed off her dress as she danced happily and Kenneth walked in and said "Have you twirl enough?" as he scolded her. What he actually said was "Ling" as in.. how to translate? Like someone dancing but in a different word. If you can think of a better world than twirl which is a wrong word to use, do help! That was a good scene. She didn't overdo that scene but come dramatic scene, back to old Shirley.

I will also dedicate a paragraph to Jacky Heung. Awful performance. He acts like he is acting. The way he delivers his lines is like between 2 huge gulps of air, like he is constantly trying to finish his lines before he runs of out of air. The way he talks is lazy. And worse, bad acting lazy. However, his face has got character and I ame beginning to enjoy his performance for all the wrong reasons.

As for Kara Hui and Dominic Lam, not much to say since Dominic is forever at the dinner table and Kara is forever walking towards the dinner table.

Anyway, where is the uncle?!