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

This is a really great episode for the most part. There were some really excruciating moments and also weird moments, but other than that, overall a great episode and fans of Kenneth Ma may want to take note of this episode. Also fans of Natalie Tong. As for me, I am still mesmerized by Jacky Heung. This is getting serious and I need a cure.

First, the story.

Everyone is concerned about how Tak will drive them out of town, Wai Lan especially. They visited Jeung and they were told "He is fine and should be out in no time. Ordinarily patients with Jeung's injuries will need to stay in hospital for a few more days but Jeung being naturally strong and healthy, needed just 1 day." and she left and Tong excused himself and went after her. They went into her office as he wanted to say something to her and this is perhaps one of the cutest moment thus far.

Ching asked "What is it?" and Tong said "Just wanna say that get ready because in the next few days you will have more patients to treat" and Ching said "Why?" and Tong said "Because your brother beat the crap out of my brothers and my brothers beat the crap out of your brother's assistants and now your brother wants to claim compensation from my brothers, so as their brother, I can't stand by and do nothing so I intend to beat the crap out of your brother and I am sure your brother will retaliate". He was pretending to be angry. Ching now frustrated took a vase and gave it to Tong and said "Here, take this! You can use this!" and Tong shocked as Ching said "You won't be able to fight much anyway! You're sick, you have asthma, I told you to come and see me and yet you rarely do, so when you get another attack whilst beating everyone up, don't expect me to help you!". Tong said "Well you can. And you will help me and do whatever I say, that's all I need from you" and Ching said "What is it you want me to do?" and Tong said "You will know soon enough, just make sure whatever I say you agree, that's all" and he left as Ching baffled said "What is it? Oh I can't stand that man! He is making me go crazy!!"

Very cute. What a couple.

At home, Wai Lan is not feeling well but still worried sick. Tong told his siblings to go into the room with him and Tong told Kuen to write something for him. "Kuen, I want you to wrote 2 letters" and I can't remember what was the first letter he wanted Kuen to write but for the 2nd, he said "Kuen, write a challenge letter to Wing Man Kwan and say if he accepts, I will fight him to death" and everyone shocked said "What? No! You can't!" and Tong said "This is the only way to settle this problem. Write it!" when I believe Yan rushed in and said "Brother, it is Leung. He is acting weird!" and they rushed to Leung and asked him where he was going and Leung said "Oh no, just you know go out to meet friends for a drink" and Tong angrily said to him "Really? So what is that thing under your shirt?" and he grabbed it and it was quite a large knife. Tong said "I could spot this a mile away! And you expect to surprise them and hit them with this?!" and Leung said "I gotta do something! I can't let them walk all over us again!" and Tong thought for a while and said "I want you both (Leung and Yan) to follow me! Now!"

Tak was having his birthday celebrations with friends and colleagues and business partners, lots of people, everyone was there. Tak declared "Thank you for coming. Thank you for your support of me and my pharmaceutical company for the past 23 years, without your support I am nothing! To repay everyone and in gratitude, I am sending my son, Man Kwan to enter the grand martial arts championship. I don't expect him to win; it will be good for him to have the experience of being in the competition!" and Man Kwan I suppose snarled a bit (can't take my eyes off him!) when Tong with Leung and Yan walked in grandly and loudly said "But before that, I am here to..." and he showed the letter to Man Kwan "... challenge Wing Man Kwan to a duel till death! And I have already wrote this letter so you, sign it!" and Tak just stood there smiling a little, his wife looked I don't know, worried? Offended? Ching and Yau both looked shocked and Man Kwan, most shocked said "You? Why should I fight with you? What qualifies you to challenge me?" and Tong smiled and said "I am not qualified? I was the youngest ever winner at the grand martial arts championship when I was just 19. Is that not good enough for you?" and Tak said "Well Tong, that was when you were 19. You're now sick with asthma, I won't have Man Kwan taking advantage and fighting you, that would be unfair" and Tong smiled and said "Oh no worries about that, thanks to your daughter's brilliant medical skills, she told me in the last checkup that I was cured! Isn't it so Dr Wing?" and Ching looked at Tong and slowly said "Yes, it is true" and now Tak was stuck as Tong said to Man Kwan loudly "So here, SIGN!!" and Man Kwan panicked since maybe he is still not good enough for Tong. I was worried Tong will go hiu hiu hiu suddenly! And Leung and Yan both shouted, "YEAH! SIGN!!" but no one moved and Tong said "You won't? This will be the day to settle our problems, you itchin to kick someone after learning from this so called sifu of your chose to use my brother as punching bag and kicking my brother so hard that he ended up in hospital with 2 broken ribs!" and Leung and Yan both shouted to Man Kwan "You want punching bags? Here! Use us!!" and they exposed their chest but Man Kwan said nothing when his sifu walked forward and said "Come on, let me duel with you on behalf of my student" and Tong looked at him disgusted and said "You? You are not qualified. You're a bank robber, a criminal, a molester and I won't dirty my hands fighting the likes of you. Moreover, you should be in jail and you're lucky someone paid huge sums of bail for you but I am sure sooner of later you will be carted off to prison again and spending the rest of your miserable existence in jail. If I fight you now and I kill you, that would be ending your misery way too soon which you don't deserve" and Tong looked away as the sifu looked rather insulted and sheepish as he should. Tong said to Man Kwan "Either a duel or you compensate my brother with $2000!" and Man Kwan said "He started the fight first! Why should I pay him?" and Tong said "But your assistant started the fight first, and yet you want my brother to pay him $2000! What then is the logic in your explanation?" and Tak said "Who said so? No one said anything about compensation" and Tong said "Really? Because *** heard it and told us. Your assistant was in the house but couldn't stand boredom and left it and he told someone and *** overheard him say you wanted to drive us out of this town! If you don't believe, call *** to confirm the story!" and Tak looked sheepish when the chief of martial arts association walked out and said "Come on Tong! Let's not talk about duels and compensation. Let's not make a huge deal out of nothing" and Tong said "Sir, I respect you the most in the association and if you say to settle this and not make a huge deal out of it, I will and if you ask me to duel, I will" and the old man said "Oh please, don't say that. Just settle it shall we?" and Tong loudly said "Ok! Everyone here be my witness. I am settling this now. If any of my family suddenly gets kicked, disappear or drop dead or we are troubled with demands for compensations, you will all know who is the culprit!!" and so Tong, Leung and Yan left whilst Man Kwan looked murderous and Tak unreadable but being so petty we all know he will be up to no good.

