Survivor's Law [TVB][Episodic Thoughts]

Welcome

2009-12-28T11:39:00.000-08:00

This is the COMPLETED Episodic Thoughts for the series Survivor's Law produced by TVB. For more info, do read the right panel top most column. For the episodes, check out the right panel under Episodes. Comments are still open so feel free to post your comments. Thank you.

EPISODE 25 (Last Episode)

2004-10-20T08:42:00.000-07:00

The case continues but predictably Vincent wins the case with a majority of 5 jurors for him, 2 more against him. Anyway during his testimony he kinda confessed his love for Jess by saying how concerned he was and everything else. Jess was crying which was very touching. When Vincent was a-ok, everybody was very happy and it was the start of the mending of broken relationships.

Marco is very happy with Sister Na. Hung got back his license and his wife came back to be with him after Money told wife everything. Vincent ran after Jess and they became an item. Ben skated after Ling and they became an item. The entire series ended with all four happily roller skating as best friends they once were and jumping high up into the air.

I won't call it a very good episode but it was satisfying. Some highlights of this episode are ...

1. Ben went to see Vincent and Vincent asked Ben to be his lawyer and Ben heard what Vincent said and he tearfully said "I will never give up on you, so remember never give up on yourself". That was very touching.

2. Vincent apologising in court to his friends and confessing his concern for Jess

3. Jess scolding Ling after Ling dared to speculate that Vincent may have silenced that Crazy Panther for his own benefit, and Jess said "Of course it is unthinkable that after dating you he could have done all this for me!". Later they apologised to one another.

4. Ben telling Ling "I believe Vincent".

5. The almost end scene where Vincent ran after Jess, SMS-ed her and when Jess turned, there he was, smiling. It was a very happy ending for me.

If you're wondering about Vincent's career, he will be suspended for a while and whilst waiting to get back his license to practise law, Hung offered him a job at HK Firm for the time being and everybody forgave Vincent, Money included.

I like the ending, that final scene where they jumped high up (Raymond the highest, Myolie the lowest). I just like the ending.

I must mention about Jess tonight. She was definitely such a supportive person, very positive. I do not think she believed Vincent blindly but she believed him because she believed in his integrity the same way Ben believed him. Ling was disappointingly the skeptic and whilst it was alright to speculate Vincent's motive to kill Crazy Panther, but I thought she stepped over the line for even considering Vincent did it to cover his tracks. Vincent's actions may have all been unethical but he's not a murderer. Ling should know him enough to at least not pass such a haste judgment. The only crime he did against her was perhaps cheating on her. Cheating is not the same as murder. I was disappointed Ling would think that way.

As for the performances, I thought Sammul did badly in the more dramatic scenes and Raymond Lam definitely gave his best in here with his gentle voice, his trust in Vincent and his always almost crying eyes. The rest gave competent to mediocre performance.

Overall a very satisfying episode.

The final analysis and a much complete review of the characters, performances and plot will be in my review.

Thanks for reading the episodic thoughts. It was a pleasure sharing my thoughts with you night after night.

EPISODE 24

2004-10-19T08:42:00.000-07:00

A devastating episode, that is the last 1 minute. But a short recap...

I missed the first half, and when I switched channle after watchingThe Apprentice, I saw Ling and Ben in a ferris wheel, Ling squeeling with fear. I don't know why I am feeling this right now as I write these words, I must confess .... I was then very very annoyed with Ling. Later did I know why. More on that later.

Ok, Vincent got that creep out. His friends deserted him, his father angry with him, Vincent feeling pretty sorry himself when he heard Ling got attacked by that creep at the funfair. It was Jess who saw him, Jess who chased after him and Jess who said he should do something to remedy the situation as he inadvertantly caused it all by defending that creep. I must say something in defence of Vincent. Someone must defend the creeps, if not Vincent, then someone else. When Vincent is counsel, he can't just do a sloppy job. But we all know why Vincent did what he did ...

He then visited his father when he saw Ben who revealed that Vincent was charged with obstruction of justice because of that cheque that true enough got the driver killed. Vincent was still angry with Ben but Ben said only Vincent could help himself and that he would always be there as his friend. Vincent was visibly ... well he looked a bit guilty. Anyway next thing we hear Vincent calling Jess apologising, regretting all his actions, went out for a drink and saw that creep who told him he kidnapped Jess. Vincent was motified. Vincent begged that creep to let Jess go, but creep took out a guy and said basically try me. Vincent didn't dare and resorted to more begging when that creep said he will rape Jess and then kill her. When Vincent begged please let her go, kill me instead, creep said he will call his men, tell his men to rape Jess and then kill her. Creep was laughing that hyena laugh and Vincent, scared and terrified for Jess quickly took the creep's gun and guess what?

He shot that guy straight into his head and that guy died. Bartended in bar came out and saw the shooting and nothing else. Then Vincent took up creep's phone but no voice. Then his own phone rang and Jess said HI! and Vincent said are you ok Jess? and Jess said of course, she just went out for I think dinner with friends. It was then that Vincent knew he was in deep shit ...

I must say, that creep's eyewear is very stylo.

Anyway, story wise, I love how Jess ran out and scolded Vincent. I love how Ben was ever so gentle with Vincent, always believing in Vincent's goodness and I love how Vincent tried his best to protect Jess, even if he had to beg and then murder. I fully support his actions. Problem is that creep was only playing mind games with him.Apparently that cheque was not real, he dragged Vincent into this little game of his. Despicable creep.

Now that scene in the pub is annoyingly too long and Sammul Chan was again at his weakest in acting out panicky scenes. The best was just the last 1 minute, the rest before it was really slow mo, too much dialogue, too much talking. I was bored half way but I really really didn't expect Vincent to shoot that creep.

Provocation is a good defence here. I am sure Ben will go all out to save him.

Bernice Liu's acting is also not very good, in fact very weak but I like her. A pity her beauty had to be buried underneath that ponytail and old style glasses but her cuteness and sunshine personality definitely shines through, even when she is sulking.

Now to answer this question I posed earlier ...

" I was then very very annoyed with Ling..."

It was the preview of the last episode where Ling even dared to speculate that Vincent pulled the trigger to hide the truth of his unethical ways! Then I saw Jess standing up scolding Ling. YA YOU GO GIRL! Oh please Ling do shut up! She is so judgmental, never giving Vincent a chance whilst Jess is not stupid but she believes in Vincent's goodness like Ben. These are true friends. I am annoyed with Ling, really annoyed but this is not the first time she put down Vincent, in fact when she flung that cup at Ben, I was like "BEN!! THROW THAT WATER DISPENSER AT HER!!". I understand why she was angry but that was no way to treat Ben, a man she knows to have great integrity.

Anyway tomorrow's episode is the end. The ending is definitely a happy one. And I just realise this series is so PG rated, no kiss-kiss. A pity.

EPISODE 23

2004-10-18T05:33:00.000-07:00

Love Ben, hate Vincent, poor Jess, jittery Ling.

Kinda sums up today's episode. Details to follow right after ...

Ben successfully found the witness Ling said she saw when she was walking into that path that starry night when she witnessed her best friend Mabel molested and murdered. Ling remembered the man as a drive since he has a cap and in uniform. And amazingly 7 years later that man is still here and is even willing to testify. His testimony is crucial because

1. he was he defendant's ex driver driving the defendant to that secluded place (the cree said he wanted to pick up some things.. yeah like raping and murder I guess)

2. he remembered the time, the date, the details perfectly

3. he saw his young master's bloody hands and bloody swiss knife looking jittery just 15 minutes of so after he went up and came back down

4. he remembered teh girl died there

Vincent got hold of this witness by seducing Jess, yes he hinted how he missed home cook food and Jess ran up to cook for him and talk talk talk she revealed the witness which will be revealed in the list Vincent will get tomorrow anyway.

Vincent went to see witness who was reluctant to lie or disappear before the hearing date. Right at that moment Ben saw Vincent. Ben ran after Vincent and there was their confrontation, possibly the best scene in tonight's episode and one of the best in the entire series. Basically Ben warned Vincent not to go over the line because he promised Cheuk Sir to take care of Vincent and Vincent turned back and started scolding Ben, saying Ben was the cause of Vincent's misery, for putting his dad away, for taking away Ling making himself look like a hero in front of Ling and Vincent the loser. Gentlemanly Ben looked guilty and even said he wished life was like before where all 4 of them are close friends. Vincent challenged Ben to do something about it and Ben said he will give up Ling if Vincent was willing to return to the righteous path.

Right at that moment I love Ben the most for his selflessness and his self sacrificing attitude, that nothing NOTHING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING is more important than freindship. Of course Vincent laughed and walked away. Actually he smirked, sniggered, and left.

Ben told Ling about Vincent and Ling, as usual in a very dismissive tone dismissed Vincent as long gone, cannot be saved anymore whilst Ben said in a tiny voice Vincent is not a bad person, he will come around. Jess of course refused to believe she was used as Ben told her what happened and she confronted a drunk Vincent at his house and guess what happened? Vincent actually confessed that he knew Jess loved him and he used her and that Jess was so stupid to believe him and she was so lucky it was Vincent who used her who in a way did not use abuse her physically but well Jess was very very hurt. Bastard!

Anyway, then that creep defendant's other lawyer (I think more like assistant) gave Vincent a cheque supposedly to give to one guy who will give it to that driver so that the driver will take that money and run. Vincent reluctantly did it when he heard he will earn loads of money. And the end.

Guess what? Next episode as predicted driver died! Interesting.

Tonight I find Ben a very interesting character for his view on friendship. Whilst many may say nice guys are the boring ones, tonight no one is more exciting in my eyes than Ben. I love him. And Raymond Lam gave Ben such layers of emotions as he quietly said to Vincent he will leave Ling if Vincent was willing to be good again. Right at that moment you knew Ben was filled with remorse and guilt as he actually believed he had some part to play in Vincent's descent into unreasonabless (I do not agree of course) and that he actually valued his friendship with Vincent. You could see Ben was desparate to get Vincent to back away from underhanded tactics. Raymond Lam basically conveyed all that without yelling, screaming or even crying. But you knew his heart was breaking into thousands of pieces.

Vincent himself is really becoming a caricature of his former self confident self. Now he's just self possessed, thinking everybody especially Ben wronged him. He channeled his entire dissatisfaction into Ben, making Ben his enemy numero uno. In a way I can understand why Vincent changed, but in a way Vincent has always been the jealous type, but under control because dad was there. The fact that Vincent used Jess was just too much, and at least he had the guts and the conscience to confess to Jess. He was right about one thing; another man would have used Jess' extreme naiveness and goodness to his advantage which will hurt Jess even more. But Jess was already too hurt for words. I feel in a way Vincent was more honest when he was with Jess than with Ling or Ben. Even if I could hate him for what he did, right at that moment he told Jess to go away was perhaps a scene which shows a bit of Vincent's humanity, that he still can be saved because he actually felt guilty for misusing Jess' trust. I am between liking him and disliking him.

Ling basically had less and less to do whilst poor Jess, felt used.

Performance wise, Sammul Chan today displayed all his inadequacies as an actor as he unconvincingly tried to play a drunk guilty man confessing his guilt (in a way) to Jess and also that scene where he confronted Ben.That scene was supposed to be explosive, it was supposed to be Vincent's moment of telling Ben why he felt miserable, who made him miserable and successfully making Ben feel miserable. It should have more anger, more angst, more jealousy, more hatred, more arrogance and dismissive tone. Sammul Chan had very little of these, probably because he in real life may be a soft nice guy. Perhaps Raymond should have slapped him a few times before filming that scene. I remember in Golden Faith Raymond's Oscar had more anger in him when he channeled all his entire energy into hating Gallen's Ivan. That is what I call anger. None in Sammul Chan, well not convincing enough. He just looked like an angry pissed little boy. He should be a very angry MAN.

Overall a good episode, a bit melodramatic, a bit lacking in pace, a bit not like the first few episodes. Luckily it is ending soon because TVB has a tendency of screwing the story as it goes. Characters are all already screwed up anyway as Ling does not resemble Ling, Sister Na does not resemble herself and Vincent ... the problem with this series right now is it does not have a real villain we can actually hate. Reason is simple; they want to redeem Vincent and save the friendship so Vincent can't go overboard. I kept expecting him to do something unethical to the point of no return, something mean, something bad but thus far I may disagree with his tactics but I won't say they're morally wrong. I was hoping to see Oscar you know, hopping mad and doing many many bad things to his brother, I espect to see Changing Lanes' main protaganist who rapes, commits attempted murder, cheats, lies and manipulates his way to get what he wants. This would be great because then viewers will question themselves how can this scumbag redeems himself because you know this is the main character, he has to redeem himself somehow.

Remember Flaming Brothers? That kid brother was such a nice kid, greed turned him, he did many many many bad things but in the end he redeemed himself as he laid dying, crying, and if I remembered correctly asking for forgiveness. You can't forgive him but at least you feel what a pity such a good young man had to turn out like that.

I expect that for Vincent from episode 1. Disappointingly thus far Vincent is essentially an unreasonable angry jealous being but nothing overboard,nothing malicious.

EPISODE 22

2004-10-14T10:42:00.000-07:00

This series is certainly taking a novice through various court systems, levels, arguments, quite well rounded. Today the story about Ling and Ben continues.

Ben went all out to question Ling on her identification of his friend. Ling was very certain but Ben convinced the jury that perhaps she was wrong because he dead friend, Mabel once told Ling that Fai (I didn't catch his name but I think it should be Fai) who had a big nose was secretly in love with Mabel. When Ling told this to the police, the police arrested Fai who so coincidentally had the same shoes and pocket knife (suspected murder weapon, shoes) in his house. To Ben it was all a coincidence. Anyway, Ling identified Fai successfully in the parade (but she failed the first time during the photo identication stage) largely because of his big nose. Ling remembered the nose. Ben argued perhaps Ling was prejudiced, that in her mind she sealed Fai as the culprit because she was convinced when she saw him in the police lineup having been told beforehand he was Fai, her mind prejudiced towards him. Ling was crying no way, no way, Ben stepped over the line and she began to sob uncontrollably. Ben looked guilty, Jess looked guilty and Ling was furious. She basically threw a cup of water in Ben's face and stormed off.

Ben continued to investigate and with Jess' kick boxing talent, they managed to trick that Pao Kor into the restroom (or somewhere), Jess kicked him, he fell down and fainted and Ben got his blood sample. Tested it and he identified the blood as that the same as at the crime scene (I thought the prosecution never analysed the blood 7 years ago and I doubt for 7 years it was so well preserved considering the case was closed!) but Ben called him Mr A. Ling was called again as witness and Ling was asked to identify the nose she saw, from I think 6 pictures, the faces could not be seen, just the nose. To Ling's credit, she remembered the nose and opened it and the picture was Pao Kor. Right at that moment Ling again sobbed uncontrollably when she realised she has made a mistake, a man was deprived of 7 years of his prime life and Ling was wrecked with guilt, quietly went away and Ben ran after her and she poured out her anguish. One good news though, Pao Kor was quickly arrested and Ling was again asked to identify him.

Problem now is Pao Kor was represented by Vincent. Yes, VINCENT. Ling again uttered the same words she uttered to Ben just the previous episode, "Why are you helping this scumbad? He murdered my best friend!" but Vincent said, "I am a lawyer, I have no choice". Pure B.S if you ask me.

Vincent's reasons for taking the case was simple, as he told his new best friend, an unidentified fellow lawyer; "HK has no place left for me, when my dad comes out, I will migrate with him to somewhere else". He knew very well Pao Kor was guilty as charged but Vincent, still hurt from Ling's breaking off with him and Ben's so called betrayal of their friendship wanted to earn as much of money and leave.

This time Ben gave up trying to reason with Vincent and went away, Jess worried followed him and Ben said he wasn't angry with Vincent, just terribly worried.

Jess was worried too but knew she could do nothing but support her friends. She saw Vincent in the gym and when Vincent heard Ben over the phone asking Jess to dinner, Vincent quickly suggested they go for a movie together. Naturally Jess chose Vincent over Ben. Then Vincent sent her home and was extra nice to her, a bit flirtatious too but in a very ambigous way.

You see at this point I am terribly confused. Was Vincent asking Jess out an act of vendetta against Ben (like Ben was asking Jess, Jess said Yes and Vincent wanted to deprive Ben of a friend having dinner with him)? Was Vincent actually genuine in asking Jess out? Did Vincent knew Jess liked him? I think the answer is more about Ben than about Jess.I think he realise Jess liked him but didn't know how deep. At that moment in time, Vincent was truly despicable.

Performance wise, Raymond Lam rules with his guilty feeling Ben. Myolie Wu was a bit fake in her courtroom outbursts scenes, you have to watch it to know what I mean. Bernice Liu improved a lot, and is still as lovable as ever whilst Sammul Chan, I can't describe his performance because I find his Vincent so confusing with so many mixed signals. I would term it as not very good performance.

By the way Sister Na is now in love with Marco. Can we just move away from Sister Na who from strong career woman now becomes like a caricature in here? The actress is still as horrible as ever.

EPISODE 21

2004-10-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

Practically no Vincent today, but loads of Ben.

How shall I start? It was obvious Ling is very attracted to Ben as she bought him his favourite out of stock roller sneakers he wore in the beginning and she bought herself a pair also, not before she had to beg the owner to sell it to her and promising in the end to give free legal representation just for that shoes.

Everything went well until one case that Ben took.

Ben had a best friend who was imprisoned for rape-murder 7 years ago, a crime he said he did not commit. The case was flimsy, evidence entirely circumstancial except for one very strong eyewitness and that eyewitness was Ling when she was in high school. She saw her friend being murdered, saw for a moment the killer's face and was very certain Ben's friend was the one. Ben was at fault for not telling her earlier and went with her to visit her friend's grave and even asked loads of questions. One thing was certain; Ling was very sure he was the one and Ben was very sure his friend could not have committed such a terrible crime. When Ling found out from Ben he intended to take this case to appeal, Ling walked away, as emotional as ever, blaming Ben for even considering she was lying or was mistaken. She said even if he won, it would mean nothing because a killer is let loose. The entire series Jess seems to be the only objective woman as she assisted Ben like a good friend should. Jess knew Ben would be jeapordising his relationship with Ling but Ben said, "How can I let my friend be imprisoned for a crime he did not commit?" whilst Ling thought she must bring the murderer to justice, even for a second time.

Ben won the appeal, got to have a fresh trial with Marco as the prosecutor. It all looks good for Ben, except Ben would have to destroy Ling's testimony.

Tomorrow we will know. But one clue said that there was a Pao Kor in this case. He must be the one.

Anyway I am beginning to dislike Ling. Again she jumped to conclusion and started berrating Ben without listening to him. But I understand why, her best friend was murdered, she was convinced he was the one, so she couldn't understand why Ben is digging up old wounds. I do not think it is her ego and her refusal to believe she was mistakn that was the culprit; I believe she genuinely believed he was the one. Likewise Ben believed his friend. Very complicated. Jess as usual is in between but like a good friend stood by both of them.

A very interesting scenario.

What would you do if one day you discover you were mistaken and one man was imprisoned for many years for your mistake? I saw a documentary once where this rape victim was so sure the imprisoned man was the culprit, and about a decade later, DNA results showed otherwise. I could never live with such guilt that an innocent man went to jail because of me. Perhaps one explanation for this; like Ling, extreme trauma can sometimes make us associate the very first similar looking person as the guilty party and from thereon in our memory we forever associate him with the crime that was committed against us. I am not saying do not believe the victim, but sometimes mere words are not enough. It is good that DNA is now available.

In this episode, Ben won the new trial by finding that the prosecution did not reveal to the defence lawyer that there wa a drop of blood belonging neither to the victim or the accused, a third party's blood. Ben said this would jeapordise the defence case which could have given them a possible defence. Ben was right, the prosecution was lazy and a bit bad you know.

Ling will definitely go very emotional tomorrow. I am beginning to feel very irritated with her. Jess meanwhile argued her case with Ben! Very interesting!

EPISODE 20

2004-10-13T05:38:00.000-07:00

Today's episode highlights Vincent's badness and of course Sammul Chan's weaknesses. But first what actually happened?

