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

WRITTEN BY FUNN LIM

"Jayden told Isaac to take care of Summer. Sam told Isaac to look after Holly. Isaac, everyone's Robin"

UPDATES - 27.07.2013
A huge mistake, after watching Ep 10 I suddenly realised. Amend the part where Jim Jim and someone walked into PPP intro class and it wasn't his brother but Adrian himself.

There is a song for the football club called Chelsea which you can find here. The first few lines are;

Well this episode is mostly about Holiday and I thought, same song, but sing the following!

I am a bit tired today so I didn't make notes and I wasn't concentrating well and at the end of the episode I was like "Bummer! It's the most Isaac and his witty one liners day!!".

Yeap, I am a bit, you know, pissed off.

Anyway just to summarise; Holly is way too perky and Summer is still pretty much one note, even when she was begging.

Recap.

Coco and Isaac jogging.

Pause.

This should be a couple. They're closer to one another than anyone else, they flirt with one another, several occasions Isaac threatened to unleash his nakedness to a rather shy Coco. Why isn't this a couple?!

Continue.

Jogging and discussing about their suspicion Holiday wants to have a go at Sam. So back home, Holiday suddenly made breakfast except it is more like lunch. Holly said "I am not a morning person. I have low blood pressure. There are times I could sleep and wake up so late, that breakfast is lunch" and the two stared at her in disbelief. And Coco noticed the food and why she is suddenly so nice to them and I think it was Coco who asked "Why did you cook for us? Why are you suddenly so nice to us? Don't tell me me.. you and Sam are...? and Holiday was like "What? I stay here, I thought I can help out.."... "But you so nice to us... surely you and Sam are not an item?!" and Holiday was like "WHAT? NO NO!! We are not an item! Me and Mr I- am-so-serious? No way! I am just trying to be helpful and he was nice to me so I thought I will be nice to him" and Isaac was like "Good. Because you and him, you're so wild and he is so mild. You 2 can never be possible!" and Holly teased him "Are you sure you don't want me to be your sister in law?" and Isaac said seriously "No. Never. You will only hurt him. You and my brother is no compatible, ever" and Holly was like woah woah I get it. And she said "Well I was thinking what sort of girls Sam like?" and Coco and Isaac took turns to say one word each "Sweet... kind...cute..like Zoe" and Holly thought about it and smiled as she said "I see! He likes those innocent young sweet types" and she said "Well I have a suggestion. You see did you know that in London I had my heart broken? I am in HK to nurse my broken heart and I thought maybe I can find myself a date through those dating agency. Now this dating agency now has an offer, buy 1 free 1 membership" and they were like Sam will never agree and Holly said "Hey, it is not cheap you know! It is like Coco's 1 month salary, like $120,000 membership fee, per person! I don't have money so I thought why not you 2 sponsor eh? I can tag along! I mean Sam can tag along! What do you think?" and the two kinda got sold into the idea.

Meanwhile Summer and her gang finished work when a buzz from engineer dude, their head said they need to change the tyre of one of the plane, pronto. Teddy and the older guy agreed to go, so Summer left. Whilst on the way to the hangar, older guy got a call daughter fell or something and Teddy said he can call the wife to find out whilst he get the tyre out. Next thing, another guy ran to Summer and said Teddy got rolled over by the tyre and is in hospital. Summer is concerned.

Pause.

I so wish the tyre rolled over him and made him into a pancake and so thereby ends the tale of Teddy the Guanyin army. Alas, TVB is not so brief or colourful in issues about death.

Continue.

He got broken leg or something. Everyone said they will find funds to pay his hospital bill, the older guy feeling guilty wanted to pay fully but Summer reminded them Teddy was hurt in the course of duty and so is entitled to full benefits in hospitalisation and all that. But they all reminded Summer that the engineer is very small minded man and never stands up for his subordinates and he will ensure Teddy, who is completing his technician training thing, get the boot or at least gets pull down in his evaluation marks. But Teddy sings happily AND annoyingly.

