Episode 16

Tonight is such a frustrating night because He Who Can't Be Married was pre-empted with this endless talkshow. No warning, no nothing! Very angry!! But anyway, that means I got to watch Moonlight Resonance in full. Did I feel like I missed something for missing yesterday's episode? Well, I read the short summary and frankly I could keep up with the story.

If you've read the short summary, last night stopped at Auntie Sa saying "If I don't have any money soon I might as well jump off the building and die!!".

Rather dramatic. Story is Hung wants to retire and transfer 80% of her shares to the 6 children. Cho Ba was supposedly half blinded or so but I was told he only pretended so that everybody stops arguing and the children would come back to the office. Hung seduces Ka and Chung with positions in the company and they were considering the offers whilst the rest were made offers as well but Hung was always dangling the carrit in front of them with a promise of the carrot if all agrees but actually never intended to give any carrots out so to speak. Auntie Sa being very money minded sees this as an opportunity to earn some. Hor Ma feels Hung is up to no good but lets the children decide (which means no lar since everybody listens to her). So Sa reveals why she is in desperate need of money.

And so the episode starts at the revelation by Sa.

"If I don't have any money soon I might as well jump off the building and die!!"

Everybody was naturally surprised and so Sa explains "I bought a house and used some for investment but who would thought the share market was bad? Now I am way behind the payment and if I don't pay the bank soon they will take away my house! And I might as well just kill myself!"

I think it was Hou or Yuet that asked "What has this got to do with us?"

Sa said "Of course it does! I little. I have to think of my future! Morevery little. I have to think of my future! Moreover you're all entitled to take up the offer. Ka Hou Yuet Yuen's money are yours and your money is your mother's which means it is your grandpa's and which means it is mine!"

Hor Ma couldn't stand it anymore and said "What sort of logic is that?!" and the children joked "Well if the money is ours means it is mom's means it is grandpa's and yours is grandpa's too!" but Sa was very upset and scolded Hor Ma for not letting the children work there "Ask Ka! Ka! You wanna work there right?" and Ka was very quiet and then she said "Chung! Chung wants to work there! None of them dare to defy you! You're like the empress dowager, the dictator, so selfish that you wouldn't let your children advance!" and of course I think it was Hou who told her to shut up or something or I may have mixed up this scene with a later scene but anyway Hor Ma stood up and said sternly "I have said this and I shall repeat again. I do not think the woman is up to any good. However I will let the children decide for themselves. But if they were to ask for my opinion, I would say my instinct says to say no to her!".

Sa was angry and stormed off.

Over at Cho Ba's side, Hung receives new Chung will not be joining the company.

Pause here.

Previous episode Chung was an assistant in a computer shop but worked only for a few days and Hung came to see him and offered him the manager of IT dept of the company. Chung who was miserable was very tempted to say yes and he was convinced Hung was genuine. Is it me or is Chung such a useless stupid character? What makes him think he can run an IT dept when he can't even sell computers for a few more days? He is always miserable, could not read nor speak proper English despite being years abroad and is just lousy except for the fact he actually dared to leave home to move in with Hor Ma? Can anyone be more stupid-er than this useless piece of crap?

Continue...

Cho Ba was upset. He had wanted the children to join the company. Hung pretended to be upset. Grandma received a call and it was Sa who wanted to meet her. Interestingly Cho Ba and even Hung was there. So for money this vile Sa could forgive and forget what Hung tried to do like some episodes before? Despicable. Anyway Sa again bends her hands outward rather than inward by saying it was Hor Ma who refused to let the children work for Hung and that she was being unreasonable and a dictator. Interestingly grandma was calm and didn't curse Hor Ma. Instead she adopted diplomacy and said "Isn't her birthday coming soon? Why not Sa you hold a birthday party for her, celebrate it with her to show our sincerity!" and Hung said "In fact I will bake a cake and you give the cake to her as my gift to her". Grandma said "Sa Sa, if you can get her to let the children work at Ka Hou Yuet Yuen, you will be handsomely rewarded". And so Sa, with kaching in her eyes readily agreed.

Sa brought Hor Ma to an empty restaurant on the pretense Hou wanted to meet some customers about business. Suddenly loads of old people bursts and congratulated her and they were her old friends from the neighbourhood especially flown in by who else? Cho Ba! Hor Ma was very happy and then came the worst scene thus far that was so scary to watch...

