Review: “The Life and Times of a Sentinel” (TVB 2011)

 

What’s This About?

It’s the Qing Dynasty, Hong Hei is emperor and you know what that means, anti-Qing! Rest assured that’s only the mandatory side plot which turns into dust by historical compulsion. Much of the remaining story focuses on power-hungry Kenneth Ma whose supposed reign was obfuscated by Ching Hor Wai, who either had a seventh sense about evil children or was just playing favourites. Luckily for audiences, Kenneth learns about Ching’s treachery, and together with a half-baked Steven Ma, begin their (when I say their, I really mean Kenneth) plans to dethrone Power Chan and possibly give Ching her just deserts. Selena Li also shows up though I’m still wondering why…

Review Begins Here

Gone are the days where protagonists in wuxia-slash-ancient-costume series actually spend time learning their martial arts. Instead, in this fast-moving world of economics, entertainment and politics, they should now enter a drama series already well endowed, martially of course. This upsets me in a way. We’ve lost a closeness with these protagonists. They don’t seem reachable or knowable. I cannot bring myself to care for their plight anymore.

Okay it’s probably artificial to expect Kenneth or Steven, both nearing the big four zero, to be schooled martially; but to me it just takes away from the fun of it all. The adventures and jokes to be had. Obviously I know this series has no use for such adventures and jokes because… actually it could have well used some of that.

Gone also are the days when you wouldn’t feel like throwing whatever you’re eating into the TV or monitor. What is with the horrible computer generated images of the Forbidden Palace? Can’t TVB just send some photographers there to take a bunch of stills for use in their series? All grandeur is lost by showing us such grotesque images. We never really feel the Imperial Palace is “Imperial” or a “Palace.” Sure we see nicely adorned rooms, but what of the long vacant corridors and the countless red pillars? And why does Power Chan keep pointing? What is he pointing at? Roaches?

A speaker may point to be emphatic while trying to persuade. But when you’re King, you don’t need to persuade. You are law. Power is adequate as Emperor, but like the computer graphics, all grandeur is lost. Look and feel is something we don’t like to admit is important because it’s shallow. Sometimes though, it is mighty important.

Faces of TVB
Let’s not dwell on minor issues. Let us focus on larger problems. For instance how can Elaine Yiu hold any meaningful conversation with Natalie Tong when she’s making that “the-words-coming-out-of-my-mouth-are-all-lies” face. I know she’s trying to display jealousy and/or spite but in terms of the narrative, she’s a tad too obvious.

While we are talking obvious, we might as well talk Kenneth. He truly deserves an award for covering the most facial expressions in the least amount of scenes. So it might be an editing stuff-up but it doesn’t displace the fact he’s just too exaggerative. Being such a cold and calculating character, he really shouldn’t be wearing his emotions. There’s also a problem with his fury faces. He’s angry yes, but there lacks the fiery that installs terror.

I am also curious as why Selena, when acting as Princess trying to aid the anti-Qing bad guys, she puts on a very standoffish attitude towards Steven, who is just asking questions out of care.

This should have set alarm bells in the usually “prudent” Steven that something uncanny stirs. Why is she acting all regal at one point in time, but then several scenes later she’s off in a cornering reminiscing the heart-breaking memories of being able to wander freely on the streets of wherever and chit-chatting with Steven like old buddies or pre-lovers?
 

To top that off why are are scenes of torture all that I can remember at this point about the series? And why was Selena’s “maid,” who was anti-Qing, so young and seemingly fragile? Was it her cover or was it because TVB has no more armoury (also known as the “second-line female support staff”) to fill such shoes. Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, such roles would have been given to actresses of higher standing, acting standing that is. Someone seems to have just pluck a number and drew Lily Ho。