The woes of Tong continues to epic proportion, sort of.
Ching came by and wanted to help, she borrowed $300 from friends but Tong refused her money and so she left disappointed. Then Tong received telegram from Wai Lan who said Jeung must pay $300 bail so Tong ran after Ching, and rather unbecoming of him, ransacked her purse for the money. Why can't the writers make Tong a bit more dignified in the way he handles himself??
Anyway Jeung in the prison, alone, dejected, sad, as he remembered when he arrived in Fat Shan with Ming, he was full of excitement and saw a billboard with an ad for a health pill and he smiled and said "I wonder, when I win the grand championship, will my face be up there like that ad, like a spokesperson for our pharmaceutical company" and Ming ever the cheerleader said "Of course!". Then he remembered in the restaurant after meeting the cheats he said to Ming "Better we eat now rather than wait for the dinner tonight. You will be too hungry by then" and Ming said "Brother, we are so lucky to have found those masters!" and Jeung agreed and said "I always believe everything happen for a reason; like I have nothing but this powerful strength, it must mean something, something great!" and they were very happy. In the prison Jeung shook his head in disappointment as he remembered the police said "We have investigated, you're in the wrong! Shut up! (to Ming who was protesting) You nearly killed someone. They have agreed to accept $300 as compensation as well as an apology and my advice is you better take that"
$300? More like for the police!
Then police came and released Jeung and he was greeted by Ming and Wai Lan. In the hotel room he sat by the side, head down low, not speaking as Ming whispered "Mother we better leave tonight. We don't have much money" and Wai Lan said "No we stay for the night. Jeung can use with some rest" as Wai Lan walked to Jeung "Rest well tonight, don't be like this" as Jeung said "Mother, I will work very hard at the shop to repay the money I owe you" and Wai Lan said "We are family! What is this about you and me and money? And what about your training?" and Jeung said "Mother, I am not training anymore. I am useless. I always thought my strength is a gift, a better purpose. Maybe the fact I am cheated is heaven's way of telling me to stop daydreaming!". Wai Lan and Ming both knew he was beyond consoling so they said nothing more.
Cham was at Tak's house and Tak said "I have a matter to discuss with you. I have entered my son into the grand championship" and Cham said "Good! Good! I can say with certainty he will win this year" and Tak said "Oh yes, but he is still lacking in technique. He knows the kick but his fist is weak. I am hoping you will agree to teach my son the iron fist"
Pause here.
Why? How come Tak himself is NOT teaching iron fist since he himself knows iron fist? Did the writer forget that?! Or is this Tak's way of monopolizing even the championship, having his son learn from the greats even if same style?
Cham was reluctant as he said "Ha Ha! Master Wing, how you have overpraised me! I am no longer that master of iron fist, I am now my wife's servant! These fists are useless now" and Man Kwan said "Sir, I am very sincere is asking you to be my master, please teach me, test my potential now" as Cham said "Oh no, I don't doubt your potential but I am retired. Master Wing, I really must go" and he left and Man Kwan sneered "Father, is this it?" and Tak said "No worries my son, I will make him teach you".
Cham said to his 2 students "Do not tell sir about this! You know how she is ..." and the 2 students said "Godfather, you looked keen, don't tell me you're not keen!" and Cham said "Even if I am keen, even if Sir allows me to take on students, I won't take on that Wing Man Kwan. Did you see his eyes? Ruthless eyes. If I teach him, more people will die! No I won't teach him, ever"
Pause here. He got Man Kwan right!!
Back at home, Tong's time is up. He sat there thinking and then decided "So it will be!!" as he held a small packet in his hands.
Cham is here with wife to collect his debt with the 2 servant girls and 2 dogs and a bunch of police. They must be rich! Cham told them to arrest everyone when Tong came out and said "Come come, sit down first! My mother is at the bank taking the money, so it will take a bit of time, here, have a cup of tea" and so they did and suddenly Fong Fong the wife had stomach ache and Cham asked "Sir.."
He calls her "Dai Yan" which is like "My Lord" or "Sir" so I think I will use Sir. Because technically it should be Madam but I think Sir has more impact.