Money was sued by her former live in lover who left her 7 years ago to go back to his wife. His wife left him and now he came back and wanted Money to return the apartment he bought 7 years ago and to claim 7 years of arrears in rent, saying he let Money stay there as a tenant, though they were having an affair. Money didn't know he was married and when she knew she told him please go sort out your life, he went and never came back, until now. Money was furious and Ben and Ling took her case whilst her former lover's case was taken by .... GUESS WHO? Now the ridiculous part, VINCENT! First of all this is only pure drama. I thought Vincent left the law firm and worked for someone else. But he was still in Sister Na's firm, his colleague was Ben. Two people from the same firm can't represent two people involved in the same case, because there will be conflict of interest. Now I am even more confused about so called Bar status and Sister Na's law firm. Anyway pure drama aside, Vincent went all out. He described Money basically as a money hungry slut who didn't care about people's welfare or marital status as long as she got her house. This was further strengthened by the fact that Money was seen removing Homer's belt (she was trying to help him sew his pants). The argument wasn't successful because Money didn't have to pay those rent but had to give back the apartment to him (naturally since he was the legal owner and there was never an understanding he gives the house to her though Ben said there was but Vincent disputed that so my opinion is there was but Vincent twisted the truth). Money was so upset she branded Vincent a traitor whilst Ling was as emotional as ever saying "I don't think I know him anymore, our gap is getting wider" (girl! You broke up with him already, what gap?), Jess tried to justify it by saying "Maybe Vincent believed his client" whilst Ben, good old Ben simply said "Hopefully we are wrong about him and he will come around".

Next scene Vincent came by to HK Firm to collect files and everybody refused to speak to him, except Jess and Ben. Ben invited Vincent to lunch, hoping their friendship was still as strong whilst Jess also suggested the same thing, the entire firm refused to eat with him. So Vincent went back to his office but Jess, sweet Jess bought Vincent his fave hot dog and chillie sauce and they both had a pleasant lunch.

At this point I could hate Vincent but I realise he had always been nice to Jess, always. Love is in the air! Of course not before Vincent did something worse I think.

Ben then visited Cheuk Sir in prison and Cheuk Sir knew he and Vincent were still having this cold war, though it was more like a friendly cold war. Earlier Vincent told his dad (when his dad asked how was he and Ben) that friendships are more about fate, either it's there or it's not there. Translation : Ben and I are no longer friends dad. Anyway back to Ben. Cheuk Sir in an emotional plea said Vincent was someone who never gives up and hates losing (translation : kiasu) so he pleaded with Ben to please make sure Vincent will never take the same route he took (translation: make sure my son goes down the path of righteousness) because he realised Vincent never really understood why he confessed and was in jail (translation:Vincent is too arrogant and big headed to see his mistakes). Ben was reluctant (translation : if you're his dad you cannot teach him more so I now his enemy no. 1?") but Cheuk Sir pleaded some more (translation : Ben you just gotta do it because you're a decent fellow and responsible as well) and finally Ben said he will look out for Vincent (translation : oh alright! but no guarantees!). Actually this scene was very well done and the best scene in tonight's episode, illustrating the undying love and concern of a father to his wayward son and the unwavering loyalty of a misunderstood friend. I love Ben!

Anyway that no more, we see more of Ling and Ben. Ling finally realised Ben was the one who knitted her handbag because she asked Ben to ask his mom to knit her a scarf (actually meant for Sister Na to give to Homer) and Ben thought it was for Lin so he agreed and Ling saw him knitting away during lunch. When she realised that, she realised she may be attracted to Ben (FINALLY!).

That's all.

I really do love Ben, his simpleness, his loyalty, his understanding. Such a great great guy and I love watching that scene as he was knitting away. Raymond Lam totally owns this role and this actor surprises me that he can be so controlled in his acting, now I can't say he's an opera-ish actor anymore! Handsome also.

Myolie Wu had little to do. I am beginning to dislike Ling simply because she has nothing to do and she is just too judgmental over Vincent. Whilst I agree Vincent stepped over the line of friendship tonight by accusing Money of being basically a golddigger, perhaps knowing him for some time as a friend, then as a lover should entitle Vincent a little benefit of doubt, like what Ben and Jess was saying instead of just dismissing him just like that? Ling seems to take everything that happens around her too personally.

Bernice Liu is simply cute and I love her chemistry with both male leads, and I love to see Vincent falling for her, because Jess never judge him. Maybe you can say she is blinded by her devotion to him, but in a way she wasn't, not tonight anyway. She tried to make excuses but she knew Vincent was going through a rough time. I love the fact that Jess and Ben tried to give Vincent some justification, that they all have this tiny little hope that one day he will come around, and go back to the good old days. THIS teaches us all a lesson; never ever fall in love with a colleague/friend because then when broke up, things will never EVER be the same again.

Now Sammul Chan. I want to talk about him more because I find his performance tonight so unsatisfactory, so inadequate, so mind boggling, so inconsistent. I see Vincent as vindictive, as he saw Ben and Ling being so friendly with one another, he went all out in his case. When he took this case he knew he would be facing Ben and it was his own ego that he wanted to win Ben, perhaps to show Ling like "see, see I am better!". In court he was even rude to Ling with his self satisfied smile. At this point I thought Vincent was all gone, this new Vincent was despicable, angry, jealous. Then we see him next day at the office as Money said something mean to him he looked almost guilty, regretful. You don't realise the impact of your words, go all out to prove a point only to look guilty! I was hoping to see Vincent arrogant, beyond reach but is still sweet to Jess because he was never felt threatened by Jess. This would be my idea of Vincent. But Sammul Chan spoilt it by having that look. He should make up his mind where Vincent is heading. Don't do a Charmaine Sheh here, all a scene per scene performance. Very bad performance.

Anyway, I think this series is ending soon. I just want to see how bad can Vincent go or are all these just a red herring, that he never went bad??

EPISODE 19

2004-10-12T05:32:00.000-07:00

Vincent, probably at his ugliest, emotionally and yet the most vulnerable. The scene where he pleaded to the judge on behalf of his father in his Obtruction of Justice charge was not just emotional to the core, but so very sad. I had tears when Vincent ran to his father, sentenced to a very light sentence of 6 months imprisonment and he grabbed his father, almost crying saying "I have failed! I have failed! I am a lawyer, I helped countless others but I can't help you father, I am sorry, I have failed!". But his father looked at him smiling that "I have learned a lesson, and I hope you have to, I could not sleep with peace on my mind, I am proud of you, you did very well!" and his father smilingly but tearfully walked away as Vincent tried to remember what was the lesson he was supposed to learn because he felt not happiness that his father was sentenced so lightly but hatred at Ben for putting his father in this position in the first place and himself for failing his father.

Actually Ben tried very hard not to put Cheuk Sir in a bad position. He questioned Cheuk Sir, he managed to avoid the important question about that drug package but prosecution had to confirm and Cheuk Sir himself admitted his wrongdoings. My sister brilliantly argued where got obstruction of justice or perverting justice since that package was from the drug dealer's house but BUT Cheuk Sir put it there after it was taken out. In away Cheuk Sir was wrong but he did it with good intentions. Ben felt guilty but knew he had to do what he had done.

Vincent couldn't understand, so he blamed Ben. It became uglier when Ling came over to console him and Vincent took that as reconciliation, tried to force himself on her until Ling screamed that their relationship was all over. I tell you, this girl had everything except tact AND timing. Talk about bad timing! And Ben was there after hearing the sounds in Vincent's office and Vincent took that as Ben challenging him, mocking him when Ben meant well. Ling told off Vincent, saying he changed for the worse (thus making the situation worse) and Ben tried to explain but Vincent was beyond listening. He screamed at Ben, saying he was acting in front of Ling to make himself look good whilst Vincent looked bad, Ling was angry that he hurled such accusations at Ben, Ben was silent and Vincent finally said "You stupid woman! He has always been in love with you!" and Ling didn't believe it and again Ben was silent. LIng left angrily and Ben tried to talk to Vincent who simply threw Ben out of his office.

The next day Jess called Vincent and Vincent coldly said he was leaving for his holiday and he left, just like that.

Ben was shocked to hear Vincent went for a holiday since he was so emotional then but he felt it was good for Vincent to do so, to calm himself down and Ling confessed to someone (I can't remember Jess or Ben) that at first she felt she could almost rekindle her love for Vincent and when she saw how ugly he was emotionally, she knew she did the right thing by breaking off with him.

She teased Ben about her crush on her which Ben readily confessed it was true, but it was a long time ago. Ling felt ackward. I believe once Vincent saw how close they were, things only get worse.

Meanwhile Homer had to run away from Sister Na who was bent on pursuing him. Money was so concerned about this that she was considering selling her property to lend money to Homer to repay Sister Na so that he can stop avoiding her. What is it about Homer that he has 3 women loving him and a cute guy like Ben had none??

Anyway acting wise the best was Liu Kai Chi who looked at his son, crying and smiling, relief and yet pain. This man is a maestro in acting. Sammul Chan for someone new did quite alright but next to this maestro, you can see his flawed acting. It could have been a very emotional scene, an even more angry scene later on as he accused Ben of everything but Sammul lacked that something I can't pinpoint right now. There was anger, there was jealousy, there was unreasonableness but he should have let go and give his extreme you know because I imagine Vincent losing his mind right then, at first with guilt next with anger and jealousy and this feeling that he must win, he blamed Ben and refused to look into reasons. A better actor could have given those scene more depth, a deeper look into Vincent that I hate to see but knew existed from day one but submerged beneath the coolness, suaveness. That should be the scene that a viewer will feel how ugly Vincent could be as he accused poor Ben, perhaps the most innocent of all in this mess with his father. But Sammul Chan gave just an emotional performance, but there was little depth. You have to really watch him to know what I mean.

Myolie Wu is wasted in this episode as she basically looked demure, playful and then angry. Her Ling is beginning to have less and less things to do.

Bernice Liu is the same, acting wise but her Jessica is getting stronger in personality and in conviction as the episodes go by.

Ruby Wong is the worst actress/actor in here.

Raymond Lam, last but not least was very good. The way his Ben looked at the mad Vincent filled with inner rage, the way he looked at Cheuk Sir, the way he looked at Ling, he did it all by basically doing nothing. He did not have any outbursts of emotions nor did he raise his voice or even talked at all, and yet through his eyes you could see such wonderful varied emotions. He has improved in his acting since Golden Faith and he gave Ben such depth for a basically boring nice guy character.

In his Ben, you can see he basically agrees with Jess who said she wished the four of them could go back to how they were before. In his eyes held a tiny hope that when Vincent comes back things will be ok but in that monentary gaze into emptiness as I think Jess told Ben Vincent left, you could see he realised maybe things may not be the same again.

Am I reading too much into his gaze? Maybe yes, but it's all sublime. That is the kind of acting I like. One gaze says it all. A lovely performance but Liu Kai Chi, whose face wrecked with guilt really looked the part.

EPISODE 18

2004-10-10T10:07:00.000-07:00

Very explosive episode. No ... no explosives as in dynamite but explosive as in emotional kind, all courtesy of the usually cool calm Vincent.

Anyway, there is this funny case at the beginning. Remember that woman who ran away from her marriage? The husband thought the dating agency and his wife cheated him, when in actual fact the woman really loved him but that man was too in love with his wig! It was very funny as the woman described about her husband's shame of his baldness and how when sleeping he was wearing a wig, making love also wearing a wig! In the end of course their problems solved as the husband said he will never wear a wig and the wife loved him for he was. A very happy reconciliation.

Unfortunately for Ling and Vincent, that was not the case. Vincent made Ling promise to come to the cafe and reconcile with him, Ling went after much persuasion from Jessica and thanks to some good old memories of the good old days, until she saw Vincent in there (Vincent didn't see her) and the betrayal came back and Ling realised maybe, just maybe she never really loved him quite enough to forgive him. She actually didn't feel hate anymore, just the feeling wasn't there anymore. Ben and Jess hoped to see them back together again but well ...

At the meantime Vincent got a call that his dad was in hospital after fainting from high blood pressure induced by a complaint brought by a drug dealer that he was hoping to catch all these while (and did catched) and the complaint was Vincent's dad falsified evidence to nab this scum. Vincent naturally believed his father who looked rather troubled.

Meanwhile Ben had a case where this young man called Flying Chicken (Fei Kai) was nabbed for murder which he said he never committed though he did have an argument with the victim before because when the murder was taking place, he was at that very same drug dealer's house picking up a drug package for delivery. Ben said who will believe him and Flying Chicken remembered when he was running out a policeman tried to stop him, and he was running and out of desperation he threw that package somewhere, came back later and that that package was missing. Then that man fainted, taken to a hospital and he identified Cheuk Sir as the policeman.

Now Ben was in a dilemma and he confided in Vincent, hoping Vincent could shed some light in this dilemma. You see that very same missing drug was of the same type, weight and quantity as the one recovered from teh drug dealer's house by Cheuk Sir. Ben deduced Cheuk Sir took that package and put it in that house, thus pinning the blame on that drug dealer. Now that drug dealer was no saint, Cheuk Sir was an excellent policeman but one young man was accused of a murder he didn't commit and Cheuk Sir was his only alibi (witness). Vincent begged Ben to find other ways to save his client, to leave his dad out of it. Then Vincent went home, and his dad actually told him sometimes he had to bend the law to catch the ones who broke the law. Vincent then knew Cheuk Sir did do what Ben said he did.

Ben then met Flying Chicken and told him to be honest, that he didn't do this just to get himself out and who is the best alibi if not a police and more so this police got complained by that very same drug dealer. Flying Chicken swore he didn't know about that complaint.

Meanwhile, Ling told Ben he should do what he must to save his client, that firnedship should take a back seat to justice. I agree, but then Ling said friendship can always be mended later. Now now Ling you're so naive. The day Ben do what he plans to do, that will be the end of Vincent and Ben's friendship. Anyway Ben planned to put Cheuk Sir on the stand as an alibi, and that means Cheuk Sir will had to explain about the drug and could implicate him in the fabrication of evidence.

If you ask me, there must be another way. Even if not Cheuk Sir can always deny taking that package of drugs since anybody could have taken it. Flying Chicken didn't see Cheuk Sir take it!

But this is TVB, justice, however unjust must prevail.

You see Cheuk Sir is one good policeman, except for that one mistake done out of desperation. Vincent told Ben for friendship sake, please let your client fry. But not in that same sentence but he did say "I thought our friendship is more important than your client who is nothing but a worthless criminal". True but this worthless criminal didn't do what he was accused of. He may be a drug dealer, but he ain't no murderer.

Then Jess big mouth told Vincent a hawker can confirm Chicken's story as the policeman bumped into this hawker and that was why the policeman couldn't catch Chicken.

Vincent found the hawker first and before he could say anything Ben arrived and in one of the best scene of this series, Ben scolded Vincent for trying to talk the witness out of attending trial. Vincent accused Ben of being jealous iof his success and that he was trying to win Vincent. Many hurtful accusations were thrown by Vincent to Ben and then Vincent heard Cheuk Sir told him to stop. Cheuk Sir was there to give a bottle of medicine to that hawker and as a father to a son, this father told his son he must be punished and he did do wrong and that he didn't want his son to throw away his future for him. Then Cheuk Sir walked away, Vincent followed and more heart to heart talk. Liu Kai Chi was excellent in here and Sammul Chan was clearly the lesser of an actor here. Anyway son told father he can't just stand by and let his father go to jail whilst father said he felt guilty over what he did and that Chicken was innocent. So that was that. And father said son should listen to Ben who was a true friend for stopping him from going down the same road like father. Vincent then full of hatred said to himself; "FRIEND?!"

So what happens? Tomorrow looks mighty interesting as we see Vincent going down the path of anger.

I pity Vincent. I can understand all the hurtful things he said to Ben, I can understand Ben's predicament, I can't understand Ling's calmness and her rather bland role in today's episode. I am beginning to think Ling is nothing but a vase, because she has nothing to do, no purpose except to be the woman loved by 2 men. Jess had more things to do in fact.

I like to see Vincent in today's episode, because his reaction was very very real. I would have said what he said, did what he done and at the end of the day we see a selfish Vincent, an angry Vincent and a very guilty ridden Vincent, all the very human Vincent as the more he tried to help his father, going against Ben and Ling. He's so real. Unfortunately Sammul Chan was inexperienced in showing such conflicting emotions and guilt. That scene between Liu Kai Chi and Sammul Chan showed a master at his craft and a novice inexperienced in his craft.

Raymond Lam did well, as he displayed such conflicts, as to what Ben should do. What Ben did wasn't wrong. What Vincent did was wrong but not understandable. You can't quantify who was more or less wrong because we are human, we make mistakes sometimes. Vincent will make more of course because there must be an unreasonable person in here to push Ling to Ben and who better than the self assured, over confident Vincent now suffering from confidence crisis thanks to dad?

If you ask me, that Chicken guy is screwed for life even if he gets out. Imagine Cheuk Sir is a very respected senior police, and he framed a crook that everybody hated. So within the police force there must be some brotherhood and so this Chicken guy will probably get arrested more than others.

At the meantime if Cheuk Sir goes to jail, he too will have a hard time in there because he put criminals in there and now he is a prisoner, don't you think there might be some revenge in there as well?

What is wonderful about today's episode is the realness in the exchange between Ben and Vincent, the mean words and all. Very real, very emotional, fans of Vincent will not like hearing Vincent said what he said because all the words he uttered towards Ben were ugly to the core and yet again, real, very real. And the best is it has been a long long time a policeman in a series (apart from Vigilante Force) which showed a policeman involved in some shady deals or framing of others. Not positive things but I welcome this because it happens. What is not real is Ling's naiveness. Even Jess knew Vincent will be very much affected by this and some part of Ben realised his friendship with Vincent was all over. Ling of course was from another world today.

It's just not fair a good cop like Cheuk Sir had to pay for his one time sin but then Chicken was innocent. A good man and especially a good cop will never ever let an innocent man rot in jail for a crime he did not commit.

Anyway I may miss half of tomorrow's episode because my sis wants to watch the most unreal series on TV today, Alias. Sighhhhh .....

EPISODE 17

2004-10-07T10:43:00.000-07:00

I missed the second half today to watch Bowling For Columbine. Interesting documentary.

For the first half, this was what happened.

Defamation Case

Ling won, purely out of good luck because that guy's secretary saw a fax by Eva about that clause in his tray. He naturally missed it, so his justification for defaming her was unfounded. Eva walked away a happy woman and Ling an ackward one. Vincent tried to talk to her but she walked away, preferring a moment alone in a bus, with Ben as her companion, as she cried her heart's out. She was confused. Should she forgive Vincent? Ben said if you loved him, and if he is regrets what he did, she should. Ling thought perhaps she didn't love him enough. Ling's mom also said the same thing, after all she too had a husband who had an affair (worse, it was probably more than once) which resulted in Ling's birth. Her mom said the same thing, but her dad said dumped him. Ling was ever more confused. Jess was having the same opinion as Ben. Jess I believe would have forgiven Vincent because she loved him so much more. Maybe it's true, Ling just had this crush on Vincent, and that wasn't love and that wasn't enough for her to forgive him. But then the more you can't forgive, perhaps the more you have feelings for this guy. I am confused too. But no worries. She will walk away because there's Ben.

Anyway Vincent was very arrogant when he told his father he thinks Ling is still in love with him, no problem, everything a-ok. I don't think that outburst in court meant she was a-ok. Ling is a fiercely independant woman. I doubt she will take the betrayal lightly.

I missed the rest of the episode but fear not. Read them all in SPCNET FORUMS by T-rinh.

Performance wise, I can't comment because I saw so little today. Definitely more and better thoughts next week because there's no shows next week that I may prefer over this series.

I want to talk about Ling's reaction to Vincent's betrayal though. Would it hurt less to know it was just a one night stand, Eva didn't care about Vincent and it was actually more about the act rather than feelings that usually came with the act as in that four letter word, L-O-V-E? Would it hurt more if Vincent actually still feel something for Eva and he slept with her several times before regretting what he did? Are women more forgiving than men and often women love longer than men as in the memory of a love lingers more in a woman's heart than in a man's heart? Perhaps what Vincent did tantamount to saying he didn't really love Ling, that she was just someone who was there that he liked? That it wasn't true love since he could so easily fell into bed with another woman simply because Ling wasn't there? Or was it a purely physical need and that would make it easier for a woman to justify the betrayal and accept him back?

