TVB: The Ultimate Addiction

Cast: Bosco Wong, Kate Tsui, Nancy Wu, Ben Wong, Sharon Chan, Elena Kong, Toby Leung & MC Jin

Review:

The whole series focus mainly on Kate’s revenge plot (she thought Bosco is responsible for her dad’s death or suicide.

Overall:

The plot and script = 2/5 – Bad. The Good part is how it incorporates some hot financial topics, such as virtual currency and corporate governance structures. It’s current & also give us a look at what’s happening in the financial world. However it could be difficult to follow for the everyday viewer meaning the normal “housewife”- that ‘s probably why it didn’t do well in HKG. What saves the show is the good acting from Bosco, Nancy & Elena.

The Bad: How can a very smart calculative man like Bosco fall so hopelessly in love with a person like Kate. How can someone who’s like that, give up everything for her , who’s all out to get him? It don’t make sense. A super smart person would probably have cut lost, even if he loves her. He would understand where she’s coming from- revenge & all, but he won’t be ruined by her revenge! Also no one will be willing to go to jail. He don’t have to, he has all the means to avoid it but he didn’t, because in the story he wanted to come clean, that’s just not realistic. It’s more like being educational, but that’s not how the real world operates. Rich man don’t & wont want to go to jail- so easily.

The whole “look” of the series is odd =2.5/5. Starting from Bosco’s wardrobe- shorts with rainbow coloured jackets showing off his skinny legs. And at times no socks. Kate’s super tight office shirts not flattering either- looks as if they were too small for her. When she’s not in those, she’s usually  in checked shirts & pants, come on, she’s the star, I do expect something better. When Sharon Chan was in CCB her costume & hair-do,  was great- but the make-over evil look is really bad. The hair all combed back aged her for like 10 years. The small short dresses not pretty either, & why must it be very short dresses? Only Nancy Wu’s clothes seems appropriate.

As for the actual acting:

Bosco = 4/5 – Good acting, Bosco is especially good, portraying both good, smug & ruthless at times. But minus major points for the shorts/jackets and falling for Kate!!

Nancy = 5/5 – Nancy is good as usual. Subtle & natural. Well done.

Kate = 1/5 – Kate should stop looking so strange , was it blank or daze I cant decided. She should close her mouth & wear better fitting clothes & have more natural flowing hair.

Sharon = 2.5/5 – Looks great as madam & look strange as Villian. Should act more natural & subtle.

Ben = 2.5/5 – Miscasted, but he does have some cute moments with both of his love interests.

Elena =  4/5 – Always a pleasure to see her. They should develop her r/s with Ben further.

Toby and MC Jin = 3.5/5 – They inject some fun though did nothing much for the plot. Anyway, prefer to see them than KateJ

MC Jin’s sister & her love interest: I love these 2, very funny !

Gloria Tang: As Bosco’s sister-  I’m sure she’s brand new, so not good BUT she’ll probably improve in time. Look out for herJ

Three Kingdoms 2012 Episode 24/25 the END

General Huang Gai, in fact was just putting up a show to fool CaoCao. He then pretend to pledge allegiance to Cao Cao. He’s in charge of the food supply, & he will send Cao Cao, Dong Wu’s supply thus crippling Dong Wu just to get back at Zhou Yu! Meanwhile Pang Tong  also “intend to pledge allegiance”, and Jiang Gan was asked  to check him out. He convinced Jiang Gan. But not Hon. Hon decided to test Pang Tong, by beating him senseless!!!!

 Sima Yi finally appeared, tested Shun & found out he had lied about where he came from implying he could likely be spying for LauBei. So Shun was thrown into prison! As he was about to be executed, he remembered part of history (the burning of the chained ships) so he shouted that he had a SURE WIN STRATEGY!

 He told CaoCao that only by chaining the ships together to stabilize them, that the soldiers would not be affected by sea sickness. Everyone is impressed! CaoCao even agree to let Song Yau go Chibi with Shun. Shun seconded that Hon goes to Chibi with him & Man Yuek stays. Reason he knows Chibi will be a losing battle & he didn’t want Man Yeuk to be harmed… nice doing Shun!

Everyone prepares to go to war! LauBei’s side was not happy that they will sort of banished to the border & have little action. But to be honest, Zhou Yu is really good! His plan is excellent, far surpass any of Z’s plans so far which as we all know are not that original anyway!

EPISODE 25 [FINAL EPISODE]

The Battle….  Huang Gai is waiting for Zhou Yu’s signal to deliver the kerosene filled ship. Everyone is waiting…. For the east wind.. they needed that for the plan to work.  Zhou Yu has checked that today is the day for the wind but it’s just not happening so Sun Quan sent for Z! Z basically have no idea, but as usual he remembered what Shun Had said before- they’ll win- so he requested SunQuan to give him full command, signal to General Huang to proceed as planned – he’ll “borrow the East Wind” say what???? Both Sun Quan & Zhou Yu were shocked but what else can they do????

Z set up an altar & started the ceremony, & when he pointed to the sky with the wooden sword….. the East Wind REALLY appears!!!!  And the rest is history. A very happy Sun Quan declared Z to be the hero & genius while poor Zhou Yu looks on- not sure whether he died of a broken heart then, but in written history that was what happened- but not sure when though!

Now they go after Caocao. In the chaos, Fan Kan saved Shun again!!!! Shun & Song Yau ran towards the portal but only Shun got through & transported back to HKG. He wakes up & his family were all there…… happy he has return after 2 years. He missed Song Yau

15 years later, he’s a successful fast food restaurateur with many shops. In his office hung a portrait of Song Yau, he references  3 Kingdoms often,  checks up on the weather constantly  & eats the Mantau burger.  More years passed, he grown very much  older, now he has heart problems but basically still waiting for the perfect storm. It finally came, he rushed to the site & the portal opens. As he goes forward, he suffered a heart attack…… & died… ya so damn anti-climax right???? I cant believe it!  Then we see a young Song Yau floating down like some fairy. I don’t understand why she’s still so young?  She walks to Shun & touches his face.  The End

Thoughts: I seriously don’t understand this last episode & the ending. It’s like redundant. And what about LauBei & gang & Sun Quan & Zhou Yu, don’t they at least deserve some kind of closure to that part of story? The ending is just too bleak.
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Three Kingdoms episode 23

Zhou Yu admitted ordering Shun’s  death.  And Sun Quan  wanted to punish him, probably because LauBei & Z were there. Anyway Zhou Yu said ok but please do it after the war!!!! And that ended the matter….. So back to plans for  Chibi. Both Zhou Yu & Z thought  they should use fire in this battle. And the task was given to Zhou Yu.