"Sir, are you ok?" and she said "Stomach ache, all of a sudden, I will go back and you must get back the money no matter what!" and Tong said to them "I know what's wrong. I put some powder into your drinks, but no worries, not poison, but will cause diarrhea" and Cham very angry said "You did what?!" and Tong said "Hey no worries! Take our pills, you will be cured very fast! Even the health ministry thought so, and had ordered more from us, promising us the payments soon, here see the telegram (as he waved the telegram)! Take our pills!" and Cham dragged Tong aside whilst he felt the pain as well as he said "I know what you're trying to do and you won't succeed!" As Tong said "Just try our pills, they're very very good, I guarantee it!" and Fong Fong said "Cham!! Get the pills!" and Tong happily said "2 packets each, quick!"
In the office, the brothers exclaimed "I couldn't believe you did that brother! But did we get any orders? I didn't know that" and Tong said "Did I say that?" as Yan checked the telegram and knew it was false and they exclaimed "But they will be back!" and Tong said "No worries, I will handle it".
A pretty girl walked down from the trishaw and shouted "Sister! Brother in law!" and Fong Fong exclaimed "Bing Bing! Sit!" and Fong Fong said "Husband, those pills really work!" and Cham said "No worries, whatever their tactics I will get back the money" and the godchildren said "You did fall for that telegram trick" and he was shocked and said "It was a lie? I will go get that Koo Yue Tong now!" as Fong Fong said "Sit down husband" as Bing Bing said "On my way here I checked. The pills are very popular" and Cham said "I realise that now" and Bing Bing said "And the government won't be paying just yet" and Cham said "And I know that as well..." and suddenly Fong Fong said "Husband, give them a few days. After that I want you to bring everyone, and do whatever you can to pressure them, force them to jump off the bridge if you have to, be as ruthless as you can" and Cham hesitated as he said "As ruthless as I can?" and Fong Fong said "Yes, and then I will come into the picture..."
I know what she is thinking, kinda obvious. Ruthless woman. Anyone, Nancy Wu in this picture and this is like getting crowded already.
Jeung came home but worked hard, not training as Tong asked "Brother, shouldn't you be looking for a master? Stop carrying the boxes" as Jeung said "I have decided to give up on training, just let me be" and Tong said "Brother..." and he left it at that. At store front he saw Kuen packing some pills into brown packet and asked "Eh Kuen, aren't you off today?" and Kuen said "Yes, and my friends and I will be bicycling. They asked me to bring along some pills, they say it is good so I am giving them 10% discount" and Tong said "Ahhh friends, give them 30% discount then" and Kuen said "No! We must earn as much as we can. Anyway I am off now" and Tong said "Ok, bye bye"
Somewhere along the way Tong met Ching and Ching tried to ask Tong how she can help but Tong smiled "No need! I can handle it" and Ching stopped him dead on his tracks as she said "Don't keep saying that! I am your friend! I am worried about you! Just tell me what's on your mind?!" as Tong teased "Why? You like me? Don't worry. I am fine. I can handle the problems, I am fine" as he walked away smiling.
I think somewhere here Tong met with Ho Yin for a talk and he asked Ho Yin "Do you still love my sister?" and Ho Yin said "It doesn't matter anymore. We can't be together" but Tong said "If you love her, talk to her. See her tonight at ABC restaurant (FUNNY NAME!!), talk to her. Don't let my problem get to you both" and he left as Ho Yin sat there thinking.
I think somewhere here Tong met with Ho Yin for a talk and he asked Ho Yin "Do you still love my sister?" and Ho Yin said "It doesn't matter anymore. We can't be together" but Tong said "If you love her, talk to her. See her tonight at ABC restaurant (FUNNY NAME!!), talk to her. Don't let my problem get to you both" and he left as Ho Yin sat there thinking.
