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

The episode where Wing Tak falls from grace, eventhough I kinda see he is kinda human. This is also the episode as to what defines a good man and good woman.

Life goes on for the Wing household. But for Ching, that is the start of The Difficulty Of Being A Wing. Ching saw Tat's wife (the one taking the blame, finally knew his name) and she chit chat with Tat's wife and Tat's wife said "He is not well in prison. He nose bleeds a lot, even has blood in stools, no one knows what's wrong with him, and he looks so pale" and Ching was curious. So she paid Tat a visit, offering to do a check up on him to reassure Mrs Tat but Tat, now very very pale refused. Before she came in he was having nose bleed again and kept taking the pills and when he heard Ching is coming, he accidentally scattered the pills. Anyway Ching wanted to help him, but since he refused, she gave up and said "I will tell Mrs Tat you're fine and nothing to worry about"

Pause here.

Isn't that the stupidest line ever? I mean Tat is gonna be shot to death, so what is this about he's fine, he's ok to his wife when he is eventually not gonna be ok??

Anyway as she was about to leave she saw the pill and quietly took it. Tat refused to face her, cried and again nose bleed.

Poor man. He looked so pale! Of course, with so much loss of blood.

Ching cornered an expert whose wife is an expert in testing medicine or whatever and he agreed to rush his wife to give her an answer by that day.

At home, happy family time, but this time for the Wings as they celebrated Yau's birthday and Man Kwan may actually have laid low these past few days. A call came in and Ching took it and it was the doctor and he said "The pill is still under testing and not yet approved. It is meant for heart patients. If overdosed, the patient will experience nose bleed and blood in stool. Where did you get this Ching?" and Ching was shocked as she looked at her family and quietly said "Thank you doctor, I owe you a drink" and she was stunned at what she found out.

Meanwhile the day came for Tat to go to court and he went to court, nose bleeding and all and admitted to the murder all by himself and was sentenced to be shot in a few weeks time. Leung I think told everyone the news and suddenly Tong was having asthma attack, probably because he was very upset. He walked to the hospital and the senior doctor greeted him as Tong said he was having a rather serious attack and the doctor said "Yes it looks like it, come in, however you will be attended to by another doctor" and Tong was stunned as he asked "Where is Dr Wing?" and the doctor answered "She quit and left to treat patients by the affected areas. I have tried to advise her but she was so sullen. It was such a sudden change, like a different person and she refused to tell me what was bothering her so I had to agree with her decision. If you see her, do console her, whatever is her problem" and Tong looked well.. stunned.

It was Ching, it was REALLY raining, she just finished treating the patients, she was morose as she walked home when Tong voice called "Ching!".

Actually they have nicknames for each other. Can't remember what they're and when they started but they're not dating, yet.

She looked at him, shocked and walked on as Tong ran after her in the rain and asked "Why did you quit? Isn't being a doctor your dream? How being here will help you achieve that dream?"

Pause.

Tong, she is still a doctor. Doesn't need to be in a hospital to be a doctor! What a terrible line, very bad scriptwriting!

Tong continued "Tell me, what is wrong?! i am a sickly person, I hiu hiu hiu all the time and yet I aspire to do well, to be better but you, you just quit!" and Ching looked at him and said emotionally "It doesn't concern you!" and he said "Whatever is your problem concerns me!" and Ching said "I am no longer your doctor, you're no longer my patient, we no longer have any ties nor any relationship with one another!" and she left as Tong cried out where he is staying and "If you wish to talk, you know where to find me!!".

And what happens next was such a huge twist but very satisfying story wise because it is somewhat realistic and defines both Tong and Ching as a person; that is everything decent and good. I really like that sort of twist. Nice guys need not finish last.

Ching spent whole night writing letter and as Tong slept, she slipped the letter under the door into his room and she left and walked for a long time until she reached the side of a cliff facing the sea. Tong suddenly woke up, saw the letter and read "Tong, by the time you read this letter, I would have been..." and he didn't finish and he ran thinking where will she be and somehow deduced the cliff side and he ran in the rain (REALLY RAINING! PROBABLY ALL SHOT IN ONE DAY) and to the cliff side and saw Ching JUMPED!

YEAH!! SHE JUMPED! SHE WAS TRYING TO KILL HERSELF!!! WHAT A TWIST!!

