Moonlight Resonance [TVB][Episodic Thoughts]

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2009-10-08T14:49:00.001+08:00

This episodic thoughts started on 12th August 2009 and officially completed on 5th October 2009 plus 1 day because it was 40 days for 40 episodes plus one day for the Final Thoughts. If you're reading this right now, it means the Episodic Thoughts is completed. Some are blank because I missed those episodes, which you can see with the * indicator. So you may skip those, althought some do contain information of where to get the synopsis for that episode. It was a tough time to write every night and post within a day during weekdays and 2 days for the Friday episode and sometimes I lack the better terms to use for certain scenes or translations (which were not word for word by the way, I did use some creative license) but in the end it was like all my previous completed efforts, a fun and exhilirating process. Thanks to all who commented. We don't always agree with one another but always we disagree respectfully. You can still comment if you wish, since this series is not shown on Malaysian local TV or maybe elsewhere. I will always reply and I do welcome your comments, negative or positive. I will not be writing a review for this since I consider these Episodic Thoughts a 41 page review in itself, minus some episodes that I didn't write for.

Feel free to look through the pages under the box Episodes or use the Search button on the left to look for specific elements.

Thank you again and have fun reading (and commenting of course).

Final Thoughts : A short summary

2009-10-07T17:04:00.001+08:00

This series is like the longest investment of emotion for me. Sometimes you feel so much for something you just end up feeling rather exhausted. That was how I felt watching this series. I refuse to say this series was nonsense or that I hated it. Because frankly, like all marriages or friendships, and like all TVB series, I have my moments with it, be they good, bad, terrible or fun. I can't say this series wasn't fun, in the sadistic sense. Watching women arguing, men crying, people slapping, pushing, punching and anything short of gunning down each other. It feels perverse and yet highly entertaining. I would have felt like it was an invasion of privacy to watch people fighting one another if not for the fact that

1. this is fiction since it is just a series

2. more importantly, the lazy, inconsistent and very messy writing made it easier not to feel too much for this series.

Like I said this series has its moments. I suppose I could start on what's not the moments first ...

THE STORY
It started out engaging, dramatic and very addictive and ended up being very dramatic but no more engaging and even less addictive. This series as it goes on and on for 40 episodes seems to get less and less addictive and I find myself not feeling bad for missing a few episodes at a stretch. Each episode or the most 2 deals with a problem that will be solved and I was sorry to see some solved so soon and the ones that isn't solved until the end like the romance arc kept going and going non stop that I find it boring to say the least. But even the romance arc has its moments, weak but still moments that a viewer may find something good in it.

The main story is the Hung-Cho Ba-Hor Ma then there's the Hung/Cho Ba-Children-Hor Ma. Then there's of course the Hung-Sum and Hor Ma-Grandma-Children and Children-Auntie Sa-Grandpa-Hor Ma or...well it's complicated as I add more and more. There are many story arcs but the most interesting is always the ones involving Hor Ma.

The story in itself strayed too far and too often when more focus should be on the family instead of problems faced by the family. Everytime there's a dilemma, I expected it to be solved in 2 episodes max and yes it gets solved in 1 episode max except for the love stories. In a way there is an end to a beginning but it doesn't make for a continued prolonged enjoyment of the series. It is like a moment of satisfaction. Which is why this is an entertaining series but not a good one.

How can a series be entertaining and not good? Anything entertaining is good right? I enjoy watching how Paris Hilton fumbles in her way but is she is good performer? Of course not. Same philosophy. A good series I believe is one that is consistent. Consistent in its story, consistent in its objectives, consistent in its characterisation, direction and performance. Most of all consistent in the plot points. Like Harry Potter series, a set of great books that illustrates the consistencies in plot points. Or Safe Guards the series. Or Journey To The West, where you invest so much of yourself into the series, when it ends you don't want it to end. Moonlight Resonance is one series I was happy to see it end.

Whatever story it has left to tell is very minor and very petty. The story in the first 10 episodes or so were excellent, even if the format is all wrong but at least some stories were engaging. But when it passed the 10 episodes, the story began to falter and in the end fizzled out. Sometimes reignited with some good ones like Auntie Sa's havoc on Hor Ma's life, or how Ka Mei threatened to destroy the family and how Auntie Sa saved the day or in the end how Sum confronted Hung about what happened to grandma. Or the court room where Cho Ba confessed his love.

But even in those scenes, there were moments I wished the writer had paid more attention. Big example would be the whole awfully written court case. I no longer have confidence in TVB to give us a decent portrayal of the professionals, be they doctors, lawyers or police detectives. They still do good stories on the lower income careers like firemen, policemen and such but anyone higher ranking, the entire story will go to impossibly ignorance mode. Don't let me even mention academics and such. It has never been TVB's strong point and I have a feeling they're arrogant enough not to even be bothered with something as miniscule as reality.

We are watching a series, a fiction so who cares about reality. Some may even argue the court room drama was dramatic but cringed at how Cho Ba was denied his fortune. There is a way BUT that is not the way.

Then there's those moments where consistencies were totally out of the window. The lack of distrust and hate for Cho Ba in the beginning by the children, the end where everybody seems to forgive everybody, even the uncles and cousins and grand aunt all get along together with Hung who just minutes earlier was charged and convicted for the death of grandma. People can be forgiving, but in TVB world, they are all saints. The purpose is simple; to achieve the Ka Hou Yuet Yuen concept and because of that an undeserving character like Ka Mei get's to betray both sides and yet be forgiven because the last side she betrayed was the bad side. Did anyone here ever feel sorry for what they've done? Cho Ba did but Hung? Was she remorseful? Was Ka Mei remorseful? I have the impression they just learn to let go but not remorseful. I find these glaring inconsistencies and also very bad writing.

And none is worse than the prolonged suspended story of how Cho Ba who has not left Hung despite Hung being revealed again and again and again as the perpetrator of Hor Ma's misery. And suddenly he left.

Yes, plenty of suddenly. Suddenly Hou has a girlfriend. Suddenly Yuet has a boyfriend. Suddenly Yuen and Ka Mei slept together. Suddenly Hing is in love. Suddenly Ka and Yuet is in love. Suddenly Dr Ling is morose because of Wing Lam.

There are just too many off camera character development that it is getting difficult to follow through. And yet we are expected to feel sad when something happen to one of these couples?

But as always there are moments.

I learn to love Hor Ma's character which I felt was one of the best character TVB has ever produced in recent years and definitely the character that held this series together. I learn to like Cho Ba and understand why Hor Ma accepted him back. I like Ka and learn to see the importance of this character. In fact Ka's character is crucial because he doesn't give a damn to what Hung said AND YET he was so underused. All the children were underused in the Hung-Cho Ba/Hor Ma dispute. I expected to see Ka going into the company to fight for Cho Ba but instead he had heart disease so that kinda killed what I was hoping to see. I was hoping Hou would do something useful other than pining for Sum or worrying about grandma but in the end that's just what he does and nothing more. The rest of the children has less to do that I just find in time they just stand around and not do much. In fact in retrospect none of them had any active role in the struggle between Hor Ma-Hung-Cho Ba but of course they were there for moral support. It would have made for a consistent and outstanding storytelling if the children, any of them or better all of them had something more useful to do than

1. moan about love
2. moan about work
3. moan about someone else
4. have heart disease

In fact I find 6 children is kinda too many. I mean yes family wise 6 children is normal but for storytelling and given 40 episodes to deal with them, 6 children is just too much. The character of Chung can be cut out completely. Of course he is there to be the catalyst for Sum-Hor Ma-Hung confrontation in the beginning but after that poor actor, no more than 10 sentences in the entire series I believe. Then there's Yuen, the perpetual ke-le-fe at the background when he had an interesting plot line; the child of the enemy behind enemy's line so to speak. And when he does have a story, the story is totally and utterly ridiculous. Suddenly he killed someone. Suddenly he is having an affair with Ka Mei. He is shown as a useless son and due to the underdeveloped character, in the end I find him just someone who shows up. I don't feel for him and I feel he is a wimp through and through.

The 4 children with screentime is Hou with the most, then Ka, then Yuet, then Hing. None of them had any to do with the business when they should be and when they did, the story was approaching 40th episode so that kinda discount all those scenes of Ka actually fighting to keep the company, etc. Hing is primarily a character to show the bond of the family and quite frankly, not much else. I like Hing, I find her a very positive character but the series seems rather confused as to what it wants to be; a story about family or a story about corporate struggle. By mixing both and without a proper consistent storytelling, some characters got lost in the way, Yuen for instance. Hou is also a character I like and I love his bond with his grandma but if you notice very carefully, he is just love sick the whole time. Again no part to play in the struggles of Hung-Hor Ma-Cho Ba. Yuet is smack right in the middle in the struggle and she is one character that shows the doubt of the unity of the family and then the strength of it. Her first struggle for acceptance when grandpa said the unthinkable (that she wasn't family) was heart breaking and make for very emotional TV. But the writers having found no other story to repeat chose to repeat the whole ordeal, but this time with Hor Ma that I find it repetetive. And how Yuet begged to go home despite being accused of something she didn't do just doesn't make sense to me. I was hoping to see Yuet actually moving out for good, striking it on her own, landing on her own two feet and later a major reunion scene... but alas, 40 episodes and with so many characters, again Yuet's potential was lost.

Surprisingly Ka is one character that is well developed in the end despite not having as much as screen time as Hou. Ka comes from an interesting background and through conversations and his arguments with Hung and Cho Ba, we get to see some of Ka's personality. I love his confrontation with Hung and hoping he would have more say, he would have more to do but when he was diagnosed with heart disease, I knew my hope was dashed. The entire series after that is will he die or won't he. Well the series is Ka Hou Yuet Yuen, so the title will explain the ending. Which is such a great pity. Ka is a great character with a great storyline. Totally wasted to make room for I suppose Hou and his never ending love story with Sum.

Then there's Sum. This is one character I really like earlier on and still continue to like despite all the crying and moaning for Dr Ling. I feel she is one character with backbone and several times she had clashes with Hung and those moments were often the best in the series and highlights as well. What a pity she was sidestepped during major quarrels and is busy with her love life. And her love life is boring. I really do not care if TVB copied the love triangle from a radio show or whatever, because the story simply sucks. Either TVB copied it without copying the spirit of it or whatever, I have had enough of the whole Dr Ling and Sum romance the moment Dr Ling appeared. The only time I like Dr Ling was when he really said goodbye to Sum. And the whole Wing Lam thing is simply distracting from the actual story.

Imagine if none of those minutes wasted on Dr Ling-Wing Lam-Sum-Hou and given to proper character development of those who matters. Again this series can't decide if it wants to be romance story, investigative story, corporate struggle story or family story. It wants to be everything and I always believe if you're into everything in the end you're good at nothing.

But the story does hit the mark sometimes. I enjoyed Nin Chi Yung's story. I enjoyed Hor Ma's story. To some degree I enjoyed the children's story. I enjoyed Cho Ba's story. I enjoyed Sum's character. I don't enjoy everything wholesale but those moments I enjoy are truly really good moments. Which makes me wonder; this series is good simply because of moments or rather because it is really good?

Sometimes it depends on what you want to see. I am not a picky viewer but I get sick of repetetive storyline. And nowadays I expect nothing less than predictability and half baked plots from TVB. They have good writers, good resources, good actors but why do the stories suck? They take a good story from somewhere else, give it a twist to make it refreshing when in actual fact, the twist is the same old formula. If you ask me, Heart of Greed is more consistent than Moonlight Resonance but is annoying because of the extreme swing of emotion; so happy and then so sad. No middle ground. But it was a successful series and so came Moonlight Resonance which offers better characters but inconsistent storyline, with a storyline that just most often happens out of camera. It is like the news; we see the aftermath after 10 days, no explanation to us what happened in those 10 days, just us assuming this and that happened. It happens to every character, every story. After the 10th episode, you kinda know the drill; problem? Ahhhh can be solved in 45 minutes. Struggles? No worries, will be solved in 1 episode. Family separated and arguments? No worries, since this is Ka Hou Yuet Yuen, everybody will have one big reunion dinner. The end is expected so therefore there is no surprise there.

The only aspect that is surprising is actually the dialogue itself during arguments. Those are good lines, delivered by capable actors, such as Lee Sze Kei shouting at her husband Har Yu "I expect you to come down and speak like a human being would!" or what Sum said to Hung "I don't want the money, I didn't even earn it". These are reality based dialogue that is effective and well written but the writer or maybe writers are like on drugs or something; sometime good, mostly awful. Even the stories get repetetive, or the characters keep going on and on and on about something. Sometimes I feel this series shoots itself on its foot.

Great Characters
It can't be denied the success of this series is the characters, not the storyline. Hor Ma is one character that I feel is one of the best written in years. Without her, the story will simply fall flat. Sum is also a very good character despite the sudden sideline to lovesickness valley. Ka is great despite little is shown. Everybody has some moments.

But the one character I expected to be better than great is Hung. She is after all the villain. But for the first 35 episodes or so, she didn't do anything that I won't expect from a scorned wife/woman. I don't find her evil enough. Maybe the series would like to show her a bit more tame than usual TVB great villains because of the theme of the series. I think that must be it. But when she did pushed grandma and asked Sum to lie for her, again not evil but rather desperate. In the end this character is reduced into this pitiful woman whose entire reason to do what she did was simply because of jealousy. Her earlier stories are great; the way she divided the children and ruled over them. But then all of a sudden her greatness fizzled out. She had too little to do other than smile wickedly or give out some veiled threats. So to me she is not a great or well written villain. Even for a usual character, I find her too understated. I expected more flamboyance, especially the way she dressed. And her ending, looking rather subdued to me is of course a good ending except nobody in that family seems to remember grandma died because of her.

Which is why I feel this series fails in the terms of consistency when it comes to the issue of forgiveness. There are earlier a lot of bottled up anger, as one scene Cho Ba got scolded by each of the children. Surely such bottled up anger is more for Hung as well? And yet other than Ka, none of them ever seem to give her that look. Oh I do not doubt they hate her, but they don't show enough. After all Hung did divided them, did denied them Cho Ba, did insulted Hor Ma, did hurt grandma but in the end their rebellious streak isn't enough; they didn't rebel enough except for those small moments of toasting their parents and not her at her wedding. I expected more active role against Hung. After all why should Hor Ma always be expected to dig herself out of the mess? The children should share some her burden as well.

And talking about villains, I find other characters worse than Hung. Auntie Sa for instance was at first the major villain because of her attitude, her personality, her words, her constant betrayal. But of course she went through hell to redeem herself. And then there's Ka Mei.

If there's character I hate on sight, it was Ka Mei. At least Hung was justified in her action, or Auntie Sa too but Ka Mei had no reasons to betray them again and again. Of course the writers wrote she greatly admired Hung. Well it would be great to show to they met and how she deeply admire Hung instead of these being off camera. I expected nothing less than total destruction of this character and yet in the end all her betrayal seems like nothing because she was accepted back, unconditionally.

And that is the problem of this series; unconditional acceptance. We as viewers would have to accept unconditionally certain things happen so just don't ask. The characters seem to forgive far too easily, accept far too unconditionally when that part, that betrayal and such would make for even better TV if the consequence is emphasised. There is no comeuppance. Even Hung going to jail, that is not comeuppance. For me Hung's comeuppance is when her own beloved daughter betrayed her. But then we are not shown the aftermath. Since this series is already so melodramatic and Sum is already bawling her eyes out every 5 minutes or so, it doesn't hurt to show at least one last scene between Sum and Hung before Hung goes to jail. Or show Sum visiting her, show us the change in Hung, show us how deeply hurt she was by Sum's betrayal and her realisation when she herself set herself up for such betrayal. But instead of that, we have skip to 4 years later and Hung is now a good person, having forgiven Sum. She of course must forgive Sum but show us the process! None of that.

Or show Ka Mei having to do more than just stand up and reveal how grandma died to redeem herself. Revealing how grandma died, everybody was far too fixated on the point that Hung pushed grandma. Doesn't anyone realise Ka Mei was paid to lie and she did lie and she did stood by and let grandma be hurt? No one questioned her on that. Again automatic unconditional acceptance; next scene she is at Hor Ma's place comforted by her husband the useless Yuen. I want to see struggle but all I see is skipped storyline.

I can go on and on and on about this aspect and many others.

But I must emphasise on one of my biggest complain of this series.

Love.

Too much of it.

Sum and Hou, dragged on too long.

Sum and Dr Ling and Wing Lam, pointless.

Yuet and her 1st boyfriend, all of a sudden and it ended even before we knew it began.

Hou and his girlfriend, all of a sudden and never even started and then it ended even before we knew he actually have a girlfriend.

Ka Mei and Ka, never liked this pair. It is simply all about sex and money.

Ka Mei and Yuen, all of a sudden and never liked them at all.

Ka and Yuet, never had the impression Ka looked at Yuet other than as a sister.

And if you notice, they either married their cousin or adopted sister or step sister, so to speak and that to me is like horrifying. But someone made a good point; the series is already saturated with characters, so nowhere to fit in new ones.

Sum and Hou, I can accept. After all they dated when they were young and since none of them accepted Hung as their mother, Sum technically was never a sister to them, maybe just a playmate.

Yuen and Ka Mei, also I can accept since they're just cousins from mother's side.

But Ka and Yuet, not only did I not get the whole love thing between them, it is wrong for them to be in love. So Korean, so sick in my opinion. So you may argue Yuet was like never officially adopted, but Hou, Hing even Ka treats her as a sister. Even Ka repeatedly said Yuet is his sister. So when did sister became lover? When did Ka fell for her? Again automatic assumption; it just happened. I find this relationship especially disturbing. Why can't Yuet be a friendly neighbour? Oh, then we won't have "I beg to come home" scene. But wouldn't you freak out if your brother marries a girl you see as your sister and lived with your family for decades and everybody treats her like a sister and even your brother says she is his sister?

Then there is the lack of social life. None of the children have friends outside their own family circle and they even marry within that circle except for Hing and hopefully Chung (who I believe sports the same green jacket 4 years later). I don't see them go out, I don't see them mixing around. Again of course this is due to lack of time so no proper characterisations and such. But really.. is it...

LACK OF TIME
I don't believe in that. I have seen Japanese series given 10 episodes with 1 hour each to talk about family struggle and they can set up proper story, proper characters, a beginning and end in that time so why is this one so poorly developed?

40 episodes and yet everything that happened in the end seems to happen out of camera, only with dramatic moments in the camera. I won't say poor acting. Actors deal with the material they're given. Could some scenes be edited out? Perhaps is there a 100 episodes Moonlight Resonance but was edited to a more viewer friendly 40 episodes? Or maybe bad writing? Or rushed writing? Or simply callous writing? Or maybe the directors or powers that are wanted a different direction; more sensationalism, less about telling a good story?

Which is a pity. Moonlight Resonance in its core has a very powerful story to tell. A struggle of a divorced mother, hoping to bring together all her divided 6 children who grew out of the closeness over the years, having to deal with a manipulative and controlling stepmother, a father that is useless and a coward, bickering aunts and power struggle.. it is a story about family but the way the series went, it just became a headlines sort of series, but none of the proper news reporting.

The ratings is high quite simply because the viewers crave headlines sort of series. Of course we put up with the distractions and we got bored but when there comes the headlines, we quickly forgot that this is a pretty badly written story and a poorly told story. I myself got sucked into the headlines. Read my thoughts and you could read I simply love some of those moments and what great moments they were. This series is a swing between 2 extremes; when it is good, it is great, when it is bad, it is simply awful. There is no middle ground.

PERFORMANCES
But the performances elevated a mostly repetetive and sensational series into a more credible series.

Lee Sze Kei great exceeded my expectation. I expected kindly preachy woman but she is not that preachy and definitely not a pushover. This is one very memorable character.

Michelle Yim did well with what she had but she could have done much better if a better character is written for her. I appreciate the fact she does not hesitate contort her face in anger, making her look old and ugly.
Moses Chan grew on me. Disliked him at first and thought this was like Heart of Greed, he delivered some memorable lines with great force and very controlled acting.

Raymond Lam is someone I always liked. When asked between him and Bosco who would I choose, I would not hesitate to say of course the more handsome one that is Raymond. He has a viewers' face and I liked him ever since his turn in Survivors' Law as the very likeable I think the name was Ben. He is also an actor who has shown tremendous growth in his acting skills; I still remember his operatic acting but over the years his style changed and it became normal and layered with subtlety. It helps that he is also a handsome fella. So yes I like him and I think within the limitations of his character he did well except when his character is strained. He seems to struggle in those scenes and he is at his best when he is required to be charming.

Chris Lai is terrible in part because his character is so poorly developed and also because he is a lousy actor. He has only 1 expression; that of worried look. And I find his speech pattern in this series not that good. He doesn't speak properly, doesn't seem to have a commanding voice at all.

The actor as Chung is totally forgettable. Waste of time if you ask me.

Har Yu was at first annoying but he became better as his character became more remorseful. I think he did well within the confines of his character.

Tavia Yeung is someone I think I'd rather not comment on too much. I find her fanbase as quite large and certainly quite defensive when it comes to her. I won't deny that much for her fanbase because quite frankly, she was always the sidelined one in the past, the most underappreciated. Of course she can act, and can act very well in those dramatic panicky moments and could cry rather well but there is a sense of predictability with her that I find her rather boring sometimes. Sometimes she surprised me, in that series Land Of Wealth I think and also her breakout role which I can't remember the title but the one that got her noticed and her pairing with Bowie Lam. It is an issue about charisma that I find lacking. I shall stop at this and not go on any further. I believe my episodic thoughts and various posts revealed some of my thoughts on her, and I must emphasise mostly favourable. But I stand by the fact she suffers the same fate as Moses Chan; the inability to carry a series.

Fala Chen is someone who indeed surprised me. As a mute, she was convincing eventhough the series threw out consistency when someone can predict what she says before she sign something. I was very impressed with her signing skills and without her usually rather arrogant sort of speaking taken away from her, her inner gentleness is shown through her portrayal as the gentle Hing. I like Hing as well. Fala Chen is one to lookout for but I feel her biggest problem is the way she speaks. Somehow when she speaks she gives me an impression she is rather arrogant. Some people just have that sort of problem.

Linda Chung impressed me. Of course her constant crying is a headache and my god, she really cried like "huuuhh huuuuhhh huuh" and not like "sniff sniff" sort of way. Not a pretty way to cry but well, realistic. I mean you found out your ideal guy already got a girlfriend of 7 years or your mother was such a bitch, I suppose you too would cry like that. But constant crying is what makes me turn against her. The writer's fault, not Linda's fault. Her looks in here are pretty plain, her hairstyle rather boring and yet she exudes elegance and gentleness. In the past I may not be able to stand someone talking like she does but in here it fits the gentleness of her character. Sum is one character I liked from earlier on who I grew to be frustrated with but in the end applauded. I think Linda Chung held her own very well with her scenes with Lee Sze Kei and also Michelle Yim and she does have great chemistry with Raymond Lam, but not so with Bosco. I would view her performance in here as a positive thing, despite the flood of tears and the headache it caused me.

Wayne Lai is one of my firm favourites in this series with Nin Chi Yung a definite great character and probably the most consistent one. Luckily he had to leave the series before the writers make Nin Chi Yung inconsistent! Love love love him. All actors should look to him at how to act. His eyes as he stares at Michelle, the way he pursed his lips, etc. I believe give him eyeglasses and he can be an intellectual so may I dare to suggest he either be Yukawa in TVB Galileo or at least the lab assistant? His presence is enough to want to make me watch a certain series. His name alone would make me switch channels however the series sucks.

Susanna Kwan was a revelation. I know many hated her, but that is because Auntie Sa is such a terrible character. But Susanna Kwan really threw out everything elegant, everything feminine and like Michelle Yim readily contort her rather pretty face into an ugly look of anger, jealousy, resentment. She brought out all those and the fact why I hate Auntie Sa is because Susanna Kwan's excellent performance. She is also one of the more consistent character in this series as in the usual trouble maker.

Kate Tsui was passable. Despite her character redeeming herself, maybe there is something off with Kate Tsui, maybe her eyes not settling down or something that just makes her Ka Mei's motive fishy. I don't think she is a bad actress but I don't think I want to see more of her. Her entire expression in this series and in other series give me an impression she is kooky. Something unstable about her.

And everybody else, like Lee Heung Kam and the older generations far exceeded my expectations.

Basically I have no problem with the performances which is why I said what a pity the story and the way it was told was not worthy of the talented pool of actors this series has.

Conclusion
So is this a good series? It entertained me for some 30 episodes or so. Not all 60 minutes of each episode but probably 35 minutes of each episode. When the moments are good I tend to forgive the less than stellar moments. But sometimes some inconsistencies or injustice or poor writing can't be overlooked, like some poor characterisations. However in the end, deep down in my heart, I prefer this over Heart of Greed. I hated Heart of Greed except for the last episode. I suppose I am those headlines sort of person. But I feel terrible for really well told stories that didn't grab attention as much as this one did. I felt terrible I am one of those viewers contributing to the decline of TVB; let's face the truth shall we; the more we encourage such poorly written series the more TVB will make them and so the good ones get left behind. I have seen the great old days of TVB when strong writing is the forte. I still remember Journey To The West fondly, I greatly love Safe Guards, I am sure I will love the recent new offerings where the cast are not as huge or as many. But it seems TVB these days either take a story wholesale from some sources and reportedly update it (which in fact maybe dumb it down or worse still, give it the usual TVB treatment that makes it no different than any other of its series) or borrow characters from some source (again wholesale but in a different scenario) or making same old stories rehashed into supposedly something new when in actual fact it is the same old contents but with new packaging. I believe TVB still has good writers left, if they're given the creative freedom. I still believe TVB is capable of making classics. Like I said, they have the resources, they have the talented actors and perhaps even some very good directors and writers. I think the more popular a genre the more restricted the creative flow for subsequent works. I am hoping to see a different and revived TVB giving out value for money to viewers. One that depends on the good old notion of a story well told.

Moonlight Resonance is a good entertaining series but to me in the end it is not a story well told. Some years down the line, it will be apart of the many series that were entertaining but hardly well remembered. Not one for the keeps and certainly not one you would shell out hundreds of ringgits or risk your freedom to download the torrent. That series is still somewhere out there in TVB, but perhaps even TVB is too successful to realise they may be heading towards brain drain when it comes to good storytelling. I hope that won't be the case anytime soon.

Episode 40 [Final episode]

2009-10-05T22:30:00.001+08:00

Finally, the end. The really final episode. I felt it was such a long and winding road and finally the absolute end. I don't think I have ever been happier at a series ending. Not that I hate this series but somehow there's this sense of closure and not wanting to see the sight of it anymore. So if there's a Heart Of Greed 3 : Sunlight Magnified or whatever, I think I will steer clear for a while until I feel the urge to watch it.

Anyway continuing with the dramatic end.. and may I say, emphasise on DRAMAtic end.

Ka Mei revealed the truth of grandma's death, confirmed by grandma's sis who slapped her son for trying to stop her from revealing the truth. Ka then revealed it was grandma's sis who has been feeding him info, such as this press conference. Hung denied it all and said "If I was the one who pushed her, why would she speak with me for 30 minutes? WHY? WHY?!" and grandma's sis said "I don't know!!" and I think Cho Ba asked her "What did mother said to you for that 30 minutes?" and Hung angrily said "She talked about the past!" and she walked away challenging them to call the police and Hor Ma simply said "Call the police".

Ka Mei returned home telling everyone police asked the same question; if grandma was pushed by Hung why would grandma's dying wish was to talk to her for 30 minutes? No one can answer that and they all asked Hou to ask Sum but he revealed Sum and him got some problems. Shocking time for everyone as he revealed Dr Ling is back.

Sum who was in a trip with Ling received a call from Hou who told her reluctantly "I am reluctant to tell you this but I think you should know. Grandma was pushed by your mother and police may charge her with murder" and Sum said "No, mother could never be so evil! No!" but Hou asked "Can you ask her what was grandma's dying wish? We really want to know" and Sum agreed to ask Hung and she returned to HK, faced her mother and asked "Mother, did you push grandma? Tell me the truth!" and Hung said "You rather believe that fatty (Hor Ma) and that nosy son of hers than your own mother?" and Sum tearfully said "I don't know who to believe! Hor Ma has treated me so well, she won't lie about such things!" and Hung said "You're my daughter. Your father left us, my one leg was dangling out of the window and the only reason I didn't jump and lived on through all hardship is because of you." but Sum said "Mother, we owe it to them.." and Hung said "I deserved that money, and I am leaving them to you!" and Sum said "I don't want all that money mother, they're not mine!" but Hung convinced her otherwise when she said "If I pushed her why would she speak to me for 30 minutes?" and Sum tearfully cried "I DON'T KNOW!". Then Hung said "Sum I know this is too much to ask of you but when the police question you, can you tell them grandma was shaking and fell on her own?" and Sum now crying really hard said "What? But mother, when I arrived, grandma was already on the floor.." and Hung said "Sum, I know but do it for me" and Sum cried "Mother I don't want to listen anymore. I don't want to hear! I am leaving with Chi Soon. I am going to marry him, open a pharmaceutical company and leave. Say no more mother!" but Hung persisted "I am your mother, and you're not willing to do this for me?" and Sum cried and cried.

Sum was asked to go for an interview with the policem, she walked out and Hung asked her if all was ok and she said yes. Hung happily said "Now I can arrange your marriage with Dr Ling in peace! I plan to give 70% of my shares to you as a wedding gift and give you money to open that pharmaceutical company" and Sum smiled.

Something fishy here eh?

Sum saw Hou I think, or was this before? Can't remember. Anyway he did see Sum with Dr Ling and Hou gracefully congratulated them and said to Ling "Can Sum come by for dinner sometime? We are after all Ka Hou Yuet Yuen Hing Chung Chau and we can't do without Chau. I promise I will never be the 3rd party" and Ling agreed and Sum looked stricken. And so they left and Hou looked stricken.

Sum was trying on wedding dresses and in the dressing room when she heard Hor Ma's voice. Hung coldly asked "What are you doing here? To congratulate me on my daughter's wedding?" and Hor Ma said "Hung, you telling lies in court making as if I am the mistress in the case I can understand. I can even understand you wanting to deny Cho his share in the company. I can even understand you are capable of pushing old Mrs Kam down the stairs. But you have far exceeded my expectations when you asked Sum to lie for you. That I never expected you to do. Sum is a nice decent girl and I remember you made her work her way up, to pay for her own living expenses in England, to teach her the value of hard work. You have succeeded in that, you have succeeded in raising a thoughtful decent girl who became a doctor. For that I congratulate you. But you asking her to lie.. I never expected that Hung, that you would use your own daughter for your own gain. Remember ---? A hard core drug addict? And yet when her daughter took one drug, she banned her daughter, raised hell on that. And that is a hard core drug addict! Hung, how could you? How can you ask Sum to lie for you?" and Sum ran out and cried "Hor Ma, I know you have been good to me, I appreciate that. But she is my mother, you're not my mother" and Hor Ma looked at Sum and said angrily "You have disappointed me" and Hor Ma walked away, Hung looked triumphant and Sum looked stricken.

For that one moment, Hung is probably the worst mother.

Anyway Hung signed the 70% shared to Sum with Ling in sight and told her "Now you own 55% of the shares in the company. The company is yours to do as you wish" and Sum smiled and Ling smiled and I raised my eyebrow.

Ka and all were upset at the turn of events when Hor Ma or someone received an sms from Sum and they all looked shocked.

At night, they all arrived at the mansion. Sum explained to Hung "Since Cho Ba has 20% in the company, I thought he should have some idea what I have in mind" and Hung agreed. They all sat down, even the employees were there (except those traitors in the court) and Hung said "I am happy to announce 2 great news. One, the fearsome lady boss whose click of the heels frightened the employees is finally really tired and is therefore retiring. Second, Sum is now the new boss of Ka Hou Yuet Yuen. I will appoint someone to run the company on her behalf as she will marry Dr Ling and move to England and open a pharmaceutical company. Let's congratulate them! Now, I shall let Sum speak..."

Sum moved forward as all looked at her and she said "First of all, thank you very much. I grew up eating Ka Hou Yuet Yuen pastries and I remember I was happiest on school holidays because I could help mother with the shop. I remember there was a fat lady boss who often stuffed me with the most delicious biscuits and to Hor Ma, I would like to thank her for the great biscuits (Hor Ma looked surprised as her name was mentioned, Hung looked surprised as well). Now I have 55% control over the company. I always thought Ka Hou Yuet Yuen is the best. At 2pm today I received the shares. At 4pm today, I have asked my lawyer to transfer the shares to the real owners of Ka Hou Yuet Yuen, that is Hor Ma and Cho Ba" and pandemonium ensued! Hung was like WHAT?! and Hor Ma was like WHAT?! and Sum gave a document to Hor Ma and Hor Ma said "Sum are you sure?" and Sum said "Hor Ma, Cho Ba, I am so sorry on behalf of my mother for robbing the 2 of you your happiness for more than a decade. These shares are yours, please do take them" and Sum said "And I am not marrying Chi Soon or opening a pharmaceutical company. Mother, my dream is to be a doctor, and I am one now. All that marriage talks are just a lie" and Hung was so angry she screamed "I did all this for you! FOR YOU! How could you betray me?!" and Sum tearfully said "Mother, you have always thought me I have to earn my way through hard work. I have never make one single pastry in Ka Hou Yuet Yuen, how can I take the company? I didn't earn it!" and Hung said "I could run the company for you!" and Sum said "Mother you took 80% away from Cho Ba, then you even tried to deny him his 20%. How much lower can you go mother? We all know Cho Ba worked very hard for that company. I may have been young but I wasn't blind. You're treating me like I am some idiotic 3 year old mother, but I can see with my own eyes, I can understand!" and Hung slapped Sum really hard and everyone was shocked (since Hung never slapped Sum) and Hung angrily said "You believed them? You believed them about grandma don't you? Answer me this; why would she spoke to me for 30 minutes? WHY? WHY???" and Sum crying said "I don't know! I don't know if you nudged her or yanked her down the stairs, I don't know how BUT I DO KNOW YOU PUSHED GRANDMA!! I know mother!!" and Hung angrily pointed to Cho Ba and gang "Fine! You wanna know what she said? She said 3 things. One, never ever let Cho and that fatty get together. So old and yet in a romance, that disgusted her! Second, never let the useless Hou to be with Sum! And third, she praised me! She said I was the best daughter in law she has ever had! EVER!! I promise myself I will never cry. I am an iron woman. I don't cry! Your betrayal, your heartlessness, won't make me shed a tear! NEVER!!!" and tearfully she ran I think upstairs. Sum fell to the sofa and cried hard as Hor Ma held her in her arms and Sum kept saying "How can mother changed into this? How can mother be like this?"

Some time later, Sum was at the back of the mansion and saw Hou. They reconciled and Dr Ling came and said "Hou, I hope you will continue to let Sum visit me and I promise I won't be the 3rd party" and Hou agreed and Ling said "Take good care of her. During the trip she couldn't stop talking about you. I congratulate the both of you" and he walked away, rather stylishly. I think that's the only time I like Dr Ling. Anyway Sum and Hou kissed.

By the way Sum did say Hung locked herself in her room.

Court building and an unknown voice said "Yan Hung is hereby found not guilty of murder (reasonable - expected that) and guilty of manslaughter (reasonable also) and therefore sentenced to 3 years imprisonment".

Wait!

3 YEARS? So short? What is a life worth? 3 short years.

In jail Hung was in a hospital bed, looking rather downtrodden. Cho Ba walked in and said "Hung, I heard from Sum you refused to eat your medicine. You're sick, you must take care of your body. Ka has great plans for the company. I will be fair to you and when you come out, the 50% shares is still yours. Hung, learn to let go. I think I learned that when I was in court and being with you has been my worst mistake but I learn to rectify my mistake. So should you. Yuen went to Thailand with me, and turned himself in to the police. He got fined and suspended sentence and I have never seen him more relaxed"

Pause here.

Again how much is a life worth? A fine and a suspended sentence. Disgusting.

"Hung you will probably be out in 2 years time. I hope to see you more relaxed then. Our relationship is truly over but I still wish you every happiness"

Hung looked at him and angrily said "You said such nice things, is that because you want to know what mother said before she died?" and Cho Ba said "No. Even my children have let go on that question. I mean what more mother would have wanted if not for our happiness?" and Hung said "She said she would never accept you and that fatty as a couple!" and Cho Ba sighed and said "Hung, have an open mind. Take good care of yourself. Goodbye" and Cho Ba left and Hung looked very very upset.

At home, Cho Ba's birthday and it was Nin Chi Yung coming back for a visit!

Oooohhh love to see him again.

Nin Chi Yung is asked by Ka to come back to run the factory and Nin Chi Yung was a great success in Australia. Auntie Sa teased him and said if it wasn't for her, he wouldn't have success. Then Auntie Sa said "Oh let me introduce, this is Yan Chi..." and Nin Chi Yung looked at Yan Chi and said "Your little brother?" and Auntie Sa bursts and said "NO! My husband!" and Nin Chi Yung shook Yan Chi's hand and said "You're an idiot marrying her!" and Sa jokingly pushed Nin Chi Yung as Yan Chi said "Wasn't there a rumour of the 2 of you?" and Sa made faces whilst Nin Chi Yung said "Which was why I went to Australia, to run away from her!"

Ha ha ha ha ha! Very funny!

Then Nin Chi Yung presented Cho Ba with the Chinese birthday cake (as in Sau Bau) and Cho Ba made a wish and everybody asked what's the wish and he said "I wish that I will be healthy and Hor Ma will die before me" and everyone was like WHAT?! and Cho Ba explained "I have been a terrible husband. I wish to make up for leaving Hor Ma and I am even eating healthily with the hope that I outlive Hor Ma so Hor Ma would never have to feel the pain of me leaving her ever again" and so everybody understood Cho Ba. And then someone suggested they play that silly game of words which was pretty horrifying to me as they wish the other die before them first. WHAT a stupid game.

What's worse? Seeing Ka Mei happily playing. Urggghhh

Then it was Ka and Yuet's story. It was Yuet's birthday and Yuet was disappointed Ka did not give her any present. To cut the long story short, they are dating and planning their lives together when slowly Ka's eyes closed and his speech slowed down. Yuet started to cry.

DID HE DIE?

4 years later, Hung looked toned down and more gentle. She told Sum she will be leaving for.. don't know where, I think Switzerland or somewhere more exotic than say Lantau Island (and I am being sarcastic here) and that she won't be back for the next few years. She also told Sum to tell Cho Ba to keep the 50% and do as he wishes. She held Sum tightly and left. In fact she made her peace and encouraged Sum to hurry for the mooncake festival dinner.

At the dinner company was a big success. We finally see Yuet heavily pregnant leaving a car and there was Ka and Yuet said Ka is now out of danger and is fine and they have 1 child and another coming. At the dinner everybody was super duper extra happy and ended the night singing "The moon represents my heart" and we see flashback of each character (die Ka Mei DIE!!) and as Sum and Hou happily sing together Sum was 3G-ing Hung who was on a plane and Hung sang along with them, contented at last.

THE END.

I can only say I totally not buy into the whole Ka-Yuet romance. Suddenly a couple. I never had the impression Ka ever loved Yuet more than like a sister.

Anyway I shall summarise my thoughts in Final Thoughts.

Thank you for reading my thoughts and I hope you enjoyed reading them as much as I enjoyed (well most of the times) writing them.

Before I end this episode, my favourite scene...

I don't know! I don't know if you nudged her or yanked her down the stairs, I don't know how BUT I DO KNOW YOU PUSHED GRANDMA!! I know mother!!

- Sum to Hung

Episode 39

2009-10-02T22:30:00.001+08:00

2 more episodes till the absolute end unless there's Moonlight Resonance part deux which I hope not.

Let's see... the court room drama. The silliness continues and when I say silliness it is the whole examination by that Hung's lawyer. Track back a bit, Cho Ba got betrayed by his closest allies in the company. Disgusting. I didn't see it though.

And he continues... with Hor Ma. I am not worried about Hor Ma. She can take care of herself.

"Mrs Kam... oops I mean Madam Chung, do you still love your husband?"

Eh, what a rude question!

Hor Ma looked at him and answered dryly "I do not think about such stuff".

"You do not think? Are you saying yes?"

"I am saying at this juncture I do not think about such stuff"

And the lawyer sarcastically asked "So then what do you think about?"

Hor Ma answered "I think about my children and how best to take care of them, how best to make sure they are all safe and happy."

Lawyer continued "So you don't think about Mr Kam? Despite he having spent increasing time with your, dinners, money, support, love..."

Hor Ma said "Why don't you just ask the question you want to ask and don't beat around the bushes?"

Lawyer said "Ok, if Mr Kam said he wants you back, will you go back to him?"

Hor Ma hesitated and then said "That is a hypothetical question.."

Lawyer "Surely you can answer that question..."

Hor Ma "If...". Hor Ma getting angrier by the minute said "If... if I didn't accept Hung as my sister, she wouldn't have seduced my husband and took away my children's father. If I didn't save her, she would have been dead. If I haven't shown her kindness, I wouldn't lost my husband and destroyed my family. IF..."

"Madam Chung, you did not answer my question! Those are irrelevant!"

Hor Ma sternly said "Well you asked me IF. And I could only answer the IFs!"

See! Hor Ma can defend herself. Next Cho Ba, and I worry for him...

Why did the lawyer asked to question Cho Ba again? Hmmm...

Hung's lawyer "Mr Kam, I am sorry to ask you to be a witness but since you're the Defendant in this case, there are a few questions I need to clarify with you. Mr Kam, you have heard Madam Chung's testimony. I ask you today and you must be honest, if Madam Chung is willing to take you back, will you return to her?"

Hung smiled a satisfied smile, Hor Ma looked well, stern.

Cho Ba looked and answered softly "I dare not think about about".

Lawyer "WHAT?"

Cho Ba louder "I dare not think about it"

Lawyer "You dare not think about it?"

I swear he repeated the answer and I was like eh you deaf ah?

"Why do you not dare to think about it? Even when she was there for you, nursed you back to health, the time you got blind a few years ago you asked not for your wife but for her?"

Cho Ba sadly said "I do not deserve the second chance. I destroyed my family back then, I am too ashamed to even consider going back..."

Lawyer slyly asked "So if Hor Ma said I am willing to take you back, would you go back with her?"

Cho Ba surprised asked "You're kidding me!"

Lawyer said "No I am asking if she said so, will you go back to her? It is a simple question Mr Kam..."

Cho Ba even more surprised or act surprised loudly said "Are you sure?"

Lawyer said "Yes.."

Cho Ba said "IDIOT! OF COURSE I WOULD!"

Lawyer "Wha..."

Cho Ba "I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time! Which idiot would say no to a woman who has stood by him, cared for him, supported him, encouraged him even when he has been an unfaithful husband?" He faced Hor Ma and said "I would go back to her if given a chance. If you would give me that chance, even if I had to lose everything in this court today, I would do it. Hor, please take me back".

Hor Ma looked surprised at the confession of love and the Cho Ba loudly said "IDIOT! I WOULD GO BACK!!"

and the lawyer angry said "Mr Kam, please hold your tongue and stop calling me an idiot!"

But Cho Ba said "BUT YOU'RE AN IDIOT! IDIOT!"

Funny. Hung looked pained, terribly jealous.

Later closing statements. Hung's lawyer insisted on the fact that Cho Ba confessed his love for his MISTRESS (oi! ex wife) and said because "he is a heartless man, he does not deserve a penny!!"

What kind of statement is that?

Cho Ba's often silent lawyer now speak.."My Lord, I am disheartened at the display in this court. The sort of arguments forwarded, that fact that Mr Kam did work in forming the company was twisted into the fact he depended on his wife. The fact that he enjoyed a close relationship with his children and ex wife became a sordid tale of adultery. None of which are true. I am truly disappointed. But this is Mr Kam's case and I received a letter from Mr Kam and I shall read it...

"My Lord, I was very angry at my ex wife's (I think he divorced Hung already) case, denying me my right to the shares and the company. But as this case went on I realised I have regained what I have lost; my family. Whatever your decision may be, I shall accept it with an open heart. Whatever shares I am given, I shall move on with my life with my dignity intact. Thank you".

