UPDATES
I have amended those in italic. Thanks Kidd for the correction!
When I started to really like this series, this episode just quite effectively destroyed my most favourite female character that is Fong Fong and the Bing Bing story arc is so darn predictable and a complete waste of time even if rather exciting to watch quite simply because everyone loves a good comeuppance story.
I have amended those in italic. Thanks Kidd for the correction!
When I started to really like this series, this episode just quite effectively destroyed my most favourite female character that is Fong Fong and the Bing Bing story arc is so darn predictable and a complete waste of time even if rather exciting to watch quite simply because everyone loves a good comeuppance story.
The Wings offering prayers to Man Kwan, who even in photo looks like he is pissed. Can you imagine his passport photo? Anyway Ching and Yau there to console their grieving mother and sat down for lunch. Tak asked "How are you now?" and Ching answered "Truth is father, I am not coping well, since I have never been apart from this family before and more so Yau Yau, who cries herself to sleep every night" and Chu said "Then come home, come home and stay together" but Ching said "Father, I want to come home. But I have a request; can you please reveal where is Koo Kin Shing buried? You don't have to tell me now, you can tell me when you're ready and when you do, Yau Yau and I will come home" but she said it very gently and Tak looked sorta pissed and then Yau Yau said "Father, I too have a request" and Tak looked rather softly at her as she said "Can we move to Shanghai and start again over there? I don't want to stay here anymore" and Chu said "Tak, I have been thinking about the same thing. Can we move the factory to Shanghai? There is nothing more for us here. The business may slow down a bit but it is better than being here" and Tak said "I am going to Shanghai to check out some business plans, I will think about it" and nothing more was said.
Very brave of Ching to ask her father for that. I think everyone agrees Tak did kill Shing. She wasn't rude, wasn't harsh, wasn't being judgmental, she just asked. I think that to me is better than going dramatic.
Then we see some tall skinny dark skinned boy doing some major kicks and we see Jay Chou... sorry! I mean Man Kwan! But he does look like Jay Chou in that scene with his hair down, and so dark looking. Tak appeared, so Man Kwan is in Shanghai! Anyway Man Kwan now is taught by Thais and I was right to say muay thai Man Kwan and he was eager to show his father his improvement and he fought his father and his father lost and Tak looked proudly at Man Kwan who by the way was shirtless and sweating and yes, nice body. The Thais said "Your son is a fast learner and he hardly rests, practising more than 16 hours a day. Amazing progress" and I think this is Man Kwan at his most hardworking. Another said "Master Wing, we have bribed all channels. Young Master will be in the 7 States Grand championship" and Man Kwan vowed to kill Jeung on stage.
Pause here.
I am a bit conflicted with Man Kwan here; he was like an eager boy to show to his father, to please him and yet filled with hatred. No doubt Tak loved Man Kwan, but if Tak were to be a better man, he would have been a better father in the sense he would have imparted better wisdom to his son. Man Kwan is the way he is thanks in most part to Tak's twisted education. And to some Tak may even be a good father, but look closer, he is a terrible example.
Then story shifted to Jeung and was busy practising but damn Bing Bing was doing all sorts of things.
Jeung with Bing Bing in restaurant as Jeung said "We are going ahead with the photoshoot and I think Ngan will be great. Moreover family thinks so too so Ngan will be the model" and Bing Bing wasn't pleased as she said "I hope she doesn't get the wrong idea" and Jeung asked "What do you mean?" and Bing Bing said "It is very obvious she likes you more than that of a brother" and Jeung laughed "Of course not! Ngan treats me like her brother, and after what she went through for me, I see her as my sister" and Bing Bing curious asked "What did she went through for you?" and Jeung was reluctant but blurted out what is actually an open secret anyway.
Jeung was practising and analysing his oppponent with Cham and Cham was confident he could beat everyone with the right concentration and Jeung was probably too confident. Then suddenly Kuen came running in and announce "Brother! Come and see Ngan! She is so pretty!!". Ah yes, calendar photoshoot. But Cham told Jeung not to go anywhere and as the discussion continued, Yan came running in and said "Brother! You have to get ready for the photoshoot" but Cham gave him a killer stare and said "Not until I am finished with him!" and Yan said "Ermmmm ok" and went away and as Cham continued, suddenly a tap on his shouler and Cham angrily said "I said do not disturb Jeung!" and it was Fong Fong and Cham went silent as Fong Fong said "And I can't disturb you? Jeung, get ready for photoshoot" and Cham had to agree and so Jeung went away as Cham fretted.
