TRIUMPH IN THE SKIES II [TVB][2013][E]

WRITTEN BY FUNN LIM

"Anyway Jayden was super bitchy to Sam and Sam knew it"

Anyway entire episode is on Sam-Summer-Isaac-Jayden which makes for fantastic viewing. I must say though, Myolie's body rocks but her acting however ... I know she has her dedicated fans who says she has improved a lot but I belong to those who feels she has stopped improving since many many years ago, such as since Doomed To Oblivion. Whatever you see now is remnants of the fact that she started out the best, with the best potential of all with very earnest acting skills but somehow over the years her acting became like she is acting. I cannot get it out of my mind that she is still Myolie Wu. Somewhere along the way I feel she has lost that "acting feeling". She is not the worst but she could have been so much better. You can say Mandy Wong can take this role, or some tom boyish looking actress but the truth is, I'd rather Myolie than Mandy. To me Mandy is the new Tavia.

Recap continues.

Summer saved the day with her professionalism in finding the lightning thing. A classic comment by another technician who says "It isn't there! Why waste our time looking for something that isn't?" and Summer coolly says "I understand but what if it happened?" and I was like hey man, this is one job you can't be careless about!! and she spoke to the pilot Matthew and tried to figure out where did that lightning struck and after much time, she looked into the sky, saw a plane flew by and deduced perhaps that strike was hidden in the errr...you know "Jim, I'm a reviewer, not a plane technician!"..that flap thing on the wings thing. Anyway they found it! Summer was congratulated and she philosophised "You must diagnose the plane properly before giving it treatment" like a doctor. Her guys admired her dedication, in particular throughout this episode a certain technician named Teddy obviously has the hots for her but she doesn't notice him. She is like this... I shall use the term used by Roger Kwok's Solo in Awfully Legal, this island. She is buddy-buddy with her team but in a way where she still draws the line emotionally so they will go to her house to party but she will go upstairs to bath, exercise, eat her salad whilst watching videos of plane engines and all that stuff. Really hardcore maintenance/technician/engineer vibe.

Isaac is still spooked. One night again he sees "Zoe" in the cockpit, rushes into the cockpit and ... NOTHING! Spooked, he goes home and see Coco, Roy and another girl I can't recognise having a girls' night out and he asks them what if he really sees Zoe? And Coco says why not try the Ouija board. In the end what they got from the Ouija board is sorta like a confirmation that Zoe is back,  where I think they asked did Zoe came back with Sam and it spelt "Lover" and they all were spooked when the lights went on and it was Sam who of course scolded them for being silly although he didn't know why they were doing what they were doing. Sam asked Isaac sternly "Aren't you supposed to be studying for your exams (as captain)?" and Isaac says "Yeah yeah right" and he then asked Roy "And you?" and Roy nervously answered "I will" and he asked Coco and Coco said "But I am not taking any exams!" and Sam wasn't asking her about studying. Can't remember what he was asking her actually but in the end he walked back to his room to study and Isaac vowed not to tell Sam about the Zoe he saw, so that he won't cause Sam to feel the pain of loss of Zoe again.

Meanwhile Jayden at the cafeteria meeting the long haired technician again, who told him there was a lady technician back from training at Hainan. By the way I was told that is Calvin Choi but he looked.. different?

Jayden then coolly walked into the hangar, looking for Summer and here is this episode's entire mystery that will get you asking "Jayden, whatever did you do to cause THAT sort of reaction?". He coolly placed a tube of moisturiser on a table or something and walked away as Summer walked in, saw the tube, fretted and then Jayden as if he has rehearsed many many times said with a pleasant tone, "Hi, haven't seen you for a long time" or something like that. I am writing this recap from memory 1 day after broadcast, I can't remember exact words used. But I remember Summer turning, facing him, looking very grave and serious as Jayden said "I bought that cream from Paris. It is very good.." and Summer took it, opened it, turned it upside down and squeezed it hard, all contents emptied and Jayden horrified said "And very expensive!" but Summer just gave him that side eyes as Jayden said "Come on, it has been so many years. Can't we call a truce?" and Summer walked away and Jayden cried out "I will not give up! You'll see! You will forgive me some day!" but Summer just continued the way she was.