THAT WAS THE CLOSING ARGUMENT?

Anyway decision came. Be ready to choke. The judge awarded Hung 80% shares and Cho Ba 20%, effectively saying

1. Yeah you have affair with ex wife no. 1

2. Yeah you eat rice on a slipper and depended on your ex wife no. 2 for your fortune

3. Cho, you have no balls.

What is that?!

Cho Ba smiled a bit smile and so did Hung. Cho Ba walked to the cafeteria and said to the reporters "One by one, I will answer all questions, no worries".

"So Mr Kam, do you think the verdict is fair?"

Cho Ba "I already said I will accept all decision"

"So Mr Kam, are you reconciling with your ex wife (no. 1)?"

Cho Ba "well that would depend on her. I already make my case for a reconciliation"

Hor Ma walked aside and refused to answer but Ka quickly said "Wahhhh Cho Ba, since you said it, Hor Ma, what you say? RECONCILE! RECONCILE! RECONCILE!" and all the children chanted...

Hor Ma smiled a little but grandpa said "Hey! Why no one asked me? I am after all her father! I make the decision" and then grandpa said "Well Cho, WELCOME HOME!!" and everybody cheered. The reporter I think asked "So Mr Kam, are you reconciling then?" and Cho Ba said wisely "I am a very happy and contented man. This is truly Ka Hou Yuet Yuen for me!"

Hor Ma then said "Cho, pack your bags and come home" and everybody cheered. Ka I think said "But Hor Ma, doesn't that mean you're living in with Cho Ba before marrying him?!" and everybody cheered WEDDING! WEDDING! WEDDING!

And the children cheered for Cho Ba to kiss Hor Ma and he gave her a loving peck on the cheek. Hung saw it, got angry eventhough before she thanked the lawyer for a job well done whilst Cho Ba's lawyer was sorry he couldn't get more but Cho Ba said it was ok. Hung walked in and Ka immediately said "Brothers and sisters. We must thank Auntie Hung for this joyous occasion, without her, Cho Ba and Hor Ma could never be reconciled!!" and so they gave her 3 bows (which in Chinese is like bowing to your dead relative! Cheeky Ka!) and Cho Ba also thanked her and said "I hope this is settled. We can still be friends after this" and Hung smiled and said "I wish you every happiness Cho" and as she walked away Ka said "Everybody, thank Auntie Hung!" and all of them said THANK YOU AUNTIE HUNG!!

Funny, very funny!

Hung fumed as she walked and said to the lawyer "I want to appeal. I don't want him to get a single penny. And get an injunction. He will never get to see that 20%!" and the lawyer agreed to do it. Then she turned to Ka Mei "Ka Mei, I heard you want to open a studio. Why not do it big? Open 3. But you must do something for me first.." and Ka Mei looked at her...

I forgot when was this scene but Sa went to see Ka Mei but Ka Mei ignored her. Sa kept saying Yuen was ready to forgive her, to take her back (YUEN! YOU NO OTHER WOMAN KE?) but Ka Mei refused to listen, crossing the street, a van or some vehicle came out and I so hope the van would run over her twice but Sa pushed her away and almost got hit as she fell down and sprained her ankle. Ka Mei panicked and rushed to her and asked with some concern (as far as Kate Tsui can muster as an actress) "Mother are you ok? Let's go to the hospital" but Sa crying said "What do you care? Let me be!" and Sa limped away as Ka Mei looked on.

Sa was very sad. She refused to talk as she was in the hospital. That is very rare since Auntie Sa never stop talking. Yan Chi was pushed into the room and panicking Yan Chi said "Sa! Say something! Fine! Fine! I will not accept her money! Ok? Sa, come back to me! SA!!" and Auntie Sa was shaking and Yan Chi thought she was crying but in actual fact she was laughing and was very happy to hear what Yan Chi said. So yeah, one happy ending.

Meanwhile Sum seems to have a change of heart (again). She had nothing to say to Hou but she was chatting happily on the phone and Hou knew it was Dr Ling. Hou confronted Sum who told him she was going away on a trip with friends which she also told Hung and Hung was happy to hear she was going with Dr Ling. Hou wasn't and as Hou said "I know what is going on" and Sum said "I am sorry Hou" and she walked with Dr Ling with the luggages and Hou saw her walked away and seemingly out of his life.

We all know it ain't true right? Sum is not THAT cruel.

At home everyone was celebrating and Hou kinda looked sad but anyway Cho Ba was planning to invest in Hor Ma's shop and was happily delegating jobs to everyone when Ka received a call. Then he seriously said to them "That woman is appealing the decision and applying for an injunction. And she is calling for a press conference to have Ka Mei reveal Yuen killed someone before". No more cheering and Yuen looked solemn.

At the press conference, Cho Ba and everyone came to see Hung and Cho Ba said "Why can't you let go Hung?" and Hung said "Well weren't you all celebrating happily?" and Cho Ba said "Well we will not celebrate anymore. We will be very low key and quiet. Ok?" and Hung said maliciously "I will not let things go so easily for you. I will destroy you!" and Sa went to Ka Mei and said "Ka Mei, that is your husband, Yuen is your husband, how can you help others to destroy your husband? Ka Mei!!" and Ka Mei did say something but I forgotten what it was since by this time I was kinda fed up with all the drama. Hor Ma suddenly said "ENOUGH! Yuen, be brave, be courageous! Hor Ma is with you! We will dispute her version of events! We will fight with you! Stand by you!" and Cho Ba said the same and everybody did.

So the press conference begins.

Hung said "I may be a jilted wife, and I am representing all the jilted wives and I am saying you're not alone. I intend to fight on the case, not because of money but for all the jilted wives out there to tell them that the men's actions have consequences. That is all I have to say. Meanwhile my fellow jilted friend also has something to say. Ka Mei...:"

Pause here. Does Hung seriously believe she was jilted?? How twisted!

Ka Mei said "I have something to say and it is the truth. Everyone here knows I was nothing until I met this person (Hung smiling as she thought she was talking about Yuen) who gave me back my life. I admired this person, loved this person and wanted nothing more than to please this person. I look up to this person but I realised in the end this person's image is nothing but rotten. This person is nothing but a vindictive manipulative murderer and this person killed grandma and I am talking about this bitch, Yan Hung!!!"

Hung was very silent and Cho Ba rushed forward and asked "Ka Mei, who did you say killed grandma? Come on tell me the truth!!" and Ka Mei sobbed and said "Grandma came home one night to take some documents when Hung saw her and they struggled and Hung pushed her down the stairs. That was how grandma was hurt! I couldn't stand her lies anymore, I can't live with my conscience like that anymore!" and puke time, she hugged Yuen tightly. WHERE IS THE BUS?!!!!

Sa asked Yan Chi "Yan Chi you were there surely you would know!" and Yan Chi said "I was in the toilet then, I really didn't see it" and Hung said "I will sue you all for defamation!" and the cousin said "LEAVE! LEAVE!" and Ka Mei emotionally said "I am telling the truth!" and may I say, what a fake emotion! WHERE IS THE VAN?!!! Suddenly a timid voice came out and it was grandma's sister who cried and said "Yes it is true" and everyone was shocked and Hung just sat there, defeated, but maybe not final yet...

Next episode, Sum says bye bye to Hou and Hou is once again heart broken. How many times????

First thing first, the whole sudden roundabout thing with Ka Mei is unbelievably fast and I could only surmise that it was because Sa almost died saving her so Ka Mei suddenly realised family is very important and thus decided to betray Hung. Was it love for Yuen? Never had the impression she ever liked or loved or desired Yuen or the other way also. Was it love for her mother? Doubt it. But this series of course would want you to imply that. I for one believe Ka Mei is a smart girl as in she recognises when Hung is sinking like Titanic. She doesn't want to kill anyone, do crime, etc but she does love money. Once you want her involved in a crime or expose that is a half truth, I believe she decided to jump ship. Was she genuine? Nope. I hate how she suddenly went emotional over grandma, suddenly having a conscience. But whatever I may say, the truth is TVB wants to redeem this character so that the ending is Ka Hou Yuet Yuen. At what price? Ka Mei deserves her compeuppance but she had none. That is this series greatest injustice when the worst character with the worst personality that is Ka Mei got away scot free whilst Hung, for all her faults is really just a scorned woman got the full blame. I find Ka Mei more disgusting.

And Kate Tsui's acting didn't help. Even when she was crying, she gave me an impression her Ka Mei was just acting. I did not connect with her character, did not feel for her and did not sympathise with her. A little bit is about characterisation and writing but some part of the inadequacies must belong to the actress herself. I just find Kate Tsui have this very unstable focus, I can't trust her at all.

Har Yu was ok, especially when he was confessing his love for Hor Ma. That was well done.

Everybody else was ok even Michelle Yim who really look scorned, that ugly twisted look when she saw the confession scene. But full praise must go to Moses for being able to pull off the naughty Ka moments. Really the highlight was the kow towing scene at Hung like as if they were paying respect to the dead! THAT was genuine, original and funny. The rest is unfortunately quite tired to look at.

Best scene? Like I said...

Brothers and sisters. We must thank Auntie Hung for this joyous occasion, without her, Cho Ba and Hor Ma could never be reconciled!!

-Ka to his siblings and to Hung

Episode 38

2009-10-01T22:30:00.000+08:00

I was anticipating big court room drama in this episode since at some point the whole shares issue must be settled and the big ending is near and yes, there was one! I tuned in 20 minutes later and there was Cho Ba, standing and screaming. Wow, so dramatic to the point of total insanity. I can't remember what he was screaming about but he was just being examined by HIS OWN lawyer, already so emotional. He said like "How can now this woman say I have never ever worked in building the company? I made the pastries, I packaged them, I deliver them even when there was typhoon, I almost died twice delivering the pastries, I looked after the shop, I took care of the accounts, what did she do at the beginning? She was not very healthy and was always weak and someone has to run the shop and I was the one! How dare she now says I depend on my wife to make my riches? How can she now say I am enjoying the fruits of her labours? What about my labours!!!"

Yes it was THAT loud.

Then the cross examination began. First of all, I know TVB ain't good at writing such legal stuff and I suppose their they did not consult a real lawyer, or HK lawyers are THAT incompetent as in Cho Ba's lawyers. I want to put on record if it was me as Cho Ba's lawyer, I would be spending my entire 15 minutes of the cross examination by Hung's lawyer objecting and objecting and objecting. And as a judge I would also object! Ok, so let's begin with the insanity..

Some background.

Hung's case is she was the one doing all the work from the beginning. Cho Ba was just enjoying the fruits of her labour, so that is like the biggest insult you can hurl at a man; that he eats soft rice, if you understand the direct translation. Cho Ba's case is of course he participated actively except in recent years due to retirement and whilst he does not deny Hung's contribution, he himself contributed too.

Ok, the cross...

Hung's lawyer straight away highlighted what Cho Ba did not do. Cho Ba was pissed off and of course denied it all. Then Hung's lawyer showed Cho Ba a sample cake and he said "You know I am a big fan of Ka Hou Yuet Yuen's pastries. I must confess, they're delicious. So Mr Kam, do you know what this pastry is?" and Cho Ba, now annoyed looked and said "No" and the lawyer immediately jumped on it and said "You mean you do not know your own company's best seller?? And you are saying you know the operations of the company?"

Let me adopt my Galileo approach ok?

CHOTO MA-TE YOU IDIOTO!

Oi! Cho Ba already said he retired some time back, so any recent best seller whatever that he does not know is reasonable. Of course his lawyer DID NOT object, sitting there like an idioto himself.

Cho Ba explained "I can explain that. I was in retirement for a number of years..."

Lawyer continued "See this magazine? This was an interview of you 8 years ago. In this interview you gave 3 reasons for your success; the first is marrying a smart wife. The second and third are also the same; marrying a smart wife. Do you deny this?"

Cho Ba said "I did say that. I said that to make my wife happy.."

Lawyer : "Why is it so important to make her happy? You know why right? Because she is earning the income, so you must make her happy

Cho Ba denied it.

Lawyer then asked "So Mr Kam, what is to you the definition of adultery?"

Cho Ba said "What? What sort of question is this?"

Lawyer : "Just answer my question. What is to you the definition of adultery?"

Cho Ba "Going behind the back of your wife and spending most time with another woman"

Lawyer : "And.."

Cho Ba : "Eating at her place"

Lawyer : "and..."

Cho Ba : "Give money to her..."

Lawyer : "And..."

and seriously I forgot what Cho Ba said because it was insane.

Then the lawyer exploded "so by your definition, you have been having an affair with your ex wife!"

Cho Ba said "I visit her because my children are there!"

Lawyer : "Did you pay her a cheque?"

Cho Ba said "It was for my childre..."

Lawyer "So you spend so much time having dinner with your adulteress! How many children you have with her?!"

CHOTO-MA-TE! This is where the entire cross gone loony insane crazy chi-sin! I was like CHOTO-MA-TE you gila-kudasai! I mean for god's sake, he was eating at first wife's home, visiting his children from his previous marriage. The lawyer made it sound as if he was having affair with Hor Ma, and just recently had 6 love child with her! I mean what is the insanity of this? OBJECTION!!!! None, no objection. Poor Cho Ba, standing alone there. At last his lawyer stood up and said "Objection, irrelevant questions". What? Only NOW you object?

Hung smiled happily, Hor Ma was very angry.

At night during dinner, Cho Ba was very bitter. He said "Imagine this, all my efforts in building the business is unrecognised. Remember ---? I passed by him the other day and he knew and saw me peddling the bicycle delivering the pastries so many years ago. He saw how hard I worked but he said to me that day "Cho! You're such a damn lucky man! To have such a smart wife, you don't even need to work hard for the money!!". Imagine that! He saw me and yet he said all these. Maybe first time a lie is a lie but say it enough times people will believe. Now it is the truth; I am just a man who enjoys the fruits of my wife's labour!! It is so funny!!" and Cho Ba laughed crazily but Ka said "Cho Ba, don't give up. The lawyer says we can still win this" and Hor Ma said "Cho, be strong. We all support you!" but Cho Ba just laughed and laughed but in a very bitter way.

Cho Ba then called Hung and said he wants a settlement. Hung told cousin to call the press. She wants to shame him.

Hor Ma was busy going around asking friends and neighbours to support Cho Ba's case. Sa was there too. It was then they found out Grandma on the day she died actually went to see them all. Hor Ma was very touched by what grandma did. Then she got a call from I think Ka who found out Cho Ba was going to meet Hung in secret to accept a secret deal that is 20% of the shares. Ka was very angry with Cho Ba and Hor Ma said "Ka, you go on and stop him. I will come by later, there is something I need to take with me..."

Oohhhh what Hor Ma? What so secret?

Cho Ba was with Hung in a restaurant and Cho Ba angrily said "I already said I will take 20% of the shares only. Now you want me to sign this insane declaration?!"

Hung wanted Cho Ba to sign a declaration declaring he was having an affair with Hor Ma. This is insane.

Cho Ba said "Hor will never, has never and never did have any affair with me, I swear on my life we are not having an affair!" but Hung said "If you want the shares, just sign on it!" and Cho Ba angrily said "Now I see the real you Hung. That ugly you. You, the one denying me of my rights, denying my children of their rights. How can you be so cruel? How can you be so heartless?" and suddenly reporters rushed in and asked "Is it true Mr Kam you're admitting to an affair and is settling for only 20% of the shares? What's that document on the table?" and Cho Ba quickly took the document away and said "That's nothing! Leave me alone, please" but Hung exposed what Cho Ba was going to sign when Ka and absolutely everybody (except Sum that is and grandma who is obviously dead) were there and Ka said loudly "Cho Ba, do not sign anything! Cho Ba, be strong!!" but Cho Ba was panicking and Hor Ma walked in and reporters rushed to her and Hung was smiling wickedly and everybody urged him not to sign and all and Cho Ba exploded "Don't you all understand? I must settle this! I won't let this woman hurt my children! I won't let her defame Hor, calling her a fox demon when she is not! Nothing is more important than my children! I must settle this!!" and the reporters were happily writing all that down and I think either Ka or someone said "CHo Ba, all is not lost yet. We can still win this, Cho Ba, be strong, be courageous!" and Hor Ma said "Cho, old Mrs Kam on the day of her death met with several of our old neighbourhood friends. Imagine that, an old frail lady with failing health going through such lengths for her son. Cho, don't let down Old Mrs Kam. Let's go. Let's leave" and so Cho Ba began to turn with everyone else and walking away when Hung maliciously said to Hor Ma loudly "That's right fox demon. Go now like you should!" and Hor Ma, first time ever became so enraged with Hung turned around, looked at her and said sharply "You shut up! You're the fox demon! You're the expert of all experts in seducing other people's husband!" and Hung said "One more word and I will sue you for defamation!" and Hor Ma said "Why should I be scared? I am just saying this. You're not the judge, we are not in the court room. Everybody, since you all want something to write about, I will tell you some explosive secrets. I have always been silent at Hung's treatment but now, I shall reveal it all. This woman you see before you is the master of seduction. Anyone who wants to learn how to seduce and take away other people's things and husbands, ask her. She can surely teach you some very good strategies. That was how my husband was seduced, that was how my husband abandoned me and my children!" and Cho Ba looked very upset and Hung angry and Hung then said "We shall leave now!" but even Yuen blocked the exit and Hor Ma continued "Everybody I have pictures here. See this one? This one was Hung when she was still happy and she wrote this message ; "Sister Hor, I am so happy that we can become like sisters. We shall always be good sisters! Hung". Then this picture, she was married then but look at the way she held onto the bouquet of flowers thrown by the bride? She couldn't even let go. Such selfishness!". And again Hung said "Someone record what she is saying, I will sue her for all she's worth!" and Hung said "I only began my relationship with Cho when your relationship with him ended!" and Hor Ma said "I have with me a letter written by Hung to Cho. I got this letter when Cho came by one night, drunk. I kept it since. I shall read it..

Cho, I am sorry to disturb you but I miss you so much. I know it is too much for me to ask you to abandon Sister Hor and the children but you have abandoned me. What about our love for one another? How about what we went through, the dates in the parks, the sweet nothings we whispered to one another? It hurts me that you have been avoiding me. Cho, I love you. I want to be with you..."

and Hung said "What an interesting fake letter!"

and at this point suddenly Cho Ba was reciting the contents out of memory as he sadly said ...

"Cho, I swear it I will be good to your children. I shall love them as I love Sum and I swear I will be a good wife, and a good mother. Cho, please don't leave me.."

and Hor Ma continued reading ...

"Don't abandon me Cho. Remember our good times, remember our love for one another..."

and Cho Ba recited from memory ...

"Come back to me Cho. Forever yours, Hung."

Cho Ba was crying as Hor Ma looked on and he said bitterly "I remembered every word in that letter. I can't remember how many times I have read it. I believed what she said, because of this one letter, it changed my life forever. It is my deepest regret, my deepest pain that because of this letter I threw away my family. I was such a fool! Such a fool!!"

and Hung angry with what Cho Ba said left abruptly and the children surrounded Cho Ba as he cried bitterly and Hor Ma looked on, misty eyed.

Next episode, Hung will ask Ka Mei to once again break her non existing backbone and reveal Yuen killed someone before. And Cho Ba will openly declare his love for Hor Ma.

Ahhh Hung is getting desperate!

Fantastic episode that is the final revelation. Hung's case of the letter is fake can't be true when Cho Ba who had no chance to read it could recite it by heart, so that means it is a true letter. He deeply regretted what he did and it shows. Hung crossed the line when she scolded Hor Ma fox demon and I love how Hor Ma let Hung experience the Typhoon Hor Ma on the scale of 10! Stupid court scene but the confrontation between these 2 rather formidable women were fantastic. I pity Cho Ba in a way. He was willing to compromise for his children and in a way for Hor Ma.

As for Sum's story, there was a mention tonight but I simply did not pay much attention so to all Sum lovers, sorry but no Sum recap here. For the haters, well I am sure you're rejoicing.

As for performances, Har Yu delivered the goods tonight. His pain, his fears, his chicken-like behaviour as in cowardly behaviour though infuriating were all understandable in light of the last part of this episode. So Cho Ba was weak but in the end his heart is in the right place.

Lee Sze Kei and Michelle Yim both delivered the goods too. Love the whole face off between the two.

However, I still think Hung the villain kinda miscalculated a lot of things. Such a failure as a villain. Ka Mei to me is the winner. Why? Did all those despicable things AND YET everybody wants to forgive her, begging to forgive her. If that is not a true champion amongst villains, I don't know who is.

Best scene? Definitely not the chi-sin court scene. What stupidity eh? Saying a man has affair with his ex wife and having children with ex wife when in fact yes they have children but that was before he married the 2nd wife!!

This woman you see before you is the master of seduction. Anyone who wants to learn how to seduce and take away other people's things and husbands, ask her. She can surely teach you some very good strategies. That was how my husband was seduced, that was how my husband abandoned me and my children!

- Hor Ma to the reporters about Hung

Episode 37

2009-09-30T22:30:00.000+08:00

Not much happened as in nothing different except for a few scenes worth noting. Anyway tragedy in epic proportion happened tonight.

Let's get on with the easiest one.

Sum finds out from Wing Lam's mom that Wing Lam has died, CONVENIENTLY. Ling and Wing Lam did not get married. So Sum demanded to know the answer from Ling, because she almost killed patients because of him and so he explained when he was about to send Wing Lam to the airport, she revealed, and quite reluctantly that she had some incurable disease (my sis said she heard lupus) and that she was dying. She didn't want to get in his way and 7 years were the happiest with him. I tell you Wing Lam was such a decent woman. So Ling decided there and then to leave with her, he did wanted to marry her but she died before he could. He promised to take care of her for the rest of her life and I believe in a way he did fulfill his promise however short it was. Ling came back to HK for Sum because he couldn't let her go and he hugged her, she hugged him back and then Hou called and Sum lied she was at home eating and so she left.

Meanwhile Hung tried to stir things up by making wild statements about the shares and grandma and Ka both were having heart attacks. Cho Ba and Yuet were so worried but in the end Grandma and Ka were just pulling Hung's leg and Hung left fuming "YOU ARE BOTH CRAZY!!".

Grandma decided to move in with Hor Ma and she urged Cho Ba to do the same but Cho Ba said "I can't, it is inappropriate at this moment" and Ka promised Cho Ba he will find a good lawyer because the one Hung has has a reputation as a scoundrel lawyer.

Meanwhile Hung, Ka Mei and the recently bought over Tin Chi had a press conference. They were there to clarify on the gossips when Sa suddenly turned up and tookover the mike from the press. The cousin loudly said "Security, get her out of here. She has no business to be here" and Sa said "Of course I have, why are you so afraid of me? Secrets you don't want anyone to know?" and Hung said "Please leave now, this is a press conference" and the cousin said "And you are no journalist!" and Sa loudly said "Oh yes I am, I represent the First Wives' Magazine. I am here to interview the fox demon that broke the first wife's family as to her motives now. Hung, I heard you once seduced a married man from his wife and his children based on your good looks. You took away 3 children from the first wife. Now that you're old, you have lost the looks but you have yet to lose your touch as once again you now want to take away the man's fortune, all of it! How does it feel to do that?" and Tin Chi said "Sa, don't cause trouble!" and Sa said "You ungrateful spineless bastard. Shut up! You want money? You are so easily bought. How much she paid you for your dog like loyalty?!" and Ka Mei said "Mother, a final warning, if you don't leave..." and Sa said "Ka Mei, I am your mother but you prefer to stand by this woman rather than a loving family. You have no idea how lucky you are. Yuen is still waiting for you, even sis is willing to forgive you.." and Ka Mei interrupted and said "Mother, I hardly need you to tell me all these nonsense. I am being fair and I am just standing on the side of what is reasonable.." and Sa laughed bitterly and said "Good, good. When I admit I am no. 2 in making up stories and telling lies, no one dares admit being no. 1 but you my daughter have surpassed me indeed. I am not sad, I am in fact happy because from now on I can tell you in your face that I shall no longer care what you do. I shall no longer be bothered. Ka Mei, if you're in trouble, don't come running to me anymore. I am done with you. You're on your own from now on" and Sa left crying bitterly whilst Ka Mei looked shocked at her mother's statement whilst Hung smiled a satisfied smile.

Missed 20 minutes.

Grandma did end up in the hospital. She was very weak. Cho Ba, Hor Ma and gang visited her often, urged her to be well. One day I think Hor Ma came by but grandma was missing. Everybody looked for her but grandma was outside looking for old neighbourhood friends to build up Cho Ba's case. Apparently Hung's case was Cho Ba did not do anything nor contributed to the business substantially. He was eating out of her hands, out of her efforts or as Chinese says "Sik Yuen Fan" meaning eat soft rice meaning benefitting from a woman's effort/endeavour which is really the biggest insult you can hurl at any man with any sense of pride. Then Sum went home after Ling and saw Hung, Ka Mei, cousins all surrounding a figure on the floor and it was grandma herself. Grandma was admitted to the hospital and the doctor said grandma didn't know but her heart was so weak she will die within hours. Grandma didn't know and she wanted only to see Hung. Everyone wondered why but Hung, looking rather guiltily walked in and grandma weakly said "I am not dead yet. I want you to promise me 3 things, if not I will tell them what happened. One, I want you to split the company 50-50. That is the fairest of all. Second I don't want you to come between Hou and Sum. They're such a beautiful destined pair. Why would you object to Hou? And third, I don't want you to have anything to do with my funeral nor will you be listed as my daughter in law. My real daughter in law is Hor and she will make the arrangements for me. Agreed?" and Hung looked and said "Yes, sure". I tell you, grandma's gonna die anyway so whatever she says just say ok. Grandma then said "Fine, I want to see Hou" but Hung said "He is on his way" but actually Hou was outside. Half an hour passed by and the doctor confirmed grandma wouldn't have long and so Cho Ba and Hor Ma and gang rushed in past the useless cousins and useless husband of Sa and Grandma was so weak, she just pointed at Hung and then she died. Hung tried to leave but Cho Ba asked loudly "What did you talk about with mother that took so long?" but Hung refused to say and I think even Ka asked loudly "WHAT DID YOU TALKED ABOUT? WHAT?!" and Hung replied "Nostalgic stuff, we were talking about the past, ok?"

Hor Ma followed Hung into the toilet and Hor Ma gently asked "Hung, the old lady was dying, she just wanted to spend her last moments surrounded by her grandchildren. What were you both talking about that was so important to take up so much precious time?" and Hung sarcastically said "What we talked about? We talked about my past. We talked about what a good daughter in law I was..." and Hor Ma said calmly but sternly "And what else?" and Hung said "We talked about how grateful she was with me and how sorry she was that things became the way it is.." and Hor Ma asked "And?" and Hung said loudly "She told me what a great daughter in law I was and what a curse you were. She said sorry to me for the pain she caused me and she blamed all the pain on you, that you were the cause, that you were the one she despised!!" and Hor Ma looked at her and I believe Hor Ma didn't believe a single word she said.

Next episode...I think court battle where Hung openly calls Hor Ma in court FOX DEMON! SLUT! How rich of her to say all these when she herself did exactly the same thing years before.

No comments on performance. On story, I felt grandma was so naive. Also quite sad to see her go like that. Ka Mei is useless and Sa is right to outright disown her. Is it worth it? To lose your entire family and dignity for money and for respecting a cruel jealous woman like Hung.

Favourite scene?

Good, good. When I admit I am no. 2 in making up stories and telling lies, no one dares admit being no. 1 but you my daughter have surpassed me indeed. I am not sad, I am in fact happy because from now on I can tell you in your face that I shall no longer care what you do. I shall no longer be bothered. Ka Mei, if you're in trouble, don't come running to me anymore. I am done with you. You're on your own from now on

- Auntie Sa to Ka Mei

Episode 36

2009-09-29T22:30:00.000+08:00

There is no justice. This is what this episode taught me.

For one after the whole Ka Mei "BLAME HOR MA" segment, not only was she not straight away cast away into the deepest end of the abyss, everyone seems to encourage Yuen to forgive her. Yuen, young, kinda handsome, kinda rich, kinda educated can do better than this piece of useless used package. Instead we hear "Yuen is ready to forgive you if you're willing to come back" and such nonsense. And then of course I realise it isn't really Ka Mei that should shoulder the entire blame. Yuen must shoulder half of it. Imagine this ball-less man running the company and fighting with Hung. This was a girl who so obviously pinned the pregnancy on him, married him for money, screamed at Hor Ma, made unfair accusations, doing everything against her own husband and yet... YET Yuen wants her back? WHY? WHYYYYYYYYYYYYY? Is it because Ka Mei is good? Nope, she was rotten from the beginning. She can't be saved. No one should bother with saving her! No woman for Yuen is it? I mean would you want Yuen? Not me. Ball-less, no "Chun Toi" is how I see him. Disgusting. Be done with him. Maybe they do deserve one another.

Anyway Sum cries yet again. And yet again we have the whole report card scenes like yesterday. Suddenly Hou asks Sum "Do you miss your father?" because Sum said she felt like someone has been following her and she thought that man looked like her father. Sum said "No. He represents all the bad memories, I don't want to remember. I remember mommy and him were having a bad time, I thought by studying hard I could please him. I gave him my report card, but instead he tore it apart. He left me heart broken, he abandoned me, so no I don't want to see him, nor do I miss him". But Sum was lying. She does miss him a little as Sum is kind hearted, she bears no grudge.

Anyway Hou decided to look for Keung, found him at some dingy motel and again Keung said the usual "stop harassing my daughter" nonsense but Hou fought him off and said "Will you stop it already?! I am here aren't I? If I have been harassing her, I wouldn't be here to face you! Sum and I have been and always will be very good friends!" and so Keung stopped and Hou said "I know you have been following her. If you want to see her approach her!" but Keung said "You think I don't want to? It is my sin, my retribution I am dying! I am too ashamed to see her!" and Hou looked at the place "You staying her? I thought you got some share in the money..." and Keung said "Me? No. I gave it all to Hung in a Swiss account. Why would I want all those money? I did it to atone for my sins" and Hou said "You don't have much time. You once promised Sum you make her a lantern. Finish it and give it to her. Don't waste your time anymore". Keung fainted, and begged Hou not to take him to the hospital where Sum is working.

Next thing Sum did receive a lantern that she wanted when she was little, she was very happy but Hou told her "Your father made this for you. He is dying. He wants to see you"

Sum went to see Keung, and Keung was very moved by her being there. He said "I thought you would never want to see me again. Sum, please forgive me, please forgive me...Hou is a good man, he has kept his promise..." and Sum held his hands.

Alone with Hou, Sum said "I told him I forgive him. The truth was I looked at him and told him what he wanted to hear, as I would to a patient. I felt nothing, nothing at all" and she wasn't crying interestingly. But no worries because...

Hou got a call and he said uh-huh and all and then he told Sum "Your father just passed on" and Sum beginning to cry said "I knew he was dying, I already asked the professors and they said he is at his end stage, so I knew, I am prepared, I am ready..." but she cried at Hou's shoulders, crying for the father who she once loved and perhaps still love.

Pause here.

Rather sad and appropriate crying scene. Keung seems to be like a passing character. Appeared to cause havoc and then just die. Hung nowhere in sight and Keung doesn't seem to mind. It would have been better to have Keung not die yet and help Cho Ba but I suppose why should he? I have this impression he loved his mistress very much and I also have this impression Hung eventhough poor and uneducated was perhaps already very manipulative wife. I just have this impression Keung left her because she wasn't easy to live with and he found someone easier. Abandoning Sum is wrong though.

Anyway Sum realised what her father said was right; that Hou is a good man. She impliedly said to him "Hou, bake me a cake, exactly the one you made me that time, exactly the same" and Hou knew what Sum meant and requested 3 days for that. Meanwhile Sum was at the hospital and guess who she saw?

YES, DR LING IS BACK!!

The hospital needed OBGYNs and so he was asked to return. He did marry Wing Lam and Wing Lam is in England waiting for him. That night Sum was supposed to meet Hou and eat the cake but she had to go karaoke with Ling and colleagues. Hou waited, waited, waited and I thought DAMN YOU SUM!! But then she appeared smiling at Hou, apologising for being late. Hou said she was just 15 minutes late so no problem and then Sum said to Hou "I am very proud of myself today, I think I am ready to give you my report card. I met Chi Soon today and not only did I not think about it, when I was with him I was thinking about you, about the cake and what you would be doing. Don't I deserve 101 points?" and Hou smiled and agreed and Hou showed her a cake which was different from the one he made. It has their picture, their hair white frosted with the word "Growing old together". Hou explained "I did make the same cake but I thought the past is the past, so I decided to make a new one. You can't escape from me now, we are destined to grow old together!" and Sum and Hou shared a sweet passionate kiss.

AT LAST!!!

Sa tried calling Ka Mei and Ka Mei took her call and said "Mother, you were so keen on humiliating me that day, what more do you want?" and Sa lied that she met a doctor and that she was dying from some incurable disease, wanted to meet Ka Mei. She met with Ka Mei at home and Ka Mei full of fake concern asked "Mother have you seen a good doctor? Here I bring you to a good one now" but Sa refused and Ka Mei insisted and Sa refused and then Ka Mei blew her top and said "How long you intend to play this game with me?!" and Sa said "Ka Mei, I am making an effort! Come back home, say sorry to Hor Ma. You will never find a better husband like Yuen or an even more understanding mother in law like Hor Ma. Even after what you did, all they said was 3 words "(in English actually) OPEN THE DOOR". They're still willing to open the door for you to come home!" but Ka Mei refused to listen and said "Go back to that preachy woman's place? And see that useless family? No thanks!" and when she opened the door to leave she bumped into Hor Ma. Hor Ma gently said "Ka Mei please sit down I need to speak with you, just a little while" and pushed Ka Mei to the sofa and so Ka Mei just made faces but she was listening.

"Ka Mei, I know you call me a preachy long winded woman and you call your mother useless, having no respect for her. I agree with you. Your mother is, was the worst person I have ever known. She talked when she shouldn't, make up stories and point fingers but you must admit Ka Mei, your mother has changed tremendously. She changed for you. She has changed into a better person, realising her mistake. Can't you see that Ka Mei? You said you admire Hung, of all people, you admire that manipulative woman but at least Hung has a reason for doing what she is doing. She is trying to hold on to her family, protecting them in a way that she thinks is right. What about you Ka Mei? What's your reason for betraying us? What are you trying to hold on to? Yuen and I still thinks the same "OPEN THE DOOR" and the door is still opened for you to come home. That is all I have to say. Whether you listen or not is up to you. You are free to go now" and Ka Mei looked like she was listening and then she abruptly left. Sa cried "I don't know how to reach out to her anymore!" and Hor Ma held Sa to comfort Sa.

Pause here.

I agree with Hor Ma about Hung. However twisted Hung was at least she has a reason. Ka Mei, pure busybody. Hor Ma was actually quite stern with Ka Mei and only spoke nicely to her because of Yuen and mostly for Sa. A very good woman this Hor Ma.

Ka is working hard to promote the company. He probably won't live till 35 and he wanted to make up for lost time. Yuet was worried but Ka told her everything is fine. But Yuet told Hor Ma and Hor Ma beckoned Ka to go slow and everyone told him to go slow.

Pause here.

Yuet has one bad habit; you can't tell her a secret, she will blurt it all out!

Anyway Cho Ba didn't want to excite Ka. As Hung suddenly took leave from the company, leaving it to of all people shoe shining people like that cousin and Ka Mei, Ka actively took part in the company's management of new product launch. Then Hung came back and saw Cho Ba, Grandma, Yuen, Ka all at the mansion eating. Hung wanted to speak with Cho Ba and so went upstairs. Hung said "The truth is during my absence I went to see some very expensive lawyers in England and they told me you will get no more than 10% share so I have decided to give you just that as settlement" and Cho Ba was naturally angry and said "WHAT? How dare you? I worked hard for the company too! I invested a lot of time.." and Hung screamed "So did I! I worked hard too! I worked harder! If I had my way you wouldn't have a single penny to share with that fatty!!" and she violently pushed Cho Ba. She said "Your mother knows. Why not I ask you mother how much you contributed eh?" and Cho Ba panicked said "Hung must you be so wicked? Mother is sick, Ka is sick too, don't burden them with your questions!" and Hung shouted "Do I look like I care Ka is sick?" and she walked out and went downstairs and approached grandma and all and Cho Ba ran after her and said "Don't ask! Don't ask! Mother, go upstairs! Ka, go home now!!" but Ka knew something was wrong and asked "Auntie Hung, what is it you want to ask us?" and Cho Ba tried to stop her but she reiterated her offer and grandma went into hyperventilation and Ka was very angry. Hung even had Ka Mei the spineless said how well she was running the company. THAT YOU WANT YUEN TO RECONCILE WITH?

Pause here.

Here we have Cho Ba, high blood pressure, grandma, old and frail and Ka, heart disease. 3 very sick people. It was almost comical to see all 3 of them having some medical problems as they fought with Hung.

Ka said "Auntie Hung, you and everybody knows father did much for the business. He delivered the goods years before, he ran the company, he contributed. YOU KNOW and I KNOW! We can prove that in court and we shall see you there! I will not let you win!" but Ka was clutching his chest as grandma clutching her chest as well and Cho Ba was having fainting spells. Hung smiled and said "Fine. Don't say I didn't offer you anything!" and she left and Ka emotionally said "Cho Ba I will not let her win!" and Cho Ba said "Ka calm down, calm down!"

Sum came home and saw Yuet and Cho Ba and Ka and grandma all upset and asked what happened and I think it was Yuet or someone who said "Ask your mother!" and told her what Hung said.

Sum rushed to Hung and asked Hung "Mommy, is it true? You intend to give only 10% shares to Cho Ba?" and Hung said "Yes" and Sum said "Mommy, we owe it to them to give them more. I don't want that money, mommy why are you insisting?" and Hung said "Sum, before I went to England I wanted to give them 30%. When I returned I decided 20% but when I found out you and Hou were holding hands, I decided 10% is too generous an offer!" and Sum crying said "Mommy, please stop all this. Please let Cho Ba go.." but Hung said "Now I will not even give him a single penny!" and Sum looked on crying, helpless as to what she should do.

I do pity Sum. She has allegiance to both parties. Someone mentioned Sum just cries and cries and cries. I think this scene was an appropriate time to cry. And funny isn't it? It is the most vile woman's daughter that has backbone of steel whilst Sa, in the end became good has a daughter as vile as Hung. So to Hung's credit, she was a good mother in the sense she taught Sum well.

Interesting.

Next episode, I suppose court battle. Can't remember what was shown.

Performance wise, no comments. Character wise, Hung is beginning to have loads to do but still somehow not vile enough. She is just one scorned woman.

And the sudden return of Dr Ling is like one endless cycle of...never mind. Just a few more episodes and I shall be FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously though no complaints on performances. I thought the one who stood out was again Lee Sze Kei but the character I noticed most is Ka. I find Ka's outburst with Hung was well written and well acted by Moses. As to why he must have heart ailment just escapes me. Imagine if he didn't, he fights with Hung over the company. This would make this series into something more than it is now. A bit too late to have Ka in the company now.

And am I the only one with the impression that whilst Yuet is in love with Ka, Ka's affection for her is only sibling-like? How can Ka then have children with her? It is not even passionate real love. It's like "I am dying, need someone, here Yuet I accept you"?

Anyway best scene? I would say the funniest scene is 3 sick people vs 1 healthy Hung. No quotes, no description, just the idea of 3 medically sick people arguing with Hung. So you have grandma clutching her chest, Cho Ba his head and Ka of course speaking breathlessly. In retrospect that scene was really funny.

However if I must choose one serious best scene, I suppose the argument between Sum and Hung would be the one...

Mommy, we owe it to them to give them more. I don't want that money, mommy why are you insisting?

- Sum to Hung

Episode 35

2009-09-28T22:30:00.001+08:00

This episode can be divided into 2 clear segments;

LOOK AT SUM CRYYYYYY

AND

LOOK AT KA MEI SCHEMEEEEEE

That's it. That's the entire episode and whilst one does not have an ending yet, the other will have an ending tonight.

Continue...

Rumours are spreading Ka Hou Yuet Yuen is in big crisis, each spouse going back to former spouse. Hung and Cho Ba had a meeting and Hung said "If you expect an out of court settlement, don't bother" and Cho Ba sternly said "I didn't. Since we are in the middle of a case, I expect we shall maintain status quo with the company" and Hung demanded "Fine, I will want my old staff back and myself as a general manager" and Cho Ba said "Ok, and I expect Yuen to be co-general manager and Ka will come into the company and assist Yuen when he is better" and Hung looked murderous and Cho Ba said "I asked my lawyer and he said if you refuse I can apply to court to appoint a trustee to run the company for the time being. Is that what you want?" and Hung said "Fine, agreed" and so she left. Cho Ba was being like a man I tell you. Good for him. But how come one minute he is blind, next he is not and yet not wearing sunglasses to shield his sensitive eyes? Ka is out of hospital by the way.

Ka Mei and everybody was having dinner at Hor Ma but Ka Mei didn't look too thrilled to be there. Whilst Hor Ma was kind to her she wasn't as kind to Hor Ma. In the room Hor Ma kindly asked Ka Mei did she really love Yuen to marry him or was it because of the pregnancy? Ka Mei replied it was love. Hor Ma was worried this was some bounce back relationship after Ka. So Hor Ma was convinced and gave Ka Mei a beautiful golden necklace as a present but Ka Mei rolled her eyes instead of appreciating it. Outside, Ka Mei pretended to laugh happily. When she was leaving, Jimmy came by to see her to get money to go back to Portugal and Ka Mei panicked because Jimmy threaten to tell everyone the baby is his and so Ka Mei decided to pay him off, despite Sa's objections.

Along this time Yuen and Ka Mei got married seen through some cheap looking photos. No time for such unnecessary scenes right? RIGHT?

Sa's husband, Tin Chi was having a tough time working like a real human being. Despite Sa's encouragement, Tin Chi was angry Hou scolded him for not making the patries right. Ka Mei decided to tempt her step father to work for Ka Hou Yuet Yuen as a store manager at double the salary. Dinner at night Tin Chi announced his decision, rather proudly but Cho Ba shocked said "Nope I didn't hire him" and Yuet said "Cho Ba remember when you get your half of the fortune do not take that shop with him running it" and Cho Ba said "Don't worry Yuet, I certainly won't!" and everyone laughed but Tin Chi with his pride wounded ran off. Sa looked on embarassed but Hor Ma said "Sa, don't take it to heart. He can work anywhere he wants to. I am not angry".

Tin Chi came home from work and he revealed Hung asked a lot of question about Sum and Hou and whether they're dating and Tin Chi said he believed so. Sa scolded him for being so nosy but Tin Chi revealed Ka Mei said a lot more than he did. Sa kinda shut up after that.

Sa brought bird's nest to Ka Mei at Hung's place and she asked Ka Mei did she tell Hung about Hou and Sum which she did not deny. Sa scolded Ka Mei but Ka Mei is in awe of Hung. She was unappreciative of Hor Ma's care and she dismissed Hor Ma's side as "Stupid silly people, why would I want to spend my time there playing little children's guessing games and listening to Hor Ma's endless preachiness?" as she told her mother eventhough Sa kept reminding her "Hor Ma has been very good to us, don't be disrespectful". Instead Ka Mei showed unending loyalty to Hung and when Sa exploded and said "That fox demon? She ruined our lives! How can you be so loyal to her?!" and Ka Mei rudely said "Why shouldn't I? She is an amazing woman! All these years, abandoned by her husband, she brought up her daughter alone to become a doctor, she ran a business, she is such a fearless boss that everybody is in fear of her everytime she enters the office, she is smart and capable. Moreover she promised she will give me 20% of the fortune she will get in this case (as in against Cho Ba) for me to start a business venture, why not mother?" and Sa said "You really think she treats you well sincerely? That she will give you that money? Wake up Ka Mei! She is a manipulative bitch!" but Ka Mei said "I don't care. Anyway mother you will have to swallow your insults since you will be sending me bird's nest to this place, and why don't you get me a bowl now?" and so Sa dutifully did so.