What do you think? What would you have done as Ling?

My answer is simple. Like what Ben said, if I love him, if he regrets it, I might be able to accept him back but I don't think I'll ever forget. Like that Savage Garden song, "I believe trust is more important than monogamy" and if I can't trust him, I might as well walk out because sooner or later I will turn into a whiny bitch with him, because everytime he's with a woman, I'll start doubting myself and I hate losing that control over myself. Which is why I do not believe in love between two strangers, marriage and eternal happiness.

Someone asked me what if my boyfriend had a wild history with women, as in sleeping around until he found me? I would dear friend, that is different. He had tasted so many types of women out there and in the end he chose me. As long as he's faithful with me, I'm ok with that.

EPISODE 16

2004-10-06T10:14:00.000-07:00

Went berserk she did, but understandably so. A new case today that reveals many many things already revealed in the preview yesterday, what a way to kill the suspense.

Defamation Case

Eva, that walking electricity factory wants to sure a former client for defaming her. Apparently, this guy who bought an insurance policy from her, signed the policy, then they had sex, later met with an accident and that guy couldn't claim from the policy because he didn't reveal something which he should have revealed, all because :-

1. he said Eva never explained to him one particular clause, was more interested in seducing him than be a professional insurance agent who explains everything AND THEN sleep with him (last part my own sarcastic observation)

2. but Eva said she explained but whatever she said fell to deaf ears as he was more interested in sleeping with her as she seductively said "Do you understand? You know what I mean?" when she meant the policy whilst he thought she meant sex.

So that guy thereafter went around telling everybody how slutty Eva was and how unprofessional, Eva became the laughing stock of her fellow colleagues and was fired from her job, all credibility gone.

She wanted Vincent to take her case but Vincent was with his policeman father who was in hospital after being assualted by a drug addict though he was trying to help this young drug addict whose face I did not see.

So Ling took her case, knowing Eva was Vincent's ex and Eva knowing Ling is Vincent's current squeeze. All came to an embarassing end when Ling wanted to call Vincent as a witness to proves, "Hey, this sex thing is only one off, Vincent was her client, he never slept with her" and then my TV went bust and I didn't watch that scene Vincent told Ling he actually slept with Eva after he signed the policy insurance. Remember that night I speculated about it all? I was right. So for about 5 minutes my whole family was thinking what we should all do when we all gave up and ran up to my mom's room to watch that tiny little TV and when I switched it on, I saw Ling in court questioning that sex crazed client of Eva.

Move forward, basically Ling was almost successful in showing that client was so into having sex with Eva, basically whether she explained or not that important clause was not relevant anymore, because she may have (as she claimed she did) and his mind would have wandered elsewhere. Eva then testified and said she had feelings for this man, she slept with him because she thought a relationship between the two was a possibility and he turned out to be a joke. She said she will only sleep with a man if he has feelings, only that he was a client was just a coincidence.

Ling then had to decide whether to call Vincent, which is something Jess said don't do it whilst she looked for evidence but Jess was nowhere to be seen, Ben was in court to give support to them and in the end Ling called Vincent and that was the scene where she went mental on Vincent.

Basically Ling proved herself to be an overemotional woman, too involved with her cases making her almost a caricature of a lawyer. If we are that emotional, we would have died of heart attacks because everyday we face such situations. Of course Ling's case was unique, BF cheated on her and so she rightly went beyond the call of duty and the line of ethics to make summation and form the questions as if to question him about what transpired to help Eva but in actual fact she was asking those questions for herself where she basically asked (as in almost screamed with watery eyes) ...

Q: Would it be correct to say she explained all the clauses to you, inclusive of that important clause before you signed where thereafter YOU SLEPT WITH HER?

A : Yes, she did

Q : Would it be correct to say eventhough she slept with you after you signed the policy, she conducted herself in a professional manner when in explaining the terms to you?

A: Yes

Q: Why did you sleep with her?

A: Ahhh because .... I knew she still had feelings for me so ...

Q : So you slept with her because of your desire for her, of your lust with one another, that eventhough you have a girlfriend, that you may have slept with my clients countless of times, that irrespective of all that before you had sex she did explained to you all the terms and that sex had nothing to do with buying the policy?!?!

A : ahhhh (before he can answer, the atmosphere very tense Ben deliberately on his phone, everybody heard a ringing tone and Ben successfully stopped the tension filled examination and the judge warned "Ben Lok, I know you. i do not know what you're doing but please switch off your phone" to which Ben answered, "My Lord,this phone is a bit faulty, I will throw it right at this minute, I am so sorry".

Then Ling went sulking back into the witness room/whatever the room is called and Vincent tried to explain to Ling but Ling refused to listen and walked away. Before that Ling did asked Jess did she do something wrong or maybe she didn't so enough as a girlfriend.

Imagine Ling writing to an Aunt Agony's column and I suspect her letter would be like this:-

Dear Aunt Angony,

I am in agony. I just found out my hot boyfriend V slept with his ex girlfriend E when we were still on very good terms. Now I do not know how to face him though he wants to go back with me. He told me himself he slept with her and I wonder, what did I do or didn't do that could have made him do what he did? Was it my fault?

Broken Hearted Ling.

Dear Broken Hearted Ling,

Poor girl. You didn't do anything wrong. All men are bastards, basically. When there is free food, they'll eat that free food. Your fault, perhaps may be in neglecting him when he needed you most but that would not justify him to go sleeping with that woman, E. Perhaps E seduced him, perhaps he didn't know what he was doing. Or more to the truth, the obvious truth dear girl, you didn't give him one thing he wanted that night which E gladly gave. Sex. That is the ultimate culprit. You can forgive him, you can walk away, at least he was honest with you or you can just move on and find someone better, perhaps there may be one standing right next to you. My point is, don't run away without a proper closure. It won't help in the healing process.

Aunt Agony

I think she will try to run a bit and then confess to Vincent, " I can't forget, therefore I can't forgive, and since I can't forgive, I can't forget. Vincent, let's take a break". If not how on earth Ben can come into the picture? Very glad Jess may have a chance now. I sometimes feel Ling too emotional, she is often ruled by her heart, not by her sense. It was right for her to be angry, but one thing you must admire about Vincent. At least he was honest.

Verdict we will see tomorrow.

But if you ask me, I do not see Vincent as a validation that she was professional and all like what Ling said but rather it showed a pattern of immoral and unprofessional conduct. Reportedly she still had feelings for Vincent and she had feelings for that man. The thing is after signing she had sex with them. Any hot blooded man would have been seduced by her "Do you understand? Do you know what I mean?". I suspect Eva was being unprofessional and I doubt she explained to him that clause. Any normal person would know there is no use explaining anything to a man who was being seduced by you. I remember that episode Eva looked at Vincent, saying "oh,come up, you're drunk, let us talk about your policy, come on, come on". She was eager, he was not. Surely she had sex in mind first, signing policy later. So basically that guy did have a valid ground to think of her as such a woman, but that is if only he knew she had a tendency of sleeping with her clients moments after signing a policy. Was it defamation? Very hard to say but that man may have ulterior motive and all. Interesting case though, how on earth you sue on behalf of a client who is basically a slut in a defamation suit questioning her professionalism and moral standing when I see very little distinction between the two in this case?

Anyway, today we see how close Vincent is with his dad, how Ling learned cooking to cook for Vincent's dad, how Ben's family found out it was Ling that Ben was interested in before, how Jess tried to protect Vincent when Ling said she wants to call him as witness, how Sister Na proposed that Vincent and Ben join her bigger new lawfirm in the same building as HK Firm to get bigger clients to help save HK Firm, how nice Sister Na was to Hung ...

Performance wise, Myolie was a bit overemotional today but that's Ling I guess.

Bernice Liu's performance improved slightly and she is a joy to watch and her Jess is such a good friend. By the way Juno is interested in Jess who is annoyed with him for standing too close to her.

Everybody else was a-ok thought Sammul Chan was a bit unemotional when confronting Ling. Too cool, very little emotion. Some may say cool acting, that's how Vincent is but since Vincent is someone who wants face and all, and he craves attention and recognition, he would have been more embarrassed and annoyed when testifying in court with Ling asking questions that could hurt his credibility. I did not see all that in Sammul Chan's performance who was rather bland tonight.

Raymond Lam had little to do but still he defines Ben you know.

Tomorrow, we see Ben getting a second shot for Ling's heart, and perhaps Jess a second shot for Vincent's heart. I hope we have more interesting cases.

Anyway now I know what Sister Na meant by saying going bar. Ben and Vincent said they want to be more than solit, meaning solicitor. I think the division between solicitor and barrister still exists in HK, I do not know. But in England, when you're a solicitor, you do not go to court to argue cases. You do paperworks, even transactions. Barristers are those who goes to court. A client may approach a solicitor with a case who will do the necessary and pass it to a barrister who may have little contact with the client, except in court. So I do not know if the situation is different in HK, because Ben and Vincent is always going to court, they can't be solit and say going bar because they're more like barrister already. The division and the monopoly is very clear. Could it be different in HK? That solicitors can appear in lower courts? I doubt it because they're appearing in High Court.

Sister Na herself worked for the prosecution (I assume) and when she became a defence lawyer, she said going bar. I am very very very very very very confused. I just don't get it!

EPISODE 15

2004-10-05T10:30:00.000-07:00

Missed the first half thanks to CSI:Miami. But I guess I didn't miss much.

I started with Hung in a trial for murdering a guy who molested his wife, Nancy. He punched that guy twice (once in the face, the other at the waist, near that organ whose name I just can't remember right this crucial moment) and that guy basically dropped dead and died. Yes, died. So he was charged with murder (that is with intent) and even if not murder, at least manslaughter (with intent of causing hurt as the charge read, but not to murder). The judge was fierce, the prosecutor was Marco (now I am confused! Stanton law firm is a private law firm and yet they're prosecuting! Anyone knows something I may have missed?) and the defence is the whole HK Law Firm AND miss monotone herself, Sister Na whom I guess is still in love with Hung. Anyway Hung thought he might go to jail, he suffered heavy losses in the stock market, he can't even pay the insurance premium for his law firm and basically he was more broke than before, so he asked Sister Na to pretend to rekindle love with him and basically made his rather stupid wife to believe he was with Sister Na again. So the wife believed and asked for a divorce, in a friendly sort of way. Why Hung is doing this? Because he loved her too much to let her suffer with him and she's still young, can find a better husband.

To cut the long story short, Ben and Ling found a witness who can testify that that victim fell onto a fire hydrant (hitting that organ that I still can't remember the name) after disturbing a rather fierce dog and basically when Hung punched him, that victim died not because of his punch but from the slow internal bleeding thanks to his itchy hand and ugly face which the dog obviously hated. Hung won the case, got off free but didn't care to find his wife again because he knew he couldn't give her happiness. Sister Na consoled him, in her usual loud temperamental way but she meant well.

That was when this series ended.

Next episode Vincent will confess he slept with that woman, that whatever her name is. And Ling will go mental in court because of this.

Interesting.

For a more complete summary of today's episode, check out SPCNET FORUMS.

Now the performances. Didn't see much to comment but I see enough of Ruby Wong to say she is absolutely horrible. She was practically screaming, SCREAMING when she was closing her case and yet she was so monotone. If I were the jury I would be very annoyed with her. And such a bad actress. But the worst was her screaming her every line. Ooi! People can hear ok, stop screaming!

And now I really do not understand. The end scene was Sister Na strutting into the conference room of the law firm when Hung was talking to his subordinates and then she pointed to Ben and Vincent and asked, "You two. Are you interested in going bar?"

Anyone from HK please explain to me what that means? Does it mean you must have higher standing to appear before higher court (thus wearing that wig-but is HK still wearing that wig?) or what? Because Ben and Vincent has always been doing trial work so they're advocates. So what is going bar?

I am so confused.

EPISODE 14

2004-10-04T10:37:00.000-07:00

I missed today's episode because I was watching The Apprentice. It was worth missing this episode. But no worries, I found a summary for this episode at SPCNET FORUMS written by T-rinh. From the looks of it I didn't missed much.

Ben sees Lok Geen not admitting the crime, was extremely anxious, father and son began to argue. Ben ran off. Lok Geen then asked Vincent to help him defend on the court, but Vincent urged Lok Geen to ask Ben instead and think carefully first. Ben returned and decided to help Lok Geen defend until the end. Ben sees his father's relationship with people are very good, suggested to find neighbors to help him be personality witnesses. Ah Ling cooked a meal just for Vincent, Jessica helped her on the side, Vincent was greatly touched, during the meal, everyone was talking about Mr. Yu's case. Ben reminded Jessica to watch the crime scene building's security tapes just to see if Mr. Yu really did go there. Jessica saw the tapes and could not get any clues from it, Homer recognized the lady on the elevator with Mr. Yu is the dance lady, BeBe. Jessica understands why Mr. Yu hid the truth. Ben urged Mr. Yu to be honest and tell the truth to the judge and agreed that he will help him prevent Mrs. Yu from knowing it. Ben used his tricks to prevent Mrs. Yu from going on the court to listen to the case, Jessica planned BeBe to go on court as a witness, but suddenly, Mrs. Yu rushed onto the court with her grandmother, they've found the gold ornaments, Mr. Yu is innocent, the case was closed.

Before Lok Geen went on court, he was nervous and filled with thoughts. Ben finds the receipt for the home for the elderly, thinks it was a good evidence to prove Lok Geen is not a greedy person. Ben asked the home for the elderly chief to witness Lok Geen is a kind hearted and willing to help others type of person, Lok Geen admit he did not purposely took the ancient jade to keep but just wanted to get his justice. wanted his many years of friend Yuen Goi to admit he lied to him about the real value of the ancient jade Yuen Goi felt horrible inside his heart, after Yuen Goi heard Lok Geen's speech, decided to not sue him, the two ended with a settlement.

Homer's wife, Ah Gwun took on the job as an insurance agent, Homer sees her working so hard, his heart ached and argued with her client in the middle of the restaurant. Angela saw and it made her jealous, took this chance to chase him for the money. Homer wanted to pay the debts as soon as possible, he received some stock market tips and decided to enter the market taking on a very big risk. Ah Gwun got harassed by her client, Homer was furious and beaten the client, afterwards the client died all of a suddenly.

So that criminal looking guy did not steal those gold after all! He was having an affair with a woman during that time! No wonder. So the wife never knew about his affair. Good enough. Very nice of Ben to do what he did. And Jess won her first case all by herself!! Well she kinda won.

One question; did that guy give back to Mr Lok that chicken jade?

EPISODE 13

2004-10-03T10:45:00.000-07:00

Oooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh ... hate this Ben today. I mean, ok I, s a viewer too had been taken for a ride, I too felt cheated, angry, how I can be so stooopid BUT oooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... hate this Ben today.

Arson Case

Guess what? Sister did actually started that fire I talked about in the episode before. And guess what? Brother and sister were in it together, wanting to take revenge on that mean store owner. I suspect the brother actually wanted to steal that car! In fact I really doubt every sob story he said just last episode! How did Ben know? He saw them harrassing someone on the street like some street kids, like some gangsters and Ben, asked why? WHY? And they said they had to take care of themselves like what mama said and Ben said so I was stupid eh? and they said yeah Ben you were stupid lah. And guess what? They walked away after being so darn rude and Ben, having believed their story felt like the worst and most stupid idiot in the entire universe to believe they were actually so poor, so sad, so pitiful and so innocent. Ling saw all of it and didn't know how to console poor Ben, so she just followed Ben who kept saying he was so stupid to believe them.

At the same time, Vincent won his Marco Lee case. Now I was wondering how, when ,where? How come never show? Remember I was speculating what he was going to do and start of series, he won, celebrated his win with his insurance ex-girlfriend, Marco Lee and also Jessica. What he did to win that case? Maybe I will know later. I think the witness, that was the widow never turned up in court. Haven't they heard of subpoena?

Anyway, that insurance ex-GF was coming onto Vincent BIG TIME and Jess kinda cutely reminded Vincent to "Hey! Why don't you call Ling Ling? You know, YOUR GIRLFRIEND?" and thereafter don't know what happened to Jess because we see Vincent driving that "electric factory" home. Oh she never stopped asking him "Wanna come up to my house? Oh look you're too drunk, you can't drive, let's go up" but Vincent said he has a date, so the girl left. Vincent called Ling who was busy consoling Ben who was busy trying to understand why he was so stupid and so Ling said no to Vincent as she was busy and Vincenty sulkingly said "Ok, oh Marco is calling me" and ended the call. Next thing he walked out of the car to vomit and there she was, that "come to my place" girl and he actually walked up. When Ben was ok, Ling was driving back home and called Vincent and said Let's eat and Vincent said Sorry, party ended and just ended the call. Very ungentlemanly, a first for him. And when Ling was walking towards the stairs, Vincent jumped out and surprised Ling. She was happy to see him, he had that guilty look which made me wonder, did he do something with that wanton woman? Hmmmm maybe we will know later.

Two new cases today.

Breaking & Entering (to rob a house)

Ben was supposed to take this case but the guy who was charged was very unconvincing. He kept saying he did not steal his wife's grandma's jewelry worth $30,000-00 and his pregnant wife was there and she believed him BUT ...

1. he had an unexplained $30,000-00 in his account which he said he won lottery

2. he lied to the police by saying he never went back to that house that day but he was busted by the surveillance camera

3. someone saw him picking up some jewelry

4. he was reluctant and seemed to wonder about his answers when questioned

Ben was so frustrated that he said "YOU HAVE TO TELL ME THE TRUTH, IF NOT HOW CAN I HELP YOU, TELL ME DID YOU STARTED THAT FIRE.." and Jess immediately stopped him, client asked what fire and Ben was asked to leave, Jess said she can handle this.

Later on this guy was officially charged, he still denied stealing those jewelry and wife believed him but Ben didn't, Jess believed him but suspected he had another story to tell and Jess said she will help him. GOOD FOR JESS. For once she is taking on a case by her ownself though that guy looked guilty to me with his shifting eyes. By the way excellent performance by this actor whose name I do not know.

Next case, worse since it involved family.

Stealing Jade

I think Ben's dad is called Lok Kin but I will call him Mr Lok until I confirm this. Anyway Mr Lok was asked by the localold folks home to come to see an old man who had often taken advantage of Mr Lok but Mr Lok found out poor guy died, leaving him his worldly possessions of one bottle of medicine, one bottle of fermented something (you know, foo-yu) and one chicken shaped jade. Mr Lok went to a restaurant bemoaning how he had to settle that old man's $5,000-00 debt with that home and yet got some lousy stuff, feeling stupid when a friend came by and he asked the friend to look at the jade and suddenly the friend's eyes looked shifty and he said the jade is worthless and yet offered to buy it for $500-00. Mr Lok wanted to give him free but that guy just put the money on the table, took the jade and left.

Next thing that guy a very old friend of Mr Lok saw Mrs Lok who overheard him say something about a chicken shaped jade worthed over $50,000-00 and how on idiot believed him when he said it was worthless. Mrs Lok told Mr Lok who went to see this guy was he refused to return the jade. Mr Lok went home to Ben and now here is what I HATE ABOUT BEN.

Ben said, you took the $500-00, so sorry dad, case closed, no case. Dad said he cheated me, you have to fight for me and Ben said no fight, no more twisting the truth, just accept it dad and that was it! Ben Ben Ben, so bloody pessimistic, so unprofessional, so not like a good son! Dad was clearly cheated and he went oh so what, big deal, I got cheated too, mine was worse, let me sit on my sorry arse to feel sorry for myself, pity myself for being so stupid whilst my dad got cheated, he deserved it, he was stupid as well.

Sorry for my crude language, but for once I like Vincent's style. Work stays at the office. What happened Ben? Hate this Ben. More to hate later.

Then father said I will do something and Ben got a call and his dad was arrested for stealing! But he didn't steal because...

1. bad guy was drunk, dropped that jade and walked off, so dad picked it up but was arrested by police for looking suspiscious; and

2. dad thought that jade was his since that guy cheated him and he was taking what was his.

