Producer: Poon Ka Tak - the same producer of DIF 1-3, Triumph in the Skies
Series Type: Modern Drama
Produce Company: TVB
Number of Episodes: 30
Themesong by: Hacken Lee
Sub-themesong by: Ron Ng
Banner provided by: Julian

* Reviewed by TVB Square

THE FACTORS
- Love Factor
Revolving, Doors, Vengeance
The entire story line is revolving around Joe Ma and Ron Ng's family. From the day Joe took over the hotel, he planed many struggles and problems for Ron and his brothers, the only reason was to open doors for them. Force them to unite and fight back. Joe successes, but Ron's family also treats him as the big enemy. When there is enemy, there is vengeance, there are people trying to revenge. Everyone "plays" each other, using one another, but at the end, only found out the useless side of vengeance... The story was impressive, sometimes you are confused about what the characters are doing. The characters' actions make you think and question, why are they doing this? What's wrong with them? Sooner or later, the answer will be told. The story was normal, you can find the truth behind all lies, you can predict the inner-feelings of each characters, it's just like playing a chess game, the story makes the audiences try to think what will happen next. The story was also shocking, people try to do mean stuff to harm others, even though they have no reason to hurt others. Because of vengeance, evil develops inside one's heart without anyone noticing it...

Ron Ng
You can use three words to describe Ron's character: impulsive, impetuous and irresponsible. He is really impulsive, always do things without even thinking. All he wanted is revenge, revenge and revenge. Ron did a great job for expressing his anger and portraying his impetuous mood. Without his impulsive actions, the villains can't take advantages on him, and he won't learn from his mistakes. Throughout the story, you can also tell he is very irresponsible for his actions, he fights a lot in the beginning because he thinks he fights really well. Later, he uses strategies to hunt down his enemies because he thinks he is smart enough. It is true that he never thinks about the consequences. Same also applied to his love story. There is a scene, at the parking lot, where Ron tells Joe about how he frames Joe, how he uses Joe's father, how he wanted Joe and Joe's father against each other. That scene was pretty awesome, who ever thought Ron is behind the whole thing. . I think Ron's character is interesting, you don't know if you love him or hate him. But, because of this, he is in my love factor list ;-)

Kenix Kwok
At the beginning, she works for John Chiang even though he only uses her. Then, she falls in love with Joe, she wanted to give up everything for Joe. However, she found out Joe betrayed her. In episode 25, Kenix said she is only a chess game piece... She yelled to Joe that they all lie to each other, and never ends. Wa, that scene was so impressive. I totally love the way she yells, and because of that, I began to feel pity for her. Then, Kenix takes revenge on Joe by working for Ron, again, she takes money as her only asset. In episode 28, Ron phoned Kenix and told her that everything was a mistake, there is no vengeance between Joe and Ron's family. Kenix was like, "then, what about me?" Yeah, what about her? All the sudden, I can step into her shoe and actually feel what she feels. She is truly a game piece, played by so many people. I don't blame her for playing Joe, I don't blame her for using her own son. I only found myself pitying for her character. Kenix did a great job for her character, I just wish she can be little more evil.

Great Scenes and Great Lines
The last episode, Ron and Joe shared a chess game scene together, Ron said, to safe the general, we have to give up lots of other game pieces. Joe disagreed, he said we can not treat them as game pieces. I think that line fits the entire story so well, and brings out the whole idea of vengeance. There is also a scene when Derek Kwok tries to comfort Joe, and don't want him to be too angry. Derek gave Joe a book called "Anger Management". Joe said, an angry person will not read that book, and if the person is not angry, that person will not understand the book. That line was great, I will never forget it. Joe was so right about that. Anyway, in this series, there are lots of scenes you will enjoy, and lots of great lines you will learn.

- Dislike Factor
Elaine + John
Let's talk about John first, I don't like John's character, but I love his performances. He is a great actor, without his great performances, the audiences won't dislike his character that much. However, I just think his character is little too stupid. He tries a lot to take advantages on Ron and Joe, but I feel like everyone else can also take advantages on him. His character is just not smart enough. As for Elaine, I dislike her performances and her character. Don't ask me why, you have to see the series to find out. Elaine changes face too fast, and I really don't like the way she cries and yells. I don't even see her tears! I also don't like the way she wants Ron, my gosh, poor Ron, why she always take advantages on Ron?

The ending (skip this if you don't want to know the ending)
The war between John and Ron's family ends little too soon. I was hoping to see more actions between them. John loses everything too fast. How can he get so drunk, and just fells on the stairs, then in coma for the rest of his life? That is just strange. Kenix and Joe get back together too easy. A simple restaurant can erase all the past away and bring the new hope? I didn't care too much about their reunion anyway, because their chemistry bores me in tears. Ron and Ella shared scenes too few. Ever since Elaine's appearance, Ron and Ella shared lesser and lesser scenes together. I was hoping to see them more together, but that didn't happen. All the sudden, they just get back together because of a song.