The children burst out one by one including Cho Ba, all having their role reversed. Ka became Hor Ma, Yuet became Ka, Cho Ba was Hing, Hing was I am not sure who but probably Hou, Chung was Yuet and lastly, the most famous of all comes out last that is Hou as Auntie Sa. I will not dwell on what happened, just know Sa was grinning happily, the entire scene was very uncomfortable to watch and the actor who plays Chung looks very pretty as a woman. In fact he looks better as a woman and it was cringe worthy to see them all with fake boobs, especially Chung. The entire scene was ridiculous and stupid and just shows how this series is going downhill. Was it funny? Nope.

Then Sa went on stage and said "I have to confess. I once said I worked at a nightclub, singing for 2 nights. The truth was it was far longer and it wasn't a nightclub, it was a sex club." and Hor Ma shook her head to tell Sa to not say anymore but everyone was fixated with her story since no one knew. "I was a young girl and there was this older man who wanted to touch me and I was so scared. But sis, she came in time and brought out money to help me. Sis, who was so young with pigtails, rushing into such a club to help me. I was very touched. And I never told sis how thankful I was and I want to tell her today this; sis, I love you, and thank you for your years of love and support" and Hor Ma naturally cried and gave some speech about how happy she was.

I forgot about these.

Hing is nonchalant about her non-relationship with her now potentially ex boyfriend. I really do not know what is going on with her and that short guy.

Sum wanted to buy Hing a present and was 3G-ing with Hou (this series heavily promotes 3G and SMS) when she heard a woman's cry for help. It was a pregnant lady in the middle of the shopping complex about to give birth. She was about to help the woman deliver when in came a dashing looking doctor (that I supposed was the supposed effect) that is Bosco whose name I am not sure yet. He advised against natural birth as he asked the woman's a series of questions and determined she was older, has high blood pressure and needed the ambulance. Sum was ashamed that she didn't think of all that and also impressed with Bosco and together they went to the hospital with the pregnant lady and Bosco was very charming with the lady, putting her at ease and impressing Sum.

In the middle of the night Sum called Hou and said she was scared of the morning as she will be assisting the surgeon in some heart surgery. She couldn't sleep and in cringe worthy fashion Hou read the news so that she would be so bored and slept. Why cringe worthy? These two should just get a room already. I mean how much more of these before they have a relationship? It is like dragging and dragging for the inevitable and in came Bosco! How diluted the entire relationship is!

Next day Sum was so upset she called Hou and Hou running to her like he is so darn free. She said to him she promised the wife of the patient that her husband would be ok but ended up he died whilst in surgery. Her senior scolded her for making such promises and told her she be the one to break the news to the wife. She did and she felt very guilty that the wife not only did not blame her but in fact thanked her! But Hou comforted her and so Sum was ok.

Back to the juicier bits.

Sa again told Hor Ma about the working at Ka Hou Yuet Yuen. Hor Ma repeated the same thing and this time Sa blew up big time. Hor Ma questioned her motives and Sa said "Sis, I have very little money left! I must think of Ka Mei. In fact that stupid ex husband of mine if tempting Ka Mei to stay in Portugal after graduation and so I promised Ka Mei that I will buy a house for her. Sis, think of Ka Mei!" and Hor Ma angrily say "Don't use Ka Mei!" and Sa blew up "You're such an authoritarian! You're so selfish!" and I can't remember if the children were there.

