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

And so the story continues, towards the right direction even if somewhat repetetive and some rather "pointless" drama. I will explain myself. And I skipped a bit tonight, as I was watching Glee.

Start, and we hear someone breathing loudly and going arghh.. arghh.. arghhh... urghhh... urghhh... urghhh... and Tong couldn't take it and angrily said "Who the hell is so noisy at this hour! I want to sleep!" and Ming rushed in and dragged him off bed as she said "Brother! Come out! Something is wrong with Yan!" and so he was dragged away and every sibling was outside, looking at Yan angrily and tearfully punching a sand bag with all his might. When asked, he simply did not answer, Leung asked "What is wrong? Tell us!" and Tong said "Will you stop punching and tell us what the hell is the matter?" and I think one of the girl's said "Must be girl trouble, is it about Yau?" and he punched harder and then he said "Mother is right; the heavens really knows how to calculate and make a fool out of us all. I went to Yau's school, hoping to congratulate her on her graduation (I think it was graduation) and I saw her parents. Do you know who her parents are?"

SUSPENSE.. NOT!

"That Wing Tak! Wing Tak is her fatherrrr!"

Shocked, gasp, disbelief.. changed channels to finish Glee.

Anyway that scene was so sudden. There was no connection between last night and tonight's story.

After Glee finished, changed back and I could see the uncle back in the picture and digging something behind the wall and complaining when it was a box with a letter and some presciptions and turns out the letter was by an eunuch who borrowed money from great grandpa and he deposited some stolen palace medicine prescription complete with imperial seal as security. The uncle complained a lot but the rest saw potential in the prescriptions, wondering could they work?

Then Ming being followed by creepy Man Kwan's sifu who just kept singing and Man Kwan was nearby and she ran away.

Sometime later again sifu singing and eyeing her that she just spooked out and basically ran for her life, this time climbing walls. It was at night.

At home, everyone was waiting for Ming to bring home the supper and when she did she explained "Sorry, I fell and spilt the food so I don't have any" and so they rushed to the kitchen to "steal" food. I wonder is Ming their "Ah Sei"? Because she seems like one. Jeung noticed she looked disturbed and asked "Is something wrong?" and Ming said "That Wing Man Kwan's sifu has been following me, twice he did that" and Jeung said "Did he try to molest you?!" and Ming said "No, no. He just kept singing and looking at me" and Jeung said "I must discuss this with Tong" but Ming stopped him and said "No, no! He already has a lot on his plate. I don't want to trouble him and cause unnecessary worries. I am fine"

And so the tragedy shall happen isn't it? She should have told Tong but this family has a policy of not telling anyone anything.

Somewhere along the way we find out Leung is enterting the grand championship and also found out Man Kwan is entering too and he happily imagined how he would whoop Man Kwan's ass! Tong reminded them all "None of you will pick a fight with Wing Man Kwan. And even if he picks a fight with you, insults you, whatever, you will not fight back! Understand? You can't possibly win him; his father hired some big time kung fu master and I saw that leg of his, he could kick. So remember, run!"

Can't remember if this was earlier or later, but we see Yau asking Yan "Why are you breaking up with me? You don't answer my calls, you refuse to talk to me! What is wrong? Why are you such a coward?". Very pushy girl. And Yan just said "We are played like fools by the heavens" and he left and Yau rushed "Look, I am sorry. Ok? Is it Leung? I think I made it very clear to him it is you I love" and Yan scolded her "Don't say that about my brother. He is not like that. He even gave us his blessings. If you wanna know, go ask your father!"

At home, Tak showed sifu a chart; "This is the list of participants for this year's grand championship" and Man Kwan looked and surprised said "That shorty is in the competition too?" and sifu said "Who?" and Man Kwan said "That Koo Yue Leung, younger brother of that Koo Yue Tong. That Koo Yue Tong, you know, the girl you disturbed? He once made a name for himself years ago by winning the competition. I believe Koo Yue Leung will be trained by his brother using that special style by his grandfather" and sifu looked interested. Man Kwan said "I really wanna test out my legs...anyone I can test it out on?" and I believe sifu suggested Jeung. Can't remember. Anyway Yau rushed into the room, held back by her mother and Tak said "Sifu, if you don't mind leaving us for a while. My daughter wants to chit chat with me". And then Yau said "Father, is it true? That you killed your sifu and his wife and cause someone else to disappear?" and Tak's wife said "Yau, it is not true! Your father in fact helped them financially and with burials. They were just ungrateful, believe me" and Yau said "Really?" and mother said "Of course" and Tak said "I am disappointed that you can ask such a question. Go to your room and think about what you just said!" and Yau left reluctantly. Mother looked at Tak with fear and said timidly "Tak, I am sorry. I should have looked after her properly and not allow her to talk like that. I will do better, I promise" and Man Kwan exasperated said "Mother, why are you apologising? It isn't your fault but those trouble makers!" and Tak just sat there, nothing more was said.