Pause here.

Great scene! I love how Tong took charge and settled the problem without anyone dying and he is right to do this since Tak wants respect ("min chi") and to save face so now Tak is tied; since he now has a reputation he has to maintain that, so he can't touch the Koos, not yet.

At home, Wai Lan was worried where Tong, Leung and Yan were when they all strolled hin, walking like to guys who just won some great game and all laughing like hyneas. Wai Lan asked what was going on when Tong told her everything. So they've solved 1 problem. Ching and Yau dropped by and Yau demanded "How come suddenly there is this *** as a witness?" and everyone laughed as I think Tong said "*** is actually the "mui yan poh" (matchmaker)!!" and Ching and Yau knew they were fooled as CHing said "I should have known better, since you told me to tell a lie so easily!" and Tong looked closely at her and teased her about something but I can't remember.

At the hospital, Jeung getting better, everyone was happy. Noisily they visited him, as if none of them need to work especially Kuen. Everyone had a great laugh at how Tong settled the problem. Ming (whom everyone calls Ngan by the way) left to get some water and meanwhile everyone teased Jeung and Tong said "The other day *** the matchmaker met with mother and said she has got a nice girl for you brother!" and everyone laughed "Yeah! Time to get married!" and Wai Lan said "She is right. You both are old enough to start a family" and Ming was outside listening in when Jeung said "Well Tong, you can now marry!" and Tong said "Oh no! Big brother first! Moreover I have preference" and Jeung said "Ahhh looks..." and Tong said "No.. body! Must have nice body!" and everyone laughed when Jeung said "But I am already married" and everyone was shocked, Ming included as he said "I was married before, but she left me because I was too poor" and Wai Lan said "Really?" and Jeung said "Yes, and I already have 2 children.." and by this time everyone knew he was joking and Ming outside was relieved as Ching arrived and walked in. Wai Lan said "I thought only Tong is the sly one, it seems now I have 2 sly sons!". Again everyone laughed. Ching said "Let me check your lungs..." and she did and she said "From the looks of it you will be out of this hospital in no time!" and Jeung was happy but said "Can I leave tomorrow?" and Ching asked why and he explained "Tomorrow is my adopted mother's death anniversarry (1 year already??) and I wish to visit her" and Ching said "But I will need to take an x-ray of your chest to make sure your ribs are ok. You can't leave" and Tong and gang said "Brother, she won't blame you. You can visit a day later" and so Jeung reluctantly agreed and Ming looked at him thoughtfully.

Pause here. Too noisy but a good scene of siblings joking with one another. Love the exchange between Jeung and Tong, especially Tong with his standard for his ideal woman. Funny stuff.

Ming went to visit the coffin of Jeung's adopted mother, Chan Kiu. Not buried yet as Ming said Jeung was waiting for permit to take her body back to village for burial? Anyway she happily walked home in the forest sort of road when that lusty sifu of Man Kwan began to sing. Spooked she walked faster but he ran after her and she began to run, threw her basket at him and ran as fast as she should as he was closer to her as she screamed "Brother Tong!! Save me!!!" and Tong was at home when he fell down, feeling something wasn't right. Ming screamed "Big brother (Jeung), save me!!!" and Jeung was pouring water to a glass but the glass fell and shattered and he felt uneasy. The creep jumped on top of Ming as she struggled and kept crying for Tong and Jeung.

