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

WRITTEN BY FUNN LIM

"Poor Isaac, the guy who is in everybody's life doesn't get his own "me time""

I forgot to mention a very significant scene in Episode 7 and until I watched today's almost final scene, I finally remembered. It was when Holly was taking out her stuff at Sam's place and Coco was there and then we see Holly taking out a doll, the Tri-Angel doll from TITS 1 that Zoe had? Correct me if I am wrong, Belle gave it to Sam who gave it to Zoe? Can't really remember. Anyway so that ties up the so called fated sort of storyline between Sam and Holly and of course Zoe via the Tri-Angel .

Anyway today's episode will be a short recap because 70% Roy-Heather-Tony, 5% Jayden-Summer-Isaac and the rest Sam-Apple-Holly-Tri-Angel . Which makes for 70% "What the hell just happened" scenes, 5% of excitement and 25% of some major plot development, at least with regards to the unnecessary character called Apple.

I love Kenneth Ma but I am sorry to say Roy's story always throw me off from the momentum of the story. Isaac's story is more relevant as he seems to be involved with everyone but Roy got his own storyline and it made no sense, except perhaps to tie up the loose end with the eventual affair with Heather.

And I discover, I don't really dislike Fala that much anymore. I don't really like Holiday, too much secrets, too much lies and too much excuses but she isn't a bad person to make anyone hate her. Between emo Holly and happy Holly, Fala did much better as the happy devious Holly. Which means tonight she didn't spoil the show. 

The honour goes to Roy simply because I don't understand why the story shifts to him. I find him rather irrelevant. Like a character too many. Let's not forget Him Him also is in here. So many characters still yet to be developed.

Recap.

Holiday snuck into Sam's room and said in an amazed and slightly offended voice "His room is like so much bigger than mine!". And very clean and organised too. Anyway she went up to the bookshelves and started looking and mumbling about some Guide Book. The same book Isaac wanted. So immediately I deduced ahhhh PPP again! Anyway whilst looking, and making a mess Sam shouted "Holiday!! Wake up! Breakfast!", like a mom would to her child. Of course she panicked. Sam opened his door room and was stunned by what he saw, so much so he looked like very confused. What he saw? Holly on her stomach, lying flat on his bed. He went up to her, combed the messy hair from her face and gently asked "Holiday.. are .. you... ok? What are you doing here?" and she pretended to wake up and blurry and made up an excuse like "Wha... what happened? I remember going to toilet, sitting on the toilet bowl doing my business, and then.. then I can't remember what happened. How I ended up here?" and messy hair and all, she started to scratch her head in confusion and Sam of course, what more can he say? If I remember correctly he told her to let's go, he will have to leave soon and when he left she had to leave too.

Breakfast and Isaac and Coco eating and Sam asked Holly to sit down and eat as she said "Oh the food's too oily. I think I will skip" and Sam said "Skip breakfast? No no, I insist. Sit down, and I will get you something else". Holly sat and said "Such good service huh?" and Coco smiled and chewed and both of them looked at how Sam was so caring and concerned about Holly. Sam said "Here, cereals, definitely to your taste" and Holly started to pour milk onto her cereal as Isaac and Coco both curiously looked at Holly and asked her what she plans to do today as Coco said "Let's go shopping and tire ourselves from shopping!" as Holly said "I don't really enjoy shopping" and Coco saw Holly's bracelet with the lock feature (key is with Jayden if you can't remember) and said she was looking for that limited edition bracelet and Coco wanted to see more but Holly was apologetic that she didn't have the key to open it and Isaac was commenting on having to wear an unbreakable bracelet like it was a bad thing. Anyway it was Isaac's turn being very curious since which girl doesn't like shopping? It was as if they were checking her out for Sam as I can't remember who asked what she was planning to do for the day and Sam said "Surely not on some working mission for NASA?" and Coco marveled "You work for NASA?" and Holly smiled and said "Not really.. I am going to check out the sky, the cloud and waves"

Pause. 

I forgot what was the third element she mentioned. Sea?

Continue.