Pause.

I deduced Summer is Jayden's sister. He doesn't call her Summer, he calls her Ha Sun. Jayden is a Koo. So I assume Koo Ha Sun? The better question is what did he do to her that she so hated him? Whilst you may pity Jayden, later on after what he did to Sam, I screamed COMEUPPANCE!! He deserved to be given the cold shoulder treatment by Summer I tell you! And someone said to me she must be his ex girlfriend. Frankly I doubt Jayden will put so much effort on an ex girlfriend. Summer is family, question is did he did something to her, like a jerk he is innately?

Yes Jayden is a jerk. You will see why.

Continue.

Isaac was in the cockpit with Jayden when Jayden saw Summer's signature on the maintenance sheet and he ordered Isaac to check the coffee maker as he called the technicians and demanded to see the person who signed the maintenance sheet. Isaac was checking the coffee maker when Summer walked in, he looked straight into her face in shock and before he said anything, and I suppose Summer got that sort of reaction a lot as she immediately and sternly said "I am not So Yee and I am not Zoe. I am Summer Ha Sun" and she walked away and Isaac stared at her in shock.

In the cockpit Jayden asked about the faulty toilet and Summer explained and all that and Isaac walked in and heard Jayden said "Must you be so cold to me?" and Summer repeatedly asked "Is that all? Can I go? Anything else?" and Jayden repeatedly sorta begging her to stop being so cold and rude to him but Summer was not moved by him and so she left and Jayden looked troubled and Isaac was confused.

At home, Sam was busy practising and getting his feel back in the flying thing as even though Skylette employed him, he still needs to pass his exams to be captain again and for a moment I wonder "What if he failed?!|". Isaac gave Sam a box and he said "You left this with me, Zoe's things" and Sam looked nonchalant as he put away the box. Anyway Isaac asked "Sam, what if.. you know... you see .. I mean..." and Coco shouted "Dinner's ready!!" and he didn't get to ask his question. Dinner was pizza and Sam approved as he said "I'd rather you eat these takeaways rather than those reheated microwaveable food". 

Pause. 

Exams day for Sam. He dressed, looking cool as Captain and he remembered a weak looking Zoe said "Isn't it about time you end your holiday and go back to work?... I want to see that handsome Sam Tong in his pilot's uniform flying in the skies.. and you can answer my question .. what is at the end of the rainbow?"

Something like that. Sam looked teary eyed, I feel teary eyed, entire recollection was so tragic in its own way.

He went to work, the other pilot named Matthew I think will evaluate him, he will be flying for real and he found out Jayden just exchanged duty roster and will observe him in the flight. So when Sam asked for more fuel, Jayden coolly asked "Is it necessary?" and Sam said "Just in case" but Jayden said "But if it is not necessary, then you will have to offload the petrol in mid air" and the person whom Sam was requesting for more petrol asked "Err so Captain, do you still need that extra fuel?" as Matthew said "He's the captain, he makes the decision" as Sam said "Yes" but he looked like he doubted himself for a second.

In the flight, all was ok but Jayden was super observant when tower said to Sam there was so military exercise and to divert from that space and Sam agreed, but instead of just diverting a short way, he diverted like the long way and again Jayden unload his inner bitchiness as he smiled but sarcastically asked "Is that necessary? Such a long way? How do you explain to the impatient passengers?" and again Matthew said "He's the captain, he makes the call" and Sam looking a bit doubtful made the announcement and Heather prepared extra food, etc to appease the passengers as they will delay about 1 hour I think. In the end Matthew praised Sam for the great perfect landing and the fact that the extra fuel was used and so Sam knew what he was doing and Jayden again sarcastically commented that Sam was either lucky or he was unlucky in the deductions. Jayden then cryptically said "But if you have landed 1 minute later (again I just put a number), everyone will be happier" and Sam was like confused with that statement.

