2005 Recaps presented by TVB Square Blog
Part one: Little Factors - the smallest characters who made the biggest impact
Part two: Most Unreasonable - the unreasonable factors of 2005
Part three: By the Numbers - summarize the year in term of numbers
Part four: The Unexpected - unexpected factors of 2005
Part five: Apple vs. Orange - compare the un-compare-able
Part six: TVB Inventions - the interesting things TVB made up this year

THE OVERALL ANALYZATION
The following series are the 2005 productions (all of them! including warehouse series). I managed to ask fans' opinions as well, so hopefully, you can find the recap helpful. Again, I broke my record for watching the most TVB series in a year.
** special thanks to: Soy, lavenderwingz, frostbite, Ah Yi for contributing

Name: Academy, The
Starring: Ron Ng, Michael Miu, Sammul Chan, Tavia Yeung, Fiona Sit
A group of students who went through 27 tough weeks at the police training school. A strict teacher who helped all the students grow. A story with many characters' development. A series you don't want to miss, and yet, you will forget it easily (except the death part)
Thumbs up: How each character developed, watching them grow is like watching myself grow. Ron and Michelle's chemistry = perfect mom and son relationship. Sammul = a much improved actor with lots of potentials. Michael = the most welcome come-back TVB star!
Thumbs Down: Yes, the story is easy to forget, especially at the beginning. Also, I have hard time finding Fiona's character interesting.

Name: Always Ready
Starring: Ekin Cheung, Charmaine Sheh, Bowie Lam, Linda Chung
A series about the crew in Government Flying Service, their life, relationships and missions
Thumbs up: Sometimes, there are funny moments, which you can not skip. Other times, there are amazing performances (from Ekin and Charmaine, mostly), which you won't get tired of.
Thumbs Down: ALL the missions are not very exciting, none of the relationship is really attracting. Plus, the story is repeating too much, missions all end up alike, relationship drags too much.

Name: Charm Beneath, The
Starring: Gigi Lai, Moses Chan, Yoyo Mung, Anne Heung, Mandy Cho, Sharon Chan
A family business, a group of pretty girls, a story with charm and surprises, a villain you can't really tell, a chemistry you will find surprising, a Yoyo you won't hate. What do you want more? This is my number three most favorite series of the year!
Thumbs up: The story was slow, but develops really well, especially towards the end. Many great performances and great characters, all in one series. Moses and Yoyo's chemistry was surprising, but really good. Episode 25 is my most favorite episode of all TVB series in the entire year!
Thumbs Down: The flashbacks, you can skip most of them. Anne Heung's ending, little too fast for a slow series. Mandy's performances, she needs to improve.

Name: Fantasy Hotel
Starring: Michael Tao, Waynei Lai, Melissa Ng
A story about small hotel business. Not anything like RDOV, don't get confused.
Thumbs up: The beginning, deals with tourism, kinda funny
Thumbs Down: The whole series, disappointing, I can't find any interesting parts. Devily Leung, she is pretty, she is Ms. HK, and she didn't do really good in this series.

Name: Food for Life
Starring: Raymond Lam, Kevin Cheung, Charmaine Sheh, Tavia Yeung
This series is about how friendship blossomed among five young people who knew each other through a food competition. They have different personalities, but got along, and each became a success story...
Thumbs up: The friendship between Raymond, Kevin, Charmaine, Tavia and Ben. Also, Charmaine gave a really strong performance, and Kevin's character is like the sweetest man on earth... Also like to mention Kevin's family, including Kiki Sheung, Hui Siu Hung and Natalie Tong, a cute family.
Thumbs Down: Most of the singaporean actors (minus Ben) annoyed most of the time. The beginning of the series wasn't attractive at all.