Meanwhile Sum is crying everytime she sees something or is somewhere that reminded her of her dear Chi Soon (that is Dr Ling). She looked at the watch he gave her and she told Hou "He is getting married in 5 seconds. Let's countdown" and went she did, she said "Hou, I have decided I will wait 7 years for him and he will divorce her and be with me" and Hou smiled asked "7 years? Why 7 years? One second you said you're over him, now you say you will wait 7 years!" and Sum said "Well researchers said there's such thing called the 7 year itch. After 7 years all marriages tend to suffer and so I will have my chance".

People, she was OBVIOUSLY joking.

Anyway she told Hou she needed his assessment of her performance over "FORGETTING CHI SOON" project and so Hou will give her marks after each report card handed. She failed sometimes, successfull at others.

At this point I was like laughing myself silly. You see her case is like this; see something reminded her of Chi Soon, she cries. Too busy, doesn't cry. Talk to Hou, cries. So there I was mimicking Sum I went ...

"Guen Gar Chai, today I walked pass a longkang and I remember that longkang as the one Chi Soon fell into one time. I couldn't help myself but cry... I think I failed today, I shall award myself negative 1000 as points... Guen Gar Chai, today I walked past Mongkok's public toilet and that was the men's toilet and I walked in and I saw that cubicle he used. I cried. I can't help it Guen Gar Chai, it reminded me of him. I failed, I failed today. I deserve no reward but negative infinity as points!'

You get the drill. Minutes wasted over these insanely boring and useless and pointless and nowhereless scenes! Chi Soon seems to have been everywhere. I am convinced Sum may climb to the top of Mount Everest and there she would cry because Chi Soon was there. Was Chi Soon everywhere?!?!?

Anyway Hou asked Sum did she miss her dad and she said sometimes she did, sometimes she didn't. She has fears of being abandoned and she felt she was abandoned twice, once by her dad, another by Chi Soon. Meanwhile Keung followed Sum and Hou and when Sum left, he ran up to Hou and said "Hung told me you have been hounding Sum! Leave her alone you hear me or I will hurt you" and he punched Hou but Sum saw what happened and tried to chase the mysterious man but Hou tell her not to and didn't want to lodge a police report.

So Hung has been feeding him lies eh?

Back to Ka Mei. Jimmy is back, wants more money. Ka Mei immediately rushed to Sa, woke Sa up and said "Mother, I am going to abort the baby tomorrow" and Sa said "But how would you tell Yuen?" and Ka Mei said "I don't care. This will get rid of Jimmy and his incessant demand for DNA test. I need to put this behind!".

And so she got an abortion, like it is a 2 minute botox shot. Even botox shot you need to rest your face. She met up with Hor Ma who wanted to give her some soup made by grandpa and Hor Ma tried to talk to Ka Mei..."Ka Mei, I know it must be hard for you to stay in the house when Yuen is always out and about. I know staying with grandma is hard too but grandma is old, she said you have been rude to her. Perhaps you can show her a bit of kindness, let her win sometimes, I am sure she will appreciate you for that" but Ka Mei was beyond listening. In fact since Ka Mei didn't even show grandma any face, why should she over Hor Ma. Anyway she said she had to leave for golf but Hor Ma said "You're pregnant. Are you sure you're up for a game of golf?" and Ka Mei said "Mother, sports is good for the baby" and so she began to leave when Hor Ma gently held her back and said "Ka Mei before you go do take the soup, grandpa made it himself, took hours" but Ka Mei rejected the soup, pushed around and Ka Mei accidentally fell. Hor Ma immediately rushed to her and said "Ka Mei are you ok? Is the baby ok? Do you need to go to the hospital for a checkup?" but Ka Mei refused, said she is ok and left abruptly.

At night, Yuen came home and Ka Mei told him "I miscarriaged the baby" and Yuen shocked said "Didn't I tell you not to do sports? Look now what happened!!" and Ka Mei said "It wasn't sports, it was Hor Ma. She kept insisting I take some soup, I refused, we pushed around, and I fell down and I lost the baby! It was Hor Ma's fault!" and Yuen suddenly looked at her and said "I am sorry, I didn't mean to accuse you. But we are still young, we can try again for a baby. But Ka Mei, promise me, don't tell Hor Ma this. I don't want her to feel bad about this" and so Ka Mei agreed. Meanwhile Hung was outside and she overheard and she smiled.

Pause here.

Very rich of Ka Mei eh? And interestingly Yuen had no bad reaction. Maybe deep down he knew it was all an accident and it wasn't Hor Ma's fault. If it was of course Ka Mei had every right to be frustrated and angry and all but we all know it ain't Hor Ma's fault.

When Yuen left the room, Hung came in and said "I am sorry, I overheard...I am so sorry. But Ka Mei, can you do me a favour and help me to vent my anger?" and Ka Mei looked on.

Vent my anger in Chinese is Chut Yat Hau Hei. what she wanted Ka Mei to do is to blame Hor Ma.

And so let's begin the BLAME HOR MA segment.

Dinner at night. Everyone was there, even Yuen. Everyone was thoughtful to Ka Mei who looked glum. By the way Hing is pregnant. Wow, so sudden. Anyway Yuen said "Everyone I have an announcement to make. Ka Mei suffered a miscarriage, we lost the baby" and Hor Ma suddenly sat up and said "Ka Mei, was it because of that fall in the restaurant?" and I think it was Cho Ba or grandpa who asked "What fall?" and Hor Ma full of regret said "It was all my fault. I tried to give Ka Mei the soup and Ka Mei refused, we pushed around and she fell!" and Yuen said "Hor Ma, don't blame yourself, it isn't your fault" and Sa said loudly "Sis, all early pregnancies are dangerous, all may miscarriage, you can't blame yourself!" because Sa knew it wasn't Hor Ma's fault. Ka Mei said "Yuen I can't take it anymore. I can't! Yes it was YOUR fault" as she looked at Hor Ma. "The doctor said I will have a hard time getting pregnant the next time. I already said I didn't want the soup but you kept pushing it at me! It was all your fault!" and Hor Ma rushed to Ka Mei, held her and said "Ka Mei, I am so sorry, so sorry! I don't know how to explain, I..." and Ka Mei exploded "You are always like that, preaching and preaching, expecting everybody to listen only to you, to hear only you! You're always right, and everybody else is dead wrong!" and Yuet said "I am sorry you lost your baby but how can you blame Hor Ma like that? It was an accident no one wanted!" and Ke Mei shouted "How would you know how I feel? I AM THE ONE WHO LOST THE BABY!!" and Hor Ma said to Yuet "Let her speak, let her vent her anger at me" and Ka Mei turned to Hor Ma and poured out hateful words; "YOU, YOU THINK YOU'RE THE SMARTEST OF ALL. EVERYTHING YOU SAY IS ALWAYS ACCURATE, WE MUST ALL LISTEN TO YOUR STUPID STORIES AND STUPID LESSONS. WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU'RE RIGHT? I ALREADY SAID I DIDN'T WANT THE SOUP, YOU KEPT PUSHING AT ME!! KEPT DOING IT LIKE SOME INSISTENT FOOL! BECAUSE OF YOU I LOST MY BABY! MY PRECIOUS BABY!! YOU KILLED MY BABY!!!" and Hor Ma to her credit said nothing but let her scream at her. Everyone was shocked at what Ka Mei said whilst Sa, the most quiet of all slipped away thoughtfully.

Pause here.

I was watching a comedy some days ago where a football player who just threw a good ball suddenly got mowed down by a big bus in the middle of the stadium. Watching how Ka Mei scream so happily at Hor Ma, I was wishing for a bus to mow her down in the middle of the apartment. Poor Hor Ma. I thought I hated Auntie Sa and even Hung I dislike or even Keung I dislike even more but Ka Mei, Ka Mei is the worst of the lot. What has she to gain? NOTHING. She said she admired Hung for her steeliness but what she didn't see Hung is now standing alone, her husband abandoned her, her daughter doesn't seem to be on her side and none of the 6 children even Yuen was ever or is now standing by her. How can Hung be seen as a success? Ka Mei is so stupid. This scene made me wish that a tractor would crush her, a car would run her down, a dragon swallow her up. Of course if she did lose her baby because of Hor Ma, yes she has every right to vent her anger but she is venting not anger but spewing hate because of one person's instruction. And to think she wouldn't be paralysed at the end of this series, no justice, no comeuppance, no good writing. Must Hung take all the blame? Of course not. Ka Mei is not 10. She is an adult but unfortunately this series seems hell bent to blame it all on Hung.

Meanwhile Ka Mei was crying over the top, screaming, scolding, pointing etc whilst Hor Ma looked guilty and everybody very quiet when suddenly, out of nowhere, Auntie Sa came out with a cane and beat Ka Mei with it. Ka Mei was shocked momentarily and everyone else was and Hor Ma stopped Sa and said "Sa let her, let her" and Sa tearfully said "Sis, I won't let her pin this on you!" and she kept beating Ka Mei who was running around like a child as Sa said "I should have taught you a long time ago, I should have done this when I should have! The baby is not Yuen's! It was Jimmy and she did not suffer a miscarriage, she aborted it!!" and everyone even Yuen was shocked shocked shocked and as Ka Mei stopped for awhile to cry, Ka held on Auntie Sa and said "Auntie Sa, BEAT HER HARDER!!!" and Auntie Sa chased Ka Mei around and really beat the crap out of her and Ka Mei ran out and away and Auntie Sa threw the cane on the floor, sat down heavily and cried loudly. Chung came her and said "Auntie Sa, don't cry" and Sa said to Chung "Chung, remember never ever to lie! Look at Ka Mei, she saw me lying all the time and look at how she turned out to be! It was all my fault! All my fault sis! I don't know, I really don't know how to teach her anymore! It was all my fault! I turned her into this!!" and she held on to Hor Ma and together they cried.

Next episode... can't remember. Too affected by how Sa reacted to Ka Mei's lies. Anyway I love Ka's reaction!!

Performance wise,

Kate Tsui was ok. I hated her Ka Mei so naturally she did well. What more can I say?

Susanna Kwan deserves all the accolades. Glad to see Auntie Sa doing something proactive and growing a backbone and the way she fell to the sofa crying and telling Chung how her behaviour influenced Ka Mei, that was a very emotional and good scene.

Other than that all was ok. Even weepy Linda Chung even if I can't stand her "Chi Soon was here..." segments.

The entire episode only 10 minutes is worth my wonderfully written recap. I am such a professional to be able to recap the first 40 minutes or so so dutifully. I deserve a medal...

Best scene? What else but ...

Auntie Sa, BEAT HER HARDER!!!

- Ka to Auntie Sa

Episode 34

2009-09-25T22:30:00.000+08:00

When I started to watch, Cho Ba was already crying for Hor Ma, blinded by I suppose a punch by Keung (yet again). Hospitalised, Cho Ba was very angry and felt very depressed that nothing he could do could stop Hung and her head honcho, Keung.

Pause.

Exactly when Keung became head honcho is debatable. And Keung is now into one track audio record; "You must not be a heartless man; do not even consider abandoning Hung; look at the misfortune that befallen me when I did; I am here to redeem myself for abandoning Hung and Sum; I will hurt all of your family and you if you dare; why won't you just let Hung win; I am on Hung's side and you damn well be too!".

SO when I say Keung said *** as in really *** it means the entire "***" above. Because that man simply repeats himself, so no point in me retyping the same thing over and OVER again.

Cho Ba felt hopeless. And doctor warned him if he ever cries, he will go blind - (cue dramatic music). So everybody did not want to make him cry, of all Hor Ma. But Cho Ba couldn't help it and Hor Ma said "What does it matter if she sells the shares or not? She did earn it Cho, let her sell, none of us what the shares" and the children agreed but Cho Ba said "I want to leave some for my children..."

I think at this point which I may have confused the timeline a bit, grandma went alone to stop the whole sale of the 30% shares I think from Hung to Keung and she fainted from over exertion and so was hospitalised on a different floor. At the same time Ka also fainted and hospitalised on a different floor and was diagnosed as having congenital heart disease and is pretty serious and he was in coma. Cho Ba didn't know he was still in danger and in coma and no one told him.

Pause here.

The moment Ka went into coma, I believe the story kinda went kaput. You see the only child actively against Hung is Ka and one who dares to be against Hung is Ka, many times and with Ka now down with a potential deadly ailment, it means none of the children will be active in fighting Hung. I was hoping Ka would have an active role, he would join the company, fight her, etc but alas... TVB...lazy terrible stupid writing. I have not seen a series that so dramatically changes within 5 episodes and I think this series just successfully anihilated itself from excellent to crap. And I was hoping Dr Ling would die but he didn't...how boring...

Anyway, Cho Ba was alone in his room when Hung and Keung came in. Hung asked "Cho, are you alright?" and Cho Ba snapped "Get out! What do you care?! GET OUT!!" and Keung said "***" whilst threatening to strangle Cho Ba to death and Hung said "Cho I am only concerned for you. Anyway I am here to tell you I will be transferring 50% more of the shares to Keung since 30% is not enough to rework the capital. This will be better for the company, restructuring and all" and Cho Ba cried "Hung, why must you be so persistent to deny my children their share? I have already said, if this is the case let's divorce and I will gladly give you 50% of the shares. Why do you refuse and yet do all these? Why Hung? Why?" and Keung said "***" and Hung then said "I have already warned you. If you go back to that faty Hor, I will destroy you and your children. Didn't I promise you that? So now I am doing just that. Sit back and enjoy!" and Cho Ba cried. Keung then said "***" plus "Didn't I tell you there will be consequences? Look at your son Ka, still in coma!" and Cho Ba shocked said "WHAT? No, Ka is ok, he is no longer in coma" and Keung said "Yes he is. Your sins are being paid on your children for abandoning your family that is Hung! They're suffering because of you! WAKE UP MAN! WAKE UP!!".

Keung is like some crazy minister of god I tell you. Totally insane.

Yuen is useless and Cho Ba knew Yuen will be on her side because she got his dirty linens.

Hor Ma came by to visit but Cho Ba locked himself in the room and Hor Ma asked "Cho open the door, what's wrong?" and Cho Ba cried "No go away! Don't see me! Don't let the children near me! Look at Ka, look at mother, my sins visiting upon them! It is all my fault, my sins, my retribution!!" and Hor Ma cried "Cho, don't cry! Your eyes Cho, be careful. Don't be silly Cho!" and even the children were there asking Cho Ba to open the door but Cho Ba refused. Somehow the door got opened, how I can't remember and Cho Ba ran into the corner and cried "Don't come near me! I am bad luck! I am bad luck to you all!!" and Hor Ma reached him and said "Cho just answer me one question.. just one question!" and Cho Ba nodded and Hor Ma asked... I can't remember what she asked. But Cho Ba answered negatively and Hor Ma then said "That's right Cho. Who are you to predict what the heavens are doing? Who are you to say they're punishing you? No one can predict the heavens! No one can tell the heavens what to do! Cho, you're not being punished. You abandoned me remember? You're not punished! This is all just coincidence Cho! Coincidence!" and Cho Ba suddenly woke up and realised Hor Ma was right and looked at Hor Ma and the children all sick with worry and Cho Ba straighten up and realised he wasn't their bad luck. Meanwhile Ka woke up.

Next day again Hung is selling 50% more of the shares to Keung. Grandma again was there to disrupt the entire proceedings and Hung ordered Yuen to take Grandma out and grandma looked at Yuen crying "Yuen, why are you so obedient to her? Tell grandma, what is wrong? Maybe grandma can help. Even if grandma can't grandma will try! Yuen tell grandma what this woman has over you!!" and Yuen said "Grandma you can't help me. Please leave" and then everybody else was there and I think it was Hou or someone who said "Yuen, why are you so obedient?! WHAT'S WRONG?! TELL US!!" and Hung coolly said "Yuen, last warning. Get them out! Call secu!!" and suddenly Cho Ba, in bathrobe being led by a female employee laughingly walked in and the employee said "Mrs Kam, I saw Mr Kam at the shop and so I took him here".

That employee is so fired!!

Anyway Cho Ba sneaked out of the hospital, took a taxi, went to wrong shop, walked to office and here he was.

Hung annoyed said "Cho, what do you want?" and Yuen immediately ran to him and said "Cho Ba, please don't cause trouble!" and Cho Ba said "Yuen, don't worry. Cho Ba is here". Then Cho Ba slowly said "The reason why Yuen is so obedient to Hung is because Hung has his secrets in pictures. Yuen in one occasion ran down a mother of a 2 year old child. Hung paid off the police and so now Yuen is under her control" and Yuen cried "Cho Ba, how could you tell everybody!!" and Hor Ma immediately cried "Oh Yuen! It is all my fault! All my fault!! I should not have sent you back when you ran home to me! Yuen, it is all my fault!!" and Hor Ma cried and Yuen held her and everybody looked at him and Cho Ba said "Yuen, don't you worry. I asked a lawyer. Your case isn't as serious as Hung claimed it to be. Yes you will go to jail, maybe for a few years but Yuen, being in jail is better being under the control of that vile woman forever! Yuen be a man! face up to your responsibilities!" and Hung said "How dare you accuse me? I did not do what you said I did!!" and Keung said "***" and Cho Ba immediately said "Yuen, Don't be scared. Cho Ba will go to prison with you! Cho ba will move there and be with you the entire time. And if Cho Ba has to go, Hung will too! After all YOU did fabricate evidence and paid off the police!" and Hung shocked and Keung said "***" but Cho Ba snapped him off and said "I did not abandon Hung! I did abandon my family however and my family IS Hor Ma! Hung is and forever will be the THIRD PARTY! I abandoned Hor Ma! Hung I did not because she is the third party! AND YOU, don't you threaten me again. I am blind thanks to you. I will call the police and you too will go to jail!" and the cousin tried to speak but Cho Ba loudly said "YOU TOO WILL GO TO JAIL FOR EMBEZZLING FUNDS SO YOU BETTER SHUT UP NOW!!" and he did and Ka Mei stood up and said "I believe I can say a few fair words..." and Cho Ba rightly said "And who are you to open your mouth here? I never liked you! And since you're marrying Yuen, are you so keen to see your own fiancee go to jail? No? Then sit down and shut up!!" and so she did. Cho Ba said to Yuen "Yuen, be brave, Cho Ba is here with you!" and Hor MA cried "I will go to jail with you too! Yuen Hor Ma is here too!" and even grandma and everybody else said "Be brave Yuen" and Yuen looked to them and looked a bit braver and Cho Ba said "Now I am the chairman of this company and I am here to announce the whole deal is off. All of you, except for these 3 here can leave this boardroom immediately!!" and Hung angrily left with Keung, Ka Mei and the rest except for 3 loyal workers. Before leaving Hung said "Fine, see you in court".

Grandma looked at Cho Ba and said "Well well well, don't be afraid, Cho Ba is here!!" and everybody smiled happily.

Next episode, Ka Mei did the unthinkable. I think she should die more than Dr Ling.

I think what Cho Ba did was very brave. Yuen was so dumb. And Cho Ba is right; if Yuen has to go to jail, so does all of them for various crimes. Why only Yuen right? I hated Yuen, still do. Useless. Completely useless.

Cho Ba earlier was so weak, crying and all. But he redeemed himself and Hor Ma was right; he abandoned Hor Ma and the kids but nothing happened. So why should abandoning Hung cursed him?

No comments on performance except Har Yu was very good if not for some really overly the top dramatic moments written for his character. Not necessarily bad performance but frankly, do we need to see him cry so pitifully? Is Hung that formidable? See how easy it is to shut her up. And Keung is such a comical character; over the top, same lines, same expressions, how insanely insane.

I am beginning to not love this series anymore. Just a few more episodes. A few more and it will end!

Best scene? Yes, there's one...

Yuen, don't you worry. I asked a lawyer. Your case isn't as serious as Hung claimed it to be. Yes you will go to jail, maybe for a few years but Yuen, being in jail is better being under the control of that vile woman forever! Yuen be a man! face up to your responsibilities!

- Cho Ba to Yuen

Yeah Yuen, be a man don't be a sissy! You already look like one, don't behave like one!

Episode 33

2009-09-24T22:30:00.000+08:00

Where do I start? Ok let me start with 3 rants...

1. YUEN YOU USELESS BASTARDO!!

2. HUNG YOU BITCHY BITCHARDO!!

3. HOW COME KEUNG IS IN THE PICTURE???

(aka ex husband of Hung)

Ok, I missed 20 minutes of this episode but I would have wished I missed the entire episode. For one, Yuen is now under control of Hung and Cho Ba after hearing what Keung has to say about Yuen having dirty linen, practically begged Yuen to tell and Yuen said he drove over a mother of a 2 year old child in Thailand. He then said Hung knew about it but told him not to tell anyone and sought out the help of Keung to bribe the Thai police to let him go.

At this point my entire family went..

"CHOTO-MA-TE!!"

(translation : WAIT A MINUTE!! - I think)

Watashi no understand the plot-te...

Sorry, still in Galileo mode. Let me switch back to English....

What I meant to say is WHAT?! I thought Hung and Keung were no talk to each other and suddenly, SUDDENLY he is helping her? When did Yuen knocked down the woman? He said in one of the business trips where Hung banned his ideas and so he was upset, took drugs, got drunk and mowed down a lady. Excuse me, WHEN EXACTLY?

Ok, let's disregard this. Maybe I missed the part where it was explained, so I give that the benefit of the doubt. Worse is still to come...

Cho Ba decided to pay $200 million to Keung. And then Cho Ba went to the business meeting and declared Hung has retired and he is running the business with Yuen. Then Hung came in with Keung and declared she IS still running the business assisted by Keung!

And the entire company board and executives resign and decided to work for Kam Lun Tai.

WHAT IS THIS MAN? WHAT IS THISSSSSSSS? Like children playing sands... one minute this, one minute that... what is THISSSSSSSS???????????????????

Never mind, missed a few episodes, will ignore that. So Cho Ba confronted Keung and Keung explained ever since he left Hung with his mistress and the TV Hor Ma and Cho Ba bought them as a gift...

WAIT WAIT WAITTTTT A MINUTE!

So they weren't married when they first swam to HK? So Sum wasn't born yet? So they had a few years of love love and then he left and she seduced Cho Ba? Despicable!

Anyway he had been having bad luck since. Mistress died within 3 years, he got arrested a few times, no business venture succeeded and he was dying! So he decided to make it up for Hung and refused to believe Hung was bad. Cho Ba tried to explain and leave but that insane Keung slapped him and his glasses FELL TO THE GROUND. Remember, HIS GLASSES FELL TO THE GROUND. What's the significance? You will see later. So Yuen begged CHo Ba to help him but Cho Ba said "I can hardly see the road ahead of me, more so help you Yuen..."

Poor Cho Ba. Maybe the best strategy is to just leave without taking anything. That will make Hung jump up and down.

Anyway Hung was pissed Sum was spending so much time with Hor Ma and gang. She met with Hor Ma and warned "Tell your son to leave my daughter alone, or else I swear I will make all your children pay!". Hor Ma of course reasonably said "I do not know if Sum and Hou will get together nor will I interfere. If you have nothing else to say I am leaving".

Hor Ma Hor Ma Hor Ma.... you shouldn't have went down to see her AT ALL!! You should just say NO to her. Why care what she has to say? I will tell you why... later...

Hung then met with Sum and asked her to not see Hor Ma and gang again. Sum said "It is only after spending time with Hor Ma and Hou, and grandpa, I realise what familial love is" and so she refused to NOT spend time with them and that pissed Hung off even more. Hung told Sum "Sum, you mustn't give up on your one true love Dr Ling. As long as he is not married to that girl.." and Sum sadly said "Mother, I read his blog. They will be marrying next month" and what more could Hung said? Sum has more spine than Ka Mei which ironically means Hung was a better mom than Sa??

Suddenly Ka Mei met with Hung and said she needs 2 weeks off so that she can go back to Portugal. Hung concerned (FAKE CONCERNED) asked her what's wrong. Later that day Hung angrily went up to Yuen and said "How dare you ask Ka Mei to abort her child? You will be responsible for the baby!"

PAUSEEEEE!!

Yuen was sleeping with Ka Mei? When? The first 30 minutes? Wow that was fast!

"You will marry her next month!" and Grandma angrily said "Who are you to decide for him? Hor and Cho will decide, they're the parents!" and Hung didn't care and said "Remember you will have to be responsible for your own actions! Like the time you did to that poor woman.." and grandma was like "WHAT? HUH? WHO? WHA?" and Yuen quickly said "OK I will marry her!" and Hung happily walked off. Grandma asked "CHO!! Why won't you say something?!" and Cho Ba was like "I have nothing to say, nothing I could say at all!".

Poor grandma. Dumb Yuen. Poor poor Cho Ba. YUEN YOU IDIOTO!!!!! I WANT-T TO KICK-T YOUR ASSO!!

Wait.. English.. YUEN YOU IDIOT!!!!! I WANT TO KICK YOUR ASS!!

Sa met with Ka Mei and said "Ka Mei you're marrying Yuen?!" and Ka Mei said "I thought Ka was the one, of course there is a bigger fish to fry. Yuen is my dream man!" and Sa said "But how could you lie.." and she looked at her tummy and Ka Mei said "Don't you dare tell that preachy Hor Ma anything!" but Sa said "Sis has been so good to us you can't do that" and Ka Mei said "Shut up mother!". So Sa shut up. My guess is no baby? My double guess is Sa will tell Hor Ma? My tripple guess is Hor Ma will stop the wedding?

Oh I hate Ka Mei!!

Hung again met with Hor Ma and smilingly said "Congratulations Hor. Yuen will be marrying next month, are you ok with the date?" but Hor Ma was quiet and Hung said "Didn't I say if your son does not leave my daughter alone I will destroy your other children's lives? Welcome your new daughter in law!" and Hung left happily. Yeap, Ka Mei is bad news. Hor Ma sat there quiet and remembered how Hung tried to jump and how Hor Ma held her back. Why Hor Ma? Because you think Hung is redeemable?

How much more of this crap I must take? Remember the glasses?

Next episode Cho Ba go slapped YET AGAIN and his glasses fell to the ground YET AGAIN. Sighhhhhhhhhh...

No comment. Absolutely no comment. What more can I say for a series I am beginning to detest? When will it finish? Where is continuity? What am I missing?!??!!

And I still think Hung is still not evil enough. How can you blame her WHEN Yuen himself brought upon his own problems?

Favourite scene? NONE! I AM FED UP!

Episode 32

2009-09-23T22:30:00.000+08:00

I may have missed a few episodes but I can tell you this; so easy to catch up! I am not going to do a full recap because it is all a repetition that it is not worth a full recap. This is an episode where everybody just wants to torture themselves and no end is in sight!

For one, Dr Ling says he has left Wing Lam, ending up Wing Lam is now the 3rd party ending up with Wing Lam agreeing to leave him and go back to England, ending up with him going back with Wing Lam, ending up Sum crying pitifully at the airport and Hou looking on. So Dr Ling is not gonna die? I want him to die! That way the whole story will just end!!

Then there's Ka and Ka Mei. Ka Mei decided to seduce back Ka, using pitiful story of her son's father, Jimmy Wong coming back to extort money, ending up Ka fell back in love with Ka Mei after she fainted from working too hard, then he carried her to hospital ending up he himself having some undiagnosed heart ailment but no worries, nothing serious. They kissed. Yuet found out that Jimmy is not the boy's father but paid by Ka Mei to put up a show. Yuet told Ka Mei to leave Ka but Ka Mei gate crashed a function, danced and then met with Ka and told him they're over. Ka was upset.

Then there's Yuen, now the puppet of Hung and her ex husband. Her ex husband is nice to Hung because he promised his dying wife (then the 3rd party, then good friends with Hung) to help Hung no matter what, and that includes doing illegal stuff. How dumb. Anyway Yuen was coerced into buying more high priced shops by Hung who so called let go of her position and is now a consultant and so Yuen is now kinda running the business. Why he listens to her? Well when he was young he ran down a woman in Thailand, Hung paid the Thai police and he was let go. So now they're using this against Yuen. Truth is if the police was paid, I doubt the case will be reopened and HUng will be in trouble for aiding and abetting. No wonder Yuen is so nice to her; I thought he was just being nice. Looks like he is weak, dumb and stupid. I don't like how this character is being handled.

And guess what? All of a sudden, Ka Mei is now assistant to Yuen, hired by Hung.

Where did that come from??

Hopefully next episode has something worth recapping about. I am still quite obssessed with a well structured series like Gallileo to be bothered with this mess.

Acting wise though, no complaints. Except maybe for Chris Lai. I mean is he on Hung's side because of the threats or because he loves Hung? Because I can't see the difference!!

Episode 31 *

2009-09-22T22:30:00.002+08:00

Missed this episode, chasing after Galileo's final episodes. Will resume full recap for the next episode.

Episode 30 *

2009-09-21T22:30:00.002+08:00

Sorry dear readers. Through no fault of my own, I switched channel to 311 and no sign of this series. The whole schedule seemed to have gone haywire because at 10pm 311 broadcast a movie called Kinta and no sign of this episode. No idea why. Much apologies.

Episode 29

2009-09-18T22:30:00.000+08:00

Surprisingly this episode didn't even focus on Sum. I thought it was supposed to but this episode is entirely Ka-Yuet-Ka Mei story which I am happy to say will be solved in 1 hour. How predictable.

Sa was having chit chat with her grandson, cute kid and said he misses grandma and mother and all. Suddenly Hor Ma came in, Sa stood in front of the computer, tried to switch off the computer but the sound was on and Hor Ma heard the kid said Grandma Salina and "why did you abandon me". First, a kid that age won't even know how to say abandon so that is a ridiculous scene. Anyway Hor Ma didn't seem to notice as Sa said she was watching an online show. She walked out as Ka Mei walked in and KA Mei gave Sa a huge trashing. Very rude and angrily said to Sa to never contact her son ever again. Ka Mei said "Did Hor Ma heard anything?" and Sa said "Oh come on! Hor Ma only studied until she was 16. She can't understand a word of English, more so a word like Abandon. She doesn't know". We also found out the boy is being fostered by someone and Ka Mei blamed Sa for not caring enough as she said "I was 16 when I was knocked up. You and father were useless, never were parents who loved me!" and Sa said "I didn't love you? I love you so much! I was willing to do anything for you!" but Sa said "Love is like how Hor MA loves her children! Look at the way she cared for that Lor Lui Yuet. After she ran away Hor Ma was so worried and ever since Yuet came home, Hor Ma just hugged her close and never left her side!" and Ka Mei was terribly jealous of Yuet.

Ka and Ka Mei were dating happily, chatting over night as Yuet looked on in silence. Ka Mei was at Ka's place when she saw Yuet packing Ka's stuff. Arrogantly Ka Mei said "What are you doing here? Don't you get it? Ka loves me, he will never love you. Why do you stay and persist?" and Yuet answered "I will only say this once. Ka is going on a trip and I am always the person who packs his bag. Moreover I didn't want to do it but Ka asked me that as a sister I should continue so here I am, because he asks me to do this" and Ka Mei was about to leave in anger when she saw Ka walking in and so she walked back in and pitifully said to Yuet "Why don't you just bugger off? Ka will never want you! He will never love you! Sticking around like some shameless woman won't help!" and Yuet naturally angry when provoked said "What are you saying?!" and as Ka walked in Ka Mei quickly said "How many times must I tell you that boy is my foster son and not my son? Why are you so keen to break off Ka and me? How cruel are you?!" and Yuet was like WHAT?! and Ka walked in and said to Yuet "Yuet, what are you doing now?" and Yuet angry left.

Ka met with Yuet in a restaurant and Ka apologised at the tone he used but Yuet said "I think it is wise that I quit my job. I don't want ti see Ka Mei and fight with her each time. And here's the keys to your apartment..." but Ka refused to take it and said "Yuet, I need you, don't go. You're my sister, I know you're protective of me, I understand. You don't have to leave" and Yuet was persuaded to stay but Yuet told Ka "Ka you have to be careful of Ka Mei. She is not a good person" and Ka said "Yuet I love her. I don't know if she is lying or not but the truth is even if she has a son, I don't care. Right now if she doesn't want to tell me, then it is the way it is" and Yuet sighed defeat.

Meanwhile Cho Ba went back to the company and when he asked his staff to tell him honestly what they thought of Cho Ba coming out of retirement, those who agreed were transferred or demoted whilst those who opposed were promoted. Naturally those demoted resigned. Cho Ba was shocked and tried to argue it out with Hung but Hung justified her actions and Cho Ba couldn't do anything. In private, grandma spoke with Cho Ba and said "Cho, those who resigned were our loyal workers. THey are on your side. She can't do this!" but Cho Ba was powerless. Grandma said with determination "I will not let that woman win!" and so did some investigations on her home starting with talking with her useless sister. Hou was with her.

Grandma said to her sister "I am your sister, we are family and I have been good to you, how can you treat me this way? How can you say I was jealous of Hor and then of HUng and tried to destroy their happiness simply because I lost my husband?" and her sister shocked said "I said what is right even if you're my sister!" and Hou said "I remember when I was little grandma used to tell me how life was hard for both of you and when you were abandoned, grandma who was young herself took you in. When she was married, eventhough grandpa didn't like it, she took you in as well. Grandma loves you do much, how can you betray her?" and the sister began to cry and kept saying "I say what is the truth!" and grandma tearfully said "What did she pay you? How much did she pay you? I will give you double so long you're back on my side! I can't let that woman take all the shops! I must protect them for my grandchildren!" and the sister was quiet and crying and grandma suddenly understood and said "She has some secrets doesn't she? About your son?" and the sister cried and said "What can I do? Like you're Cho's mother, you have to protect him, he is my son, she knows he has been taking company's money and used that against him, I have to protect my son, I am sorry sister, I am so sorry!"

Pause here.

I thought it was an OPEN SECRET that he was taking money? Hor Ma knew, Cho BA knew, everyone knew so why is this so surprising? I think grandma also overheard this at the hospital some episodes ago so why is grandma so surprised? Is this a case of a writer forgetting his own story plot??

Anyway grandma said quietly "I understand. Please don't tell Hung we met. You can go now" and before the sister left she said "Don't tell anyone I told you but that woman has been meeting with her ex husband about some business deal with regards to the shops. I think they're conspiring about something but I really don't know the details. That's all I know.."

Grandma wanted to follow Hung and as she walked down the stairs grandma was looking frail and Hou tried to stop her but grandma cried "Hou I can't let her take all the shops and leave you with nothing!" but Hou said "Grandma I don't care about the shops! I care about your health!" but grandma said "Hou you help me with this. You must help me and your Cho Ba" and finally Hou agreed.

They followed Hung in a car and saw her meet with her ex husband. They couldn't hear what she was saying but we as viewers do. Hung is using her ex husband's company to buy some shops to be sold to Ka Hou Yuet Yuen to earn the money and whilst the ex husband was reluctant Hung said "I intend to leave all of the business to Sum, I can't let Cho give them all to that woman and her children! Think about Sum!" and so the ex husband agreed.

Pause here.

I doubt Sum would want the business. So now HUng makes a move for the fortune.

Grandma said to Hou "Hou he doesn't know you. You go near and listen what they're saying!" but Hou said "But grandma, she knows me, how can I go near?" and grandma signed, defeated.

Meanwhile Ka was leaving on a business trip and he had to decide between 2 ideas for a jewelery promotion. He liked Ka Mei's idea of Egyptian night but when Yuet explained hers, Ka decided to take Yuet's idea which he thought was better. He explained to Ka Mei but Ka Mei was not happy. Ka explained "We wil file away yours to be used the next time. Yuet's idea fits the promo idea. Moreover I want to encourage her. She seems down a bit these days, this will boost her confidende". Ka Mei wasn't happy.

With Ka away, Ka Mei secretly met with the jewelery boss and explained Yuet's idea would take up a lot more budget so naturally the boss wants Ka Mei's idea. Yuet was practicing the event with some girls when Ka Mei walked in, switched off the music and said "Everyone thank you for your hard work but Mr --- decided to change the promo theme. So you may leave now" but Yuet switched it back on and said continue and Ka Mei switched it off and Yuet said "Everyone, outside for a moment please.." and everyone walked out confused and Yuet asked "What are you doing?" and Ka Mei said "Come on, Mr --- likes my idea so just leave ok?" and YUet said "Ka left me with the project and I intend to complete it" and Ka Mei looked on angrily.

Pause here.

HATE KA MEI!!

On the day of the event, Yuet was dressed, the dancers ready when suddenly Yuet received an anonymous call that said Ka was in a serious accident and in a hospital. Naturally Yuet panicked and before she ran out said "Ka is in a hospital! Tell Ka Mei when you see her" and panicking Yuet ran all the way out.

Pause here.

Hmmm... did TVB just took All About Eve scene directly from that series? Remember? But if you think Yuet would punch or strangle Ka Mei as did the heroine did to the villain in All About Eve, get ready to be severely disappointed.

Yuet reached the hospital but there wasn't anyone called Ka in the hospital. In a moment of clarity, Yuet realised she was duped.

Sa was with Ka Mei at the promo and it was Sa who made that call! Despicable. Anyway Sa saw Ka Mei danced in that promo which was a success using her own dancers and theme and Sa was so proud she recorded the entire promo scene. Yuet reached the promo event when it was finished and when someone said "Yuet, Ka is ok. He just called. He wasn't in some accident" and Ka Mei immediately said "What? Ka was in an accident?" and YUet looking angry decided not to be provoked as she promised Hor Ma not to argue with Ka Mei and said "I made a mistake".

At home during dinner, everyone was discussing about the prank call, even Cho Ba but Hor Ma, Yuet and especially Ka. Someone said the prank caller was such a cruel person and Yan Chi loudly said "How can anyone believe such a call?" and Sa piped in and said loudly "Only someone stupid will fall for such an obvious prank call! Yuet, next time ask Hou first, or someone to confirm! Some people can really pretend" and Sa began to immitate a high pitched voice about Ka in a hospital and Yuet immediately looked at Sa and knew it was Sa who made the call. She felt like an idiot and began to tear up a bit but swallowed her wounded pride as they talked on and on and on and then someone asked how Ka feels about that prank call but he was very very quiet and someone asks Yuet about the call and all and she too was very quiet, saying "I made a mistake, that's all" and Ka Mei looked on trumphantly when Hor Ma said "Yuet, remember the last time I slapped you and you ran away?" and Yuet immediately said "Hor Ma I didn't say anything this time! I didn't do anything! I am not stirring up trouble, I swear. Don't be angry!" but Hor Ma patiently said "Yuet, I ought to give myself 98% for being a mother" and Sa laughed and said "Sis shouldn't that be 100%?" and Hor MA said "No one can give themselve 100%. For me 98% is already a job well done. I ought to frame that letter Yuet gave me, because that is a proof that I have been a good mother to have taught such a good daughter. Even when she had to swallow her pride, her anger, being tricked, she took it all in upon herself because of me. I ought to frame that letter as a proof!" and Yuet began to cry hard as Yuet understood Hor Ma was giving her justice for all the hardship she went through. Sa naturally angry said "Sis, what do you mean by that? Are you saying Ka Mei was wrong? She lied? That whatever Yuet says is true?" and Hor Ma said "Maybe not before I read the letter but after I read the letter, yes, whatever Yuet says, I accept it as absolute truth" and Sa said "So if she says the sky will fall down today?" and Hor Ma said "I will believe her" and Sa said "If she says the son rises from west instead of the east?!" and Hor Ma said "Yes I will believe her" and Sa angrily asked "How you can believe her like that?" and Hor Ma said "Sa, you said this whole change of plans at the promo was not planned. If it wasn't, how come you were there to record the event? It implies you already knew something was gonna happen" and Sa was silent and then angrily said "Sis, you're being unreasonable! How many times must I say that child was a foster child? How can you just believe Lor Lui like that?" and Hor Ma said "As compared to believing your daughter, I'd rather believe Yuet!" and Sa said "Ka Mei didn't do anything wrong! She is only 23, she is still young!" and Hor Ma angrily said "And that is why Ka Mei is so frightening! Such a young age and she has learnt to be manipulative, twisting the facts, lying and deceiving everyone! At such a young age!!" and Ka Mei stood up, eyes very still and said "Hor Ma, if you have any question you can ask me directly and I will try and answer you the best I can" and Sa angry said "Ka, say something! Say something on behalf of Ka Mei!". Ka stood up, looked at Ka Mei and said "Ka Mei, we are over" and Ka Mei shocked and Sa said "What?!" and Ka said "Amongst all the girls I ever dated, I loved you the most. I felt like I have this connection with you and I really enjoyed my time with you. But I realise love isn't everything. Having feelings isn't everything. Remember I asked you how much it was to foster a child and you said $1000? Also remember you told me you were flat broke when you were 18 and that was the time you fostered the boy? I called my friend in Portugal to check for me and he checked that on the birth certificate, you are the boy's mother. But I loved you very much, I didn't want to jeapordise our relationship and so I didn't want to make this into an issue. You have so many things that I will ignore but when you repeatedly hurt my sister Yuet, I can't ignore anymore. She has taken so much hardship because of me, she has endured so much insults, I will not let her endure anymore. I may love you but no more. We are over Ka Mei, over" and Ka Mei tearing up said "Won't you give me a chance to explain?" and Ka said "We are over".

Yan Chi's mother stood up and said "Hor Ma, even I can't look away from this! This daughter in law of mine made that call about that accident. She was practising for some time now! Her daughter to is up to no good!". Hou was very angry, banged his fist on the table and roared "HOW DARE YOU!! HOW COULD YOU!!" and so did Hing signing how could they. The mother in law too and Ka Mei was pushed out as she looked on at Ka, silently pleading as she left. Ka refused to look at her. Sa ran to Ka "Ka! Don't push us out! Let me explain. Ka Mei is only young, it is my fault, I taught her to do what she did! It is my fault entirely!!" and Hor Ma angrily said "Sa, you know it isn't you!!" and Sa said "Please sis, please" and Hor Ma said "You can start teaching her now! It isn't too late. Go chase after her and teach her like a mother should!" and Sa reluctantly ran out. Yuet was crying hard as all held her and Ka held her hand and said "You're my sister, I believe you" and Yuet cried harder.

Next episode, Hung asks Ling never to let Sum go when she knew Hou was still in love with Sum and Sum made a decision about Ling and Wing Lum; she decided to break them apart!

How despicable but natural reaction. This is how you get your dream guy!

Anyway good ending. I couldn't stand Ka Mei! She is so horrible, worse than Hung, more despicable than anyone and as Hor Ma said only 23, and so frighteningly deceiving! I was thinking Ka seems to quiet but when he couldn't stand how Yuet was bullied again and again and had to swallow everything in eventhough she knew Ka Mei was the culprit, Ka and Hor Ma stood up for Yuet! Finally the reasonable Hor Ma is back. I think Hor Ma didn't suspect much with the boy in the computer but she must have known when Ka Mei conveniently hijacked the promo event! Even Ka knew! Poor Yuet, always blamed!

Anyway same old storyline for Yuet here though. Remember the grandpa-gate?

At least better than comatose story of Sum-Ling-Wing Lam.

Performance wise, Kate Tsui was ok. She looks crazy naturally so she can play deceiving manipulative bitch. Works well.

Again Moses Chan has the best line in this episode, delivering his lines well. Lacks emotion though. But that is his facial problem. He was never very very expressive.

I enjoyed Lee Heung Kam's segment with Raymond Lam, such chemistry, really like grandma and grandson. I thought his concern for her very touching and her insistence to fight Hung for him very touching too. I believe this will kill grandma.

Lee Sze Kei as usual is fantastic as the determined and all knowing Hor Ma who may not always get it right, but always admit when she knew she was dead wrong and she was dead wrong about Yuet.

Everyone else was ok eventhough it was strange how come Hung will work with her ex husband whom she hated.

This episode belongs to Tavia Yeung. So she expectantly reacted how I predicted she would but the last scene as she panicked, thinking Hor Ma would be angry with her and then crying really really hard was a very convincing acting. Poor Yuet, always blamed, always taking the blame and always scared of being abandoned. Tavia cries a lot in this series.

