Ghetto Justice[E][TVB][2011]

Still on...

Finally found out Kris and Law Ba acted for Law Bing Hei, the least involved guy. Anyway a very very very tragic episode tonight, almost funnily tragic because it is like those wuxia series where heroine hell bent on revenge, at least that's what I think she is thinking of doing. A very short recap as well since a lot of things happened emotionally but physically not much.

Jing has saved enough to go ahead with her restaurant and found a small place to do her business. Her friends congratulated her and Chik told Teng she still has feelings for him. So Teng decided to meet with his parents and quite simply told them he loved her, he would die for her, that was how much he loved her, they can choose to ignore him or they can choose to gain a daughter so to speak. His father of course said "BUT SHE IS A PROSTITUTE!! SHE IS DIRTY!!" and all Teng asked was for his father's blessing that he does not stop him, just let him be and he said "Father, she has had a hard life but she worked and earned her own money and now has realised her dream. There is nothing illegal or bad about that. Why can't you see that?" and his mother softened and said "Well, she did become a prostitute because of her mother..." and the father snapped "Are you on his side or on my side?" and the mother said "I am on the side to bring our son back!" and finally the father relented and said "French restaurant? Highly specialised, very difficult to do!" and stalked away and Teng knew his father has at least agreed not to butt into his affairs with Jing.

Kris was working late, having fever as Silvia tried to talk sense into her about Law Ba's gesture; that by so openly dumping the case, he has caused his own reputation to nose dive since no one will hire him anymore. Silvia thought that was utterly romantic, since he was trying to help Kris.

Pause.

What nose dive? I mean Law Ba can always go back to SSP. Do they care in SSP who Law Ba is? Or reputation? Of course not! So what nose dive???

Continue.

Kris angrily refused, and said "I will show him, I will show PK, I will show them all!!!"

Yeap, like a kid having a tantrum. And suddenly she figured out a point she can use to help Law Bing Hei. What point we will never know since next day Law's parents dumped her, saying her reputation is over, the judge and jury is doubting her and so on and so forth. Kris lamented "I have lost my career, I have lost my love and now I have lost my reputation. I am officially over".

Fishing, in open sea, Victor was frustrated that he couldn't catch any fish but truth is he was angry ever since Kris got booted out the judge has been favouring the prosecution since even the judge noticed every accused is represented by PK's men. But PK assured him not to worry, they will win. And then the most embarrassing moment in this episode or this series; PK hissing YESSSSSS when he netted a fish. Sorry but I just find it so darn pretentious. And it was funny.

Jing at the restaurant, taking measurements in the kitchen, PK went in to collect his bottles of wine since the owner of that place sells wine. He thought no one was there, and in walked Ho Tai Keung's father, a triad member. Basically PK showed Ho some pictures and said "Hmmm... dealing with drugs..." and he got pictures of Ho selling drugs and Ho is trapped and PK said "Get your son to admit to the murder and I will make sure these... go away..." and Ho agreed. Meaning he is using downright illegal methods to fix the trial. Jing heard everything, recorded everything, quickly left and Pk heard some noise and followed. And what happens next is to me rather illogical; how can a guy who walks with a limp using a crane walk so much or as fast as a healthy bodied young woman? Because he soon caught up with her and Jing called Teng who was buying flowers and Teng said "I will be there soon!" and Jing said "No no, there is something illegal going on. I heard that Cheung Pak Kei doing something illegal and I recorded it all. Wait! I will send to you!" and she stopped to send email when KNOCK! and PK knocked her heard and twice on the head with the bird head of his cane. She was bleeding and disoriented when Teng heard a Jing said "No no no" as PK grabbed the phone from her and then the line went dead. PK left, and Jing's hand got one of his sleeve button or something.

In court, Kris waiting for Silvia saw how PK came out and announced Ho Tai Keung has admitted guilt and so the implication is the others should be let go. Kris very bitter as she saw Law Ba walked by and she said "See? Why someone had to be so damn nosy to destroy own case; when in the end that one guy admitted guilt. How stupid of that nosy idiot!" and as she was about to drive away Law Ba said "You really think it is that simple? don't you think PK would have fixed the trial? And then you will have no choice but to be part of the scheme. Consider yourself lucky that you got out" but I don't suppose she was listening.