Pause here.

Now THIS is an interesting scene. Tak's wife seems to fear him, and in front of the children Tak seems like the nice father but he may show his true face in front of his wife. And more interestingly is Man Kwan's reaction. He gives me an impression he really does think of the Koos as trouble maker who slanders his father with lies, that he didn't believe his father was of such character and the fact that he bullies them because his father encourages him. With his sisters and mother, Man Kwan seems normal, exceptionally quiet when scolded. In front of his father he kept saying he wants to try out his newly learned skill like kicking people which he proudly demonstrated to his father, like some eager kid with a new toy and his father indulges him. So in my mind Man Kwan seems like a pretty ok kid if he had a proper father to teach him properly on how to be a human being. He is a bully because his father is a bully.

Anyway continue.

In restaurant, Leung and Yan together and Leung said "Brother, don't look like this. We must be strong and help brother (Tong) to rebuild the shop and when we do, believe me, girls will be lining up after us!" and Yan sadly nodded as we see Man Kwan and gang walked in and sat at the back listening as Leung stood up and asked "Brother, tell me honestly, do you 2 really love each other? If yes, I am sure our brothers will support you, rather than break apart lovers. I too will support you!" and Yan nodded when someone threw a bun at Leung's back and he turned and he saw Man Kwan sneering at him and he wanted to fight but Yan held him and said "Remember what brother Tong said! Remember!" and so he quietly left as the gang jeered him "Yeah remember what your brother said! Coward!" and Leung turned back angrily and some food hit him in the face, angry he threw himself at them and fought. Yan also got punched and all.

Outside, Ming with Jeung as Ming said "It is broad daylight brother, he won't disturb me, I will be fine" and Jeung said "Just in case!" when a woman ran out, saw Ming and said "Ngan!"

Pause here.

I thought her name was Ming. But I suppose family and friends call her Ngan.

"Ngan, your two brothers are in there in a fight!"

They ran in, Jeung helped out and got kicked and Man Kwan gave his chest one huge strong kick but Jeung was ok and told them all to run. Man Kwan's gang asked if they should run after him but Man Kwan said "No. That bull, he is strong. I kicked him with all my might, and he could still stand..." as we see Man Kwan's leg shaking.

At home, everyone saw Jeung's chest very red, very bruised but Jeung said he was ok, everyone was worried but he said "I am fine!" and Kuen was there and said "Didn't brother Tong said not to fight with Wing Man Kwan?" and someone asked where is mom and Tong (out attending to patients) as Ming said "In all my years seeing patients in here, I have never seen anyone as serious as yours!" and Jeung insisted he was ok and said "Don't tell mother. I am fine. I used to fight with other coolies, no worries, this is nothing. But I will tell Tong if I still feel unwell"

Everyone was worried.

At night, dinner, uncle was very happy the prescriptions they found worked and talking about shops when Jeung said he agrees with uncle's plans when he began to cough so hard, he coughed out blood.

Now here comes the classic scene.

Everyone saw his blood looked worried except for Wai Lan who was still sitting on the chair, munching her food, looking bored as Jeung with blood on his mouth and nose walked away. Shouldn't she quickly rush to him? Nope, not until he collapsed, and then on cue EVERYONE runs to him. Noisy scene.

Wai Lan saw his chest like that and asked what happend which was explained and Wai Lan said "Such a thing happened you all never care to tell me?!"

Yes Wai Lan no one did because they're so afraid of hurting you. This family has issues.

Tong angrily said "What are you all waiting for? Take him to the hospital!!" and Wai Lan carried Jeung and ran to the hospital.

In the hospital Ching was there and asked "What happened?"

Pause here.

Why is Ching forever in that orange overalls?

Leung shouted "Ask you good brother!!!"

So they knew who she was. Anyway Jeung was carried into surgery.

Later, in the room, teacher of Ching said Jeung will be fine. He left and Ching said "He was very serious. He broke 2 ribs, had internal bleeding but we gave him some blood transfusion, he is in serious condition but will be fine" and Wai Lan was thanking Ching who asked "May I know what happened?" and someone said "Your brother Wing Man Kwan kicked him". Ching looked pissed. Jeung woke up and said he was ok, no worries.

At home, Tak wasn't happy.

"Sifu, I hired you, paid for your bail, so that you will teach my son properly. What is it I heard that bull was fine after being kicked by my son?" and Man Kwan said "Sifu, you should have seen him. He could still walk out as if nothing happened" and sifu didn't reply much when Ching rushed in and said "Man Kwan, is it true? You kicked Kue Yue Jeung? He has got 2 broken ribs! He was in a serious state! How could you be like that?" and Man Kwan was very quiet but smiled and Ching scolded "How dare you smile?!" when Tak said "I will scold him, don't worry" and Ching walked out angrily. Man Kwan smiled broadly and sifu said "See? I didn't hold back when I teached you!" and Man Kwan happily stood up and said "Oh I wish I can try out other styles on somebody. But who?" and sifu said "Try not to kill anyone. Why not that shorty, Koo Yue Leung?" and Man Kwan liked that idea as Tak said "You hold on with that first. You said one of the assistants was hurt? Well tell him to hide himself for a few days. I will use this as an excuse to claim compensation from those Koos, $2000. I will drive them out of this town!" and Yau heard everything.