- Chemistry Factor
Ron & Ella
Ron and Ella shared the best chemistry in this entire story, especially in the beginning. The way they met, the way Ella falls in love with Ron, the way Ella supports Ron. All of those were really cute and sweet. However, Elaine breaks all that chemistry, she takes Ron away. This is why Ron and Ella shared lesser scenes together in the second half of the series. By the time they finally get back together, you don't feel that strong chemistry they once shared... If you don't know what I am talking about, just review episode three and the last episode, the same bridge, the same person, but just feels different.

Joe & Kenix
This chemistry is really boring, I have nothing else to say. The only time I actually feel their chemistry is when Kenix yells at Joe for using her. Their chemistry is like a game, using one another, but only finds out they love each other. At the end, they still accepted each other, but I don't feel anything special...

Ron & Elaine
OK, they shared way too many kiss scenes, am I jealous? I just don't like the way Elaine takes advantages on Ron. Especially after Ella's brother was hurt (episode 22), Ron was really sad, and evil Elaine, she just takes too much advantages. By the way, that scene is not PG-13, but I have to mention it, because of Ron's precious tear. But after that, I am speechless.

- How Come Factor
The death factor = 1
In the entire series, there is only one person died, Lau Dan. Of course, without his death, there is no story. But, how come no one else died? Not even the villains? Is the producer too kind, or am I too mean? Well, I think a good show like this, especially a family business show like this needs death factors. Remember Secret of the Heart, ATE, and Golden Faith? Lots of people died in those series, I don't know why there is only one death in this one.

Truth reveals too soon?
I think the story is little too predictable. Pretty much everything reveals right after you predicted. Sure, the story makes us guessing, but truth just reveals little too soon.

THE COMMENTS
- The Performances
Ron gets my Best Actor award for sure, he improves a lot in the series even though his character is not likeable. John Chiang also gets my honorable mention, he is always a great actor. As for Joe Ma, I think his facial expressions are always the same, never changes no matter he is happy or mad. Kenix gets my Best Actress award even though I didn't like her character 100%, but she did well, especially when she yells. Ella's debut performances were not too bad, there are lots of areas she can improve on. I like the way she yells at Ron. As for Elaine, she just can't cry, even Ella cries much better than her. I also want to mention some supporting stars, such as Winnie Yeung, the first couple episodes, she is very mean, but very refreshing. I think she can portray a villain role really well. Ron's two brothers were also great, you will like them more and more throughout the story.

- The Story
I think I said enough about the story. There are some parts very exciting, shocking and interesting, there are also parts really predictable. It is up to you to judge the overall story.

- Worth Watching?
This is your MUST SEE of the year, no matter what you will get out from it, it is worth watching. This is also a very special series for all Ron fans. Just watch the way he improves is a pleasure. For Joe and Kenix fans, don't expect too much from the Joe-Kenix chemistry, just pay attention to the rest.

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* Reviewed by Thao

The Plot

The story revolves around Wong Yuk Ting's (Lau Dan) hotel business and his three sons. The story really begins after Wong Yuk Ting dies and leaves his business to a stranger named Ko Fung (Joe Ma). The third son (Ron Ng), in the act of seeking revenge, fixes his relationship with his brother to gain back their father's hotel business. The story grows deeper as Ko Fung falls in love with Bik Kei (Kenix Kwok) and learns about the game of deceits. As the brothers fail at fighting against Ko Fung, the brothers' uncle (John Chiang) is plotting to gain back his share of the company. Who is really good and bad? The story unfolds as you learn more secrets, more deceits, more struggle, more revenges, until you realize you have no clue who is good or bad.

The Rating

I thought the series was wonderfully crafted, and it left you wanted to know more as you get deeper in the story. The cast was very great and did a great job in portraying all the characters. The evil character made me hate them, but there was also character that you were unsure about, which made the story better. It seem though the ending was kind of unrealistic for the couples like Joe and Kenix, and it seem that they just wanted a happy ending for all the couple. Also I thought it was predictable after everything unpredictable happened. As the ending scene began to unravel, it seems you could have just guess what happen at the end. At first I was very surprise at how wrong I was about the plot, but then I gain back my dignity when I was right at the end of the plot. In conclusion I give the “Revolving Doors of Vengeances” 4 out of 5

Performances:

Ron Ng:

Ron plays the same character he plays in “The Academy” The stubborn and irresponsible guy, who learns to mature after a series of event. Ron Ng did a better job portraying Wong Kai Kit in this drama. You can see how his feelings and emotion develop during his revenges to when he realize he was wrong. In the series, because of his personality, I wasn't sure if I even like him. It was very interesting to see how his character grows, because it seems he keeps on making more and more mistakes. For a couple of times, I wanted to smack him myself on how dumb and irresponsible he was. At last in the end, you can look around his mistakes, and be happy that he wasn't dumb and how mature he was in the end. These factors made Ron's character very interesting to watch, and Ron did a great job at portraying Wong Kai Kit

Joe Ma:

I like his character and I felt sorry for him, all he was trying to do was keep his promise. Ko Fung is the opposite of Ron, he is more mature and he is very intelligent. It seems that he was very intelligent in the business field, but not so intelligent in the love field. From the beginning I was in love with the Ko Fung, I wanted to see how his character develop and change over the course of time. Though I really adore the character, I though Joe Ma wasn't that great in portraying the character of Ko Fung. There were scenes where I thought Joe Ma's was expressionless and he could have given in some more. Some of the scenes, Joe Ma did a great job in expressing especially toward the end, where all the drama took place that made Joe anger.