Teng and Chik searching for Jing, all the way to the big drain with locked gate and they couldn't find Jing and Chik said "Cheung Pak Kei is a barrister, I don't suppose he will kill. I mean he worked hard for his reputation! Maybe she just went home or maybe the phone ran out of battery. Don't worry, let's look at the other side" and so they went but all these while, Jing was right beneath them in the big drain,she could see them, hear them, her body was bound, she was gagged and alert but she couldn't call out.

What a horrible way to die!!!

Next day, still no sign of Jing. This time everyone is looking and at the back alley they saw the crazy woman who said she saw a 3 legged man following Jing and they went the other way. They saw blood, followed the trail and to the drain, Teng like crazy broke open the gate, rushed in and saw Jing on the floor. He rushed to her, I think George was following close by, Mrs Leung was there. Teng rushed to her, held her as she weakly

passed him a piece of paper, on it the logo and the name of her would be restaurant adopted from Teng's tattoo as logo and she looked at him for one tiniest moment and then her hand fell, the paper fell, she closed her eyes and died. Teng cried and cried "No NO NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please nooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know you don't ever want to see me again, you want to avoid me, but you don't have to die to avoid me!!! Please wake up! Please! Please wake up! Jinggggggg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" but she was very dead. George cried, Mrs Leung cried and Teng was shaking Jing but she was very very very dead.

Pause here.

What a horrible way to die!!! Imagine, whole night, under there... what a horrible way to dieeeee!!!!!!!!!!!! I was sad but I was also thinking how the hell a crippled man can carry her there and even locked the gates?

Answer is up next...

Pk was walking into his office as he was calling someone and said to unknown person "You can release the girl now. I just want to keep her quiet until I get the case done and since I erased all evidence, no one will believe her anyway, you can release her. I am not a murderer, I don't wish her to be dead" and then he saw the news of Jing's body and all and he said "Ignore my instruction. Clean all traces" and he calmly put the bird head of his cane to the top of his ermmm.. those stand where you hang your clothes.

Teng knew it was PK, he reported to the police, the police immediately invited PK back and they even found PK's button thing and so they charged him as Teng rushed in to beat the crap out of PK but was stopped. Meanwhile without PK that beating case became messy and now every testimony is not consistent and everyone may be in for manslaughter. Law Ba was invited to be the prosecutor since no one dared to take the case against PK in case Pk wins and PK has long memory and someone said "Why are they so afraid of that monster?!" and Law Ba agreed to take the case even if he was pariah in the legal world now since I don't know, maybe HK has no prosecution department because why don't they themselves prosecute?!?!? and he vowed to bring down PK as Teng said "That monster probably killed Jing because she heard something to do with him fixing the case!" as Law Ba said to his friends "Whether they intended to kill or not, those boys did wrong and they deserve their punishment. I don't care about the reason, same goes for PK and I will make sure Jing gets justice and PK gets his due punishment".

Kris went to Jing's place, looked around and remembered their good times as she saw the table lamp she gave Jing and said "Let this lamp be your consoling friend until you achieve your ambition. If you're unhappy, switch it on and the light will shine over you, like me there, comforting you". Kris began to cry as Law Ba walked in and Law Ba gently said "I have been asked to be the prosecutor in Jing's case. Speculation is she died because she overheard Cheung Pak Kei doing something illegal with that beating case. Do you still think it is good to join into his clique? Consider yourself lucky to have left or you will turn out to be like that man. Jing would have been very disappointed if you have. Her death whilst tragic revealed the true nature of Cheung Pak Kei and the way he is handling that case, without him, true justice is being seen to be done. Don't

let her death be a total waste, let her be proud of you" and he left and Kris cried very very hard as she hugged the lamp.

What happened next is of course I feel just a diversion.

Kris went to PK and offered to be his lawyer. He reluctantly agreed since Kris said Jing was just another person, she wanted to win this case to regain her reputation. PK knew she was Jing's best friend but he also knew Kris knew all of Law Ba's emotional side so there would be an advantage. Victor promised to look after her to ensure no hanky panky.

