It's already December and nearly all the dramas for this year have been broadcast. Firstly, I want to say Merry Christmas to everyone and feel free to read my thoughts and opinions for this year's TVB series. Surprisingly, I have watched all series for this year but for some I have skipped bits and pieces.
Thoughts: Obviously I didn't watch every episode but I did catch up with some episodes. I found this series very light-hearted, but failed to show the real and true struggles of working in an office environment. I found that 500 episodes was too much to grasp, and this series failed to live with the other hype of other sitcoms such as Off Pedder or Virtues of Harmony. Nevertheless, it's still good to watch for those with spare time.
Notable Mentions: This series gained a lot of popularity during the time when Beauty at War and Bullet Brain was airing, as netizens praise Come Home Love to be more entertaining and logical than the other series airing then.
Rating: 3/5 (Good Series)
Thoughts: I liked how this series takes in a new direction in terms of plot and helps people finding their missing loved ones. Much that I liked the story-line, there was no intriguing factor for me to watch this series, and the acting was really raw from the 'newbies'- Lin Xiawei, etc. Jason Chan was frankly below average.
Notable Mentions: This series was mocked for having a weak cast, with only Linda Chung being the only major star. It doesn't matter to me if there are big stars or not, as long as the acting is adequate. But guess what? Unsurprisingly the acting was only average as well.
Rating: 2.5/5 (Strictly for Linda fans)
Thoughts: A very entertaining series that dared to explore the social barriers between Hong Kong and Chinese Mainlanders. Wong Cho Lam was enjoyable to watch as usual and Roger Kwok had good chemistry with Joey Meng. Ivana Wong mat be good at singing but I am not too sure for acting. Other supporting and 'green veterans' portrayed their role really well.
Notable Mentions: Wong Cho Lam was scolded by scriptwriters for claiming to be the one who thought of the gags and contributed writing the script for the series, taking credit for something the scriptwriters did most of the thinking. I don't think Wong Cho Lam intentionally tried to take all the claim for himself.
Rating: 4/5 (Comedy drama fans - Must Watch)
Thoughts: Another unusual serial structure that TVB has taken with different love stories for every season. I found it rather confusing and detaching if you miss an episode or if you don't know what is happening. Other than that though, I found this series lacking exploration about 'love', except of course in Nancy Wu's autumn season where she was really awesome! Overall, it is watchable. Just don't expect too much.
Notable Mentions: The first week of Seasons of Love reached a record low rating of 19 viewership points for a prime-time TVB series. This was the Summer Season with Him Law and Toby Leung having their love story. Perhaps it teaches a lesson to TVB that you shouldn't have supporting artists being the only lead?
Rating: 3/5 (Perhaps skip Summer and watch Autumn/Winter/Spring instead.)
Thoughts: I found this series as a come-back for Nikki Chow for her rather nice portrayal as a cop and Michael refreshing to finally stop being Laughing Gor and act some other roles. I liked Mandy's signature role as the bossy madam but I am sick for her repetitive acting style for being angry and unreasonable.
Notable Mentions: This series was warehoused in TVB; it was shown overseas in 2012 and then finally shown in Hong Kong in 2013. Although warehoused it still managed to grab a high position as having the highest rating for TVB series in 2013. Well done!
Rating: 3/5 (Good Series)
Thoughts: I wasn't sure if I should have wanted to watch this before it was shown since I don't like the casting of Wayne-Sire-Edwin-Natalie but I guess their chemistry turned out alright. Natalie surely was a surprise as MiuMiu, and Sire Ma started off pretty good but then I got pissed at her excessive crying. Wayne and Pierre had nice acting but the uninteresting and illogical storyline was a pain to bear.
Notable Mentions: Hong Kong viewers slammed this series as disappointing and illogical. Wayne Lai even admitted it was illogical, but he said it was an experiment and they expected the negative reception.
Rating: 2/5 (Biggest dud but do watch it for the imaginative concept)
Thoughts: Another light-hearted series that went over the board as a messy and unattractive series.I really couldn't care any less about Ruco-Selena's on and off relationship and Raymond and Aimee's relationship was just so sudden.