Everyone was there except for Tong (and this is a significant fact) and Ming indeed looked very very pretty in the modern dress and Jeung in a suit and they took photos, then rested when I believe someone came to give Fong Fong something, it was newspaper, she looked at it and immediately tried to cover the paper as she said "This photoshoot is cancelled. Ngan, you don't need to be the model anymore" and surprised everyone asked why and Fong Fong said "I rather not say" and again asked and finally Fong Fong said frustratingly "This paper..." and the headline is something like "Virginal girl raped, the rapist still at large" and basically reported on Ming's rape, which was an old newspaper cutting. Cham stared at Fong Fong who said "You were raped. I am sorry to hear that but you're no longer innocent girl and so you can't represent this company" and Jeung made a feeble attempt to defend Ming's honour "What has it got to do with this calendar?" and Fong Fong said "I am sorry it happened. But we have an image to take care of" and please, don't everyone RUSH to defend Ming (like no one) as Ming said "It's ok, I understand." and she walked away, teary eyed and Fong Fong walked to Uncle "Why didn't you tell me this? Wasted the whole day!" and she looked at Bing Bing giving her the eye/wink which Cham saw and looked disgusted.
Pause here.
I hate this scene. For one, this is the total destruction of my favourite character Fong Fong. What she did, with Bing Bing was beyond low. That was beyond mean. That was just pure spite and pure evil. I really pity Ming who actually put behind the hurt, the pain, the suicide tendecies. I also hate this scene because only Jeung made a feeble attempt to sorta defend Ming, the rest either looked too shocked or too ashamed. And what is there to be ashamed of? The rape isn't a secret. It was such a big scandal anyway and the perpetrator was shot. And why I say Tong's absence was a significant fact is I believe if Tong was there, he would have strenously defended Ming, scolded Fong Fong and insisted nothing wrong with Ming in the calendar. To me Tong is the more protective and aggressive brother and remember how he helped Ming when she wanted to kill herself? He was so worried? The most disappointing was Wai Lan. What the hell is she doing? Nothing. She is such a complete failure as a mother, that's how I feel. She is always taking a backseat, when she should have come forward. So please, nobody rush to defend poor Ming.
Bing Bing, despicable! And it gets worse.
So where is Tong?
He was with Ching, having lunch, looking for Pai Jeung when he suddenly saw someone riding a bicycle, looking like Pai Jeung and he hurriedly chased after him on a bike when we all know Pai Jeung is too old and weak to ride a bicycle. Anyway he called "PAI JEUNG! PAI JEUNG!" and crashed into the guy and some gunny sacks and the guy was someone else as Tong angrily said "If you're not Pai Jeung why you ran?" and the guy said "wouldn't you run if there's some crazy guy after you?!". Tong was on the street, sitting down when Ching came to him and saw Tong in tears as Tong cried "Where are you Pai Jeung? How can I find you? I don't even know what happened to father, whether he is still alive, where he is buried..." and Ching felt guilt since she knew her father was involved and she could only kneel down and console him by her presence.
Yes, Tong was busy with real work! Eeeeesh that Bing Bing!
Jeung was very distracted at practice and Cham was very angry, threatened to leave as Jeung promised to do better as Cham said "My goal is for you to win and still stay alive!"
Uncle was in the shop when a good looking guy in a sweet happily asked for Bing Bing who returned in time and quickly ushered him out and away and Ming came by to see Uncle looking at somebody and she asked "Uncle! What are you looking at?" and Uncle said "Sigh... another one ..." and Ming asked "What another one?" and Uncle said "That Bing Bing, another good looking young man just looking for her, I tell you, she is trouble" and Ming good naturedly said "Uncle, it is none of our business, moreover it could be a business discussion, don't be such a busybody" but Uncle said "I am worried for Jeung. I am afraid Jeung may be cheated in love" and Ming suddenly thought maybe Uncle has a valid reason to be concerned.