Tong managed to take off his beautiful white cheongsam and jumped in after her and underwater scene, rather fake but at least it is not CGI and he saved her. In the hospital, the doctor said she is fine but resting. Tong went in, sat beside her as she slept and he finally read her letter and as he read, his eyes brimmed with tears and his face contorted with pain and here is what she said...

"Tong, by the time you read this, I would have been dead. I have no other ways to deal with my problem. Did you know when I was little I was very loved by everyone at the convent I was attending? (flashback; Tak and Chu hugging her and giving her kisses-she was rather loved and surprised to see this side of Tak) That is because they said I was like an angel, a good girl and so I was given the English name, Angel. I have always wanted to be a doctor, to help people, and I actually lived under the illusion that I was really an angel, a good person and I believed those around me are good as well. The truth is my father is a bad person. He arranged for Tat to be given pills that will induce symptoms of cancer. You always wondered why someone like Tat would admit to murder? The truth is he thought he was dying, so he might as well take the blame. I found out this truth from the doctor who was bribed to do my father's bidding, before he left the country. He only revealed the truth when I threatened to go to the police. You wondered also why Man Kwan would kick Kwong to death. The real reason is father wanted Man Kwan to win, and he was worried about your brother as the competitor and wanted Kwong to poison your brother but Kwong refused and so out of anger, Man Kwan kicked him to death and forced everyone to give Kwong a kick so as to implicate them as well. My father was the instigator, he planned them and he executed with cold blooded precision. I understand now what he is capable of, and I now believe you on your accusations about your grandfather, stepgrandmother and your father and I am truly sorry. I always thought I am a decent person, but the truth is I am not different from my father. When I found out, I realised I couldn't reveal this, because my brother would die if I do (flashback: she saw Man Kwan and Tat having a laughing moment). And yet like my father who allowed a healthy man to be induced into such a sickly man, I too am standing by and doing nothing. I am in the end my father. I realise I could no longer be the doctor I aspire to be so I quit. I hid in here, doing charity, never expecting to see anyone, least of all you. But I missed you so much, it hurts and when I heard you calling my name, I was overjoyed, because I could at least see you one last time before I end my life. I am sorry if I hurt you, please forget about our friendship, forget about me, I don't deserve your affection. Please take good care of yourself, always take your medicine on time, live well and be well. Good bye my friend, Tong..."

And Tong cried very hard as he finished the letter, gripped by emotion, knowing Ching attacked by her conscience took the only way she knew to redeem her ownself. It was very sad to see this scene and Tong's reaction. Poor Ching; I understand her pain, her dilemma, her difficulties and Tong, having finished the letter and knowing the truth finally as to what went on with Kwong, Man Kwan and Tat, looked at her for a while and then quite simply stood up, knelt down by the bed, took the small matchstick and burn the letter. This was the only piece of evidence to tie ManKwan and Tat and Kwong and Tak but he burnt it. As he was burning it, his back facing Ching, Ching woke up and saw what he was doing and she silently cried.

Decent woman... decent man. They deserve one another!

Tong went to see Tat, now more pale than ever and Tat shouted at him to go away but Tong whispered "Listen to me. You can choose to not believe me, but try not to eat the prison food, tell your wife to cook for you, they will accomodate your request since you're on death row, don't take the pills, 3 days, give yourself 3 days and the truth will be out" and before he left he said "3 days, you can call me and I will come to you" and he left.

I suppose 3 days later, one news traveled to the other and from one person to the next and everyone rushed out.

Tak and Chu were having tea at the restaurant and Tak said "You complained I never had time for you, now we are having tea and you're so quiet" and Chu said with a tinge of guilt and fear "Tat is gonna be shot in a few day's time. Let's give him a big funeral shall we?" and Tat nodded when suddenly Tong appeared, carried his own cup to the table and helped himself with the tea! Tak, annoyed said "What do I owe this pleasure?" and Tong smiled and said "Oh not much, just so that you know your son will be re arrested soon" and Tak said "What makes you think that?" and Tong smiled as he said "The truth will be out, very very soon". Chu said "Tak, let's leave" and Tak said "My wife is unwell, please, excuse us" but everyone came with reporters and they were stopped as Yan said loudly "Brother, the reporters are here. You said you have some major breaking news to reveal?" and Tong said "Yes I do! And it is about Master Wing and his son!" and Tak wanted to leave when Tong said "I didn't chase you out when you came to disrupt Kwong's funeral, now you wish to so rudely leave me mid sentence?" and Tak said "Chu, let's sit and hear and you listen very carefully so you can be my witness in my eventual slander lawsuit against these people" and Tak smiled and said "Oh yes, Mrs Wing, listen very very carefully"...