She rushed to the Koos and everyone saw her, Yan held her as she said urgently "Be careful! I am here to warn you! My father will try to drive you all out of this town by claming $2000 for an assistant who was hurt!" and everyone looked alarmed.

Next episode, tragedy happens. I think Ming gets raped by creepy sifu, and I thought it would be Man Kwan doing the deed. Frankly I am rather bored with how slow this end results came along. I mean this is sad but seriously, you know this creep is following you, it is time to get someone to walk with you, even in broad daylight. The mentality of not imposing on others in the end just hurt yourself! Anyway I am just rather surprised it isn't Man Kwan.

So is Man Kwan innately good? Will the series dare to go that way?

Story wise, some interesting points, mostly on Man Kwan or rather how I interprete it as on Man Kwan. I find Man Kwan very fascinating at this point; he is a bully, he is mean, he is bad, but I was just surprised it wasn't him who bothered Ming. And I was rather surprised at what he said to his mom, about why she blamed herself. Meaning he genuinely believes the Koos were trouble makers. That puts Man Kwan in a different light and I find that interesting. In fact I think Man Kwan is a more interesting villain than Tak who so far has nothing to do. At least he moved away from the dinner table.

Which is also strange; Tak, such a petty character can have 2 rather outspoken daughters. Very strange. I still see Tak as a very badly written character so the writing is still weird.

On the Koos part, yes I get their togetherness but I am rather tired of seeing them moving as a unit. I want them separated. But it is interesting to see at least some consistency; they think of Jeung as the big brother as he is. BUT when coming to decisions, they seem to look at Tong. So I appreciate that consistency. However Tong's presence is becoming more and more compromised. What I mean is he used to be the central in a scene, but now with the attention shifted to Jeung who has more dramatic value with his hidden kung fu talent, Tong is just there. I want Tong to take more of the big brother responsibility; we know he trains Leung, so show us, show us Tong training Leung! I am rather bored with the series showing Jeung's strength and potential which is already done to death.

As for performances, poor Kenneth, more and more in the background. Again he is at his best doing goofy stuff.

Kevin can stand there in front and I still won't notice him. I just find him forgettable by himself but with everyone else, he is better but yet he is drowned by everyone's presence. Body language is still terrible though.

Natalie Tong is getting better, and her dramatic acting is best suited for this particular episode and beyond since her character will suffer a terrible fate.

Selena on the other hand... I am rather annoyed with the way she speaks. Too soft, or trying to be too soft. I just don't think she acted natural.

Yuen Qiu is weird. Very bad performance during the scene where Kevin had blood on his face. In fact everyone's reaction was weird. Moreover she had little role in here.

Not much can be said of Dominic Lam who is now the V.V.V.V. Special Guest Star since he has so little to do.

Kara Hui is probably the best of the crop with her very few scenes she managed so show everything there is to show about her character. I read there will be a fight scene between her and Yuen Qiu and I really look forward to that.

Everybody else was ok, even Shirley Yeung since they had little to do.

Now, a special paragraph for Jacky Heung. Can I confess? I find him fascinating. I mean his acting is terrible, probably the worse, he still delivers his lines as if he is holding in oxygen and trying best not to breath until he finishes his lines. But why is it I so look forward to his appearance? Why? He can definitely fight. He showcased a few kicks and I can see that. He has a face with character, I think if he is serious in acting, he can progress to comedy. An actor so bad can only be very good comediens I tell you. But dramatics side, I find him having more screen presence than Kenneth and Kevin out together. Kenneth is cute and goofy, Kevin is serious and stoic and Jacky is just a league of his own. He may lack acting skills facial wise or the way he speaks may be funny but his body language is good. I see Man Kwan as spoilt and the way he sat shows that too. He is rather good at those small scenes, like his tiny smile when he found out Jeung is in hospital. He is a bully, and his body language shows him as such. For someone who is terrible in acting, his body language speaks of a very confident actor. I find him very self assured, maybe he thinks he is great which is egoistical and in a way good. Compare him with Kevin Cheng; one speaks of control and confidence, the other is just lost in body language and unsure of what he is doing even if his character seems sure. I am in 2 minds about him; his acting is terrible but he is magnetic. I just want to watch what he will do next. Please don't kill him off too soon! In fact I hope his character finds redemption but the way TVB goes, he probably won't. TVB, surprise me!

Ok, that's it about Jacky Heung for now. I am so into the way he delivers his line! Such lazy drawl! Anyway he is so bad it isn't funny anymore!