Name: Gateau Affairs, The
Starring: Joe Ma, Myolie Wu, Jack Wu, Bobo Chan
Master of cake makers, challenge each other to get to the top.
Thumbs up: A great cake-makers' story, you will never see that many cakes in your entire life. Awesome chemistry between Jack and Bobo, who are so adorable to watch.
Thumbs Down: The ending, basically, it sucked. The Joe-Myolie chemistry, wasn't the best, because they misunderstand each other all the time, especially towards the end.

Name: Gentle Crackdown, The
Starring: Moses Chan, Niki Chow, Waynei Lai, Halina Tam
A smart judge, who doesn't have any kung fu skills met a girl who loves to protect the citizens with her kung fu skills. One uses the brain, the other uses the kung fu. A perfect match, which brings lots of laughs.
Thumbs up: Moses Chan and Niki Chow, as individual characters, as well as a couple. Waynei Lai, again, playing a smart guy, which has a good chemistry with Moses. Michelle Yim and Niki's chemistry was great too.
Thumbs Down: Towards the end, getting little dragging, and I couldn't find it funny anymore.

Name: Guts of Man
Starring: Sammul Chan, Ron Ng, Mandy Cho, Louisa So, Yuen Wah, Joyce Coi
Sammul and Joyce were investigating a mystery behind their family history, and happen to meet Ron. During the investigation, Sammul and Ron became best friends, however, love relationships and power of fame drove the two best friends apart.
Thumbs up: Joyce and Yuen Wah's chemistry, Sammul's another improvement, Ron's speaking skills in the first 4 episodes. The overall story, wasn't surprising, but wasn't boring either.
Thumbs Down: Ron-Mandy-Sammul triangle, blame on Mandy, she was the one keeps using Ron and Sammul.

Name: Herbalist's Manual, The
Starring: Frankie Lam, Michelle Yip, Selena Li, Kenneth Ma
Frankie, a herbalist who has his ups and downs as he tries to renew the Medical Manual. He gets many help from Michelle and Kenneth. However, lots conflicts occurred, including the relationship between Michelle and Selena.
Thumbs up: The story was very interesting to watch unfold because it had a lot to do with history and medicine. You will learn a lot of lessons from watching it. The second half of the series was exciting.
Thumbs Down: Frankie can be boring at times because of his lack of facial expressions, the first half of the series is a bit slow.

Name: Healing Hands III
Starring: Lawrenence Ng, Gigi Lai, Bowie Lam, Melissa Ng, Bernice Liu, Moses Chan
A continuation of HH1 and HH2
Thumbs up: Some of the stories and cases involved with the series were interesting. You also see very different Bernice and Melissa here.
Thumbs Down: Most of the relationships in the story were very dragged out to the extent where you didn't want anyone to end up together.

Name: Into Thin Air
Starring: Michael Miu, Melissa Ng, Bernice Liu, Kenneth Ma, Power Chan
A series base on the spying business (sort of), a father who looks for his son like crazy. Many short stories were inserted into the big picture, some were amazing, some were forget-able
Thumbs up: The first 10 episodes, especially episode 10. Patrick Tang and Michelle Yim's short story, which occupied 5 episodes of time, but will be in my heart forever.
Thumbs Down: The last 7-8 episodes, easy to forget. Melissa's twin effect, a big no-no.

Name: Just Love
Starring: Jessica Hsuan, Sunny Chan, Selena Li, Dave Wong, Natalie Tong
A couple who lived their life under a marriage agreement. Jessica earns the money, Sunny takes care the housework. Many misunderstandings occur because of the marriage agreement, adding the third and fourth factors, Selena and Dave.
Thumbs up: The village people and the city people do think very different. This series brought out a lot of interesting issues in our society. Also, the golden lines of relationships, a must learn!
Thumbs Down: Last 4-5 episodes, when a lot of things can be deleted. Sometimes, I got tired of the misunderstandings.