Kenix Kwok:

In the series, it seems that she would do anything for money, but there was the side of her that you felt sorry for. I thought Kenix did a great job in portraying Bik Kei. I love the way she acted during the scenes when she learns about Joe's betrayal or when she found out she was just another game piece. You feel sorry for her enough that you don't blame her for the thing that she did. You felt sorry for her because it seems she was just another game piece to everyone else in the story.

Ella Koon:

I enjoy her first time in the series. I thought she was very good in her crying scene and I thought she was a better at crying than Elaine. I love how she gave the expression when she asked Ron to give her reason why she should be with him. Her expression of “you must be kidding me” was priceless. I love Ella's chemistry with Ron, and I was rooting for more scenes to the very end. I really like her character and I love as I watch her fall in love with Ron.

John Chiang:

He is an outstanding character, and he portrays his character as their uncle very well. He convinced me to hate so dearly, that I was jumping for joy when he met his doom. John Chiang deserved a lot of recognition because the way he portray the evil uncle was marvelous. He didn't overdo his expression and it seems very natural. I can't wait to see him in more evil role.

Elaine Yiu:

What can I say about her, except I hated her character with a passion. Her character made you hate her with a passion because she was so evil. I think the writer wrote the character very well; that you hated it, but I didn't think Elaine Yiu did a good job in portraying it. Her crying scene was not very convincing. When she found out she was paralyze, I didn't think she did a good job at portraying it, and it didn't give the scene a strong feeling that it should have. Though I'm going to let it go because I like her character in Heart of Fencing, and I thought maybe she should stick with nice character for awhile.

While watching a series I like to make top ten reasons why I should watch it or why I shouldn't watch it. So here I go

Top Ten Reason Why You Should Watch Revolving Doors of Vengeance

10. It includes a good looking and talented cast.

9. The hotel business is not just a backdrop for a romance, but actually a foundation for it

8. The story is not revolved around a romance, but revenges instead. This gave a better meaning to the saying “revenge is sweet”

7. The main cast portray their character very well, and I thought even some of the minor cast was great.

6. The scenery is beautiful and the hotel is so grand and nice.

5. The chemistry between the brothers make you feel all bubbly inside

4. It is filled with memorable quotes about life and how chess is related to life itself. It makes me want to buy the chess board and teach myself how to play it

3. The evil character is written so that you will hate them with a passion and it gave the story more meat because you want to watch the evil character fall to their doom. Everyone loves seeing the evil character fall.

2. The chemistry between Joe and Derek Kwok is amazing. Their friendship was a highlight for me and enjoys watching scenes when they are discussing about Joe's plans. I love Derek Kwok and I wish he could get bigger roles next time.

1. The story is amazing from the beginning to the end. I was addicted to see how the story unravels. I was amazed at how I predicted some of the thing wrong. I never saw a series that show the love between brothers, lovers, and friends in such a strong way. I love being wrong about the plot, and I love how I wanted to always know more.

Top Ten Reason Why You Shouldn't Watch It

10. Derek Kwok didn't walk with them at the very end, which I think he should have because after everything he should have the right to have the final walk in the end of the story.

9. Ron and Ella loses some chemistry when Elaine showed up the picture I wanted to watch them more, but after Elaine showed up I hated how Ron's attitude toward Ella was so bad.

8. There is way too many kiss scenes between Ron and Elaine. Even worse the bed scene was very unnecessary. I don't think they should have even put that in because it just made me hate Elaine even more for taking advantage.

7. During the last part, the plot became predictable if you were paying attention to the storyline.

6. John Chiang meeting his doom wasn't that great. I was looking forward to like something excellent that left me satisfy on John Chiang's ending.

5. How the couple reunited wasn't that realistic. As much as I wanted Joe and Kenix to end up together, it was so unrealistic. There was way too much drama between them to get back so easily.

4. Some character was not good at portraying their character, like I mention above in the performance section.

3. Derek Kwok deserves someone better, though I fell for him on how he was so sincere toward Elaine, he should have deserved better.

2. The way the characters behave was annoying at some part. For example on how Ron's character was in his love life, made you very annoyed

1. I hate Elaine's character with a passion, and I didn't think she portray it very well especially her crying scenes. I even hate her more than Sonija Kwok's character in Perish in the Name of Love. (Well maybe not that much but still I still hate her character)