Reviewed by: TVB Square
THE STORY OVERVIEW
The story is based on a famous novel, the author also wrote "A Step into the Past" and "Twin of Brothers". If you are paying close attention to all three series, you will find A LOT of similarities. Anyway, no matter how many similarities you will find, you should always remember to leave the novel behind you, because, TVB never likes to follow the original novels. If you want to know more about the original novel, you can visit here.
The main focus of the series is about two different Chinese Nationalities, their lives and struggles against each other. Every new dynasty has problems with the old dynasty, especially when two dynasties are controlled by two different Chinese Nationality; The Han people and The Mongolians. As Raymond said, "When the Mongolian controlled the Han people; they treat the Han people badly. Now, the Han people got the country back, so they treat the Mongolians even worse." However, the whole situation can be different, as Bosco said, "When I was young, I was kidnapped, that doesn't means that when I grow up, I need to kidnap other people's kids." Revenge is not always the best way to solve problems, however, politics and history can make everything so complicated, and this is why, we have this story.
There are also five main story-line follow along with the main focus: the Raymond-Bosco relationship, the Derek-Raymond partnership, the Raymond-Charmaine love story, the Bosco-Emperor friendship, and the Bosco-Sharon chemistry. I will talk more about those below. For more information on the detail story, check out the plot, the episode guide, and the character analysis.
THE OUTFITS
In this series, there are lots of outfit changes from the main and supporting characters. Mainly, we will see color changes. Look at the pictures below, and let's start with Charmaine, her outfits all look the same but in many different colors: the pink, orange, blue and yellow. However, I love the yellow one the most; she looks so good in it. Next, let's look at Sonija’s. I like her outfit as a whole, but I don't like the back, there is something attach to it, and feels too much extra. Sonija also had some scenes when she is wearing that red Mongolian outfit, I don't really like that outfit. Move on to Sharon’s, her outfits have so many color changes. The red one at the beginning looks like a net; her blue outfit is my favorite.
As for the guys, I love Derek's outfits the most; also his hair style fits the outfit perfectly. Raymond's outfit looks normal, I like the blue one the most, and his Mongolian outfits look strange on him. Bosco's outfit is too simple, because he is really poor at the beginning. I still like his Korean outfit the most. Power's outfits did not change much, I love his smoking pipe. Finally, I want to mention that Raymond looks HOT in purple, Bosco looks strange in the Battle outfit (however, comparing to the other battle outfits, Bosco looks the best)
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Sonija |
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Sharon |
Derek |
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Raymond |
Power |
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Bosco |
The Korean/The Purple/The Battle |
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---- warning: minor spoilers included ----
THE CHARACTERS
Raymond Lam - Lethal Weapon
Raymond is the leader of the Mongolian people, he once lost his memory, when he finally realized who he was, and he asked himself, "What can I do for my people?" What can he do? Leading his people to fight the country back was one of his options, however, we all know that will not success. From episode 13 or 14 and on, Raymond was lying to everyone around him. He wants to do something for his people, but at the same time, he is hurting his friends. When Raymond can not hide his identity anymore, everyone began to see him as an enemy. However, Raymond has a warm heart, he does not want to hurt anyone, and yet, so many people died because of him. By the time Charmaine had almost killed him and Derek had died to save him, Raymond has finally turned himself into a monster war machine. But, deep down inside, he still has that warm heart. At the end, he finally withdraws from the war to earn his peace...
Charmaine Sheh - Beauty Weapon
Beauty comes from inside and out, Charmaine cares very much about the Ming Dynasty. To protect her country, she is willing to fight against anyone, including Raymond. Her love story was a tragic ever since the beginning. The whole thing between Raymond, Sonija and her finally came to an end, when Raymond finally realized how important Charmaine was. To save Raymond, Charmaine was poisoned and lost her virginity. However, only found out, the man she loves is working against her. To hurt Raymond, Charmaine almost killed him; she promised she will never forgive him. However, at the end, she is the only one who truly knows who Raymond is. The tortured love story comes to a perfect ending when Charmaine made a decision to let Raymond and Bosco fight. It's a fact that Derek loves Raymond more than any of us, however, Charmaine understands Raymond even more.
Bosco Wong - Power Weapon
Bosco is the character with much luck. At the beginning, Bosco does not know any Kung Fu, because of a special chance; he got the skills from a well-respected kung fu master. However, Bosco does not know how to use the power until Power Chan began to teach him. Later on, Bosco encountered three deaths, but he came back to life with even more power. With Bosco's kung fu strength, he made many great friends (including the emperor); he has many chances, which enable him to move to a higher status. Then, we all found out the fact that he is the Great General's real son. Bosco learned a lot of war strategies and kung fu skills from two great men. However, they all died because of his best friend Raymond...