Tak said "Everyone, today Tat has changed his story and revealed the truth. He revealed that bastard Wing Man Kwan was the one who kicked Kwong, and the reason is simple; Master Wing wanted that bastard son to win and was afraid of my brother and so wanted Kwong to poison my brother! And when that bastard son was arrested, he gave pills to Tat to take, so as to induce cancer like symptoms unbeknownst to Tat!"

and Tat's wife cried "YOU EVIL MAN!!!!" and so did Kwong's wife cried "MY POOR HUSBAND!!!" and Leung threw a bun at Tak and everyone threw many things, amongst many, pots as well. Chu was very affected, because she knew those were the truth but cried "It is not true! Not true!" but she fell silent when the crowd became rowdy and Tak left with Chu and interestingly he didn't seem too concerned about what happened and even tenderly removed the porcelein pieces from Chu's hair as he walked out when Wai Lan shouted "Everyone! Stop throwing things at him. That may kill him and that will only benefit him. I want him to live long enough to see his comeuppance!!" and so they left and Tong said "Everyone, let's follow then, make sure that bastard son does not escape!!" and so they walked together and Man Kwan was walking out and saw the crowd and Tat said "Man Kwan, go inside" but Man Kwan asked "What is going on father!" but Tak said "Go inside, now!" and they did as they closed the gate and Tong shouted "Everyone, we will wait here to make sure that bastard Wing Man Kwan does not escape!!" and Fong Fong was there and shouted "Good! So everyone stays (they're employees by the way) here to watch but salary will be paid in full like usual!!" and everyone cheered.

Fong Fong is indeed a very brave woman.

Time passed and we see newspaper printings said Tat u-turned on his story, government took back grants, no one wants anything to do with Tak and his pharmacy anymore.

Inside mansion,they knew the police were coming. Tak and Man Kwan together, Tak gave Man Kwan $3000 and said "You run behind, there's a car waiting, don't look back" and Man Kwan was in police uniform and was trembling with fear, or as much as Jacky Heung can act out fear since he still looks pissed when he said "Father, I am scared" and Tat slapped him gently and said "Don't be scared! You're my son! You will be fine!" but Man Kwan hesitated and said "Father, I don't know what to do" and Tak gave him another gentle slap and said "This is only one small obstacle! You will rise up again! I will make sure of that! Now go!!"

I don't know. I of course do think Tak is a monster but this scene shows Tak's gentle side in a perverse sort of way. He definitely loves his son, but in the wrong way. He himself doesn't seem too concerned about his downfall. In fact he seems so cool, as if this is nothing but a small pimple instead of a full blast of acne.

Police rushed in as Chu said to Tak "Please, what should we do?".

Pause. Don't any of them know what happened to Ching or cared what happened to her?

Anyway police chief came in and said "I am sorry, but I have to arrest Man Kwan" and Tak said "Ok, I will call Man Kwan to come down" but Tong said "Let's not waste time, we go get him ourselves if not he would have escaped by then!" and the police came down and said "Wing Man Kwan is missing!!"

Outside a thief was running out and Jeung stopped him and 2 cops arrested the thief and led him away when Jeung asked "Hey, the chief is inside, shouldn't you take him inside?" and no answer and Jeung suspected something when Man Kwan turned back, fired a shot but missed and Jeung fought with Man Kwan but stopped when Leung held the gun to Man Kwan's temple. And so Man Kwan was arrested.

Tong went to see Ching still at the faraway hospital and she was at the balcony, quiet, sullen when Tong sat next to her and said gently "I am here to inform you that your brother was arrested" and Ching said nothing when Tong suddenly said "By the way, what did you write in that letter?" and Ching remembered seeing him burn the letter and surprised said "You haven't read it?" and Tong said "Nope! No time. The first setence itself and I ran to find you. After that the letter was submerged in water and by the time I wanted to read it it was in pieces" and Ching quietly said "I was just explaining something about realising a certain action by my father was very wrong and I was thinking foolish thoughts" and Tong smiled and said nothing and Ching said "Tong, thank you, thank you very much".

She knows he knows, but he doesn't know she knows. What a decent guy!! My vote for the most decent guy!!