So Ben told Dad, please plead guilty, be fined and get on with life. Imagine this, Dad was the victim, albeit a stupid victim but Ben told him to just say he did it?! And then Dad almost pleaded guilty until he saw Jess with her client with that dishonest eyes and Jess said don't worry, if you did not do it, plead not guilty and we will fight it out and that man sat next to Mr Lok and Mr Lok said to himself if that guilty criminal looking man can plead not guilty why not I? So he pleaded not guilty, back at office Ben asked WHY DAD WHY? And Dad explained why but Ben said you did it, you took what was not yours! And Dad said I was cheated, it was mine, why are you not protecting my interest? And son said I am protecting your interest, I don't want to twist the truth and dad yelled so you will twist the truth for that arson duo (Juno told dad by the way, something Ben didn't want dad to know) and dad questioned Ben's sincerity and Ben was angry and wanted to leave but stopped by Vincent and dad told Vincent to please take my case since my son doesn't believe me and well... we will know the outcome in the next episode.

Ben! Ben! My least favourite character today. So negative, so discouraging. His dad's rights was clearly violated. Anyway at the end of today's episode Ben saw a beggar with broken legs on teh street who begged for money, Ben didn't want to give but his heart softened and he gave and police came and beggar RAN. Ben laughed at himself, like I the stupid one again when the police saw Ben and said to Ben some wise words ...

"Sometimes you will never know if it's true or false, all you have is to believe rather than not believing because you might never know ... it could be true"

Ben smiled, like some realisation that he was truly an idiot to question his ownself and the end.

Anyway wise words.

Anyway again, I told my sis, maybe we the female population has been deprived of some good old chilvary by gentleman because Vincent said to that wanton woman to just go back up to her place, and do please call me when you reach your apartment.

Ahhhh such simple gestures is enough to melt my cold cold heart. But Vincent is something of an enigma. He's bad, but not bad to the core. One very good scene had Ben eating, Ling and Vincent with him when Marco walked in with a bunch of reporters who wanted to interview him when Marco said interview my lawyer and Vincent gladly obliged. Ling looked over to a smiling Vincent and said in her dreamy voice; "I love to see Vincent when he is working ..." and in her eyes were admiration, respect. Ben felt even more an idiot when he remembered the arson duo. But Ling didn't mean to put Ben down, she was just revealing her admiration for Vincent. Like Jess, Ling saw in Vincent the ideal lawyer, efficient, very professional and concentrate on his work 100%. I guess every woman wants a Vincent who is a gentlema on the outside, dresses like a metrosexual man and is good at his work. But later I am sure we will know what Vincent actually did for Marco Lee.

Performance wise, I am beginning to see Sammul Chan's more appealing side, his boyish smile and cheeky twinkle in his eyes. But his acting capabilities is not tested, yet. Maybe later when some case involves his father, some emotional acting. I like seeing him play cool because acting cool requires minimum acting, maximum style. Wonder how he will be when he is required to actually peel away his outer coolness and give us his most heartfelt acting, someone emotionally exposed,someone naked, not literally but you know what I mean.

Best performance? Still Raymond Lam though I hated his Ben. But I like the way his Ben simply didn't care anymore. Myolie Wu had little to do today, just the supportive friend/girlfriend but her best acting moment was when she was looking over at Sammul's Vincent with such admiration in her eyes. They were rumoured to be lovers right? At that moment either it was supreme acting (which is most probably the case) or real life continuing in reel life.

Bernice Liu fared slightly better today and she is super cute today.

Worst acting is still our dear Ruby Wong. Now I don't get it. Her Sister Na quit Stanton because she got permission to be a defence lawyer from the bar?? Is Stanton some privatised prosecution firm? What is she anyway? I don't get it and I am dying here ... WHAT IS SHE? A PROSECUTOR OR DEFENCE LAWYER? HUH? HUH? HUHHHH?! Anyway even with all the confusion in my mind, I still can't get over her monotone delivery of her lines. Pure torture.

Well interesting episode with so many unanswered questions. Maybe in later episodes we will know more.

EPISODE 12

2004-10-01T01:18:00.000-07:00

The case continues ...

Marco Lee's Case

Some investigation by Vincent revealed that the wife of the victim was having an affair and the victim was so distraught when arguing with the wife that he ran out and BOOM! Marco's car hit him. So it could be suicide. BUT Marco is still guilty of possibly reckless driving since it is undeniable he was using a handphone whilst driving, in short Marco and victim both contributed to that accident. BUT Marco told Vincent he must win 100% to save his reputation, no need for firm to pay anything and he need not go to jail, if any. When Vincent said he will try his best, Marco said "I doubt your capabilities, I think I need a new lawyer, a more experienced one" and Vincent quickly said "Give me 2 days, if not I will withdraw as your solicitor".

Hmmmm so what did he do? Here goes the descent of Vincent! Yeah, finally something interesting from Vincent apart from smug smile.

He went to see the widow directly and did something very unethical. He convinced the widow that he will convince the court it was a suicide and so the insurance will not pay the widow. So what the widow had to do is to help Vincent win it in such a way Marco can go free and yet she can get her money. I wonder how? Well next week we will know.

But good for Vincent that he actually told Ling what he did but Ling was doubtful what he did was right or wrong but she didn't comment much whilst Vincent was convinced must win at all cost. Like I said in all my previous thoughts, Vincent will go all the way no matter what and Marco knew that which was why Marco hired him, because Vincent was hungry for fame and fortune and most of all, recognition.

But however bad Vincent may be, today's episode highlight something I highlighted the episode before. He was really very very nice to Jess. When Jess volunteered to help him, he agreed without much thought. Now we all know, like you and I know Jess is not a very good lawyer, in fact she is a very bad one. And yet Vincent saw in her sincerity and willingness to help others that he always let Jess second chair. I wouldn't think that Vincent let her be second chair simply because she was so bad she won't upstage him. i doubt that. I sincerely believe Vincent, who deep down is a very nice guy treated Jess with not just respect, but he actually believed in her capabilities. All these are very subtle, but I wonder, did the writer inserted such qualities in Vincent or did Sammul Chan who actually liked Bernice Liu inserted these qualities into his Vincent? Everytime I thought Vincent is no good I will change my mind when I see him being so thoughtful to Jess, a man can't be that bad if he is so gentle and thoughtful to a colleague who is not that good at what she does, right? To me Vincent is a big question mark. Very interesting and complex character. Anyway love to see him and Jess together because I am a bit bored with him and Ling, always either walking, eating or drinking coffee. Is there a kissing scene somewhere to give some passion into this very passionless and cordial relationship? Is it a TVB trend that a couple who is not joking with one another is doomed to fail whilst someone who is very friendly and very at ease with the other will bound to end up together? I see that with Ling and Ben (extra friendly, always at odds in a very friendly way) and Jess and Vincent (even more friendly, very thoughtful, very encouraging towards one another). Sometimes I wonder what about passion eh?

Anyway, next case ...

Arson Case

Whilst the trial was going on, poor foul mouthed store owner's house was set on fire and this prosecution witness ended up in hospital. This was Ben's golden opportunity to show the similar trend in how the fires were started (pouring I think not gasoline but I do not know what' s the English name for that substance through a rubber hose into house and set fire) and that his client, charged with fire no. 1 who couldn't have started similar fire no. 2 was therefore not the culprit of fire no. 1. The judge admitted the evidence and our hero is on his way to freeeeeeedommmmmmmm!

Anyway, interesting episode in the sense for one we got an angry female judge who told Ben and the prosecution to shut up when they went on and on and on about some facts, arguing with one another. Chill judge! Chill! I mean Ben and prosecutor were having a very friendly fight so chill! But god to show such angry judge. I was hoping someone will show the judge throwing the file at the lawyers because that happens, not frequently but it happens. How about showing a judge rushing to his golf game and so ended up not hearing the case? Or even sleeping when on trial? Or say I don't want to hear you, sit down or get out? Ahhhhh TVB is way too nice in their depiction of judges, maybe HKK judges are that nice. But for one this series depicts lawyers in a very real way, they're not noble, they're just doing their jobs. To me Vincent is the most accurate depiction of lawyers, Ben is the ideal one whilst Ling, no such lawyers who are too emotional. What is not real is the speed the cases go to trial.

Anyway back to arson case, Ling joins Ben as second chair. When they went home with client to see sister, the sister in a very malicious way said "That owner deserves it!". Then Ben saw her hand,burnt and then he saw a rubber hose and a bottle of that liquid whose name I do not know. On the way back in Ling's car, Ben confessed what he saw and whe he dared not suspect. He is placed in a dilemma. He wants to seek the truth of the case but he is afraid to know the truth. He doesn't know what to do. I pity Ben being put in such situation. If the truth is not what he wants to know, will he turn in the sister? In TVB world, the sister will probably confess. If it was Vincent, he will turn in the sister to save the brother, Ling might not. Or maybe settle it this way, which is something a real Ben might do; shut up and quietly take the sister for some therapy because I think she needs it. As long as the brother is safe, there is no point turning the sister in. If that justice? Not in the strict sense but then justice does not mean following the strict letters of the law. Justice is coming to a solution that benefits all.

Next week, I suspect Ling might break up with Vincent after discovering his unethical tactics with the widow.

Interesting episode today.

As for performances, I will highlight the bad ones.

I am beginning to feel bored saying how bad Ruby Wong is. She is absolutely monotone. But I saw one nice scene next week where her Sister Na screamed at Winnie Yeung's character and told her "If you want to help your husband, please shut up!". You know, if only Louisa So was cast as Sister Na, maybe then we will have some quality acting.

Anyway Sammul Chan was a bit weak today. When Marco left after saying what he said, Vincent was supposed to panic a bit but Sammul didn't look the part. And when he was threatening the widow, he said it all with a smile. Usually smile is good, because it shows his sinister side but it's more smug smile than sinister smile. Weak performance.

I pity Myolie having to wear that ugly coat in that scene with Ben, that girl and her brother in the shack. Acting wise, not much for her today.

Even lesser for Bernice Liu.

But Raymond Lam, still the best especially in the last scene when he looked scared of knowing the truth. Quality acting from this actor. I am so so so happy that he is not using his opera acting in this series. Maybe he has finally matured as an actor. So so so happy.

One funny scene in today's episode I must write about.

In the starting scene, Ling's mom was buying rice when Ben offered to help and Ling's mom saw Ben and asked Ben to come early for dinner. Ben of course said yes. What really happened was earlier, Ling's mom talked to Ling over the phone whilst she was driving and when Ling said she was with a guy, her mom said invite the boyfriend back for dinner. Her mom thought that was Ben when Ling was talking about Vincent. Ben arrived early and even cooked the dinner. Ling's mom and dad were so happy, saying Ling was so lucky to have Ben, then Ling came home and her mom happily said her boyfriend is too good to be true, and Ling puzzled said why her mom said such good words for Vincent, Vincent walked in and said hello auntie and Ben walked out and everybody was quite ackward as Ling's parents knew they made a grave mistake. Good for Ben though that he quickly chastised Ling for not telling her parents about Vincent, and he said he really have to leave (not having eaten the dinner he cooked), walked out and looked relieved. Such a gentleman, this Ben.

EPISODE 11

2004-09-29T10:34:00.000-07:00

Another very emotional episode and a clear indicator of the events of coming episodes. First the cases...

Sperm Donor Case

The judge accepted the DNA test (as it is the law except in USA I think but in most Commonwealth countries, the court is not concerned with how you obtain the evidence as long as it is relevant and the prejudice to the Defendant does not outweigh the relevance of it - something like that) but after hearing some very emotional closing arguments by Ling (something like the child must have a right to know her father if not she will regret it and this will be a time bomb) and Sister Na (who gave a brilliant argument that the child shouldn't be disturbed, she knew her adopted father as her real father, this would disrupt a 6 year old kid too young to understand), the judge ruled that donor does not have custody of child (I mean so what if he's rich and they're poor? He can always pay her money to keep the child right?) and no visitation rights either until teh child is 18 years of age when this court order lapses (as 18 is adult and she can do whateve she wants) because the court does not want to disrupt the child's stable life.

Ling was angry, saying that shouldn't be the case and when Ben tried to reason with her with the one dialogue I have been expecting, "Of course now you see it differently, what if you were 6? How would you have felt having known such a truth?". Ling could not answer him and said this wasn't the case. Ling, I beg to differ. You're using an adult's perspective to evaluate what a child would feel. You might have felt traumatised if you knew the truth when you were 16.

Anyway the case as expected had a happy ending. The mother gave the donor the permission to spend time with the little girl, thanking Ling for making her realise the whole thing. But the little girl only knows this man as UNCLE and in time when they got closer, she will reveal the truth to that girl. I find this solution brilliant but you know I bet the girl will still feel angry when she's grown up, having been in a lie and all. The same old argument but this would have to do for now.

Two new cases, pretty interesting.

Accident Causing Death Case

Marco, the lawyer from Stanton Law Firm was driving and talking business over the phone when a guy ran out into the street, and as witnessed by that man's wife, Marco's car struck that guy and he died. Marco to give him credit didn't drive away but made police reports. He knew he had it, but since when he knocked down the guy he was doing business on behalf of the firm, the firm may be sued and the firm must pay this widow compensation. The law is simple. A firm is a pertnership and so all partners are equally and together liable for the firm's losses. Marco worried that he will drag down his fellow partners. Then of course why should the firm be held liable? This is called vicarious liability, an employer is liable for an employee's wrongdoings done during carrying his work function for his employer. So Marco thought he might lose, and he even engaged Vincent as his lawyer but Vincent very confidently said, every case has its loopholes, find the loophole and win the case. I wonder what he will do?

Arson Case

A very pitiful case, given to Ben by the Legal Aid (those centres which provides free legal representation to poor people - lawyers doing volunteer work-who says lawyers are sharks and heartless? I don't see doctors doing medical aid work except in very very very poor countries). A young man was accused of setting fire to a shop after having an argument with the landlord who accused him of trying to steal his car but young man denied it all. He said he was admiring the car (sometimes I do that too at parking lots). Ben believed him. Poor guy was so hungry that Ben had to buy him not just 1 but 2 sandwiches. When Ben got his bail done, that man ran away and back home to a tiny hut and gave that sandwich to his younger sister who was eating bread crumbs. Apparently their parents died young, younger sister was placed with forster care but was abused, when bro turned 18 he took back his sister and has since lived in proverty, but happy. Poor guy thought 100% he will sure lose but Ben thought otherwise.

Tomorrow we will see Ben suspecting the sister as the real arsonist and this is probably one of the worst dilemma a lawyer can ever have to deal. Imagine this, your client is not guilty but his pitiful sister is, do you turn in the sister to save the brother though the brother would rather die than let you do that?

Arghhhhhhh... the complexities of the law and human nature. At this point I want to comment about that statue you will see at the end of the opening song, a lady (like a Greek statue) blindfolded, in one hand she has a what you call that thing, that weight measure thing (you know in Malaysia Barisan Nasional's logo) and the other hand a sword. This is the ultimate symbol of the law. Blindfolded means everybody is equal in the eyes of law(no one gets better treatment), the weight measure thing which is equal (and not loopsided) means equality, fair justice for all (I think but there may be a better way to describe this) and the sword I think means the execution of justice in a fair and just manner. Why a woman? Maybe more compassionate? I don't know. I never studied that in law school. Now many might view this differently. Blindfolded means the law is blind, can't see a thing, so can't see right from wrong, as in no eyes to see anymore, the weight measure thing is whoever richer gets more and the sword? Definitely as a weapon for more money? A woman? Emotional being? JOKING! But like I said, there's always two sides to every coin.

Anyway back to relationship.

This episode I absolutely hate Ling for the way she screamed at her adopted mom. Her mom even secretly cleaned Sister Na's house, cooked for her, told Ben to take her sweater to her and even went to see her at court and what did Ling do? Cry, scream, blame, run, in that order. The mom could only cry. I was hoping the mom would faint or something, more dramatic. When Ling saw the donor's happy ending, she happily said every child should have that right to know (in fact she was too eager to help the donor, discounting the fact that the child's mother is also the child's biological father and Sister Na asked the donor's wife who was willing to accept the child a very good question: "When you have children with this man, will you say you will love this child just as much?"-no answer!). Ben then said something which I thought was very well said, very good script. Anyway Ben said "Your adopted mom loves you too, what about her?", Ling said "She deprived me of knowing my real mother, hacking off the tie that I have to her, I will never know my real mother, she died" and she went quiet. Then she said "I will never be able to have that relationship with her" and Ben said this gem of an advice, "All the more you should appreciate and forgive your adopted mother. Since your real mother is dead, that is in the past. If you continue like this, you might lose this chance to love your adopted mother, since sorry to say, bad things might happen, who knows? You should use this time to appreciate this mother of yours ...".

Yes Ben, tell that too Ling! So hate her for pushing her mother away.

Then Ling went back home to Sister Na's place and saw her mom (peculiarly dressing in very nice dress, like going to a wedding or something) cleaning the apartment. Ling coldly said, "What are you doing here?" and there these mom and daughter went, crying, one still blaming, the other feeling regret. The mom didn't want Ling to know because at first she wanted to but May told her real mom died already and mom was afraid Ling will act the way she did and so she continued to lie. Ling asked her mom, "Why you are even here after how I treated you?" and mom tearfully said, "Because you're my daughter, I raised you, I love you". The mom in an emotional plea said to Ling "I know you will never forgive me, I will never forgive myself, I will leave" and crying and crying and Ling (that is Myolie Wu's best acting moment in this series thus far) cried and cried and then ran to her mother, hugged her very tight and cried " Mommy, I missed you, I love you". Ahhh brought tears to my eyes. Thanks to Ben and Jess of course who gave the mom the keys. But Ling still wanted to stay from home, to learn to be independant.

At this point I must pause for a while and just list a few questions ...

1. why on Earth Ling whilst crying so emotional in that scene with her mom still holding on to her handbag?

2. where is the culprit, the perpetrator that is Ling's dad? Where is he?

And MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION ...

3. in earlier scene when Ben followed suspected arsonist home to his shack, he said "I am your brother's lawyer" and at the end of that scene the girl said "Brother Ben ...". Can't remember what she said thereafter. My question is Ben never introduced himself to that girl, brother never said Ben's name, in fact Ben introduced himself as Lok Bun to the brother at the police station so how on Earth the girl knew Ben is called Ben?

Now Vincent, Vincent, Vincent is heading for trouble! I suspect he will use despicable means in Marco's case. Anyway he's famous now after the ISP-$10-00 case. Jess was in awe of him as usual. But he was never there for poor Ling. So Ling was so angry she refused to speak to him. Vincent then used the same old trick, flowers, air tickets to Japan! (where has he got all that money eh?) They booked the trip, Jess felt "Aiyahhhh they're going on trip which means ..." well intimate moments) and then Marco's case popped up and the trip is cancelled. So again Vincent used the other trick, a cup of specially brewed coffee AND a specially self made blueberry cheese cake to win Ling's heart again. But Ling wasn't really angry. And that was when tonight's episode stopped.

Storywise I find today's episode very emotional and the entire episode is totally Myolie's moment of greatness. That confrontation with her mom was so well done, the camera had to move away from Lui San's suffering method of acting (good acting but I could imagine a better actress could have made this scene even better) to Myolie's teary eyes and stricken face. That is why I have always said Myolie has natural talent, from her first series (where her only fault was being way too young) to now, a grown person capable of possibly better and better acting. This is one actress who continues to grow and gets better each time. Love her though hated her Ling.

Sammul Chan's Vincent is back to smug smiles, nothing much today. I just long to see that evil glint in his eyes, or maybe more accurately that jealous glint. Sammul should be a villain.

Raymond Lam also gave a very good performance, his laid back style of acting in here is so pleasant to watch. I was so afraid he might do the Michelle Yip you know, opera acting? Well, so far his performance is natural and yet controlled. Great for him of course. Love Ben.

Bernice Liu is cute today, but nothing else really.

The end of my episodic thoughts.