Meanwhile Shun reached a small village & was kidnapped by Hon’s men! Hon wanted  Shun to work for him. He wont take no for an answer so Shun was forced to stay as they had also kidnap Song Yau to threaten him.

Hon wanted to  impress Cao Cao badly so ask Shun to think of something smart.  Shun suggested that they stop war for a year. Reason being-  the only sure way not to lose a war is not to start one, since they will be at a disadvantage in a sea battle . Plus Caocao has already killed the 2 men who could help train his soldiers & if they have a year grace, it would give them ample time for training. Caocao agrees.

Shun & Z met in secret. Shun explain his situation. LauBei & Z brought this proposal to Sun Quan & Zhou Yu quickly pointed out the disadvantages. The one year will allow Cao Cao to Train & strengthen his army further & they would lose the advantage they have now. Time will benefit Caocao more in the end! Sun Quan agrees. Even I agree….lol….. I’m surprise Z didn’t think of this…. It seems  once again he has to listen to Shun!!!

Everyone in Cacao’s camp was shock at the rejection & caocao was so mad, he declare war almost immediately! Shun receive an sms from his sister, there will be an opening soon at a place with high temperature and the location is… & the phone dies….lack of battery! There were 2 other words & he could make it out that it’s probably be at Chibi. He decides to take Song Yau home. 

Meanwhile  almost everyone including a new character General Huang Gai and an other adviser  Pang Tong were discussing about the war. The general started arguing with Zhou Yu accusing him with all kinds of things. Zhou Yu charged him with “disturbance to the peace of the army.” And punished him with 50 strokes. Z was surprise & suspicious why they were invited for this discussion at all.
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Three Kingdoms episode 22

Shun brought the everyone to  the burial site. When they open the box, all they found were those black magic stuff…Shun is shocked.  Z had sounded Zhou Yu off, so that he can remove the body.  Zhou Yu explains that this is for the battle at the Red Cliff , something to help their side to win! Then reports said that someone  saw Deng Song being swept away at sea. Sun Quan quickly appoint Deng Xi as the new commander in Liyang. Deng Xi thanks them and went away to  find his father’s body. Problem solved! Shun was punished, Sun Quan almost wanted to put him to death but Lau Bei took over since Shun is on his side & Shun was beaten severely. Both LauBei & Z thought this is necessary….. I was thinking if they would tell Shun in the first place the whole damn  thing would have been avoided… never mind the stupidity has not end yet!

Of course Shun would not rest, so he try to bribe a maid to steal  what Zhou Yu wore that night. But he was caught again! Now ZhouYu insist he must be killed & Sun Quan agree. Lau Bei & Z pleaded- it is agreed that Shun be banished. If Z would have told him the truth, it would not come to this. Don’t have to come to this. I don’t see the reason for not telling. Shun is faithful & on their side, he would understand the gravity of situation & would not reveal the truth even if he knows. So that just boils down to a dumb plot, that comes up with something this stupid!

Meanwhile  Zhou Yu  send men to kill Shun. He felt that Sun Quan  wants Shun dead to be reassured but just cant say so.  So Shun ran & finally reached the temple where Song Yau is. Song Yau takes him to escape through a secret passage way. Finally they have to part  as she has to head back to the temple. Shun thought of all the times they were together & finally he knew he has fallen in love with her.

Thoughts:  This romance comes too late & definitely feels  abrupt … & to be honest I doubt anyone cares anymore. As for Zhuge Liang, most of all the ideas in the past comes from either his wife or Shun (whom he now helped banish)- & now towards the end he cant even tell that revealing to Shun the truth beats not telling 100 to 1! He has betrayed a friend. And the plot really sucks!

Three Kingdoms episode 21

Zhou yu was with Sun Quan & Xiao Qiao rushes in to show Zhou Yu some war outfit she designs. He was embarrassment with her behaviour. To add to the humiliation, Sun Quan brought up Z’s latest  invention- a wheel-barrow,  which his ‘brilliant’ wife helped. Zhou Yu was so pissed he set about to sabotage the invention. The plan was to leak the secret out to Caocao’s side, then Z will be forced to destroy it before Caocao gets hold of it.

Z & Yeut Ying was at a hill testing the wheelbarrow. Then Caocao’s men came after them & as usual at such impt moments, Yeut Ying got sick again! Then she reminded Z to destroy the wheelbarrow & I was thinking … they are doing it again for the 100^th time, let  the wife think of the impt things? She’s  now officially the one who’s the brain behind every thing in this show! Anyway Z carried her into hiding.

Again Zhou Yu sabotage the rescue plan, so Lau Bei & gang has to do it themselves. They were saved but Yuet Ying is dying! All the doctors came but she’s beyond help. Then Shun saw the young “Wah To”….& drag him to Z! Wah To cured Yuet Ying of course, he’s after all the greatest Chinese doctor in history!!!! Everyone were please & amused by Shun, how he knows????

Finally Z confronted Zhou Yu about the leaked information which almost caused Yeut Ying’s life. Zhou Yu admitted & promised it’ll never happen again.

Meanwhile General Deng Song appeared , Insulted  Zhou Yu infront of Lau Bei’s gang. He wanted  to take part in the coming battle & recommended that his 4 sons be included as well. And when he sees Sun Quan, he did the same thing! So it was agreed that he gets promoted & they will talk more over dinner. Everyone except Shun was at the dinner. Both Deng Song & Sun Quan got quite drunk & the general just could not stop insulting Sun Quan! Sun Quan totally drunk by now was so mad, he took a sword & stabbed him to death & leaves….. everyone was SHOCKED!!!!! They all agreed to keep this a secret. Zhou Yu & assistant took care of the body but Shun saw them! Shun hurried to tell Z & got dismissed by him. Here I really don’t understand…. Why didn’t Z just tell him. The following incidents happened because no one told Shun, which is a total BS to me!