However the while Ka and Yuet love affair will be scary since Ka repeatedly said Yuet his sister and to show them falling in love is in effect incestous. I don't care if it is justified by the fact that she isn't his sister for real, the fact Ka sees her as one, she is one. How can then Ka fall for her as a lover? How sickening!! I am bracing myself for that moment and it better be romantic and convincing even if unnatural, if not I will say this series FAIL FAIL FAIL!!

Most favourite scene?

But I realise love isn't everything. Having feelings isn't everything.

- Ka to Ka Mei

Episode 28

2009-09-17T22:30:00.000+08:00

This episode will be the reason for me to feel tempted to stop watching this series.

I totally missed the 1st half an hour of this episode and when I started, oh my god, huge revelation; Yuet somehow saw a letter from Portugal from an orphanage asking Ka Mei, the MOTHER to visit a young boy. Ka Mei of course denies everything, Auntie Sa said boy is like foster child but in actual fact Ka Mei does have a son!!

Woahhh... how to villian-fied a character? Make her a bad mother! Nonsense! Ka Mei as it is is already not quite right; no need to make it so blatantly obvious that she's mean and materialistic and manipulative.

Anyway quarrel ensued and Sa of course defended Ka Mei and everybody told Yuet to shut up unless she has evidence.

Sa met with Ka Mei and told Ka Mei there was a letter to the orphanage by the child's father. Sa panicked but Ka Mei said "Tell the orphanage not to reveal anything to that bastard. Since he is out of the boy's life, he should remain out".

Yuet later confronted Ka Mei over another letter as evidence and ka Mei panicked which confirms that Ka Mei lied. Yuet gave her 3 days to reveal to Ka if not she will.

By the way Ka and Ka Mei are dating one another at this point.

Hung was having lunch with someone I forgot who and saw Sum with Dr Ling, now secretly dating despite the fact that Dr Ling has yet to leave Wing Lam. Hung seems to like Ling.

Back to Yuet.

Day 3 is here and Yuet quietly asked Ka Mei "Have you told Ka? If not I will tell him" but Ka Mei seems so relaxed, happy in fact. Then Yuet pressured her and Ka Mei like her mother made a big scene by loudly saying "YUET! WHY DO YOU DEFAME ME AS SUCH?!" and of course Yuet being a hot tempered person quickly denied and said "I am telling the truth! I don't want you to hurt Ka! You have a son! Why won't you just admit it?!" and then everybody gathered and Ka Mei made a big fuss, crying, scolding, defending herself etc and Ka angrily said "Yuet, stop accusing Ka Mei! The kid is just a foster child" but Yuet angry no one believes her said "You all know me! You all know my attitude. I am telling the truth! Why would I lie about such things?" and Ka Mei tearfully said "I know why you're doing this! You're in love with Ka! You want to be with him and destroy our relationship!" and Hor Ma who was cooking was there, Hou roughly held Yuet and said "Yuet, stop with this madness! Stop it!!" and even Hor Ma said "Stop it Yuet! Stop doing this!" and Yuet even angrier and now really crying emotionally said "Why won't you believe me? Why do you all just believe her?!" and Hor Ma angrily said "I have failed. I thought I could teach all my children well but I have failed!!" and Yuet now even angrier said "Hor Ma, how can you say that? Why won't you believe me?" and Sa of course called her Lor Lui when door bell rang and a letter was for Ka Mei from Portugal that said the boy was her son but Ka Mei quickly pointed out something was wrong with the letter and that it was and fake and Yan Chi loudly agreed and Ka Mei stepped forward and asked Yuet "You faked this letter? Why do you accuse me as such Yuet? What wrong have I done to you? Are you so selfish that you don't want to see Ka happy? Do you hate me so much because of that?" and Yuet now angry with her hypocrisy slapped Ka Mei really hard. Everyone was shocked and Hor Ma pulled Yuet over and slapped Yuet. Hor Ma said "I have indeed failed as a mother!" and Yuet crying emotionally said "Why won't you all believe me? Fine! Believe her! Believe her and don't ever believe me!" and she ran away and Ka Mei cried in Ka's arms.

Yan Chi and his mom met with Sa and Sa said "Luckily both of you came in time!" and his mom said "I thought I can stop pretending but it seems I am still required to act some more" and Yan Chi said "Sa, I thought you have changed. Must we go through this act again?" and Sa said "Yan Chi, I have changed but to protect Ka Mei, I have to do what I have to do".

Later Hou tried to call Yuet but couldn't get her. Ka meanwhile called and said "Yuet, where are you? Everybody is very worried" but she didn't take the call. A letter was delivered to Hor Ma and it was from Yuet. Yuet wrote;

"Hor Ma, I am a Lor Lui. I have always been grateful for your love and care. I know I have disappointed you over what happened. I know you were right to be angry with me. But Hor Ma, to tell you the truth, I do not like Ka Mei. I think she is pretentious and she will hurt Ka. I know she has a son but I have no proof. I tried calling the orphanage to verify but they would not release the information. So I did something terrible; I forged a letter from the father of the child hoping for a reply. I know that is wrong. But I was desperate to stop her from hurting Ka. I also lied when Ka Mei said I am in love with Ka, and I said I wasn't. Truth is Hor Ma, I am in love with Ka" and Ka looked shocked... "I can't help having feelings for him. Which is why I didn't want her to hurt him. I don't trust Ka Mei. But Hor Ma, remember the time I ran away waiting by the phone booth? I saw everybody looking for me, I saw how desperate grandpa was and how worried. I was just a Lor Lui but you all looked for me. Hor Ma, I am sorry. I promise I will not disappoint you again. Let me come home Hor Ma, let me come home to you all again. I want to go home, I don't want to be away anymore. Hor Ma, please forgive me..."

and Yuet was in the phone booth when she heard a tap and it was Hing and then she saw everybody's face squeezed together and she opened the door, and Hor Ma hugged her and so she cried.

Next episode; Wing Lam finally confront Sum, Hou confronts Sum, Hung confronts Sum. Lots of confrontation.

I don't like this episode. One because it is so familiar with the earlier one where Yuet ran away and that was more touching. In fact it was like a long rewind and starting again which is never ending. If you tell me this family is united, I wouldn't believe you because they quarrel every episode. Not very united! Like how they readily believe Hung over Sa and in here Ka Mei over Yuet. How unified is that?

Two because I hate the ending of Yuet begging to come home.

If she truly believes Ka Mei is wrong, she shouldn't beg. The solution is easy. If Hor Ma believes Ka Mei, then her slapping Yuet is right. If Hor Ma believes Yuet, then when she asked Yuet to come home means Ka Mei did indeed lie about the boy. Why is it Yuet is always the punching bag? Why must it show her so desperate for the family? She has endured insults after insults. I was hoping this would be the final straw. She may love Hor Ma and all, but if she feels Hor Ma is terribly wrong, it would be nice to show the stubborn Yuet leaving but still keep in contact. To have her write that letter begging, imagine how gloating Ka Mei will be!

Third is because all of a sudden a son? Where did that come from.

Fourth, Sa is still the same same same. Can they all just stop quarreling for one episode?

Fifth, Yuet's sudden confession she is in love with Ka. That is not only badly written but wrong wrong wrong! If she feels she is Hor Ma's daughter, then Ka is her BROTHER. Not by blood but by feelings. To have her in love with Ka is incestious not by blood, but by the nature of their closeness. Don't give me that lecture on how her surname is not Kam or Ka left the family 12 years ago, etc. She was a young girl, looking up to a much older Ka as a brother. She looks at Hou as a brother. She looks as Cho Ba and Hor Ma as parents. Hing as sister. Chung as brother. Yuen as... a ghost perhaps. Point is this relationship thing is WRONG!!

And I feel Hor Ma is so wrong in this episode. Not only was she not listening to Yuet, she accused Yuet of lying, saying she failed and then slapped Yuet. Hor Ma not very Hor Ma like in this episode.

As for the performances, no complaints except kinda expected Tavia to be so explosively emotionally. Not complaining but not quite new also.

Was grandpa in the scenes? I don't think so. Where is he? Still with relatives?

Favourite quote? Too short for me to choose one and frankly none. The whole "Lets accuse Yuet and make her call herself Lor Lui again and again and again and then beg to come home losing ALL dignity" is just pure drama. Show Yuet leave for real! Give Yuet her dignity back!

Episode 27

2009-09-16T22:30:00.001+08:00

Is it me or am I softening EVEN more as I begin to pity not just Cho Ba, but even Hung? Of course she deserved the bad stuff but somehow I feel... well let me recap first before going into how I feel...

Hor Ma came home and immediately asked "Where's Sa?" and I think Hou or someone said "She came home but grandpa kicked her out" and grandpa confirmed the story by saying "Hou, forget that trouble maker! We are better off without her!" and Hor Ma, being the only human being with a heart in this series asked "I want to know what happened?" and I think it was Yuet who said "She lied Hor Ma! She would say anything to get her way! She said she did what she did to avenge you, that she slapped that woman because that woman slapped you" and Hor Ma being very patient asked "Tell me exactly what she said" and Hou said "She said she overheard your conversation at the buffet" and Hor Ma looked at Kelvin's mom, an understanding dawning on their faces...

Poor Sa was drinking alone by the pier, crying and being very frustrated no one believed her. She called Yan Chi but the phone was off. Then suddenly her phone rang and it was Hor Ma. She immediately took the call and said hurriedly "Sis, please believe me! Please listen. It wasn't how it was, I swear sis, please believe me!!" but Hor Ma sternly and calmly said "Sa, I have packed your bags. Come home to take them and before you leave, have dinner with us for one last time" and Sa panicked but Hor Ma ended the conversation by reminding her what she just said.

Sa was sitting amongst everybody as she ate slowly and it was very quiet when she couldn't stand it anymore and said loudly "I know I deserve to be punished but at least I must have a chance to explain myself! Sis, you must listen to me, sis..." and Hor Ma said unsmilingly "This place has become too noisy because of you. Do you know our neighbours have complained how loud we were? First with all the shouting of Lor Lui, then the arguments, the fights, we are complained so often I lost count. Sa, can we just for once have this dinner in silence? Tone down your voice please..." and Sa grimly said "Ok..." but not much later she turned to Ka Mei "Ka Mei! Your mother is being evicted! Your mother is being sent back to Portugal, alone, living in destitute! Have you no compassion for your mother? Ka Mei, help mother beg grandpa!" but everybody in unison "shhhhhhh" Auntie Sa. But Auntie Sa went on and they Shhhhhhh some more until Ka Mei suddenly choked on her rice with laughter. Sa cried "How can you laught at your poor mother's plight?" and suddenly grandpa too choked on his rice with laughter and Sa cried "Father, I know I am not your flesh and blood but you have taken care of me all these years so surely you must feel a little love for me. How can you laugh?" and everybody shhhhhhhh again and suddenly Sa understood and smiled widely and said "Ohhhhh, you all are playing a trick on me!!" and everybody laughed and Hor Ma smiled and said "When they told me you slapped Hung to avenge me, I knew you were telling the truth because I did tell Kelvin's mother during the buffet dinner at what happened to me. I remember your eyes were red during the buffet and remember I asked you what happened but you were very quiet? I now know why you were so quiet that night. Thank you for seeking justice for me" and Sa immediately ran to Hor Ma and hugged her and said "Sis, you're the best sister in the world!!". Then Ka asked "Auntie Sa, what were the pictures that you took of Hor Ma apparently?" and Sa said cheekily "oh I can show you the 1st one for free but the next you will have to pay.." and she showed the first picture and it was that one of the messy bed. Hor Ma looked at it and Sa explained the name of the motel and Hor Ma laughed "So I was secretly having an affair with Cho?" and then Sa refused to show the next picture but Hor Ma grabbed the phone and saw the crumbled money and immediately they recognised the pictures and laughed. Then the door bell rings and I think it was Yuet who said to Sa "Guess who's here?" and Sa looked and it was Yan Chi and his mom. Sa happily beamed as Yan Chi said "I have been communicating with your sister. I have decided to come back because I miss you" and Sa hugged Yan Chi happily as Hor Ma said "This is the reason why I asked you to come back for dinner".

So Sa is back with the family and Yan Chi really do love her for her.

Meanwhile boring story alert! Boring story alert!! Boring story alert!! Boring story alert!! Boring story alert!!

Sum passed by Ling in the hospital and she quickly ran to a corner and guess what she did? GUESSSSSSS........

Waterworks...she cried... yet again

I kinda understand why she had to cry everytime. Imagine missing out on your perfect man but does it make for good TV? Nope.

She was cycling with Hou and explained to Hou as they rested she needed to clear her minds of some burdensome memories. She needed a friend and Hou said "Well the amount of time I had to spend cheering you up, I suppose you do owe me from now on" and he SMS-ed to Sum how she is owing him 90 minutes of his time and Sum laughed and said "90 minutes? Come one, we just cycled for 60 minutes! That's not fair!" but Hou explained "Well if you're ok now I can leave and go back and make more pastries!" and Sum smiled, which is a welcome relief to simply crying.

Sum, why stick to an unavailable man when there's Hou, very very available?

Sum was having lunch with Hou in a restaurant when Ling and Weng Lam walked in and sat down and well, probably the most uncommunicative couple ever. Sum saw Ling and immediately panicked, with guilt and told Hou "I am not feeling very well, I have to go" and she ran out and Ling saw her and ran out also after lying to Weng Lam "I need to get some documents from the car". Outside Ling ran after Sum who again began to cry when Ling held her as she pushed away and he said "I am going to break off with her, I am doing that" and Sum stopped fighting and cried some more. Weng Lam realised Ling did not take the car keys with him and Hou who was at the door looking at Sum and Ling saw Weng Lam approaching and immediately ran to Sum, grab her and left and said to her "Don't look back, not now" and Sum dutifully walked away as Ling looked on forlornly and Weng Lam appeared, seemingly unaware of what just happened.

Sum cried some more as she told Hou "I tried Hou, I tried to forget him, but I can't! I just can't. I told myself I must not be weak, I must not surrender, but everytime I see him... I can't Hou! What should I do?!" as Hou held her and she cried her heart out.

I do pity her. I mean she truly loved Ling by now and yet confused as to what she should do. If she had been as forthright as her mother, ruthless as well, she probably would have stepped between Ling and Weng Lam. But she didn't want to be like her mom, so she ended up being neither here nor there. And Ling is to be blamed too; before go hugging Sum and confusing her, why don't he just break off with Weng Lam first? Why make Sum feel so guilty when he himself want to break off with Weng Lam? Adopt the Nike way; JUST DO IT!

Back to civilisation after flooding of tears.

During dinner at mansion, grandma sternly and curtly said to 2 nosy relatives who were about to sit down for dinner "Did I say I welcome you both for dinner? Get out of my sight!" and so they dutifully left. Then Hung said to Cho Ba and grandma "Cho, recently there has been too many arguments and too many conflict. I know I am at fault here but I do feel there are just too many bad luck going on. Maybe it is time to liven up the atmosphere a bit..." and Sum said "Mother I am not going to get married yet!" and Hung said "I have always had this dream of having a wedding ceremony. Cho we have been together for so long but we have never had a wedding before and I have never worn a wedding dress before..." and Cho Ba surprised said "But aren't we too old to dress up?" and Hung sadly said "My greatest regret is never to have celebrated my love and my life with you" and grandma too agrees with Hung over the ceremony and Cho Ba wanted to please Hung said "Ok whatever you want. Plan it the way you want it".

So Hung planned. She was trying on a nice but too loose wedding gown when she told Cho Ba "Cho, I am planning to invite all the company's workers, top executives and all to celebrate this important day with us" and Cho Ba exclaimed "So many?" and Hung said "Why not?" and then Hung slyly said "Cho, I would like you to invite the children, your former father in law and even Hor" and Cho Ba shocked said "I don't think I should invite her. Why make it hard for her?" and Hung said "So that the public will see how we have reconciled and friendly we are. Cho, please invite her, do it for me..." but Cho Ba was very reluctant and said "I think we just have the ceremony without Hor there". Hung angry called nosy male relative and said "You know people in the publishing industry? Publish what I am about to tell you now..."

At the mansion Hung was in tears and upset. Cho Ba didn't know what was going on when Yuen came in very angry and said "Cho Ba, you have to read the nonsense the magazines are publishing!" and Grandma said she couldn't see much and Yuen read the headlines "A man stuck between 2 women" and "48 year old shamelessly keen to wear wedding dress" or something like that. Cho Ba was upset and said "Who told them?" and nosy relative began to talk when grandma told them to shut up but the son continued "I will say what I have to say Cho. Cho you don't even know what Hung went through. They are calling her names, saying she is so shameless to want to marry at this age..." or something like that and Hung said "All I want Cho is for you to invite Hor. Now I am being humiliated, my husband everyone says is keeping his ex wife as a mistress and I at the age or 48 wearing a wedding gown." and she ran off crying.

A few days later Hung was still upset and Yuen and Cho Ba went to console her and then Yuen asked "Mother you need to make a decision on the deposit to be paid for those few shops in China" but Hung said "I am too upset to think about business, I am having a headache" and Cho Ba then asked Yuen "The deposit for the new shops in China?" and Yuen said "Yes, we have only 3 days deadline and Mother isn't handling the matter anymore. No one knows the details" and Cho Ba looked worried.

At night Cho Ba went to see Hor Ma who wasn't there and grandpa was back in hometown visiting relatives. All the children were there, including Hing. Sa sarcastically said to Cho Ba "Good that you're having a wedding and all. How fantastic that you should stab sis in the heart again and again and again your heartless man!" and Cho Ba said "Could you please not aggravate the situation?" and Sa said "Fine. I promise sis I will tone down my noise level!" and Yuet asked Cho Ba "How's the wedding preparation?" but rather in a sarcastic way and Cho Ba said "Oh fine fine...". They all sat down at the dinner table and Cho Ba said to Hou "Hou, I hope you will all go to my wedding. Also Hing invite your husband and his mother, here's a card. Also Sa your card..and for father also...a card... and...for..Hor..." and Ka immediately blew up "Cho Ba! How can you do this to Hor Ma? Haven't you hurt her enough? Isn't it obvious why this woman is doing this? She wants to flaunt to Hor Ma how she won, how she got you!" and Cho Ba said "No no it isn't like that" but Hou angrily said "Cho Ba, I will refuse to let Hor Ma see this! You can't expect her to attend the wedding like everything is fine between the 2 of them! Why do you always do what she asks of you? Don't you have the power to say no?" and Cho Ba guiltily said "It is just a wedding...moreover she is not taking care of the company. The shops in China are in trouble, I have spent too much of my life in this company to let it be destroyed..." and Hou angrily said "Cho Ba, you have made Hing cried so much do you know that? None of us will go!" but Cho Ba said "Please Hou, do this for..." and Hou angrily said "Cho Ba, I am so disappointed in you! You could say no to her! But you seem to say yes to everything she says. Sometimes Cho Ba, sometimes I feel you're as obedient as a dog..." and Cho Ba looked down sadly.. and Hou threw down the invitation cards.

Pause here.

I feel whilst Hou has a point, he was out of line calling his father a dog. I kinda feel for Cho Ba here, stuck between 2 women. Probably he already knew the children will scold him for doing what he did. Obviously he is doing this for the company as well since Hung is running the company and now having a hissy fit and so jeapordising the company. Isn't it time Yuen is trained to takeover the company? They're too dependent on her. Anyway I also understand Hou's anger. How can Cho Ba ask Hor Ma to go? Whilst it is ok to invite your ex spouse to your wedding BUT Hor Ma and Cho Ba parted in a bad way and Hung hasn't exactly been the nicest person ever. Remember the slap? So Hou was right to be angry.

Then suddenly Hor Ma came back as Cho Ba was hastily leaving and she saw the the card on the floor and Cho Ba left.

At the mansion, Cho Ba was eating and Hung was still not there. Cho Ba declared "I have decided. I will from now on go back to the company and run things. Yuen get me the files so I can follow up" and Yuen undecidedly said "But can you Cho Ba? You have retired so many years already..." and Cho Ba proudly said "Who says I can't? Don't forget I built the company in the first place! If I have to choose between Hung and the happiness of my children, I have decided to choose my children!" and grandma proudly said "I agree. Moreover I don't want to see Hou upset!" and so it was decided and nosy relatives rather surprised at the turn of events.

Grandma really love Hou eh?

Cho Ba was carrying some stuff and talking on the phone about some documents the executives haven't faxed yet. Saying he needed the stuff by tomorrow for meeting ...

Pause here...

I was very impressed with the car boot Cho Ba was driving. It was like automatic, like touch one button and the boot will close itself! So impressed! Kinda distracted me for a moment...

Anyway Cho Ba fell down, hard. Hor Ma saw what happened and rushed to him but Cho Ba said he is ok. I will guess Hor Ma will swallow the insult and humiliation and gloating for Cho Ba.

During dinner, Hor Ma indeed declared to Cho Ba "Cho, I will be attending the wedding dinner" and Cho Ba was surprised and so were the children (Kelvin's there by the way) and Sa said "Sis I don't care if you say I am contributing to the noise level here but sis, are you crazy?" and Hor Ma said "I was outside the other day listening to someone who loudly called Cho Ba a dog. Who was it? Hou, I demand you apologise to your father now for your rudeness!" and Hou said "I'm sorry Cho Ba" and everybody also said sorry but Cho Ba said "It's ok... it's ok" and Hor Ma sternly said "Cho, it is not ok. Remember when we were having a hard time with the business and you had to take on a part time job making egg tarts at a restaurant. You were so sick with egg tarts that you sworn off egg tarts forever, remember? And yet you continued with the job. Why? Because you wanted the children to have a more comfortable life. That is the way it is with a parent. Cho, I deeply regret something... remember I fell down on the mini bus and I sprained my back?"

Pause here.

Oh yes, the one where Hou scolded Cho Ba sometime before for not helping Hor Ma and just sticking with that woman and Hou had to help at the shop...

"I remember you came by to see me and gave me $200,000-00 (or was it $20,000-00? Anyway a lot of money back then) without Hung knowing but I threw the money at your face. I deeply regretted my reaction Cho, because I realise you just wanted to do your duty as a father should. I should have let you do that..."

and all was very quiet as they listened to Hor Ma and Cho Ba was in near tears. It is true perhaps Cho Ba tried despite his limitations and Hor Ma may have been justifiably hard on him. The children understood what Hor Ma said and Hor Ma continued "Cho, I am going for the wedding dinner. The children may choose to go or not to go, but I am going..." and Hou said "Cho Ba, I am going too" and everybody confirmed they're going, even Kelvin and Sa who said "Ka Mei and Yan Chi are going too" and Hor Ma said "Remember to sit me with the old workers you're inviting, I like to chat with them, it has been so long" and Cho Ba looked at Hor Ma gratefully.

Dinner day. Big place, same as Hing's wedding but smaller scale. Hung looked gorgeous in her wedding dress, Cho Ba smart looking and when Hung heard the children and Hor Ma were here, she rushed to them and kinda gloated a bit. She asked where was grandpa and Hor Ma said "Father is out of town visiting friends". I think asking grandpa to go would also be a tad too cruel and too much. As Hor Ma was to be escorted to her place, Hung said "Oh no, the children and Hor should sit at the main table!" and Hor Ma knowing Hung would humiliate her nodded and the children knew what was happening.

As with most Chinese wedding, Cho Ba and Hung sang their song, happily. Sickening to Hor Ma and children clapped unenthusiastically. Then Hung gave a long speech of how she had dreamed of this wedding, how she spent and will spend the rest of her life with Cho Ba and again they repeated their song. But Cho Ba's mind was elsewhere. Cho Ba looked at Hor Ma who looked back and Cho Ba remembered when they were very young and dating (Shirley Yeung as Hor Ma, looked remarkably alike but 5 seconds scene, LUCKILY) and Cho Ba slipped and in the ambulance Cho Ba was afraid of going blind and all and Hor Ma as the younger self said "I will tell father to retain you. Don't worry, even if you're blind, you can still make pastries" and then he remembered the day they delivered the patries at a wedding that I mentioned before much earlier and he remembered how happy he was and suddenly Cho Ba began to cry. Hung didn't notice, too busy gloating and Cho Ba cried as he looked at Hor Ma who noticed he was crying and she looked on sadly.

Pause here.

I kinda pity Cho Ba here. He remembered he loved Hor Ma and he remembered the past and it was rather sad as he knew he is stuck with Hung, probably because of the business more than the fact he loved Hung. HK has no divorce is it?

Anyway then the children were up there and sang their own favourite song (the one sang to Hing) and to toast the couple and when I say couple not the couple you think! Ka took the lead, stepped out and whilst toasting said "This is a toast to my father and my mother on their happiest day..." and Hung thought he was referring to her when Ka continued "To Cho Ba, my father and to my mother..." and he toasted Hor Ma. Then each children except Yuen I think toasted "To my father, and my mother" and they all toasted at the direction of Hor Ma as they all said "Happiness and togetherness always..." and Hor Ma a bit surprised and Hung was behind there, fuming at the public humiliation...

Next episode, Ka Mei is up to no good and poor Yuet suffers from Ka Mei's meaness whilst Ka is still hots over her physically...

That last scene was quite a direct insult to Hung. But then she deserved it. Why she must go to such great lengths to make it as uncomfortable for Hor Ma? Obviously the children all grown up would stand up for Hor Ma. I do pity Hung sometimes. I feel she has played her cards all wrongly. I have no doubt if she had been genuine with the children and not do all those little despicable things along the way, Hor Ma would no doubt be very friendly with her and even count her as a friend despite what happened for the sake of the children. So Hung moved the wrong pawn so to speak. And from how Hor Ma said, Hor Ma must have had quite a temper when she was younger, how she threw the money at Cho Ba who deserved the money thrown at her.

I especially enjoyed watching the scene where Cho Ba cried looking at Hor Ma. What a stupid man to throw away a perfectly good wife and wonderful marriage for a moment of lust and he knew it and she knew it and they both knew it. Hor Ma did what she did for Cho Ba and I think Cho Ba recognised that.

But still... Hung is not despicable enough. I want to see her anger unleashed in a more meaningful way, not doing small small stuff.

Anyway, everytime I am about to give up on this series because it is becoming way off tangent, comes this sort of episode to pull me back. An interesting episode except for that flooding of tears scenes.

Performance wise, however I dislike how Sum turned out to be, I feel Linda Chung gave a strong performance tonight. She can really turn on the waterworks except I just don't like how she pursed her lips when crying and mumbling her lines. Charmaine Sheh is still the best crier at TVB but Linda Chung isn't that ugly at crying I must say. Just stop pursing those lips.

Michelle Yim looked gorgeous tonight and that final scene she looked like she was ready to murder them all! Good performance.

The young ones are ok, significantly Raymond, Moses and Tavia, these 3 havin something to do more than the others, with Raymond taking the lead and I thought he managed well the angry scenes.

But this episode belongs to Lee Sze Kei for her controlled and dignified performance as the woman with sense and heart that is Hor Ma. For a time I thought she wasn't the Hor Ma I knew until tonight when she was very concerned about Sa and even tend to disbelieve what was said of Sa and how she handled the Cho Ba situation with grace. I believe if Hor Ma really exists and I believe there are gracious woman such as Hor Ma in real life, she is not really as complained by other reviews the do gooder perfect never wrong preachy Hor Ma. She isn't preachy but she is just stating facts, highlighting her own weaknesses, other's weaknesses and why she feels how she feels. Hor Ma is such a wonderful woman, such a reasonable person who as she grew older began to regret her younger days' actions. Like how she regretted her hatred for Cho Ba and all. What a giving woman and Lee Sze Kei, a woman with a kind face really owned this character and tonight really gave Hor Ma a very gracious and elegant representation. She can also be stern and sometimes way too quiet... I can't praise her enough...

And Har Yu also ruled this episode. His quiet guilty looks as Raymond's Hou scolded him was such good acting, but it was the crying scene as he looked at Hor Ma, the face filled with not just guilt but deep regret that said clearly what a fool Cho Ba was was such supremely great acting. I may not like Har Yu much because he tends to giggle too much and I definitely do like Cho Ba much but Har Yu gave Cho Ba a very human face today, a deserving feeling of regret. It was to me a great performance.

By the way did Shirley Yeung appeared in this series prior to this episode? I think I can stand her 5 seconds acting but beyond that... just glad she didn't appear much.

A very good episode, emotionally charged. When will Cho Ba return to Hor Ma? I am sick of anticipation, not because I want it to happen but because I want to see Hung going all out to destroy Hor Ma which would make for good drama.

Best scene? Not the toasting scene. That is just for pure dramatic reason. I like the subtle one...

I remember you came by to see me and gave me $200,000-00 (or was it $20,000-00? Anyway a lot of money back then) without Hung knowing but I threw the money at your face. I deeply regretted my reaction Cho, because I realise you just wanted to do your duty as a father should. I should have let you do that...

- Hor Ma to Cho Ba

I never did ask any of you this. So I am going to.

1. Any absolute favourite scene up to this episode? Even if you haven't seen, pick one from my episodic thoughts. Do share why...

2. Due to the lack of comments or rather overwhelming comments, I am just curious, to those who has seen and those who have not seen the series, what do you think of my episodic thoughts? Does it refresh your memory? Does it fill in the blanks for you? Do you find them helpful and informative? Or you find them rather pointless and draggy?

Episode 26

2009-09-15T22:30:00.000+08:00

I think I am getting soft hearted. I actually begin to pity Auntie Sa!

Continuing from last episode, Auntie Sa is someone who is not adverse to literally begging. Her daughter refused to speak with her. So when everybody else was gathered to discuss about a family trip (poor Hung! Not included!), Sa appeared much to the unhappiness of everybody who tried to chase her out. Guess who was the one WHO SAID NOTHING? Her daughter, Ka Mei. Sa begged, cajoled, cried, dragged out, everything but Ka Mei just stood there, saying nothing. I know Sa is terrible but Ka Mei's attitude is worse. That's your mom for god's sake! I am not liking Ka Mei one bit whom I feel has no business to be there either.

So Sa went to the toilet, cried her heart out and threw out a confessional letter to the dustbin when she saw Hing. Shamed face, she left and Hing took the letter and gave to Hor Ma and they read.

"Sis, I am sorry. I know how annoying I was, how mean I was and I didn't know how to appreciate all of you. I kept calling Chung stupid, but I was the idiot. I called Yuet Lor Lui when in actualy fact I am the real Lor Lui. I called Hing mute but I have so much to say and yet I couldn't, I am the real mute girl. I am a total failure. Even my own daughter refuses to acknowledge me. I am now renting a room in a motel, sis do you remember the motel opposite the club I was once cheated to work at? The motel is still there but the club is gone. At night I would sit on the bed, looking ahead outside the window and the club is now a church. I could see the cross facing me and I feel the worse remorse. I cried myself to sleep, I cried myself for being so stupid, and I did something I have never done before; I prayed. I prayed to God that you will forgive me, that all of you will accept me back. I promise that I will be good. In fact I so detest the money I could eat the money! Please sis, please father, please take me back, please accept me as a member of the family again".

Hor Ma looked at everybody, looking grim.

At the motel, Hou and everybody broke down the door and saw money crumpled everywhere and Auntie Sa hiding underneath the cover of the bed, making horrible crying noise. Hou pulled the cover and everyone was shocked to see Auntie Sa with a mouthful of money! Hor Ma asked what she was doing and Auntie Sa tearfully said "I am trying to eat the money" and grandpa I think asked "Did you eat any? Let's go to the hospital" and Auntie Sa cried "I didn't! I couldn't! The money tasted funny! Not edible at all!!" and she cried and cried and the gang just looked at her, finding her rather silly. Ka Mei sat next to her and gently said "Mother, let's go home. Grandpa has forgiven you, let's pack" and Auntie Sa beamed at the news.

The gang continued to plan for holiday and AUntie Sa made suggestions but Cho Ba pushed her away. At the holiday with Sum included, poor Auntie Sa was made to do BBQ, carry stuff, etc. She tried to do her best but she was ignored. Let's put it this way; they're still punishing her and frankly she deserved it. Anyway she overheard Hor Ma talking to Kelvin's mom who told Hor Ma she saw how Hung slapped her. Sa was angry.

Ka and Yuet and Ka Mei were on a yatch doing some promo stuff. Ka Mei sat alone looking sad and Ka asked her what's the problem and she said "I have a secret, you swear never to tell anyone, because it is so embarassing. I have a huge ugly tattoo on my upper thigh..." and Ka saw the tattoo says "Ka Mei loves ---". Can't remember the name but it was a girl's name. Ka shocked asks "You're in love with a girl?!" and Ka Mei says "No no, I was 12, she was 15 and my nanny. I really admired her and loved her as my sister and so encouraged by her I tattoed that ugly thing. Since then, eventhough I love swimming I would never wear a swimsuit! My greatest regret!" and Ka could only try to suppress his amusement...

At the office, Ka Mei took Ka away for lunch, leaving Yuet to work alone, much to Yuet's displeasure. But Ka took Ka Mei to the beach (with the dirtiest looking sand ever) and they ended up chatting. Ka showed Ka Mei the bite marks Yuet gave him and Ka Mei looked jealous.

Pause here.

OI! YUET IS SISTER OK?! What's to feel jealous about?!

Anyway, Ka said "Like this bitemark on my arm it is a thing in the past. Don't be too hung up on that, we move on" and so they went swimming happily together whilst Yuet waited for Ka to come back to work and never did.

Meanwhile Hung wanted to resign together with 16 top executives. Yuen asked "Mother, how can this be? Like this we might as well close the company!" and Cho Ba said "We are married and we sleeps on the same bed. Can't you discuss this with me first? Must you be so hard hearted? I too worked in the company, I too worked hard for it but recently I am only in semi retirement" and guess who spoke? That nosy female relative, grandma's sis who loudly said "I can't stand it anymore! I am a woman too and I know how Hung is feeling. Cho, you're always at the thing's place, spending 3 times a week there. Have you forgotten who is your wife? It is like now you have a mistress, the only difference is the mistress is your ex wife!" and even the son said "Cho, you know you're wrong to treat Hung like this!" and Cho Ba so angry "You ungrateful bastard! I don't know how much someone here paid you to say these things but if you're so unhappy here, you're free to move. Go pack your bags now!" and the son loudly said "I already knew I would have to move after I said the truth!" and the mother went on and on how pitiful Hung was and Hung listened red eyed when grandma said "You shut up! This is none of your business!" and the mother said "Sis Cho may be wrong but you're the worst! Remember in the past you use to call me out for tea and you always complained about that thing and said you wished she was dead? What happened now? What has changed? All of a sudden you like her so much?" and grandma said "You shut up!" and she continued "I know why. You yourself don't have a husband, you're jealous of people's happiness. When Cho was with that thing, you hated her and broke them apart. Now Cho is happy with Hung, you're doing the same thing! You're such a manipulative selfish bitch who can't bear people being happy!!" and grandma was so angry she said "You...you...I have taken care of you all your life and this is how you repay me?!" and she almost fainted and Cho Ba went to her and angrily said "You two LEAVE NOW!" and when they walked Hung said "This is also my house. No one leaves without my permission! You two can stay!" and so they sat down and begin to eat as Cho Ba took grandma away and grandma crying "You ungrateful bitch! You.. what have I done to have you as my sister?!".

Interestingly Cho Ba and grandma didn't leave the house. WHY? Isn't this the best time to leave??

Sa received a call from the nosy relatives to meet with Hung. They met at the restaurant and the nosy relative immediately said "We will give you $200,000-00 if you will spy on Cho on our behalf. Report everything he did over that side" and Sa considered and said "That sum is too low.. give me $300,000-00 and I can reveal something shocking right now" and Hung interested said "Ok, show me" and so Sa opened her handphone and said "There are 10 scandalous pictures in here, see this..." and it was an unmade bed. Curious Hung asked to see the 2nd, which is a crumpled money and then they looked at the 3rd picture which was the cross (church). They asked "What's that?" and Auntie Sa exploded "THAT IS MY PROMISE TO GOD THAT I SHALL NEVER BETRAY MY SISTER AGAIN!! You think I really love money that much? I have my dignity! I hate money! I hate you! You Hung, you fox demon! How dare you ask me to betray my sister? Who do you think I am?!" and Hung left as Sa scolded her "YOU DEVIL WOMAN!! YOU DEVIL WOMAN!!" in English by the way and Sa slept Hung and there was a scuffled and Sa pushed nosy relative woman who pushed Hung who fell down on the escalator and fainted. Sa panicked, ran.

As Hung was semi concious on the way to hospital, Hung told nosy relative "Tell the police it was Sa who pushed me".

Hou received a call from Cho Ba who told them what happened. When Auntie Sa came home panicked begging for help, they all abandoned her because they believed Hung's lies that Auntie Sa asked to see Hung and asked for money in exchange for 10 scandalous pictures. Sa was so scared she admitted it all but couldn't explain herself. When the police came, grandpa and everyone immediately pointed to Sa and Sa spent a night in a police cell crying.

Pause here.

I felt they were all so heartless at that point. Auntie Sa may be bad but their attitude were worse. How can they trust Hung and abandon Auntie Sa? They should unite in their for Hung and not Sa.

Anyway Cho Ba sat next to a sleeping Hung when Hor Ma called and Cho Ba told Hor Ma, who was on a vacation with Kelvin's mom in Korea and though we don't hear Hor Ma speaking, we hear Cho Ba saying "Hor, no need to come back. There is nothing to investigate. Just enjoy your vacation. You don't need to trouble yourself with that trouble maker".

Hor Ma is the only decent person in this series. She actually questioned if Sa did what she was accused of!

Anyway Hung heard it all and pretended to sleep. When Cho Ba sat by her she woke up and the police asked her if Sa asked her for money and Hung said "No, it was just a business transaction like any other" and when police asked if Sa pushed her down like the relatives said and Hung said "No, she didn't. It was an accident". Even Cho Ba was surprised and Hung tearfully said "You think that of me? Why do you think the worst of me? I am telling the truth as it is. She didn't push me and that's the truth! Cho, remember all those years ago where we secretly dated? Then how we worked together to get our first shop going? I miss those years. I have been so caught up with jealousy and anger, I have forgotten why I was angry in the first place. I shouldn't have put out those resignation letters. I shouldn't have acted so impulsively. I don't want to lose you Cho, just promise me you won't go visiting Hor everytime I promise I will be patient. I am willing to do anything so you would return to my side. Cho, I can't lose you, I love you too much!" and Cho Ba touched by what she said cried and hugged her in return.

I must admit, Hung did for better or for worse went through 12 years of life with Cho Ba. She did contributed to his life and business. She actually said more but I just couldn't remember word for word.

Next episode, Cho Ba and Hung marries again but the children are angry Cho Ba gave them invitation cards.

My problem with this silly part is why are the children so hung up on that? I mean to be fair to Hung, Cho Ba is her husband now and why they keep insisting on a reconciliation when even Hor Ma never expected that? I think Cho Ba inviting his ex to his wedding is not unreasonable, I thought that's how it should be. Moreover, 12 years have passed for god's sake.

Anyway this episode I really pity Auntie Sa. I felt everyone was terrible to her and they owe her an apology. I was thinking she may betray Hor Ma again but she didn't. The two relatives are so annoying! For money they're willing to sell their souls. Grandma was right to be so upset. And when will Cho Ba leave? This is getting like such a long soap opera.

Performance wise, I won't comment much except on Michelle Yim who is in top form even if a bit redundant in the evil department (not yet truly despicable). However one person shone and it was Susanna Kwan. She really made this Sa character like such an aweful despicable woman! She deserves an award for this, not Michelle Yim! What a fantastic all out performance!

Anyway I am in a hurry so I will just comment that much. More in the next episode.

Best scene?

I didn't! I couldn't! The money tasted funny! Not edible at all!!

Sa to Grandpa/Hor Ma

Episode 25

2009-09-14T22:30:00.000+08:00

This is a very frustrating episode for very different reasons. 2 sets of stories, 2 as frustrating, but 1 is entertaining frustrating and the other just plain boring frustrating.

I am sure after 3 or 4 recaps starting this way, you must know which is the plain boring one.

Plain Boring Frustrating
Ling and Sum continues their romance in secret. On the day Sum becomes a doctor, her colleagues celebrated with her then at 12.30am Ling came to see her in a restaurant to celebrate with her and presented her with a watch which she really liked. Interestingly Hou came by to see her much later and presented to her also a watch which she also liked I suppose.

Anyway one time at hospital Sum finally meets Weng Lam who was accompanying her sick mother on a stretcher and Ling obligingly went with her whilst looking at Sum. At the cafeteria, Sum saw Weng Lam but not too clearly. What was clear was when Ling and Weng LAm were together, one was looking at one side, and the other another side, seemingly nothing to talk about. When Weng Lam walked by Sum to collect her order, Sum was so affected by her presence she ran away crying, Ling looking worried.

At night, some time later, Sum met with Ling and Ling told Sum he planned to leave Weng Lam when Weng Lam's mom is a bit better. He reasoned "I used to have so much I wanted to tell her but somehow once I got home, my mind was blank". Sum looked at him and requested he accompanies her to walk back home, a 2 hour journey. At the end of the journey, Sum breaks down and cries and Ling worried asks what was wrong and Sum tearfully sobbed "Our journey was only 2 hours. Yours with Weng Lam was 7 years. THe one who you should breaking up with is me, not Weng Lam" and so their romance was halted, yet again.

Sum was very sad, as she rushed into a convenience store to buy an umbrella as it was raining she realised she forgot her wallet. She called Hou.

Pause here.

Got problem? Call Hou. Got love to give? Call Dr Ling. Despicable!!

Continue...

Hou heard her cries for help but before she can say exactly where she was except for the area she was in her phone no more battery. Sum blaming this on a series of pure bad luck walked in the rain looking forlorn when Hou stumbled into her and again Sum cried bitterly, actually she just cried sadly as she confessed to Hou Ling was going to break off with his girlfriend and she didn't want him to do that. She cried "I don;t want to be like Mommy! I will not be like her! But I am afraid I might turn out to be just like her. I tried to avoid him, I tried to stay away but it is so difficult, it is to difficult" and Hou held her as she cried and he said "Look, you're not your mother. You knew when to stop, your mother didn't. You're not her" and so Sum sobbed as he held her in his arms in the rain.

Ok, done with this obligatory recap of this boring story. I swear Sum is crying every minute now, in every scene she is crying. I understand why she is crying. Imagine meeting the perfect guy but he is taken. And when he wants to be with you at the sacrifice of your own moral compass as you have seen what your own mom did to a happy family, you are in a difficult position. So Sum crying is understandable but every scene she is in? This is getting tiring. Moreover this is different from her mom's situation. Ling is clearly not compatible with Weng Lam and Weng Lam is clearly holding onto something that either never existed or used to but not anymore.

Let me ask you a question; if a 7 year journey was such a difficult journey to go through, would you put yourself through 7 years more? When it would be difficult to say no? What would you do if you were Dr Ling? Stick to an unhappy union which is meaningless even if the girl had done so much or move on? Moreover Dr Ling was willing to give Weng Lam the house and Dr Ling isn't rich. of course it is easy to criticise him as selfish, jerk, like new and so dump the old, but if you're miserable, maybe it is time to unmake youself in the miserable department. I feel Dr Ling is right to leave Weng Lam.

Interesting Frustrating
The best part of this episode.

Grandpa, Yan Chi, Sa met with Cho Ba and grandpa said "Here Cho, take the cheque back! Sa look! I am poor now! Nothing for you to take!" and Sa very angry said "Father how can you be so unfair? Giving everything to someone who's not even your flesh and blood!" and grandpa asked "What?" and Sa said "Father, sis is not your daughter. Your blood is type O, hers is type AB, it can never be that way! Moreover in the 1950s the hospital she was born in always mixed up babies. She is not your daughter. You have given your shop and your house to an outsider when I am your daughter should take everything!" and grandpa was silent worried whilst Cho said "YOU ARE INSANE!" and so left with grandpa but Sa wouldn't let things rest. Grandpa began to cry again and said "I have always have my doubts. When Hor was a baby no one said she looked like my wife or I but Sa looked like my wife. Cho, what if it was true?" and Cho BA seeing that angrily said "Fine Sa! Fine! I will pay you and you will shut up. Is $3m enough? I will only count to 3... 1... 2.... 3" and Yan Chi and Sa screamed "YES!!". Cho Ba told grandpa "It doesn't matter is Hor is your real daughter or not, she is still your good daughter". Grandpa felt assured a little.