Teng was at the drains, crying very hard as he blamed himself for not looking at that place when he was there the 1st time and he cried "Why didn't I look for you here at that night? Why did I stop? If I didn't stop, I could have saved you! Why? Why didn't I keep looking?". This was because he found out she died not of loss of blood but rather the blood clot in her brain causing a stroke since she was conscious the whole night. This was due to the fact she was saved very late which meant she could have been saved if she had been discovered earlier. WHAT A HORRIBLE WAY TO DIE!!!!

Kris went back to Auntie King as Auntie King called her and the moment she walked in, Auntie King and her siblings said "Why? Why are you representing that monster?! Have you no conscience?" and Jing didn't want to explain much as she said "He too deserved legal representation, why not me?" as Teng and Law Ba walked in, Teng raised his hand about to slap a shocked looking Kris as he said "If you were a man I would not hesitate to slap you!!" and Kris looked away and Auntie King slapped her very hard. Kris was shocked, as were everyone else as Auntie King said "Is money and fame that important to you?! Jing was your best friend! She was murdered! Not only did you not seek justice for her, you're acting for that... that monster!!" as Kris cried "Mother, why you too? Why you don't understand? After being set up by my own friend, my career was down in the drains! I was at the top and I worked hard to reach that but then I rolled back down to the bottom. With this case, I can climb back up again!" and Teng angrily said "Be careful you will roll back down to the abyss!!" and Kris said to Auntie King "Here mother, the cheque for this month's allowance" but Auntie King tore the cheque as she said "I don't want your dirty money!!!!" and Kris angrily said "Mother, one day you will understand why I am doing this!!!" and she left as Auntie King shouted "Go! Go! Don't ever come back!! I don't have such an unfeeling daughter!!!!" and everyone looked at Kris left.

Next episode; Law Ba plants evidence and Kris exposes him. WHAT?! Why would Law Ba do that?!?!?? And it is the last episode by the way.

I do believe Kris is planning to avenge Jing's death. It is inconsistent that one minute she is hugging the lamp crying hard and the next acting for the very same man who killed her best friend so I think she meant to find out what happened and do PK in. I mean get justice for Jing. I don't believe Kris to be that unfeeling. But I also think anger may have clouded her judgment and she may end up doing something illegal, destroying her own career to seek vengeance for Jing in the process. So I suppose Law Ba will have to save her from going that route. I mean someone can twist facts to win a case and that is wrong (like how Law Ba was 7 years ago) or destroy a case illegally to uphold justice which is also sorta wrong (like how I think Jing is planning to do). Could be! I mean "Mother, one day you will understand why I am doing this!!!" is a huge clue. Kris is very annoying right now, this is one character I find myself not liking eventhough she is a good person and so she must do something huge to redeem herself.

Performance wise, no comment.

Ok, one and that is Sam Lee. He really plays Teng as someone very straightforward, at times I think he was inadequate emotionally, like he was forcing himself to cry and all and yet... I feel there is a certain sincerity in his performance when he is so "raw". Heartbreaking scene when the moment he discovered Jing and she died in his arms.

Sharon Chan did very well as Jing. She brought Jing to life by playing her as a straightforward person, much like how Sam Lee did with his character. There is nothing complicated the way she interpreted Jing and I think there is sincerity in the way she portrayed Jing who appeared very sincere as well onscreen. I think she deserved her award at the TVB awards.

Myolie did ok. I find her grief, her crying, everything rather forced. Especially crying. Maybe too much makeup. I don't know! I give up!

Next episode is the last episode. I feel the series is ending at a right note meaning any longer it would be draggy. Whilst I feel sad for Jing's death, and I knew this spoiler, but even if I didn't know, I was expecting that. Someone we know must die for drama sake. I just felt the reason for her death and PK's involvement a bit cliche. Why cliche? I mean overhearing fixing of a trial yes of course but come on! That Ho was doing something illegal anyway! PK was threatening to expose Ho for doing something illegal, how illegal can that be? Maybe show PK fix the trial by pushing an innocent man towards something? Maybe that would be more appropriate? I just find Jing's reason for death very insignificant plot wise. It should have been something grander, something worth killing for.

Anyway so the last case will be...