Next day Sun Quan wakes up regretting- Zhou Yu assured him all is taken care of. That’s their special r/s. It’s closer than expected that’s why Sun Quan lets Zhou Yu have his way most of the time.  Deng Song’s 1st son, Deng Xi came looking for his father. Zhou Yu says  Deng Song was drunk so he could be accidentally drowned!  Shun knows Zhou Yu has something to do with Deng Song’s death, worried that  Zhou Yu will harm Z, he hired someone to dig up the box that Zhou Yu buried. Deng Xi found out so Shun told everyone what he saw & suspect.

Thought: I seriously cant stand how Shun kept going on & on also why Z don’t tell him the truth just to shut him up. Just don’t make sense to me! It's like Z dont trust Shun at all!

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Three Kingdoms, Episode 20

Shun avoids Song Yau because he knows she’ll hurt even more with him around and so he decides to go to Yizhou to take care of some  wood supplies work. He works hard there- definitely a changed man.

Meanwhile in Dong Wu, there’s the problem with the quality of arrows-  Zhou Yu shifts the responsibility to Z.  If Z succeeds in getting them new arrows, they will have 100,000 arrows & all is good. In the event that Z fails, hmmm…. Even the alliance would be affected. Cheung Fei  knows someone in  Yizhou so he went in search of him to buy arrows. However the arrows there were only meant for land battle, so back to square one!

Now Shun is with them since he’s  Yizhou too & he remembered the famous ‘story’ about Z borrowing arrows from CaoCao. So Shun writes to Z about the famous “plan”- we all know so well. Filled ships with dummies & wait for a very foggy night to “attack Caocao side with them. Sigh…. At this point I was really disappointed… as  tis is one of the smartest battle strategy in history & it has to come from Shun as well ???? Spoil the story again???!!!!

Anyway though the note did reach Z but it’s all been erased by the rain! Z wonder what did Shun thought of, he realise he should think in “Shun’s” way… & so he did & came out with the same idea. BUT I have to say, somehow  it takes the fun out of the whole thing by then, it's Z's moment- the writers shouldn’t  have Shun messing with it….what to do???

Meanwhile Sun Quan finally declared to the alliance that they should embark on an attack against Caocao at Chibi or as we know it – “ Red Cliff “

Three kingdoms 2012, episode 19

Shun  finally told Song Yau he never loved her ….. Everyone was worry for her. She was heart-broken! And  left for the temple with Mrs lau Bei & baby. Shun became very guilty.

Meanwhile Cao Cao needs  to train a navy for the sea battle in Dong Wu. Man Yeuk suggest  Choi Mao, Lady Choi’s brother. Hon disagree as they have just killed Lady Choi. In the end Caocao still listens to man Yeuk to Hon’s disgust!  But  Choi Mao needs 3 months for the training  and Cao Cao is impatient. So Man Yeuk  suggest they poach Zhou Yu by using his buddy from school- Jiang Gan. Jiang Gan goes to see Zhou Yu & both got very drunk. Jiang Gan saw  a letter written by Choi Mao. He reports back to Cao Cao that Choi Mao and Zhang Yun is in a plot to assassinate Caocao. Hon pushes for execution & without waiting for Man Yeuk, they went ahead! When man Yeuk returns he was shock & explained how Zhou Yu has tricked them. He wouldn’t have left such an important document lying around, & he’s never easily drunk! Man Yeuk was so sorry for the 2 deaths he indirectly caused!

Meanwhile Yuet Ying noticed that Z is not concentrating in their chess game. She knows it’s about Zhou Yu. She reason he did what he has to do & so will Z. But Z thought that’s a dirty trick. But come on it’s war  time…. You do what you have to , to win! Z vow he’ll never betray his friend the way Zhou Yu did. oh well.....

Thoughts: I was like ….. Zhou Yu’s friend is working for the enemy , so that makes him the enemy right? Isnt that the main point?????  So where does the loyalty lies???? Besides, if the document is real, Caocao would have found out abt it & kill the same people but this time Lau Bei side will suffer- & this will happen because “the friend of Zhou Yu” would have betrayed him, so how do we account for that?  Yes you should be loyal to a friend….. but not to a friend who has turned into an enemy! So I think he judges Zhou Yu too harshly here!
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Three Kingdoms 2012, episode 18

Zhou Yu vows that  there can only be ONE…..advisor….. even with the alliance! He’s planning to make life very difficult for Lau Bei & mostly just Z!!!!  Lau Bei & gang came to  formalise the alliance which gave Zhou Yu the perfect opportunity to mess with them. He advises Sun Quan to show  them who’s the boss by making them wait. Hrs later they finally went to see them & found that Sun Quan’s mum,  Madam Wu is already entertaining them! Awkward......... Sun Quan  immediatelty apologises & must be silently cursing Zhou Yu for landing him in this situation.

Anyway  Zhou Yu is not stopping & Shun is making things worse by making the most inappropriate comments about his pettiness!!!  Zhou Yu  suggest they attack  Cao Cao by getting back some grain warehouse that Cao Cao took from Dongwu in the past. He proposes Dongwu army leads & Lau Bei’s army act as back-up. Everyone agrees. Later Z  remembers that this whole  idea of attack has been discussed before in their camp when Hon was around. But how to sound Zhou Yu off ? He’ll never listen to Z, they decided to go through Lu Su.

Lu su immediately  inform  Zhou Yu, who went crazy since this comes from Z. EGO !!!! And when he insisted on going ahead with his plans, Lu Su threatened to go to Sun Quan. That works… so his plan was put on hold & sure enough they found out that Caocao had indeed increase man at these places. Now Zhou Yu is even more fed-up with Z !

Next  Zhou Yu showed  Z and Shun around ... they came near  the border  of Cao Cao’s dominance.  Their soldiers caught a  spy with a map of the Dong Wu. Somehow the spy escapes & during all the commotion, he ended up getting hold of Shun (because Shun was saving Z from him). They were very near the edge of a cliff. AS they were hagging…. Zhou Yu gave the order to shot! the soldiers  fired the arrows towards the spy, he was hit & so was Shun!!!...and both fell over the cliff! Z was in total shock. Zhou Yu even stopped anyone from trying to look for Shun as that’s Cao cao’s terrority. Shun fall was cushioned by trees & branches & his handphone blocked the arrow so he lived of course!