At home Sa came home with her baggage and said to Hor Ma and everyone "I will be buying the unit below this one. But as I will have to wait for the renovation to complete, I will be staying here. I am making new room arrangements; the 2 old ones that is my mother in law and grandpa will have one room each. My Ka Mei will want to have a room by herself. Yan Chi and I in one room. Yuet and sis will have one room. As for Hou and Chung, you both will sleep in the living room. No arguments, father agrees, right?" and Hou protested "Grandpa, how can you let her act like this?" and grandpa frustratingly and meekly said "She is your aunt Hou. Whatever she says, just follow" and Hor Ma said "No worries, I will settle things".

As CHo Ba left, Hor Ma ran after him and said "Cho, tell me what is going on? I know you know!" and Cho BA said "I don't want to hurt you, it is better to leave unsaid" but Hor Ma persisted and Cho Ba finally told her what Auntie Sa said and Hor Ma registered a bit of surprise but not much emotion on her face. Hor Ma told Cho Ba "Cho, I thank you for being so considerate to my feelings. However I will handle this. Tomorrow please cancel that cheque you gave Sa" and Cho Ba refused but Hor Ma repeated her instructions and so Cho Ba agreed.

When Hor Ma entered the house, it was arguments after arguments. This time Sa wants the house title but Yuet refused to give her and Sa made a big fuss and spilt the whole theory whilst saying awful things to Hor Ma. Hor Ma was very angry as she saw grandpa crying non stop as he was being badgered by the non stop Auntie Sa who kept saying to Hor Ma "You don't belong here! You're the real Lor Po!! Go back to your own ancestors in China, be fillial and dig up your parents bones and live there! Stop being here and leaching on us! Father, remember that daughter Auntie ---- had? The one with a grandchild reduced to begging and you and I both gave her some money at the train station? THAT IS YOUR REAL DAUGHTER! MY POOR POOR SISTER!". Believe me, what Sa said was 10 times worse than how I translate them.

Hor Ma sternly said "You leave father alone! Tomorrow the 3 of us will go for DNA testing. Meanwhile, you will leave everything untouched. The title of the house, the shop, everything. Give them back!" and Yan Chi had to let go. Auntie Sa loudly said "Father, when the test confirms it, I demand you throw all these leaches out of this house!!".

Grandpa was crying even more as Hor Ma said "No worries father, I will always be your daughter" as Hou asked grandpa,"Grandpa, are we not your grandchildren?" and grandpa just looked at him sadly.

Pause here.

So what is Hor Ma isn't his? So what? I actually hoped to see Hor Ma isn't his daughter and he throws Sa out! But as I predicted I believe Sa is the Lor Lui in this episode.

Hor Ma and Yuet went to China to investigate whilst all waited for the test. Grandma angrily asked Cho Ba at the mansion "Cho why didn't you tell me what a big ruckus that despicable woman is causing! Now that Hou is not there, she is now at the shop chasing Hou out! I must argue this out with her!" and Hung came in and sarcastically said "Mother don't you meet them only on the 1st and 15th of each month? When has her problems became yours?" and grandma angrily said to Hung "Those are my grandchildren, so is that not my problem?" and so she left with Cho Ba and Hung feeling rather angry at being told by grandma.

Grandma was at the house or somewhere arguing with Sa. I can't type exactly what was said as they were both fighting back and forth so fast I just can't remember each line but it was very funny. I do remember Sa said "If I had a mother like you I would have jumped off the building and killed myself!!" and grandma retorted "If I had a daughter like you, I would have aborted you when you were in my womb chowing down 2 big slices of watermelon!!" and so it went on until grandma kinda lost and fainted. She was sent to the hospital.

Hor Ma and Yuet were in a hospital in China and Hor Ma was crying as Yuet said "Hor Ma, it is going to be ok" when Yuet received a phone call about what happened to grandma but could only return the next day.

Next day they returned and there was Ka and Ka Mei. Ka Mei knew instantly something was not right and immediately ask "Is it my mother?" and YUet angrily said "Who else could cause such an uproar in our family?" and Ka said "Why no one told me?" but Hor Ma said "We didn't want to bother your when you're working" and Ka Mei clearly embarassed by her mother said "Let me talk to her".

At home, Hou saw Hor Ma, and even Hing and Kelvin were there asking "So what was the DNA result?" and Hor Ma asked "Is Sa here?" and they all said "She was here since earlier, and cooking some dastardly food in the kitchen, none of us can breath!" THey all asked HOr Ma again but Hor Ma didn't say anything as grandpa sat at the head of the dining table and suddenly Sa ad Yan Chi busted out of the kitchen all smiling.

Weird...

Auntie Sa kept saying "Well let's forget about the whole DNA test shall we? We are family! One happy family! Sis, let's forgive and forget and just have a nice dinner, enjoy my special Portugese cooking! We are family!!" and Yan Chi agreed and Sa said to grandpa "Right father? Family? Let's forget shall we?" and this time Hor Ma said sternly "NO!" and Sa said "Come on sis, why be so hard?" and Hor Ma said "I checked with the hospital. Father's blood is not type O. He never had any test so when asked he just simply said type O. The DNA result is out and I am father's daughter! But Sa you should know since I was informed you both got the results very early in the morning!" and Sa said "I know I have been wrong! I know I was being unreasonable. Sis, forgive me, father, forgive me, I swear I will be good!!" but Hor Ma said "BUT...the DNA results says Sa is not father's daughter! In fact the hospital believed there was a switch and Sa was switched with some other child!" and grandpa was I suppose surprise as the realisation dawned on everyone as they said to Auntie Sa "So YOU SHOULD LEAVE!!" and Sa begged Ka Mei... "Ka Mei, have pity on your mother, say something to your aunt and your grandpa...ask them to forgive me.."

Pause here.

Here Ka Mei aka Kate Tsui said something that many couldn't decipher. Apparently her English is too many RRRRs put together and she only learned English when she was studying at the university overseas. I am not sure, I thought her accent is over the top but her English is ok, not as natural as Linda who is from Canada but understandable. But raging debate on what she actually called her mother had people divided between ...

"YOU DEVIL WOMAN!!!"

OR

"YOU DREADFUL WOMAN!!"

My bet as I have listened very clearly, although difficult but became clearer is she said "YOU DREADFUL WOMAN" which sounded like "YU DEADFOOL WOOMHAN" which of course sounds like "YOU DEVIL WOMAN". "YOU DEVIL WOMAN" doesn't make sense. I am convinced what she said was ...

"(in English) YOU DREAFUL WOMAN!!" and Sa knew her war was lost. She begged grandpa who stood up and said "You are not my daughter, you should leave but to chase Ka Mei out is not fair to Ka Mei. Get out you unfillial daughter!" and so Yan Chi and her were both chased out by everyone and Hor Ma just looked on silently.

Sa told Yan Chi as they walked towards the hotel to think of something to say to get back Grandpa's heart which is easy she said but Yan Chi unexcitedly said "Sure, sure, ok,ok" and then slammed the door at her face. When she kept knocking, he opened it and he was packing with his mom. He told her "Salina, I have had it! I want a divorce"! and Sa said "So because I have nothing now you're leaving me?" and Yan CHi said "When I was with you some 10 years ago, you too had nothing! I will not be used again. I had very little dignity, having to hide naked in the bushes. Now you had me lying and pretending, I am tired. I am going back to Portugal with mom" and Sa asked the old lady who said "You and I have know each for so long but we hardly spoke more than 100 sentences to one another. You have asked me to pretend that I have alzheimer. Even if my son is willing to take you back, I AM NOT WILLING!!".

Sa knew she was alone and snuck back into the house and woke Ka Mei up as she was putting some books about family on the bookshelves and she said "Ka Mei, don't wake them up! I have no where else to go. Yan Chi has left me. Have some pity on your own mother" and Ka Mei looked on for a second and then screamed "HOR MA! HOU! YUET! GRANDPA! CHUNG! MOM IS BACK!! MOM IS BACK!!" and Sa ran out surrounded by them and begged for forgiveness but YUet took back the keys and they threw her out.

Now Ka Mei is a bit too much...

Next Sa again came into the house and again Chung saw her and screamed and everyone came out and Yuet asked "How many keys do you have??" and Sa said "Please listen! I have learned my lesson. I swear it. I have made an application to change my name to Chung Oi Ka (Love family) to show what is important to me. Please forgive me father, sis!!" but grandpa took a mop out and hit her head with it and threw her out and said angrily "It took us so long to get rid of this troublesome thing. Don't anyone dare to be soft hearted and let her back in!" and Hor Ma looked on, this time maybe wondering what she should do.

Sa was crying and drinking by the pier. She called Ka Mei who told her grandpa was so angry he was admitted to the hospital due to high blood pressure perhaps. Sa wanted to know which hospital but Ka Mei said "Grandpa said never to tell you. Mother, leave them alone" and Ka Mei hung up. Sa crying pitifully screamed as she moved around "Chung Siu Sa, of all the people who dies, why isn't that person you?! You don't deserve to leave! You were so stupid to throw away everything! Stupid Chung Siu Sa! JUst throw yourself into the sea and die! DIE!!" and she stepped on a bottle and actually accidentally fell into the sea!!

Next scene she was in an ambulance and she called Hor Ma and pitifully said "Sis, I just jumped into the sea. Luckily someone was there to save me, it took several emergency services to pluck me out from gate's hell. Sis, please forgive me, I know I am wrong, please forgive me..." and Hor Ma HUNG UP!! She just hung up in mid sentence!!! Sa shocked cried.

Next scene... Sa causes trouble for Hung who caused trouble for Cho Ba. Big trouble.

Nice episode with regards to Sa. I have 2 theories...

1. Sa indeed isn't grandpa's daughter but they all wanted to teach her a lesson and so threw her out

OR

2. Hor Ma changed the blood test somehow and Sa is her sister but decided to teach her a lesson

It doesn't look like Hor Ma can be so heartless. I refused to believe that. You mean Hor Ma actually threw her out? Grandpa thinking she is no longer his daughter refused to see her? Can they be so heartless even if Sa deserved it all??

And Ka Mei although looked noble and all had no backbone. She actually threw her mom out just so she can have a place to stay perhaps. I am beginning to like her less and less.

Performance wise, Lee Heung Kam was fantastic as she argued with Susanna KWan. Lee Sze Kei was also fantastic as she silently heard the rants and then blew up. ChoW Chung does look like an old man being pushed around. Michelle Yim had little to do. Har Yu was ok although I was confused when he looked suspiscious when told Hor Ma is not grandpa's daughter, suspiscious in the sense like he knew something, had some secret to keep when actually he was supposed to look irritated or confused. Not his best tonight. Of all children only Raymond Lam had something to do but eventhen all of them paled in comparison to this super force...

that is SUsanna Kwan. This woman can sing and she can act the hell out of a lot of people and she never acted when she was younger right? She really went all out as Sa, she was so despicable, her every facial expression, her every gesture, every word uttered were all so Auntie Sa, so despicable, so dreadful and all that translate to FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE. You may hate Auntie Sa but that would only mean she was such a horrible actress you hated her or in this case rightfully her performance as Sa was so convincing she was such a horrible person.

Nothing much to say except when is Ling gonna die? Because please spare me the sob sob sob story.. I can't stand it anymore!!

Best scene?

Sis, please forgive me, I know I am wrong, please forgive me...

- Sa to Hor Ma who in midsentence hung up

Episode 24

2009-09-11T22:30:00.001+08:00

Where to start? Thematically I suppose I can divide it into 2 parts since they're quite distinct. I shall call them WHAT THE HELL?!?!?! part and of course YEAH! YEAH! YEAHHHH!!! part because my reaction was like that.

WHAT THE HELL?!?!?!
Again the most boring couple, Sum and Ling. Thanks to Kidd for telling me their story was literally copied from a HK radio story, almost 100% similar but frankly all love stories are like that to me. Sum is officially seeing Ling and when Hou was shopping for a gift for Hing and her upcoming wedding, he literally bumped into Sum and Ling, hand in hand. Funny was the moment Sum saw him, she took away her hand from Ling who of course noticed that as well. Hou looked sad but happily greeted them, say hi and bye and left, and as he did, Sum looked rather sad, looked bad and Hou met her eyes and smiled and she sadly smiled back. And then she went back to holding Ling's hand.

Pause here.

So what does it mean? That in order to get over Hou she started an affair with Ling? Or she is in love with 2 men? WHAT?

Then later Hou was in a restaurant and saw Ling with another woman, looking rather intimate. Sum later called Hou, met with him and told him she wouldn't be able to make it for Hing's wedding as she had a potential promotion type of surgery. Hou then told her what he saw and Sum instead of denying actually admitted she knew he had a girlfriend. I forgot what was Hou's reaction but Sum then walked away, slow mo.

Pause here.

What was Sum thinking being with an unavailable man like Ling when an available good guy like Hou is there, standing, literally begging her to love him with his eyes?

YEAH! YEAH! YEAHHHH!!!
There's a reason why the following is YEAH! YEAH! YEAHHHH!!!. Don't forget to read the almost end part.

Hing is getting married and Cho Ba wants nothing but THE best for her so he was going to pay for the best wedding ever in 1 month's time. Hing and Kelvin didn't want to trouble Cho Ba but Cho Ba said "I have only one natural daughter, let me do this for her as a father should" and so they agreed. At the dinner for discussion Auntie Sa was sulking, clearly having failed in her last attempt to get money from Cho. Auntie Sa then loudly said "What? You're also marrying on that day? So am I and Yan Chi!" and grandpa sadly said "Well we will have 2 set of dinners, and our relatives will have to attend one after the other. I am so sad... one if having a dinner at some big restaurant but Sa is having one at a small dingy restaurant that no one knows. How am I going to explain to the relatives who come all the way to attend both weddings? You may think Sa has money and all but I saw her account book, she has very little left!" and no one really knew how to console grandpa and Sa was sulking all the way and said "Father! Why are you telling everyone about this? Isn't it enough I am humiliated with the fact that my wedding dinner will be somewhere no one knows at all?" and Cho Ba then said "Alright! I will give $200,000-00 as a wedding gift, then Sa you can have your dinner ceremony at any restaurants you want!" and Sa looked unhappy because she expected more and grandpa then smiled and said "Hing, why not we combine the dinner? I mean the relatives then don't have to travel 2 places! and it will be merrier!" but everyone except Sa looked very unhappy at that as Yuet said "But grandpa that will be Hing's biggest day! It's unfair to expect her to share that..." and even Hor Ma said "Father I am sure the relatives won't mind" and Hou and even Cho Ba agreed and Sa sulked away and grandpa looked stricken and then Kelvin and Hing responded (as in Hing responded); "Grandpa I am ok with a double wedding" and Yuet asked "Are you sure Hing? You don't have to" and Hing smiled and said "I have never expected to be married at all and now I have this big ceremony, I also want to share my happiness. Imagine grandpa being able to celebrate with all relatives. I think it will be fun, moreover I am sure that will make grandpa very happy" and grandpa was indeed very happy and Sa even happier and so Hor Ma said "Well if Hing is ok and grandpa is happy, why not?" and so that was that.

Pause here.

I feel grandpa is so selfish. First making Yuet become Sa's maid of honour when everybody knows Sa calls Yuet Lo Lui. Second he makes Hing share her day with Sa, which is so unfair and to have Cho Ba paying for Sa's portion as well. Sa isn't his daughter! Grandpa was definitely being very unfair, unjust and terrible dumb. I agree with Hor Ma's reaction of FATHER ARE YOU NUTS! moment. It's like who's getting married? Grandpa or Hing?

Anyway so it was decided that was that.

Cho Ba told Hung about the wedding, was very excited and then said "Hung I am giving father a cheque of $30 million (last episode I made a mistake; Sa asked for $10 million and not $100 million). This money is for him to keep, just in case Hou or Ka needs the money for wedding or some emergency" and Hung not believing what she heard sternly said "I think the amount is too much! It wasn't easy earning that sum, I do not agree giving him that much money" but Cho Ba determined said "But we do owe him. We did use KA Hou Yuet Yuen's name by cheating the name back. It is a reasonable sum".

Pause here.

Yes he cheated the name but was it worth $30million then?$10 million is a fair sum but I kinda agree with HUng's anger in this.

"I don't agree. Why don't you just tell the truth! Why don't you just say you want to give him the money, then the shops, then the company, then yourself to give to that fat thing! Why don't you just admit you want to go back to that fat thing!!" Hung shouted and Cho Ba angry said "What is wrong with me giving my own children money?" and Hung shouted "But he is your FORMER father in law, he is not your father in law! Moreover you were the one who said nobody can stop you from seeing your children! I was helpless to stop you anyway! Everynight, every small matter you will go over that fat thing's house. During the mooncake dinner, I was alone in the office crying, and of course you didn't know and wouldn't care anyway!" but Cho Ba shouted "How many times must I say that I am not going back to her? Ok I swear that for the rest of my life I will have only 1 wife and that is Yan Hung! Is that fine with you?" and Hung angrily retorted "I will not agree to that sum!" but Cho Ba was determined and said "That is also my money! I am free to give it to anyone! Give me the cheque" and Hung struggles with him for awhile over the cheque but Cho Ba got it and left. Hung was very very angry.

Pause here.

I am kinda on Hung's side. She did earned that money too. Ka Hou Yuet Yuen may be a name cheated from the other side but back then it wasn't worth what it is now and that is due to Hung's shrewd business talent. To have Cho Ba just give the money away is surely not fair to Hung. But again Hung didn't really dispute the sum, just that it was given to Hor Ma in a way and she hates Hor Ma.

Anyway next day Cho Ba gave grandpa the cheque and grandpa was very shocked and didn't want it but Cho Ba insisted and explained why and then said "But father, remember never tell that Lor Po (Auntie Sa)! If she knows, she will pester you for every penny you have got!" and grandpa nodded.

In the hospital Hor Ma was visiting Kelvin's mom. Hor Ma was not feeling well, having cough and flu whilst Kelvin's mom kinda fainted. She was worried it was the kidney again and sadly said "Hor Ma even if I can't get out in time, you must continue with the wedding. Don't waste the preparation" but Hor Ma held her hand and said "No, there will be no wedding without you. How can you miss your son's most important day? The day you will be gaining a daughter? No, we will wait for you no matter what!" and Kelvin's mom was very happy to hear that, so was Hing and Kelvin. Then the doctor came in and said the fainting was not kidney related and she could leave and everybody was very very happy.

Hor Ma was having lunch with Kelvin's mom after sending a few wedding biscuits to relatives. Hung saw Hor Ma in the restaurant and followed her into the restroom. Hor Ma was washing her face, still feeling not very well heard Hung said "Well well well, sis Hor, can't believe you're here. How are you?" and Hor Ma ignored her and tried to leave when Hung went right up to her face and said "You know, in the past when I saw you at one end of the street, I will immediately run the other way. I have always felt ashamed of what I did but now, when I see you in the street, I will walk right up to you, not ashamed at all as you should be the one to feel ashamed!" and Hor Ma sternly said "I have said before, if you disturb my children I will destroy you to protect them" and Hung said "Well so will I, if you try to break my family apart I will destroy you. You fox demon!" and Hor Ma was shocked with the accusation and tried to leave but Hung walked right up and said "You think you can seduce back Cho? My husband? I will tell you why he can still go dinners with you and your children. That is because I haven't acted yet, I haven't done anything. Everybody thought fox demons must be slim and flirtatious, but the fat and old ones are equally as dangerous! You leave Cho alone! You get me you fox demon!" and with that she slapped Hor Ma so hard her specs flew out. Hor Ma was humiliated, beaten and shocked as Hung angrily said "Why so surprise? You slapped me before remember? This is payback for what you're doing. Remember, if you dare to destroy my family, I will anything to retain them!From now on I will no longer feel ashamed or walk the other way. You better lookout!!" and with that she walked away and Hor Ma shaken took her glasses and must be wondering what the hell just happened.

Sa was trying a wedding dress for the thousandth time when Hung walked in and Sa said "What do you want now?" and Hung smiled and said "I am just here to tell you a secret. Cho gave your father a cheque of $30 million a few days ago" and Sa shocked asked "Why are you telling me?" and Hung said "If you achieve what I think you will be doing, there will be plenty of secrets to tell..." and left and Sa now scheming.

Next in a hotel room with Yan Chi and his mom there, Sa pestered grandpa "Father! Tell me! Tell me if Cho gave you that money? Father.. I am your daughter tell me!!" and grandpa was being pushed around and was very confused as he said "How did you know?" as Yan Chi said "Father you're not being very fair to Sa. Tell her" and grandpa finally said "Ok ok stop pushing me! I am having a headache! Yes Cho gave me that cheque but for Ka and Hou's use! I am just holding it for awhile" and Sa and Yan Chi smiled and Sa said "Oh my my my, father this is very good! Very good news indeed!" then grandpa said "But why are you so happy? That's not your money!" and Sa said "Father I am your daughter too, you must let me have a share, I just want (I think she said) $20 million! That's all I want. If not I will have to return to Portugal rather than staying here!" and Yan Chi also agreed but grandpa now angry said "If you feel you don't have any prospect here, find! Go back to Portugal then. Why are you still here?!" and then he left as Sa was left fuming. When he left Yan Chi's mom said "I hate having to pretend to have alzheimer's!. Son, why don't you just find a decent job and work hard?" but Sa and Yan Chi ignored her and schemed away.

The wedding day was here. Sa and Yan CHi both sulked as they're both like "tumpang glamour" (riding on the glamour) of Hing and Kelvin. Whist the while groom and gang tried to gate crash the place, Sa and Yan Chi overheard that a relative couldn't be here because was trying to check out who was his son or something as his son was swapped as a baby at a certain hospital during a certain years. Sa immediately stood up and went into Hor Ma's room with Yan Chi and looked for something. It was Hor Ma's birth cert and Sa said "I was right! Sis was born during that period of time in the same hospital! She could have been swapped as a baby! father' blood is type O and I read that some blood couldn't be such a combination from O type. What was it?" and Yan Chi said "I have a friend who's a nurse. I can check!" and then they searched some more and found a medical report and Sa said "Sis is indeed the real Lor Lui! Look, her blood is AB!" and Yan Chi said "My friend confirms that AB can't come from an O type blood!" and Sa angrily said "So sis the perfect daughter, the real Lor Lui! To think father was so stupid and biased to give her the house, the shop and everything! I will get back what is mine. I have in my hands the ultimate evidence!" but Yan Chi said "Sa, be careful. Let's do a DNA test first. We will expose this after the wedding" and Sa said "Ok".

Pause here.

Let me predict (and I seriously do not know the answer) that the real Lor Lui here is Auntie Sa! That would shut her up! So even if Hor Ma isn't the real daughter, so what?

It was dinner ceremony. The scene was extravagant and happy but Auntie Sa was drunk in the room and Yan CHi was there. Auntie Sa was very unhappy and angrily said "I will expose that Lor Lui! She is the real Lor Lui!" but Yan Chi said "Remember, after the dinner Sa, not now" and grandpa walked in and asked "Sa why are you drunk?" and Sa then angrily said "Father you have acted so unfair to me!! I want my fair share!!" and grandpa clueless asked "Sa what do you want now? The relatives are out there!" and Sa said "Well so what? I won't continue the ceremony! I won't" and grandpa angrily said "Fine, if you don't want then don't!!" and Sa cried "You're so biased!!" and Yan Chi said "Father maybe you haven't acted fairly with Sa?" and grandpa admitted defeat and asked "Ok Sa what do you want?" and Sa said "I want $20 million! I want the money to compensate me for what I didn't get, how unfair you treated me!" and grandpa said "I have already said, that money is by Cho for Ka and Hou use" and Sa said "I don't care!" but Chung overheard this and rushed to Hor Ma and told Hor Ma Auntie Sa was being crazy again.

As grandpa was trying his best to advise Sa, Hor Ma came in and asked "What is going on?" and grandpa immediately held on to Hor Ma and cried his heart out as he said "Hor, I don't know what I should do anymore!" and Sa was unrepentant. Everyone as in the family knew something wasn't right and except for the bride and groom, everyone rushed in and grandpa immediately held on to Cho Ba and frustratingly said "Cho, you have put me in harm's way! Sa knew about the money, and now she wants it!" and Cho said "You! I gave that money for my children's use, not for you to use!" and Sa said "I don't care, I deserve it. If not I shall expose the biggest secret (everyone was like what secret??). I won't continue with the wedding!" and Hor Ma calmly said "Hou, Ka, you both go out and tell our relatives the double wedding tonight will only be one pair. Auntie Sa will not be marrying tonight" and Sa cried "How can you be so unfair sis!!" and Hor Ma angrily said "You can leave now. The door's there, LEAVE!" and Sa said "Now I want to get married, then I can walk right up onto the podium and tell everyone how unfair you all were to me, how badly treated I am!!" and Hor MA was going to retort as Auntie Sa pushed her way out but the children stopped her but grandma came in time and smilingly said "Sa Sa... what's the matter? Why so upset?" and Sa said "Old Mrs Kam, I am being bullied here!" but grandma gently said "Look, tonight is a happy night. Why not you go through the wedding and all and I promise at the end of the day you will get a huge ang pow from me. How much do you use a month? $30,000-00? Ok I shall assume you use $50,000-00. I can assure you my ang pow will be equivalent of 5 years, or more of that sum, I promise" and Sa having heard that smiled happily.

And so the wedding continued, and Sa and Yan Chi's done, there came Hing very beautiful and radiant in her wedding gown and a happy Kelvin. After Kelvin read out his vows, Hing signed and said she has something to say and Hou was the interpreter. Basically she credited Hor Ma for loving her and giving her strength and asked if Hor Ma can translate the vows on her behalf? Hor Ma gladly agreed.

Pause here.

Hou must be able to see through Hing because when Hing was signing, her back was facing Hou!

So Hing read her vows and Hor Ma translated it, happy for Hing.

Pause here.

Or maybe Hing was invincible or something because now her back was facing Hor Ma and she was adding words to her vows!! How on earth they can see? Ask TVB!

So the wedding done, everyone happy and back in the room, Sa was very happy and walked to Grandma and said "Old Mrs Kam, your promise?" and grandma smiled and tookout a huge angpow and gave to Sa. But Ka took the angpow away and I think it was Hou or Ka who said "Grandma, don't give her! She is being unreasonable!" but Sa was fighting for the angpow and grandma said "It is ok, give it to her, trust me" as her eyes was twinkling! Ahhhhh up to mischief!!

Auntie Sa opened it and it was a piece of paper which says "If your heart feels contented, you will be the richest!" and Auntie Sa of course cried foul but grandma said "Well that will carry you for life! It took me sometime to learn this but I learned that if you heart is contented, you will feel the richest!" and Sa cried "Old Mrs Kam, you lied!" and Grandma said "You see them? That's my my saviour. Hor pulled me back from the gates of hell. That is my granddaughter. Who are you? What have you done for me? Why should I even care what you think?!" and Sa angrily said "You vile old woman! You're a liar!!" and shouted and all and said "I shall reveal the secret!!" and grandma now very angry said "What do you think I am? Easy to bully? When I was younger I was known for my temper!! Ask your sister, Hor, she knows! She witnessed it first hand! Remember Hor when HOu had an exam coming up and I took him to the playground? Remember how we fought? Oh how I fought with you? You silly girl (to Sa), I was so loud with Hor, I had her pinned to the roof with my temper alone! So what of you?! Don't you dare to mess with me! If you dare to I will argue with you till you're pinned on the roof!! I have temper left in this old body of mine!! I have been arguing with people and winning even when you were just wearing your diapers!!" and Sa speechless told Yan Chi to leave and asked Ka Mei "Go Ka Mei!" and Ka Mei embarassed said "I like to stay" and so Sa and Yan Chi left. Everyone screamed his or her joy and said "Grandma! Wow!!" and grandma strut her stuff and said "And you think I am not able to!"

Next episode Sa revealed the big secret and grandpa cried and Hou asked "Grandpa, are we not your grandchildren then?"

I think my theory is right. Let's see how. And I think probably Yan Chi will cheat Sa of everything and leave her!

Tonight, Sa is so so so so so so so so so over the top with her greed that I am speechless. That money is by Cho Ba to his children, what has it got to do with her? Even Hung's encounter with Hor Ma wasn't as unreasonable as Auntie Sa. What a horrible character. Poor grandpa. I was happy he stood his ground about the money but he is old and she can be so persistently naggy...

But grandma saved the day! Possible the best scene for the last few episodes I have seen. Way to go grandma!!! I didn't expect her to trick Auntie Sa. Moreover what does Sa thinks? That grandma will help her? How stupid. How dare she even try to spoil Hing's night?

Definitely a good episode and the last bit made it great! But what I love is Hor Ma's fortitude. I mean she is nice woman, docile sometimes, reasonable and fair and everybody likes her gentle nature. But bully her children, she will snap, even if that person is her only sister. I love the way she just told Hou to tell everyone the wedding is off since Auntie Sa used that to threaten them. Great scene.

Performances wise, Lee Sze Kei gave a great performance tonight whilst Michelle Yim is also wonderfully mean eventhough her character HUng is still not evil enough. She is protecting her family in a way and I understand her anger.

Grandpa (again I forgot the actor's name!!) was great too, realisticaly crying at Lee Sze Kei's shoulder because he was so tired of being pressured and pushed around. He looked old though, frail too but great scene.

Susanna Kwan is despicable, she really make her character to unlikeable, she really went all out with that irritating voice and expression. Very impressive performance eventhough I am tired of Auntie Sa never ending greed saga.

The younger ones are ok although the inconsistencies like being able to see through Hing was very distracting. In fact it was a stupid mistake that shouldn't have happened.

The limelight however falls on Lee Heung Kam in that final scene. Wow! What a performance as she scolded that woman who clearly didn't know what was coming! Love the way she strutted her angry look and you kinda guess she must have a been a formidable and very scary as well as hard to please mother in law! Fantastic performance!!

Overall I really enjoyed the last few moments and some performances. Now if only Dr Ling could die and we can just have Sum and Hou get together to stop the whole quadruple romance story.

Best scene?

What do you think I am? Easy to bully? When I was younger I was known for my temper!! Ask your sister, Hor, she knows! She witnessed it first hand! Remember Hor when HOu had an exam coming up and I took him to the playground? Remember how we fought? Oh how I fought with you? You silly girl (to Sa), I was so loud with Hor, I had her pinned to the roof with my temper alone! So what of you?! Don't you dare to mess with me! If you dare to I will argue with you till you're pinned on the roof!! I have temper left in this old body of mine!! I have been arguing with people and winning even when you were just wearing your diapers!!

- Grandma to Sa

Episode 23

2009-09-10T22:30:00.002+08:00

I have wanted to say something about last night's episode but I kept forgetting as I was exhausted and then suddenly tonight after seeing Moses' face I remembered. I wanted to say how disgusting his expression was as Ka when looking at foxy Ka Mei. That pained expression as he kept thrusting his hips back and forth is just too inappropriate and Ka acted like a first class wolf.

Never mind. That was last night and the whole momentum of criticism lost eventhough I remember I cringed at it.

Tonight I again could summarize the entire story in THREE parts; waste of time part, the usual boring part and the soon to be boring part.

GUESS WHO IS WHICH??

Easy right?

THE SOON TO BE BORING PART
Cho Ba, grandma and everybody, including ghost Yuen, shorty Kevin, MUTE GIRL! MUTE GIRL! Kevin's mom and Sum were all there for the mooncake festival dinner. Poor Hung, alone, and not invited. What a snub eh? Anyway what happened? Happy time, game playing, huge mooncake which Cho Ba was reluctant to cut because it has the word .. repeat after me because by now you should know... Ka Hou Yuet Yuen Hing Chung Chau. Yeah yeah yeah. Anyway happy time until suddenly Kevin stood before Hing and timidly said "I have a question for Hing... " and Kevin's mom brought a bouquet of flowers and Hing smiled and said thanks but Kevin suddenly dropped the bomb "Hing will you marry me?". Is there no private moment in this series? Well Hing predictably said yes and hugged all those she wanted hug EXCEPT for Kevin's mom. In fact she seems to not even smile or look at her, like kinda snubbed her! Of course that's just poor script writing. Anyway, Hor Ma and Kevin's mom jumped like schoolgirl at the propect of being related by law.

In her room, Yuet was crying quietly. Ka walked by and asked "Yuet, are you ok?" and Yuet said "I am happy for Hing, Kevin is a good man but I feel so sad at losing her. We were so close for so many years but now she is getting married and I will be alone" and Ka said "But she will come back to visit? Moreover, we are not losing Hing, but gaining Kevin as our sibling" but Yuet said "But she will have obligations. We won't be able to talk freely like we did in the past, she will probably only come back to visit during festivals only. Ka, can I ask you a question" and Ka said "Ask away" and Yuet asked "How did you feel when you were forced to follow Cho Ba and that woman? I remember holding onto you and you were dragged away" and Ka said "I felt horrible of course that I won't be able to spend as much time with you guys like I did before but I thought oit out in the end" and Yuet curiously asked "How?" and Ka said seriously "I thought about when I am old and in a hospital and alone and I will see an old woman next to my bed, all old and wrinkly and alone and I will ask her 'what's your name?' and she will answer 'Yuet'". Yuet got his cheeky meaning and beat him and they laughed a bit when Hor Ma said "Yuet, Ka where are you?" and Ka said "Come on, let's go" and Yuet wiped her eyes and walked out with Ka.

Next scene, Ka Mei was shopping for handbags, liked an expensive one but can't afford it and asked for other bags. The salesgirl was very rude and made remarks like Ka Mei couldn't afford the stuff, why not get cheaper and upset, Ka Mei left. At a restaurant Yuet and Ka were sitting down and Ka said "The dancers these time I will employ 3 with Ka Mei at the front as the spotlight. It will be fantastic!" but Yuet said "We must book 6 dancers, just in case! Moreover Ka Mei is looking for work, she won't be able to help us" in a very furstrated sort of way when Ka had a call and rushed out. Ka Mei called him and he walked into the bag shop and talked loudly in mandarin and pointed to all sorts of bad prompting the salesgirl to fly around fetching the bags. Then he refused to buy them and insulted the salesgirl as short, unprofessional and walked to Ka Mei and bought her the expensive bag. The salesgirl was angry of course and totally humiliated.

Outside Ka Mei thanked Ka and said "I don't think I can pay you back so soon. You know what? Why don't I work for you and you deduct from my salary?" and Ka wanted to say no until Ka Mei held his arm and he melted.

At the restaurant Yuet was surprised to see Ka Mei and shocked that Ka introduced her as the new 2nd personal assistant and Yuet said quietly "Ka, the company is small, you don't need a 2nd assistant" and Ka honestly said "You're too honest with the clients, you don't know how to deal with them. Cousin Ka Mei can handle that" and so that was that as Ka Mei sweetly said "Yuet, let us work together to make the company a success with cousin Ka!" as she touched Ka's hand and Ka melted again and Yuet annoyed.

WASTE OF TIME PART
I am losing my patience for the whole Dr Ling and Sum story. Am I suppose to feel sorry for them that they're so in love but he is obligated to what's her name? I can't remember but Claire Yiu I think is the actress. I am beginning to be very annoyed with Sum as well. Why? She is a great girl, with backbone of steel. But the writers made her into this non person that I just don't like anymore and she has yet to do anything despicable and I don't think she will. In real life I would think a girl like Sum has issues. What issues you ask? Well when Hou was unattainable as in he has yet to confess his love for her (again), she thought of him day and night and called him to talk late into the night. When he confessed, she fell for Dr Ling who nows become unattainable due to a 3rd party. It seems she likes unintentionally hard to get guys! Am I right or am I right?

Anyway the soon to be adulterer and adulteress (he isn't married yet but seems like he will at the end of the day) went to island to visit a baby and had baby talk, chit chat etc and cycled back to the jetty where they stopped for ice cream as Dr Ling talked more about his father who was very money pinching person and a hard man to please but still Dr Ling loved him and then Sum said "You know you're a very amusing person. I find you very humorous" and in a rather amateur way of showing how not together they are as a couple as in Dr Ling and this girlfriend of his, Dr Ling sadly said "Funny, --- never said I was funny. In fact if you were to tell her I am funny, she wouldn't have believed you". Well there is a reason you bastard!! That's because you don't love her!! Anyway he said "I used to love to eat this ice cream but when I grew up I didn't think it tasted any special until I am eating it again now. Somehow it felt tasty, eating here with you" and Sum looked on sadly.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh NOT!

Ok, be done with this story! NEXT!!

THE USUAL BORING PART
Auntie Sa is up to her old tricks, as in tricking her father to say something to Cho Ba. She wrote it down, grandpa didn't want to say but Auntie Sa and also Yan Chi and I suspect his mom pretending to have alzheimer all looked on and Auntie Sa first cajoled, then threatened and then went down on her knees and begged grandpa "FATHER!! Please just read the note to Cho! If you don't Yan Chi, Ka Mei and I will all have to go back to Portugal and you will never see us again!! Grandpa surely you'll miss Ka Mei. DO IT FOR KA MEI!!!" and Grandpa said "But I can Cho to find Yan Chi a good job, with a good pay" but Yan Chi said "I don't know Chinese and I won't make it here. My old boss in Portugal is giving me back my old clerical job and I am tempted to take it" and Auntie Sa cried "PLEASE FATHER!! PLEASE JUST READ THE NOTE!!!" and grandpa couldn't say not and angrily said "Alright alrigh you useless daughter! I will do it" and he called Cho Ba who was walking and Cho Ba asked "Father, what's the matter?" and Grandpa reading the note awkwardly said "Cho, you have once forsaken my daughter and took away our business name. I don't blame you because I know you're sorry. But you must compensate me and Hou and so I ask that you pay..." and grandpa saw the number I think is $100 million if I am not mistaken and Cho Ba guiltily said "Father I know I wasn't good to Hor, I am sorry..." and Cho Ba said "You pay me $1 million..." and then Auntie Sa took away the phone and angrily said "Father it is supposed to be $100 million, not $1 million!" and grandpa said "But that sum is too high!" and Sa said "Father, HE CAN AFFORD IT! PLease father, for me, for Ka Mei!" and Grandpa reluctantly said "Cho, I meant $100 million and.." he couldn't go on and Auntie Sa angrily said "LET ME SPEAK WITH HIM THEN!!" and CHo Ba was saying "Father, did you say $1 million or $100 million? I mean I should pay but can you repeat the sum again?" and at that point Hor Ma was there and knew something was wrong and took the phone and was listening when Auntie Sa now spoke thinking it was Cho Ba "Cho! Listen. You weren't good to my sister and my father but they are willing to forgive you. But you must compensate them. $100 million is a fair amount. Pay up. But don't you dare tell my sister.." and Hor Ma sarcastically asked "Don't tell me if not what? Do you want $1 billion? I can give the money to you if that's what you want" and Auntie Sa knew her cover up was busted!!

You may ask why this is the usual boring part? Because I am beginning to be bored with the never changing Auntie Sa. She is so predictable.

It stoped here.

Next episode, Cho Ba actually paid up and Hung found out and was rightfully angry but with the wrong person as in Hor Ma.

Story wise I have said what I wanted to say above except I would like to add grandpa should just kick Sa out. She is worse than Hung and she is greedy, manipulative and probably is the reason why Hung slap Hor Ma in the next episode. A real trouble maker.

The trouble maker in the making is Ka Mei. I just feel she is so materialistic and wants success fast and it shows in tonight's episode.

As for Sum, she is simply being wasted as the lovelorn doctor.

The stories are becoming formulaic and repetetive. Give me something new, STAT! The show is dying, pulse is going!!

I have a question to those who have seen this episode. I missed the 1st 30 minutes so I wanna ask, what happened when Ka Mei heard Auntie Sa begging grandpa for a job at Ka Hou Yuet Yuen for Yan Chi and kept saying Ka Mei this Ka Mei that? You know the last scene from last night when Ka asked Auntie Sa about the breast augmentation procedure? Did Ka Mei scolded her?

As for the performances, no comment. Absolutely no comment whatsoever.

Best scene/quote...

Don't tell me if not what? Do you want $1 billion? I can give the money to you if that's what you want...

- Hor Ma to Auntie Sa

Episode 22

2009-09-09T22:30:00.000+08:00

I do not know what to say of this episode except it is a waste of time, at least half of it. I think I will write the recap in 2 parts.

Let's just get over the waste of time part.

Who?

Who else...BUT that Gor Gor and Mui Mui story arc.

Sum felt Dr Ling was evasive and quiet and sullen and she tried to contact him but she couldn't get him. She was very worried and I don't know how, she somehow found his blog and his entry about his father an ice cream seller.

Pause here.

How come an ice cream seller can send the son to I think England or somewhere to study medicine? Isn't medicine supposed to be very expensive? He didn't look like he had scholarship or loan!

Anyway she read his moving tribute to his dad.

But he was still missingand by the time she don't know how ended up in a place and he had her arms around her, she was in love with Dr Ling. GOODBYE HOU, HELLO GOR GOR. What is this series' obsession with che-tai love eh? Even if not real but the idea of you calling your BF Gor Gor and he calls you Mui Mui is like some seriously crazy role playing game.

Anyway they sat down and he explained why he disappeared and I was thinking why don't you just disappear for good?

She mentioned to him she read his blod entry on his father and was very moved by it but Dr Ling said "Actually I wasn't always a good son. He worked hard to send me to med school but I didn't appreciate his effort. Instead of studying, I gambled. I was terrible. Father never knew. One day he sent a neighbour's daughter whom I know to visit me. She was 4 years older but she was very supportive of me. When she found out what I was doing there, she didn't scold me but instead cleaned up my room and encouraged me. My father then fell very sick but he told me not to come home to visit, to save money and to study hard. He died not long after. But all the money he sent I used up for gambling. I didn't have any left. But instead of abandoning me, she took up a job illegally and I too took up part time job and because of her I finished med school. A few days ago she called me suddenly to tell me her grandma (I think her mom or grandma, not sure) was very sick. I rushed to visit which was why I was missing for a few days. I discovered grandma wasn't that sick at all. Maybe she felt something wasn't right with me, maybe she wanted to test me if I still cared..."

Sum was very quiet, close to tears and said "She is your obligation and you must not forsake this obligation" and Dr Ling sadly said "And I won't forsake my obligation".

And so before the romance started, it was doomed.

Pause here.

ALL OF A SUDDEN a girlfriend? And why emphasise on the fact she was 4 years older? What she is a hag now? Come on! Anyway he owed her. And may I saw Bosco looked positively early 90s with that flashback scene, his big hair, bejewelled jacket and all. Ewwww....

And I got a question I did not ask before. If they're same age, presumably same time graduate, how come Dr Ling has welcomed so many babies and seems to experience and all and Sum like a student doctor? As this scene explain, Dr Ling is not like some genius so how come ah?

Ok, be done with this boring part. Nowadays I see Linda Chung I knew it would be Bosco and I would just yawn. Linda is still good even if when she delivered her lines whilst crying, her mouth seems rather strange and over the top. I hate what they're doing with her. And I simply do not feel anything for Bosco's character.

Next up the more interesting bit.

Yuet and Ka were walking back home when they saw Auntie Sa getting off a taxi with a youngish man (played by Louis Yuen) whom was introduced was Yan Chi. Ka and Yuet didn't see his face at first and assumed it was tomboy Ka Mei. THey were relieved to know it wasn't Ka Mei. Then an old lady came out of the car and they were shocked but then relieved it wasn't her either. Suddenly a pretty girl with long hair speaking on the phone stepped out of the taxi and Ka was immediately attracted to her much to the annoyance of Yuet and KA said "Where is cousin Ka Mei?" and Auntie Sa proudly said "That's her!" pointing to that girl and both were shocked she was so pretty!

Back at home Ka Mei has a room to herself and she was introduced around, everybody was very surprised the tomboy was so pretty and then Yan Chi was introduced as well but strangely KA Mei looked annoyed.