Bing Bing with that guy who turns out to be the former driver of her ex husband! So she did seduce her chauffer! He said "I am divorced Bing Bing! Divorced" and Bing Bing said coldly "So? I am with someone else now, don't bother me anymore!" and poor guy said "But you told me to divorce my wife, I left her for you, now you're telling me you're with another?! I won't let you off so easily!" as Bing Bing snarled "My beau is a grand champion in martial arts and he will be the 7 states grandchampion in about 3 weeks. My sister knows a lot of fierce people and triad bosses. If you dare bother me, you will be in a lot of trouble, understand me!!" and she left and came face to face with Ming who was so angry, left. Back in the shop Ming was very angry, then Bing Bing came in and said hi to her and she stared at Bing Bing and declared she is going home. On her way back Bing Bing said "I want to talk to you" which they did somewhere else as Bing Bing said "Whether you believe me or not, I really love Jeung and I don't want him to be affected by what is going on, so all I am asking is that you delay telling him what you heard until after the championship" and Ming angrily said "Will you hurt him? Are your feelings for him true?" and Bing Bing said "That man you saw just now was my ex's chauffer. He was the one who pursued me, I can't stop men from falling for me, I did nothing to suggest otherwise. Anyway, can we agree on not to bother Jeung?" and Ming said "Fine!" and she kept her promise when Fong Fong asked Cham how was Jeung doing and Jeung was doing great.
Meanwhile Jeung met with Bing Bing and Jeung said to Bing Bing they better not see each other for awhile so he can concentrate and Bing Bing said no problem.
So back to practice for Jeung whilst we see Man Kwan brutally savaging his own master.
Fong Fong and Bing Bing with Cham, and Bing Bing explained about the chauffer bothering Fong Fong again as Cham was just complaining how distracted Jeung was. Fong Fong said she has an idea so that Jeung wouldn't be distracted and Cham asked how as she said "I will permit you to use your iron first this time" and Cham knew what he was asked to do and he refused and said "I can't use my iron fist for that!" but Bing Bing begged him and so he agreed.
Met with that chauffer with Bing Bing and Fong Fong. No need to recap all, just that Cham threatened that man with bodily hard and used his iron fist to chop the side off a stone table, the man then went away when Fong Fong paid him and Cham left, clutching his chest as if having a heart attack. For a moment I was worried.
At night, Wai Lan had a strange dream. She saw herself (Tavia again) crawling towards a pit with Kin Shing in the middle, surrounded by men such as Tak, the police commissioner, and they were burying him alive as he shouted "Wai Lan! Take good care of the kids for me! Make sure Tong doesn't have that asthma again. Find Jeung!" and the whole back of the is it spade was smashed into his face and he promptly fainted and buried and Wai Lan woke up screaming for him. Entire clan ran in to console her as she said "It was only a dream". Outside, there was a letter and Wai Lan opened it and it says "Koo Kin Shing is buried underneath the bridge in the park" and Tong suddenly ran inside, brought out a book and said "Look! Same handwriting. This is Pai Jeung! I have his book, where he taught me how to write, same handwriting!" and Wai Lan said "Let's go dig" but uncle or someone said "But it is 9pm, it is too late!" but Tong also wanted to go and so they did and Cham permitted Jeung to go but he mumbled to himself "Girlfriend problems, sister problems, digging up father problems.. what am I to do? How you're ever gonna win if you're so distracted?"
Bad sign. Jeung may be in trouble at the championship.
They all went there, identified a mound, saw some fruits left there by someone who offered prayers there and was digging when an old man walked by, he was the caretaker and Wai Lan asked about any strange incident some 20 years ago and the caretaker said yes indeed since it was his son's 4th birthday and that he heard 4 gunshot wounds and didn't dare find out, hid in a booth and in the morning found a single female shoe with blood on it.
HUH?! A female shoe? Blood? 4 gunshots? What did Tak mean when he said the facts were stranger than fiction? Was Chu involved?
I don't remember they dig up the body after that. I don't recall at all.