Meanwhile Song Yau &  Kan were super sad at Shun’s “death”. Song Yu plan to mourn for 3 years. So Kan finally told her  that Shun had never loved her. But she don’t believe. They decide to find Shun’s body to give him a proper burial. Shun is lucky to have these 2!!!! Kan found Shun & carried him all the way up the cliff!!!

Everyone was so happy that Shun is back… but  Zhou Yu has  imprisoned Fan Kan!!!! His reason????  If Fan Kan is captured by Caocao then  Cao Cao would use him as an excuse for attack immediately! Kan is to be imprison for 1 yr- it’s already a grace he could have been executed!!!! Now everyone is truly mad!!!! Z finally lost his cool….lol…. Z told Sun Quan if this is how things are going to be, then Z should be punished instead of Kan as in- all of this happen because Shun was trying to save Z’s life. So if Dongwu gets attacked it’s because of Z…. it’s funny but makes sense & Zhou Yu has really gone too far this time. Imprison a hero???? Who risk his life to save a friend & brought him back…….???? I’m quite sure even Sun Quan has enough of this Zhou Yu by now… he has done nothing but sabotage the alliance since day 1! And in style Sun Quan assure everyone that nothing will stand in the way of the alliance & friendship & ordered Fan Kan to be release immediately. Zhou Yu was shocked that his master did not back him up! I was what do you expect??? Isnt that pettiness overloaded???

Shun finally returns to Jiangxi & invites Song Yau to meet up. Kan had urged him to be honest with her so he’s going to be.
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Three Kingdoms 2012, episode 17

Zhou Yu & Lu Su visits Jiangxi to check out the conditions. Conditions were bad yet people were happy & worse of all singing praises of Z infront of Zhou Yu! Even I felt uncomfortable watching….lol…. can you imagine Zhou Yu! And we finally meet the beautiful  but spoilt wife of Zhou Yu, Xiao Qiao, she’s disgusted with the poor people.

Next we find Xiao Qiao scolding Song Yau for almost nothing making Zhou Yu  very embarrassed . Next day during a meeting, Xiao Qiao just came in  and announced that her bracelet is lost. She accuses Song Yau. They were about to check Song Yau’s room when an old lady came and says she found a  bracelet in the bag of rice that Xiao Qiao handled the day before. It went on & on the dumb scene……. I wonder now is it really necessary to create such a character for Zhou Yu ???? I mean what’s the point in that?

Shun went to console Song Yau … & whatever he said , Zhou Yu overheard & was not happy at all, as Shun was comparing Z’s wonderful wife vs the crazy woman Xiao Qiao. Anyway the damage is done… Lu Su truthfully tells Z, the alliance is not looking good due to Zhou Yu’s jealousy of Z.

Z has a plan, he went to  Zhou Yu & told him the rumoured  Cao Cao's  huge golden bird cage for his  2 most prized “birds”. He recites a poem…. which  hinted that Zhou Yu’s wife and her beautiful sister- are the 2 most beautiful maidens/ birds of the land. The poem implies once Caocao wins, he will capture Xiao Qiao and her sister. Zhou Yu is furious and vows to beat Cao Cao.  He  advises Sun Quan to go for war against Cao Cao but not with the Alliance....sneaky!!!  Lau Bei panics & Z suggested against all odds that they let caocao side know!

 Man Yeuk  warned Caocao that they must be wary of Sun Quan instead as he is increasing his army plus LauBei’s army are all weak & old. If they attack Lau Bei, Sun Quan might take advantage of that. And when news of Lau Bei increasing army , Man Yeuk change his mind! They need to be wary of both but keeping Sun Quan as an ally makes more sense since Lau Bei, Guan Yu and Cheung Fei are loyal to the Han cause and so will never pledge allegiance no matter what. They will destroy Lau Bei first , then Sun Quan later!

Man Yeuk goes to  Sun Quan and threatens him! No choice….  Z goes to tell Sun Quan about Lau Bei’s decision. Either to declare war or consider an alliance with Caocao.  Z reminded him that they are nobody compared to Sun Quan. So Caocao’s  next target after Lau Bei will naturally be Sun Quan. When Sun Quan and Zhou Yu  were alone,  Sun Quan  lost his temper & told Zhou Yu off! So decision…… alliance with Lau Bei. I like this scene very much….. Sun Quan  is  unpredictable & definitely has a mind of his own! Not like the very predictable Z….. everything comes from his wife & his pal Shun!!!!!!

Then there’s the scene where  Zhou Yu was having a headache  thinking of what to do &  Xiao Qiao happily came in & made a fuss  over some new robes she has made for him. Poor Zhou Yu was not in the mood scolded her & she went away crying…..

Next day, Zhou Yu had a hard time trying to explain to all the  ministers what’s happening with  Sun Quan looking on. It’s funny… it’s almost like SQ is enjoying torturing him, but it could be only me…lol…. Anyway the old fools pick on every damn thing until Zhou Yu almost lost it then SQ shouted at them to stop it! His decision is final he picks up a sword & slice off a corner of a table to show he’s not joking. Want to have the same fate as the sliced table …anyone???? I don’t think so….lol…

 

Thoughts:  I thought the last part was so  good! LOVE IT !!!!!! Sun Quan is now officially the best character in this show. And Pierre did a damn good job!  Much more macho than that Lau Bei who’s more like a wuss  with all his indecision!!!! Ok to be fair it’s the tvb writer’s Lau Bei…. This is Pierre's episode, the show is redeeming itself through him! 
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Three Kingdoms 2012 Episode 16

Z warned lau Bei that if they want to form alliance with Sun Quan, They might have to  surrender Jiangxia. So they went to see Sun Quan in Dong Wu,  but was ding dong back & fro as Sun Quan avoided them. Back home Z, encourage Lau Kei to hold a big funeral for his dead father.  That way, the person Dong Wu sent,to attend can take message back.  Finally Z is thinking!

Lu Su, Chief Adviser of Sun Quan came, to the surprise of all! Lu Su told Z he has requested to come because of Z’s ‘fame’.  Apparently Dong Wu has been enjoying peace & wealth for some time, & if Caocao will to attack, they need to be prepared. So this alliance would be beneficial to them too. But he confess he does not know what’s in Sun Quan’s mind.