Inside the room Ka Mei scolded Auntie Sa who was so shaken didn't say anything back. KA Mei Said "Come on mother, have a bit of class like Auntie Hor Ma and everybody else! How can you act like you did? You just embarass me! And why you even introduced that man and then talked so much that I can't even ask my cousins how they are?" and Auntie Sa said meekly "He is going to be your stepfather" and Ka Mei said "He is not my father! I am so ashamed of you!".

Yuet overheard, told everyone who was happy that for once someone could shut Auntie Sa up and grandpa was so shocked "But she is at least 10 years older than that Yan Chi!" but Ka happily said "YES!! I thought he was with cousin Ka Mei! Woo hoo! Lucky for me she is not!!".

Ka Mei settled down quickly and began to mingle warmly with everyone. When she knew Ka was having a function for some exercise company, she was there and begged Ka for a spot in the promo. Yuet refused but Ka seduced allowed her and good thing she danced very well and quickly stole the spotlight. During celebrations Yuet was strangely annoyed, drank a lot and ended up vomitting by the roadside with Ka Mei and Ka together.

Meanwhile Auntie Sa met with Yan Chi and his mother. They were alone and so Auntie Sa talked with Yan Chi about postponing the wedding as Ka Mei didn't like him. Yan Chi angry said "You asked me to wait to marry you. I waited. Then you promised me a general manager position in Ka Hou Yuet Yuen but it turns out to be that smaller one! You always make promises you never fulfill, I am fed up!"

Bad editing scene as it just jumped a karaoke joint and Auntie Sa acting like some giddy high school girl dedicated a song to Yan Chi and Yan Chi tearfully dedicated one song back and so they're still in love as ever.

Cho Ba went for dinner at Hor Ma and KA Mei was cooking Portugese food. He had good news that on Mooncake festival day the children will all gather with Hor Ma's side AND grandma will be coming. Everyone was overjoyed and then someone asked "Would Hung mind?" and Cho Ba said "Why would she?". Ka Mei appeared and Cho Ba was also shocked she was so pretty. Cho Ba then began to cough a little and Ka Mei immediately offered to buy him some portugese medicine and Cho Ba or someone asked Ka to accompany her.

Next scene she was down with Ka and walking to a shop as they chatted warmly. Ka Mei sounds like a nice girl but very ambitious as she asked "How come Hou calls me Tomboy?" and Ka explained she looked like in those facebook pictures and Ka Mei laughed and said "I was at the lowest point of my life there. I did look terrible. My parents are both useless with one hiding a love in the bushes". Ka interrupted and asked "Isn't it in the cupboard?" and she replied "My father's one in the cupboard, my mother's one in the bushes".

Pause here!

So that dance instructor loverboy of Auntie Sa is Yan Chi!! For once some continuity.

Ka Mei said "I have missed out so much because of these 2. I am determined to find my way in this world. I have a degree that has no meaning in this country but I have youth and beauty on my side, I am sure I can achieve success!" and Ka agreed.

Back at home Auntie Sa pulled grandpa to the sofa and said "Everyone I have 2 announcements. First, I have found a new love and I will be marrying him. He is Yan Chi!" and grandpa said "I would have objected to the relationship because he is so much younger than you but if this is what you want, I am ok with it" and Hor Ma said "Sa, if he makes you happy then I am happy for you". Auntie Sa happy then said "Secondly, from tomorrow onwards, Yan Chi will be the new manager of the Ka Hou Yuet Yuen shop!" and Hou looked at Hor Ma who looked at Sa shocked by that. Then Sa said "Well father agrees!" and grandpa said "Well, he is unemployed and I can't let my daughter's future husband be an unemployed bum" but Hor Ma said "But we have enough of people father, remember?" and Auntie Sa said "Well fire *** then. She is always yawning anyway, not really working" and Hor Ma gently said "Sa, if I remember correctly he worked at a dance studio as some clerk right? Ka knows a lot of people. I will ask him to find a suitable job for Yan Chi" but Auntie Sa blew up and said "I own the shop too! Can't I have someone to work there? Ok, fine! Hou, you don't need to work at the shop anymore! There! Yan Chi can now go! Father how can you be so unfair to my husband when you could be fair to all of them?!" and Cho Ba fed up said "LISTEN! I will handle it! I will find him a job ok?" but Auntie Sa stood up and wasn't satisfied. She shouted at Yuet "You Lor Lui, what are you sniggering at?" which took Yuet by surprise since she wasn't doing anything. Auntie Sa shrieked "I have to think of Ka Mei. He is going to be his stepfather, he has always been good to her and she is fond of him! I can't let him not have a good job. What would Ka Mei think? What about my Ka Mei's opinion? Doesn't she matter?!"

and suddenly Ka's voice boomed out "So Auntie Sa, did you enlarge your breast in Portugal for Ka Mei too?"

and everyone was so shocked by what they heard and Auntie Sa covered her breasts in shock whilst Ka Mei looked on ashamed at her mother's attitude.

Next episode, Ka Mei's wants a job and battles her eyelids at Ka who could not resist her charm and gave her high salary much to Yuet's annoyance.

Ka Mei looks like an upright nice person at first when she scolded Auntie Sa for embarassing her but I would think she is exactly like Auntie Sa with her MEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEME attitude. She is very ambitious and a go getter. I believe however nice a person if that person is overly too ambitious too fast, their souls can be sold for a price. So lookout for Ka Mei to be a villain. WHy she immediately attaches herself to Ka I am not sure, maybe she thought being an eldest son he will inherit Cho Ba's business?

Anyway performance wise, what more can I say? From competent to really good. But the idea of Louis Yuen and Susanna Kwan just doesn't click. No chemistry and just plain weird.

And Kate Tsui herself is weird. She just have this face and crazy eyes that seems so suitable for crazy people role. But I must admit, she has a killer body and she looks like she can dance competently. But I am not so sure about her character Ka Mei, whether she is genuinely a good person or not.

As for everybody else, I really have no comment. Probably because I am writing this in a rush. A busy day today.

Favourite scene/quote? Well thanks to Ka again..

So Auntie Sa, did you enlarge your breast in Portugal for Ka Mei too?

- Ka to Auntie Sa

Episode 21

2009-09-08T22:30:00.000+08:00

I watched only the last 15 minutes of this episode and I have a few inklings about what happened.

First of, I finally knew who those 2 nosy relatives are. Not husband and wife BUT mother and son! The mother is actually grandma's younger sister and so that son is the grandcousinuncle (I really have no idea what's the title in English) of the 6 young ones. But their allegiance is with Hung since she pays them.

Anyway the son refused to call Cho Ba and Hung who are both in Italy (put a horse ranch and it is Italy!) as HUng didn't want to be disturbed. Hung was cruel since she knew grandma was dying and as Hor Ma said the worst offence one can have to one's parent is not having a child or a descendant. We know why he refused to call; he was "eating" company money and he didn't want Hung to dig more and find out. So the mother had to shut up. We also know grandma didn't die. Last scene was Sum seeing a cake made by Hou to her with the words I Love You Yu So Chau, just right after she told Dr Ling aka Bosco that she didn't feel much for Hou anymore since they're way way way apart in lifestyle and ideals.

So when I started, grandma was ok, Cho Ba and Hung were back and apparently it was Yuet who successfully called Cho Ba. Hor Ma's last advice to a very upset Yuet was to let things be and be patient so I suppose a lot of accusations were made against her for her motive to tell Cho Ba and etc.

At the hospital grandma was outside and everybody else was in her room waiting for her. Cho Ba asked Yuet "Yuet, is it true *** (the son aka Cho Ba's cousin) refused to call us eventhough grandma was dying?" and Yuet, having followed Hor Ma's advice had to swallow her pride and said "No I made a mistake" and Cho Ba pressed "What do you mean? You said so very urgently, that they were the ones who stopped you all from contacting me!" but Yuet, now teary eyed said "No Cho Ba, it's not true" and CHo Ba said "Maybe you could be wrong about one person that is your grandcousinuncle, you can't be mistaken about your grandaunt as well?" and she said "No Cho Ba I made a mistake". Now when you won you should just shut up right? The son refused to shut up and kept making a big fuss to show to Hung and everybody and he screamed "You insolent adopted child! How dare you lie about me? What's your purpose?!" and Yuet now giving him that glare shouted "I hate you all ok? I hate Hung took away Cho Ba and that you're with her and I wanted to cause a rift with you all, OK?!" and that man went on and on and on and on accusing her and stuff, worse and worse until Hor Ma couldn't stand it and said "Is this what you want? For me to tell all here what YOU did?" and that man never realised how deep in shit he is said "WHAT? WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?!" and Hor Ma said "You really want me to tell them all? You want me to tell them how you knew Hung's direct number and refused to give us, that I had to beg your mother but you stopped her as she was giving me the number, that I had the first 4 digits? You want me to tell everyone here that you then dragged your mother into the car and left? And do you want me to tell everyone your motive for doing this?" and that man panicking now said "I have no motive! I didn't do such thing!" and Hor Ma said "Cho, remember when Hing was young we took her to a learning centre and there we too had to learn a bit about reading the lips?" and Cho Ba now upset nodded and Hor Ma said "I may not have heard what was said as you 2 were in the car but I can repeat what I could read from your lips! YOU (the son) told her (the mom) that you were "eating" the company funds and you are afraid to let Hung know because she will throw both of you out so you decided to help her by preventing Cho coming back to see Mrs Kam!" and of course he denied angrily and Hung said "Hor, to be fair to him, isn't that all too many coincidence? That Yuet so happened to overheard that he had my number, that you were stopped in the nick of time for getting the number, that you could read lips?" and suddenly everybody froze as a serious looking grandma was at the door, having heard everything and the son quickly cried "Auntie!! You must give me justice! They're accusing me of deliberately refusing to let Cho come back to see you one last time on your deathbed! You must tell them off on my behalf!!" and grandma weekly said "Come here" and he walked to grandma and when he was close enough grandma gave him ONE TIGHT SLAP! He was shocked, everyone was and then grandma angrily but feebly said "I have known you since you were a baby. Do you not think that I do not know your character? The fact that I am slapping you when I heard what was said is because I know you enough to know your character!" meaning grandma believed every word that was said then grandma said "But I didn't want to cause a rift in the family. I was dying but I knew, I overheard you discussing with your mother about not revealing the number to everybody! You would rather I die before my son reaches me for your own selfish reasons" and grandma then held a crying Yuet ".. and I let Yuet take the blame for every accusation. I let her take the fall as the one who lied when she didn't. I am sorry Yuet" and Cho Ba was very angry and before he could say anything another one big slap courtesy of Hung to the son and she said "If I have evidence that you have been taking money from the company, I will not let you go lightly and I will call the police to arrest you!" but everyone knew it was just for show. They all know he acted on her instruction. The mother cryingly came to Grandma and said "Please sis, don't let my son go to jail, please!" and grandma was suddenly very tired and quietly said "Hou, you all go back first. I don't think I can join you all for dinner tonight" and so they all left and Hor Ma looked at grandma and grandma looked at Hor Ma with gratitude. Hung of course saved her skin again.

You wanna bet? Tomorrow the grandcousinuncle will still be in the family, happy and all as no continuity!!

Back at home, Hor Ma forced Auntie Sa to move in with her and let Yuet get back her room as a reward for her loyalty.

Tomorrow which will be a full recap, it is all about Sum stuck between a suddenly morose looking Dr Ling and Hou and the return of Auntie Sa's daughter whose beauty captivated Ka.

Like even love must be within the family right?

Let me say first, I got the chills everytime Sum called Ling Gor Gor and he to her Mui Mui. Ewwwwww.......

Anyway I got a few questions to you all...

1. how did YUet find out how to contact Cho Ba?

2. does HUng know that grandunclecousin was taking money from the company? I think no would be the answer. She looked shocked too.

3. What happened to Sum's father?

4. What did Sum did when she saw the cake? Did she call Hou? Or was she falling for Dr Ling?

Tonight's episode shows Yuet's difficulty as the adopted child, always the fall girl, always the one to blame. I felt sorry for her when she had to swallow her pride and dignity and admitted she lied all for the family and I almost hated Hor Ma for it since she told her but that guy, that grandcousinuncle dug his own grave by persisting with his own lie. You must know when to give up man when you've won! So Hor Ma of course let it all rip! Good for her! I mean someone insult your child that way you just can't shut up! But the best was grandma slapping him and revealing that she knew all along, because he was flawed in character. That to me was the best moment.

Now let me ask you, AFTER THIS will Cho Ba go back to Hung? Will grandma even look at Hung? After all WE ALL KNOW who gave him instructions, he wouldn't have dared to act the way he did without Hung's consent. Since the themesong video showed Hung will be wearing a wedding dress with Cho Ba as the groom, I suppose not.

You know all the hatred on Hung is not just justified enough. Yes she is petty, yes she is cruel for not telling Cho Ba (though I remember last night she contemplated about it seriously which means she has perhaps an ounce of humanity left in her?) but thus far she has yet to do more than just background work so to speak. When is she moving in big time??

As for performances, nothing much to say except Lee Heung Kam was fantastic. Tavia looked the part, did the part and so was effective but the winner has got to be the grandcousinuncle. What's the name of the actor? Seen him, great actor but never knew his name. I so hate the way he accused Yuet. He deserved his public humiliation.

Anyway sorry about the rushed recap. I just can't miss He Who Can't Marry which is getting better and better. I was just tired of all the arguing in this series.

Best scene/moment/quote...

I have known you since you were a baby. Do you not think that I do not know your character? The fact that I am slapping you when I heard what was said is because I know you enough to know your character!

- grandma to her nephew

Episode 20

2009-09-08T12:42:00.002+08:00

Sorry dear readers. I totally missed this episode and all I know for sure is grandma didn't die, at least not in this episode. I will resume full recap probably on Wednesday's episode since I may be missing the next episode as well.

Episode 19

2009-09-04T22:30:00.000+08:00

A very badly arranged episode. Like out of nowhere, like Groundhog Day, back to square one when it has already passed square 100. This is what dragging means..

A recap of this awfully arranged but otherwise entertaining episode..

I started 15 minutes late so I saw Cho Ba having a happy time playing with everyone except Auntie Sa wasn't there and Yuen once again relegated to the role of apparition that failed to apparate today since he is nowhere to be seen. Earlier I was old Yuen was given the task of running the company by Hung whom Yuen still calls mother BUT then Hung behind his back asked nosy male relative to run the company instead.

Pause here.

What does Hung got to do to have Yuen to say "I HATE YOU!!"? This is unfortunately continuity problem. By this time Yuen should pointedly call her Auntie Hung instead of mother. In fact Yuen is like the most potentially interesting character but again the most least developed so that means Yuen is once again the wandering and wondering (as in "what am I doing here) ghost.

So they were making fun of Auntie Sa, as Cho Ba told everyone he will be leaving on a 2 year holiday with Hung which Hung suggested. Cho Ba didn't want to go when he and the children were bonding again. As Cho Ba begin laughing hard with everyone, suddenly Cho Ba cried and stood up and said "I want you all to tell me the truth, how you all feel about me! Hou you tell me! How do you really feel about me? Tell me!! Tell me so that I can leave with a peace of mind knowing you all hate me and will never forgive me!!" and Hou was suddenly angry and said "I hate you Cho Ba! When Hor Ma fell down, she hurt her back and I was so young, not only did you not care, you didn't even pay for her medical fees!" and Cho Ba said "True true, but Hou, it wasn't that I didn't want to pay, I..." and Hor Ma said "Stop it Cho, the past is the past" and Cho Ba said "No let them say, you Yuet, you're always the most forthright, tell me how you feel about Cho Ba" and Yuet suddenly very emotional said "Cho Ba, I am just a Lor Lui! I was always grateful for both you and Hor Ma and every year in my birthday I always wish that Cho Ba and Hor Ma will be together forever. But since that happened, (as in he left) I have wished for you to suffer!All I ever wanted was for you and Hor Ma to be together again" and Hing signed "Cho Ba, I have never felt bad about my disability, I never blamed God for what happened to me but I blame you for what happened to this family!" and then Cho Ba asked "Ka, what about you?" and Ka said "Cho Ba, I remember when I first moved in you said 'Ka, it's late, go to sleep, your mother and I will sleep now'. Mother? Cho Ba, I hated you then because you called that woman my mother when my mother is Hor Ma!" and then Chung said "Cho Ba, I hated going to study overseas, but when I had to be with you, I always wanted to just go back overseas!"

Pause here.

Yeah coming from the idiot who calls Hung mother, yeah right!

"Father, what about you?" asked Cho Ba to grandpa and grandpa angrily said "My daughter was beautiful and smart, why she had to marry you, the idiot who hurt her, your heartless man, hurting my daughter and making her suffer, I hate you" as he kept beating Cho Ba until Hou stopped grandpa from the beating frenzy and Cho Ba said "I feel better now, I didn't want to go, I am sorry father, I am sorry Hou, I am sorry Ka, I am sorry Chung, I am sorry Hing, I am sorry Yuet, I am sorry, I am sorry" and Hing cried "Cho Ba, I don't want you to go for that world tour, please don't leave us Cho Ba, not now!" and everybody begged him and Cho Ba was still crying and Hor Ma looked on, silent and touched by what happened.

Hung was angry. "Why is he so late? How much longer must he spend at that woman's place?" and she called CHo Ba who was fast asleep surrounded by all the sleeping children and Hor Ma took the phone and quickly and sternly said "Can't you just let him spend some more time with the children?" and she switched off the phone. Hung angry, for the 3rd episode threw the phone at the wall.

Pause here.

Well sponsored by Sony Ericsson, she can throw all she wants!

Next day Cho Ba left with Hou driving him and as he stepped into the van, Hing came and signed "Cho Ba I forgive you" and then Hou signed the same thing and then all the other with Hor Ma lined up opposite the street and signed "I forgive you". Cho Ba was very touched.

At home Cho saw Hung and said to her gently "Hung, maybe instead of a 2 year holiday, we can just go for a few months at a time, that way I can still see my children and go on holiday with you!" and Hung smilingly said "Whatever you say Cho, it is after all just a holiday,let's not quarrell over such small matters" and Cho Ba happy went away but Hung threw his jacket onto the floor angrily.

This time a phone has a lucky escape!

Hung was meeting with a man, who is Sum's real father, back to see Sum all these years. Hung of course didn't want Sum to see him so she didn't tell Sum. She sat down and the man wanted to see Sum but since he thought Sum didn't want to see him, he asked how she was. As he was telling Hung what happened to him (became a sailor, had a stint in jail for trafficking something, life was hard for him and deservedly so) and Hung just didn't bother to listen and just ordered her cappucino. I thought she was right to ignore him. What she didn't do right was later...

At home Cho Ba wondered where was Hung when nosy male relative said she was meeting the ex husband. Cho Ba angry saw Hung walking in and quickly scolded her for seeing the man who was irresponsible and never paid for Sum's upbringing and Hung said "He only wanted to know how she is, and I don't see what's the problem" but Cho Ba wasn't satisfied and berated Hung for being foolish for trusting him again when Hung blasted "Well listen to you! You abandoned your wife and children too remember? And now you have been spending so much time at Hou's place! You didn't care how I feel!" and Cho Ba said "That's different. They are my real children, I should see them" and they were arguing when grandma shouted "ENOUGH! ENOUGH! No more arguing! Hung you will stop seeing that man and you Cho will go on that 2 year holiday with Hung! Get it?!" and so Hung won once again.

Hung was with grandma shopping, buying her 2 expensive presents for the 2 years she won't be at home and grandma was very happy. They went drinking tea when Hung sadly said to Grandma her fear of Cho Ba going back to Hor Ma as he was spending a lot of time with her. Grandma said "That fatty never gives up does she? Hung, don't worry, all Cho wanted to do is to see the children" and Hung then said "I am very worried about Sum's father. He has been harassing me, I am just so tired of him" and grandma said "Call the police then" and she said "Well he didn't really do anything yet other than just calls.."

Pause here.

Fact 1 : Sum's father did see Hung and asked to see Sum

Fact 2 : Hung did meet up with Sum's father

Fact 3 : Sum's father did asked how Sum was

Lie 1 : Hung said Sum didn't want to see the father when in actual fact she didn't know

Lie 2 : that man never harassed her

Lie 3 : that man never disturbed her, in fact he was quite polite

Naughty Hung, lying again. Why? You shall know in the next scene...

Then Hung had an incoming call and she listened and it was the doctor saying "Mrs Kam, your mother in law's medical report is ready. I am afraid there is something wrong with her heart.." and Hung calmly told grandma the report was ready. So they went to see the doctor who told grandma her heart is very weak caused by other diseases and grandma was very worried but Hung said "No worries grandma".As they walked along, Hung said "Mother, perhaps Cho and I cancel our holiday. You're not well" and grandma quickly said "No no, go for the holiday, I will be just fine!"

So Hung and Cho Ba and everybody was at the airport with Yuen ignored again by Hor Ma's side. Hor Ma wasn't there, grandpa wasn't there and certainly Auntie Sa shouldn't and wasn't there. Cho Ba said goodbye to all of them and Ka reminded Cho Ba to go for bungee jumping and Hung and Cho Ba left hand in hand.

Meanwhile the most boring scene ever happened here, which I hate to elaborate. Just know Hou called Sum at night when Sum was busy wheeling a very seriously wounded patient into the OR when her phone rang, and she took just a few seconds to speak with Hou about Hou wanted to meet with her but she was busy.

Pause here.

A few seconds, even 30 seconds may mean life and death of the patient. I am simply amazed how she continued speaking as the patient was wheeled in. I am even more surprise the surgeon didn't say "Dr Kam, perhaps you should leave chatting to after work?" because she was utterly unprofessional and careless. I hate what the writers did to a thoughtful Sum into this rather wimpy Sum.

So at night she finished work, drove to the pastry shop but couldn't go in. Don't know why, maybe Hou has yet to confess his love to her again and she was afraid to confess her love and so these two are dangling again. Anyway Hou inside was making heart shaped egg tart with with words "I Love Athena" in Chinese. Is Sum's name Athena? He walked out and saw Hou like some wandering haunting ghost with her back facing him at the opposite street.

Pause here.

Just imagine the lights are dim and there you see a girl with long hair and long white coat standing with her back to you and very still... doesn't that sound creepy to you? Apparently to the writers of this series, that is called romantic.

Anyway there she was and Hou was about to run opposite the street when a big truck passed by and stopped in between them. Sum turned and could see only the truck and since she didn't see Hou, that I suppose she thought was fate. So she went into her car and drove off as the truck drove off and Hou saw her driving away and ran after her and stopped and called her and said "Sum, finished work?" and SUm said "Yeah and I am driving home now, reaching already" and so that was that.

Sorry, that is not the most boring. The most boring is the following ...

Sum lost one of her contact lenses at the parking lot and who should she see but Bosco who deliberately stepped on her lenses and said since she is so tired she didn't need it anyway. She then asked him "You know where I can get spicy food?" and my answer would have been "THERE! You can get Ma Lat steamboat there!" but Bosco of course said "Yeah" and Sum said "Don't bring me to some jetty or faraway!" and Bosco said no and when Sum woke up in his car, he was underneath a bridge opposite street far far away and so she was angry and then they say down and he offered...

You know what, I really don't want to elaborate on how they teased each other, how they chatted, how she ran after him and he ran away, blah blah blah. Put some snow in that scene, let them wear winter clothings and have them throw snowballs at one another and it isn't even 1% as romantic as Choi Ji Woo and Bae Youngjun doing the same thing in Winter Sonata, except maybe in the end as boring as that series I spoke of. I mean what a complete waste of time! Give me more of Yuen and his relationship with Hor Ma, give me 10 minutes of Lin Chi Yung making pastries or even 1 hour of Hor Ma preaching, give me 2 hours of Kevin's mom calling Hing MUte Girl! Mute girl Mute girl! repeatedly and none of these are as boring as these 2!

Urghhhhhhh...........

Anyway, exciting stuff back.

Hou was meeting ex girlfriend there to give him a wedding invitation to her sister's wedding and suddenly she asked "So how are you and Sum doing?" and Hou asked "What made you assume we are together?" and the girl I think Ting Ting right? She said "Well I thought you like her very much. Remember that night we broke up, I saw a girl standing behind you (HAUNTING GHOST POST!! HOU YOU HAVE A GHOST FOLLOWING YOU!!!! You know Moonlight Resonance can be a ghost story!) and she was crying as we broke up. I saw her later at some function and knew she was Sum. So I just thought... Hou, you should tell her how you feel. Don't make the same mistake with her like you did with me". Hou was surprised by what she said.

As they were walking on the bridge, grandma was in a car and saw them and grandma called Hou "Hou you naughty boy!" and Hou was very surprised to hear grandma saying that and said "What is it grandma?" in a playful manner and grandma said "I saw you with a girl. Why you never told me you're dating?" and Hou asked "Grandma where are you? You can see us?" and grandma walked up the stairs of the bridge and said "Ahhh I am spying on you! I can see you! I am now following you!" and Hou looked around and asked "Grandma, where are you? I can't see you?" and grandma smilingly said "Well I am just right behind, I can see you" but grandma was finding it difficult to breath as Hou excitedly looked around and said "Grandma I give up! Where are you? Grandma? Grandma?" but at that time grandma had already fainted. Hou panicked and looked around as he said "Grandma! Grandma!" and he saw a lot of people running towards a direction and so he and that girl ran there and saw someone calling an ambulance and he saw grandma on the floor. Hou quickly ran to grandma and cried "Grandma! Grandma! Grandmaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!".

Well maybe not as overacting as that.

Next episode, which is Monday so for the next 2 days no updates, grandma was on the brink of death as Hor Ma scolded grandma to hang on for Cho Ba to return.

Will be an emotional scene. Will grandma die? By Monday we should know.

Today's episode is just either plain weird, plain badly written, plain badly edited or just plain boring. I need not explain which part is plain boring. The continuity is a problem. After how Cho Ba scolded Hung previously, why is he still with her?? After how the children scolded her, how they could stand next to her in the airport? After how Yuen and grandma found out what she did, how they can be nice and friendly and appreciative to her? WHAT MUST HUNG DO TO HAVE EVERYONE ABANDON HER? WHAT? WHAT? WHAT?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TVB YOU ANSWER ME, WHAT MUST SHE DO? WHAT?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry for my emotional outburst but this series is like one broken record player. Sure there are some really nice songs that can be listened to over and over again (aka those quarrel scenes like Cho Ba being scolded) but repeating the same bad songs and then finish and then grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rewind back to square one can be very very frustrating. What this series should have concentrated on more is

1. Yuen. I feel I have been harsh on this character but he is so badly and underdeveloped that it is such a waste. I want to know his conflict, since the woman may be bad to his family, she does seem genuine to him at first. Betrayed and all, how would he feel and react? Well back to Apparition mode again!

2. Ka. More on his past, more on his difficulties, his company, how Hung crushes him, that would be nice since he would be the most annoying child

3. Hing, if love story give her a proper love story, not one wimpy dude and a love story finished in 2 episodes

4. When is Kate Tsui coming into the scene? Is she like 5 episodes appearance and the end?

5. More on Hung and how she struggles in getting back Cho Ba and doing evil deeds! I mean by now Cho Ba should dump her and her plotting on how to hurt everyone! Thus far her actions though devious are just simple stuff only. When is the major stuff coming? When is she moving on from small minded devious to all out devious?

Why are they wasting time with plot based stories when it should be character based stories? Why aren't any of these consistent?

But I must say, I enjoyed how grandma was being playful with Hou and Hou with her. She truly loves him and he loves her. Which makes it so funny he wasn't the one being asked to live with Cho Ba and Hung because I SWEAR!! I SWEARRRRRRRR that in Episode 1 Cho Ba said grandma loved Chung the youngest the most so they took him and not Hou! I SWEARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!

And talking about Chung, I am so annoyed by this jobless leech! Go learn pastry making for god's sake you lazy bum! And what is Ka with his signature raincoat? Jacket? Whatever? Do HK people ever take off their coast, jackets and raincoats in their house? Or do they wear them like they carry their handbags even in their houses?

WHY? I love this series but WHY TVB WHY MAKE ME BEGIN TO DESPISE IT? If there is one character that should die now, let it be Bosco's character and THE END TO THAT SAPPY LOVE STORY!

Like Forensic Heroes 2. My ideal ending would be one bomb to kill off all characters with one KA-BOOM! and if there is a FOrensic Heroes 3, an entirely new cast, new writers, new directors, new direction and be gone with that CSI stuff! I am tempted to say the same to this series.

And funnily the ad break title scene it is called Heart Of Greed 2 : Moonlight Resonance! Cheap marketing ploy! CHEAP ! CHEAP! CHEAP!

Sorry, this is a very emotional post but let me calm down..

Calm...

Calm..

Calm...

Calm...

WHAT THE HELL DID THEY DO TO THIS SERIES?!??!?!?!??!

Ok. Calm. Blood pressure... check. No heart attack. Ok, cool...........

Perfomance wise, great but uneven. One second laughing like hyenas (Heart Of Greed mode) then next minute arguing and pushing and shoving and crying and scolding (Moonlight Resonance mode) that is the Cho Ba bashing scene. Nice scene as they all resent him but I would have hoped for more one to one rather than all at one go in one single scene.

Anyway anyone writing any comments can just use HOG Mode to explain the overly too happy scene with hyena type laughter which in the end is just so fake and MR Mode to explain the overly angry pushing shoving angry quarrel scenes. I will know what you mean.

ANyway performance wise, ignoring the continuity problem, every did well except for Chris Lai for the lack of screentime and dialogue and Chung for sheer bad acting and Bosco for being annoying simply because for hogging the time. Linda Chung was ok but I can't blame her for the shift in her character because it is bad writing. I am still freak out over Linda calling Bosco Gor Gor and Bosco to Linda Mui Mui. In fact do they work in the same hospital?

Anyway (3 anyways!!) my sis asked me something really funny as she saw Linda pulling a patient into the OR and she asked me "What is she doing now?" and I was like "Ermmm, doing her day job? She is a doctor you know". SO FUNNY!!

The standouts is of course manipulative Michelle Yim (but too underground right now, I want her to go all out evil!), Lee Heung Kam for that lovely scene with Raymond Lam, Raymond Lam for obvious reasons and Har Yu for being the punching bag realistically.

One note; when it was Tavia's turn to bash Cho Ba, I was already expecting her to raise her voice loudly and scold him. And I was right. Tavia, be very careful at being predictable!!

Anyway, for everything that I screamed about, it was a pretty entertaining episode except for that most boring scenes.

Just wanna ask you all...

Team Raymond or Team Bosco? Based on their characters in this series UP UNTIL THIS EPISODE ITSELF??

Now favourite quote/scene, let me think...

Cho Ba, I remember when I first moved in you said 'Ka, it's late, go to sleep, your mother and I will sleep now'. Mother? Cho Ba, I hated you then because you called that woman my mother when my mother is Hor Ma!

- Ka to Cho Ba

Episode 18

2009-09-03T22:30:00.000+08:00

Is it only me that I find this episode exceedingly offensive? Anyway a recap first...

Missed the first 30 minutes of the episode because was forced to watch a rather entertaining but gory Criminal Minds. Switched to the channel and saw to my utter non-surprise Hing has reconciled with Kevin (that's his name! KEVIN! No more short guy but I shall have a new nickname for him later on) and Kevin was invited for dinner with Hor Ma and gang and everybody was there (Cho Ba included when next time I say everybody was there) and greeted him warmly. Hing was smiling happily and suddenly, DING-DONG...doorbell rings and guess who?

GUESS!! GUESS!! Guess who is so terrifying?

None other than Kevin's mom! She wasn't pleased, in fact she looked pissed, but politely pissed. By the way she has kidney problem and have to get dialysis everyday, and the significance of this is coming up in this recap.

"I am sorry but my son would have to leave not" declared Kevin's mom. Kevin looked rather not there at all and Cho Ba was surprised at that statement. Hor Ma not there. Hing knew what was coming and looked sad. Kevin's mom said "Come on Kevin, we have to go" and Kevin said like a total wimpy mother's boy "No mom, I want to stay" and Kevin's mom said whispering "Didn't you promise me you will not see Miss Kam again?" and Kevin looked stricken and Cho Ba curious asked "Why can't he?" and then she let it all out. "Miss Kam didn't you promise not to see my son again? Why did you break your promise?" and Cho Ba asked "But they love each other, they're young, let them decide" and Kevin's mom said "No, I can't! Miss Kam you have been disturbing my sons with all your emails!" and with that Auntie Sa, in her rare moment of usefulness retorted "Eh! I myself have taken dozens of calls from your son to Hing asking to speak with her! He is disturbing her too!" and Kevin's mom looked annoyed and said "Kevin, go now!" and Kevin refused but didn't say much and then Auntie Sa said "What is not good about Hing that you disapprove of them?!?" and Kevin's mom then said "What I disapprove? SHE IS MUTE! MUTE GIRL!" and Cho Ba was very offended and said "My daughter may be mute but she is a good girl!" and Auntie Sa said "Oh come on, you think your son is so great? At least Hing is the cherished daughter of a man who owns hundreds of shops, a rich man's daughter, who is your son?" which I agree and that woman just kept saying "I don't care! He is my son, and the fact is she is mute and so I disapprove! Kevin, come on, let's go" but Kevin refused yet again and poor Hing started to cry and I think Hou ran to her and said "Don't cry Hing don't cry" and to the woman "How can you speak of my sister like that? You hurt her feelings!" and Cho Ba went to Hing and comforted her "Hing Cho Ba is here. Don't worry" and to that woman "Hing is my only natural daughter! I love her very much and I will pay for the wedding of the century! I will give my daughter and your son the best wedding!" and Kevin's mom said "I don't care about money! I am not young anymore, and I have to go through dialysis everyday. My son has been taking care of me and when he marries I expect his wife to take care of me. She is mute. I can't start to learn sign language now. How will she understand my instruction on which button to push? How can I expect her to take care of me?" and Cho Ba exploded "You vile woman! Didn't you hear what you're saying? Me this, me that, me me me me me, it is all about you! What about them? What about your son and Hing? I will employ nurses to puch those buttons for you! How about that?!" and the woman said angrily but sadly "I don't care! Kevin, go!" and she pulled Kevin away and Kevin looked at Hing and Hing crying looked back and Auntie Sa argued some more.

Pause here.

Which is worse? Short guy or Wimpy guy? Because he was a total wimp in this scene. I will talk more. Very excited to go to what Hor Ma has to say so that for once I can blast her.

Hor Ma was in the shop and presumably someone called her and she said "WHAT? Stop them from fighting. I am coming back now"

At home Kevin was being dragged away and Hing crying and Cho Ba said "Ok you go! Go now! Please just leave!" and Hou came in front and emotionally said "come on! Leave now. Stop distressing my sister! Just leave the both of you!!" and Hor Ma came back in time and heard what Hou said and angrily said "HOU! What did I tell you about respecting your elders? *Kevin's mom* (I didn't catch her surname so I shall refer to her as *Kevin's mom*) is your elder. You're being so rude!" and Hou said "But Hor Ma! You have to hear what she called Hing. She kept calling Hing mute girl mute girl!!" and *Kevin's mom* looked quite ashamed at her own behaviour whilst Wimpy boy just looked wimpy. Hor Ma sternly said "Well, she is right about Hing. Hing is mute, and that is a fact! Even if they won't be together, we musn't treat our guest with such disrespect! And the fact is *Kevin's mom* is a good mother looking out for her son's interest" and Cho Ba said "Good mother? What sort of a good mother is she to.." and Hor Ma blasted back "Have you ever been a mother? No? Then shut up!" and Hor Ma gently said to *Kevin's mom* "I am so sorry for what happened. Please sit down and let us talk before you leave." *Kevin's mom* was ushered by Hor Ma to sit down and wimpy boy sat with her and everybody sat down and Hor Ma said "I am sorry for what happened. My family loves Hing very much and we have protected her all our lives. I know your feelings as a mother. You're sick and you must have felt that you have burdened your son for far too long, that he had to carry you, so if he marries Hing, someone with disability, he has to carry Hing as well. My daughter is mute, she has a disability and I was always worried about her, whether she can take care of herself. Which was why when they got back together, I have been taking Hing to job interviews so that she can show to you that she is independent and that your son need not carry her too, that she will not be his burden". With that *Kevin's mom* was crying very hard and *Kevin's mom* then gently said "You may leave now if you wish" and *Kevin's mom* crying said "Thank you very much for understanding" and Hor Ma said to Kevin "You're very lucky to have a good mother like her, take good care of her" and so they left with some lingering looks at Hing.

At this point my sister asked me "Oh how will it all end??" and I said "Well in 15 minutes we will know" and indeed in 15 minutes the crisis will be over!

But pause here.

I was offended by what Hor Ma said. I put it rather gently but the fact is she did call Hing mute, she admitted Hing has a disability, that Hing was a burden, that Hing has to work hard not to be a burden. I felt very very very offended. Hing is mute but not stupid. The way Hor Ma went about Hing was like some useless piece of crap. of course she was trying to disparage her daughter to appease *Kevin's mom* but *Kevin's mom* was also horrible. She repeated MUTE GIRL MUTE GIRL so many times, it kinda reminded me of playground bullies calling Hing MUTE GIRL! MUTE GIRL! MUTE GIRL! I felt Hou and Cho Ba and even Auntie Sa's outbursts were right and Cho Ba was even more right to scold that *Kevin's mom*. What surprises me was the utter uselessness of the wimpy boy. NOT ONE WORD. Not even "Mom, please stop calling Hing that" or "Mom I love her, why can't you understand" or "Mom, I can carry both of you, I don't mind" but nope. All he uttered was "Mom, no". WIMPY BOY!!! And Hing is in love with this piece of useless crap? He doesn't deserve her! Auntie Sa was right! Hing is a rich man's daughter! I was angry with Hor Ma by taking the soft approach. We all know that woman will be touched by what Hor Ma said but it is like a person saying your daughter is stupid and you go and say in front of everyone yeah lor she is stupid. I hate that approach and I was hoping Hor Ma will say get lost! My daughter deserves better!! But nope. Poor Hing, she is JUST MUTE, not even deaf.

The worse has yet to come.

Next scene Sum called Hou and Hou told her "Hing is alright. She is still sad eventhough she said she is ok. We are all taking turns to be with her to make sure she is fine" and Sum was glad Hing was well taken care of. I think them Sum got a lift from Bosco who passed by her and interestingly she calls him Gor Gor (as in brother) and he calls her Mui Mui (as in sister). What is this series' obssession with almost but not quite incestous relationships? Even if play pretend? Sum said "I would like to eat Sushi. You know somewhere good?" and I was thinking yeah sushi king? I mean HK no Sushi King? He said got and drove her to a parking lot and Sum was annoyed and asked "Where are you taking me?" and Bosco said "Well the best sushi is at the other side of the sea and to get there we take the ferry" and Sum said "But we don't have time. I also need to rest if I am late professor will scold me" but Bosco said "I promise I will take you home by midnight ok?" and so they went and guess what? They were at the other side and it was raining. Sum said "Well now I will be late" and then Bosco said "Well we are only a few weeks apart. Do you think we know ESP or something like that? Why don't we try?" and so for the next 5 minutes the most mundane scene ever, the play games guessing each other which I shall not repeat. Then someone announced "All ferry rides at 11pm are cancelled due to bad weather!!" and Sum panicked since she will be late for tomorrow but Bosco said "We will make it for the 10pm ferry" but Sum said "What? That's in 10 minutes!" and Bosco said "Well we run!!" and so they ran in the rain, Bosco giving her his jacket to shield herself and as they ran they... let's all speak the following words as we sigh deeply...HELD HANDS. Sighhhhhhhhhhhhhh...awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww....wowwowowowoowowowowowowowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwoooooowwww

Are you like touched by their blossoming love affair?

Or are you like me, all these while thinking "OI SUM!! WHO YOU LOVE AH? HOU OR THIS BOSCO? WHY YOU HOLDING HIS HANDS????"

and my sis reasoned that Hou was too quiet, didn't really say or do much. And I reasoned that the series is coming to an end so they must add a love affair and I tell you again, BOSCO IS A MISCAST!!!!

Back to the good stuff...

Hing was making cakes when she got a message from wimpy boy. So they're still contacting one another. Why Hing? Why lower your standards? Give Hing a better guy for god's sake. Just because she is mute doesn't mean she has to settle for that wimp!

Next scene Hing was at home, and everybody was there and she was ok and she told everybody "Everyone, I am ok, you don't have to accompany me anymore" and suddenly DING DONG!

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh who ar? No need to second guess, you're right because the episode is nearing the end of the 15 minutes mark.

*Kevin's mom* and wimpy boy were here and Auntie Sa cried "What are you two doing here? Haven't insulted poor Hing enough?" and Hor Ma the sellout greeted them warmly and asked *Kevin's mom* to sit down. *Kevin's mom* said "You know Hor Ma, I realise that learning sign language isn't that difficult. In 2 weeks, I actually learned sign language!" and she stood up and began to do sign language for the following, translated by Hor Ma which is silly since everyone there knows sign language so why translate?

"My son was packing his bags to leave for *somewhere, New Zealand I think* as he was transferred there. Then I discovered they were both still emailing one another. At first I was very angry but then I read all the emails..."

Pause here.

Don't anyone have any privacy left? How old is the son? The mother reading his emails? Disgusting!

Continue...

"... and not one in any of those emails did Miss Kam ever berated me for opposing this relationship. I felt very terrible because I realised I have no reason to oppose this relationship. Hor Ma was right about my worries, I was thinking for my son and his burdens and what Hor Ma said affected me deeply. I know Miss Kam will not be my son's burden, he will not have to carry her" and she cried and Hing so happy hugged Hor Ma, Cho Ba , wimpy guy as everyone said "Congratulations Hing!" and so crisis is over.

Next episode, Hung wants Cho Ba to go on a 2 year world tour and children doesn't want him to go and Hor Ma tightens her grip on Cho Ba as Hung plans revenge. This time I am on team Hung. What's wrong with the vacation? Haven't heard of GPS or 3G or video conferencing? They have been doing all that for so many episodes. And for god's sake, it's not like Cho Ba is going to his grave!

Anyway, that last scene, when we have *Kevin's mom* signing and Hor Ma translation, all my mind was saying "Oi auntie, Hing may be MUTE, but she is not DEAF! You can say your lines lar!" 2 weeks and she can do all that? Must have taken a super duper fast effective sign language course. How ridiculous. Why not have her speak her lines, and Hing then sign something like "Thank you auntie" and the lady understanding what she was doing? And notice how Hing never hugged *Kevin's mom* in the end? Ahhhhh Hing is pissed!!

So my feelings for this episode? Oh well... ermm....well... I have seen better. I hate the whole Hing is mute MUTE MUTTTTTTTEEEEE scene. What a wimpy love story. Not even remotely affected, AT ALL.

Performance wise, Fala Chen was a standout as she wept pitifully. I think in real life Hing would resent *Kevin's mom*, after all she reminded her of her handicap. Anyway this Hing will of course forgive *Kevin's mom*.

Lee Sze Kei was wonderful BUT I hated how her Hor Ma responded to an adult bullying her poor daughter. Thet scene was supposed to touch hearts, but I don't see a need why she should justify her daughter's handicap and how she will not burden her son. Like I said, she is mute, not deaf and mute.

Har Yu was good as well, with the right amount of outburst of a very loving father, at this stage. I am beginning to warm to Cho Ba but I still don't understand why Cho Ba is still with Hung?

Everybody else is ok except Bosco who doesn't strike me as someone dashing or ideal boyfriend or atrractive in that sense and Linda Chung simply because her character at this point is wasted in bad writing.

Other than that, no comment.

Favourite quote/scene? Let me think ...

None whatsoever. This is one of those episode I would like to pretend it doesn't exist.

Episode 17

2009-09-02T22:30:00.000+08:00

This is the episode where Yuen and Ka are both featured quite heavily. The recap first..

Dinner at Cho Ba's mansion and everybody said how unreasonable Hor Ma was and Hung was quite glad to hear that when grandma, being a changed woman said "Well, maybe we were hard on her. Let us not talk about that first, let her cool down first and then we ask her again" and Cho Ba said "Yeah, it was very stressful for Hor, all these years it was also very difficult on her, let us all just wait for a while and then ask her later, let's not push her" and Hung knew half her war was lost since grandma too has mellowed down when in the past grandma would be the first to cry FATTY!!