I think Isaac asked "So what do you actually do?" and Holly said "I studied meteorology when I was in university" and Coco was very impressed as she said "Can you predict the weather today in Shanghai? Clear skies?" and Isaac said "Don't bother with her. When she found out I know about meteorology, she asked the same questions!" and Holly smiled as she said "I wouldn't know the answer unless I have access to statistics and data" as Coco sneered at Isaac when Holly said "You know what? Not delicious at all. I will go now" and Sam asked after her "Where are you going?" and Holly said "To my date with the sky, the cloud and waves"  and Sam asked some more as Holly left "When you are coming back? How long will you be out?".

Frankly Sam was like her mom, asking all those questions!

Anyway I suppose Holly went plane picture taking.

Isaac's exam taking day, can't remember the name of the test. Anyway he was with Jayden on a flight, Jayden will be sort of like his invigilator or assessment or something as Jayden calmly said to Isaac "Today, you're the captain. You will make all the decision, big or small" and Isaac understood as Jayden told Isaac to check with ground crew about some garbage compacter? I think? Isaac was about to leave when he stopped and said to Jayden "I heard Ha Sun is the technician in charge here. You sure you want me to go? I gave her back the watch, she didn't seem so angry anymore so maybe this is the best time for you to go?" and Jayden said quite wisely and glumly "No, you go. There are times you must learn to let certain things lie low for a little while, like women, you must give them space sometimes" and so Isaac left. He met with ground crew, Summer was there, then there was the engineer, and he was saying the garbage compacter, the middle one is not working, they can still fly for 8 hours but more than that, they can't be sure of the potential problems. So Engineer said they need to discuss this with the captain and asked who's the captain and Isaac said "Jayden Koo but I don't think the captain will trouble himself with this problem. I will be making the decision" and Summer asked "How long is your flight?" and Isaac said "8 hours 10 minutes" and Ha Sun said "You must change planes" and Isaac was like "What? Change planes? But we have over 200 passengers on board. How am I suppose to tell them to change planes now?" and engineer being very cautious said "You can still fly the plane, but if more than the time limit, whatever is the consequences, you will have to sign off and be personally liable. Are you prepared for that?"

Pause.

First, they only know NOW after everyone went on board there is a problem with some garbage compacter? I mean if it was engine problem of course they had to change planes. So it must be a lesser problem but still potentially serious. Secondly, Isaac saying he will sign some personal guarantee? This is insane! Indeed, even Teddy and Summer agreed Isaac is insane.

Continue.

Teddy shocked said "Are you sure you want to do that?" and Isaac said "If in worst case scenario, I will have to take some extra garbage bags then!"

Pause.

Or maybe step on the accelerator and arrive perhaps 15 minutes earlier? That might help?

Continue.

Summer looked troubled the moment she heard the term problem for the pilot. I suppose she may be worried for Jayden. Anyway she then said "Perhaps there is a way..."

Isaac went back into the cockpit, problem solved as he smiled and said to Jayden "I gotta admit, your sister is really something! She is so smart. She knows the solution better than the engineer. She figured out the third compacter and the middle compacter is the same and so switched between the two.." as Jayden said "Of course, the middle compacter if not working will cause problem" as Isaac said "Problem solved. She solved this when the engineer couldn't" and Jayden with some pride said "Of course. She is after all my sister"

Pause.

Love the way Jayden delivered that line. A sense of pride and a sense of certainty that of course his sister is brilliant. Isaac is right. The engineer only knew to say problems without a working solution whilst Summer thought of a simple solution without Isaac signing on some guarantee or changing planes with 200 passengers on board. She should be the engineer.

By the way 8 hour flight and only pilot and co-pilot?

Continue.

Anyway as Isaac sat down Jayden said "Have you forgotten?" and Isaac was like Oh yeah and he switched place with Jayden. Jayden now on the right, Isaac on the left as Jayden said "Remember, the captain always sits on the left. It is a very powerful position, don't ever underestimate the power of sitting on the left. Some can't even differentiate between left and right" as Isaac nervously checked his place as Jayden called the control tower and this time it was Jayden doing the talking and Isaac was so be ready to fly when he was a bit confused on left and right and then he adjusted, a bit nervous as Jayden looked at him and Isaac calmed down and I suppose did well.

Pause.