At night Kuen in her room and Tong said to her "Ho Yin is waiting at ABC restaurant. Go see him. Whatever is going on in the shop, it doesn't concern you and Ho Yin. I can see Ho Yin still likes you and answer me honestly, do you still like him?" and Kuen said "What if I like him? There's no point to this relationship. It is over" and Tong said "It is not over. I can talk to his family, if you still love him, there's still a chance" and Kuen said "Brother, it is over, I am happy now, meeting with my friends, helping at the shop. He and I are not compatible, his famiy is terrible and how can I face them all the time with their sneers and jeers and insults?" and Tong said "But you love Ho Yin, he loves you, 2 people who love each other should stay together no matter what!" and Kuen angry now faced Tong and poked his chest as she said angrily "What do you know about love? Have you dated before? Exactly, never dated before. Who are you to teach me about love? What do you know about love anyway? You keep telling people to tell you their problems. But you? You keep all problems to yourself! Family in debt, you can handle it! Debtors at the door, you can handle it! Business in trouble, you can handle it! Brother, how can anyone handle so many things at once?! You can't even deal with your own problems, don't butt into mine! LEAVE ME ALONE!!!" and she said those very very quickly and opened the door and the entire family eavesdropping and she ran out as Tong was left very stunned by her outburst.
I am not sure if that scene was supposed to be funny but Tong's reaction was so funny! And Kuen was right about Tong.
Morning at the park, this time Tong is not fine. "I am not fine. I am just trying to stay positive, encourage my brothers and sisters but what do I get? Jeung feeling dejected, Kuen shouting at me to leave her alone. I am just trying to help and they keep pushing me away! I am so frustrated! What do I do? What can I do?!"
and frankly I can't remember what Ching said so I shall leave it at that.
I am a bit blur about the timeline after that but all I mentioned did happen, but maybe not in the correct time line.
Debt repayment day. Cham came with full force and basically threatened to break Biu's favourite saying engraved on a wood into 2 and he grabbed it and fight ensued and Jeung came forward and punched Cham which he deflected with his palm and Cham was pushed back several feet. Cham was shocked. Jeung said "Sorry Uncle Cham! Are you ok?" and Cham doubled his effort and attacked Jeung with his palm with Jeung punched but instead Jeung was thrown several feet back! Everyone held Jeung up as Tong ran into the middle and said "Stop! Stop! Don't fight. Uncle Cham, what are you doing?" and Fong Fong walked in and said "I have 2 propositions for you, either your repay your debt now or face jail or convert the debt into 80% shares to which I shall own those shares"
Shocked reaction everywhere and the loudest was Cheung who ran out and said "You greedy bitch! Just because you took our pills and knew it was great, now you want to "eat" our business too?" and Fong Fong angrily said "Ok, I will take this house and sell it then!" as Cheung said "Do it! No one wants this house! 2 people were murdered!" and Fong Fong did looked taken aback and Tong pushed Cheung away which was very funny to watch as Tong said "Only on 3 conditions; one, the name shall remain unchange" and Fong Fong said "Ok", Tong continued "Nothing will change, not the workers, the salaries, the benefits, nothing" and Fong Fong said "Ok" and then Tong said "Third, not only our debts are cleared, you will pump in more funds to make our business even bigger than it is" and Fong Fong said "That is what I intend to do, we think alike" and Tong said "However, my uncle Cheung is the main investor and his wishes has to be respected" and Cheung shouted "So you still remember me as your main investor?! I will NEVER AGREE!!!" and he ran into his room as Tong said "Give me a few days, I will persuade him" as Fong Fong said "I will give you one day!" and she left.
In the room Cheung was very upset as he scolded Tong "If you grandfather knew of this, he would be very very upset with you unfilial grandson, selling our business to a stranger!" as everyone wondered why Tong agreed as Wai Lan said "Actually father would have agreed" and flashback to young-ish Biu and a little Wai Lan walking in mountains as Wai Lan narrated "Remember how I always followed father on his trips to see patients? He used to lament if only the medicine could be distributed to patients easily, then it would benefit the patients more. Father would have approved, Cheung, I understand Tong's decision and in a way this will help Au Yeung Biu Pharmaceutical Company get bigger and into what father only dreamed of" and everyone understood Tong's intention and finally Cheung said "Fine..."