Notable Mentions: This series was recognized for relieving all the horrible dramas such as Bullet Brain and Beauty at War being shown. Kenix Kwok and Frankie Lam supposedly criticized the scene where Ruco and Selena kissed from one falling off the ladder. Yeah, I agree with them that it was so cliche and random.
Rating: 2.5/5 (Watch it if you want to know more about Malaysia)
Awfully Lawful
熟男有惑
Thoughts: Refreshing series that had potential to become popular but failed miserably because of its inconsistency and lack of court scenes. Roger Kwok's acting was superb and Sharon's try as the lead was ok. Raymond Cho to me was entertaining and suspenseful but at the same time rather weird.
Notable Mentions: The segement where Bella Lam was having plastic surgery to improve her looks was teased by netizens as demeaning Korean ladies.
Rating: 2.5/5 (Rather Awful)
Karma Rider
師父·明白了
Thoughts: I don't know what to say for this series because it was a bit draggy but my gut feeling tells me I liked this series. Priscilla's first go as the lead ended her being quite natural but her acting: horrible! Raymond Wong got so much praise but I found him pretty wooden. Honestly though it is a meaningful drama.
Notable Mentions: Netizens were complaining every week on how Priscilla's acting was horrible and this series was boring to watch.
Rating: 3/5 (Don't watch it if you're not patient)
Always and Ever
情逆三世緣
Chong Wai-Kin (producer); Yip Tin-shing (scriptwriter); Bobby Au-Yeung, Esther Kwan,Ngo Ka-nin, Mandy Wong, Ben Wong, Derek Kok, Rebecca Zhu, Ram Chiang,Benjamin Yuen, Sammy Sum, Christine Kuo
Thoughts: I was sort of worried that this series would end up like Back to Three Kingdoms where it started off good and ended up illogical, but this series only ended up rather cheesy. Magnificent acting by Esther and Bobby was competent as always. Pierre was great but it was too similar to No Regrets. Rebecca Zhu had improved a lot as well.
Notable Mentions: Bobby survived a heart condition that stopped him from working from fortunately he recovered to start production again.
Rating: 4/5 (Intriguing and Imaginative)
Thoughts: I don't know why I gave this series such a high rating since I found so much flaws in the plot and inconsistencies in the story, but I think it was the suspense and excellent acting that redeemed this series. Ruco Chan finally had a role that was worthy for Best Actor, but on the other hand Linda finally ruined her signature innocent-like characters by having the worst written character ever. Kristal Tin was surprisingly really good to watch but I found her too loud sometimes (and also nearly over the top). Edwin Siu frankly wasn't good enough to be lead actor but he was adequate enough to play his character. This is perhaps my most favourite series for 2013.
Notable Mentions: Many people voiced out their disappointments for Linda.
Rating: 4/5 (Watch it for the acting and interesting setting)
Poon Ka-tak (producer); Lam Chung-pong (scriptwriter); Lawrence Ng, Kenneth Ma,Tavia Yeung, Louisa So, Him Law, Mandy Wong, Benjamin Yuen, Eliza Sam, Koo Ming-wah, Tracy Chu, Ben Wong, Derek Kok, Paisley Hu
Thoughts: Biggest disappointment ever yet I like how they have most of the characters from the prequel. They added so much characters to this story but only Lawrence and Tracy really deserved to be added. Tavia was great in expressing her emotions and Kenneth was convincing as the caring and loving husband. I am not going to comment much since it hasn't finishing airing yet but I like how this series is thought-provocative which is why it distinguishes itself from other nonsense series.
Notable Mentions: There were a flow of complaints for little screen-time for Tavia and Kenneth.
Rating: 3.5/5 (Tavia-Kenneth fans only)
Thoughts: The arguments in the courts were not realistic, the acting was a bit predictable but hey it was fun to watch! Everyone in my opinion did a good job, even Sammy. Tavia reminded me of The Other Truth whereas Michael Tse reminded me of E.U but as a lawyer instead. Alice Chan stole the show and Samantha Ko should get most improved... too bad she's not even nominated for it.