Ahh the control tower lady must be on call 24 hours a day. Same voice. And when it is time to speak more than 3 lines of English, conveniently Jayden now sits on the right, thus as co-pilot does all the talking in English and Isaac the minimum English. I find that rather amusing!

Frankly, with Isaac's quality as pilot, I will be surprised if he passes at all. No way he could be captain faster than Sam when he seems more incompetent than even Roy!

And why isn't Roy taking the same exam? Well you shall see why.

Continue.

Next long long minutes we have scenes of Roy and his double dating life and all that. There he met Heather and Tony on holiday by the beach in Taiwan and supposedly he heard beds creaking as Heather and Tony were next door when actually Heather didn't even get to wear her negligee as Tony was too tired and he slept. She didn't  blame him. Heather helped Roy with his girlfriend problems by taking messages, etc and in the end Roy was alone and he went hawker stalls eating. And the next 5 minutes or so was the weirdest of this series as this episode turned into some foodie travel show as we see Roy eating and eating and eating and eating until he saw a stall selling some fruit drink that I don't know the English name for when Heather said to him "You sure you want to drink that? Not afraid of diarrhea?" and it dawned on Roy as he exclaimed "Ohhhhh!!!!!!! I remember you now! No wonder you looked so familiar when I first met you again!"

And so flashback!!

Roy in cockpit with a captain who speaks better English than almost everyone and in Taiwan and captain gave Roy to drink from a flask and Roy thought it was alcohol and Heather walked in, different company, not Skylette as she said the captain was joking, it was water in it and the captain insisted Roy drink that fruit drink before the flashback which he did and spent the entire flight wanting to rush to the toilet and when landed he did, for the longest of time as Heather knocked on the door and an embarrassed Roy opened it slightly and a smiling kindly looking Heather gave him a new pair of trousers and said "Here, you can change into this".

Present day!!

Roy asked "You didn't tell anyone did you?" and Heather said no and Roy was thankful. You know he basically shit in his pants. Poor guy. Anyway they chatted happily and Roy explained how he ended with 2 girlfriends. He was casually dating both, in the end both became his girlfriend.

Holly was looking at the PPP entrance form I think. Can't remember exactly when. Anyway she sneaked into Sam's room again and as she searched through the drawers, she found the pilot note book thing and was happy when she saw a picture of Sam and Zoe on their wedding day and surprised she said "Zoe?" and so she took took the Tri-Angel  doll out and ...

FLASHBACK!!

Holly in HK  Taiwan at the airport and begging the ticket counter to find her a seat in the next flight to London but no seat as she pleaded that she needed to go back to London to celebrate I think her boyfriend's birthday. Sadly no tickets so she walked to a nearby bench glumly when we see a frail looking Zoe clutching her chest and saying weakly "You can have my ticket" and Holly was happy but concerned about this sickly stranger as she said "Are you sure?" and Zoe said "I was thinking of flying back to my husband in London, and you want to fly back to London for your boyfriend. Between us, perhaps you can make the journey" as Holly said "But don't you want to go back to your husband?" as Zoe gave her the Tri-Angel and said "Maybe we are fated to meet, maybe this is what it is meant to be. Take this doll, it is called a Tri-Angel , a guardian angel of love" [see the origin of Tri-Angel  here and here is the one in this series but is it the absolute same as the one in the first series? Googled it, looks the same] and I can't remember what Zoe said exactly but I think she must have said to Holly to give it back to a similarly fated person or something like that.

Frankly I don't get why Zoe gave the ticket to Holly. This might also mean Zoe died alone in HK Taiwan? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway Holly smiled and said "So Sam is your husband...".

Later some scene of Roy back in HK having dinner with Heather and Tony the loved up but boring couple and all that wasting time scenes. Anyway how on earth Heather could cheat on Tony with Roy? I am not sure I want to know. Not because I hate such scenes but because I know it will deviate from the 2 pillars.

The better scenes are the next few ones.

Sam was at the rooftop of the airport building somewhere when Apple appeared and Apple rushed to him and they were close and all that but Apple was actually an orphan picked up at the airport and Sam was her sponsor and she treated Sam like her favourite uncle and she did mention about Auntie Zoe. The moment she said Auntie Zoe, my mind went blank and I didn't care about their conversation. Toby Leung, looking much more haggard than Myolie even when she was supposedly sick calls Myolie AUNTIE ZOE?! So Apple is suppose to be a young girl. Can't they like find a younger girl? What about that girl that likes to scream her lines? How about Sire Ma? Or someone young looking?!

