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

And then this series went back to MR mode, some silly moment, horrendous acting, undignified acting but overall a good one where horrendous acting is not Kevin Cheng's middle name in here.

Man Kwan went to see his sifu and his sifu knew why he was there and said "I want you to promise, swear on the "electricity"" ...

Pause here. They love to say "heung tang foh fat sai" which literally means "swear to the electrity and light" which sounds silly in English so I will tweak it a bit to show how serius the promise is...

"I want you to swear on your life and that of your future children, should you not follow on your promise, you will have no children, and grandchildren, that you will do what I ask you to do..."

Woahhhhhh, heavy stuff. And Man Kwan again misled by his own father nodded and Tam Chung told him what he wanted Man Kwan to do before presumably teaching him the last 2 stances. We are not told what it is at this point.

Tam Chung being led to the execution site, everyone was there, Ming also and Tam Chung saw Man Kwan and as he was dragged to the middle he said "My student! Remember your promise! Remember that you will use the kick stances I thought you, use your first kick to kill that Koo Yue Jeung, then use your another kick to kill Koo Yue Tong!!" and Man Kwan looked serious, Jeung and Tong didn't look too surprised and as he knelt and was to be shot, he said "Remember that you will use the kick stances I thought you, use your first kick to kill that Koo Yue Jeung, then use your another kick to kill Koo Yue Tong!!" and he was shot dead, Man Kwan closed his eyes (he has feelings? how misplaced his feelings are for such a scum) and as Jeung and Tong walked away, Tong looked at Man Kwan and Man Kwan was staring at him with intense hatred, or as much hatred as Jacky Heung can muster since he looked that way from 1st moment he walked into the scene.

We see Yan and Yau "pak toh" (dating) and Yau looked troubled and she said "I want to concentrate on my studies. Give me 1 year, so that I can show father good results, then he won't object to us" and Yan said "Well, studies are important... ok" and Yau said "But you must promise me to write me a letter every few days and never to look at another girl and.." and Yan was looking at another girl and Yau said "And I haven't even left and you're looking at another girl!!" and Yan said "No, that's my sister, Kuen" and they saw Kuen hugging and kissing a guy.

Back at home Jeung and Ming came back from their trip. Yan dragged Kuen into the living room where everybody was there, uncle was busy mumbling something and Yan said "Guess what I saw!!! Everyone, someone in here is dating!!" and everyone was surprised and Kuen said "Not even confirmed yet!" and Yan said "But you were hugging and kissing him in public!" and Kuen said "Yeah..." and I think Wai Lan asked "Who's the boy?" and I think Kuen or Yan answered "Ho Ho Yin" and everyone wasn't too happy. Jeung asked "What?" and Leung loudly said "Why are you back with him? Sis was with him for several years but his father didn't like sis because sis according to him was a TCM doctor's daughter, not good enough for his son so they broke up and sis was so upset she nearly threw herself into the river!" and Jeung didn't look too happy as Kuen said "It's not like that anymore. Things are different now, his father died some time ago!" and Wai Lan asked "His mother?" and Kuen said "She doesn't object, I have been to his house for dinners and they all were very kind to me" and someone asked about the old man's fortune and Kuen said "3 bungalows, one to each child" and Tong was laughing hard "REALLY??" and everyone congratulated Kuen for finding a rich guy and everyone was happy as Wai Lan said "Ask him to join us for dinner sometime" and Kuen nodded shyly.

Pause here.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, trademark of MR. Why not just say she was married? Her husband died?