Notable Mentions: This series managed to get good ratings despite its 'graveyard timeslot' but it was scolded for being unrealistic *cough cough the scene where Alice crushes Benz but he still manages to go home*
Rating: 3.5/5 (Watch it with half a brain then you will like it)
Thoughts: This series was such a waste of time and opportunity for Sonja and Sunny, whom both acted well but this series was nothing creative.
Rating: 2.5/5 (Watch it for celebration of Chinese New Year)
Thoughts: I watched A Great Way to Care I, and I think both series was on par with each other. Tavia Yeung surprised me with her amazing portrayal as the crazy Ah Yan. Overall, a really nice series where everyone acted good enough except for Joey Mung. Why? She looked so wooden and emotionless all the time.
Notable Mentions: There were arguments and questions whether Tavia or Joey is the main female lead. I think both are but Joey Mung is slightly more of a lead since she slightly had more screen-time.
Rating: 3.5/5 (Nice drama)
Thoughts: An interesting drama which explores on the theme of your children being filial and problem of gambling and the struggles in families. Although this series was random to watch, there were memorable scenes where it may touch you, or may not. Louise and Ruco have such a great motherly-son chemistry.
Notable Mentions: People complained that this series got too dark and depressing. To a degree I agree but for the story to advance they need to change the mood of the series.
Rating: 3/5 (Thoughtful drama)
Thoughts: Yay! I survived watching this series! It was the most boring series you will ever encounter, with all talking for every scene. This is the series that I am the most disappointed with, given that War and Beauty is one of my most favorite. Frankly, Sheren looked too worried all the time and I couldn't bear Moses's creaky voice. Credit however goes to Ada Choi for her splendid acting! I did however liked how this series connected well with the prequel, but it was too boring to much. I guess Jonathan Chik really doesn't understasnd that his supposed to produce an entertaining series, not a drama on philosophy.
Notable Mentions: Sheren blamed the scriptwriter for 'flying papers' and hard to understand plot blah blah blah. Apparently she's blacklisted by TVB but I don't think she gives a damn. What a tragic ending for the War and Beauty series to end up after 8 years.
Rating: 1.5/5 (Watch the last episode only and skip the rest to not ruin your perception of War and Beauty)
Thoughts: I really liked this series. Everyone did great! Joey Mung should get Best Actress and congratulations for Bosco to get Best Actor at the Starhub Awards.
Rating: 4/5 (Highly suspenseful and entertaining series)
Thoughts: Every lead and supporting artist in this series did well except for Myolie Wu. 40 episodes to be was way too long but it ended up with alright. The problem was that there were nothing that urging me to sit down watching it like crazy.
Notable Mentions: Fala Chan was teased for not crying during the scene where she discovered her boyfriend was planning to propose to her. Big deal.. Oh, and the theme song!
Rating: 3.5/5 (Very good series)
Thoughts: I felt like dejavu every time I watch this since it was so similar to Tiger Cubs. Michael Tse again acted like Laughing Gor with the same 'I am cool' acting style and Kate Tsui's face on botox look annoyed me but she was convincing.
Notable Mentions: Netizens were mocking Kate Tsui to be wearing high-heels as a police officer.
Rating: 3/5
Thoughts: I was excepting this to be a comedy drama but it ended up being so serious! Wayne and Moses both did well except Christine Ng was too bland to watch. The court scenes are were interesting.
Notable Mentions: This series was criticsed as being not worthy for an anniversary series.
Rating: 4/5 (Wayne Lai proving himself after Bullet Brain that he is not a 'plastic' TV King)
Thoughts: Wo! Dayo's comeback series. High entertaining! Thumbs up for May Chan and Laura!
Notable Mentions: Criticsed as demeaning for Hong Kong middle-aged ladies.
Rating: 4/5
Overall, this series TVB series didn't live to the success of 2012. Oh well, I still have hopes for TVB to produce good dramas in the future so I haven't lost hope yet..