At night everyone in the living room, Cham also when suddenly Fong Fong appears, rather pissed and dragging Bing Bing behind her and Cham knew they were up to no good. Fong Fong went straight to a very surprised Ming and she said "I am sorry for what happened to you and I always thought you were reasonable but I never knew you could stoop so low just because you're jealous about my Bing Bing with Jeung" and Ming was like "What are you talking about?" and Fong Fong said "Yes, Bing Bing was rather popular with men and when she was still married to her ex, his chauffer pursued Bing Bing but she rejected him. He came by a few days ago, declaring he has divorced his wife and was looking for Bing Bing" and Tong, the only other one who spoke up for Ming asked "Wait Madam Chow. What has all these got to do with Ngan?!" and she said "Because she is innately jealous of my sister, she doesn't want my sister to be happy. You secretly went to see him and said lots of things to him, making him look for Bing Bing and made life difficult for her. Of course he is gone now, so we have no witnesses but I never thought you can be so vicious because of your jealousy!" and Jeung feebly said "Wait Madam Chow, Ngan is not that sort of person" and Bing Bing said "Jeung, there's lot more you don't know about what she is capable of. Why Ngan? Why do you do that to me? How can you be so vicious?" and Ming just stood there, silent but stoic and given time I am sure Tong will blast them but before anyone could, Cham who was observing said loudly "ENOUGH! ENOUGH WITH THE LIES! How can you make such vicious lies against such a sweet natured girl?" and Fong Fong said "Don't say anything more!" and Bing Bing stared at him as Cham said "Everyone, I am so sorry. So very sorry. There are 3 truths in this matter" as Fong Fong said "Shut up or we are over! Remember what you promised me, remember you owe us this" and Bing Bing said "Brother in law!" but Wai Lan said "Cham, just say it! Say it all!" and Cham said "One, I did not owe anyone any debt or even landed in prison! Two, Bing Bing married that man voluntarity because she wanted that sort of easy life and she did seduce that chauffer and I had to pretend to be some gangster to frighten him away with my iron fist! My iron fist, used for that reason, can you believe that! and three, it was not a coincidence that the newspaper cutting was found in the fruit basket. It was Bing Bing who gave the newspaper cutting to Siu Mui (one of the 2 girls that always follow Cham) to put in the basket because she was jealous Ngan was going to be in the calendar with Jeung!" and Bing Bing stared at all of them and silently left whilst Ming cried a little (when you need her to be hysterical she is almost never that, why?!) and Fong Fong said "Expect the divorce papers!!!" and she left angrily and Cham clutched his heart and sat down and said "I am so relieved I revealed all that. You don't know how many sleepless nights I spent, feeling guilty over what they're doing" and Jeung said "Master, I am sorry for what happened. Maybe you can explain to Madam Chow later to avoid divorce" and Cham loudly said "I don't care if she decides to divorce me. I've had enough!" and Ming thanked Cham for what he did for her. All ok again.
Pause here.
My feeling is Cham is so accomodating to his wife because of guilt; the guilt that he killed his father in law, leaving his wife and her sister orphaned, that's why he became so meek. But he couldn't stand what they were doing to Ming, bullying her. Frankly I find this so out of character for Fong Fong who herself stood up against the biggest bully, Wing Tak. I hate how this episode destroyed everything she is and I thought she would be the one to stand up against her sister as opposed to with her. Everything they did was so low, I really pity Ming but I also know no one would believe such lies against Ming. Those who knows her knows she is incapable of such acts. Even Jeung. If Cham didn't interrupt, I have no doubt Tong will lead the way to destroy Bing Bing and Fong Fong's allegations. So very disappointed. All these drama for drama. So that's it; Bing Bing and her 2 episodes of fame and done, no more. Why bother? For drama? I think Man Kwan and Tak and the mystery of Pai Jeung is enough for drama, credible drama but all these Fong Fong/Bing Bing/Ming story, it is just such a complete waste of time. I was hoping Bing Bing would be allowed to repent, to show even the worst can be good again, like I am hoping for Man Kwan and also for Wing Tak to do the decent thing to reveal where is Shing's body. But it seems this is MR mode all over again and it is just so silly; for that 10 minutes of hyper drama, several characters' integrity is destroyed. For what for? Extra rating? I'd rather a good story told well, that would garner ratings and credibility rather than this cheap shot. So very very disappointed. Obvious isn't it? So who does Jeung ends up with now? Who else? No other women already.
Also the fact she was dressed prettily and everyone urged Jeung to have a look is an indication; to see her reveal herself as a modern beauty. Joke is this episode never capitalise on that, on Jeung looking at Ming as a woman as opposed to as a sister. So the point of those scenes urging him to see her and telling us how pretty she is amounts to nothing.
Anyway Ming saw Jeung beating the punch bag angrily and she looked sad.
Pause here again.