Power Chan - Chemical Weapon
I call Power the chemical weapon, because he builds great chemistry with every single character in the series. Power is really funny, really smart, and always thinks ways to solve the big problems. I especially love the part when he tries to make Bosco "die", because he wants Bosco's kung fu to reach a higher level. I love the part when he is yelling at Raymond across the river, and asks him to take care of Charmaine. I love the part when he is trying to get closer to Mimi (his lover)... I just love every single thing about this character. At the end, he is the luckiest one among all casts, and lived happily ever after with Mimi.
Sharon Chan - Energy Weapon
I am not sure how to describe her in term of a "weapon", however, since all the main characters have a "weapon description", I have to use something to squeeze her in. So, I thought an energy weapon describes her well, because her character is full of energy, always jumping around. Whenever her character appears, she just brings the energy you won't expect. Especially the way she supports Bosco, making me love the chemistry even though I hate the way they call each other "brother" and "sister".
Evergreen Mak - Political Weapon
I love this guy! A perfect political weapon, and a smart one. If he can become the emperor at the earlier stage, we won't even have this story, because we all know he is going to bring peace to the Han people and the Mongolian people. It's too bad that his father doesn't even believe in him. It's too bad that his father even killed his mother. I felt so sorry about him when I learned his story. However, he only thinks about the peace in the entire country, and never brings his personal problems to the political world.
Derek Kwok - Loyal weapon
Who loves Raymond the most? It's not me, not you, not Charmaine, its Derek Kwok! In Derek's entire life, he has devoted his love to his people, his country and Raymond. He also devoted his hate to his enemies. Derek is willing to do anything to get his country back, and destroy the Ming Dynasty. He will support Raymond in any way he could, including hurting Raymond's friends. He sacrificed his own life for Raymond, and wish Raymond to carry his will. From different characters' point of views, Derek is the character to love and hate. We love him because the way he loves his people. We hate him because of the way he uses hate as his weapon. As John Chiang mentioned, you just can't use hate to fulfill your dreams.
Sonija Kwok - Secret Weapon
Why is she the main character again? I was going to list her in the supporting list below, however, everywhere else list her as the main one. If I count all her scenes together, she might have 10 episodes of time, how is that a main character? But, anyway, from the beginning, she hides secrets from Raymond, only because she works for Derek, and she wants Raymond to remember his past. Later on, we learned about her love story, and her loyalty towards Derek. Maybe you think she is stupid, for falling love with an evil monster and betray her master, but you will soon give up that thought because of Derek. Maybe you will never forgive her for killing her master, but that was a great moment for me, because I hate her master. Maybe you care less about her suicide, but her death made Derek cry (so did I)...
The Supporting Characters
There are too many supporting characters in the series, it's impossible to list them all; the following ones are the important ones I need to mention:
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John Chiang A hero everyone admires, he has his own ways of protecting the country. He is a Kung Fu master with only one student, Bosco. He taught Bosco many great things; it's a pity that their relationship didn't last long. |
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Hui Siu-Hung As a famous General, he is extremely loyal to the emperor. As a husband, he is responsible for his wife's brother's death. As a father, he treats Bosco badly until he realized Bosco was his son. As a character, you will hate him but loving him towards the end. He is my favorite supporting character of the series. |
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The Emperor The first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, who is cruel to the Mongolians, only because he is afraid to loose his dynasty. By the way, in real history, I don't think he died because of the poison. |
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Charmaine's Master She is Charmaine's master. For some reason, I really hate her. I hate the way she talks, and I hate the way she wants Derek to die. She is the only death factor I didn't care much about. |
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Jimmy Au He works for Derek, who is helping the Mongolians to get the country back. This character is kind of small, which is little hard to notice. But, I hated him for killing John. |
THE CHEMISTRY
Raymond Lam and Charmaine Sheh
I am sorry to say that their love story drags way too much. I still prefer the beginning when Raymond doesn't know he is in love with Charmaine, and when Charmaine was willing to die to save him. Ever since Raymond learned his identity, this chemistry began to drag and drag. The only peak I can find is when Charmaine stabbed Raymond, which turned out to be the best torture of the series. However, when Raymond "tortures" Charmaine back, it just felt strange, even though we all know Charmaine understands Raymond the most.