Name: Life Made Simple
Starring: Roger Kwok, Jessica Hsuan, Bosco Wong, Leila Tong, Raymond Cho, Angela Tong
The modern version of Square Pegs, or not. This time, Roger didn't loose any memory. Also, he got a brother Bosco, who is rich.
Thumbs up: Bosco when he is reasonable or unreasonable, he is a very talented actor. Roger and Jessica's chemistry once again, feels good to see them on screen. A "bad" Leila, very refreshing to see. Angela's character, very interesting and fun to watch.
Thumbs Down: Sorry, I have hard time loving the ending. And, please, no LMS 2

Name: Love Bond
Starring: Michael Tao, Moses Chan, Kenix Kwok, Bernice Liu, Paul Chun
A family story, which is easy to forget. I already forgot most details of the series.
Thumbs up: Two thumbs up to Moses and Bernice's chemistry, one of my most favorite couple of the year, they look so cute together. I do remember most of their parts. Kenix Kwok, the awesome actress, again, I have no idea why she didn't win the Best Actress.
Thumbs Down: A lot of parts were dragging, that is why the series was easy to forget.

Name: Misleading Track
Starring: Louisa So, Bowie Lam, Deric Wan, Christine Ng, Tsang Wai Kuen
My second favorite series of the year! A great suspense and a great series, which you can finish watching in 2 or 3 days.
Thumbs up: The story, never bored you, everything happens so fast. Awesome performances from the child stars. Also, the evil Deric Wan, you are still the best! A good story with no perfect chemistry, yeah! So unique!
Thumbs Down: Christine Ng's character, never like-able.

Name: My Family
Starring: Chung King Fai, Ha Yu, Rebecca Chan, Hawick Lau, Alex Fong, Shirley Yeung, Sam Chan
Another family story! But with a story of many generations, very fun to watch, and also easy to forget. I have to admit, most family stories are easy to forget.
Thumbs up: The three different generations. The grandpa was super nice, super smart. The father was little stupid, but he learned his lessons well. The grandsons were fun to watch, especially Alex, my favorite character, he is really clever and sweet. A great family story with no dragging moments! All family should watch it all together!
Thumbs Down: Can't really think of one, but I do think Shirley and Alex should end up together.

Name: Prince's Shadow, The
Starring: Adam Cheung, Tavia Yeung, Sheren Tang, Marco Ngai, Joyce Tang
A very smart guy works for the Emperor, not for the fame or power. I forgot almost everything about the series, because the story wasn't attracting.
Thumbs up: Joyce Tang!!!! Two thumbs up for her, I won't watch this series if she is not in it. Amazing performances as an Empress, I can never forget the way she talks, so skillful.
Thumbs Down: The story, so dragging, lots of parts are pointless. Adam and Tavia, worst chemistry of the year.

Name: Real Kung Fu
Starring: Yuen Biao, Maggie Siu, Leung Kar Yan, Gordon Liu, Charmaine Li, Jack Wu, Timmy Hung
Yuen Biao was framed with murder, so he went to Foshan to investigate the case along with Maggie. The two met Charmaine Li, Jack and Timmy, who all later learning kung fu with Yuen Biao.
Thumbs up: The Kung Fu parts, very real. Jack Wu, refreshing character, extreme makeover.
Thumbs Down: The dragging story, plus I really don't like Charmaine Li's character, always make trouble. She is responsible for Leung Kar Yan's death! Also, Timmy Hung when he was on drugs.

Name: Revolving Doors of Vengeance
Starring: Joe Ma, Ron Ng, Kenix Kwok, Ella Koon, John Chiang, Elaine Yiu, Ellesmere Choy
Joe took over Ron's family business in order to train Ron and his brothers. Ron misunderstood Joe's actions, and the whole game begins. An interesting story with many characters who are "playing" with each other. It is the game within their soul. This is the one and only, my favorite series of the year!
Thumbs up: The entire story was interesting, many great scenes and lines, which are not easy to forget. Ron and Ella's chemistry at the beginning was awesome. Kenix Kwok totally deserves the Best Actress award.
Thumbs Down: Elaine, who keeps bothering Ron. Can't blame her, the girl got issues. The ending wasn't very impressing, way too perfect. Also, the whole series, only one person died, which is nothing compare to Secret of the Heart or ATE or CBWH.