So once again Z & gang go to meet him. Finally we see Sun Quan aka Pierre Ngo . He’s friendly but dismiss Z & gang as he didn’t want to piss Caocao off. Z is not giving up & according to Shun’s  “ 18 stratagems of HKG men”….. one could just be persistent until the other side backs down! They forced themselves into Sun Quan’s chambers & found  him playing games!!!!!. Remember Shun is a video game freak, so he challenges Sun Quan in  his games.  His mother suddenly appeared & we learnt that he listens to her & she compares him to his dead brother!

 Next day, Shun introduces them to a game of gin rummy. Through the game, Z explains the importance of alliance. Still Sun Quan is not interested. After further observation, they realised  that his problem is in everyone’s eyes  he’ll never live up to his dead brother so why bother to do so much? So Shun  came up with “war game’ to drive home the point.

GAME: will not elaborate here… but it’s interesting… SQ showed to be very smart guy ! Now SQ gave them a chance if they can convince his ministers, then alliance is on. Z did a good job, now there’s one more to convince Zhou Yu. He blocks them. He was late on purpose to test whether Z could convince the other ministers…. Hmmm…. Very cunning but very interesting character. Infact both SQ & Zhou Yu is fun to watch…. Z is making me yawn big time now.

Thoughts: Thank God for the new characters,  Pierre Ngo is  GREAT! He looks the part & play the character very well….. his smartness is beleiveable ! Ruco of course do not disappoint at all. He looks so good.
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Three Kingdoms 2012 episode 15

Hon advises Cao Cao to “take”  Jingzhou before other cities. Man Yeuk  agrees. I find this Man Yeuk interesting… he’s not afraid of Hon’s sneaky character, not afraid of agreeing with him as long as it benefited Caocao his boss... he’s ok. Not Bad! Caocao went to see  Lady Choi & hinted that since everything is done, he has enough of her ! She’s mad & made a mistake, she started dropping names - all the impt people she knows… thinking that’ll will frighten Caocao perhaps? But Wrong move! Hon suggested killing them! Man Yeuk cautioned that it must be done in such a way that will not link back to Caocao. And so it was decided! They were killed by “robbers or something” on the way to see the emperor!

Lau Bei was upset over the cruelty of Caocao & consider surrendering, he ask Z for advise. Hmmm… & I was thinking you might as well be asking Yeut Ying or Shun! Z didn’t know what to do & he got drunk!!!!! Seriously at this point, I’m not expecting much from this character. Yuet Ying & Shun would  likely be the ones who’ll come up with the next strategy, since they have been doing that since day one !

More problems…. A disease started spreading & after some investigation, it has something to do with pigs! Do they have to kill all pigs???? Z has no solution…. Shun suggested using vinegar! Then Lau Kei opened one of their store with reserves of rice, it’s long due so the rice is not in a good condition & has a bad smell. Still it’s better than starving! The next brilliant idea comes from who again…. Yeut Ying of course!!!!  She taught them how to make naan & ate with curry gravy. Thus the strong curry favour covers the smell of the rice! Problem solved!

Z, told Lau Bei that they need to train an army of  sailor/soldiers as,  if Cao Cao next attack, it will be a sea battle. They decided to pay Sun Quan a visit. It’s known that Zhou Yu (Sun Quan’s advisor) & Z do not get along, well we’ll see….

Thoughts: This episode once again see the brilliance of both Yeut Ting & Shun & all Caocoa's advisors & all our Zhuge Liang do is to get drunk! I'm, sooooo.....  disappointed!
 

Three Kingdoms 2012 Episode 14

Caocao is gaining in the war…. Then Xu Shu the person who recommended Lau Bei to find Z, came to see him. Caocao has forced him to serve as his advisor. Though he’s physically there, he never did assist caocao at all. Now he has come to advice Lau Bei to run because the ‘traitor Hon’ is revealing all their secrets to caocao. But everyone refuse to leave!

Shun reminded everyone that if they run, they still have  a chance to fight another day! Wise! Everyone looks at Z, he needs a day to think…omg……  Later he confess to his wife that he regretted letting Hon go…. she assure him that with Caocao’s strong army, with or without Hon, they’ll still attack Xinye- again very wise! Then in the middle of the night he finally decided that they should leave to Jiangxia. Apparently she has been thinking of the same thing! Again do we even need this Zhuge Liang character in this story? Yuet Ying seems to be enough!!!!

Meanwhile  Cao Cao is very happy that  Lau Bei  is leaving Xinye. Hon suggest for them to pursue & kill  him  and Man Yeuk agrees.  There’s 2 roads to Jiangxia.  Z & Yuet Ying were  discussing which way to go & as usual, whatever he thought of, she thought of it also. Still I don’t see the need to showcase her brilliance, it does nothing but takes away the fun of watching how smart Z is. Now we are left with the feeling that Z is nothing special….. such a pity! A total waste of casting Raymond for this lousy role!

As for Lau Bei he had decided that if he leaves, he’ll take the whole village along! And all of the villagers were more than willing to go along- to stay behind means being killed by Caocao’s men. Hmmm….. Cao Cao was frustrated that they cant find Lau Bei & his gang because of the terrain. He told Hon off- Man Yek came to the rescue- they could use smaller groups & track them in every direction. Caocao is pleased

 First that got into trouble were the 2 wives of Lau Bei. In the end,  2^nd wife sacrifice for the baby E-Duo as  Chiu Chi Lung was out numbered. It’s a good scene, self-less & almost brought a tear to my eye!

Lau Bei & gang were crossing a bridge with Caocao’s men close behind. The bridge is on the brim of cracking, Z cautioned everyone to  alternate the steps so that the vibrations & sounds of their footsteps would not further damage the bridge. Very soon , Caocao men arrived & Cheung Fei and Guan Yu both  holding them back as the rest of the villagers cross…. Again the next brilliant idea comes from not Z BUT Shun – now that caocao’s men are here, they needed  the bridge to collapse so everyone were told to walk in co-ordination. Finally everyone crossed then Shun saw the name of the bridge & remember a famous saying “Cheung Fei collapses Changban Bridge by shouting!”- this must be it!!! He told Cheung Fei to shout as loud as possible, which he did & sure enough the great vibrations shook everything & collapse the bridge!!!! Everyone was very happy & Caocao’s men retreat.

Though  Lau Bei succeeded in leading everyone away, many  did die. Song Yau finally arrived very weak & sick & we finally witness Shun  starting to  care. I somehow feel that’s a bit too late in coming, it’s almost an anti –climax.