I guess we all know what happened next.

Pause here.

I like this scene, as in the way it was done, which was scary and yet tastefully done. We don't see any ripped clothes or tears but just that creep jumping one top of her and the camera moves away. Nothing to sensationalise it, nor nothing to make it seem unimportant. I am still surprised it wasn't Man Kwan.

Next scene Jeung was coming out of hospital, everyone was happy but there was Ming, quiet, sullen.

Pause here.

Also like how the camera didn't linger on the immediate aftermath of rape although a more heart wrenching scene such as how she clothed herself and walk back home alone would have made a bigger impact for what is to come. To cut that out and jump straight to this sort of dehumanise it a bit. This is after all Ming's tragedy and to see how she pick herself up after the rape and walk home and shower or whatever would have made what she planned the do more sadder in a way.

At home, dinner. Ming was in her room, cryng very hard as Tong shouted "Ming, dinner's ready!!" and she said "Ok" but we see a huge rope on the bed.

During dinner, she was so very quiet as the uncle laughed and said he found investor for his pharmaceutical business and everyone was excited and talked non stop and so loud as Ming was sobbing quietly.

Pause here.

Silly isn't it? This is one very dysfunctional family, in a way because no one tells anyone his or her problem. In a way I understand why; no one wants to impose on anyone else and also no one wants everyone to worry but this show this is a family that on surface can talk about anything but in actual fact, can't. And also shockingly everyone so busy talking NO ONE NOTICED THIS POOR GIRL CRYING, LEAST OF ALL WAI LAN!! I mean Wai Lan is such a careless mother don't you think? She knows nothing, she sees nothing.

Anyway one person did and it shouldn't have been him. It should have been Wai Lan. Anyway Jeung said "Stop!... Ngan, why are you crying?" and everyone finally looked her way as she stood up and very tearfully said "No, I am just happy for all of you, with the business now going on, just happy for all of you" and Jeung said "Why are you saying happy for all of us? As if you won't have a share in family's success" and Tong just looked at her dumbfounded (funny expression!) as Ming tearfully said "What I mean is I am so proud of all of you. Like you, I was so scared when you got so sick but you pulled through and I was relieved. When Yan and Leung were beaten, I was also very scared, can't sleep but brother Tong settled the problem and I was so relieved. I am just incredibly grateful to have you all as my family, that's all. I am not hungry, may I leave for my room?" and Tong nodded and she left, still crying. Everyone sat closer to Tong and asked "Why is she crying that way? What is going on? She was never like this in the past" and Tong said "I don't know.I really don't know. Let her be for now. Tomorrow I will take her out for tea and I will make her talk"

At night, Tong was standing outside Ming's room, looking at her shadow as he exercised, worried for her.

Pause here.

Love this simple scene. Shows how much Tong takes care of his siblings. BUT why isn't Wai Lan doing the worrying??

Ming dimmed the candle and with that Tong left for his room. Inside, Ming was staring at the rope.

Late at night, and what is the most tedious scene in this episode and one which I feel can be deleted out since it borderlines OTT in dramatic value and would rather have that scene where she dressed and walked home quietly after the rape, she walked to every room and said her good byes. To Wai Lan (who slept soundly - what a mother!) she said "I am grateful for your love mother", to uncle, Leung, Yan, Kuen, she said "Good bye", to Tong she said "Brother, you're the man I most respect. You always have a solution to problems, you took such good care of me, but you needn't do that anymore and you will have no solution to my problem; I have to do what I have to do" and to Jeung she said "I was so silly, when I heard you said you were married, my heart felt so much pain and then you said you were joking, I felt such relief. Why? Because I am in love with you. But we are ot meant to be. You will find a decent girl and marry her one day, I know you will"

And back to her room she prepared the rope.

Jeung suddenly woke up, walked out and saw Tong and Tong said "I am worried about Ngan" and they both walked to her room and knocked on her door but Ming was at that time standing on a chair with a rope around her neck. She was quiet and they walked away and she continued on.

Outside Tong said "This is so strange. She is usually not such a deep sleeper..." and Jeung looked at Tong and they both ran to her room, kicked open the door and saw Ming hung herself. Shocked for 1 second, they then ran to save her.