Anyway Holly was also there taking pictures and she saw them hand in hand and she smiled as she took out the Tri-Angel and said "Zoe, you don't need to worry about your husband anymore. He has moved on!" and after a while she said "I guess my duty is done. I will put this doll here, and hopefully another fated person will pick you up" and she left the doll by the ledge? or something like that and as she left, a hand picked up the Tri-Angel and I was like Jayden? No no, Summer!! Who by the way was also at the rooftop, making it THE most happening rooftop in the airport or anywhere else. She looked at the doll curiously as she looked at Holly curiously.

Holly was busy taking picture, this time in the middle of the open air parking lot when Summer also arrived. As she walked past by Holly, she remembered her and so took out the Tri-Angel and didn't want to disturb the busy Holly, quietly walked to the bag that Holly threw down when she was taking photo and slipped inside it the Tri-Angel . I suspected what would happen but the actual scene was darn funny. Imagine Isaac's reaction when he saw Summer in the cockpit and you will know what will happen.

Holly was looking through Sam's notes, drinking coffee AND looking at the pictures she took (laptop) when she saw a picture of a reflection in a car's window (which was Summer). She zoomed in and zoomed in and zoomed in and yelped in shock and poured coffee on Sam's note. Troubled she felt her bag and there she saw the Tri-Angel  and she was majorly spooked as she said "I.. I left you on the ledge! I did! What are you doing here?!" as Coco shouted "Holiday! Come down! Sam brought home some delicious stuff! You must try!!| and Holly covered the Tri-Angel  with a piece of paper and rushed down.

Sam was in pilot's uniform, Isaac and Coco all of them eating some jam with crackers or something. Holly looked troubled and was not concentrating as Sam asked Isaac "What's wrong with her?" and Isaac wittily replied "Don't you know? She's crazy" which pretty sums up Holly to everyone who knows her I suppose. Anyway Coco was saying the jam was delicious and how Apple could make such delicious jams with fruits she grown and they were discussing about Apple as Isaac said "I remember taking her to Ocean Park many years ago. She was still so little then. How she looks like now? Let me see her face, so that when I see her again..." and Sam teased him "And what will you do when you see her again? What? What?" and Isaac said "Let me see her face!" and Coco was curious too and Sam took out his phone and found her photo and Holly walked to them and looked at her picture and remembered that was the girl Sam was with as she said "Isn't she your girlfriend?" and Sam said "No. She is family, she is not my girlfriend" and this time Holly looked so troubled she rushed to make coffee and ended up destroying the coffee machine and she said guiltily "I am so sorry!" as Isaac said "No worries about that" as Holly made some excuses and rushed back upstairs and Sam with concern said to Isaac "You better take good care of the machines... and Holiday as well" as Isaac retorted "But she is YOUR friend" but well if big brother says he must, Isaac, you're Robin to every Batman there is, and so you must!

Holly back in her room, removed the paper and the doll staring back at her in a sitting position. Holly was so troubled and knelt down and was praying as she said "Zoe, I really thought Sam found himself a new woman. I .. I made a mistake, I didn't know. Please don't bother me! Please don't! I swear I will make sure he moves on! I swear!!" and the doll mysteriously then lays down flat and I tell you, if I was Holly, I too will look as spooked as she was in the final scene.

Very funny last few scenes, from Isaac's retorts to Holiday's reaction.It was spooky though, that reflection of Summer in the window. I can't blame Holly so spooked! And the Tri-Angel  back in her bag! Love Jayden's pride in his sister. Love Sam's reaction to the silly Holly, and Sam really looks like someone who is at total lost as to what to do with someone like Holly and yet he must be polite since Manna helped him when he was in London. He is an educated polite man. I love Isaac's interaction with Sam and also with Jayden, Sam his real stern older brother and Jayden, sometimes his best friend but at most times also like his adopted stern older brother, and mentor. How he tried to please the both of them is also funny. I also find it very curious that Isaac is in a position whereby he knows the most things about Jayden and Jayden seems unreserved when talking to Isaac about Summer.