This is more like bad acting rather than inconsistency. I never saw Jeung even remotely upset during the revelation scene, he in fact looked zen. I was expecting confusion, and perhaps hurt and accusing look at Bing Bing, but nothing. Nothing of that sort. And suddenly we see him punching the bag angrily. A bit like skipping scenes here. Maybe it was badly edited. And also an indication he is sure to lose.
Grand championship day, Jeung dressed smartly and looking like Shing. Luckily no preachy speeches one by one, off they went and we see a grander stage perhaps? I still think it should have been open air, and bigger arena, after all this IS the 7 states championship. Anyway everyone lined up, all introduced as winners from different district and finally reached Man Kwan who has a different name but I forgot what name and he removed his hat and I see... JAY CHOU! Really looked like Jay Chou. All saw him knew who he was, I mean so damn obvious but Jeung looked confused since Kevin Cheng can't do the surprised but obvious look and Tak suddenly went numb and walked to Man Kwan and said "Man Kwan, my son Man Kwan, you're alive, you've come back!" and Man Kwan looked at him and said "I'm sorry I don't know you" and Tak went "But you're Man Kwan, my son" and his police commissioner brother said "Tak, that is not Man Kwan. Man Kwan is dead" and Tak said, "You're not Man Kwan, not Man Kwan" and he slowly walked back to his seat; Man Kwan's new identity verified, that to show no one should have any doubt HE IS NOT MAN KWAN but Tong and gang looked at him and we all know he IS Man Kwan.
My guess is if he wins, Tak will pretend to take him as a god son, take him home and he will be like Man Kwan again.
Anyway Jeung looked at the NOT Man Kwan and looked confused whilst Man Kwan somehow looked.. less... pissed.
Next episode, Jeung and Man Kwan fought until both dropped onto the floor, covered in blood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And where the hell are you Pai Jeung!!!
Best scene, Tong crying for his father. That was such a sad scene, I understand his frustration and I also understand Ching's guilt. I also like how Ching asked her father for the favour.
The rest I HATE! Poor Fong Fong! Destroyed! Poor Bing Bing! She never had a chance.
So darn annoyed!
Performance wise, Kevin Cheng disappoints. I mean for god sake man, learn your body language. And his expression is so like Shing now, I thought I was looking at Shing. Where's that angry rough uneducated man? Surely 1 year of practice doesn't automatically give him the grace of a man with the benefit of education. There must be some roughness in him.
As for Yuen Qiu, so darn wasted in here! Not even stepping up to defend her daughter. What the hell is she in here for?
Customary shot of Tavia everytime we tend to forget Tavia was in it. Probably the ratings gone up a bit during those moments?
Nancy Wu did well as the temptress, she looked like it, she looked like those high and mighty bitchy women and frankly very good performance. I just wished she was given a better role than this "just some cheap shot at drama" role.
Angela Tong also. What a pity!!
Dominic Lam was very good. Again I have problems with him as the villain since Wing Tak is again a poorly written character but I like his closeness to Jacky Heung's Man Kwan.
Everybody is the usual, no comments.
Jacky Heung, oooh la la. Nice body. Really looked like Jay Chou! He looked so different with the hair combed down and all, suddenly he looked less fierce and just like a boy. So strange. Acting wise I thought he was better in here than in the last many episodes.
I don't think they dig out the father's body by the way. Just can't remember what happened after the caretaker told his story.
Now I am so gripped by the soon to be here ending. What is the story behind the killings 2 decades ago? Where was Pai Jeung and why didn't he come out sooner? Is Man Kwan redeemable? Is Wing Tak gonna do the decent thing? Will Tong and Ching ever kiss or hug?
One thing for sure; Ming and Jeung, a couple. Sigh...........
April 22, 2011 at 5:56 PM
"An innocent no more as the model of a calendar by successful pharmaceutical company"
I don't think it's like this. I'll go back and check the scene again. I don't think they reprint the news or something like that. They just took an old newspaper cutting to use. Ming's case was such a big scandal, it should be in the papers at that time.
"I hate this scene. For one, this is the total destruction of my favourite character Fong Fong. What she did, with Bing Bing was beyond low. That was beyond mean. That was just pure spite and pure evil."
Agree. What she did was spiteful and mean. But, at least, she didn't make a big scene and print something on the papers anew. So, it's just within a small group. But, still very mean. They are both women themselves. How could they?
But, no worry. You will like Fong Fong back. :)