In the hospital, entire family there. Finally Wai Lan shows a bit of concern. Ching said she is ok but very fragile emotionally and she asked "Why did she try to hang herself?" and no one knew why and Jeung asked "Can we go in?" and she said "Yes, but try not to provoke her, she is very emotionally fragile right now" and there inside was Ming, hiding under the blanket and crying hard, screaming at that them to leave her alone. Everyone was shocked, but Jeung went to her and hugged her as she struggled hard and said "Ngan!!!! Listen!!!! Remember you told me what it means to be a member of this family? You told me I can tell you anything, I can share my problems, we will all think of a solution together. How come now you're not telling us? You broke your promise. Ngan, tell us, what is going on? Does it have anything to do with that Wing Man Kwan's sifu? He disturbed you again?" and Ming paused, cried and then quietly said "I went to pay respect to your adopted mother and on my way back, he followed me and he... he raped me" and everyone was shocked, Tong especially and Leung screamed and ran out and Tong said "Yan, follow him! Don't let him get into trouble!" and Yan dragged Leung back and Leung was very angry. Tong asked "When did this happen? Where?" and she timidly said "2 days ago, he dragged me into the backalley"

Pause here.

I remember the place as sorta forest-ish, no backalley. And I know what a backalley is in Chinese so I am surprised at this bad writing.

Anyway she cried hard, Wai Lan consoled her and Tong, the only one to ever try to find a solution to anything said "Ngan, don't worry. I will find justice for you. We will go to the police" and uncle said "What's the point? They're on that Wing Tak's side!" and Ching heard what was said and looked distressed and Tong said "If that is the case, I will call the chief of the martial arts association, I will make a big issue out of this, I will make them pay"

At home, dinner I think, Ching rushed in and said to Man Kwan "Did you know the Koos adopted sister tried to hang herself and she is inconsolable in the hospital?" and Man Kwan looked surprised as she said "Your sifu raped her" and mother looked shocked, Tak looked shocked, Yau said "Monster! I knew he is such a monster to do such a thing to such a nice girl!" and Ching said "They have reported to the police and they're searching for this monster. Father, can I ask a favour? I know you're close to him and not close to the Koos, but can I ask that you do not interfere with the investigations and protect this monster?" and Tak said, "What kind of a man you think I am? Man Kwan, where is he?" and Man Kwan was reluctant and said "Father you can't believe in their lies! They're lying" and Tak said "Where is he?" and Man Kwan said "He will be meeting me at 11 at the restaurant" and Tak walked to the phone and called the police and said "I am Wing Tak and I am aware my son's sifu committed a rape against the Koo's daughter. He will be meeting my son at 11 at the restaurant, you can arrest him there... yes, do what you must" and mother said "I know you're both close to the Koos, but believe your father" and Yau and Ching looked ok but Man Kwan didn't, and he slowly got up, strolled to the room nearby and slammed the door.

Next episode, we finally know the connection between Wai Lan and Tak's wife and Ming begging Tong to let the case go.

I am happy with tonight's episode, generally. I like the fact that Tong is given the opportunity to be in the fore front and it is as such; Jeung is the eldest but Tong is the one they look up to, the one who finds solutions to problems and I like how he solved the problem with the compesation.

However I am disappointed at the lack of any action by Wai Lan. I feel at times too much emphasis given to Jeung in regards to Ming when the one consoling her should be Wai Lan, she should be crying with Ming, she should be the one to try and settle the problems. Wai Lan gives me an impression she is not tough, she is not smart and she is not involved. In fact no one tells her anything. I find Wai Lan redundant as a mother.

On the other hand I find Tak's daughters to be opinionated in a good way.

I don't like the love story between Ming and Jeung. She calls him big brother. She is an accepted member of the family, a sister. And the love thing was so sudden. I feel to add that in kinda destroy this series' credibility because that was so cliche and frankly incestous by relationship. Yes she hardly knows him, yes she is adopted BUT she calls him big brother, she sees Tong as big brother, Wai Lan as mother, she is essentially the adopted child and so it was wrong!

Man Kwan actually thinks his sifu is innocent. He actually does. Amazing.

Performance wise, Kenneth Ma was a standout in tonight's episode. He showed a bit of comic timing in serious scenes and inappropriate goofiness during very dramatic scenes but well, goofiness is good. Love his shocked look. Acting is still raw in more dramatic scenes but at least he is getting better. Love his playful scenes with Selena.

Selena was ok but I am rather annoyed with the way she speaks. And does she ever wear anything other than the orange dress?

Dominic Lam has so little to do that I can't comment.

Natalie Tong was another with a standout performance despite the patchy writing. I find her scene in the hospital to be very heart wrenching and she did well as she tried to chase them all away, very dramatic sort of acting which suits her style and the situation. I am however not pleased with the writing for some scenes as noted above, especially the good bye scene to every member of the family. It was such a long scene, and again I feel too many children.

Kevin Cheng did ok, just take away his hands, ask him to sit down and deliver his lines, he is ok.

And Jacky Heung paragraph; his last scene, if the space between dinner table and room is any further away, that scene will take forever. He really took his time to stroll to the room and slammed it, everyone practically waiting for him to finish his catwalk moment. But darn it, he is mesmerizing.