Next target? Yuen...

Yuen came home after a business trip. He is always not at home is he? Anyway he came home, was in his room when Hung came in teary eyed and guess what? She told him what happened, whilst he must have gathered some from the office colleagues. Hung said meekly "I hope I am not placing too much on you but I hope you would talk to Hor Ma. Maybe she will listen to you and let Ka and Hou (I think she may have said Chung too) to come work at Ka Hou Yuet Yuen. Why should the older generations' conflicts burden the younger generation?" and Yuen said "They have misunderstood you mother. I will ask Hor Ma". I think sometime here or later Yuen even said to Hung "I see you more as my mother than Hor Ma" but I can't remember when.

Next day he went to the shop and saw Hor Ma. Hor Ma was very happy to see him because let's face it, almost 20 episodes in and this is probably like the 3 time she has seen him and 1st time actually talked to him so that confirms that

1. poor Yuen is so neglected

2. he is not a ghost, I repeat he is not a ghost!

Pause here.

I know Hor Ma loves all her children equally but it would be nice to show her tried calling Yuen or say things like "Yuen ahhh, it is Hor Ma, your real mother. Yuen ahhh, why you don't come home for dinner like Ka and Chung ah?"

Never once.

Anyway he gave her some souvenir, asked about her health and Hor Ma cut the chase and gently said "You are not here to ask about my health are you Yuen? Is it about Ka and Chung?"

Yuen nodded and said reluctantly "Hor Ma, mother (as in Hung) is sincere. She really wants what is best for us all. What is so wrong letting us all, all 6 of us working under one roof? Hor Ma, I heard what happened in the office. No no Mother didn't tell me but I heard it from my colleagues. Hor Ma you can't be that unreasonable, blaming mother for everything. I know she did wrong in the past but she has been very good to me, like a real mother. Hor Ma, please consider her proposal.." and Hor Ma heartbroken that Yuen was telling her off essentially said sadly "Yes I will think about it. Maybe you should go back to your office now" and so Yuen left and Hor MA went back to making the dough with tears in her eyes.

As Yuen turned around there was Hou, angry and eyes glaring at Yuen. He dragged Yuen outside where Hing, Yuet and Chung were all there. Hou angrily said "Yuen, how can you be so rude with Hor Ma? How can you say things like that to her?" and Yuen defended himself and said "I have been very gentle with her. I said nothing but the truth!" and Hou said "Truth? What did that woman said to you?" and Yuen retorted "Mother didn't say anything. She just wants what best for us". Hou said "That woman is not as simple as you think she is!" and Yuen retorted "Yuet you have no job! Chung, look at you! It is 3pm and what are you doing? Playing basketball! Hor Ma has been very unreasonable! You know what she said to mother in front of everyone, humiliating her? Hor Ma unreasonably dragged out issues like the wedding bouquet and demanded mother to transfer the shares immediately and change the name Ka Hou Yuet Yuen to Hor Ma's Biscuits! She was being unreasonable!!" Hou exploded "Have you forgotten who is your mother?! Hor Ma is YOUR MOTHER!! Not that woman!!" and Yuen said "What is the difference? Mother was always there for me. Yes I was 8 when I lived there and like you all I didn't like her but guess what? She took very good care of me, she even miscarriaged because of me! WHat did Hor Ma did for me? When I tried to run back to her, what did she do? She sent me back to Cho Ba! She didn't care about me and I won't deny it that I feel mother was more of my mother than HOr Ma has ever been!! And look at all of you! What is so wrong we all work together?"

Hou then understood and said "You have mistaken about Hor Ma! She loves you very much!" and Yuen bitterly said "No she doesn't!" and then Hou tried to drag Hou to the shop and said "Come! Come with me, we all sit down and trash it all out!" and Ka appeared and Hou said to Ka "Ka! Yuen thought Hor Ma never cared about him! We must let Hor MA explain and defend herself. Come on, say something!" and Hing said "He thinks Hor Ma doesn't love him!"

Ka looked stunned for a moment and then strangely and quite detached said "Hou, Yuen is a big boy now. He is no longer a child. He can think for himself, he can decide for himself. What can we do? We have said what we wanted to say and what needed to be said. Let him decide for himself" and so that was that. Even Yuen was stunned by Ka's response. Or maybe Chris LAi has this stunned look naturally.

Pause here.

This is a good scene. Finally some conflict and I understand why Yuen is so bitter. It must have been difficult for him. He must have rebelled and mistook Hor Ma's insistence that he go back to Cho Ba as betrayal, as if to mean she didn't want him. I am sure Cho Ba and Hung were threatening legal action everytime Yuen ran back to her, after all they had more people, not necessarily money and they had custody. But I thought Yuen was thoughtless to chastise Hor Ma, even if he was very gentle about it. But he was right about Chung being useless and lazy. His thinking was all 6 of them work together isn't that bad and frankly I think so too. But Hung never had any intention to give them anything, she wanted to cause quarrell only.

Ka was with Yuet in a restaurant waiting for a client but Astrid came instead and gloated "Are you waiting for Mr ---? Oh don't bother. He has decided to pass the project to me since we are more reputable company" and Ka said "I wonder how you could cope considering all your workers are gone?" and Astrid said "Don't worry for me. Worry about yourself, with what you promise them, such high salaries and yet no work? I doubt you can last long" and Yuet said "Worry about yourself first!" and then suddenly Ka's voice was heard saying "Cha tau! Cha tau! Cha tau!" and it was Ka's voice as her ringing tone and Ka was very angry and just left with Yuet and Astrid smiling happily.

Pause here. I made a mistake as in the company's name is Cha Kan meaning Work Hard or Work Diligently but Ka did jokingly laughed when Astrid said that might as well been Cha Tau meaning unemployed. That's what that word meant.

Anyway continue...

Hung was in a restaurant waiting for someone and it was Ka. She smilingly said to Ka "Ka, I know we have many misunderstandings but I am glad you're willing to put it all behind. I want only what's best for you and I really like your proposals. In fact the last function you did for the company, that bridal fair, it was a great idea and so I have decided to pass all of Ka Hou Yuet Yuen's PR work to you" and Ka happily said "Well I have a new proposal.." and Hung said "Wait. Since Yuen is the head of PR in the company, I feel it is more appropriate you let him hear your proposal and let him decide" but I have a request. I have always hope you will call me mother" and Ka looked like "SHIT!" but Hung laughed and said "No no, I was just kidding!" and so Ka, smile faded reluctantly knowing that he will have to kow tow to this vile woman.

At home Auntie Sa was being very bitter with their decision not to join Ka Hou Yuet Yuen. She kept saying "Poor Ka Mei! She won't have her gym! How can I explain to her?!". Chung went to Hor Ma and said "Hor Ma, can you please tell that someone not to use my computer anymore?" and even Yuet said "Well not only you Chung, mine too!" and Auntie Sa quickly said "What? Can't I borrow your computers to do some research for your Hor MA, beauty products and all?" and Yuet retorted "What? All the way to Portugal? Because your searches were on Portugal!" and Auntie Sa said "What you understand you Lor Lui (adopted daughter)? My Ka Mei needs those information too". Ka said "Auntie Sa you kept saying about Ka Mei, how does she look like now?" and AUntie Sa bragged "My daughter has blossomed into a real beauty! I have her pictures!" and so she showed them all Ka Mei's Facebook and in all the pictures she was looking like a tomboy (I believe those pictures were from was it The Academy?) and everybody laughed and said "Wow, she IS pretty!" and then they left and Auntie Sa wasn't very happy with their reaction. Hor Ma smiled and told them "Actually Ka Mei is very pretty now".

During dinner, Ka said "I have an announcement everyone. My company will be handling all of Ka Hou Yuet Yuen's PR business from now on" and Yuet was first to object and said "I thought you decided not to work for her? No wonder you were so quiet with Yuen today!" and Ka said "What can I do? I have promised my employees high salary in return for them to work for me and one of them has a pregnant wife." and Yuet said "BUt we can find other projects, we can sustain ourselves" and Ka said "Like how? This month yes but next month? How long can we sustain? Ka Hou Yuet Yuen's business is huge" and Yuet said "But how would she have agreed to give your small company millions of dollars of projects? Have you thought about that?" and Hou said "Ka, that woman is up to no good! Why was it not me who went there instead of you?! Look at you now!" but Ka was determined and Hou and Yuet both stood up, arguing with Ka when grandpa shouted "ENOUGH! Why are we always arguing these days??" and Hor Ma said "Everybody quiet. Ka, I have said I do not approve but it is your decision to make. I will not question your decision as you're big now. Just be careful and be very wary of that woman. Now let us all just eat" and everybody sat down and Ka looked rather sad knowing perhaps Hor Ma was right but then he was under great stress whilst everybody else glared at him except Chung who just looks miserable.

Then we have the cringe moment that is who else but Sum and of course Bosco and we find out they were neighbours when they were young! How small the world is! And they suddenly talk to each other literally like babies for reasons I am not sure why. Perhaps the writers thought it was cute, I thought it was a complete waste of time. And amazingly Bosco was like only a few hours older than Sum, or was it few years?

AND...

Bosco is a total miscast. In order for Sum to fall deeply for him enough to sacrifice her morals (I read Bosco was married or something), that character has to be older, respected and therefore a hunky experienced very skilled doctor. So it should have been someone older, much older, someone more mature to contrast with Raymond's Hou. With them babytalking, I wonder why Sum chose him over Hou. I mean Raymond Lam vs Bosco, who would you choose? We all know Sum likes Hou, as they're close in age and so to have her be in love with someone, that person must NOT be like Hou, so he must be respected and such. And so SUm may have mistaken respect for love. What a wrong wrong wrong casting choice!!

Anyway just a few minutes scene only and I was glad to be rid of it.

It was Hing's birthday and Hung said to Cho Ba "Is there a birthday? You asked for a cake to be made?" and Cho Ba told Hung "It's Hing's birthday and I will be at Hor Ma's place to celebrate Hing's birthday. Don't wait up for me!" and Cho Ba walked away for a moment and Hung took Cho Ba's glasses and step on it hard, looking very jealous and then CHo Ba took the glass case and Hung said smilingly "Well have a great time" and CHo Ba left. She then asked the nosy male relative drive Cho Ba eventhough Cho Ba said he can take taxi but Cho Ba's eyes is still blurry.

Halfway the car broke down (well supposedly) and Cho Ba took out his glasses which was shattered. Cho Ba coud hardly see and said to the nosy relative "I can take a taxi" but the relative lied to Cho Ba all taxis were full when Cho Ba can't see and the taxis were empty. Cho Ba then called Hou and told Hou to pick him up but the relative gave Cho Ba the wrong location deliberately and so Cho Ba waited for a long time and his phone ran out of battery but Hou wasn't there and relative said "Come on, Cho let's just go home" but Cho Ba said "No no, I will take a bus" and so the relative left him but hid behind, called HUng who ordered "You will follow him! When he is tired enough he will come home on his own!" and he followed CHo Ba who tried to cross the street but can't see much and as red lights turned green, he was in the middle and he fell hard as cars honked but he walked on and fell again hard after bumping into some barricade and his head and hands and knees were bleeding, the cake kinda trampled on. But he walked on as relative called Hung and Hung was very angry. Cho asked for help and took a bus to Hor Ma's place but again he fell down hard because someone knocked him down and relative called Hung and said "I think he is giving up. He is at the phone booth!" and Hung smiled. Cho Ba called home as in Hor Ma's place and asked "Hor, do you have Hou's phone number?" and Hor Ma said "Cho tried looking for you but can't see you. Cho, Hing would know your sincerity. It is ok if you can't make it. Go home, it is late now" and CHo Ba put down the phone and called Hung at last. He didn't speak and Hung was waiting for him to speak knowing it was Cho Ba but CHo Ba suddenly slammed down the phone and said "I will make it to Hor Ma's place! Nothing can stop me!!" and so he marched on. Hung was so angry she threw the phone against the wall and relative tried calling her but couldn't get her but followed on.

Cho Ba walked on, limping with a half smashed cake box and then Hing saw Cho Ba and also that nosy relative who quickly hid behind a wall and Hing asked "Cho Ba! You're here... Cho Ba, what happened to your hand? Your knees? They're bleeding!" but Cho Ba smiled and said "Hing, I am finally here at last." and Hing didn't quite understand and Cho Ba now with tears in his eyes said "I bought you your favourite Black Forest cake. But I am afraid it is now smashed. Cho Ba is like that, so useless, always breaking things that are well and good. Hing, the road home is such a difficult road, I realise that now but I am finally home, I made it" and Hing knew what Cho Ba meant and was very touched and I think she hugged him. Can't remember.

Pause here. What Cho Ba did, by defying Hung and striking out on his own is very significant. He said he is finally home and his heart is now with Hor Ma's place. Hung knew it too. But Cho Ba didn't know HUng ordered the obstacles, he just wanted to make it.

At Hor Ma's place, they all celebrated Hing's birthday with a smashed cake that Auntie Sa said "It is a smashed cake!!" but everybody said "It is ok! It is Cho Ba's present! It is good enough to eat!" and So Hing made a wish that "I do not have any birthday wish this year. But I just hope Hor Ma will forgive Cho Ba, Yuet will forgive cho Ba, Hou will forgive Cho Ba, Ka will forgive Cho Ba, Chung will forgive Cho Ba: and she blew the candle. Of course no one heard her wish since she said it in her heart.

I suppose Hung forgave Cho Ba because next scene it was Ka, Yuet, Hou, Chung, Yuen and Hing all at Cho Ba's place eating with grandma as it was mooncake festival again and I am not sure what was said, but Hou wanted to leave abruptly but was persuaded to stay. Then I think Ka and Yuen came back and Yuen said "Ka your ideas are all very good. I think the promo will be successful" and Ka was exceptionally quiet.

Then they all sat down, with Ka's workers there also and even Hung complimented Ka on his ideas and then Hung said "But Ka, I would like you to emphasise on the family theme more" and nosy relative said "What better way to emphasise than to use our own lady boss as an example? Especially her relationship with Yuen, like mother and son!" and Hung smiled and the Hor Ma gang looked like they're ready to vomit whilst Ka was even more exceptionally quiet. Hung modestly said "Oh no no, please no no, I can't be a model!" and Yuen stood up and said "I think it is true, mother has been very good to me and she never blamed me for what happened, her miscarriage and loved me and stood by me. I think the idea is great" and even grandma said "Well Hung has been exceptional with Yuen, I think the idea is great too" and even Cho Ba thought so and all along Yuet, Chung, Hou and Hing all looked sick to the stomach. But Ka was very very quiet as the relative kept singing Hung praises until Hung laughed and said "Ok, ok if you all insist, fine use my story with Yuen if you want to" and Yuen held her hand and smiled at her. Then Ka stood up and said "Yes, the family theme should be emphasises. But I am afraid after what I have to say, that won't be so" and everybody was surprised and mumbled why and Ka said "I am afraid after what I have to say, Auntie Hung will throw me out and never welcome me back" and Hung said "Why would I do that? What is it Ka? Say it" and even Cho Ba said "Say it" and so Ka, after years of being silent and silly and a joker as a way to protect himself revealed "I have made a promise to someone to take care of my 2 brothers when I moved in here... When Auntie Hung had the miscarriage, I was 17. I was very scared, I was also crying" and everybody, including myself wonder why was he crying but I think it was because he was 17, young and didn't know what to do, so more out of fear than sadness for Hung and he continued "and I was also at the hospital, outside Auntie Hung's room when I heard she said to *nosy male relative's name* that 'How can you have an affair with that woman in the office? What is I tell your wife?! You don't want me to tell her? Fine, you tell a lie for me. Say that I miscarriaged because of Yuen'" and everybody was shocked and Hung denied it..

pause here

It is an established fact that she had a miscarriage on her way to meet Yuen's teachers for his disciplinary problems so I wonder why she asked relative to lie? Plot hole in my opinion

Continue...

Ka stood in front of a stunned Yuen and use his finger and angrily poked Yuen's forehead and angrily said "You stupid Yuen! You have been a stupid scapegoat all these years! and you said Hor Ma didn't care about you, that this woman did! But you didn't know every weekend Hor Ma would see me and ask me how you were and gave me written instructions on how to take care of you! If you don't believe me, I still keep the notes upstairs and I can show you! Hor Ma loves you very much, constantly worries about you and you fool, you consider that woman your mother! You're so STUPID! You're a fool! You're nothing but a foolish boy!!" and Ka knelt in front of Hou and said "Hou, you're right" and Cho Ba asked "Ka, if it was true, why haven't you told me back then?" and Ka angrily said "Cho Ba would you have listened? You were under her spell!!" and Ka said to Hung "You're nothing but a manipulative vile liar!!" and Hung angrily denied and said "I swear it isn't true!!" and Yuet came and said "What about that function where you deliberately sabotaged?!" and grandma asked "Function? That bridal fair that Hor came to help?" and Yuet said "Yes!" and Hing came to Cho Ba and said "Cho Ba, that night when you came for my birthday, I saw *nosy male relative* following you and he didn't help you!" and Cho Ba turned to *nosy male relative* who was scolding Hing for saying something he didn't understand and Cho Ba angrily said "*nosy male relative*, you! You were there and you didn't bother to assist me? I have been taking care of you all these years and you didn't help me?!" and Cho Ba slapped *nosy male relative* hard on the cheek and grandma looked at Hung and said "Did you do all that?" and Hung angrily said "Say what you all want, I didn't do what you all said. I will not be bothered by these accusations!" and so she ran to the stairs when CHo Ba grabbed Ka and emotionally said "Ka, don't worry about your company. I have millions in my account and if I have to use them all to help your company stay afloat, I will! And if anyone dares to stop me from seeing my children, I will fight with then till the end!!" and Hung angrily ran back upstairs.

Pause here.

Here Ka really took charge. He looked like he was about to gag at the hypocrisy of what he was seeing when Hung was being complimented as the best mother in the world that he could no longer stand it. This is my favourite scene of this episode and the way he poked Yuen's head so hard was typical of an angry older brother scolding the stupid younger brother. You may wonder why he kept this secret all these years? Why didn't he tell Yuen or Cho Ba or grandma? Well he was only 17 then, who would believe him? Moreover he couldn't tell because he had to stay to protect the 2 brothers as promised to Hor Ma. So he had to "Yan hei tan seng" as chinese loves to say (translated loosely as have to gulp down all the injustice and be very patient). I kinda pity Ka sometimes, he had such a big burden.

Anyway Hor Ma was closing up her shop or whatever when she had flashbacks of all her children boarding the bus to school, and Ka running back to her and then later must be after divorce when Ka alone came to her and Hor Ma was rather sad and then she saw all the children in the bus and she smiled again.

Pause here.

Very strange scene. It was as if all 6 children had left her!

Anyway then she saw a van pulling up in front of her and it was Ka, Hou, Yuet, Chung, Hing all running to her and suddenly Yuen appeared, running to her, holding her hands and said "Hor Ma, I am very sorry" and Hor Ma hugged him as she tearfully cried, happy that all her children had returned to her at last.

Next episode, all about Hing and her boyfriend and a very objectionable mother who said angrily "She is mute!" and I would have retorted "You lady is blind!" because I mean HIng is such a nice girl you know!

Anyway I wonder after all children reunited with Hor Ma, what is there more to say? When is Cho Ba moving back in? Why is there a wedding with Cho Ba and Hung? How is Cho Ba ever gonna look at that woman the same way after all the revelations tonight??

Episode wise this is pretty explosive and everytime Ka has something to say, he says explosive stuff like Nin Chi Yung. I however agree that all 6 children should work at Ka hou Yuet Yuen, force that woman to retire and takeover the company. It is a good idea. Hor Ma must be more progressive in her thinking! However the whole Hor Ma-Yuen-Hung scene a bit too late. I feel very little for Yuen and I feel not much is shown between Hor Ma and Yuen. Perhaps the series should have shown more on how they were like when separated, to show to use how life was changed and all instead of skipping forward so soon or showing the Korean romance love story. I wouldn't mind a 50 episodes series if the story is properly paced but as it is, it is just too fast, too much of flashback and yet some no flashback at all. I feel the writing is pretty bad.

The most vile person is not Hung. It is Auntie Sa. I hate hate hate her!

Peformance wise, everybody was good except for 2; that guy who plays Chung who is like an automaton but sulky one and Chris Lai. All he had was confusion. I hope there will be a scene with Hung where he shows revulsion and ask that woman "Are you even capable of love?" which we know she does since she loves Sum and then ask "Have you ever loved me?" and now this...

Why can't she actually love one of the children? I mean wouldn't it be more interesting to have one of them really loved by her and so his loyalty is fixed on her and not based on some lie? I hate it that every problem is fixed in 1 hour. I would be better to have one to have such loyalty for her because she did somehow genuinely bonded with that child. It is possible.

Raymond Lam, Lee Sze Kei and everybody else were in top form with special mention to Har Yu who gave a heart wrenching performance of a man trying to redeem himself and find his way "home". I stil; blame Cho Ba and Ka was right to say "Would you have listened!" to Cho Ba.

The best belongs to Moses Chan who really shine tonight. I love his stony face when meeting Hung, knowing it was like begging your enemy. Then all those hypocrisy, his face showing revulsion which was very obvious. Then he scolded Yuen which was the highlight and then screaming at Hung which was the ultimate highlight. He really hates her you see! Fantastic performance by Moses Chan.

I wonder who is playing Bosco's other half? I thought I saw Shirley Yeung! Could she be the one since there aren't any other female role left?

Anyway favourite scene/quote to end my recap...

You stupid Yuen! You have been a stupid scapegoat all these years! and you said Hor Ma didn't care about you, that this woman did! But you didn't know every weekend Hor Ma would see me and ask me how you were and gave me written instructions on how to take care of you! If you don't believe me, I still keep the notes upstairs and I can show you! Hor Ma loves you very much, constantly worries about you and you fool, you consider that woman your mother! You're so STUPID! You're a fool! You're nothing but a foolish boy!!
- Ka to Yuen

Episode 16

2009-09-01T22:30:00.000+08:00

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.

Episode 15 *

2009-08-31T22:30:00.002+08:00

Sorry dear readers. Missed tonight's episode as I was watching He Who Can't Marry. I saw only 5 minutes of the end where Auntie Sa again is up to good and I thought it wouldn't be proper to do a recap on 5 minutes of viewing eventhough 5 minutes is enough to know what the hell happened. For a quick summary of this episode so you can catch up with Episode 16 (which again means I will miss 45 minutes due to He Who Can't Marry which is at its pinnacle so I can't miss it) and Episode 17 when I do write a full one when Episode 17 comes. Sorry again.

>> TVB Review

Episode 14

2009-08-28T22:30:00.000+08:00

Another weird episode or rather badly written episode that feels so out of character that I cringe watching it. Meaning, NOT a good episode at all. Episodes like this kind of kills the magic of this series, frustratingly.

Anyway, the story this time is on Hing and Cho Ba.

Cho Ba seems increasingly drawn to Hor Ma's side and often he flashbacks to the past and he began to miss Hor Ma and the children. And the children, all 6 of them, even Sum sometimes spend their time at Hor Ma full time now. So Cho Ba visited often and often Hung didn't know but when she knew she felt deep jealousy.

Anyway I missed the 1st 15 minutes which must be the scenes where Hung asked Cho Ba to give all PR work of the company to Yuen instead of Ka. Cho Ba must have felt pressured but of course must have agreed. Yuen looked rather scared of Hung apart from all the guilt factor. And Hung didn't like Cho Ba spending so much time with Hor Ma and with the backing of grandma, Cho Ba again was cornered to promise never to visit Hor Ma ever again. Of couse an empty promise, spurred on by the children. But Cho Ba decided to heed grandma's advice and often spent his time at home, whilst the children, grandpa, Hor Ma and even Auntie Sa would go picnic and then call Cho Ba and had some 3G video conferencing with all of them asking Cho Ba to join them but Cho Ba being a coward reluctantly refused. Hung of course never knew he called them and all. Then there was another gathering, and this time Cho Ba was asked to join again and again Cho Ba refused. One day Cho Ba was window shopping and saw a funny mask with moustach and he remembered when the children were younger, Hor Ma was using the same mask with silly wig singing to Hing as Hing was upset and she wanted to cheer Hing up. She failed and Cho Ba came into the picture, wore the same mask and did a funny routine to a song that made Hing smiled again. Cho Ba so missed that time that he bought the mask, went home, wore the mask and lip synch to a song in his room like he did to Hing. Grandma saw what he did and laughed but in actual fact Cho Ba did it because he was remembering the past where he was much happier. Cho Ba of course spent time with Hung and they were an old copy walking by the road, looking rather romantic but in actual fact Cho BA was thinking about the other family and of course Hung didn't quite realised it.

Pause here.

I know that Cho Ba was much happier in the past as the series kept reminding us with their over the top happy family time. But if it was such a solid happy family, one woman surely can't destroy it overnight? Let's not forget they were having an affair for 1 year prior to Hor Ma finding out and though I don't know the timeline of the children back then, seeing some big ones I suppose it was right smack in the middle of the affair. That would make hin a hypocrite. I am still not convinced by Cho Ba and his desire to reunite with the family or Hor Ma, which he had yet to express yet, maybe next week. I just feel if a happy is THAT happy it can't be demolished overnight. So therefore there was an underlying problem. Whilst I feel what Hung did was clearly vile and despicable, but the way the series is going, it is done in such a way that Cho Ba seems faultless or rather forgivable. I disagree. Hung can't be the only one to shoulder the blame of the breakdown of the family and I feel Cho Ba was more despicable in the sense he let the family broke apart and rot for 12 years and suddenly at this episode he is so involved with the children, and suddenly so interested in their affairs. It seems too easy and again for the 3rd time perhaps I feel a sense of unfairness for Hung who will be shouldering the blame solely. It is clear to me Cho BA just loves to sneak around. When he was Hor Ma, he sneaked around with Hung. Now with HUng, he sneaked around with Hor Ma. Some people are just perpetual serial bigamist or jerks and it just so happened Cho Ba is like stuck in a 3 wheel affair between the same 2 women for decades. I still don't like him at all. And to me it shows inadequate writing for such a sudden and dramatic change to pave the way for the final and of course inevitable reunion of the entire family. How ridiculous. Hor MA can't forgive him, she must not forgive him.

Anyway Hing was having a problem. Suddenly one day she told Hou she was quitting her job at the ad agency because she was being changed to a different department and she can't cope. Hou being a concerned brother asked Sum who recommended Hing for the job. Sum was dead tired from her job. In case we all forgot, she is a doctor. And may I just add...

Sum in doctor's costume - 1 time until todate
Sum performing doctor's duties actually shown - Zero until todate
Sum actually in a hospital - including cafeteria, twice until todate
Sum having friends other than Hor Ma's side - Zero until todate
Everybody else having a social life other then siblings, family gatherings - Zero until todate

So this is why everybody ends up marrying within the family. They have NO SOCIAL LIFE AT ALL. Any social life until todate is in the form of miss and they're gone boyfriends and girlfriends, max 2 episodes that is Yuet and Hou.

So what a surprise when Sum said she spoke with the boss of the ad agency and said curiously they all liked Hing very much and that she wasn't transferred at all. So Hou was curious.

Halfway in Sum's car, Hou and Sum saw an upset looking Hing. A good thing about sign language is from afar if you know what they're signing you can just look and understand. And Hou saw Hing signing furiously at her immediate supervisor, that bespectacled short man whom I have predicted many episodes earlier Hing will marry. Of course the man was holding an envelope and said "Hing, please take back the envelope. You don't have to leave the company" and Hing insisted "I must. I can't go on like this anymore. It is best I leave" and of course Hou saw how the guy kept pestering Hing and he came to her rescue accusing the guy sexually harassing her but Hing quickly ran into the minibus and left.

So Hou and Sum went looking for HIng until nightfall and Hing messaged she wanted to be alone for a while. Panicking, they looked until they saw Hing by the same telephone booth Yuet stood when she was running away. I shall call the telephone booth the runaway point. So Hing was squatting at the runaway point and Hou told Sum to drive home to sleep but Sum gamely said "I can sleep anywhere remember? I will sleep here" and so Sum slept whilst Hou sat in tha car looking at Hing, not disturbing her at the runaway point. Sometime later HIng messaged Hou "Hou, it is so quiet and late here. Not even a taxi or a bus. Can you come and fetch me?" and Hou smiled and Sum woke up of course and they both drove in front of Hing and said "Hing!" and Hing looked over and smiled.

Next scene everybody in same clothing, early morning but Sum was in a different dress. BAD EDITING. Anyway Hing confessed "He truly is a good guy. I can't think of a single bad thing to say about him. He treated me well and after a while he was often working late into the night, even when he didn't have any project to do. I told myself don't be ridiculous, he doesn't have feelings for you but somehow I felt maybe he did. After some time he stopped driving and even started taking bus rides with me. He looked like he wanted to talk to me but he didn't and even in the bus he was sitting one side and I on the other. It must sometime later I found out he was worried about me and so accompanied me. One day he was at the cafeteria engrossed in a book and In walked to him to say Hi and I saw that he was reading a book on sign language. It was then he confessed he liked me very much. I didn't know what to do at first but I really liked him and so we started dating. It was for 3 months. I didn't tell anyone, neither did he. One day we were walking hand in hand and suddenly he let go of my hand. He saw his mother and he introduced me as his colleague. That hurt a lot. As I walked away I heard his mother said what a pity she is mute, how is she going to live on the rest of her life? It was then I decided we can't continue with this relationship. It is doomed from the beginning. That was why I quit the job. needed to get away, to get away from him. It was difficult, it still is because I really love him but I can't let this go on any further as the relationship is without a good end".

What Hou and Sum could say? Nothing really.

Hing saw the man again and again he asked her to reconsider her decision but Hing steadfastly said "We are over" and walked away but actually she was hurting inside. I think Cho Ba saw what happened. What he did next I can't remember. I think he didn't do anything.

Sitting alone by the pier, she looked glum and sad. Suddenly Cho Ba appeared with that wig and face mask with a song player (can't remember if it was a radio) and he mimed to the song like he did when she was little and slowly she smiled with tears in her eyes. Then everybody was there and I mean everybody (except the non existing son called Yuen) and even Auntie Sa was there, each signing to the song and miming to the song and Hing laughed as she cried and ran to hug Cho Ba and gang.

Solved? Not yet because the guy will propose. We all know that but not today.

Meanwhile Cho Ba decided to join the gang for a dinner which Ka organised. He was happily buying fish and ingrediants when his handphone ran out of battery. At home they were all busy cooking. Hung just came back from a business trip (that was why Cho Ba agreed lar!) and the nosy relative became a spy and said in the call to Hung "He has been calling you twice for the entire trip but he called them 45 times! Each time very long talk time and he has been communicating with them!" and Hung said "Enough". In the car with grandma Hung suddenly said "Why not we visit the children at Hor's place?" and grandma said "I would love to but that woman will be there, are you sure you are ok with that?" and Hung smiled and said "Why shouldn't I be? I can't avoid her forever. Moreover we are visiting the children" and so they went.

Door bell, Hing opened the door thinking it was Cho Ba when it was grandma and Hung and nosy female relative. All was shocked but greated Grandma warmly and the rest greeted Hung reluctantly. Hor Ma was surprised to see them but greeted them warmly. Grandma chatted with them and Ka at the back whispered to Hou "You must go downstairs and wait for Cho Ba. Warn him not to come up" and both told grandma they were going down to buy drinks when Grandma suddenly had headache and all were worried. Grandma blamed it on something minor but she looked quite pale and so the children said "Come on grandma we take you home to rest" and so grandma stood up to leave whilst Hung looked disappointed that they didn't catch Cho Ba yet.

Going out, Cho Ba heard their voices and so ran into the elevator to go to ground floor. As he reached ground floor so did they and so he quickly ran out and suddenly Hung and gang heard a screeching car and a sudden stop. They all looked and saw Cho Ba standing up from in front of the taxi and the taxi driver was scolding Cho Ba "Why you suddenly run out? Can't you see the cars here?!" and Hou, grandma and Hung ran to Cho Ba, concerned if he was ok when Cho Ba said "No no I am fine. Get my glasses please" and Hou gave him his glasses which he wore when suddenly Cho Ba panicked and said "Why is everything twisted? Why are they upside down? What is going on?!?!?" and so... next episode ...

Next episode which will be next Monday since it is the weekends now Cho Ba probably has a concussion and was temporarily blinded. He called for Hor Ma making Hung very angry and later on he hugged Hung asking Hung to be a bit more generous but Hung looked murderous.

I would too if I was her. I kinda pity Hung sometimes.

Anyway like I said what a weird episode as I have explained about Cho Ba. Cringe worthy especially the whole singing scene to Hing. I know supposed to be heart warming but just so Heart Of Greed. And the actors looked uncomfortable doing that scene, at least Moses looked unconvinced and uncomfortable. But the worst, the absolute worst, no not the bad continuity or editing or Yuen still not having a solid story until now or the actor as Chung being probably the worst of the lot without the camera ever fixing it's lenses on him so until now I still haven't got a good look of him or even Hor Ma now officially considered the third party (eh,Hung and Cho Ba is legally married so that makes Hor Ma the adulteress in the end?!??!) BUT it was the idea or rather the accepted fact THAT everybody now suddenly understands sign language! Auntie Sa who didn't know now could just look at Hing and know. Even Cho Ba who didn't know a lot in the beginning suddenly can do sign language and read so well. Even Chung, never exposed to this sister for bloody 12 years who can't understand or even speak English suddenly could read and understand sign language. Even Ka who was away for 12 years could know so much. Even GRANDMA could understand. Or rather they pretended to understand? All of a sudden a miracal happened; no language barrier and what stigma? There is no stigma. And I hate the so called forced stigma when the guy's mother said how Hing will live for the rest of her life. Eh auntie, she has already lived like 20 odd years just fine without your smart aleck comment!! And guess what? Again suddenly a relationship developed out of camera, shoved down our throats to expect Hing suddenly had this dilemma, that she would go dating 3 months not even telling Yuet her best friend and that she was now facing a love dilemma. I can't buy all that and the sooner they marry the sooner this story arc is done. It just seems all these love relationships are so under or badly developed that I find Nin Chi Yung's scenes with Hor Ma better developed and more touching! How many more sudden relationships we are gonna see? Because they're waste of time. Go back to Hung-Cho Ba-Hor Ma story arc. Very clumsy writing and storytelling.

Performance wise, Lee Sze Kei has little role in this episode and so no comment.

Michelle Yim was fantastic as the very angry Hung who had to swallow her anger most of the time.

Chris Lai is still having the same expression and his character is still so not connected to anybody in the series. Calling him an apparition may not be so nice but maybe calling him the invisible one is appropriate. His character is like just there and when needed thawed out to deliver a few lines and then back into the refrigirator to be thawed out again later. What a bad role and unnecessary character. Yes yes to create tension also to have one on Hung's side but seems rather forced don't you think?

Everybody else is ok except for that Chung actor and that Hing's boyfriend. Such non acting, so not convincing. And so no chemistry between Fala Chan and that short guy. Who is he anyway??

although I can't understand why Auntie Sa, who hated Cho Ba now suddenly is the main instigator in getting him and Hor Ma to reconcile. Hatred for Hung perhaps?

The spotlight is on Fala Chan and although her story is like sudden and badly written and underdeveloped, her performance was of course top notch, that the writing didn't deserve such a good performance. She looked like she was in dilemma, she looked like she was confused, she looked torn, etc so she was convincing. By the way did she learn sign language from scratch or did she know?

Anyway I know the story of a mute girl and a high flying ad agency manager or whatever is supposed to be touching. Especially how he actually learned sign language was of course a rather romantic gesture. But all said in 10 minutes flashback seems forced and unconvincing. It also reminded me of a better series to watch; there was this Japanese series, very short called Your Hand Is Whispering. Same story of colleagues, handsome guy, mute pretty girl with very low confidence, how the guy actually learned sign language, how they married, how the husband tried to build her confidence whilst she had constant fear her daughter would be deaf and mute, how she dealt with the daughter. All very well acted, well written and very moving. Even the title is fantastic. If Hing and ad guy gonna have the similar story path? I suppose these are the scenes we have to get through to get to the good bits. Get Your Hand Is Whispering. A better series on this subject.

Kidd is right; every dilemma is solved in max 2 episodes. Kinda like short term soap opera. I do enjoy this series and I do enjoy writing these episodic thoughts than I have ever been since the last full one I did but I am beginning to feel perhaps the best has already passed and now I a left with crumbs that aren't worth my attention and effort. Has the series or the story by this episode beginning to suffer from burn out?

Favourite scene tonight? Frankly none. So I won't quote any.

Episode 13

2009-08-27T22:30:00.000+08:00

Is it possible to feel sorry for Hung? I almost did... recap first...

It was grandma's birthday and Hor Ma made a big cake and told the kids to bring it to her. All were there to celebrate with Grandma, they swan, they joked, they had fun and Grandma even forbade them to go home and must stay for the night which they did. Hung of course played along. After swimming Hou passed by Sum's room and saw she had many trophies. For someone who had doesn't know much English, Raymond Lam was pretty bad at disgusing his command of English. Of course I heard him speak before, it was kinda HK-ish but here he actually spoke very good english so bad job Raymond! Anyway she won many trophies and may I say UNIVERSITY OF LONDON!! So that was where she went! My alma mater! Why not Oxford? Cambridge? If Uni of London famous for its medical school?? I know they're famous for Law and Economic studies. Anyway one word Hou couldn't read was Ceramic which Sum won for best ceramic and took some time to figure it out. It seems she made a habit of winning trophies for everything. I think Sum left for a moment and Hou discovered that Sum was listening to his voice messages done when he was young and that kinda brought back memories. Luckily no flashback scenes I think. I am not sure because everytime I hear the boy or the girl's voice, my brain went into deep freeze. I was preparing myself for the onslaught of those Korean style puppy first love so I didn't want to see so I blocked them all out. So whether there was any flashback, frankly I really can't remember. And then all of them gathered by grandma's bedside and waited until she fell asleep and then they went to bed.

Next day Hung woke Cho Ba up because there was to be an interview with some TV show at the mansion to promote the company since the busy wedding season is coming. It was big business. Hung and Cho Ba and everybody (children all left already except for Yuen who was there since he is in the company) was there and Cho Ba related his story on how he was feeling really down and then met a fortune teller who gave him some wise words of advice which he took to heart and worked hard and achieved success. He credited the success to Hung as his wife. Then the lady nosy relative said "I can't stand it anymore. Cho, it was Hung who spent all night thinking of that advice and paid the fortune teller $2000-00 to read it out to you" and Cho Ba was very surprised and held Hung. Even grandma was touched but Hung dismissed it and said "It is nothing really". Then Hung was asked if she had any regrets and she said "I have none, except that I could not give Cho a child or two". Yuen looked mightily guilty and that was when we will know why he seems so much on Hung's side. Yuen said "Actually it was my fault. I was very naughty back at school and always played truancy. One time mother (Hung) had to come to bail me out of trouble (not from police, but as in school) and she had a miscarriage in the bus. It was my fault" but Hung said "No no you can't blame yourself. I actually fell on the bus" and one nosy relative said "Yeah it was the bus' fault" but Yuen felt guilty over what happened. That explains why Yuen seems more in favour of Hung. And Hung seems rather ok but we all know she ain't.

Anyway pause here for a second...

Do you think Hung loves Cho Ba? She definitely did a lot for him but was it out of love? Maybe it was out of necessity and also out of love back then. She seems immensely jealous whenever Cho BA spends time with Hor Ma. Whilst someone said to me how can Cho Ba credit the success to her, what about Hor Ma? Frankly this part I have to agree with Hung. Hor Ma has always run a small shop and is still running a small shop. Hung for her spitefulness took Hor MA's shop name which was wrong. I believe someone as driven as her could have used any name and make the business into a million dollar company. Hung to her credit did take Ka Hou Yuet Yuen's name and made it into what it is today. I doubt Cho Ba did anything to that effect but he may have first made the earlier batched of pastries and such. Of course HUng did what she could to crush her competitors, mainly Hor Ma, but out of spitefulness rather than just business but give credit where it is due; without Hung, there won't be any mansion or million dollar company.

I must add though I just feel Yuen's story in this series is just not there. His presence is not even important at all. In fact his character is rather redundant at this moment and NOBODY or rather NOT EVERYBODY AT ANY GIVEN TIME ackowledge his presence and even if they did it just feels like he was some bystander who so happened to be there. In fact I feel maybe 6 children are a bit too much. Maybe reduce to 4 will be more better story wise.

continue...

Auntie Sa brought in a huge bouquet of flowers and it was for Hor MA. The card was from someone name Jo and everybody speculated it must be Cho Ba and everybody said "Hor Ma, it means Cho Ba misses you! Give him a chance! Finally reunited!" and Hor Ma didn't quite object to that.

Pause here.

Seriously this is the first time I kinda pity Hung. I don't know why. Maybe the fact that all of them hoped for a reconciliation and for better or for worse, Hung did establish a business with Cho Ba, did it by his side, genuine or not. I was kinda irritated that Hor MA considered the possiblity of reconciliation. It does explain why Hung would of course go all out to crush her. I would too since Hor Ma is now invading her territory. And frankly I like it better is Hor Ma and Cho BA never reconcile. Sometimes 12 years of abandonment and hurt can't be erased by just the revelatuon that Cho Ba wasn't happy, he wanted back, he regretted... all nonsense. Friends maybe but as husband and wife, the trust is gone.

Anyway Hor Ma read the card (she can read English! But CHung can't! Useless son!! What school he attended?!) and said "It is from Nin Chi Yung's sister, Joey Nin! She wrote to say thank you for my kind words and she felt deep gratitude for what I did for them". All of them were disappointed and Hou said "Well at least for that small moment we had that opportunity imagine what if, well anyway, doesn't matter". Hor Ma did look well disappointed perhaps?

Yuet was encouraging Ka to go for interviews.

Pause again..

Interviews? You mean finding business right? Because like 2 episodes earlier he already said he was opening his own PR company and now he is looking for a job? There must be some mistake.. maybe I heard wrongly before...

Continue..

Yuet was in the elevator encouraging Ka and promised to buy him dinner. Astrid was standing behind her. When Yuet realised that she quickly said goodbye. As Astrid and her walked into the office Astrid asked her about Ka and sarcastically said "Wow, he is STILL looking for a job? You know he can officially change his name from ---- (his nickname in the family which I did not catch) to -- (which I didn't catch also but it means "Unemployed no-good doer" which is worse in CHinese). Yuet felt insulted but kept quiet. Astrid then said "Do give him some advice; that he must not sexually harass his new female colleagues!".

Lunch time Yuet rushed out to see Ka and she had only 15 minutes to eat. She gobbled up quickly because Astrid "she is like some crazy boss these days, nothing satisfies her, she finds fault in everything!". Suddenly a call came and it was Astrid and over the phone Yuet had to explain she was eating, she would be back soon but Astrid demanded to know some figure and Yuet had to put the phone down for a second and check the info in the files she had with her and because of that her lunch box accidentally fell onto the pavement (GOODBYE LUNCH!) and as Yuet was looking, Ka could hear Astrid shouting "Are you listening to me? Is it so difficult to find that figure? What are you doing? HEY! ARE YOU LISTENING?! ARE YOUUUU LISTENING! OH MY GOD, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!!!!" and Ka quickly pressed the record button and then Yuet took back the phone and said the figure and then said "Ok ok I will be back now" and so Yuet had to rush.

Later during dinner, Ka said he didn't get the job and then Astrid was there as well. Maybe Ka invited her. Yuet was surprised, me too. Anyway Astrid seems a tad friendlier with Ka when suddenly all of them, in the restaurant heard a loud annoying voice of a very irritated demanding woman who kept saying "What are you doing? HEY! ARE YOU LISTENING?! ARE YOUUUU LISTENING! OH MY GOD, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!!!!" repeating again and again and Astrid realised it was her voice and Ka took the phone cooly and explained he chose that voice as a ringtone because it was very interesting. Yuet smiled to herself and then Ka kept pressing the repeat button until the waitress came and said "Sir could you please reduce the volume of your ringtone? The voice is disturbing the customers" and Ka playfully said "Really? (he points to Astrid) You're saying HER voice is irritating? She is saying YOUR voice is irritating. It is her voice by the way" and Astrid quickly tried to take back the phone and said something I can't remember... yeah she said to Yuet "Consider yourself fired!!" and Ka said "Really? Congratulations Yuet! You got an extra one month salary. Quickly thank her" and Yuet dutifully said "Thank you" and Ka and Yuet left and before that Ka pressed the play button again and her voice boomed in the restaurant and Astrid was so frustrated she sat down heavily.

