(641-word review) Judging from the general reaction, I was "supposed" to think this was incredibly intense or yet another phenomenal episode, or that was likely - if you put shows on a pedestal and convince yourself it's so great, as many people unmistakably do with this show, denying that it's serviceable entertainment at best, 99% of the time. Reality had different plans. This was worse than the previous episode. It seems like this season is gradually fizzling out, on top of being rushed now because of too many plotlines/plot threads and too much focus on the wrong ones.
We have Kong Pak, whose purpose was whispering in Li Yong's ear 24/7, whose death allows Li Yong to enter his depressed 'What do I do now?' phase, wrapped in some weak attempt of characterization of being close to him, which happens to be vital components of what happens in this episode - by the way, their fight sequence's choreography, and or the way it was filmed/edited, was a little underwhelming - so naturally, it must be impactful and layered: a proper lead-up to it and development of their supposed closeness, right? Wrong.
While having him in the show since the beginning would've helped immensely, accomplishing the desired effect through there being layers to his character and Li Yong's, especially together, in merely one season, could've still been done.
Instead, we get under-development to the point where it's shocking and unbelievable that the conclusion and encompassing nature were presented to be this significant, with some friendly sparring matches expected to fill in the gaps, followed by a repeat of the same conversations but in different forms; however, even if the writers were more imaginative, there would still be the issue I've continuously brought up: there's too much ambition going on here, much like with Mai Ling, ironically - trying to bite off more than can/should be chewed. Speaking of her, while her actions relate to Li Yong's current mental and emotional state, let's not pretend that Kong Pak's death has nothing to do with it; it's possibly the main reason.
And, despite many viewers rooting for Bill against Atwood - probably because (1.) Atwood is a new character and a hard-head, easy to dislike, and (2.) Bill has been on the show since the beginning; most people are accustomed to him, possibly attached, and it stands to reason that the writers were counting on that, wanting you to be on Bill's side - I wasn't. Atwood was in the right, not to mention the way Neels Clasen plays the character and delivers his lines is entertaining and slightly charismatic; he has a magnetic presence.
In other news, it's Part Two of Lai's Contrived Adventures, adding to the dubious logic of Lai and how she knew where Strickland lived (or where he'd be and subsequently followed him). What occurred this time, you wonder? She has infiltrated his cleaning crew. Isn't this amazing stuff? Whatever reasoning one may come up with, whether it's the claim that Strickland regards the Asian people working for him as appearing the same, generally speaking, as I'm referring to this entire plot thread, or something else, this isn't entirely logical. What about the rest of the servants, who must not be as alert and aware of everyone and everything in the building as you'd expect, especially regarding themselves, given Lai's successful infiltration, as one of them, which is questionable?
Last but not least, some of Harrison's (Nicholas Pauling) lines: "A lot less if I let those boys go," "Sorry, Bill," and "I can't." - sounded like Shay Cormac from Assassin's Creed Rogue. His accent has been inconsistent, though not as awful as that of Killy Donahue (Morné Visser). Because Shay's voice actor isn't Irish, and his accent was widely panned, the takeaway from the similar-sounding accents must be along the same lines.
We have Kong Pak, whose purpose was whispering in Li Yong's ear 24/7, whose death allows Li Yong to enter his depressed 'What do I do now?' phase, wrapped in some weak attempt of characterization of being close to him, which happens to be vital components of what happens in this episode - by the way, their fight sequence's choreography, and or the way it was filmed/edited, was a little underwhelming - so naturally, it must be impactful and layered: a proper lead-up to it and development of their supposed closeness, right? Wrong.
While having him in the show since the beginning would've helped immensely, accomplishing the desired effect through there being layers to his character and Li Yong's, especially together, in merely one season, could've still been done.
Instead, we get under-development to the point where it's shocking and unbelievable that the conclusion and encompassing nature were presented to be this significant, with some friendly sparring matches expected to fill in the gaps, followed by a repeat of the same conversations but in different forms; however, even if the writers were more imaginative, there would still be the issue I've continuously brought up: there's too much ambition going on here, much like with Mai Ling, ironically - trying to bite off more than can/should be chewed. Speaking of her, while her actions relate to Li Yong's current mental and emotional state, let's not pretend that Kong Pak's death has nothing to do with it; it's possibly the main reason.
And, despite many viewers rooting for Bill against Atwood - probably because (1.) Atwood is a new character and a hard-head, easy to dislike, and (2.) Bill has been on the show since the beginning; most people are accustomed to him, possibly attached, and it stands to reason that the writers were counting on that, wanting you to be on Bill's side - I wasn't. Atwood was in the right, not to mention the way Neels Clasen plays the character and delivers his lines is entertaining and slightly charismatic; he has a magnetic presence.
In other news, it's Part Two of Lai's Contrived Adventures, adding to the dubious logic of Lai and how she knew where Strickland lived (or where he'd be and subsequently followed him). What occurred this time, you wonder? She has infiltrated his cleaning crew. Isn't this amazing stuff? Whatever reasoning one may come up with, whether it's the claim that Strickland regards the Asian people working for him as appearing the same, generally speaking, as I'm referring to this entire plot thread, or something else, this isn't entirely logical. What about the rest of the servants, who must not be as alert and aware of everyone and everything in the building as you'd expect, especially regarding themselves, given Lai's successful infiltration, as one of them, which is questionable?
Last but not least, some of Harrison's (Nicholas Pauling) lines: "A lot less if I let those boys go," "Sorry, Bill," and "I can't." - sounded like Shay Cormac from Assassin's Creed Rogue. His accent has been inconsistent, though not as awful as that of Killy Donahue (Morné Visser). Because Shay's voice actor isn't Irish, and his accent was widely panned, the takeaway from the similar-sounding accents must be along the same lines.