Anyway I was thinking and thinking about Raymond and Myolie when I suddenly realised they were both in Golden Faith, and they both played brother and sister and Myolie played a mentally challenged girl whilst Raymond was positively unreasonable in there and with his over the top opera eyes type of acting (as in BULGING EYES). That was like so long ago when it wasn't. A little older, a little more experienced and see their transformation here! Of course Golden Faith is also one of my favourite series, Gallen Lo was magnificent together with Deric Wan created a dream team in acting and Raymond was quite ok but Myolie was the star in there. You may fault the story of Golden Faith but you can's find fault with the acting of several key players. In fact I thought the story in Golden Faith and its characters very memorable. Just watch Golden Faith and then this series just to see how much these two key players have improved. They no longer need a Gallen Lo or a Deric Wan to carry the series, they can do it themselves, especially Myolie and that ladies and gentleman, is what I call a true acting talent with screen presence, leading man/woman qualities and charisma. They're not gorgeous in physical appearance but longevity in acting industry is not by being just beautiful, having an X factor is also a bonus point.

I hope to see Myolie as a villain. By the way she was superb in Doomed to Oblivion.

EPISODE 10

2004-09-29T08:53:00.000-07:00

Ahhhh very very emotional episode between the two ladies, Jess and Ling. Ling first.

Sperm Donor Case

That donor still can't stop wanting to see his daughter that he went to her school, not to kidnap her as aleged by the adopted parents but to see her. Then he took the straw to her drinks, tested the DNA and voila! She is his daughter. But parents still say NO NO NO to him wanting joint custody. Ling felt he should have stepped away as she reasoned the child is having a happy life, why disrupt it? Ahhhh that is until she faces a personal dilemma of the same kind. More on that later. Ben feels well it is a no win case unless everybody agrees on something whilst Vincent feels that client's instruction is the most important thing. Do as he says he said to Ling.

So still no verdict on this complicated case.

Now Ling ... a stranger named May suddenly appeared but her mom and dad told her to go away, and then her mom looked to scared that she argued with her dad. Ling didn't know what is going on. But we the viewers know! Apparently Ling's father moved to Canada to get citizenship whilst mom stayed back at HK when father met a waitress named May over there, had a brief affair and Ling was the result. The mother took back Ling to HK with the father because mother thought real mom could not afford to take care of the child. When Ling was 6 the real mom did requested to see Ling just for one time but her mom, scared of losing Ling chased the woman away. Now years later, an Auntie May went to see Ling at her firm, gave her a box and told her in it contained all that she needed to know. Ling went home angry and crying and blaming her mother who was crying, scared and fearful of losing Ling. Why Ling was so upset? Because she thought her mom was being very selfish for not letting Ling see her real mom just once and that now Ling was very angry because she will never have that chance as her real mom died some time ago. Ling ran away, calling Vincent who was busy with Jess' case and so Ben took the call and went to see Ling. His advice, with Ling crying on his shoulder was to let time heal all wounds and understand that her mom may be scared of losing her because she loved her dearly and maybe in time Ling can forgive her mom. I thought that was very gracious of Ben being so caring and such good advice. But Ling said NO WAY and so she wanted to stay away for a while and Ben took her to Jess and Sister Na (so very strange) took her in like a long time friend.

Tomorrow we will see an over emotional Ling screaming at her mother in public. I understand her anger but she is too emotional. Can't blame her but can't blame the mother either. One secret, one cruel act and Ling could not forget all that and yet did not even try to remember how loving this mother was to her. She will forgive her but maybe this will tie in with the ending for that sperm donor case. Now that she knew the truth, perhaps she will advise that sperm donor's case (as in the mother) to allow the daughter to see her real dad and let the child know the truth. You will be amazed at how forgiving children can be and yet how loyal that they may choose to stay with adopted mom who loved them, nurtured them. In this sperm donor case, I am of course talking about the adopted father.

Back to Jess now, the second tearful character today. As predicted she got her heart broken, luckily not in public. Ben tried to tell her over the phone but she was busy choosing a song to sing at the office party later for Vincent that she didn't care to talk much. And then she saw Ben and Ling, very intimate, Ling wearing the red coat Jess wanted to buy (actually Ling liked the black one but Vincent, having the same taste as Jess liked the red one - a clear indication Vincent and Jess are made for one another) and Ling gave to Vincent, of all things a pink crystal heart, exactly like what Jess wanted to give to Vincent! Then Jess knew and was about to cry really loud when the whole office arrived and Ben came to save the day. Then Jess was supposed to sing a song, a love song and she tearfully sang it (everybody was a bit taken aback by her emotional rendition) but luckily Ben went onstage and diverted the attention. Jess couldn't hate Ling and Vincent because they both gave her the watch she really liked (and very expensive) so Jess just left with Ben running after her. After some advice and some tears, Jess finally smile again and even danced with Ben on the bridge.

ISP Case

The next day Jess and Vincent went back to court (small claims court) when Jess was sued by her ISP for a debt of $190-00 or something like that. Vincent qrgued brilliantly as usual and won the case based on the fact that ISP can't just extra charge their clients and then announce new services and then demand the clients to write letters to demand back the money, a very long process. Marco (of Stanton Law Firm-where Sister Na worked) was for the Plaintiff. Vincent was naturally very very happy.

Now characters. I must say something about Ben, my very favourite character tonight. The way he ran after Jess, the way he shielded her from possibly making a fool out of herself in front of Vincent, the way he listened to Ling as she cried and cried ... you can never find such a nice guy. What a decent fellow. Even my sister who was watching this series with me said Ben is such a great guy. Love him! By the way Raymond Lam was as usual, cute, goofy and lovable. The way he took the mike and sang so badly, it was funny because he sang the themesong and believe me, he is a very good singer.

Jessica is also fast becoming one of my favourite character in here. She takes defeat in love not too hard, she is as goofy and lovable as Ben. She is such a nice girl, and today she argued her case quite well in court, though a bit emotional. The scene where her heart was broken as she saw Ling gave Vincent that pink crystal heart was such a sad scene. My heart cried out for her. And when she sang on the stage and started crying and singing, it wasn't supposed to be funny (I mean what is so funny at someone whose heart was broken just minutes ago and having to sing a love song that she intended to sing to Vincent to confess her love for him?) but I was laughing very hard because Bernice Liu was just too cute. I just wish Ben would just fall for Jess but well, no way, they're best of friends.

As for Vincent and Ling, yes definitely a golden couple but some signs that this relationship will suffer an early death (apart from the fact Ben can be said to be the lead male character and Ling the lead female character and in TVB universe, leads must be with leads in the end as well as the stupid opening sequence revealed it all!):-

1. Ling liked black coat, Vincent likes red coat (same taste as Jess) which shows different tastes, different ideology, personality, everything. Simple to come to that conclusion but in TVB universe, that is how things are.

2. Ling wore the red coat despite really liking the black coat to please Vincent. Ahhhh... too much pleasing on one side for another is another indication of doomsville coming up next!

3. Ling called Vincent in time of distress but Vincent didn't take the call as he did not take his phone with him but Ben took the call instead. Ahhhh in times of need, who will be there for her? Ben! In future episodes I BET that in times of need she will call Ben!

4. MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL .... Ling told Ben FIRST her secret and then told Vincent who didn't offer any advice, just brush it aside and when Ling was busy thinking what she should do, Vincent was going on and on and on about his case against that ISP. Vincent wasn't being insensitive but this is an indication they're not thinking on the same wave length! Chinese say "MO MUD KAI".

So there you have it, the signs! I saw the signs, I opened up my eyes I saw the signs!

I also saw the sign why Vincent is actually in love with Jess ....

1. though he was eager to sue the ISP for personal glory, he found time to encourage Jess to buck up on her advocacy skills;

2. whenever he talks to Jess, he is smiling that smug smile and leaning FORWARD towards her, a very clear body language of attraction.

3. when shopping for christmas gifts with Ling, he actually ACTUALLY asked Ling "What should I buy Jessica for Christmas present?". Nobody mentioned Jess, Ling didn't talk about Jess, well maybe once when she was holding the red coat. But you didn't hear him say "What should I buy for Ben" but he actually specifically mentioned Jess.

See! See! He loves her, he just doesn't know it yet!

Anyway favourite couple today is Jess and Ben who are not a couple but very cute together. Vincent and Jess is also my favourite couple when they do get together because I like Jess, and she should deserve to be with the one she loves. But like Jess, I like Ling too because she's such a nice girl (except for her rude outbursts to her mom). Very confused.

Best female performance is without a doubt Myolie Wu with her tears and anger as she confronted her mom. Lui San also gave a very good performance.

Raymond Lam is still the best actor in here but I am beginning to like Sammul Chan because I find his Vincent very colourful character. Not to say Ben is boring, Ben is also a very interesting character but Vincent is so real; the way he fought his case, to win, to be challenged. Sammul Chan's best acting is always inside the courtroom but outside, he is still not the best. I still feel Kevin Cheng will make a very interesting Vincent. Someone misread me by saying I said he was the best or did a great job. I still feel someone else can do better but Sammul Chan is getting better as each episode goes by.

Bernice is all sunshine. Bad acting BUT love her.

Ok, some interesting stuff.

After this episode ended, I saw a brief promo clip of Sammul Chan. I have expected loads of things but I never expected a man like him (looking like him) is actually quite sporty. But himplaying the flute is expected. He gives me an impression he is very soft spoken but not quite. He's not rude, no but he did mentioned he wanted to be like Dayo Wong, a stand up comedien and a host. Maybe not as a comedian (I don't find him funny) but as a host, maybe because when he was speaking in that clip, he talked very clearly, fast but definitely can understand him. Plus he has a soothing voice actually so I do think he can be a host. He also talked with confidence. I believe there is a little Vincent in Sammul eh?

Likewise I heard Raymond Lam speak English an episode ago and just one sentence I know, he is educated and he has been to overseas. I never expected him to be a rich man's son but he seems educated. I think he was studying architecture right? Wonder did her got the degree? I doubt it since he's like only 26 right? I admire people like that, abandoning their chosen path and took up another course so different from what they studied. His parents must have disapproved at some point. Anyway I saw his graduation photo from TVB acting class and I have this impression that Raymond is a very quiet serious guy who keeps to himself. It is this kind of actor that makes good actor as they are good observors. He looked very weird in that photo, in fact he looked like a guy in a mug shot, like a criminal! Well look at what PR, make up, fashion and age can do to someone.

EPISODE 9

2004-09-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

This episode highlights more on relationships, various court systems THAN cases itself. A continuation from last episode ...

Breach of Copyright Laws

Ling's mom, on the request of a friend wrote a nice calligraphy which was later used as the title (together with the design and all) of a porn magazine. Ling's mom was naturally upset, so Ling and Ben sued the publisher and applied for an injunction (as in prohibitng someone from doing something). Some brilliant arguments were levied against Ling's mom, all of which answered by Ling with Ben as second chair and Vincent sulking jealously behind (he was there as emotional support). Some arguments included

1. mom was paid for the calligraphy - well ang pow was given and Ling said he had a right to enjoy the painting privately but he did not have the right to publish it

2. he was publishing what was his own - Ling said he did not have the right, sure he was the owner but not the owner of the right to publish it

3. he was willing to pay royalties - Ling's mom said no money can compensate her for her loss of reputation as she took more than a decade to learn the art and for it to be used on a porn magazine kinda degraded her reputation

In the end Ling won, got the injunction and happily left, with her parents thanking Ben who looked ackward and Vincent looking really jealous.

And another previous case ...

Cheating Case

Remember Ben's mom and dad who took up a tour package offer? They went to a small claims court (where you cannot be represented by a lawyer which makes the whole process faster, almost no documents and definitely cheaper but only for small cases) and they argued with that arrogant tour operator. Ben then argued as a son (not as a lawyer) by saying ...

1. the contract was unlawful and unfair and unjust - of course because they had to finish paying all the money before they can even enjoy the packages

2. parents had less than 20 minutes to read the contract all in English and even lesser time to consider their options since they were actually pushed into it, like dirty business tactics used

3. tour operator suffered no loss since they didn't fulfill their part of the contract but Ben's mom and dad had to first pay $35,000-00 in deposit and that is a loss.

In the end mom and dad won and got back $35,000-00 simply because the business tactics were unlawful and the contract was unfair.

But today's new case starring Cheung Chi Kwong as a guest star is probably the most interesting and controversial, depending on how it ends tomorrow.

Sperm Donor Seeking Custody of Child

First of all I think this series got it wrong. Is the father (as in biological father) who fathered the child of a barren couple through sperm donation seeking for custody of the child (meaning he wants the child to be with him) or the right to visit and see the child (meaning access to the child)? Because the father is seeking custody which is not right because it is more like visitation rights from what I could see.

Anyway this case raises a whole lot of questions that I am unable to answer but is very interesting because it could happen, especially in western countries with sperm banks and all.

You see this barren couple got this donor to donate his sperm via a contract. Many years later donor came back to get the child after knowing a child was conceived and born. The child recognised the couple as her parents. The donor argued there was a contract and this contract and timeline proved that the child must be his because the woman was not having an affair at that time and the adopted father could not father a child. So Ben and

Ling hoped to get an order compelling the couple to take the child for a DNA test. The court rightly threw out the donor's case because as argued ...

(By the way Sister Na represented the couple)

1. the contract was illegal (you can't contract to sell any part of your body-against public policy even in Malaysia)

2. being illegal the donor cannot now depend on the contract to prove the paternity of the child

3. and because he can't give any proof to compell a DNA test, therefore the test cannot be carried out

I believe this is perhaps the most intelligent aspect of the arguments. But what is so interesting about this case is does a sperm donor, having conceived a child has any right towards the child or does his right ceases when he gave up his sperm? The same question could be applied to surrogate mothers but of course surrogate mothers have more arguments in the sense that being pregnant for 9 months created a bond between mother and child so the child should not be taken away.

My personal feeling is sperm donation should be legal, the contract should be honoured and imagine this case, the contract is legal, DNA test is compelled, he is the father but my view is so what? He is the biological father and the court can't force the child to know the truth. A confidential donation should remain confidential. A sperm donot can't say now that I donated the sperm, I didn't know I had a child! I mean why would anyone donate sperm, someone take that sperm for what? Surely to conceive a child. Likewise, if this father insists on seeing the child, sorry to say he must also pay for the upkeeping of the child. Anyway my sentiments aside, I have a feeling this case will end like this; parents realise the biolgical father meant no harm so he will become one of the family. Always a happy and easy ending.

Now on the relationship front, interesting development.

Ling's parents gave Ling tickets to an opera show, Ben had one too so Ben went happily in his best (and I suspect only) suit only to see Ling being lured away by a Santa Clause (it wasn't Christmas yet but she once told Vincent that she loved Christmas, Santa Clause, blinking lights, coffee-you get the picture) and Ben holding a pit of flowers followed her only to see Vincent having prepared a cup of coffee for her proceeded to dance with her under blinking lights in a deserted cafe with Christmas song being played. Ling then remembered about Ben, called him to say she will be late and Ben, very gentlemanly of him graciously took the cue and said he too was busy and so he smilingly left, having lost to Vincent and went home to think a little and then had a good night sleep.

My question here is Vincent seemed so well off, driving a nice car, taking over a cafe even for a day, taking over an ice cream van (or truck?) for a day, fancy restaurants, fancy suits ... where has he got the budget?

Anyway Ling didn't want anyone to know so she told Vincent she wanted to keep it low and this was why it was Ben who second chair Ling in the sperm donor case.

The next day Ling apologised to Ben for missing their date and then Vincent suddenly appeared, held Ling's hands and Ben then said "ohhhhhh you two are dating!" and asked why they wanted to keep it a secret. Then Ben quietly said "Better this way if not someone's heart will be hurt" (and he meant Jessica) but Vincent slyly said "Whose heart?". When Ling left to get cakes, Vincent asked Ben if he was ok with it and Ben said no problem. But the way Vincent said it, by the way he suddenly appeared during lunch uninvited, by appearing at the concert doing what he did when he knew Ben was going to watch opera with Ling ... these all suggested a very sly dark minded Vincent. When he sat there looking at Ben with his sly smug smile, it was like he was saying "LOOK! I won! I WON HER HEART!". At that brief moment, I disliked him. Ben simply accepted defeat graciously. You can't find this kind of man anymore. My sister commented, girls seems to go for bad boys and good guys like Ben losses. Well maybe true after all Vincent did all the tricks, who wouldn't be overwhelmed by his attention? Ben hardly did anything BUT his knitting and pot of flowers suggested a more subtle and sensitive approach. For that I like Ben more.

Anyway Jess has yet to know. She still thinks that Christmas time she may get her man and give him her pink crystal heart! Anyway she got a case of her own. She realised she had to pay more money for her internet access (I think it is so) when she didn't know. Vincent took up her case eagerly, writing complaint letters on her behald. Jess thought he did all this because of her. Ben quietly told her he did all this because he was up against big time companies and that was a challenfe he craved. Jess didn't hear that.

Tomorrow Jess will have her heart broken. I don't think I can stand to see her cry because Jess is such a sweet girl, however inadequate she may be as a lawyer.

My favourite character today is Ben but I find Vincent very intriguing. No doubt he is a decent fellow, like I wrote yesterday but I do feel after today's episode, he can be very boastful and arrogant. I think in time maybe Ling will see through his suaveness and charming smile and see a weak man inside. I am not saying a bad man or an evil man but a lesser mortal. I suspect Ben is a stronger person in principle and in his choices, more noble whilst Vincent may suffer some big time dilemma and forced to make a decision that will (or will almost) destroy him. I hope not just career but his humanity. I really want to see a bad Vincent who redeems himself, because I don't see Ben doing all that. He's such a happy go lucky person.

Best actor today? My personal choice is Sammul Chan for the way he smugly and slyly smiled at Ben, and with that twinkle in his eyes quietly asked Ben, "Are you sure you're ok with this?" when Ben was told about his relationship with Ling. I mean this one line didn't mean "If you're not ok, I will get away from Ling because we are friends" but rather "buddy, I won so back off". Of course in a more friendly and gentlemanly way. These guys won't punch each other out, I suspect they will do fencing, you know even fight must be a bit high class.

I am very annoyed with Ruby Wong's performance. Expressionless, toneless. And I am still confused; is Sister Na a prosecutor or a barrister with a law firm?

I look forward to tomorrow's episode though seeing Jess cry will not leave me feeling happy (I saw her shedding a tear in the preview). Bernice Liu has such energy, such charm, though playing a very bad (as in not vert smart) character with not so good acting skills, she manages to capture my attention with her dazzling smile, big expressions and energetic performance. She embodies Jessica in spirit and it pains me to see Jessica having to go through such heartbreak when she was waiting, waiting, waiting.

Maybe in the end she will get Vincent whom I feel professionally may be a great man but as a man, he is not good enough for her, YET.

EPISODE 8

2004-09-27T04:52:00.000-07:00

Another uneventful episode (to me, that is nothing dramatic, nothing too emotional). The case of the cheating wife continues.

The Case Of Mrs Cheng's Secret Life

Confirmed. Ivy is Mrs Cheng's lesbian lover. Even when confronted with this piece of info, Mrs Cheng refused to say her hubby was the culprit,not her. She badly wants to free herself of her guilt of cheating her husband, so she thought the best way to show she still love him is to take the blame for him. She actually parted with Ivy. Ben couldn't stand this. So he went to see Mr Cheng personally who at first told Ben to get lost. But Ben convinced him that Mrs Cheng still loved him and that he being so angry and hurt meant he still loved her. More so Mrs Cheng was pregnant (I was shocked because I didn't notice!). So Ben left, hoping Mr Cheng will come to his senses.

On the day to plead guilty, Mr Cheng suddenly appeared and happily reconciled with his wife who promised to wait for him and he was sentenced to 3 months in jail. I don't think there could be a much happier man going to jail than Mr Cheng. Anyway he thanked Ben and said since his wife was pregnant, he knew he still loved her at which point Mrs Cheng and her mom looked clueless. Then Mr Cheng knew Ben lied but forgave him, thanked him and off he went to jail, smiling.

A very happy man indeed.

Then came the new case, also involving Mrs Cheng.

Breach Of Doctor-Patient Confidentiality Case

Mrs Cheng saw Vincent and Jess to sue the Dr for revealing her story in his book thus causing the breakdown of her marriage (I mean who caused it for real right? Defamation maybe but the way Vincent argued, it was because she thought the Dr by revealing her secrets and her husband reading it led to her husband beating the crap out of Ivy and he going to jail). Then things got rather illogical.