In the plane, they were having lunch as Heather looked on, Matthew at the back and Jayden asked "Tell me, how did you know about the potential delay?" and Sam explained he read the news and knew this area had a lot of military exercise and Jayden asked "But you heard the tower, you need not divert so far away, you can still divert within 5 miles from the area, instead of 60 miles away (I just put a number here  but it was very far). I mean you could have saved 1 hour of the passengers' time" and Sam in a friendly tone said "I know, but why take the risk? I am sure the passengers will place more importance on a safe flight rather than a fast flight" and Jayden sarcastically said "But that is just so wasteful of company's resources" and Sam said "Better be safe than sorry" and he went to the toilet as Heather said "Seems more like an inquisition rather than friendly discussion" and Jayden just smiled.

At the airport, the silly fanclub girls rushed with Jayden who saw Sam and finally that cryptic comment has an answer; if Sam had landed like 1 minute later, the girls would have qualified for overtime allowance since it will be beyond 11pm but now they can't. Sam realised he made a slight blunder in the popularity contest and Jayden happily walked away with the 3 girls in tow. Anyway Sam passed the exams but he felt like he was out of sync, out of times.

Pause.

The entire scene which is excellent was also quite educational. You see the 2 different approaches to flying by Jayden and Sam, both equally good captains and pilot but both with different approach. Jayden is the maverick one, he aims to do things which pleases the passengers and company, save fuel, save time, and if can't save time, be popular with the colleagues. He likes to take risk, so he questions Sam who did not fly within the permitted 5 miles of the military exercise zone. Sam on the other hand is more old school, he plays it safe. He wants more fuel, he'd rather delay if it is more consistent and more safe. He takes the long road to achieve the same results for the sake of consistency and safety to be sure. To him no incident means he did everything right. Jayden is not wrong; Sam is not wrong either. Some passengers may like Jayden as the pilot, but I prefer Sam. Remember the turbulence in I think episode 1? I do think Sam will divert to another airport rather than risk the turbulence like Jayden did. Anyway Jayden was super bitchy to Sam and Sam knew it.

Continue.

Roy asked Sam how was his flight with Jayden and Sam confessed he felt Jayden wasn't very cool with him. Isaac did not believe Sam's take on Jayden but Roy wisely said "I can understand his reaction. After all he was the only star of Skylette, now with Sam in Skylette, his status is shaken" and Sam just smiled whilst Isaac didn't quite believe his idol would be so petty. 

I can't remember when exactly is the next scene; was it here or during the pizza scene but anyway just recapping for completion sake since it is significant;

Isaac said "I saw a technician named Summer and she looks like Zoe" and Coco said "Yuu even know her name?" as Sam unperturbed said "Looks like Zoe? How can that be?" as Isaac says "If not 100%, at least 90% lookalike. You don't believe me?" as he stared at Sam who didn't betray any emotion and Samk said laughingly "If you can be a pilot, anything is possible" and Isaac pretended to be offended as he said he believes he can make Sam angry by saying 2 wrong things and Sam said he can do it by just 1 and Sam pretended to be angry and anyway they had a good time laughing. Isaac did mention he believe Summer must be Jayden's lover, as they had a lover's tiff but Sam told Isaac to mind his own business.

Pause.

I had a good laugh about Summer looking 90% like Zoe. As we all know, Summer and Zoe both are played by Myolie but indeed in the space of a decade or so, Myolie's face changed subtly but clearly, both due to age and some help from the scalpel. So it is indeed true Summer looks 90% like Zoe, that 10% being the real change. I thought it was funny.

Pause.

But he was! He was petty and jealous and sarcastic. Oh how I hated Jayden for how he treated Sam and doubted Sam and all that, like as if he was right. He was, but Sam wasn't wrong! Anyway I was so happy when he got his comeuppance thanks to Summer. Summer showed him attitude which he sorta showed Sam. Good for Summer!!

Continue.

Summer at her huge summer house where she lives with the 3 silly air stewardess (those in Jayden's fanclub), a few of her team and she welcomes all Skylette members. And I feel like everyone KNOWS everyone? This is the part I don't like. For a while this series was different but now back to the same old formula. Anyway before that Summer was jogging, Teddy running after her like her faithful dog (literally!) and she continued jogging, quite coolly (after all she is summer, as in hot but accessible as opposed to Winter which is cold and unfeeling) and Myolie looking great with her exposed tummy and all. A car pulls up next to her and it is Jayden who says "Why don't we do this? If I can stay with you the entire jogging trail in my car, you will have dinner with me?" and Summer rolled her eyes and jogged fast and cut into the stairs and Jayden's turn to fret a little.