Meanwhile Tak is desperate. He met with the police chief and threatened him and even said he is willing to part with his whole fortune to save his son but the chief said "There is nothing more I can do for Man Kwan. I can only help you that when I do find the doctor, I will not implicate you. But your son, nothing I can do. Just pretend you have less one child" and he left as Tak looked at him, probably feeling lost for the first time ever in his life.

Back to Jeung and he was walking with Bing Bing after dinner and basically she dreamed of the days until he becomes the grand champion of the state and he confessed he dreamed about that too and finally went home on the same trishaw and Bing Bing just held his arm and Jeung in turn entwined his hand into hers. And so they're now a couple. And I think Bing Bing will be a problem because if not what then to justify Jeung running into the willing embrace of Ming? Someone speculated she will die. Bing Bing dying will only mean Jeung won't marry another, so my theory is Bing Bing is a liability, so as to make Ming a great alternative.

Next episode, Wai Lan saw Pai Jeung who is still very much alive!! So why the hell he never came forward to explain what happened to Shing? Is this gonna be another huge twist? Please let it be!!

No comment story wise. I mean this is getting better as we are getting near the end. I will however say this much; all those talks about the grand championship and Jeung's importance in it, which means Kevin's importance in it, I find these all like small matter. Because I don't see how grand championship will restore honour when every member of the local association now knows what sort of a person is Wing Tak and sooner or later the cases to the murder of the Koos will be reopened. Technically the Koos never did anything to lose honour; they were decent before, decent during and still as decent now. Everybody took Wai Lan's accusations as grief, and nothing more. No one actually said she lied or she tried to pin on Tak. So all these grand championship talks is just empty talks.

I really like the scene where Tong looks at Ching in the hospital, crying very hard. There is depth in that simple scene that I find the series lacked right up until that point. No wailing, no shouting, no MR moments but Ching telling her story to Tong and begging for forgiveness. She is not her father and it was very sad to see that she thought she was. That scene alone made this series somewhat a masterclass, rare but when it is there, it just blows your mind. That is so not MR moment, but a real moment. I was rather shocked to see her jump. I thought he would grab her and pull her back and she will wail and cry and kick and be dramatic and yet that scene never descended to that cliche mess and instead showed us the difficulties of Ching and the dignity of Tong, two individuals from 2 families torn apart by the actions of their loved ones. Fantastic scene.

And so it follows performance wise, I have very good things to say.

That scene opened my eyes to what Kenneth Ma is capable of if he just don't act cute, just don't go shouting but just cry. He doesn't cry like wailing or noisily but he just cried so hard you can see the every lines in his eyes, like he suddenly aged so much, like he was so tired, so burdened. That is exactly how I want Tong to look like, that is what I was hoping Kenneth could have brought onto the table from earlier on instead of cutesy moment. Of course he went back to being quite charmingly cute, even in front of enemy numero uno that is Wing Tak but I feel Kenneth Ma is capable of depth; that scene shows it and I felt for Ching through the eyes of Tong. I have a soft spot for characters that are not just good and decent, but charming, gallant and gentlemanly and Tong is all that. Superb job by Kenneth Ma. Hopefully he keeps that up for the next 5 episodes or until the end of his story.

Selena Li didn't suck, even in grief and guilty conscience, I still find her rather fluffy but at least less fluffy. I am however not very satisfied with the way she interpreted that grief. She looked more lost than someone burdened with a secret she must carry to her grave. That sort of look would be best acted out by Natalie Tong, naturally burdened looking but I am glad Selena didn't go for the dramatics. At least she wasn't over the top.

Dominic Lam has more to do in here, and you see the dynamics between his Tak and his son Man Kwan. Like I said, somehow strangely loving in a perverse way. Again I am confused by Dominic's interpretation; his Tak seems like he thinks he is right, but he knows things are falling apart and yet he was so cool about it. I don't know whether he is a brilliant actor or a moderately good actor. Again the character is not very well written but at least in this episode you will see another side of Tak. Somehow I have this feeling he really loves his wife.

Kara Hui has a significant role in here as the mother who knows but is somewhat in denial or rather had to be that way. I think she acted very well in the restaurant scene where she wanted to defend her family but knew her husband is a scum.

Everybody else has little role but not much to add except for Angela Tong was fantastic as the gutsy wife. I am glad she doesn't look like she is gonna die any soon so I am very happy. I suppose that scene where he was taken by her screaming at him "pale faced man" is to show even after all these years, he has self esteem issues.

Things are getting interesting, a pity the last scene shifted to Bing Bing and Jeung, like do I care? I wanna know is Man Kwan redeemable!!