Vincent said she wanted

a. the Dr to issue a written apology

b. the Dr to collect back all published books

c. to pay her damages not exceeding $100,000-00.

I am sure for C you go HUH?! NOT EXCEEDING? Yes , you read right. She wanted to punish him, but not to really punish him. Money ain't important. The Dr actually thought

a. she was a friend seeking advice, not patient (to which Vincent intelligently rebutted saying though no payment was given, the so called advice was sought in his clinic, and that infers Dr-Patient confidentiality)

b. the names were removed (to which Vincent intelligently rebutted saying yes, true Mrs Cheng became Mrs C, Ivy became I and her husband became known as a successful businessman but anybody who knows her knows that's her and her husband happened to be one of them_

c. he genuinely didn't know Mr Cheng will read that book (well Vincent didn't answer him but I will answer for Vincent, "TOUGH LUCK!".

So in the end Mrs Cheng got $30,000-00, a written apology, and the court ordered the Dr to take back all publications, changed the names to something else and well I guess republish them. I think I heard the last part right. My question now is is he supposed to collect all books, published, in the midst of publishing, sold and sold out of HK? Then the logistics problem is a nightmare you see. Poor Dr, $30,000-00 is nothing compared to what he will have to spend to take back these books.

The thing is there is a case in England where similiar facts happened and you know what the court ordered? No injunction, cannot stop the sale of the book I think in England because everywhere in the world was selling the book, so whatever the book had to say, the world already knew and so England knew. Good decision actually.

I think maybe not many people read a Dr's case studies so maybe he can collect back his books. Probably sold only like 10 copies? Who knows.

Anyway Mrs Cheng looks, talks, walks, weights, smiles, frowns and breaths like Faye Wong don't you think? For a moment I thought it was Miss Ice Queen Death Stare Cold Demeanour I Don't Care Attitude herself! I wonder maybe this is her sister?? Maybe not.

Ok, relationship. A few things happened.

1. Vincent challenged Ben to a fair fight for fair maiden Ling's heart. Well Ling already set her side on Vincent with their frequent flirting. Of course Ben tried to pursue her with the traditional way; like knitting her handbag, and yet not telling her it was him BUT Vincent got it better with style by giving her an expensive handbag (which Ling prefers) AND taking her to a cafe, and proceeded to brew her a nice cup of coffee. How can Ling not want this guy?

2. Jessica finally presented her first case (as in closing arguments) at the insistence of Vincent who was so confident he won Mrs Cheng's case that for closing he trusted Jessica to close it for him, good or bad it was one victory in his bag. Jessica fumbled but did better towards the end. The progression is nice to watch. At last Jessica is useful though she was reading from a note. But I pity the client and the judge to had to endure her for the first few seconds. Vincent seemed to have full confidence of her. Wonder why?

3. Sister Na couldn't stand Master Hung's wife (didn't catch her name-played by Winnie Yeung) trying to buy a new house that she scolded Hung's wife. Wife then knew husband was in deep trouble and ran to the office demanding to see the accounts book, saw it and fainted. Master Hung was very angry and scolded people unreasonably but apparently the wife suffers from some heart disease I think. The wife woke up and insisted on asking her father to help her husband. So now I know she is a rich man's daughter. But Hung refused and told her he will settle the debts, he will become a lawyer again and the firm will survive. The wife listened carefully and did the unexpected. She walked outside to the staff and bowed and apologised to them for her ignorance. I thought that was a very good scene, a bit shocking actually. The wife then promised to help the firm and to work to repay the debts. Everybody united there and then and everybody was happy again.

Everything else, well nothing much happened. Except ... oh yes, Ben's mom and dad got cheated again. This time big cheating case which I believe will be tomorrow's main story.

Now ther performances. I must talk about the characters first.

So far no real villain, but potentially one villain and I believe forced by circumstances.

I am beginning to like Vincent. For every stare he gave Ben everytime Ling was on Ben's side and for every smug smile (which made me dislike him), I am beginning to like Vincent for the way he treated Jessica (really he was the only one who ever pushed her to believe in herself, no spoon feeding, he was like "Jessica I think you can do the closing" and all he did thereafter was to sit and smile smugly). He is a man full of confidence and yes yes, Sammul Chan did a good job in today's episode in his confidence, in his self assured manner. I do think he will make a great pair with Jess/Bernice Liu. So I am ready for his downfall though will be disappointed because for all his weaknessess and his dirty tactics and his MUST WIN AT ALL COST attitude, he is actually really a decent fellow who loves his dad, very encouraging to his colleagues and nice to people less fortunate. Anyway back to Sammul Chan. Look at him, look at what a little suntan will do to a guy, make him more manly, more handsome.

Ben is his usual nice goofy self. I like the fact that he goes beyond the duty of a lawyer and helped the couple in this case. This is what I call real justice and real lawyers. But in real life it's too difficult to get so emotionally involved that sometimes you feel guilty for failing to get what your client wants when you know the law is the law. Raymond Lam still rules acting wise but Sammul has an advantage; it's true, Vincent is a far more interesting character to watch.

Ling has little to do in today's episode. Likewise Myolie has little to do today.

I really like Jessica despite her low self esteem and low confidence. She is a really nice hardworking girl who can actually do bette than she thinks she can and funny thing, Vincent being so good at what he does has the patience to tell her she can do it, has the confidence in her to let her do it and has got the insane idea that she can actually do it. I think he's in love with her without knowing it. Bernice Liu is such a pretty lady, such a sunshine. Despite her Jessica's uselessness sometimes, Bernice Liu has enough charisma to make viewers like her character. A very pleasant performance.

Juno is still the worst actor, whilst today we see a little of Ruby Wong. Didn't do enough for me to comment but I love the scene she snatched the cheque away and started scolding Hung's wife in public. I think the stupid wife deserved that.

I am also glad that a calibre actor like Lok Ying Kwan (Hung) is at last given a role that he is almost the centrepiece amongst the younger cast, like Ai Wai lending his experience and credibility as an actor's actor to an ensemble of newbies in Aqua Heroes (except for Leila Tong, a very capable actress herself). Such a delight to watch.

What else? Well nothing else. To recap, favourite couple is Vincent and Jessica, favourite character today is Vincent and whilst Raymond Lam still rules, I believe this episode totally belongs to Sammul Chan and his smug smiles. I am not saying this simply because I was criticised for criticising him too much in my previous thoughts but I am saying this because I actually liked his character and his performance in today's episode.

I SWEAR!

EPISODE 7

2004-09-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

Eric did it because he wanted to hurt Mark for hurting Anna whom he loved and he ended up hurting Anna herself. He was arrested but what happened to Anna? No clue.

New case today, a rather predictable one but my previous prediction was all wrong so maybe this time it is wrong again.

Rich Man's Wife Charged With Assault of Husband's Mistress

Mrs Cheung's old mom took her quiet aloof daughter to HK Law Firm because she was charged with assaulting a girl named Ivy with a golf stick (or whatever you call them). Ben and Vincent asked for more facts but Mrs Cheung just said; "I am pleading guilty, I don't want to talk more". What B&V know is Mrs Cheung reportedly saw husband (congressman or senator I think) having a row with a girl named Ivy and out of anger wife took club and beat the crap out of Ivy. Mrs Cheung felt guilty and wanted to plead guilty. When Mr Cheung was asked about this he said; "I worked hard not for money but to give us a comfortable life but she spoilt it all. I don't want to talk about it" and he left.

So we have a guilty wife, unknown mistress and a cold uncaring husband. My guess was wife was having a homosexual affair with woman then discovered by husband who hurt the mistress. My family's guess was ... Mrs Cheung's mom knew little about her daughter's marriage but told Ben that her daughter often saw a psychiatrist ... so my family's guess was she was having an affair with psychiatrist and Ivy was psychiatrist's wife. The answer will be revealed shortly.

So B&V went to look for Mrs Cheung and surprise surprise, saw Mrs Cheung hugging and kissing Ivy intimately. But still not concrete proof of their relationship so my guess may be correct until the conclusion next week.

Vincent wanted to use this point to get Mrs Cheung an aquittal because she suffered from sleepwalking induced by her guilt towards her husband about her lesbian affair. Ben said we must respect client's wishes and let Mrs Cheung reveal it when she is ready. Jessica couldn't decide who was right whilst Ling took Ben's side. The conclusion? Next week.

Back to relationships plot.

Vincent was slightly hurt that Ling took Ben's side because earlier, he pursued her (as in wooed her) with an icecream van (he rented the whole van, drove the whole van to Ling and gave her her ice cream-he drives a BMW-he dresses in nice suits -he dines in expensive restaurants-where has he got the money?). He then went for a dinner with Ling. Jess at the meantime thought she could ask Vincent out for dinner and SMS-ed him to wait for her at a restaurant. He never showed up but amazingly Ben so happened walked past that restaurant and they had a nice dinner together. Ben knew Vincent was pursuing Ling and he almost gave up until he saw Jess who told him one day she will give Vincent the gift she bought him; a heart shaped pink crystal. Ben didn't have the heart to tell Jess Vincent was having dinner with Ling.

They ended up very drunk and went back to Jess' place and interrupting Sister Na's romantic dinner with I think the character's name is Marco but not quite sure. They staggered into her room and Jess fell onto her bed and fell fast asleep whilst Ben fell onto the floor and slept. When morning, Jess woke up and saw a tie on the sofa. She chastised her aunt for bringing a man home BUT her aunt said her so indiscretion was only a bottle of wine and that the tie belonged to Jess' own man. Jess ran into her room and found Ben fast asleep. She woke him and asked if he saw her changing her clothes just now and well, he was still asleep then. They ended up going to work together and on the bus talked about using the towels, toothbrush and all. It so happened HK Law Firm's staff was sitting at the bad (I do not know her name) and she called office and everybody heard their conversation. Once at office, everybody thought they slept with one another. Whilst Jess tried to deny, Ben just laughed it off.

Much much later into the series, Ben saw Ling's car passed by. He quickly bought his chee-cheung-fun and jumped into Ling's car. He has a bad habit of car pooling. Anyway Ling wasn't pleased but she was not mean to him anymore. He offered her the chee cheung fun but she said she wa driving. He made her stop by the side and they both quickly shared the chee cheung fun whilst the police was slowly approaching Ling's car. Once finished, she drove off and arrived at the office together. In perhaps the funniest scene today, the staff asked Ben why his mouth was bleeding and then they saw Ling who was smiling and asked why her lips was bleeding too. Both looked stunned and then credits roled. I like this scene because Ling is so uptight and with Ben she was willing to bend the rules. Ben as usual is so goofy and happy go lucky. Vincent may be gentleman but he is getting a bit calculative today.

Oh by the way, Jess' SMS was wrongly sent to Juno which explained why Vincent never called. Whilst Vincent may be ruthless in handling his case as illustrated today, he was never really mean to Jess.

As for performances, very tired to keep repeating who's good. So I thought maybe say who's not and who improved.

Bernice Liu gave an improved performance today and I find her even cuter today as her hair was so messy when she rushed out to work. Her Jess is really sweet and nice. A pity Ben never liked her the way he liked Ling. They would make a great couple.

Juno is still the worst actor in this series. Expressionless. Totally blank look. He should consider maybe playing a teenager who lost hope in life. He looks lost.

Sammul Chan is still the most overrated actor in this series in the sense heavily promoted, people may think he can act but the truth is, HE CAN ACT but someone else can do better. I am getting bored with Vincent sniggering or smiling to himself or smiling whilst talking. And by smiling I mean smugly. So I like the little change of direction in his character today as he stared at Ben and Ling when Ling agreed with Ben's way of handling Mrs Cheung's case. I can see jealousy brewing and that will spice things up.

If my prediction is correct, today's case is nothing special. Of course in every series nowadays, there must be a hint of homosexuality some where. It's the in thing. Just a bit surprised Ben didn't have a gay friend because that was the in thing in some series before this. Interesting case though and I hope with an explosive ending. I was very disappointed with Eric's case.

Now the problem with this series is they have interesting cases, they fought well, they won by sometimes devious means or unconventional ways and yet no follow up. The story ends in victory and then the next scene is our heroes. But what about those people they represented? I was hopeful for a better closure to their cases. True representation perhaps end when the case finishes but in TV world, viewers may like a more complete ending. Draw the intestines you know?

Overall an uneventful episode but still interesting to watch.

EPISODE 6

2004-09-22T10:27:00.000-07:00

The missing finger case continues and still no end, the end should be tomorrow.

Woman's Finger Chopped Off Whilst Drugged

The case continues with an interesting twist.

Vincent and Ben approached the bartender called Eric hoping he could confirm their theory that Mark snuck into the apartment and chopped off Anna's finger out of jealousy. Indeed Eric confirmed that he saw Mark driving his car to Anna's apartment at around 3.15 am or so. He even confirmed he and Anna had a very close relationship and Anna was always abused physically by the hot headed Mark.

At this juncture, my mind had one question; How come Eric was standing near Anna's place at 3.15 am and conveniently saw Mark driving there??

Ahhh the answer not much later.

Mark became the witness and insisted he did go there but did not step out of his car because he didn't want to catch Anna in bed with another man, thus losing face. He wanted to deal with her later. The security videos at that apartment would have showed he was not lying. So the question goes back to who chopped off Anna's finger?

Then Ben and Vincent reached a new discovery. They realised everything was way too convenient for Eric, that Eric was wearing the same necklace that Anna wore in a picture Eric posted in his bar. That Eric himself said Anna begged him to take her away from Mark. That Eric was there at the apartment though the bar was far away. So Vincent thought the best strategy is to pin the blame on Eric whom they both felt was the real culprit. Ben couldn't do it so Vincent volunteered. On the stand Vincent totally killed Eric's credibility but Eric kept saying "It wasn't me, it wasn't me" whilst Anna looked ... I don't know, between shocked and mildly interested in what was saying. Yes that actress was horrible.

To know the conclusion you have to read my thoughts tomorrow because no conclusion today.

My theory is Eric didn't do it, neither did Mark. I think TVB is gonna pull a red herring on us all and in the end it was Dr Lam, the finger fetish sicko who liked her finger very much. It must be because he looked way too innocent you know? I mean for shock value itself this would make a brilliant ending, that even Vincent and Ben were duped. BUT it could be the usual ending, Eric did it. That would be so boring.

Anyway, new case today.

Sexual Assault Case At Karaoke Lounge

Master Hung gave Jessica this case because Vincent and Ben were busy and Ling refused to take another sicko case. So Jess had to do it but she was so scared that even Master Hung had to scold her and said "If you keep wanting to be second chair, why would I want to hire you?!".

But Jess lacked confidence and when interviewing the culprit, she suggested that he should consider pleading guilty and that was the first time when back at office, Master Hung screamed at poor Jess in front of everybody, causing her to flee in embarassement and disappointment at her ownself.

The case is fairly simple. Few drunk men met few drunk women and they played a game where the loser had to be kissed by the winner and the winner was an old ugly often mistaken to be a sexual misfit of a mechanic whilst the girl was a young pretty sarong party girl. She refused unless he barked like a dog. He did and she laughed at him. At that point he was so angry he bit her on the lips. Thus he was charged with sexual assault.

Poor Jess was so angry with herself she went to do taekwondo. Vincent felt guilty for saying things like she is a loser even before she became a winner and went to see her and was so impressed that he asked her to teach him some moves, because he didn't want to know known as Sickly Ming anymore. At the meantime Vincent convinced Jess that she can do it and Jess felt even more relieved to hear her idol's words that she asked Ling to help her to win her first case. They again went to interview the client and Ling thought of a solution.

Ling and Jess went to see a rather snotty looking prosecutor (why all prosecutors had to look snotty in this series??) and plea bargained with her. Ling's case was there no sexual assault but normal misdeameanour or simple assault case which probably carries only a fine or maybe suspended jail term. The prosecutor was not convinced and Ling said he bit her, not kissed her, there was no sexual element and Jess also tried her best in persuading that prosecutor. In the end Jess won her first case but Ling was gracious enough to say Jess did it, not Ling.

Back to the relationships plot.

Today we see more of Jess who has a serious issue of self confidence and the ruthlessness of Vincent. Again Jess is such a silly character, a caricature but I like her because Bernice Liu played her cute. And may I comment on Bernice's absolutely fantastic figure. She actually looked bigger than Sammul Chan!

Ok, Vincent. The good thing about today's epsisode on this issue is how together they all are. When Jess has a problem, Vincent, Ben and Ling all volunteered to help her. Such co-operation amongst them, because the firm is small.

Vincent himself is shown as someone heartless, he has no problem pointing the finger at Eric, whilst Ben couldn't do it. It shows Vincent can be very professional and detached and I like that aspect because that makes him more real. But I am getting tired of watching his self assured smile.

As for Ben, he's still the ultimate nice guy, even nicer today.

You see Ling obviously likes Vincent who obviously likes Ling but no move yet. Ben likes Ling and Ling kinda likes him, in a friend kinda way. Ling and Vincent today shared some intimate/more than friendly moment by eating ice cream together. Yes in TV world that shows closeness, so start eating ice creams with your loved ones. As for Ben, Ling even offered to give him a lift (something she did reluctantly before) and then Ling went back home but Ben followed her, worried about her safety. Lucky for her because she interuppted a couple who was playing a rape fantasy near her apartment (of all things, in public) and she stopped the guy and the guy almost hit her when Ben came to the rescue but the guy knocked Ben's noodles he just bought and some of the hot soup hit Ling and more hit Ben. Then that guy went away. Ling took Ben to her apartment and they saw her mom and dad (why must a loving elderly couple always stand with the husband's hand on wife's shoulder, as they walked from one room ro another?). Ling cooked Ben instant noodle for him to take hom and back at home Ben ate the noodle eventhough everybody thought it was leftovers (it looked bad). Ben was in love and even volunteered to fix Ling's favourite handbag by knitting it. He had to learn knitting.

But the story is clear. Ling has eyes for Vincent, all the girls' favourite man. Well he is a gentleman. He didn't have to run after Jess but he did, he consoled her, it shows he is not that emotionally detached except when he is doing a case.

I still love Ben but I am intrigued by Vincent, not so much as the actor's performance but the character himself. I find Vincent very real. Ben may exist but such good man is so hard to find.

Today's performance is still top notch. Raymond Lam is so cute, I must say this again, his Ben is so lovable and huggable. Definitely he has scored the perfect character that showcase his goofiness, comic timing, and some serious acting.

Sammul Chan is smiling too much. He should stop that because I am beginning to dislike Vincent though I am intrigued by his character. Acting wise Sammul Chan simply lacked it all, especially that scen where Bernice as Jess was getting too close to his Vincent and he had to act embarassed or maybe even afraid of her. But that scene he did badly. What I like though is the way he talks when discussing a case. He would whisper a bit, look at a blank space and just stare and talk. Scary but effective. Scary because it shows Vincent as very confident man to the point of perhaps over confident and effective because Vincent would have been that way. I still feel Kevin Cheng would have been perfect for this role because I can't see Sammul as attractive. Boyish yes, weak yes but a sexual magnet? Not really. He does look incapable of throwing a punch. One very funny scene was again Ben and Vincent was in the bar and those gangsters were again there. But before they can act, Ben took a chair and loudly placed it in front of them and Vincent did a high kick (having practiced with Jess) in a very convincing manner and then they coolly walked away and the next scene they were running huffingand puffing. Vincent reasoned that that was all show and since neither of them could actually beat those guys, he thought pretending he could was the only way to escape!

Myolie is still on a very good acting track though she had little heavy drama to do just yet. But I suspect her Ling must have been through some traumatic experience because she mentioned she had to stop those rape from occuring again. Perhaps she was a victim of a failed sexual assault? Well we will know soon I think.

Bernice Liu ... speechless if you ask me about her acting but if you ask me about the actress herself I would say such sunshine.

Everybody else was just fine except for some cameo, bad acting by secondary actors as in ke-le-fes.

The cases are getting interesting though and I wonder did Eric do it or was it as I predicted??

Tomorrow we shall know.