Meanwhile the children were having dinner at the mansion. Not sure what happened as Hung suddenly turned on the easiest target that is Yuet and said smilingly "Yuet, I know you're adopted but you mustn't feel you will be treated differently. I will still offer you a position in Ka Hou Yuet Yuen, as promised the shares will be divided equally among the 6 of you so Yuet you will have a share" and Yuet confused said "I didn't say I ..." and Hung interrupted and said "Didn't you tell Ka that you'd rather Ka's business close shop than to have him work for me?" and Yuet being cornered didn't know what to say and Cho Ba looked at Yuet and said "Yuet did you say that?" and Hung continued "Didn't you also said Hing is mute so she wouldn't cope working at Ka Hou Yuet Yuen?" and Hing looked at Yuet and Yuet quietly whispered to Hing "No" but Hing looked disappointed with what was revealed and Hung said "Don't worry Yuet, you will have your share. I know none of you would believe me after what I had done in the past. I will now apologise once again but don't let your mother's prejudice against me ruin your future. I am sincere and I will eventually pass on the company to you all" but Hou wouldn't hear any of it and stood up and said "Don't accuse Yuet. She is not how you say she is! Come on everyone, let's go. Grandma, I'm sorry but we have to go" and as they left Hung ran to Hou and tearfully said "Hou, I know you don't like me. I know I have done many wrong things in the past but Hou, children, listen. I have earned enough to never worry about money for generations and when I die I will have no one to pass these money to. I want to pass the company to you all. Why then would I work so hard to achieve all these? For all of you! Please consider my offer!" and Hou insisted on leaving, unmoved by Hung's false display of sincerity. Hung shed crocodile tears and said "Please don't leave just yet. Stay and finish the dinner with your grandma. I know you all find me offensive and so I will now go to my room. You won't see me for the rest of the evening" and so she left. Yuen was there by the way and he looked stricken. Yuen said "Why won't you believe mother (as in Hung)? She is sincere" and Hou said "How sure you are she is?" and they almost argue when Cho Ba said to them finally "Go home and consider seriously ok?" and so they left.

Back home Yuet came into the house apologising to Hing but Hing said "I am not angry with you. It is true, I am mute and so being handicapped I wouldn't perform well in the company" but Yuet said "You know that was not what I meant Hing!". Well I believe Yuet. Yuet is a terribly honest person. Yuet continued "I was cornered in there, I was ..." and Sa smilingly enquired "How was dinner?" and nobody wanted to deal with her when Hor Ma came out and Sa again tried to persuade Hor Ma who again refused and again Sa berated her the same things to the point Hou again angrily shouted at Sa to shut it and Sa said "You're such a hypocrite. I was so sincere to you at the birthday party and you cried and said how touched you were by what I said. Touched? MY FOOT!" and sometime I think Cho Ba arrived to persuade Hor Ma and as he talked and Hor Ma tried to explain why she disagree, Sa took her phone and pretended to talk to Ka Mei, her daughter loudly, as if persuading the daughter about the house and such and louder and louder she spoke that Hor Ma just stood up, walked over, took the phone and said "Let me talk to Ka Mei!" and she said "Hello? Hello?" and realised Sa was pretending and angrily said to Sa "You were pretending? Is money that important to you? Are you that greedy?" and Sa angrily said "Yes! Money is important to me!!" and Hor Ma stood there in disbelief and finally Sa angrily said "I wonder what is the point of me remaining in this family!" and Hor Ma said "Well if you don't want to no one is forcing you!" and grandpa angrily said "Shut up all of you! Why is everyone arguing?!" and Hor Ma finally said "Alright, I will see Hung tomorrow and I will tell her of my decision!" and Sa being angry said "Fine! I will move out! I will move out today!!" and she packed and left and grandpa ran after her "Sa where are you going? You have no one else in HK. Go and apologise to your sister and come home" but Sa said "Apologise to that empress dowager? No way!!" and she entered a taxi and left.

I have no idea what happened to Cho Ba and I think I may have mixed up some scenes since there were so many Hor Ma and Sa arguing in this episode. But the gist is there.

Hor Ma was in her room when she heard grandpa said "Eh Sa! You're back!" and Sa entered Hor Ma's room and tearfully apologised for what she said but Hor Ma was very tired and told Sa she didn't want to argue and that Sa should just unpack her things and let her be.

Next day Hor Ma went to Hung's office but Hung immediately called for an urgent meeting and said to nosy male relative who said the meeting wasn't that urgent was it and Hung said "I want her to wait. I want her to be so impatient she will show her true colours. I want everyone to see her unreasonableness and I want that ugly bitch to show to all how impossible she is!".

Hor Ma waited for more than an hour or so I think when the meeting was stopped for a while and she overheard the workers said "I wonder what is so urgent about this meeting? I thought it won't be held until later" and Hor Ma knew she was being made to wait.