A very funny scene. And the voice WAS irritating.

By the road Ka and Yuet sat down and Yuet said "I am now officially unemployed and no Ka, there is nothing funny about that. I have to find a new job" and Ka said "No need, you're employed in a good company with $20,000 salary a month" and Yuet looked at him and asked "What?" and Ka said "You come work for me".

Back at home the whole family heard Ka coming up with his company name which is I think if I am not mistaken is "Ka Jun" meaning Ka as in Ka's name but also means More and Jun means hard work for success or maybe ambition. It is from Seung Jun which means ambition in a positive manner. Anyway please confirm if this is the company's name. Whatever it may be it means More Ambition. But read in another way it may mean More Disaster and grandpa didn't like the name and they joked about what it acually means, even CHo Ba who was there for dinner. Cho Ba was happy Ka was striking out on his own and said "Well you will be very busy since you have your first big client!!" and Ka was surprised and said "Who Cho Ba?" and Cho BA said "Well Ka Hou Yuet Yuen (as in the bigger company) of course! You will make the event for the coming bridal season promo for the company!" and there was plenty of ideas contributed by everybody and then Hung called and asked where Cho Ba was and CHo BA said he was with Ka and he said Ka had some brilliant ideas for PR work and he even foolishly told Hung who stopped listening when she heard Hor Ma's voice in the background. Consumed by jealousy, she later called Astrid and gave her the same idea Ka had.

Pause here...

I do feel the less Hung do the more Cho Ba will stay with her. In a way foolish woman but like I asked, are her actions driven by for love for this man or immense resentment and jealousy for Hor Ma?

The event came. The idea was 38 pairs of couples in wedding gowns walking down the platform in the middle of the shopping complex with tales of their love stories, to sell the chinese wedding pastries. Then some free gifts for everybody. A good idea actually. Interestingly Hor Ma and everybody was there and even more interestingly for a big event for the company, Hung wasn't there. For a moment I thought it was for the smaller Ka Hou Yuet Yuen but it was for Cho Ba's company. Which made me wonder; shouldn't it be more wise for Hor Ma and gang to stay away?

Then Ka received bad news. None of the models were coming as they were going to another event organised by Astrid with the same idea for some bridal event. Ka panicked but Hor Ma calmed him down and told him to just call his friends for help, find any couples and get the young TV actress Hou suggested which his ex girlfriend is acquainted with. So Hing and everybody even Auntie Sa went out to the civil marriage registration centre and gave some ang pows and perhaps some good coupons and persuaded the married couples to go. Hor Ma and Cho Ba dressed in traditional wedding gowns (HA! HUNG! FUMING! She deserved it! After all she forced them to this) and became emcees for the day. They recounted their own wedded bliss (awkward!) and remembered a time when they had to deliver some wedding pastries to some couple at some village accessible by boat. It was their business motto that no matter what the goods must be delivered. But there was hurricane but still they went by boat, each holding huge packages. As the boat was filled with water, they had to stand and hold the boxes high up. But that meant they weren't holding still so one fell on the other repeatedly but they weren't angry; in fact they were laughing at the unexpected fun (I think Cho Ba never had that fun with Hung). When they arrived at the jetty (very small town) they saw the happy couple and the entire family waiting for them. They felt very welcomed as they were greeted by laughter, smiles, happy tears and it was a wonderful memory for both Cho Ba and Hor Ma.

Meanwhile, in probably the funniest scene Auntie Sa and grandpa was backstage arranging things when grandpa excitedly said "I got a couple to join the show! He is my senior and he will be here soon!" and Auntie Sa rather shocked dramatically said "Your senior? But father you are already 70 ish!!" and grandpa was like having the yeah lor expression. Why so funny? Imagine if grandpa is so old, his senior must be so much older! And he asked his really old buddies to be models!!

Anyway everybody arrived and it was a huge occassion which Ka looked on proudly. Even Sum was there, all dressed up in traditional wedding gowns. Hor Ma and CHo Ba introduced an old couple in wheelchair married some 90 years ago or something like that since it was during Man Chor period! That must be grandpa's senior. And everybody toasted Hor Ma and Cho Ba as happy couple and both looking at each other rather shyly and then they gave out free gifts and coupons and the nosy relatives were there to 3G it all to Hung who looked at Hor Ma and Cho Ba both smiling happily with the children surrouding them and the event a great success. Hung looked on with red eyes, switched off the phone and pondered, perhaps insulted, perhaps humiliated, perhaps jealous, perhaps resenting that there they were a family reunited and she alone in the big lonely mansion. Whatever that was on her mind, she was clearly planning something awful in return...

Next episode, Hung suggested Cho Ba to choose allegiance since Yuen is handling the PR in the company so surely they can't give more work to Ka. So Cho Ba was in a dilemma; to choose between 2 sons but Yuen looked quite guilty. Maybe that wasn't what he wanted.

This is not a particularly memorable episode, sometimes it reminded me of Heart Of Greed especially the grandma birthday scenes, too happy, maybe too forcefully happy. They all ignored Hung though, which is really cool. And grandma seems happier, not that resentful anymore. Ka had some funny scenes of course but I was just so confused with the PR event at the end since everybody was there so I thought the shop was the smaller shop in question. The event looked colourful and workable but I didn't quite feel like really happy to see Hor Ma and Cho Ba toasted as a happy coupld. Of course this is call comeuppance for Hung but that last scene with Hung looking on, almost tears in her eyes, I kinda pity her for the 2nd time in this episode. She seems so lonely in that quiet house and even Sum kept running there to help. Did she deserve all this? Of course but she did spent 12 years with this man and built this business into an empire. Cho Ba is spineless, we all know and these scenes seem to pave the way for a reconciliation between Hor Ma and Cho Ba which I disagree unless Cho Ba stands up for the children against Hung which I hope is the case. At some point Cho Ba must tell Hung "NO!".

Performance wise, Moses is at his best as the fool as in the joker and his scenes with Astrid were funny. That handphone ringtone is the irritating version of the one he had in Heart of Greed where the ringtone is his voice saying "Your mother calls you, your father calls you, your uncle calls you" and etc etc etc which was annoying after I heard it for the 3rd time.

Chow Chung as grandpa is someone I am warming too. He has some good scenes, like beating Susanna on the head. This time he had that funny line about his senior coming to help with the event. I don't know why, but it was really funny, especially with Susanna Kwan's reaction.

Everybody else generally gave competent performances except for the dumb one (the one who played Chung) who just seems so sully and unhappy and miserable ALL THE TIME and frankly I have yet to get a good look of his face and of course the most ignored character that is Chris Lai. Poor actor. To be in a big production and yet not really in it. I almost forgot Hor Ma has 6 children and I thought 4 only since focus are always on the 4k, especially Raymond Lam.

Susanna Kwan is funny in here but I am wondering why is she still so well treated eh after all she did? It was like as if what she did last episode was so last episode, this episode all forgotten. Auntie Sa must be reminded of her wrongdoings!

And finally Michelle Yim, that last scene was very well acted. That anger. That subdued intense rage in her. She talks calmly, she walks slowly, she even had small movements but this is one formidable woman. She convinces by conniving his way into people's conciousness and she is controlling by appearing to be not controlling. I think Michelle Yim's performance thus far does embody all these qualities. But I still wonder, does Hung love Cho Ba for real?

I do look forward to the next episode. I would hope to read some feedback on these points:-

1. Do you like it if Hor Ma and Cho Ba reconcile?

2. Do you think Hung really love Cho Ba? I mean if she really loves him shouldn't she treat his children I mean sincerely better than she did?

3. Do you miss Nin Chi Yung? I do...

Favourite quote/scene...

... grandpa excitedly said "I got a couple to join the show! He is my senior and he will be here soon!" and Auntie Sa rather shocked dramatically said "Your senior? But father you are already 70 ish!!"

Episode 12

2009-08-26T22:30:00.000+08:00

What is wrong with Auntie Sa? I expected her to be wholly unreasonable but downright malicious is quite unlike her. In this episode I dislike her more than Hung. And Hung only needed to stand aside and see Hor Ma's gang destroy themselves without her lifting a finger. Of course as the pattern shows, the dilemma, drama and everything else lasts at most 2 episodes.

Before I continue, last episode established that Auntie Sa wanted to cheat Grandma's money and so she kinda became a spy. RUNNING DOG!! Hor Ma is in the hospital for bad back, Cho Ba may have a sudden change of heart and Chung is beyond miserable; he is plainly stupid. Not being able to study is one thing, having been overseas so long and can't even read or speak English is truly a disgrace. AND Yuen is officially haunting Hung's side of the family because again, Yuen may cry and kick and scream, no one seems to pay any attention to him. Like he didn't exist. Today grandma broke through the Floating Ghost Stance and finally spoke to him but notice the others simply ignore he was there, even his own brothers. I just find it so strange.

Anyway AUntie Sa reported all of the movements of Hor Ma's side to Grandma and even said grandpa kept Chung to themselves, encouraged him to turn his back on grandma. Grandma who already has this deep resentment for Hor Ma of course made a big issue out of it, more so when Ka said he wanted to move out since he will be opening his own PR shop and better to stay nearby his company. I feel that's just an excuse. He just wants to get away from Hung. Meanwhile Chung also moved in with Hor Ma as Hor MA in the hospital told grandpa and gang to take good care of him. Chung suffers from acute lack of confidence (and I shall add an acute lack of intelligence as well but that's just my opinion) and Hor Ma would like to build his confidence. Since Chung doesn't have the brain to study, he wants to work but with Hor MA he feels happy and loved and not neglected.

Grandma was upset big time. She threw such a big tantrum she said "I will not eat or drink or take my medicine unless Ka and CHung move in back here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and yes, Lee Heung Kam did scream her lines, to very good effect. Cho Ba was at lost for words, he begged, he reasoned, he argued but grandma refused to listen. By the way Cho BA kept saying he is having a headache. Maybe tumour in the brain? Nothing like a good old tumour to bring back the family together perhaps? Anyway Sum spoke very softly to grandma that "But Chung is happier with Hor Ma, grandma let him be" and grandma snapped "This is MY family's business, mind your OWN business". Sum felt hurt at the statement whilst Hung looked on. In the end grandma refused to eat or drink and Cho Ba did not know what to do.

I think Cho Ba called Ka and gang and told them but Ka said "Don't worry, sooner or later when she is hungry enough she will eat. I can't just go back because she threw a tantrum" and Chung agreed and yes they do sound heartless but I suppose they have seen enough of such tantrum. And grandpa said "Who cares if that rich old hag starves to death? It's hear choice! No one is leaving!" but Hou, who is grandma's favourite is very worried.

Next thing Sum met with grandma, now pale and weak who still refused everything. Sum was so worried she went to Hung who was in her room reading a magazine, rather coolly. "Mommy, could you please talk to grandma? She will listen to you, I am very worried mommy" but Hung coolly said "Why bother Sum? Didn't you hear what she said to you? That it is family business and not your business. Sum, if she isn't treating you like her grandchild, why should you treat her like your real grandmother? Why should you be worried? but Sum persisted "Mommy I know but I am worried" and Hung said "Don't you have an exam tomorrow?" and Sum said "Mommy I am too worried to bother with exams and studies. I am going to do badly, but MOmmy help me, help me in this so that I can stop worrying and pass my exam" and Hung looking at her daughter so distressed agreed.

She brought tea or something to a very weak grandma and looking like a kind nice daughter in law she said "Mother, please eat. I know what is said and done is not fair but mother, that happened to me too. No matter how much I love the children or treat them well, at the end of the day I will always be the stepmother to them" and grandma was touched by Hung's concern.

Pause here.

Concern my foot. Just earlier Hung wasn't even bothered. First class liar I say.

Grandma refused to listen. Grandma when she was lone got a call from the traitor Auntie Sa who professed such deep concern for grandma and grandma was touched and Auntie Sa asked grandma why she is torturing herself and grandma sadly said "I have to, if not this family will fall apart!". Of course grandpa and gang saw what Auntie Sa was up to and grandpa was quick to scold Auntie Sa who of course slipped away and refused to listen. They should just throw her out of the house.

Cho Ba came in and begged grandma and in the end grandma agreed to eat if Cho Ba would stop seeing the fatty (Hor Ma), bring back Ka and Chung and cut of all ties between mother and sons. Cho Ba couldn't agree and argued "But mother, I am the children's father, she is the children's mother, we are bound to meet sometimes. And I can't sever all ties between the children and mother!" and grandma persisted and said "Swear it in front of Hung. Do it!!" and Hung looked on and because grandma was getting so weak and Cho Ba wasn't a particularly strong man who has his own opinion and more so he did love his mother, Cho Ba was pressured to say "OK OK OK!!!! I swear I won't see Hor again! I swear it!" and grandma then asked for 2 bowls of porridge. Hung looked satisfied at Cho Ba's answer.

Cho Ba went to see grandpa and gang (Hor Ma still in hospital) and said to Ka and Chung "Ka you must go home with me, so do you Chung, Grandma fainted and she isn't well". But Ka was very reluctant, so was Chung. Cho Ba called Hor Ma (I actually thought he made a fake call because Hor MA wasn't shown until some time later listening to him) and he panicked and begged Hor Ma "Hou, mother is very ill. She refused to eat. I am very worried about her. Can I take Chung back?" and then Sum who was there told Hor Ma what Cho Ba said and confirmed grandma was indeed getting weaker. Finally Cho Ba took back the phone and then smiled and said "Thank you Hor, thank you, thank you very much". A rather grateful Cho Ba. when Hou said "Chung, you don't need to pack" and he ran into his room and packed his bag. Hou said "I will go. Chung needs to stay here so I will go. Moreover grandma loves me the most, I am sure I can explain to her the situation" but Hing said "You can't go! No!" but Hou made up his mind and said to Chung "You stay here. I will be fine. In fact grandma will be more than happy to have me there. Remember when we were little, I liked a toy, grandma didn't have the money? She borrowed from neighbours just so she can buy me that toy. I think she will accept this new arrangement" and Chung looked very grateful. As Hou left his room blocked partially by Auntie Sa, Hou rudely said "Get away!" and every grandchild except for Chung went with Hou.

At grandma's place, grandma was very happy to see Hou since Hou is her favourite (I SWEAR THAT IN EPISODE 1 CHUNG WAS HER FAVOURITE WHICH WAS WHY CHUNG WENT WITH CHO BA!!). Hou playfully teased grandma and grandma happily said as she used a pen to write something on Hou's hands "Here is the written contract on your hand that you will be by my side from now onwards" and Hou did the same and Grandma suddenly sadly said "We haven't done this a long time Hou, I missed this".

Pause here.

I do not doubt grandma loves all of them especially the sons (with exception of Yuet which she is nice to) and the children like Ka stayed back mainly because of their affection for grandma. Also grandma has not been in good terms with Hor Ma long before her young son killed himself which was shown some episodes back. And Hou really loves grandma, amongst all of them.

Continue...

Then the floating apparition that is Yuen came back and FINALLY HIS PRESENCE IS ACKNOWLEDGED BY GRANDMA but strangely everybody else seems to ignore him. Anyway Yuen said "Ka called and I came home immediately. Grandma, you must eat, don't be stubborn" and grandma smiled at Yuen's concern. Then Hou said "Grandma I have good news. I will be staying here from now onwards" and grandma was elated and then said "Well, of course! Of course. And Ka, you move back in (Ka was like WHAT?! NO!!!! kinda expression), Hing you move in too, Yuet, if you want you can move in as well and... where is Chung? Where is Little Chung?" and then Cho Ba dropped the bombshell and said "Well since Hou is here, Chung will be staying with Hor Ma. After all Hor Ma is his mother and he will be well taken care of". Meanwhile Hung just sat back and listened. Frankly if I were her, I wouldn't want all 6 children moving into the house! More competition you see. Anyway Hou said eagerly "Grandma, you have me! I am here. let Chung stay with Hor Ma" but grandma was beyond angry. She angrily (as in beyond angrily) said "What? Is this some sort of a trade off? One grandchild for the other? Poor Chung, he isn't happy there, he is happier here! How can she just keep and hide him like that? Chung belongs here! My poor poor grandson! Held hostage by that fatty! NO! NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO LEAVE THIS HOUSE AND EVERYBODY, EVEN CHUNG MUST MOVE BACK IN HERE. NOT ONE LESS!!!!!!!" and this time Yuet couldn't stand it and said "Grandma, Chung is in fact happier with Hor Ma" but grandma didn't like what she heard and continued ranting against Hor Ma even if Hou tried to cool things down when Hou said "Grandma, why have you become so unreasonable? Why have you change as such? We all knew, you know Chung isn't happy here, why force him to be here and make him unhappy?" and grandma still ranted until Hing now not happy herself signed something. Grandma didn't understand (surprise! How come grandma never learn? Because she loves sons more than daughters so she never bothered?) and again Hou was the interpreter and so Hou standing next to grandma explained what Hing signed and he said that she said "Grandma, where is my grandma that I love? Where is the grandma that loves me like she did when I was little?" and grandma didn't quite understand what she meant and Hou this time grabbed Grandma and said "Grandma, you used to love us very much, why have you become so unreasonable and demanding? Grandma, we have ears, we could hear what you said and the derogatory terms you used to call Hor Ma. She is our mother, and we heard how you address her. Grandma, I know you love us all but why have you changed so much? Hing used to use this gesture to refer to you (he made a gesture like one hand caressing the other, an affectionate gesture) but now, Hing uses this gesture when she refers to you (he made a gesture where as if one hand is busy yacking to the other, an obviously not very affectionate gesture of someone who can't stop nagging)". Grandma was very upset, and quiet as Hing further signed "I remember when we were little, you always told us we must be happy as that is how life should be but now grandma...look at us grandma, our family torn apart, we siblings are forcefully separated since we were young..." and Hou continued "Chung is not happy grandma. He was never happy here, but with us, even whilst looking for a job, he was smiling. Grandma wouldn't you want Chung to be happy?" and Ka said "Grandma we are not happy living here..." and grandma tearfully said "I want Chung to be happy, I want him to be happy" and Hou said "Then grandma please understand why he wants to live with Hor Ma" and Grandma bitterly said "You all now always said go back to Hor Ma, in whatever circumstances you always said go back to Hor Ma but never did any of you say whatever the circumstances, go back to grandma..." as grandma wept but Hou and everybody rushed to grandma and said "Grandma, we do love you, we do care, please grandma, us not living here doesn't mean we don't love you anymore. Grandma, I must confess I am not happy about moving here but for the sake of Chung, I am willing to do it and for your sake I will too. With us going back to Hor Ma doesn't mean we don't care about you anymore Grandma" and Grandma cried and tearfully hugged all of them and said "I know, I know, Grandma wants you all to be happy, always happy, my good grandchildren, always happy" and Hung looked on without any expression, Cho Ba looked on tearfully and so was Sum. Only Hung and perhaps those 2 nosy relatives were stony faced.

And thus crisis solved. I think grandma understood and so Hou moved back with Hor Ma because he seems to be there all the time so grandma may have allowed him to do so.

It was grandpa and everybody (Sum was there in doctor clothings) I think who went to take Hor Ma home from hospital and Auntie Sa was there. All of them ignored her and she kinda panicked. Hor Ma even said "You all seen Nin Chi Yung? What a good man. I was here for 10 days and he was here for 9 days. How considerate of him" and Auntie Sa looked guiltily because she wasn't quite there all the time!

Hor Ma too came home from the hospital. Everybody was there for dinner, including spineless Auntie Sa was there busy eating dinner. I am not sure what sparked Hor Ma's rebuke but Auntie Sa said something about family and stuff and suddenly Hor Ma banged her hand on the dinner table really hard (kinda surprised me there!) and Hor Ma let it rip! She scolded Auntie Sa where she said "Sa, if we are family, I would wonder what are your motives with old Mrs Kam" and Auntie Sa hotly said "See this magazine? It says of an oven blowing up a shop! I just wanted what is best for the shop so I got her to give money to buy new ovens. I did not cheat! I did used the money to buy new ovens, if you want ok I can give her back the spare change!" Hor Ma angrier than ever said "Sa, she gave the money to you because of Hou. She did it for the love of her grandchildren so it is understandable. You, running to her, confessing your fake concern and being such buddy to her all of a sudden, do you seriously think she would give you the money because you asked? You try asking her now, I would bet she will give you nothing since you're a nobody to her! You're a somebody to me, to father, to us here all, even to Ka Mei (her daughter) but not to her! Acting like you did with her... how could you do that? and Nin Chi Yung..." and Sa said "What about him?!" and Hor Ma said "You destroyed his chance to reunite with his sister in Australia. You have no idea how many tears she shed because she was told her brother couldn't go to Australia. You destroyed his opportinuty because he spoke the truth against you" and Auntie Sa defiantly said "What do I care? Who is he to me?!" and Hor Ma now very angry said "Sa I am sure you can fix things. It is very simple. If you wish to remain as a family with us, you will persuade --- (didn't catch his name but he is the owner of the shop in Australia where Auntie Sa introduced to Nin Chi Yung who then offered him a job there in Australia with very good pay but later Auntie Sa told the guy Nin Chi Yung is not as good and so the guy decided to drop him because Nin Chi Yung told everyone how Auntie Sa met with grandma and lied about Chung causing Chung to be dragged back home at first) and you will persuade him so well that he will rehire Nin Chi Yung and you will make sure that Nin Chi Yung gets on the plane this Saturday to Australia and no later" and Auntie Sa shouted "BUT .. BUT... I told --- that Nin Chi Yung is useless, that he uses detergent as flour in the pastries! He wouldn't want to rehire Nin Chi Yung!!" and Hor Ma said softly this time "Sa, I have every confidence in you. You will be able achieve what you wish you achieve and you will be able to achieve what everyone else does not wish for you to achieve. You can do it" and everybody at the table said "Yeah Auntie Sa, you sure can!!" and so Auntie Sa couldn't say anything more.

Next day in the shop, I think Hor Ma and Hou were there came to see Nin Chi Yung who was looking glum and I think either one of them said "Nin Chi Yung, congratulations! --- has rehired you! You're working again in Australia!" and Nin Chi Yung refused to believe it "No it can't be true" and Hor Ma produced a plane ticket and said "Here is the plane ticket, sponsored by Sa herself!" and Nin Chi Yung beamed with happiness.

At night, Nin Chi Yung dropped by with a big box. He opened it and in it was a huge mooncake and some smaller ones, all beautifully arranged and Nin Chi Yung explained "I know you all love mooncake so I made these, very carefully and lovingly if I may add as a thank you for what you all have done for me" and Hor Ma saw the mooncake and beamed "Oh wow Nin Chi Yung, so beautiful! So thoughtful of you!" and even Hing couldn't stand and signed she wanted to eat one immediately. And then Hor Ma gave Nin Chi Yung a red angpow but Nin Chi Yung refused but Hor Ma said "Nin Chi Yung, you must never refuse a good luck packet and this is one for you" and so Nin Chi Yung accepted. Not much later a distressed looking Nin Chi Yung took Hor Ma aside and said "Hor Ma I can't accept this red packet!" and Hor Ma asked why and he said "Hor Ma! It is $20,000-00! I can't accept that!" and Hor Ma refused to take back the red packet and everyone was curious why both of them were pushing against one another and Nin Chi Yung said "Hor Ma, she gave me $20,000-00 as ang pow! I can't accept that" and even Hou and gang were surprised by her generosity but Hor Ma was persistent and she said "Nin Chi Yung you deserved this money. Remember when you came back to work for me and I said if you did well at the end of the year there would be bonus to commensurate your effort? You have been a great help and a great friend Nin Chi Yung. You deserve this money and you earned it" but Nin Chi Yung still refused and gave it to Hou who then ran around Nin Chi Yung to give him the ang pow and each avoided the other and Hor Ma was thinking back how Nin Chi Yung assisted her in times of crisis and laughed at his antics. In the end Nin Chi Yung agreed to take the ang pow and said it was late so he was leaving and as he left he passed by grandpa and quickly put the ang pow in grandpa's hands and ran for his life!! Everybody laughed and Hor Ma thought "Oh Nin Chi Yung... " but fondly of course.

Next day Nin Chi Yung was at the airport and everybody was there to see him go off. Hor Ma said "Since you won't accept the money, here accept this gift on behalf of --- (his sister whose name I didn't catch)" and Nin Chi Yung accepted a teddy bear in a box with a big card. "Take care Nin Chi Yung and when -- graduates, do come back with her. I will be waiting for you" and Nin Chi Yung said he will and so they left. Nin Chi Yung opened the box and looked into the envelope and lo and behold, there was the money in the card!! Nin Chi Yung read the card which Hor Ma wrote;

"Dear ---, We have only met 2 or 3 times before but because your brother who worked for me often talked about you, I felt I have known you much longer than I did. Your brother has been a great help to me and a great friend as well. I have tried to give him this attached money which he refused and so I hope you will accept on his behalf as a token of my appreciation. He actually earned the money and a bonus I shall be happy to give. Your brother is indeed a good man and you're very lucky to have such a brother. Frankly I can't remember your face. I kept trying to remember your face? Do you have an oval pointy face with shoulder length hair? I must admit I could have mistaken your face with Uncle ---'s daughter's face. Whatever it may be, I know you will be happy to see your brother after so many years apart. I wish you and your brother a happy reunion and every happiness - Hor Ma"

Nin Chi Yung was in tears by the time he finished the card. He looked over to Hor Ma and family who were walking away and he said sincerely "Hor Ma, I wish you all the happiness and may your family be reunited one day".

Next episode, Hung plays havoc to Ka's new PR company. Vile woman.

Frankly like I said at the beginning, Hung just need to stand there and look at them kill each other so to speak. I hate Sa more than Hung at prsent because Hung at least has reasons to be vile and mean but Sa.... even against her own family who treated her well.. for what? To cheat an old woman off her money. Hor Ma was right to slam her hands down and scold her like she did.

I was also very touched by what Hou did for Chung, taking his place. I find him caring more for grandma than Ka or even Chung did. Ka especially, seems rather cold.

But I was touched most of all with the last scene where Hor Ma read out her letter to Nin Chi Yung's sister, when she asked how she looked like. Hor Ma hardly remember her face but did all she could to help Nin Chi Yung to reunite with his sister. There were some indications that Hor Ma spoke with the sister a few times but never shown.

Tonight's episode is again quarrel, fight, anger, sadness, then reconciliation, happiness. All solved within 1 episode that wraps things up nicely. I don't mean it as bad but it is a criticsm of some sort that this series just blow things out of proportion for one episode and repackage them nicely the next. If life is so simple in such complicated situations, how easy our lives would be. One day problematic, the next all solved. However I did find the portrayal of siblinghood very nice and realistic because any good brother like Hou would swap places with Chung if your little brother is indeed having such a hard life. Any good sister like Hing or Yuet would speak out in your defense. I like the confrontation with Grandma. In some ways grandma was being difficult, unreasonable and extremely childish because not just out of anger or bitterness but in her mind, which I am sure poisoned by Hung felt Hor Ma was the instigator that Hor Ma was unreasonable by not allowing all children to stay with her thus breaking up the family. What grandma later realised with what Hing said was to the children, they see the same viewpoint as grandma except it was grandma doing the breaking up. Hor Ma was often blamed but grandma didn't see, she is to be blamed as well. How Hou spoke with her and in the end how grandma tearfully confessed her innermost feelings why she acted as she did; it was deeply and heartfelt resentment. Not bitterness but resentment with a healthy dose of jealousy that no matter what grandma did or will do, the children always run to Hor Ma first and foremost. She confessed that and she broke down it tears. That scene was particurly well acted and well scripted because in a way I feel for grandma that she felt her love was inadequate and can't be compared to Hor Ma. I also like the reaction of the children when they heard this and consoled her. I genuinely feel, even for Ka that they all do love their grandma which was why they remain in contact with her and let her win but sometimes, as grandma realised love doesn't mean must be there 24/7. A very heartfelt scene.

Pity Yuet. Why every older ones in this series seems to treat her nicely BUT like how you treat an outsider nicely? Except for Hor Ma and grandpa, everyone else, like grandma just treats her nice but not like all out "YOU MUST MOVE IN!!!" type of nice.

Anyway the best scenes still remains with the interaction between Nin Chi Yung and Hor Ma.

You know, Lee Sze Kei and Wayne Lai should actually win best partnership for this series because their chemistry together is amazing, their body language spells mutual respect (somehow I know, I JUST KNOW!!) and their scenes together are always so beautifully acted with such realism that I just feel so sad Nin Chi Yung is not in any future scene for some time!!!! Will he be back to help with the mooncake? I mean they must make mooncake at some point right? Or is this it for Nin Chi Yung? Will we ever get to see the faceless voiceless sister? How old is the sister by the way? What's her name? Will she appear? Give me this small spoiler for those who has seen this series;

1. will Nin Chi Yung be back?

2. will we get to see his sister?

3. will his sister play any significant role in this series?

I can't wait for him to be back!

Performance wise, Lee Sze Kei is on top. I have read some comments on her character and how preachy but well, less preachy than sayyyyyyyy Liza Wang that's for sure. Moreover Hor Ma is not always right, and she is not always patient and soft spoken. She does have temper, she does glare at people and she made huge mistakes which she herself recognised. It is not a terribly flawed character but her character is consistent with that of mother who loves her children and wants to reunite with them. Lee Sze Kei's peformance embodies all that and for that I feel SHE. IS. EXCELLENT!

Wayne Lai, PLEASE COME BACK!! I so love Nin Chi Yung now. What a good man, as Hor Ma has said and Wayne Lai played this character to utter perfection. His last scene as he looked on with tears and that whisper of blessing for Hor Ma was heartfelt and so convincing.

Ok, Lee Heung Kam is scary as old Mrs Kam, especially those "I WILL NOT EAT!!" scenes which made me want to throw her Osim chair out of the window, with her in it. BUT as a performance, what more can I say? Phenomenal. What an ugly character but redeemed in the end when she confessed her insecurity. That scene was very well acted and my heart just goes out for Old Mrs Kam. Sometimes the battle between ex daughter in law and ex grandmother in law with regards to the children stuck in the middle is messy. Old Mrs Kam was brainwashed into hating Hor Ma. Anyway Lee Heung Kam really brought it all out in the last scene and that heartfelt confession was quite heartwrenching to hear.

Again Fala Chan impresses me with her very gentle soft portrayal of the very soft spoken, cheerful and nice Hing. Nothing more to say except when she questioned Grandma why grandma has changed, let me just say I BELIEVE HER. I JUST BELIEVE EVERY WORD SHE SIGNED. So yeah, she ws convincing.

Raymond Lam is the one with a heavy burden in here, balancing the drama and some light hearted moments with an acting skill that done badly would be 2 totally different character but done well is a consistent 1 character. Of course Raymond Lam is a good actor. He was ok at first when he started, became rather operatic and now toned down and is much better than when he first started out. His scene with grandma is very touching and his scene with Wayne Lai was really really funny. I have one slight criticism; I recognise some of the sign language used by Fala Chan and sorry to say, he translated faster than Fala could sign, which is of course impossible unless everything is scripted WHICH IT IS BUUUUUTTTTT... we are not supposed to know that since this is called acting.

Everybody else had only small role in here, amongst the small roles, Moses Chan came across the more memorable one. He is one guy who is a terribly inadequate dramatic actor but put in some comedic element, he can very well own that particular scene. The scene where his Ka was busy eating as Cho Ba asked him to go home or the look he had when grandma said no one leaves the mansion were funny! Not sure if they were meant to be funny though but well wouldn't mind a bit of comedy in such serious scenes. So kudos to Moses for making me laugh when I shouldn't be laughing.

Michelle Yim is fantastic as the conniving Hung who at this point has yet to unleash hell. She will soon I hope. I like how she didn't feel bothered with grandma and how she had to be persuaded to be bothered. She was right though; why should Sum care for that old woman who didn't see Sum as her grandchild? Of course Sum is a nice girl and so didn't see it that way.

Linda Chung continue to impress me with her elegant portrayal as Sum. I feel she was well cast as the sincerely nice well mannered classy Sum. I know I know I will hate her later on but for now I just really like a classy elegant portrayal of a lady. I have had enough of pretty girls acting like uneducated goons with makeup.

Har Yu is also fantastic as the cowardly man crushed between 3 formidable women; grandma, Hor Ma and Hung. I hated him in the beginning but as he spoke up for Chung, even if he stutterred a lot or claimed defeat in the end, at least he is doing his duty as a father, slowly one step at a time. I still dislike him but my hatred now is solely reserved for Auntie Sa.

And Susanna Kwan. What a fantastic portrayal of a very ugly character. In one scene yesterday her face looks distorted and so ugly. Susanna Kwan really went all out with this character. So I hate her, but for the right reasons. I hate her Auntie Sa, not Susanna Kwan. In real life Susanna Kwan is a rather classy lady. So far I have seen her act in 3 series, in 3 totally different characters. Some people can really act and when they can act, they can act. Some can't even act, whatever experience or however many series. Recognition comes truly in the form of people who appreciate a character no matter how ugly and distasteful that character is and there is no better compliment to this actress' ability and talent than to say her Auntie Sa is truly vile character. She convinced me. Fantastic stuff.

I look forward to the next episode but I may miss like 1/2 hour due to Criminal Minds. Anyway I am sure crisis will be solved in like max 2 episodes. At least now Hung is making a move. I was wondering when she will actually do something to destroy Hor Ma and of course how Hor Ma saves the day.

You know I truly admire Hor Ma. What a woman and such woman does exist in real life.

Anyway, my favourite scene/quote, that is from the letter by Hor Ma to Nin Chi Yung's sister. Why I chose this particular quote is because she hardly knew this girl but Hor Ma felt protective of her and wanted to reunite her with her brother. Her intentions are good and for that I respect Hor Ma even more, right up until she reconciles with Cho Ba, for that I am sure. The writers better write a damn good scene to show why they should be reconciled! Anyway it is given they will reconcile, if not how can that be Ka Hou Yuet Yuen Hing Chung Chau???

ANYWAY, MISSING NIN CHI YUNG/WAYNE LAI ALREADY!! COME BACK SOOOOOOON!!!!

Frankly I can't remember your face. I kept trying to remember your face? Do you have an oval pointy face with shoulder length hair? I must admit I could have mistaken your face with Uncle ---'s daughter's face.
- Hor Ma in a letter to Nin Chi Yung's sister

Episode 11 *

2009-08-25T22:30:00.002+08:00

Much apologies dear readers. I totally missed this episode but did catch the final 5 minutes where grandpa poured soup on Auntie Sa's head and then proceeded to repeatedly knock her head. Great scene. Anyway there's an alternative summary, a bit brief but you would get the gist of the story. It is at TVB Review. Promise tomorrow will have full recap. I am not even sure what's on tomorrow, I think it is still about Chung.

I wonder though; is Chung mentally challenged? He can't seem to act for himself and rather dumb and very quiet.

Episode 10

2009-08-24T22:30:00.000+08:00

I missed the 1st 45 min of this episode because I was faced with a dilemma; missing this episode OR missing He Who Can't Marry which I know repeats on Sundays 11am and the next episode 2 or 3pm but this Sunday got some celebration to go to so the choice was rather surprisingly easy. Maybe I just needed to get away from the drama and just laugh a bit at the antics about Jo Jaehui and Jang Munjeong. Anyway this isn't about He Who Can't Marry.

Last Friday the preview says today is how Chung came back, refused to go back to study and wants to live with Hor Ma, I suppose and how Hor Ma fought to let him stay. Zoom past 45 min and guess what? Chung is already happily enjoying dinner at Hor Ma's place! 45 min and the drama is settled? And slowly each children is coming back to her side, and I was joking of Cho Ba had a dog, that dog too will come back to Hor Ma's place but there will be some drama which will be solved in 45 minutes!

What a bummer!

Anyway when I started watching it was Yuet scolding Ka for gambling away $30,000-00 and she was calling Hor Ma complaining about Ka in the streets and Ka being very frustrated was actually about to cry when he kinda said his lines in the way only Moses Chan (AND Alex Fong Chun Soon) could in Cantonese a very "teh" or in Malay "manja" or in English, well I have no idea how to say that but anyway in that kinda weird for a man and especially a 30 year old man. Anyway he said "I didn't play the share market. Remember --- the old grandma we used to play with? She invested her entire savings in a share that fell sharply and she lost everything. That $30,000-00 I paid to her so that she could recoup her savings! You didn't believe me and now you told Hor Ma!!" and he ran, and I do mean RAN into a telephone booth, closed it, kinda barricaded it and get this.... CRIED!! Yuet knew she had wrongly accused him and so went to the booth, banged on the glass panels and begged for forgiveness as she said "Look at my phone, look at the records! I didn't call Hor Ma! You can see it! I swear I didn't call her! I just pretended! Ka please open the door" and somehow she opened it, he refused to face her as he cried and finally he took her phone and gave it back to her and said "I don't know how to check the records" which was quite funny for someone so good at checking shares using some design but not a Sony Ericsson phone which we all know whatever the model, the buttons and operation is still the same. Of course... shhhhhhhh... because we are not suppose to know they're all using the same brand.

Anyway Yuet showed him "See!See! I didn't tell Hor Ma" and suddenly Ka knew he had made a mistake and he stopped crying and said "Well, you know I am like Cho Ba, who can pretend! I wasn't crying! Nope! I wasn't" and of course Yuet let him be and they went on pulling each other's legs as they walked on.

Pause here.

MASSIVE MAJOR FUTURE SPOILERS AHEAD!!FUTURE SPOILERS BEGIN!!

Ever since I knew the ending for these 2, it feels weird to see such closeness. It just seems wrong even if they're not related.

FUTURE SPOILERS ENDS

Ok, continue...

Sa don't know why suddenly said to Hor Ma both eating at a restaurant that Cho Ba may still have feelings for her and felt that Hor Ma should have a go at rekindling the relationship. Hor Ma told her not to be silly but Sa said "But sis, didn't he said he fell for her back then simply because of her figure and looks? You're both now at the same stage, where I bet her face is caked with layers of foundation. I am very sure when she removes that foundation at night, she must have switched off all electricity, thus saving on the electricity bill. She is nothing but an old hag. BUt sis, look at you, blessed with a rounded figure, you look great. In fact I would feel you have a chance sis!" but Hor Ma refused to listen and Sa said "Ok ok, I know I am nothing but a tenant in the house! My opinion does not matter!" and Hor Ma teasingly said "Well, if you're a tenant, why aren't you paying rent?".

Hor Ma, a good one!!! Anyway why should Hor Ma reconsider Cho Ba? I mean sure he may regret what he did but it was 12 years of doing nothing but causing misery to Hor Ma, grandpa and children. Like I predicted, Hung will get the entire blame and that is not fair. Cho Ba deserves more blame because he is the husband, the father, the son in law and he did nothing for 12 years.

Anyway Hor Ma then suggested they go supermarket to buy some stuff because Hor Ma wanted to cook something special for Chung who is at home. Not sure to stay or not though. I suppose so since Chung practically ran away right?

Sa at the supermarket received a call from his daughter in Portugal, her name I kinda forgotten right now. Hor Ma overheard Sa said ok to send $3000 Euro (a lot of money) for the daughter to fix her car for the upteemth time and when Sa said "Do you remember what day is today?" and Sa then said "No it is ... well it is Portugal's National Holiday... oh never mind...". So may be some special day for Sa. I didn't like the daughter at this point; seems materialistic like the mother. Anyway Sa saw some discount for some expensive beauty cream and put a lot in Hor Ma's basket, to borrow the basket saying the daughter could use these creams eventhough Hor MA read the label and asked "But they're defense against wrinkles for advanced age!". At the checkout, Sa insisted on being in one bill with Hor Ma, well we all know why eh? Anyway Hor Ma then said "No, not the same bill. Sa, these are your beauty products?" and put the back to her basket and the checkout girl said "Well Madam, you can use the empty lane over there" and Sa being rather angry at what transpired snapped "What Madam? I am a Miss!!" and Hor Ma smiled a little.

At home Sa was not in a good mood but not unreasonable. Something was bothering her. Seeing the great food she lightened up and saw a big bowl of shark fin's soup and excitedly said "Chung! You're so lucky. I only got to eact shark fins soup cooked by sis one time and the shark fins were thin and short but yours, look! Such huge sharks fins! So you see, you must now find work since you don't want to study anymore and not disappoint your mother!"

Chung quietly answered "But I don't like Shark fin soup" and Hor Ma said "Well then Sa you can have Chung's portion" and Sa smiled and said "Well good, good and oh, eel!" and I think it was grandpa who said "Well enjoy the meal since Hor made them especially for you" and suddenly the lights went out and Sa was very surprised. Hing came out with a cake with a single candle and Yuet said "Well Auntie Sa, I made sure it is only 1 candle in case you don't like lots of candles" and Sa was very moved, made a wish and blew the candle. The lights were on and Sa said happily "I didn't know you all remembered! Sis, thank you! THank you! but... someone didn't even remember,,," and then she heard "Mommy!" and she thought she heard her daughter's voice and indeed Hou took out a laptop with webcam and it was her daughter (Kate Tsui!) and Hou said "It took some planning and a lie about remembering the national holiday and not your birthday but here she is.." and Sa was very very moved as the daughter said "Mommy, I am sorry for lying. I know since daddy and you divorced, I haven't spent much time with you so mommy, this is for you;" and she said I Love You in Portugese to Sa and Sa said the same thing back. Ka then asked Sa what it meant and Sa said "It meant I love you! I am so happy and I love you all! I shall kiss all of you!" and she kissed Hor Ma first, the grandpa and when she reached for Yuet, Yuet hid behind Chung who got the kiss and then he wanted to kiss Hou who pushed Ka in front who held Sa at arms' length and Sa complained to Hor MA they refused to let her kiss them and we see she trying very hard to kiss Ka whilst Hing hid behind a vase I think. Quite funny.

Next episode, Sa somehow said a lie to grandma that hurts Hor Ma and I am not sure why. And since I shall miss tomorrow's episode by 45 min, I am sure by the time I switched back, crisis solved. Maybe grandma will move in with Hor Ma by tomorrow and by Friday Hor Ma would need to buy a bigger place to accomodate the new tenants so to speak!

Again a weird episode even if I just watched 15 minutes. I thought the daughter was angry with Sa all about Sa's affair with her trainer and trying to get her dad's share in the fortune so I was rather surprised suddenly such a loving daughter via the webcam. I did thought she was materialistic but in the end she looked ok.

I can't comment much on the plot since I missed so much so I shall reserve my comments for ... not that I am going to watch the repeat! So no comment.

As for the performance, Susanna Kwan is in top form when it comes to being ultra irritating and that is a good thing.

I thought Moses Chan was kinda hard to watch as he plays the crying baby in the streets at that age with his adopted sister. Just plain scary to watch.

Tavia is a good actress but she is quite predictable as to when she will look panic, when she will look teary eyed and when she will raise her voice. The predictability is not a good thing.

As for everybody else, no comment.

But I will have to choose a favourite scene out of 15 minutes of viewing, right? Well with such a limited time frame I do have a favourite moment and that was Sa talking about Hung. You may hate Auntie Sa but she does say it like it is sometimes.

But sis, didn't he (Cho Ba)said he fell for her (Hung) back then simply because of her figure and looks? You're both now at the same stage, where I bet her face is caked with layers of foundation. I am very sure when she removes that foundation at night, she must have switched off all electricity, thus saving on the electricity bill. She is nothing but an old hag.
- Auntie Sa to Hor Ma about Hung

Sorry about the lack of in depth summary. Anyone knows where to find a somewhat good summary on this episode please do feel free to post the link using Post A Comment. Thanks in advance.