(527-word review) This was a decent enough premiere, focused primarily on the usual: setting up plot points, on top of introducing two new characters, the new police chief, Benjamin Atwood, and Kong Pak - speaking of character introductions, I think there's still one or two to be introduced for the remainder of the season, as I seem to remember reading about the additions to the cast for this season; the police chief and Kong Pak weren't the only ones.
As such, this premiere didn't have much to write home about/enjoy immensely in that respect. I particularly noticed the pacing and how efficient it felt; every plotline had the right amount of screen time, with the structuring of each scene placement as the opposite of detracting.
The biggest takeaway was the return, following cancelation but subsequent resuscitation, which probably will be/is the main point of discussion - talk about how underrated this show is and how glad they are that it's back; eagerness to follow along with this season.
I'm here for mild entertainment (which is helped further by the fight sequences - the one in this episode was unsurprisingly good and an appeasing offering, entertainment-wise - but not solely because of them), and that's what I receive; it's only periodically I care about the storylines/am interested in what's happening in a connection way.
That has not magically changed now, especially with one episode only; a premiere (focused entirely on set-up), no less. I don't necessarily care about any of the characters or the progression/regression and development of their relationships, either - occasionally, some facets of the whole or within specific elements (at the right time) go beyond "mere" entertainment for me.
I've said that for impact's purpose for what I'm about to say next, and that's this: I am already interested in the direction Mai Ling's endeavors are being eased forward. She's on a different level than Ah Sahm and Young Jun, thereby putting the Long Zii on a different level than the Hop Wei; if truth be told, that was made clear to us from the beginning of the show with her association with Buckley.
And, in my opinion, if the struggle for being the one on top between her and Ah Sahm/the Long Zii and the Hop Wei culminates in this season or at some point if the show goes for a fourth (or more) in her defeat, I'm calling BS on that in advance.
I know her ambition and continual progression (while Ah Sahm and the Hop Wei are constantly scrambling for a mere foothold) could backfire on her - that seems to be a possible outcome - but plot convenience is convenience.
She's doing things and striving for more while her supposed equal is chasing his tail - there's no comparison; there's no doubt who's on top. But the whole "main character will prevail in the end" nonsense will likely occur unless the culmination will be indefinite allyship; that would be preferable to propping Ah Sahm/the Hop Wei up higher, illogically.
Despite the setting-up focus (all of which/the plotlines were paced quite well, by the way), and despite this premiere being "only" decent, it was sufficient.
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