Isaac at the cafe and he could see everything. That is Summer giving a cup of coffee to the engineer who was eating and very politely asked him to sign on the papers with consent to cover Teddy's medical claim. Engineer angrily and flatly refused and Summer very seriously said "I have followed you since I first joined this industry. You taught me everything I knew and you taught me to be serious in my work and to check everything which is the sort of person Teddy is. He is hardworking, conscientious and he knows his job. He is the best in the team. You can't deny him this" and Engineer said "And you know this Teddy isn't some lazy no good bastard is that it? His work performance is terrible! Don't let your need to be popular amongst the guys in your team to forget where your duties lies. He doesn't deserve this. So many questions. How come two men went and only 1 injured?" and Summer said "But this can't be a reason to deny him his right" and Engineer said "Oh now you're teaching me what to do is it? Ha Sun, you have become to arrogant for your own good. Now that the master has taught his student everything, his students pushes away her master. You are an ungrateful git" and he left but Summer held onto him and said "If I have done you wrong, I apologise. I will keep apologising until you accept my apology. Please punish me. Don't punish Teddy, he is innocent" and Engineer realised everyone was looking at them and he angrily said "So you are making a scene to humiliate me issit?" and Summer tried to deny it as Engineer said "You can keep being the popular one, their Big Brother/Big Boss like they're calling you now, as if I am nothing! I don't care!!" and as he tried to leave yet again Isaac walked to them and said "Hey hey, what's the matter guys?" and Engineer said "Isaac this is none of your business" and Isaac said "All I can hear is a worker got hurt during work and you refused to sign his hospitalisation claims" and Engineer slightly embarrassed said "Isaac I know how to run my own department, you need not concern yourself, you do not have the full knowledge of the facts" and he tried to go and Isaac gently pulled him back and said "Look, it is not hard to just sign the paper. Unless of course if you refuse yet again, and if this is questioned by the bosses, I will ensure they know the full story as I see it today. And I am sure Captain Tong and even Captain Koo will back up Ha Sun's claim" and engineer now worried and angry signed the papers as he muttered "Wow, you are really something you know that? So many top persons speaking up for you. You are really really something" and he angrily left as Summer looked at Isaac and said "Thanks".

Pause.

And throughout entire scene, Myolie had one expression. Pained look. I know Summer is not into begging, hence the awkwardness but Myolie seems too awkward or rather not natural. Something is off. I find her Summer such a pain sometimes, not because she is terrible or anything but the pained look kinda rubbed off on me.

Continue.

Summer alone on that popular hang out spot aka rooftop and Isaac looked for her and can't remember what he said except Summer replied "I have always been a loner" and Isaac said "But in this situation, it is not that you want to deal with it alone but the person you want to help you deal with it is not here"

JAYDEN! Isaac, suddenly so wise!

Summer loosen up a bit as she said "Perhaps you're right. But tell me, why are you always speaking on behalf of him (Jayden!)?" and Isaac with his witty one liner said "Because I am his personal representative"

Pause.

If in actual English, I think "I am his pimp" is more suitable for that sentence. But he did say he is Jayden's PR. So funny, so humble, so Isaac".

Continue.

Isaac said "I think your brother should know what happened" and Summer said "Even if I told you not to tell him, I have a feeling you will" and Isaac of course will do so.

Next scene can't remember if before or after.

Isaac's continuing exam day with Matthew, passed and all. I will skip this part, too many technical stuff. But Jayden was waiting for him if I remember correctly.

Isaac in car with Jayden, Jayden driving, they were chit chatting.

Pause.

I am curious about their relationship. You can't say they're friends. Yet you can't say they're not friends since Isaac knows a lot of things about Jayden and Jayden does speak to Isaac about such stuff. Yet he is Isaac's mentor. Very curious relationship, more so when Jayden sometimes is playful with him but mostly quite serious. But Jayden I could see is quite nurturing to Isaac. Like I said before Isaac has 2 big brothers watching over him.

Continue.

Isaac said "Hey your sister was amazing that day. She went up to her superior and basically demanded compensation for her subordinate" and Jayden asked "How did she do?" and Isaac surprisingly said "She lost" when I remember she won! Anyway Jayden stopped the car all of a sudden, looked at Isaac and angrily said "And you didn't stand up for her? I told you to look after of her!!"

Pause.

Jayden told Isaac to take care of Summer. Sam told Isaac to look after Holly. Isaac, everyone's Robin.

Continue.