EPISODE 5

2004-09-21T10:06:00.000-07:00

A new case today which was very exciting because for once it was logical and interesting.

Woman's Finger Chopped Off Whilst Drugged

Technically Anna wasn't really drugged, she took sleeping pills. She went home with a Dr Lam whom she met at a local pub, both drunk, they talked and vomitted and talked some more, then Dr Lam and Anna took sleeping pills and slept soundly. Dr Lam woke up and left her apartment. Whilst driving, he became thirsty and when about to take a drink from the bottle, he saw pinkish water and one finger inside. Immediately he stopped and vomitted and of course called Master Hung. You see Dr Lam was Master Hung's family doctor. Vincent and Ben went along and to their dismay found:-

1. that bottle with that finger inside;

2. a bloody knife;

3. a very scared possible accused.

Did Dr Lam did it or didn't he? Dr Lam cried and said he didn't. He didn't know what happened. Immediately Master Hung told him to lodge a police report and just surrender. Once at the police station, the investigator in charge was Cheuk Sir, Vincent's beloved father. They were very professional towards one another and only later did Ben and Hung knew Cheuk Sir was Vincent's father.

Father and son's relationship was very close because mom died early, dad took care of Vincent all by himself. So though Vincent dressed very formally and in very nice suits, you and I know Vincent wasn't born rich. So he must be hungry for success. But today's episode showed him in a very good light. He respected his father, he was friendly with his coleagues and staff, what not to like about this man with the bad habit of smiling to himself?

Anyway back to that case. Poor guy was charged. Anna didn't die, Master Hung wanted to visit her but Ben and Vincent said, no way! Can't do that since they represented the accused. So Ben and Vincent became diversions and Master Hung snuck in and talked to Anna, saying he was a priest. She was emotional but told him she didn't believe Dr Lam did what he was accused of and yet she was reluctant to voice out the possible suspect.

Once outside, Master Hung said they needed private investigators but guess what? Ben and Vincent will have to pay for a PI. So instead of hiring one, they decided to be investigators themselves, going to the pub that Anna went that night.

Once there, they asked loads of questions and many were scared to answer. Jess and Ling were there to, as support system.

The bartender then revealed a secret; nobody would dare to touch Anna because she was a kept woman of a very nasty looking gangster called I think Mark. When Mark's boys heard Anna's name, immediately they attacjked Ben and Vincent. Ben pushed Vincent out together with Jess and Ling whilst he fought 5 or 6 guys alone and then ran away, taking one road whilst the other 3 took the other road. But Jess was worried and she ran after Ben. Ben was cornered and put up a brave fight and when he was losing, Jess came to the rescue and basically fought all guys alone and won. Ben was amazed (so was I, who would have thought such a lovely timid girl could fight so well?) but he fell as he hurt his leg. At the meantime Ling sprained her ankle and Vincent was extra gentle with her, and she looked at him oddly, the attraction building. Yes, every woman in this series fell for Vincent's charm or rather gentlemanliness or what they call handsomeness. Anyway, Vincent carried Ling on his back and they bumped into Jess CARRYING BEN ON HER BACK (wow! What a woman!). Jess was jealous that Vincent wasn't carrying her whilst Ling was embarassed at being seen in such a position. Poor Ben, Jess dropped him.

The next day Ben and Vincent again went out investigating and found Mark's bungalow. There they saw Mark beating Anna and warning her not to help Dr Lam if not she will lose more than one finger. Then they heard that he bought her that apartment. So logically, he must have chopped off her finger that night!

Once at trial, the guys decided to use a very logical strategy; blame it on someone else.

Vincent professionally interrogated his ultra cool father whilst Anna lied on the stand about what happened (she was cross examined by Ben). Then Anna said Dr Lam was a sicko, a weirdo and the prosecution asked why? She said he kept commenting how lovely her fingers were and he kept sucking her fingers that night!

Naturally Ben and Vincent were shocked to discover Dr Lam had a finger fetish (what is it with TVB with fetished? First legs, now fingers). They warned him whether there were any more secrets and Dr Lam tearfully cried and said no and if he lost he will rather die!

Dramatic moment and Ben and Vincent tried to console him but knew they had to explain for that finger fetish.

The conclusion? Tomorrow I guess.

I must comment on the interrogation part. Cheuk Sir said;

"The report confirms that the finger was chopped by the knife with prints all wiped out, the finger belongs to Anna and there were no signs of breaking in and since there was no one else in that house and the finger in the bottle was found in your car, we have no choice but to arrest you and to charge you, Dr Lam".

Awww come on! Come on! Dr Lam's car was parked downstairs, anybody would have broke into his car. There could be other people who has access to that house, there were no prints. How can they jump to teh conclusion Dr Lam did it? Why would Dr Lam chop off her finger? Of course during the trial came the bombshell; Dr Lam has finger fetish. Interesting but the prosecution's case is weak.

Now back to the relationships proper.

Tonight we see more of Vincent and his personal life. He may act cold or cool but he really loves his father. He is also loyal in the sense that he wanted to run to help Ben when Ben was pursued by those gangsters.

Ben himself proved to be a very heroic person today as he pushed the others away and led the gangsters away from them.

Jess was even more loyal in the sense that she alone ran after Ben and even rescued him in one of the funniest scene in today's episode, funny because of Ben's expression (total shock) and how when he tried to move he fell down (so Louis Koo you know, so much like Louis Koo).

Only Ling didn't prove her loyalty yet BUT she is getting friendlier with Ben whilst her attraction to Vincent is growing. Can't see why not since Vincent was very gentle with her ankle, you know the classic "I help to massage your swollen sprained ankle in a very concerned way whilst you look at me shyly whilst hissing your pain" scene.

Poor Jess though, everybody thinks she is in love with Ben.

Today's other highlight is Master Hung's clever deception, saying he is Anna's brother to get past a nurse, then saying he is a priest to coax Anna to say the things he wanted to know and then when a doctor entered the room, he left by saying "O-mi-to-fatt" and poor Anna couldn't decide he was a Christian or a Buddhist!

Tonight also Ben's family finally found out Ben was broke and they all promised to spend wisely in a very warm loving scene between mom, dad, Ben and little sister (I remember her! She was that cute girl, playing the daughter of Chin Ka Lok in Life Begins At Forty).

Now forn performances, Raymond Lam totally shines with his comic timing and his cheeky smile. Ben is his ideal perfect role and I find him charming.

Myolie is still the best actress in here whilst Bernice Liu is ... cute, charming, great to look at, love her Jess and the actress with the million dollar mega watt smile. BUT it is unfortunate that her acting still sucks and her character Jess is still so silly. But I like the fact that her Jess can really fight.

Sammul Chan continues to improve but I still think he lacks that oommph factor to play Vincent. Vincent is not supposed to be strong or athletic, in fact Ben is stronger and yet why girls find him irresistable? Because of his confidence, his devilish self assured smile, his nice suits, his confidence, his handsomeness. Sammul Chan played the confidence and self assured factor nicely but he lacks everything else. I swear his wardrobe is nice, in fact he could rival Bobby's Pang Kwok Tong's suits in Take My Word For It (I believe Bobby's best role and best clothed role in recent memory). Remember my post yesterday when I felt Shaun Chen (Singapore/Malaysia) would make a perfect Vincent? Well I finally thought of one in HK who is perfect for this role, a pity he wasn't that well known when this series was filmed. Remember Kevin Cheng? He is not a terribly good actor (neither is Sammul Chan) but he has everything except height; he is good looking, he looks like a professional, he has this devilish smile and this devil may care kind of look, laid back, very self assured and I believe a very believable professional. And he is young looking. Oh yes, KEVIN CHENG. How could I forget this man?

Today's guest star is I think his name is ... Jimmy Au I think and he plays Mark. Very explosive performance, as in violent and very scary man. I can't remember the name of the actor who played Dr Lam but well this series highlight is having credible actors playing minor or guest starring roles.

Overall, a very enjoyable, interesting and funny episode.

Anyway I forgot to mention something which was very funny in EPISODE 4. There was a scene where Master Hung gave them salaries and they were so happy but Hung deducted the commission out to repay debts! But Hung gave them each a free cake coupon. During lunch, everybody was eating except Ben who was eating dessert. Ling asked, "Why are you eating dessert first?" and Ben quietly took out a box with a cake inside from underneath the restaurant table and cheekily said; "my lunch is in here! Must use the coupons!" It was such a funny scene. Then Jess, very nice of her gave some of her food to Ben who then had the nerve to ask her to share her coffee with him! Ling and Vincent of course thought they were very much in love!

Ahhh, so looking forward to tomorrow's episode and Dr Lam's fate.

EPISODE 4

2004-09-20T10:55:00.000-07:00

The case of that poor timid boy continues, but the way the trial goes... I have my doubts. It's all drama without substance.

Grevious Bodily Harm Case

Vincent had a doctor prepare a report about this boy's mental health, or more to the point, what made him punched that fat kid 5 times. Vincent wanted to rely on self defence. Now self defence ... you must prove imminent danger, not just that it might happen but that it is a real danger, in the mind of the accused. The boy clearly had that because that fat boy had been bullying him everyday. Everyday! But Vincent wanted the judge (King Sir) to read the report and he and Jessica barged into his room, demanded that the judge read the report, then Jess threw the report into King Sir's car and yes, he read the report, the report went in because the judge decided it as such. Funny because the prosecution had no knowledge of this and that to me is unfair surprise and very unprofessional. My question is why can't Vincent submit the report to the judge IN THE COURT? Why must he go around demanding (in Jess' case, begging) the judge to read the report when he could have just submitted it in the court, get the psychiatrist to testify in court? Or better yet, get the court to appoint a psychiatrist so that no one can argue the other's psychiatrist is biased? Why? Why? Why? And how come they can so easily strut into the judge's chambers (room)? No security? No secretary? I had come across rooms where I had to pass through not just the secretary's room first but the assistant of the secretary who reads each letter to be delivered to the judge examining it as if it might have anthrax!

Anyway, back to the case. Vincent called the boy as a witness, and as predicted, even before Little Man answered Vincent's question, he pee in the dock, crying. The judge then ordered everybody into his room and demanded why Vincent did what he did? Sister Na also got angry, saying it was all tactics and Vincent said he miscalculated his client's fragile emotions and he apologised. BS! He knew what he was doing and when he left the judge's room, he was smiling like a smug. Little Man's father didnt' appreciate the public humiliation but well, tactics won that day.

In the end the judge rules that the boy was not guilty by way of self defence (avery possible defence actually, and if that fat kid died, it could have been diminished responsiblity or insanity or perhaps provocation?). Everybody was happy. What I wanted to see was the fat kid's parents' reaction. I was hoping to see them crying and screaming at Vincent and Little Man, I mean that would make very good drama but nope, they simply walked way with their brain damaged son and did nothing.

Anyway I thought Vincent's closing was very good. He did say that as much as we should pity the fat kid, we must realise at the end of the day Little Man is the real victim here. I definitely agree. All I can say is that fat kid brought about his own condition. The parents should be blamed as well for not teaching their son properly. Whilst the consequence is severe, and that fat kid might have grown up to be a decent fellow, all these consequences stemmed from that fat kid's constant abuse of Little Man. Little Man must go for counselling and therapy. He has not just self esteem issue (as said by Vincent) but anger issue as well. He could grow up to be the docile polite guy shooting dead everybody in the supermarket because he could no longer stomach his anger anymore.

Jess after the win said she will buy Vincent dinner, who was previously promised a dinner by Ling as well. Vincent gladly accepted Jess' offer.

A new interesting case today.

Feuding Couple In A Divorce

After the high profile cases, many came looking for legal representation at HK Law Firm. One of which is a very funny one where one couple agreed for a divorce but each side demanded their own lawyer to scold the other party just to make them feel guilty. Vincent was supposed to represent the husband but he didn't want to do such small case, so boos Master Hung took over. The wife was represented by Sister Na (now I am confused! Sister Na, the prosecutor or Sister Na the private practitioner?!). THey went along with the act of scolding the other party until things got too personal and they ended up vented their anger at one another, how Hung always helped his friends and never Sister Na, how Sister Na had too high an expectation on Master Hung when they were together, how Master Hung married a stupid wife ... they argued so loudly that their clients had to restrain them! In the end their clients decided their problems are small problems and they will try to work things out and the husband even advised Master Hung and Sister Na to just sit down and talk! That was funny.

Anyway back to the relationship issues. Ling obviously like Ben but doesn't admit it. She thought that Jess is with Ben when she saw Jess wearing a very nice black dress when Jess thought she was having dinner with Vincent. It turns out that the boss took everybody out for dinner and poor Jess, couldn't reveal her love for Vincent. Now, Jess is such a silly character. She drinks from Vincent's mug and hopes that he will drink from the exact spot her lips touched the cup, thinking she was about to kiss him for real. I mean sorry to say, I like Jess but she comes across like an idiot to me.

At the meantime, Juno's character whose name I have yet to familiarise with (but I read that it's Ah Leng so I am going to call him Ah Leng) likes Jess. Everybody thinks Jess likes Ben because they thought she followed Ben to HK Law Firm but in actual fact, a fact that Ben knows that she is actually following Vincent.

Now Vincent is such an interesting character. Not the actor but the character. He is devious, he is calculative, he cares little for his client (he aims to win but in the best interest of his client of course), he is arrogant, he thinks he can get away with anything and he has this self satisfying smile everytime he talks. A smug look. And notice how he fiddles his pen when he is presenting a case? That means he is such a self assured, pompous, confident man. Good because he is good at what he does and he knows it but bad because he is capable of everything to achieve what he wants. I see a potential good character gone bad in him and I just hope he redeems himself in the end. I wouldn't say he is evil, because he is friendly to fellow staff and colleagues, it's just that he is cold, he is not very expressive and a classic self assured successful professional yuppie. I can why Ling AND Jess both like him. I mean I like him too, he is dangerous and hard to get.

But the truth is I love Ben. He is such a cute guy, a guy whose brand of justice and view of the role of a lawyer is my ideal philosophy. He has a bad habit though; he tends to stand too close to somebody, touching them in a friendly way that Ling always misinterpreted as possible molestation but Ling knows, he's a nice guy. Today less of Ben more of Vincent though.

Performance wise, Raymond Lan rules with his very laid back performance of a very laid back guy.

Lok Ying Kwan is still the best though whilst Myolie is such a delight to watch. But I can't stand how her Ling treats Ben. Maybe the more attraction, the worse her Ling treats poor Ben.

Sammul Chan is watchable but a better actor could have given his Vincent a more sinister edge. Sammul did fine, he's not bad and his self assured smile is I do think from the actor himself. I don't see him as sexy or attractive in a very masculine kind of way, in fact a better looking actor would have made Vincent sexier, more dangerous and I bet girls would be hoping to get his attention. I can't think of another actor who is young enough and professional looking enough to play Vincent because HK is seriously lacking in young good looking sexy actor. Maybe those who are watching Aqua Heroes might consider Bosco Wong but not to me. I did think perhaps Bosco but ... does he look like a lawyer to you? A self assured pompous lawyer? Maybe with a change of image! But who else? I can name a few outside of HK (as is always the case) but in HK, any suggestion? So thus far Sammul is just right for this role, but he needs to tap more into Vincent's inner demons so to speak. I don't know, everytime I see Vincent as in my ideal Vincent in looks and in behaviour, I expect someone sexy. Yes sexy. Who?

The actor who plays King Sir (the judge) is really good. I remember as a doctor in some series I have seen, he really behaves like a doctor! The boy who plays Little Man is also good, maybe not very good but good enough. Actually better than Juno who I hope is a better singer than he is as an actor.

Worst actor has to be Juno. But he is only supporting role so good for him and for us.

Worst actress could be Bernice Liu but I like her. I mean despite her Jess being an idiot (I mean there was a scene how she tried to read her aunt's closing arguments! I mean stupid!), I like her and I feel sad that Vincent doesn't know how she feels. No the worst actress tonight has to be Ruby Wong. She talks like she 's talking with her mouth open (so her diction/pronounciation is horrible), her hair is ok actually but her acting ... her acting ... I can't find a wordto describe it. Lousy? Not as bad as one person I have in mind. Horrible? Maybe. Lacking in emotions? Could be. Cold? Perhaps. Detached? Probably. Plain bad acting? Oh yes, perfect. That's the word(s), plain bad acting.

Anyway we are introduced to Master Hung's young wife played by Winnie Yeung who plays a ditzy wife (well she was plain mean in Take My Word For It, in here she is rather ignorant of her husband's financial situation). She shops, shops, shops whilst Master Hung indulges her. I bet she leaves him in the end. Sister Na obviously still have feelings for Master Hung.

Overall a very good episode but again the legal part and how Vincent and Jess go about in their trial... I reserve my comments. Maybe HK legal system is different from the rest of the world.

Anyway just a what if question here. What is this series is filmed in Singapore? Who can play ...

Ling - someone young, I see Jacelyn Tay but she's older but can still do. Maybe Jeannette Aw.

Vincent - one man, my man of the moment, Shaun Chen. Yes yes I like him ok?! OK?! You have a problem with that?!

Jessica - many. Maybe Jeannette Aw also, maybe someone else, like Apple Hong? She looks a bit not too bright (excuse my words but that's my impression). Many others but most are a bit too old.

Ben - Pierre Png because I find Pierre Png cute. But there are others who are young enough for this role. It's just that in my mind now I can't think of any. So far Raymond Lam is just right.

Sister Na - Is Fann Wong too young for this role? Maybe Zoe Tay? Someone who can act?

I have a confession actually. I see Shaun Chen as Vincent. This guy has a bad boy reputation, is to me sexy in a very dangerous brooding (some say boring) way, I personally find him interesting and if he has the looks to play a computer wiz/billionaire and a successful financial advisor (in his new series coming soon, Yi Xin Ren (my most anticipated series that I can never watch because I am not in Singapore), I read he is playing someone mean, someone bad), he can be Vincent. And he's about the right age, maybe a year older. Ok, maybe I am promoting him way too much but well, fellow Malaysian mah! I make it my personal mission to promote him until and unless someone who catches my fancy comes along. It won't be long I am sure. If you're wondering who he is, here's a nice picture from his series, Power Of Love. Actually he looks better onscreen. Maybe minus the long hair, I see Vincent as clean shaven, short professional yuppie hair.

Maybe as I go along with my episodic thoughts, I 'll put up a list of names from the world over. But my mind is set as to who can play Vincent, probably play him better.

EPISODE 3

2004-09-19T10:32:00.000-07:00

This series is getting better and better. Definitely enjoyed today's episode.

Again the legal part is not quite right and the plot os rather predictable. What I like though are the characters and the performances.

Today's episode is a continuation of the previous episode's cases.

Molestation Case

Remember Ben's ex-girlfriend, Mary's current boyfriend charged with molesting a woman in a lift by pinching her buttocks and spying on her with his telescope on his balcony? Well Ling suspected this freak was the one when Ben was falsely accused of pinching a woman's buttocks in a lift, and that freak was standing next to Ben. Ben didn't suspect him until both Ling and Ben were sitting in his car and saw those pictures of women's legs clad in lacy pantyhose. But both can't do anything because you see, whatever you client tells you, it is protected by legal privilege and yes, that includes confessions to murder. It continues even after the relationship ends. Anyway in court Ling was so emotional when she was closing her defence until Ben wrote "struck off the roll" (meaning banned from being a lawyer for life) that she calmed down and gave a winning closing. That jerk then went to Ben and even commented how sexy Ling look in her lacy pantyhose. That was when Ben decided to do something. Meanwhile Ling tried to tell Mary about that jerk but couldn't. And Ben tried to tell Ling he was about to do something but Ling kept brushing him off. After that jerk was pronounced not guilty, Ben deliberately used a file and scratched Ling's pantyhose which broke. That jerk saw her legs that way and was in trance. You see he has a fetish for lacy pantyhose with holes in it. He followed Ling and pinched her buttocks in front of the prosecutors in the court! Immediately he was arrested again and he begged Ben to save him and Ben said; "I can't. I am a prosecution witness now!". That was such a satisfying end. Brilliant Ben. Of course Ling didn't appreciate what he did and Mary even beat Ben for not telling her the truth. So Ben ended up with Mary walking away and Ling throwing her suitcase at him.