Back at her house, she walked in and Teddy rushed to her and said "What is Captain Jayden Koo doing her?"

Pause. 

He doesn't know their animosity but Jayden Koo is the star of Skylette so he was curious what is a captain of a plane doing in the house. No big mystery with his reaction.

Continue.

Summer stared at him as the 3 girls giggled happily as Jayden said "I have decided to move into here. Since I can afford the rent, I am sure I can move in here" and Teddy didn't like his attitude and said "Who says you can?" and Jayden looked at Teddy and warned "Cut that attitude, you're not the one who makes the decision" and Summer said "I only have 3 rules" but I can't remember which 3 rules except for paying the rent and no outside people brought back to house (cue to Jayden - no lovers) and I think no sleeping around in the house? I really can't remember. Teddy again interrupted and disagreed but Jayden unload his entire load of attitude on Teddy and said "I have had it with your attitude" which is very Jayden-like and anyway he agreed to all the rules, Teddy looked unhappy, Summer looked expressionless, 3 girls squealed happily and Jayden looked smug.

Unfortunately he didn't like the small room, he hated the pillow, he hated the bed and he lamented "If not for Ha Sun, I will never suffer like this!" which is true. One of the air stewardess went into his room and basically invited him to her bed but she pushed him away regrettably as he promised Summer and her rules and then he saw the girl wearing a bracelet which he recognised as the girl said "Oh this? This is Summer's! She said some heartless jerk gave her this and she didn't want it and so let us all choose whatever we wanted". Jayden was angry, he rushed to Summer's room, knocked, Summer opened the door and Jayden angrily said "It was a birthday gift! It was a thoughtful birthday gift that I specially chosen for you! How can you give my gifts away?!" and Summer coolly answered "I didn't want any of it" and Jayden said "But I chose it with care! I bought it to give to you, specially for you! How can you treat my gifts that way?!" and Summer just stared at him, not much to say and slammed the door, and Jayden looked in utter disbelief that he can be so rejected by the one woman he puts so much effort on said "You will accept me again one day!! You'll see! YOU WILL SEE!!!!"

Poor Jayden in a way. So much effort, non appreciated.

All in all a good episode and a nice intro on Summer even if I groan on that everybody knows everybody thing. Summer is like a tom boyish individual island but she is not unfriendly; just not super friendly sort. I am however quite bothered with how eager Teddy is in pleasing her. I hate guys like that. As for Jayden-Summer mystery,  I haven't read any online description of them but I deduce Summer is Jayden's sister because Jayden will never use so much effort and take so much crap from a girl unless she is family. And oh so much crap he took and I believe he deserved it, for all the crap he dished out to Sam. Sam didn't deserve to be second guessed, not in front of Heather and certainly not in front of Matthew. I thought Jayden was a bit childish in those moments. And certainly very Cool Mort.

Performance wise, I will have to say, the 2 veterans that is Chilam and Francis, both playing different personalities are the pillars of this series. Without them, this series will not take off the way it did. They made this series enjoyable; I love Chilam for his attitude and Francis for his consistency. Both are very good actors in their own way and made their characters memorable. A special nod to Francis for his consistency. I am sure you can hardly find a difference between his Sam then and his Sam now. The mannerism, the behaviour, the way he speaks, all same!

Myolie so far so good. English speaking scenes are convincing, I am not sure if I am convinced she makes a convincing technician but she makes a believable tom boy with her lower tone of speaking. However I still feel she is acting like she is acting. I miss the old earnest Myolie. But this is not her worst and I look forward to rediscovering what made me love Myolie in the first place. I hope! Oh how I hope!

Ron Ng has a huge role in this episode, he was ok. Not too bad, not that wooden. Not earth shattering, just Ron.

The rest no comment.

By the way am I the only one who doesn't miss Belle at all? I never liked her in  the first series. And I am not a die hard fan of Flora. This series will work with or without her.