Anyway uncle was sighing and everyone said "Uncle, hear that? Rich boyfriend!" but uncle didn't hear anything and went to the back garden and everyone was curious and followed him which shocked him as Wai Lan asked "What is wrong with you?" and uncle said "The money by the investor is not enough. We are getting a lot of orders for our pills, and we don't have enough supply to meet the demand... and for supply there must be investment...I HAVE DECIDED!! I will take out my 6 gold bars and invest!!" and everyone said "Uncle, you have 6 more gold bars? But when you opened this place you said you used up all!!" and uncle said "These are my last gold bars" as Wai Lan said "But Cheung, maybe don't take out so much, keep a little" and Tong said "Mother, I disagree. If we are going to do this, might as well do it properly" and everyone agreed as Leung said he will help to carry stuff, Yan will help to distribute stuff, Ming will help as well and Jeung too but uncle said "You don't need to help. All you need to do is to practise your kung fu and win us the grand championship, that will win us our reputation back" and Tong said "Yeah, brother, and I found you a great sifu, mother!" and Jeung vowed to learn diligently and everybody rushed to him and have him a hug and frankly I believe that was Kevin Cheng at his most natural. I thought his smile was genuine.

And so uncle expanded the business, whilst Wai Lan taught Jeung and realised Jeung has great potential but they're just not fit to teach him. So in a funny scene, Tong invited one of the 5 grandmasters we often see and Tong said "Was wondering if you could teach my brother the iron fist stance?" and the master said "How can I teach him? I am not suitable.." and Tong said "Give him a try" and the master said ok and prepared himself as Tong said "Be careful.." and Yan said "Yeah, be careful, in case..." and master said "No worries! I will not be hard on him in this tryout!" and Tong and Yan looked at each other and that they are not worried for Jeung but more for the master and the master went forward as Wai Lan said "Use your full strength and all that I taught you" and Jeung went forward and they fought and it was so funny! Jeung basically easily beat him as the master felt the pain in every punch by Jeung but Jeung felt nothing when master punched him and the master in turn was hurt! Tong whispered to Yan "I think we can save on the *bird's nest* (*not sure if this is what he said but he meant something expensive), no need to give him any" and the master cried "STOP! Sorry Tong, I am not capable of teaching him!" and Tong asked "But surely you know someone" and he said "Yes there is.. but he has stopped accepting students a long time ago, no no... if I know of one I will inform you immediately" and he left.

At first I thought he meant Wing Tak but on second thought, I think he meant a "crouching tiger hidden dragon"... I wonder who? Ram Chiang? I mean he must be in here for a reason.

Anyway medicine so successful Au Yeung Biu Pharmaceutical Company was awarded ONE gold medal, Wing Tak's company 9 gold medal and even that, Wing Tak and Man Kwan met with the chairman of the awards and Man Kwan was like a thug saying "We paid you! How dare you award them medals!" and the chairman said "But I had to, I can't control the decisions, moreover it is only 1 medal and they did so well even the government is praising them. Moreover you still had 9 medals!" and Man Kwan said "What about I pay you for only 9 medals, you refund us that money!" and Tak said calmly "Kwan, don't be so rude to your elders" and frankly I can only remember Man Kwan threatening to hurt the guy if he doesn't give them all 10 medals. Wing Tak was very passive.

Tong and gang received the one gold medal, uncle made an emotional speech and interrupted by Wing Tak who came with sulky Man Kwan and reporters asked Wing Tak if he was displeased he used to have all 10 medals now he only got 9 and he said diplomatically "I am extremely pleased that there is a new medicine in town that can help the sick. They deserve the medal, congratulations Tong, you've made it" and Tong looked at him and smiled and said "Thank you, and I intend to do much much better" and Tak left and he sulked as he heard the celebration.

What is this? Man Kwan sees Tong as enemy. Wing Tak sees Tong as enemy. Everyone sees Tong as enemy. Jeung? Jeung is nobody.

Family meeting the Hos and the mother and 2 older siblings seem very nice, announced their engagement and even offered to finance $3000 for the business expansion when the uncle lamented business was so good but they didn't have the resources to keep up with demand. Really? That nice? There must be a catch somewhere!