Weird episode. I can understand Law Ba's stand in this case but I thought he could have handled it better. And Law Ba has mixed up two concept; dirty tactics (such as PK's in Miu Yeuk Lai's case) and strategy (such as this case). As lawyers, strategy is expected so Law Ba being so upset to me maybe means he should just quit the law and retire. But again I understand his stand in this case. But beware of overacting by one, underacting by another.

Recap!

After winning her case, Mrs Leung met with George outside the court to thank him. Then MIL appeared with 2 biggest traitors who are now double traitors as they ran to Mrs Leung and cried "Mommy, I am so sorry, I have wronged you!!" and MIL explained she badmouthed Mrs Leung in front of them, hence their initial reaction. And I was like TRAITORS!!! Now double traitor because they have abandoned dad. How fickle children are. Mrs Leung forgave them. I would have given them a beating. Anyway, MIL said she was ashamed of herself for thinking badly of Mrs Leung and wanted to move out and stay alone and advised Mrs Leung to divorce her useless son but Mrs Leung insisted she stays and Law Ba arrived and even like the children grabbed MIL's hand and begged and in the end MIL agreed. I think she likes Law Ba. Anyway Law Ba also teased George about his very open confession in an open court and Mrs Leung turned shy and left and George hit Law Ba for making a fool out of him in front of his goddess and Law Ba ended up chasing George around the street to retaliate. Ahhh... kids...

Anyway poor Chik, finally a story for him and what a terribly sad one. Chik was with Jing, chatting happily when he was chased by loan sharks to repay loan. A policeman chased by loan shark!! Not really chased as in running chased but just you know, urged to repay loan and Chik said he missed only 1 payment but loan sharks insisted. Then Susan appeared and demanded "Where were you?! I waited FIVE MINUTES!! FIVE MINUTES!! You promised to buy me the diamond ring, you want to go back on your promise? Who are these people? Oh god Chik, you lend money to them? How many times I have to tell you to stop lending money to people?!" and loan shark looked at Susan and her expensive stuff and said "Wow, looks good!" and she was disgusted thinking they were looking at her and he said "I am looking at your branded bag, branded clothes, sell some of these to help your boyfriend pay off his loan if not we will send a nice long message to his station and his career will be over!" and Susan suddenly said "What? Did I saw he and I are close? I don't really know him that well" and Jing saw all these and saw poor Chik looking stressed and she came forward and said "Don't you think you guys are too much? Look, I will bear his loan. I will transfer to your account by today!" and loan shark said "Ahhh, Sok Tui Tin Hau, I heard how you chased a thief naked for a few streets just to get back your friend's money. I believe you. Let's go!" and so he left. Susan pushed Jing away and said "Who do you think you are? Don't you prostitute get near my boyfriend. I know you want to just get a man, you being a prostitute, man hungry" and blah blah blah and Jing was getting angrier as she said "What? Just now he was in trouble you wouldn't even sell your handbag to save him, suddenly now he is your boyfriend again?!" and Susan went blah blah blah with more insult when suddenly Chik grabbed her arm, turned her around and slapped her hard. Susan shocked as Chik cried "How could you insult someone who can possibly help me with the loan? Have you ever thought of me instead of just yourself all the time?" and Susan angrily said "Have you ever thought how useless you are? So many years as a cop and still a low ranking one and can't even afford the deposit to a house! Useless! I don't think we can be together anymore!" and she left and for a moment Chik felt like running after her. In a restaurant, Jing and Chik having a meal and Chik thanked Jing who said "It's ok, not that I need the money in a hurry. You want to run after her don't you?" and Chik said "No, it's over...how about you and Teng? Teng is ready to leave the centre and go to France with you" and Jing surprised said "He said that? For me? But I never wanted him to do that" and Chik said "Teng loves you very much, he places you above all else. Me and Susan is hopeless but you and Teng, you two have a chance!" and Jing said "That is why we can't be together. Teng has parents, he should place them first, not me, Teng and I are over" and Chik said "Ok, ok... what about your French restaurant? Still on?" and Jing excitedly said "Yes it is! I have been looking at names and decorations. I originally wanted to use Teng's name as one of the names and his tattoo as the logo but now... I have to think of a new one" and so that was her plan.