Thoughts: The war part of the story is good, the collapse of the bridge, the sacrifice of wife 2. How both sides react to each other, it’s all good & interesting. Again the main problem is, the focus is not on Zhuge Liang so that diminishes the entertainment value substantially  for me.
 

Three Kingdom 2012, episode 13

Lau Bei is winning in the battle with Lady Choi. But  Yuet Ying is worried that  Cao Cao, will take advantage of all the conflict that is happening & attack  Jingzhou. Then Z admitted that he didn’t see it!  Hmmm. And you are the genius & once again your sick wife is way ahead of you in the thoughts department?????  Even Cao Cao’s adviser, Man Yeuk sees  this golden opportunity  & urged Caocao to attack Jingzhou.  Meanwhile our resourceful Hon escaped from prison…. Told you he'll be up to something!!!lol…

The news of  Cao Cao personally leading  500,000 men to attack  Jingzhou made Lau Bei's  side very worried! An sms from sis confirms that  Lau Bei will lose &  Shun decides to change history. Shun suggests  to cooperate with Lady Choi! Everyone goes “what? Seik park pour????”  It’s drastic but it needs to be done! Even Z agrees….& …. I was hoping he’s the one who’ll come up with a plan!

Meanwhile Lady Choi’s side is panicking as well!!! So she agrees with Lau Bei’s plan.  Lady Choi and Lau Chung will guard the 4 cities in the west as they are familiar with the western difficult  terrains. Cao Cao’s  General  reports they are losing in the west and he needs  more men  as Lady Choi suddenly deploys  more men there to  assist  Lau Bei’s forces.  Cao Cao was shocked, he thought they were fighting each other!

Remember our escapee Hon, he went to  see Cao Cao,  Man Yeuk sees him, he invites him in-they know one another. All the smart people knew each other I guess. Hon promised Man Yeuk that in 7 days, caocao  will  capture Jingzhou! I’m surprise here that Man even let Caocao sees Hon. Anyway the plan is to  turn Lady Choi and Lau Bei against one another- it’s actually quite brilliant!

Thoughts:    Again this episode like the others… show case the brilliance of everyone  from Man Yeut to Hon even though he’s very sneaky, to Yuet Ying & even Shun often comes up with all kinds of suggestions. But Z on the other hand seems always to be in the background ‘acting’ the role of the Chinese gentleman…. Sigh it’s getting on my nerves. The so-call genius is no where to be found!

Three Kingdoms 2012, episode 12

Lau Bei had decided to support Lau Kei  as the successor. Lady Choi came but Lau Bei didn’t see her, she was fuming mad! Finally the old man died & Lady Choi came out with a Will that her late husband had supposingly drawn before his death. That’s to install Lau Kei the younger son as successor.

Shun told the rest how she could have falsify the will . However the elders confirmed that the signature was indeed real. How now????? Z then reasoned that since Lau is so sick, his hands must be shaking badly…. how is it possible that his signature is so forceful  in the end? She must have handed him a stack of documents  for his signature & slip one blank sheet in between – that’s months back when he’s still ok. The words on the will must be newly added on. The elders check & indeed, the words & signature were obviously  written at different times. She lost! Lau Bei was so happy & Shun was granted a wish.

Meanwhile Lady Choi started a war with Lau Bei! Haha... short of time so shorted everything!
 

Three kingdoms 2012, episode 11

The whole plot to kill Z by Hon is fun to watch, I thought it’s written brilliantly, it’s kind of dumb & smart at the same time & hilarious if you understand the language!  one of the high lights of the show.  Z has been missing & Hon was wondering what’s Shun up to. He followed Shun to a hut where Z was held prisoner!!!! Then Hon & his assistant went through a series of funny scenarios & still Hon decided to wait & see- would Shun kill Z or not????? Finally he settled on killing Shun instead, with Shun dead, no one will know where’s Z & he’ll be starved to death & no one will ever know what happens…. I thought it’s kind of devious & quite brilliant…hahha…..!

Unfortunately for Hon, the assassin was caught & Shun saved! Now his excuse- he told Lau Bei he wanted to kill Shun so as to save Lau Bei’s reputation, after all the insubordination Lau Bei has suffered from Shun Surely he deserves to die! Makes a lot of sense…lol…… He added that Shun has probably killed Z & brought out the incriminating evidence- those documents that shun has scrambled on before. But before he went on, Z walks in & so he finally knew it’s all a trick! Z beg Lau Bei to spare their lives, so they were imprisoned for life. But we all know that wont be for long! This Hon character is what’s making this show more interesting….lol….

Now for some happier news…. Z invited Shun to be his assistant & thus Shun can leave his ‘servant’ status for good. He’s genuinely grateful which is rare & nice for a change… & I was thinking…finally!!! Still he tries his best to avoid Song Yau...urgh !!!

Meanwhile things are brewing at the Seik Park Pour’s side, she’s drumming support for her son to succeed his father. Lau Bei went to see Lau Biu for the last time & was shock that the old man wanted to pass him everything!

Thoughts:    I like this episode, we see Shun maturing & finally becoming a better person, though he’s  still very mean to Song Yau… but I’m sure that’ll change soon. Finally Z & Shun can work together & of course the Hon’s entertaining part.
 

Three Kingdoms 2012, episode 10

SHUN  went to Lau Bei’s  pte hot spring bath to relax for the last time before he goes back to HK. It was cold, so he lit some fire  & fell asleep. When he wakes up the whole place is on fire.  Everyone tried to help while he just ran away- the butler saw him. Quickly he picks up all the stuff he has stolen & bought & ran back to the place he first landed.  But nothing seems to be happening…..… is he too heavy? He started dropping his treasures bit by bit. Finally he gave up , afraid of wild animals, he went back to fan Kan’s old hut to hide.

He received a sms from his sis explaining that the professional had made a mistake with the position of the portal, it’s abt 15 miles away. And the next opening could be in 200 years time! She reminded him not to mess with history due to the buttery fly effect. He was very disappointed & sad!

Meanwhile the butler told Lau Bei & gang what he saw. Hon added spices & tells them what Shun did to the reports & abt the things he stole. Everyone was disgusted, Z was worried. Both Kan & Song Yau were worried sick.

