Tiger Cubs Episode 1

A good start... as always.

Like most TVB series, the first few episodes are typically winners, and so even though I thought the first episode deserved an outstanding score, I give it a simple "Very Good" as a probational warning. TVB brews up some good series every so often, and I believe that if the writers stick to the standard Hong Kong formula instead of trying imitate other trendy obsessions (K-drama or American series) then they can turn out some pretty awesome story lines. I have hopes that Tiger Cubs can remain in a good direction even if we've already developed the typical cliched fore-running character types.

Him Law is already on my warning list because his character is based on my most despised character type: the hot-headed newbie who thinks he's a superstar big-shot just because he's probably done a few rewarding things since the beginning of his career. The standard development would be seeing him drilled into tamed complacency and become a "team-player", no doubt, by the strict, stone-faced expert team leader, played by Joe Ma. Coming to Joe Ma, his character is once again carbon-copy stock for his typical roles: the cool, level-headed, stick-in-the-mud SDU team leader who's life is currently perfect until he hits a nice big expositional bump in his relationship and his career; and thus, things will spiral out of control from there.

Add into the mix, a woman officer with a dark past (as dark as having your innocent fiance blown up in some criminal activity outside of anyone's control but the perpetrator's); Jessica Hsuan sports the detective team leader who seems weary of life, and simply goes through her daily work adamant about catching all the criminals. I'm hoping to see more of Jessica because she's an excellent actress, but her character doesn't seem to be standing out very well in this first episode. We'll give it time since she hasn't been on the drama forefront much lately.

Overall, this was a good first episode for Tiger Cubs, full of action, intensity, with a quick sneak peak into the human dynamics and personal vendettas and relationships of each of our main characters. At an hour and 30 minutes, this is longer than what I'm used to for a TVB series episode, however at 13 episodes, this is typically shorter than most TVB series. Maybe a change of format will welcome some new insights as well and we'll be well on our way to a good direction for Tiger Cubs.

On a side note, Kenneth Ma made an excellent cameo appearance as the first case's crime villain. Given the right roles and the right directing, this guy can settle into character really well without those flat line bumps that he sometimes gets in his acting at certain moments during a story.

So here's given a good score for the first impression of this series, but also hoping that the general direction doesn't get over-looked for more ratings grabbing cliched twists.

Read More