Name: Scavengers' Paradise, The
Starring: Roger Kwok, Kenneth Ma, Myolie Wu,  Cherie Kong, Wayne Lai
A story about finding love and finding their own paths to their destinations. Roger, Myolie, Kenneth and Cherrie, some time or another lived in the same apartment, however receiving a wrong impression of each other.
Thumbs up: A love relationship that deals with all four characters, the story is a funny and upbeat series, filled with tears and laughter. Kenneth and Roger portrayed characters that fit them very well. The humor in the singing was a must see in this series.
Thumbs Down: This was a rather long and dragging story, where the love story could have benne cut down a few chapters. Cherrie still needs improvement in her acting, as she is still stiff.

Name: Shades of Truth
Starring: Chilam Cheung, Wong Hei, Gigi Lai, Tavia Yeung
A make-fun-version of infernal affairs, a mixture of undercovers, ancient and modern scenes, love and betrayal. A story you don't want to miss, and many great performances you can't get enough.
Thumbs up: The chemistry between the main and supporting cast was there the whole time. Everybody was able to interact with each other, so because of that it was enjoyable watching them together. Also this series was very funny and memorable, everyone will fall in love with Chilam and Wong Hei.
Thumbs Down: Out of nowhere in the series the pairings switched from Wong Hei and Gigi to Gigi and Julian and from Julian and Tavia to Tavia and Wong Hei. It was quite confusing.

Name: Strike at Heart
Starring: Joe Ma, Charmaine Sheh, Stephen Au, Sunny Chan, Annie Man, Nadia Chan
A wuxia story with friendship, loyalty, love and revenge. A huge misunderstanding between best friends and lovers.
Thumbs up: Nadia's character, love her every single moment! Charmaine's performances, she is getting better and better. Sunny and Annie's chemistry, really fun to watch
Thumbs Down: The story wasn't very attractive, plus, I don't like the many misunderstandings, one after another.

Name: Ten Brothers
Starring: Kenix Kwok, Frankie Lam + 10 brothers + Leila Tong, Nancy Wu
The story was base on a fantasy tale, the 10 brothers, born with unique skills, learning their ways to become good and skillful. Warm and touching story with lots of laughs.
Thumbs up: The ten brothers' skills, each were unique, and they discovered their skills very differently, which is really interesting to see. The story was fun to watch, there are emotional parts as well.
Thumbs Down: Not many action sequences, not many love stories. The villain is too crazy.

Name: War of In Laws
Starring: Myolie Wu, Bosco Wong, Liza Wong, Shek Sau, Christine Ng
This is the best air rating TVB series of the year, why? Thanks to the first 10-11 episodes. This is not my favorite series of the year, why? Thanks to Liza Wong, Chan Hoi Yee and #12-18 episodes.
Thumbs up: Boscolie! The cutest couple, who gets my favorite on-screen couple of the year award. The first half of the series was awesome, can't stop laughing.
Thumbs Down: Liza Wong is very unreasonable sometimes. Why do we hate Chan Hoi Yee so much? Blame on Liza, if she didn't force Bosco to marry Chan, then, none of these will happen! Again, why did Liza won the Best Actress award? She is my least favorite character of the year!

Name: When Rules Turn Loose
Starring: Liza Wong, Myolie Wu, Sammul Chan, Ha Yu, Waynei Lai, Marco Ngai
A law series, at first, I thought I was going to watch another boring typical law series. But no, this law series really caught my attention and became one of my favourites.
Thumbs up: Wayne Lai, he was the just the most awesome person in the series. He was kind, thoughtful, and nice to his ex-wife’s family. Also, I learnt many things from this series, everything from a law fact to life-time use-able lessons
Thumbs Down: The evil Marco Ngai! Very hated villain. Ha Yu's laughter, gets very annoying