What I don't get is Roy's scene. I am also choking with shock at Apple's scenes.

However I suppose this series has to go off tangent sometimes. But Apple at least is connected to the main story. Was she in TITS 1? I mean her character?

But Roy undeservedly gets the spotlight in a totally unrelated storyline. Poor Isaac, the guy who is in everybody's life doesn't get his own "me time".

Which is why I feel a bit unfair for Ron Ng. He is clearly the lead in the younger generation of cast here, he has loads of scenes, many of them important and related to the two pillars of this series as well as their connected ones which is Holiday and Summer and yet.. yet.. he is so ignored!!! So unfair!

Performances wise, Ron Ng did well enough when delivering those witty lines and retorts. He and Chilam has some of the best lines and when you put them 2 together, one Batman and the other Robin, they make the best pair. And when Robin goes off and moonlights with another superhero that is Sam, also the best scene. Ron has great chemistry with Chilam and especially Francis Ng who in one scene about Apple seems to be teasing Ron. I find Francis was generous in sharing a scene with Ron and sometimes Ron seems to get the best lines as well.

Francis continues as the pillar of this series, much more than he was in TITS 1 because his character was sorta boring there but here, he busies himself being the mother of the family and looking after the kids, now including Holiday. Francis still mumbles his lines but his mannerism, his every movement, so very elegant as an actor who knows what he is doing. And a mark of a great actor is one who is in a scene who looks confused, like why Holly was on his bed and is confused and at lost as to what to say or do when you know Francis the actor knew exactly what he was doing and all. I see Sam in Francis, not Francis in Sam. Fantastic performance.

Chilam has little scenes in here but again the other pillar of this series with his simple scene with Isaac and yet says a lot for the plot and all. Love his arrogance and yet his sternness and yet his pride. Also someone who knows what he is doing.

Myolie had little scenes in here today but you know, one face, one expression, one body language. I am finding her predictable and almost bland. Sorry but Myolie does not have the flexibility of the 2 pillars. She needs to loosen up. Surely when Summer is alone she is a bit more relaxed? Her expression troubles me. It is ONE expression. Reminds me of Ghetto Justice and I didn't like her there. I think there is some spark in Myolie's acting when she is either with Chilam or with Francis. Can't wait for more scenes of them together just so I can see a more varied performance from Myolie. As Zoe however, she still has that cheerfulness that Zoe had but like I said, I don't get that scene. It seems all too convenient to tie up the doll, Zoe, Sam and Holly. Odd scene.

Fala Chen, I have blasted her from the moment she appeared but in this episode, maybe HK's air is different, so she seems more acceptable. A credible performance, whilst another actress may give Holiday a sense of truthfulness in her perhaps belief in love, fate and karma, somehow in Fala, her Holly seems too often lying, making up stories or seems more like a cynic. I did not recap but here was was a scene of her writing a letter to her missing boyfriend and was something like she will be flying up to the skies soon. This in a way shows Holly as someone who believes in romance or a romantic, someone clinging on to her lost love, someone who is a bit like Belle I dare say who couldn't let go of what she thought was her true love with the cheerful personality of Zoe. However in Fala, Holly seems to have more of a sense of cynicism. I never thought Fala as someone cheerfully carefree but Fala did manage to inject in Holly a sense that perhaps she has said too much lies, not a liar but not truthful with herself. I don't think that was what was intended for Holly but Fala injected that. As long as she is not emo, I am ok with that.

Toby Leung looks like she needs a good night's sleep. Perhaps too much pool time with Ron who at times also looked quite tired?

Kenneth.. oh Kenneth... waste of my time today watching his Roy. I wish this series concentrate more on Roy as pilot. I mean even Isaac is taking his career seriously and Roy, perhaps the more talented pilot is busy chasing after 2 girls.

Anyway such suggestive scenes in 2 episodes already. Today was the bed creaking. Yesterday plenty of big breasted girls with Chilam and Kenneth.

So.. what's next?

Whatever it is, I hope for more Batman/Robin/Sam and also Jayden - Sam rivalry as well as perhaps Sam and Summer bonding, hopefully much to the annoyance of Jayden. I hope!