And so they have a new lady boss. Tong met with Fong Fong to sign an agreement but he said "I have one more request. We have a few more investors who invested $3000. If you could buy up their shares as well, you will have 90% of shares and no one would butt into your management" and Fong Fong said "True. Fine, I will buy their shares"
In restaurant, Tong gave back $1000 each to the mother, brother, sister and Ho Yin as he said sorry to each of them. Sister sneered "If you want my advice, you're not suited for business. You should rethink your career options" and Tong smiled and said "Yes yes" and brother said "I have done lots of business deals, you have no experience at all, don't think too big or you'll fall hard" and Tong smiled and said "Yes yes" and the mother said "Mr Koo, please inform your sister never to bother my Ho Yin again. We no longer have any connection to her or your family" and Ho Yin was very quiet as Tong sat down next to the mother, smiled and said "Auntie, if you don't mind me saying, when you go home and sleep at night..." and he stopped smiling as he said "think about whether the $1000 is more important or your son's happiness is more important!" as the other said "How dare you speak with my mother that way!" as Ho Yin was very quiet and Tong said "Your son clearly loves my sister, but you as a mother only thought about the money and not his happiness. What sort of a mother are you? Go home and think about your son's happiness for once!" as he squeezed Ho Yin's shoulders and he left.
Next episode, Wing Tak causes problems, a whole lot of problems.
No comment story wise except to say poor poor Tong. But he is so cunning, and he certainly solved the debt problems and the only option was to have Fong Fong as an investor so I understood his decision. He is still the manager. He is a savvy manager, savvy leader but he is not a savvy businessman so Fong Fong can be that businessman. Anyway many moments in this episode where it was unintentionally funny, like Tong being scolded by his sister, Cham's reaction at Jeung's strength. I mean they're supposed to be serious scenes! As for Man Kwan and Wing Tak, disgusting people.
Story toned down a bit but still suffers from consistent writing.
Performance wise, Kevin Cheng was terrible in one particular scene, which was the one where he cried out in front of Wai Lan and Ming. Face is stressed, voice is stressed but the body language was terrible. Look at his hands; very calculated to the point of obviousness. I find that acting terrible.
Shirley Wong who has more scenes these 2 episodes than the other girls had the voice, the pained look but too obvious. I find her acting lacking, I find her too much acting, too unnatural. I hated her crying scenes and her shouting whilst crying. Same as Tavia except at least Tavia can act better.
Kenneth Ma is ok in less serious moments. Even in serious moments he seemed so goofy, I can't take him seriously. But his character Tong is growing from strength to strength and I like how cunning Tong is. Problem is with Kenneth Ma's acting which just doesn't give the impression of a very burdened person pretending to be not burdened. However must say one thing; Kenneth Ma is very handsome in this episode, with his side combed hair and more importantly that white overall. He really looked very good in that white overall, without the belt and the reason is simple; he looks tall and big. Kevin looks so small next to him. Another one looking good in such costume is Dominic Lam because he is tall as well or at least taller than everyone. BUT Kenneth Ma looks so very good in that particular white coloured chinese whatever you call it and I found myself appreciating his good lookingness and his character more than his performance which is lacking in again something, like leadership, burden, etc. And everytime he argues, he pouts. Sigh...
Dominic Lam is still underused. Ram Chiang is ok but as master of kung fu? Why not find a proper actor who knows kung fu like Gordon Lau? Or Yuen Wah? Yuen Wah especially?
And finally, Jacky Heung. He does have that ruthless eyes looks. He's ok, not bad until he opens his mouth and talk.
April 15, 2011 at 4:45 PM
"Wai Lan said "Actually father would have agreed" and flashback to young-ish Biu and a little Wai Lan walking in mountains as Wai Lan narrated "Remember how I always followed father on his trips to see patients? He used to lament if only the medicine could be distributed to patients easily, then it would benefit the patients more. Father would have approved, Cheung, I understand Tong's decision and in a way this will help Au Yeung Biu Pharmaceutical Company get bigger and into what father only dreamed of"
This actually kinda contradict earlier flashback. Biu only allowed his formula to be passed to one person. Only one person can lock himself in the room and make the medicine. How can the company become big? How can the medicine be distributed far and wide and benefit a lot of people when only one pair of hands can make it?
And Tong trying to persuade the mother to allow Ho Yin to be back with Kuen? Is it a good thing? Such a spineless man. Will Kuen have good days married into the family, with in-laws like this? If the in-laws bully Kuen, I doubt the weak Ho Yin will stand up for her.
Lastly, Tong really is a bad business man. Even Kuen is better than him. Giving 30% discount instead of 10% when they are in huge debt.