Suddenly Chik heard a commotion, he walked out and saw 5 college students seating down, drunk and having war of word with a group of local SSP triad members and anyway Chik pulled them apart and local SSP triad member said "You better watch out, kid!" and the 5 college students, or rather 4 college students with 1 adult friend who was the one who caused the commotion were complaining why come to SSP for a drink, why cause trouble and so they left for Lan Kwai Fong I think.

At night, 5 of them drunkenly walking towards their car in the car park, one of them has a rich father and so was concerned for his father's very expensive car when that local SSP triad member walked by, taunted them to a fight, which one of them, known as Ho Tai Keung did and then 3 more joined in and at last all 5 joined in in beating him, then triad member fell to the floor, already half dead or dead, not sure when Ho Tai Keung yanked 2 more onto his chest and all captured by the security cameras when security guards rushed towards them with Chik and his partner stopping the fight and Chik checked and the guy was dead. All 5 were invited back to the station where we see...

PK representing 1, his 2 students representing other 2, Kris introduced by Mr Ma with Law Ba representing one more and Ho Tai Keung being the most hot headed one represented by some unknown lawyer. Ho Tai Keung was the one with a bad background, spent time in jail before, not a university student and his father some gangster slapped him hard much to PK's surprise, well he looked surprise. Law Ba promised to win the case with Kris and PK accepted the challenge.

New case!

Pk and his 2 students having a drink (wine no less) on a yacht (rich people does that you see, coffee shops are for mere mortals) and he was suggesting they all follow the same route, that is to blame Ho Tai Keung solely for the death of Wong Chi Kin since no one can be sure who delivered the fatal blow. Victor wondered if Kris will be willing to play along and PK said "She is a smart girl, she will know what to do".

Kris, Law Ba meeting their client and Law Ba encouraged client to just tell the truth, something Kris disagrees with. Later Kris met with PK and to cut the long story short, she decided to join PK's strategy and blame all on Ho Tai Keung.

Pause here.

The facts are simple. All 5 beat Wong Chi Kin, but at some point Wong Chi Kin was thrown against a wall and the rest no one can see what happened as obstructed by the view of the wall. Before the wall, Wong Chi Kin was very much alive, but he died after the wall, so whoever delivered the fatal punch will be the murderer and will get murder but since no one saw what happened, it will be 4 university going model students against 1 former bad background jailbird and guess who the jury will believe? PK wants to go for full acquittal, with Ho Tai Keung getting murder.

Meeting with client, who confessed he didn't know who gave the fatal blow since he was too drunk, Kris insinuated in such a way that the client understood he was to blame Ho Tai Keung for everything. Law Ba and Silvia knew what was happening and Law Ba told Kris to go outside and there they had a disagreement that turned into an argument. To Law Ba, if the client is responsible, then all 5 are held equally responsible, so it should be at min manslaughter. I agree with Law Ba. But Kris says their client is young with a good future, why throw it all away just to be fair to an ex jailbird who started it all that is Ho Tai Keung? Blaming him would be the best way. Again I also agree with Kris. And Law Ba retorted "If our client is guilty, all of them are and they share a responsibility, and so all of them are guilty of manslaughter. What you're doing now is twisting the truth! Ho Tai Keung will end up in jail for murder! MURDER! You know the difference between murder and manslaughter! You can't agree to that sort of arrangement!". In the end Kris said "If you're not with me, you can quit! You don't need to attend court!" and as she walked into the room she turned back and softened her tone and said "I already know your principle before I used this strategy and I respect you but can't you for once leave your principle aside in light of over love, just this once?" and Law Ba didn't look too convinced.

At night, Silvia and Kris, the former having facial, the latter a bath and Silvia said "Is it worth fighting with Law Ba over this case?" when the phone rang and Kris urged Silvia to take the phone and it was Law Ba and Kris rushed to take the call but Law Ba has hung up. She looked very disappointed.

Next day Kris, PK and everyone in court and Law Ba was nowhere to be seen. Ho Tai Keung's lawyer basically said no one can be sure who killed Wong Chi Kin, so the max penalty is manslaughter and he was actually urging that, all to bear equal responsibility, which is Law Ba's suggestion. PK stood up and basically said one thing is sure, Ho Tai Keung started it all, he was the trouble maker and so PK's client should bear no responsibility in this case since he didn't deliver the fatal blow. Next up, Kris.