Bosco Wong and Sharon Chan
I love the way they talk on the roof, I love the way they argue against each other. I totally love the way this chemistry developed, up till the moment they have to call each other "brother" and "sister", everything was perfect until then. Later on, they realized they are not brother and sister, and all the sudden, Sharon has to choose between Bosco and Evergreen. I felt their chemistry towards the end is not as sparkle as the beginning.
Raymond Lam and Bosco Wong and Derek Kwok
It's hard to describe Raymond and Derek's relationship, because Derek was willing to do everything harmful to help Raymond's career while Raymond doesn't want to hurt anyone to accomplish Derek's goal. Their goals are the same, but the way they accomplish their goals are completely different. For Raymond and Bosco, they have completely different path, one being the king of the Mongolian, the other being the servant of the Han, but no matter what, they both have the warm heart, they both want peace. You can say both Derek and Bosco are Raymond's best friends, but they all have different principle.
Bosco Wong and the Emperor
I never thought I can expect a great chemistry between the two, considering the fact that I hate that Emperor. The Emperor is mean, but Bosco can go against him in any time, any where. Sometimes, I thought they are so funny together, which brings out a lot of laughter, all thanks to Bosco, who helped the Emperor to see the warm side of human being.
Derek Kwok and Sonija Kwok
It wasn't until the moment when Derek started crying in front of Sonija's grave, did I finally felt the chemistry between the two. I cried too, realizing the power of this chemistry, even though I cared the least about these two together.
Raymond Lam and Sonija Kwok
At the beginning, I never understand why Raymond loves Sonija so much? Is he so stupid? Or is he just too much in loved with someone he is not supposed to love?
Power Chan and Mimi Lo
This couple look so cute off screen and on screen. However, they share so little scenes together, which is a pity. I love the time when Power saved Mimi; he covered his face, only because he enjoys the moment.
THE PERFORMANCES
The best crier goes to Bosco Wong, who delivers the best performances in the entire series. He was so funny at the beginning, and so serious towards the end. Raymond Lam did an awesome job as well; he fits the character really well. Have you noticed in "A Step into the Past", "Twin of Brothers" and this series, Raymond played the "King" figure in all three series? (He was the King in "A Step into the Past", and he tried to become a King in the other two series but failed) Is that a coincident? Anyway, I just think Raymond fits this style the best. I also want to mention Power Chan, who is the character you going to love no matter what. Derek Kwok, I am going to be a fan of him now, he is an amazing villain who can also cry.
As for the female casts, of course, Charmaine Sheh was the best; her crying skills have reached another level, the silence, torture style, which is amazing. Sharon Chan improved so much; I think she fits her character really well, full of energy and style. Sonija Kwok was good as well, even though I don't really care too much about her character.
As for the supporting casts, I love Hui Siu-Hung, he is the character you will hate at the beginning, but ending up loving him.
HOW COME FACTOR
1. Raymond lost his memory when he was really young, however, after he got his memory back, Derek and him had a little conversation about Raymond's past: Raymond (when he was like 18 or something) had some conversation with the Mongolian leaders. I was really confused, because I thought Raymond doesn't know who he is, how come he is taking to the Mongolian leaders about the fact he does not want to go back to his people? Anyway, I don't like the way Raymond got his memory back, I was totally lost.
2. Why does Raymond and Charmaine's love story drag too much?
3. In most of the kung fu scenes, TVB is trying to add too much special effects into it, which turned out to be little fake. Plus, during most of the time, the characters just stand next to each other, doing nothing. The background music is cool, but soon, all the kung fu scenes lost effect on me.
4. Why do TVB blood scenes look faked? I enjoyed the bleeding pleasure; however, the blood looks too much like tomato juice or orange juice.
5. Why did Bosco and Raymond have to fight in the graveyard?! I love the fight, but I hate the place where they fight. They destroy all the graves! Poor graves.
WORTH TO WATCH?
YOU CAN NOT MISS THIS SERIES, period. No matter how low the air rating was, no matter how stupid the story changed (forget the novel!), no matter how silly the blood scenes looked; this is the series everyone should watch, and enjoy the good, bad moments all together. For the Bosco fans, you will be very happy about this series, because I think the story focuses on him a little bit more (at least, towards the end, Bosco was heavily "screened"). For the Raymond fans, you will see a different Raymond, who will torture himself between good and bad... Anyway, this is the must see of the year, thank you very much for reading this far, I hope you had some great laughs and hopes. Meanwhile, you can check out the screen captures to reduce your stress level ;-)