Back to Shun & as if he has not done enough, he tried to sell Fan Kan’s place! He tried to adapt to the surroundings now that he’s stuck in the past but he’s not doing well at all. He wrote to Kan for help! Kan & Song Yau came with food & money. Unfortunately Hon followed them & they arrested Shun.

What happened next was too much to watched….  I’m sure if he were to apologise & made some excuse, he would be forgiven with a light punishment as they truly likes him & he did some good before. But he did not, he refuse to admit any mistake & went on to challenge everything with a very twisted logic, asking  for evidence & eventually even shouted at Lau Bei …”Seik Park Kung” !!!!! Since everyone already associated  Seik Park Pour to the  villain Lady Choi, Seik Park Kung by default is the male version!!!  Everyone is shocked. Lau Bei orders Shun to be slapped but  Shun  fainted & was sent to prison. They finally decide to imprisoned  him for 1 year. I was thinking… the things he did & said is warrant a death sentenced in those ancient times!
 

Song Yau seeks the help from Lau Bei’s wives & they agreed. They warned him, from now on he has to treat her well & he agreed! He’s now demoted to servant status. He tried to avoid Song Yau & that confuses her! Poor girl. Once a slacker always a slacker, he prefers to hide in the store room to sleep most of the time.

Then Hon and his assistant  came in secretly, to discuss about Lau Bei’s intention to combine 2 advisors’ teams into one. Hon decided to kill Z, & since they have evidence of Shun’s hatred for Z in writing, they can frame Shun for the murder.!!!!  Shun then went  to Hon & tell him he wanted to join forces to kill Z!hmmmm… something is up……..  Hon decided to call off his Assassin & wait for Shun to murder Z so as not to complicate things.

THoughts:     Actually this whole part about Hon & his plan is quite funny & interesting. This guy acting Hon is really good.  AS for Shun, he  is such a jerk for misleading Song Yau , for not respecting lau Bei & gang who has been really nice to him. I feel Kenneth Ma overacted most of the time here, it’s becoming hard to watch. It’s also hard to imagine for all that he has done & the disrespect he has shown, he’s not dead by now!

Three Kingdoms 2012, episode 9

This episode sees Z, refusing that stupid dumb marriage proposal started by the nosy insensitive Shu! Lau Bei gave up & let it be. Meanwhile Yuet Ying has left , leaving a letter for Z. In it she expresses how she felt, she’s not worthy of him, & beautiful Mei YU is, so she’s fine with  divorce. Her loyal maid was really upset & finally told Z, what Yuet Ying overheard Shun said on their wedding night.

Z, immediately took a few days off , even when there’s an impt meeting, which angers big man like Cheung Fei.  They don’t understand why  the big fuss over a little woman! Got me a little mad here, she was the one who helped Z, with translation & planning all along & yet _NO CREDITS, at all!!!!! Glad I’m here in the present & not somewhere in the past!

Finally Z found her tending to some yellow flowers in someplace (his home town probably). She looks so happy & contented until she sees him- her whole expression changed! I was wondering maybe she’s happier without him. His position totally stress her out. The societal expectations of him , & indirectly her , is too much for her.  Anyway Z  expresses how he felt, how much she meant to him, how impt she is, how good she is etc…. it was moving & could have been very romantic if they had  cast  a leading man (that’s Raymond ) with a ‘proper’  leading lady. NO offence to Kaki, but just not used to her yet,  to me ,she lacks the “IT” thing. This role badly needs a good leading lady.

Z, decide to go back to his hometown with wife, the whole Lau Bei gang were very mad. Lau Bei apologised, but Z insisted. When he met  Shun, even the usual cool Z could resist not telling him off, he scolded him for interfering into his business & almost ruin his marriage. Shun of course don’t get it, he never did- too selfish , he cant think of the bigger picture. So they had a tiff…. Shun’s  ego all bruised-  very angry & still don’t get it where he went wrong, only thinking of how he had helped Z, & now consider Z as being ungrateful! It’s like a lovers quarrel…lol…

Nevertheless, It’s the women who save the day in the end! Lau Bei’s 2 wives visited Yuet Ying- haha  the soft approach……, and Lau Bei has instructed his doctor to come over to take care of her as well. Yuet Ying pointed out to Z, that they are indeed making lots of effort, & his talents shouldn’t be wasted  in a small town. So it’s decided they’ll stay…

Meanwhile Shun gets a sms from his sis telling him the time for him to get back- is  in 2 days time! So Shun is running out of time, decides to really enjoy himself before leaving. He met a beautiful & talented  singer at a local restaurant and  started flirting with her with HK & English songs. This part is suppose to be funny BUT I find it a little over done. Song choice were  classics: Smoke Gets In Your Eyes and Always On My Mind. Wish he didn’t sing so much as it stops being funny… after a short time. He’s strangeness intrigues her so she agree on a date during the Lantern Festival. Unfortunately she has something urgent & can only meet him later on the 16^th, but he’s leaving on the 15^th.

Finally he decide to settle on Song Yau, since he had totally run out of choice. OK this is the thing, I’m not sure but is he looking for sex before going?  Looking back how he treats Song Yau, he ‘has no feel’ for her, but yet now at the last moment, he just decide “better her than nothing”…. Kinda of sickening right!!!! So he make  a date with song yau for the Lantern Festival which surprise her.

Their so-call date went rather well under the circumstances. Song Yau enjoyed herself as she thought Shun likes her, Shun is clueless abt that.  He made a wish with the floating lantern candle- for “richness” BUT he didn’t know that this floating candle  is only meant for LOVE wishes. Song Yau totally got the wrong picture here, plus he was singing this exotic  “Always On My Mind” for her, so that totally seal the deal for her…poor thing. She started humming that song after….

 In the morning Fan Kan confronted him with that! Why did he light lanterns with Song Yau when he didn’t like her? Shun as usual thinks nothing of that, & dismiss him! Jerk !!!!! He then started avoiding Song Yau.

Meanwhile... Shun was really gearing up to leave, his plan.... ???? Antiques of course! Whatever that's around will be antiques in the future, so he spent everything he has buying anything he can get his hands on. Not only that, he stole things from Lau Bei's mansion.... vandalise official reports, criticising Hon & cursing Z in some of these reports! Why? he's childish & since he cant catch him since he's leaving!!!!