Anyway Tong was at some village hit by some disease and his medicine could help. As he helped unload the medicine the chief army or whatever approached him and very politely said "We need 100,000 more boxes (I think he said 100,000) of this medicine. It is very useful in treating the patients" and Tong shocked said "100,000? We could barely finish the 10,000 on time. I am sorry, I don't think I can agree". He saw Ching and went over and asked "Eh Dr Wing! How come you're here? I thought you are holidaying in Hong Kong?" and Ching said "Oh hi. No, was about to but how can I with such emergency going on here? I heard about your medicine being very effective" and Tong said "Ya, and the chief wants 100,000 more boxes. I had to say no" and Ching shocked said "Why? Your medicine can help us a lot!" and frankly I have never seen a doctor working at some village treating some plague looking and dressed more extravagantly, might as well show her wear high heel boots. Anyway he said "What about the materials? I need money for the materials and for this current supply I have already borrowed for it, and I still have to pay the debts. And not enough workers, not enough time" and Ching ran after Tong "But you did so well, you are a good person, you are helping others, please reconsider" and Tong said "Yeah, I suppose doing good does help me because I worked like a dog and yet I don't have any asthma attack.." and Ching said "See! Kindness will be repaid. Come on! Please... pleaseeeeeee" and Tong ran away and said "No no, I can't raise the price if not people will say I am a heartless businessman, I can't stick to the same price, and yet I am losing money! No no no" and she ran after him and he ran away. Rather cute scene and cute couple.

Anyway Tong did thought it through and in the end went to his supplier, Leung Cham (Ram Chiang) and he said "Give me more loan, I need to get the supplies to make more medicine" and Cham said "You have yet to repay me the previous loan" and Tong said "I know, but this is to help people" and Cham said "And who will help me? I will need to discuss with my wife first, she is away and will be back end of the month" and Tong said "End of the month? By that time the deadline will be approaching! I will give you 30% higher than usual price" and Cham's eyes shone and agreed.

They worked hard, the old worker made the medicine, everybody worked night and day and Ching came by to visit with food and was told Tong was sleeping and she woke him up and teased "Everyone's working so hard and you're just sleeping?" and Tong said "Wha... What? I haven't slept for a few days. Better than uncle, he had lunch and he slept since then!" and Ching said "Here, your asthma medicine, I brought them to you since I know you're very busy" and Tong appreciated it as Ching suddenly said "Thank you, for your kindness" and Tong replied "Thank you, for making me want to be a kinder person"

Oh come one! KISS ALREADY!!!! Wonder how Tak feels with his 2 daughters constantly at Tong's place.

Next day, finished the order, loading to the train when Yan said to Tong "Brother, I can handle from here. Let me deliver, you just go home and rest if not you will get another asthma attack" and Tong agreed and walked home, tired when he saw his worker having stomach pains and said he was going to the hospital as Tong said "Why bother? Our medicine is the cure" and the worker said "I took 2, but still stomach pain, so I took another 4 more and still the same!" and Tong felt strange and said "You took 6 pills and it didn't work?" and the worker ran to the hospital. Tong ran home to the supply room and tasted a particular powder and was alarmed and Ming walked in and he asked Ming "Did you see uncle **?" Uncle ** is the guy in charge of mixing the medicine and Ming said he left for the trains, had some family emergency. Tong ran to the station, asthma attacking and he found Uncle ** and he stopped him and asked "Did you do something with the powder?" and the man denied it and said "I have to go! I have family emergency! My relative died! I have to go!" and Tong said "Tell me honestly, did Wing Tak told you to do this? DID HE?!" and the man pushed a weak Tong to the floor and Tong was on his stomach, unable to move much as he begged "Don't go! Don't go!" and the old uncle ** said "Sorry master, Wing Tak was very scary. Take my advice, don't fight with him or he will destroy you. Please forgive me master..." as Tong wheezed and said "Don't go!"

Pause here.

I HATE THE FACT HE HAS ASTHMA! He looked like some crab on his belly, so weak, begging and you know Kenneth, he pouts and the way he acted that scene made me want to slap Tong and wanted to push him onto his feet and scream have some dignity young man! Don't beg! Horrible acting that scene, and terrible writing. Can't he have a more dignified way of wheezing and begging at the same time?!

