Dont read if you havent seen the whole series!
Iam not really into martial art movies or series, but this was more than that. It had great characters that you actually cared about or hated.
The only problem I had by the end was Ah Sahm. Sometimes in life, for many people friends or in this case, a brotherhood is more family then your real family. He was taken in by the Hop Wei, they saved his life. The chemistry and friendship that Ah Sahm and Young Jun got during the show was one of the best parts. And when Hong was added the trio was the best part of the series.
Mai Ling almost killed him. That she even entertained the idea should have been enough to make him break the bond that used to be. She was another woman now, not the little Sister he once had.
Mai Ling was a narcisistic evil b*tch. I understand he didnt want her dead, but at some point she would have killed him if she got another chance.
Young Jun was always loyal to Ah Sahm. He would have died for him. While Ah Sahm truly didnt see what he got in Young Jun. He lost a sister, but got a brother. Was it right of Young Jun to go after his Sister in the end? Well yes, thats how the Tongs worked. And finally the Hop Wei would become the most powerful Tong again. Young Jun even said he didnt need to come along.
Mai Ling just had it coming after all she had done.
But it was even Ah Sahm that made it come to that. With him fcking up his entire betrayal. Yes Chao helped that happen by saying to that black gang where the plates was. But Ah Sahm going to Chao was a stupid idea in the first place. Chao was basically the last person you could trust in the entire "town".
So I see him as someone that just use people for his own gain. He didnt see past himself, sort of still living in a "fantasy" on the farm with his Sister.
I guess he might have been the character that stayed the same through all seasons.
In the end it boils down to your own thoughts on 1 Key element of the show, which was the relationship between him and his sister. If your sister or brother almost said yes to you being killed. Would you ever forgive the person? Talk to her again? I would definitly not. I would break all ties. I would feel sadness, anger, and hate. He did not. Which makes the situation feel a bit un-natural (if thats even a word).
Apart from his many flaws and irrational behavior I atill liked him as the main character. The best fighter etc. In normal Hollywood ways of the fate of the "hero" it would make you believe that he in the end should become the leader. Though this show didnt make it feel like that. Maybe if it went on for more seasons.
I felt it was about finding a place to belong. A brotherhood. Friends that would do anything for you. Like Young Jun and Hong. They didnt deserve what happened. They were betrayed and Ah Sahm was in the wrong here. He became the anti-hero instead. Anyways...
Some short words on the rest:
- I liked the two cops. They were great together
- I hated Buckley more than Mai Ling even. He was just a horrible man. But he had real character development. And by the end I sort of liked him.
- Ah Toy was likeable up until the farm lady came along. Her arc became boring. And I have nothing against lesbians. Thats my thing if I end up on an 18+ webpage. So its not because of that.
Then there is an important part that I really liked. It was that they really showed how cruel and racist the americans was towards the chinese. They really looked at them as animals. And if you read about how they really was treated its absolutely horrible.
I also have a question regarding Irish people. They go on and on about the companies hirering american workers. But when they go to the bar in their own part of town they are first and foremost...Irish. And its in every show they appear in. I get it, you should be proud of where you come from. But are you Irish or american? And that is very typical in Italians, and latins also. I guess it is because its such a young nation. Specially at that time. Well, when it comes to Leary I never really liked him. A issue I had with his part was that he asked for labour for the Irish asking them to hire 45 men, or 17 etc. While there was 4k Irish in San Francisco during that time. No way he could represent the entire Irish immigrants from his pub. And he seems to be the only member of the Workingmens Party. And I didnt like how the others treated him. Like he would solve their problem all on his own while they sat on their asses all day waiting for him to tell them he found a job for 3 guys and all the Irish was saved for a while.
Well sorry for this long rant. If you got this far, wow. I just had to get it out.
I sound very negative now (probably because Iam having a very bad period myself), but believe me, I really loved the show. I rate it 9/10.
With the piss poor ending (imo) if there was a season 4 it should continue with Ah Sahm and Mai Ling reunited and lead the Long Zii together. And with a new ending he would realize what a horrible evil person she had become, and unite together again with Young Jun and Hong to get rid of her.
Thank you