Thoughts:    Kenneth Ma’s acting makes me cringed most of time in this episode, especially the singing of those English classics. Feel like muting the TV! His  character is really getting on my nerves….lol…. This character he is playing it bigger than life while Raymond seems to be toning down on everything , just feels …. WRONG- Seems imbalance to me. Wonder is this what the director wants, to focus on the difference of the 2 men ? Even if it’s so- both guys seems to be over-doing it!  Too bad! I don’t think either will get the best acting award this year!
 

Three Kingdoms 2012, episode 8

The Chief of Jiangxia, Huang Zhou  has been murdered by Sun Quan.  Will he attack and capture Jingzhou next?  OK… I’ve to admit, I’m not good at all with these  names of people & cities, so if there’s any mistake, pls forgive !!!!! Right now I don’t even know who they were referring to hahha…..

According to Z,  Sun Quan &  Huang Zhou  didn’t see eye to eye,  so this may just be something personal. OK…. Whatever…… lol…… Then  seik park pour’s sick husband  Lau Biu wants to see Lau Bei. Hmmm…. What’s happening everyone wonders!  Lau Bei and Z went to  meet Lau Biu.

Greeted by Seik Park Pour & son with unusual friendliness….. Z looks suspicious! Lau Bei went off to see the old man alone & left poor Z with Seik Park Pour…. Oh Boy!!!! She started bad-mouthing  Lau Kei,  (Lau Biu’s the eldest son) & discounted him as  the successor to his father’s position!

Meanwhile Lau Bei sees  Lau Biu – who is still sick! He even apologise for not helping earlier with the recent battle with CaoCao….. certainly up to no good…..  Lau Biu analyse the situation – since Sun Quan has killed Huangzhou, he will  attack and seize Jingzhou.  Once Jingzhou falls, Lau Bei  will be in danger as he’ll be next on the list! Therefore Lau Biu suggest Lau Bei to join forces with him! He demanded that  Lau Bei goes to  Jingxia and keep Sun Quan in check! Lau Bei made excuses & left asap!!!!  Then he saw Lau Kei, the eldest son  who pleads for help as Seik Park Pour is after him, maybe even killing him soon so that her own son can become the successor!

According to Z, Lady Choi must be behind all these ,  her plan is to appoint Lau Bei as Chief of Jingxia  so as to get him out of Xinye and reclaim Xinye. Z’s solution : Get Lau Kei to take up the post at Jingxia instead…. that way Lau Bei can be excused, &  Lady Choi would have gottan  rid of Lau Kei and Lau Kei would be safe being far away from her! Smart…..

So Z goes to tell Lau Kei this plan & found out that he’s under much surveillance planted by Lady Choi. By the time Lady knows of this, Lau Kei has already gone! Initially mother & son were mad, but Lady Choi began to appreciate the talent of Zhuge Liang & decide to get him as an advisor for her son!  Z receives that invitation at night & leaves to see her. Meanwhile he was spotted by Shun &  Kan at their usual haunt under the courtyard tree! Shun was curious so they followed Z.  Z said NO to her .  Anyway Seik Park Pour is really devious, she meant for everyone to know abt this. This would make Z’s life in Lau Bei ‘s side difficult as everyone would be wary of him now as in would he or would he not go to someone else as an advisor since he’s so popular now!

Meanwhile  Shun was  in park, saw a  beautiful  girl ( Mei Yu, niece of Lau Bei, daughter of Lau Bei’s second wife’s older brother). Then Z appear with Yuet Ying they were  strolling. She was really sick & eventually fainted! Then new comer Mei yu to the rescue. Shun was so impressed by her & wished his idol Z would have married someone perfect like her instead of the sickly Yuet Ying!!! We kept seeing his shallow personality this way… feel like slapping him!

What follows makes me want to kill him! He told Lau Bei ,If they were to  let Mei Yu marry Z then they were be related  thus Z would be obliged to stay. Then he went on to sham poor Yuet Ying & convince Lau Bei that this is indeed a good plan! The news quickly links back to Yuet Ying

Thoughts;  I feel so sad by now. Shun’s action is really sickening.
 

Three kingdom, episode 7

When Shun realised Song Yau has turn down the marriage, he thought that it’s because she’s not “chaste “ anymore- the scene is hilarious! Then this small matter turn into a big matter because of Shun, I wont elaborate here as it’s kind of tiresome.

In short Lau Bei & everyone were mad & in those days, marriage is being arranged by parents & cant be refuted so easily. Then Shun came up with something brilliant. He pointed out that Lau Bei though loves Song Yau as his own but there’s never a legal adoption so, legally he’s not her father, thus has no rights to decide anything for her! Thus the matter is resolved & Z was very impressed with Shun! Shun was so happy!

Then…… Someone noticed that  all the prisoners seem to be extra  respectful towards an older ordinary prisoner. After  they found that he is actually  General Yingshun, one of Cao Cao’s most trusted general. 3 years back Yingshun had  buried alive hundreds of Cheung Fei’s men so Cheung Fei wanted revenge! But Guan Yu had owe Yingshun his life so he’s against it! Dead lock! How?

They decide to vote, & most of them voted for execution! And  Guan Yu since he cant help the prisoner decide to retire. Everyone was shock & I was thinking …omg…. Isn’t this a bit too much????Anyway how abt his  pledge of  loyalty to Lau Bei & gang & what abt those soldiers  Yingshun has killed recently before he was being captured? So whatever happened between Yingshun & Guan yu 13 years ago is bigger than all these????????

Anyway Guan Yu goes to the prison and sort of apologise to Yingshun who got very mad. And when  someone accidently dropped a knife, he  grabs  it, held it to Guan Yu’s throat. Guan Yu of course didn’t react as he took it that his life is a repayment Towards his  debt to  Yingshun. Yingshun demands to be set free , & a horse if not he’ll snap Guan Yu’s throat. Guan Yu became mad that Yingshun  is using him to threaten Lau Bei & gang, he moves & the knife snaps at his neck! They arrested Yingshun and Guan Yu  is saved.

And  all was a plan by Z & Shun (to the surprise of Hon!)- the drop of the knife, all staged!

Thoughts:    The oath of Guan Yu towards Yingshun is scary, it’s beyond logic. It’s a war & this guy is the enemy of your side so how can one prevent others from killing him. Fine Guan Yu don’t have to kill him but someone else can, & he has no rights to prevent that since Yingshun owes people like Cheung Fei. The whole scene is tiring & almost too painful  to watch!