As Hung was having the meeting Hor Ma bursts in and Hung quickly said "Oh Hor Che, I am so sorry! I totally forgot about meeting you ! I was so caught up with the meeting! Here here take a seat if you don't mind we discuss in here now" and that is in front of everyone mind you. Hor Ma had no objection and Hung pleasantly said "So Hor Che, what can I do for you?" and Hor Ma said "Do you know about the story of the chickens? I remember before you swam to HK, you were rearing chickens? Do you know what the mother chicken would do when her chicks are attacked by the eagle? She will do anything to protect them. I know your antics Hung and I know you're up to no good and you're trying to divide the children and cause quarrels in the family" and Hung surprised say "Are you saying I am the eagle? Hor Che! You have misunderstood me. I only wanted the best for the children and my offer is genuine" and Hor Ma laughed cynically and said "Genuine? You? remember you attended ----'s wedding and that time you were with your husband (the one who later left her). You got hold of the bouquet of flowers from the bride. That was meant for unmarried girls and you being married needn't take but what did you do? You took it and held on to it. You were selfish and you wanted no other to have the flowers. And that was only flowers. You expect me to believe someone like you as you were then would now readily give up the shares? You will hold them in your iron grip but not let the children have the shares! Let's not forget, you stole my husband too!" and Hung was in disbelief of the revelation and tearfully said "Hor Che, why won't you believe me? I know I did you wrong but I am genuine! I am sincere!" and Hor Ma angrily said "Sincere are you? If you're that sincere, fine! I will call the children now and we go to a lawyer and you sign the tranfer forms for the shares! You do it now! And the children will then sign over the shares to me alone and I will sit in the chair you're sitting now, I will own Ka Hou Yuet Yuen which is mine in the first place and I will for you out! Is that what you want? Because that is what I will do! Leave my children alone! Don't you dare divide them, if not I swear it I will do anything to protect them!" and Hor Ma left angrily whilst Hung looked genuinely frustrated. Whether she was frustrated or not I am not sure. Was it in her plans to have Hor Ma reveal so much in front of her subordinates? Maybe her plans backfired a bit?

Anyway next episode Yuen pledges loyalty to Hung but Ka revealed something that may make Yuen question if all those pledging was worth it.

At first Hor Ma seems unreasonable but in the whole context I believe she was right to confront Hung and tell her piece of mind. Hung being so controlling and manipulative would probably burn down the company than to give to the children. After all she made the company into what it is. Hor Ma's last words, the ones where she said she will ask the children to transfer the shares to her were made in anger. I am sure she had no such intention. I am still not sure whether Hung had seen it all coming; as in Hor Ma's outburst. It didn't show Hor Ma in a bad light at all, in fact I felt Hung should be the one who feels humiliated. Now everyone in the company knows. Like Sa having a tendency to reveal her own secrets out!

But between Hung and Sa, I find Sa so much more vile and despicable. I felt Hung has a reason to be what she is but Sa... that is like such a greedy bitch you know.

Performance wise, I have yet to see more but I feel Bosco is a miscast. First of, when I look at him I just feel like laughing. I can't take him seriously, especially not as a doctor. Moreover he is supposed to be more experienced, Sum's senior so I don't Bosco was believable as a capable doctor, a senior doctor and a desirable man all in one. It should have been Alex Fong Chung Soon type of age. Much older than Sum, more sexy, more desirable in a worldly man sort of way which would be a sharp contract with Hou. Between Raymond Lam and Bosco, sorry Bosco, I would choose Raymond Lam. But we shall see how he fares as the series go along.

Susanna Kwan was despicable and vile and so I suppose kudos for a job well done. I especially hate that pretending to phone Ka Mei scene.

Michelle Yim is finally unleashed when in previous episodes she was too under the radar, heard much but not seen much. Her confrontation with Raymond and Lee Sze Kei were some of the best scene although I am confused, was she genuinely upset by what Hor Ma said?

Everybody else was in usual form as in ranging from great (Raymond except for those lovey dovey scenes) to cringe worthy (that Chung guy) to totally non existent (who else?).

I have no further comment because I am exhausted and I am angry. Exhausted because it's late and angry because He Who Can't Marry got pre-empted. Also frustrated that this series is going downhill and pissed that such stupid un-funny scenes like that birthday party scene where everybody swapped roles had to be shown. Leave those antics for TVB birthday bash and give the series and the actors some integrity. And to think the series was doing so well in the first 10 episodes or so.

Anyway favourite quote/scene? Got!!

Come on, let's go. Grandma, I'm sorry but we have to go.
- Hou to grandma. Favourite scene rather than quote because Hou seems to be the only one who dared to stand up to Hung and shows guts in defending Yuet.