Meanwhile, Law Ba sat in his car, looking at his pictures of his travels to I assume Africa. I also assume those were real Kevin Cheng pictures. Anyway suddenly he appeared in court fully attired, sat down as he and Kris were deliberating "Kris, quit this case now. Quit it for us" and Kris refused as the judge kept calling Kris to make her opening statement when they both stood up together and Law Ba said "My Lord, due to a disagreement in strategy and in principle towards this case with my co counsel, I have no other choice but to submit for your Lordship's permission to withdraw myself from this case" and PK looked shocked, Kris looked hurt and the judge was rather pissed and said "This is too sudden. Adjourned the case and I shall see you all in private".

Private should have been in judge's chamber since they can't clear out the entire courtroom, bringing accused to the back and all but I think they did just that. Judge said nervously "Barrister Law, if you have decided to quit, you should have done so prior to the hearing. To do so in open court casts a serious implication on your co counsel's case, and this may prejudice the case so much that I will have to move for a mistrial. Do you understand that?" and Law Ba said "I understand my lord and I apologise but I cannot against my conscience and ethics continue to act for my client if I disagree with my co counsel on the principles" and the judge said "You do realise how damaging this will be to your reputation to pull a stunt like this?" and Law Ba said "I understand I may be blacklisted by future clients, yes" and the judge sighed and said "Well.. since you're ready to throw away your own credibility for your conscience, I can't say I disrespect what you're doing. Request granted"

Outside the court, Kris met with Law Ba, motioned him to her and immediately gave him one tight slap. Kris cried "How could you do that to me? To quit in court like that? Have you ever thought of my case?! My reputation?!" and Law Ba said "I have, and I know what I am doing. Question is do you?" and Kris said "I am doing what I think is best for my client!!" and Law Ba said "What you're doing was exactly what I did 7 years before. And I came to regret that and I don't want you walking down the same path as I was. That guilty conscience is not easy to live with!" and Kris said "Why must I live with YOUR guilty conscience? I will never be like you! I know myself, I can control myself! Why do you assume we are alike? I am never like you, that weak, that susceptible!" and Law Ba said "You will go down the same route, didn't you say the reason you wanted to be a lawyer is to fight against injustice? After your mother's shop was cheated? Look at you now! You're doing the opposite!" and Kris angrily said "No no it is not your guilty conscience you're trying to sooth. It is the fact that you think I can never be as good as you, that I am beneath you in capabilities. I will show you! I will prove to you I can be better than you! You will see!!" and she stalked away as Law Ba looked on.

Next episode, PK kills Jing, Teng wanted revenge and Kris stupidly volunteered to represent PK. I mean what about Jing, Kris? He killed your best friend!!!

Like I said I understand Law Ba's stand and I understand why Kris is upset. I feel if Law Ba can't deal with such strategy, then perhaps he should quit the law. And I do think Ho Tai Keung deserved to be charged with murder although the rest bears responsibility by manslaughter. But no doubt, Ho Tai Keung started it all and he ended it all.

But it seems Kris is moving towards being totally unreasonable. Law Ba should just let her fall flat on her face.

Performance wise, Kevin, ever more handsome did well tonight although I am seeing less and less the talented lawyer in him. I mean we are to believe he is a great lawyer but I feel so far this series has yet to really show that; we just assume he is. You know what I mean? Like PK, supposedly a very good lawyer but again I just assume he is because the way they talk, the legal arguments, none of which will show they're great at what they do.

Shek Sau is awful as usual.

Eddie Kwan did very well. He is a good actor and I was very happy to see his Chik slapped that Susan. By the way a shoutout to Catherine Chau as Susan.

Now Myolie... luckily need not witness her speeding bullet train mouth in court but that last scene as she argued with Kevin, I notice everytime she argues or giving an angry point, she will point and bend her back forward. I just find that scene overacting, her expression painful. I don't know what to say of Myolie without sounding petty. Amongst her recent performances, this is considered her best and yet I thought she wasn't that great. I find she just overdone certain expressions to the point I felt embarrassed for her. She can do better than this.

Anyway 2 more episodes to go!