Jeung was very angry, he slammed the table and said "THAT WING TAK! Can't we report to the police?" and I believe Tong said "What's the point? We have no evidence" and Leung said "Let's go find Uncle **" and Tong said "Forget about it. We must now send Yan a telegram to take back the medicine" and uncle said "WHAT? NO! That will ruin us! We will need to compensate them, then the debts to Leung Cham! Moreover, the medicine won't kill anyone, it just won't be effective, no one will know!" and Tong shouted "WE WILL KNOW! Remember the favourite words of grandfather that a physician must do no harm? We must retract back the supplies!" but everyone disagrees, Kuen was crying hard and Ming asked "Are you ok?" and Kuen shocked said "I am fine, I am just angry with Wing Tak" but I think she must have borrowed from her fiance. Anyway Tong asked Wai Lan "Mother, you tell me what I should do and I will follow" and Wai Lan said "Retract back the supplies" and Tong went to send the telegram as uncle cried "We are ruined! Ruined! Ruined!"

The next scene is to me my favourite scene of this episode and it involves Tong and Jeung, alone.

Jeung alone punching the sandbag very very hard. Tong walked past and rushed to him "Brother, don't punch the sandbag so hard like it is your mortal enemy!" and he meant it lightheartedly and Jeung very serius asked "You sent the telegram?" and Tong said "Yes I did, Yan is on his way back with the medicine" and Jeung now angry again said "Tong, my heart feels so cold. I feel so useless. I am the big brother, and yet you are the one being saddled with the responsibility of the business. I should be the one thinking of ways to protect you all, and yet here you are, my little brother, doing the protecting and I the big brother, sitting here, useless" and Tong said gently "Brother, you just need to work hard at winning the grand championship, if you win that, you will help the family greatly to redeem our reputation" and Jeung said "But there are so much troubles here.. how can I concentrate when the entire burden is on your shoulders alone" and Tong gently said "Brother, I can handle it, don't worry for me, I know what to do. As for you, I think you better go to the town and seek the kung fu experts there, there are some great masters there and you may find one who can teach you the iron fist" and Jeung with renewed zeal said "I will brother. I will go first thing in the morning with Ngan!" and Tong nodded happily, but we all know he is in deep shit.

Next episode, Leung Cham and his very bossy wife came to collect the debt, Tong gave him some money but arrogantly Cham threw it back to Tong's face.

Woahhhhh... drama! Drama!!!

I like the last scene. I like every scene with Tong and Jeung in it, preferably together. I like the fact that Jeung may be the oldest, but somehow everyone looked to Tong for leadership, much like Safe Guards, with everyone looking to Seung Chi for guidance. Tong knew he is in deep shit, but tried to be brave and not worry Jeung. Jeung knew Tong is in deep shit but knew panicking won't help matters. And Tong did the right thing to get back the medicine even if they're harmless, but essentially useless. I really like the brother to brother talk in the end and how Tong diffuse the situation and how Jeung knew what he must do not to add to Tong's burden. Poor Tong, so many things on his shoulders.

IF only the writers didn't give him that bloody asthma. Why not a broken leg? Walk with a limp? Anything but that which requires Kenneth Ma on his belly wheezing and begging. There's not dignity in that and truthfully, Kenneth is not that great a dramatic actor. He is at his best at those not so dramatic moments, where his pout can't be seen. Everytime he pouts I just wanna pinch his cheeks and go "SO CUTEEEEEEEEEE". Which is not what the writers intended.

Wai Lan again is rather pointless whilst Tak is again just walk here and there and his wife, missing. Now I am intrigued by Leung Cham and his wife played by Angela Tong. Who are they? What are they? We shall know in the next episode.

As for performances, Kenneth Ma is ok except for dramatic moments. Love his very gelled hair though.

Kevin Cheng didn't suck, at all. In fact he was rather good, and natural in the happier scenes and handled the more dramatic scenes pretty well. Just don't go shouting or over dramatic sort of scenes. For quiet moments, he is ok. Not bad at all.

Dominic Lam, wasted. His performance is too understated. Younger days he was too streassed out, older days he looks too zen.

Everybody else is ok.

And now, the paragraph dedicated to the awesomeness of Mr Wooden Monotone Dude, Jacky Heung. Still mesmerizing, has more threats to dish out, body looks great but damn it, acting is not just raw but terrible! If only he can act better, he would be winning awards!