Grevious Bodily Harm Case

Remember that skinny boy from last episode? His case was on and guess who's the prosecutor? Sister Na! Vincent asked Jessica to sit as second chair because she is compassionate and successfully got the kid to talk. Poor kid. Everyday for the past 6 months he was bullied by that fatty and his gang, from being made to crawl through their legs to being stripped off his pants. Even when that fat bully was taken into court already suffering from serious brain damage (with just 5 punches to the head!), that poor boy called Little Man was so scared he pee in his pants. Vincent saw it all and decided to take a gamble and not discuss lesser jail term with the prosecutor.

My questions are as follows:-

1. What jail term? He's a kid! He will be sent to some juvenile detention centre at whoever's discretion. Like in Malaysia, it would be Agong's discretion.

2. This boy has a solid defence. His mental health is a defence. Not to say he was insane but losing control? Subjected to such abuse for such a long time? It took Vincent about half way through the case to consider asking for a medical opinion! Why so long? This kid is a basketcase, sadly. And the father also so abusive, maybe out of worry but still ... I pity Little Man.

3. What is Sister Na doing as a prosecutor?! I thought she is in private practice?!

4. How come a simple molestation case has both Ling and Ben wearing their robes but not Vincent's case? Is it a prelimanary round, like probable cause stage? Maybe you know, so please enlighten me.

5. How can Vincent let Jessica with ZERO experience open the case? She fumbled and all. It might be a cute scene but it's not funny when the kid's life is at stake.

6. What is strange is Vincent on his client's behalf admitted the kid punched that fat kid but I remember Little Man said, "I didn't do it!". Is there an inconsistency here?

7. Sister Na said Little Man was seen practising punches on old tyres and that indicates preparation and that means when he punched fat boy, it was revenge, pre meditated and not self defence or such. I disagree. He has been bullied so many times, he is just preparing himself to save his own skin. He couldn't have seek out that fat boy for revenge because just the sight of that fat boy in a wheelchair was enough to make that poor kid pee in his pants. I believe tomorrow's episode we will see an argument along this line by Vincent. You know if Sister Na's argument is accepted, it means that we are all seeking revenge when we but a gun to protect ourselves against rapists in a neighbourhood known for its brutal crime rate in raping people.

Overall my favourite character is still Ben with his own brand of unique but legal justice. I like how he solve the case in this episode. I am beginning to like Vincent as well because he is such a bastard in the making. He doesn't care about the boy, he wants to win, that's it. Jessica cared but not Vincent. The way he spoke to that kid in such harsh tone, it is obvious he is like a surgeon in the medical field. Good at what they do but really lacking in people skills. Vincent is like a surgeon, detached but very good at what he does. Ben on the other hand is like an ER doctor, always in the thick of the action, very good at what he does but can't be detached because he meets the patients first hand. I like the contrast in characters.

Overall, Raymond Lan gave a vey strong and cheeky performance. He has a knack for comedies and yes, close my eyes and I thought it was Louis Koo.

Myolie Wu has improved leaps and bounds from what I thought were her great years in acting. She continues to amaze me with her affinity for her characters, tapping into their emotions. Whilst lawyers don't act that way (we are not inhuman just work is work, if you can't take it don't take that case or those kind of cases), Wyolie gave Ling a sense of justice that may be too prejudiced, too one sided but still noble at heart. I dislike the way Ling treats Ben but well as always love will find a way in the end to reconcile two feuding great partners. So far all women love Vincent. Why not eh?

Sammul Chan could perhaps give his best performance in here, since it requires little acting but loads of staring. You see his Vincent is so cold I do not expect him to joke, get angry or cry. I expect him to shrug it off and just walk away, without any expressions. Thus far that's the description of Sammul's performance and thus far it suits his Vincent. I would say good casting call. And he looks better in here than in his previous series.

I finally found out Ling's mom is acted by amazing singer, Lui San. I just hope to find out what is the name of the actor who plays her dad.

There are many more happening in today's episode, mostly the relationship between Ling and Ben (like reluctant ally during cold war era), between Ling and Vincent (friendly, Ling's very nice to Vincent who likes her), Ben and Jessica (very close, like brothers and sisters but Ling thought Ben was taking advantage of Jessica), Jessica and Vincent (Vincent likes her but not the way Jessica hopes he will like her) and Ben and Vincent (friendly but not best of chums).

The worst acting has got to be Juno, stony faced but luckily he had little scenes, and sad to say Bernice Liu is such a horrible actress. But you know I love to watch Bernice Liu because she has such a beautiful smile and she is such a sunshine, lighting up the screen everytime she appears. So I can really be very patient with her bad acting because she makes me smile by just looking at her.

Overall this episode is wonderful but I just hope the writers just write better legal perspectives.

EPISODE 2

2004-09-16T10:47:00.000-07:00

A very good episode that I immensely enjoyed. I am beginning to fall in love with Ben and his principles as a lawyer. He's a good lawyer, believing in his relaxed sense of justice but doesn't mean he doesn't care about the law. He uses the law to give justice that his clients deserve. My brand of justice.

Anyway, I did not really mention how Ben got the job in HK Law Firm ran my Master Hung. You see, quite simply, Ben was fired after he helped Juno because Doug Lee was his previous firm's biggest client. Business comes first so he had to be sacked. Moreover, Sister Na made sure he got sacked to save her own niece's job. Her niece is Jessica (played by the ever cute and energetic but not a very convincing actress Bernice Liu).

But how on earth Ling (played by the stylish looking Myolie Wu) and Vincent (played by the sour looking and not a very good actor Sammul Chan) ever joined HK Law Firm? Answer is simple. All got fired. Vincent got fired when he spoke up to that judge in episode 1, his master felt his student was now better than him. Ling got fired in today's episode when she helped Ben to solve the marital case rape. Jessica fired herself because she found out her idol, Vincent was now working in HK Law Firm, which is very interesting TV Mistake because of the time line. Vincent just got interviewed by Master Hung when Ben popped into his office and said Vincent was very good as a lawyer, they walked out and in walked Ling and Jessica who both came for interviews. How then would Jessica had known Vincent was working there, so fast so soon? Hmmmm...

Anyway back to marital rape case. The solution was simple but frankly ridiculous. Ben convinced Ling to help him patch up the couple but Ling said her client the wife was so angry she wanted to pubish the husband. Punishing is very different from making sure her husband got what he deserved. She still loved her husband but was very pissed off that he drugged her which she felt he was raping her. And yet she still wanted him. Surely she must realise rape is a very serious allegation. A point that was emphasised by Ling. Then Ben and the husband appeared, teh husband begged for forgiveness but the wife couldn't just let him go. So Ling suggested that they nullify their marriage for non-consumation and then the husband and wife can start all over again. Both agreed and patched things up. Ben thought of this solution.

My problem with this solution is 2 fold.

1. Can the husband every forgive the wife for accusing him of rape and return to her after so much hoo-haa about what happened? I doubt it. I for one will doubt her love for me and in future if I were to touch her and she refuses, she will go crying rape again. Not a very secure marriage.

2. The more serious one, the nullifying of marriage. I think the law in Malaysia and HK is quite similar. There is a difference between divorce (meaning there was a marriage and the court pronounced the marriage as dissolved) and nullifying a marriage (meaning there wasn't a marriage in the first place, all that never happened). In this couple's case, they nullified the marriage based on non-consummation. Ling said there wasn't any sex since the first and only sex after the marriage was non-consensual. I do not know whether to agree or disagree and I need to research on this. A good point of law. Anyway the more serious one is because of this. When they nullified the marriage based on that point eventhough sex took place but it was non-consensual, wouldn't the husband be admitting to RAPING his wife? If that is the case, shouldn't he be charged for RAPING his wife and be punished for it? Isn't the wife slapping herself also by crying rape and then not? So was it rape or no rape?

Very illogical and legally interesting stuff.

But Vincent had a more interesting case referred to by his father, a policeman (played by Liu Kai Chi). A young schoolboy was accused ot causing grevious bodily harm to schoolmate. The thing is this young skinny boy was accused of beating the crap out of his bully but the boy said it wasn't him. Ahhhh the plot thickens. The answer I guess will be in the next episode.

Now back to relationship sequences.

I do think Ben gets along very well with Master Hung, both of them having the same sense of how to find business but Master Hung is more about business than about justice. I suspect he must have been a very good lawyer. How Master Hung got struck off from the roll is interesting (or was he just suspended?). It seems that whenever he's nervous or in court, he would repeatedly blink his eyes. The judge thought he was communicating with his client so the judge gave a guilty verdict. In anger Hung threw the file at the judge hitting the judge's eye! And why has he got such a bad relationship with Sister Na? It seems that Na was not only his former partner, she was his former girlfriend until he married someone else, Na left the firm, he promised to pay her the shares, his other partner ran way and now Na coming after him for money. How then can HK Law Firm continue practice? Simple, Hung has got another partner living overseas who is a qualified solicitor who can open a law firm. Brilliant!

Anyway, the relationship between Vincent, Ling, Jessica and Hung is a bit shaky. Ling does not like the idea of soliciting any kind of clients, Vincent believed that he can not associate himself with such low class client hurting his image and Jessica ...well she has nothing much to do.

Whilst Vincent may ignore Jessica and is extremely arrogant, he is not a bad guy. He loves his father, and he even wanted to forward a case to Ben when he saw Ben running away from the authorities pushing a cart of food (illegal hawker) when Ben was just helping out a friend. He also saw Ben eating cheap food. So Vincent isn't really bad. Just arrogant. because he knows he is good at what he does for a living.

Ling is still cautious about Ben and Ben is extremely friendly and physical man. Yes, he likes to lean onto her and all but he's not sick or anything, just intimate in his friendships with people he liked. The fact that he recommended Ling to her current job is an indication what a great guy he is. He is still afraid to tell his parents he got fired and now working on a profit basis (meaning bring in work, get paid, no work, no pay) basis, assuring his parents he could support them when he can't. Only Juno knew the truth. Ling and Jessica also saw Ben running out after one phone call wearing his best suit (normally it's tweed jacket, his roller skates) to meet his ex-girlfriend called Mary. Mary in turn wanted Ben to help defend her current boyfriend whow as accused of molesting a girl. You see he got a telescope on his balcony and the girl next door accused him of spying on her. Ben asked Ling to help out but Ling has this feeling this man may not be what his girlfriend thought him to be. Ben as usual does not suspect this man.

Next episode must be more about these two cases. I have a feeling Ling's feelings may prove accurate and perhaps by Ling losing once in her judgment (in the marital rape case) and Ben locing his judgement (in this molestation case), they learn to trust one another's instinct.

Overall I find this episode highly entertaining. The legal issues and court antics may be dramatic and wholly and purely for drama value (never that way in real life), the story of 4 young struggling people and their boss is very interesting to watch. My favourite scene has got to be when Hung took themto the seedy town and said something like "Lawyers are businessmen now, we must get business everywhere, legal repsentation is no longer just for the reach" and then he went laughing, smiling in the most humblest way (like an insurance salesman) and started to say hi to the gangsters, prostitute, all of whom he knew by name. When he witnessed a car accident, he refused to let Ben help and waited for the fighting to escalate to serious fight and then police came (he called the police) and quickly ran to them volunteering to represent either of them. The way he got his business is very funny and very real. Yes, nowadays lawyers are not yuppies that go to pub and sleep around like in Healing Hands or Files Of Justice (though FOJ was about established lawyers). I find this series about young lawyers very real in a sense of their struggles. And I find the young cast very energetic.

The performances are also very good for most main players. The veterans are always excellent, especially Lok Ying Kwan. The worst actress (veteran) had to be Ruby Wong.

Now the young ones, Myolie Wu never disappoint me. She is now my favourite TVB actress unless Mariane Chen comes back to acting. She is a natural, very stylish, totally believable as a young lawyer. Her hairstyle is chic BUT she can improve on her performance when she is in a courtroom. We call that advocacy and she is too emotional. Lawyers are rarely emotional. No time to be emotional. The judges in this series are very believable as well but I hope to see one sarcastic mean one because every country has one like that. They're not very patient if you're wasting their time.

Raymond Lam gave the best performance tonight as Ben, a character that I absolutely adore. He reminds me of Louis Koo though, only more intelligent looking. He actually sounds like Louis, including that "I can't believe you did that" look and his cheeky smile. I find him very handsome in here. Whilst someone commented that he doesn't look like a lawyer, believe me, he looks like one of those who works in a smaller law firm. BUT there were times he was a bit shaky, like he didn't know where to put his hands. That is just a minor complaint.

Sammul Chan is ok. He improved in his acting since I last saw him. When I look at him I do not see an idol worthy star. In fact I find him boring but I am glad he took on this role because it will be a departure from his usual weak nice guys role. I am looking forward to see him manipulate to winning a case (assuming he will turn rotten). He looks indeed like a hot shot rising lawyer, arrogant and all. In this part I must congratulate him because the way he just walked past Bernice straight to Myolie to say hi, that was mean. But I still find him weak in certain scenes though admittedly he hasn't done enough worth for me to comment on. Maybe later on. But he doesn't have the screen presence. I just find him ok but not all consuming when he's on screen.

Overall I love the first 2 episodes. I look forward to more episodes. Do catch this series if you have a chance.

I must comment on the themesong though, I think sung by Raymond Lam. He can sing but the song, SLOOOOOOOOW. Shouldn't it be something hip, young?

P/S: I was wondering anybody knows the name of the actors who played Myolie and Raymond's parents?

EPISODE 1

2004-09-15T10:28:00.000-07:00

I am so happy finally Survivor's Law is now showing on ASTRO Wah Lai Toi 9.30pm time slot. Took me by surprise because I didn't know Legend of Love ended. My first impression of this series is I love it! I was so excited to see Raymond Lam and Myolie Wu, the latter one of my favourite TVB actress and the former a decent actor who looks cute in this series. There's even Juno who is one really (pardon my language) ugly dude. Can he act though; Answer is no. Not Earth shattering but definitely not an actor. Maybe he is a better singer.

Then there's Sammul Chan as Vincent. Looks like a lawyer but I have never figured out why TVB is so intent on promoting him, instead of Raymond Lam. Sammul is in my opinion an average actor that I could not be bothered to watch. My eyes are fixed on Raymond Lam.

And the great thing about this series is I see many veterans in here given some very good lines to deliver. I do not know his name but in here he plays Raymond's new boss, the one with many clients but no lawyers. His lines are hilarious, especially when Raymond was explaining about the grounds for divorce and he just intervened and asked; "Have you seperated long? Do you have any children? Do you have any properties? OK then, just sign and go!" and then he told Raymond, "We must be fast, be efficient to see more clients" and in one morning they saw 12 clients. So true! So true!

As usual all relationships start either with secretly admiring the other OR having some minor misunderstanding. In Myolie's case she thought Raymond poking on her leg was a sexual assault when Raymond was trying to tell her she's standing on his document and she shouldn't wear such high heels.

Each character in here has his/her own personality. Myolie is the principled one, the one who believes in the law and following the rules strictly. Raymond is more flexible, believes in justice and though the written law is everything, he believes justice means he can bend the rules, legally of course. I like his type. Sammul is the star young lawyer, potentially great and has no qualms of using every tactic to defend his client, somewhat like Raymond BUT I suspect he is those that will stop at nothing to win. Then there's Bernice, I did not catch her name who has little experience in practice and who does mostly menial jobs. A very innocent and giving girl, I find her acting a bit forced.

Overall the performances are good, especially the veteran whose name I do not know. Now the cases are the problem. I always suspected little research is done when it comes to medical and especially legal drama. Are they all so dramatic?

Case in point 1

Vincent battles with judge before judge pronounces his decision.

The case is not worth mentioning, what is worth mentioning that early in the judge's decision, the judge made an error in law and before the judge pronounced his decision, Vincent stood up against the instruction of his boss (Kok Fung) and started pointing to the judge his mistake. The judge asked him and his boss to approach the bench, and had a mini argument with Vincent. In the end Vincent convinces the judge he was wrong and later at 3pm, the judge did a 100% u-turn in his decision.

My question is, where is the prosecutor? Shouldn't he be objecting? And frankly, and this is a fact, judges don't like lawyers, especially young ones questioning their decision, even when they're wrong. There is no point in arguing, appealing is actually the only solution. A judge will never change their mind so soon, they might change their mind in another case but not in the same case. I find this part of the plot very unbelievable. Believe me, a guy like Vincent will be black listed by the judges. The point is Vincent's story is not true BUT Ben's story is more real ...

Case in point 2

Ben convinces the prosecution to fact check certain facts to save his client, Juno.

Juno admitted to posessing drugs, Ecstacy and was ready to plead guilty. Ben was there for mitigation only. Then Ben found out Juno did this to cover up for a rich man (Doug Lee)'s son for a sum of $100,000-00 if I am not mistaken. Juno screamed he wanted to plead guilty but Ben kept saying as his lawyer he was stressing the point, his client did not have the capacity to plead as such because the truth is something else. So the judge told Ben to come to teh bench with the prosecutor and scolded Ben for being unprofessional and in contempt of court for being so rude. But Ben merely smiled and told his point. The prosecutor said he was implicating his own client of obstructing justice and in a brilliant speech, Ben said "Yes he may be obstructing justice but the truth is he did not do this. Go get a warrant and check his house, the money is there". The prosecutor then said "But you're talking about Doug Lee!" and Ben said "So rich people can have justice but poor people are denied justice" but he said it very sweetly. In the end justice prevailed of course.

I find this part of the plot believable, and it could happen. This is in no way questioning the judge's wisdom or the prosecution's effeciency, merely fighting for his client's rights the fair and proper way.

Believe me, everyday I hear some judges screaming, "If you're not happy with my decision, APPEAL!". And then I will here, "Miss So and So, I do not like this but I believe you so I am going to give you order in terms". How you conduct a case is important. It's ok to be overzealous or unafraid to fight for your client's case BUT Vincent's way is not the true way. Maybe just in HK.

Case in point 3

Marital rape.

Is Myolie the prosecutor? Still very confused. All I know is she is representing the Plaintiff suing the Defendant in a private criminal law suit. Yes, there is such an action, but only with the consent of the AG/DPP/PP?prosecutor's office. Raymond defends the defendant.

The case is simple. Newlywed wife said not to sex just after the ceremony, and husband thinking she meant she is conservative and shy, drugged her and they ended up having an amazing night. Wife woke up feeling betrayed and raped sues her husband, now charged with rape. Myolie's case is when she says no she means no, no matter what. Raymond's case is he didn't know she means no, he thought she means yes, but not this way. The husband genuinely loves wife and wife is genuinely hurt.

Some part I find offensive.

That rape can only occur by force, as in beating the crap out of the woman and forcing her to have sex. The implication is scary, especially when a woman resigns to her fate and begs the rapist to wear a condemn. Did she just consented to sex? The way this series goes, maybe.

Frankly I don't think this case is pure and simple rape case. I don't see it as one. I don't mean marital rape can never happen. I do not believe just because I am your wife you will have free access to my body. When I say no, I mean no.The wife in here thought the husband was having affair with the bridesmaid, the truth was bridesmaid was husband's ex girlfriend (wife didn't know) and bridesmaid was the one forcing herself on husband by hugging and kissing her. It was all pure misunderstanding. But the wife didn't know and so that night she said noto sex, but didn't say wife. Lack of communication doesn't mean no consent. That is my opinion. Myolie of course drew the line between saying no meaning no AND lack of communication. Not a straightforward case and very thought provoking. Results will be in in tomorrow's episode.

Anyway back to marital rape. In Malaysia reportedly there is not such thing as marital rape. I thought there was and now I realised how backward we are. Can a husband rape a wife? I will say yes. More so when violence is involved. The above case is not a clear cut marital rape but there are obvious cases that they are. I do not understand why some men feel like they can force themselves onto their wives when their wives clearly said no as if it is their God given right AND yet at the same time they need not maintain or pay their wives allowances. All I can say is cheap.

Anyway very good first episode. Do give this series a chance. Maybe it will go bad but right now I am enjoying it.

Note : I just found out the veteran actor I was talking about is Lok Ying Kwan who plays Hung and from Bridget Au's list, his name in the series is Homer.