Isaac shocked said "I tried, but I can't" and Jayden thoughtful muttered to himself "She must have suffered a lot of temper tantrums..." and Isaac stared at Jayden as Jayden said "You should have told me. I would have helped her" but of course they both know Summer will not agree to Jayden's help. Anyway serious stuff here. 

If this look incomplete, it is because a day after watching, I can't recall anything major after that.

Meanwhile I am sure the following scene is somewhere before Jayden-Isaac scene but I just recap here.

Coco, Isaac and Holly were busy laughing when looking at the laptop and Sam curious checked them out and found out they created a profile at the dating agency online for him, complete with his photo and some very OTT description of his likes and dislikes. Naturally Sam was angry and said "What gives you the right to do this?! Who did this??" and Isaac pointed at Holly who pointed at Coco and Coco pointed at Isaac and Holly, something like that and Sam said "I don't need this!" as Holly told him what she told Isaac and Coco and Sam said "You wanna date and you drag me into this? No no I am not going to go with you. You are on your own" and pushed them out of the room and they laughed very hard and Sam said "I am getting very very angry" and Isaac unperturbed said "Oh he is getting angry" and he left with Holly and Coco and Sam pretended to huff and puff, closed the door, looked at the profile and was at total lost as to what to do.

Well, Sam went with Holly. Sam looked very good as Holly unbuttoned his top button of his shirt and said "Ahhh very handsome" and they walked into a restaurant, Holly saw a model plane on  a table and gestured to Sam to go there whilst she found her date, flashily dressed and guest star King Kong (which means comedy time) whilst Sam went to his table and got a rude shock as someone under the table went OWW or something and up she stood and she was dressed like a french maid complete with cat ears' top hat thing and guest star Kitty Yuen Pui Yi (definitely comedy time) and both Sam and Holly were like "O-M-G". Sam sat down and was very gentlemanly, very polite as the girl went meow and all that on him whilst Holly had a pretty terrible time with a wannabe magician who failed in his magic tricks. When Holly looked over and saw Sam missing, she thought Sam got his date out of the restaurant and was a success so she played a trick on her date, told him to close his eyes and count from 10 to 1 and she will perform a magic trick in which she disappear and silly man said "WOW! What a magician!". Idiot! Actually Sam just went to the toilet, the weird woman accompanied him and they sat down and the woman confessed she was the owner of the dating agency, arranged 3 pairs tonight and she looked at King Kong and said "That one failed, yet again" as Sam said to her "So you're just here to hang out?" as she confessed "Nahhh I too am looking for my other half" as Sam said "You want my honest opinion? Lose the whole costume, it doesn't work" as the girl said "Well, I was hoping it might, I haven't been to the cinema for a long long time" as Sam confessed he too and the girl chatted very friendly with Sam who was being very gentlemanly and friendly and relaxed as he agreed to go to a movie with her except no love stories and the girl said she wants to watch horror film so that (as she demonstrated) she could cling on to this handsome man which is Sam and requested next time maybe he can wear his pilot's uniform to a date so she can show to the world she can have a handsome date too and hold his hand and suddenly the hand was dropped with a loud thud on the table as she caressed his hand and with concern said "Is you hand ok?" and I swear... I SWEAR the entire last scene where she dropped his hand and Sam's expression were unrehearsed. When the actress dropped his hand, with a loud thud, it was unintentional and when she said "are you ok?" it was unscripted and Francis' expression of clutching his mouth as he politely but laughed very hard was a natural reaction. It was also a very funny scene and I truly believed it was unscripted and unintended and I love both their reaction especially Francis as he tried hard to stay in character instead of laughing his head off.

Anyway this scene shows 

1. Francis does have a sense of humour and a lighter side; and

2. Sam is a perfect gentleman in the way he treated that weird woman.

And Holly? Irresponsible to say the least.

Sam came back and I can't remember what happened next.

Anyway I think he came back and found Holly looking at plane pictures? Was that later? I did remember her asking him a lot of questions about planes and aviation and he was polite enough to answer all her questions.

And this scene is screaming to us THEY BELONG TO ONE ANOTHER. Of course you will have to wait another 30 episodes or so before that even happens I suppose.

Next few scenes is about PPP and as expected, PPP is to facilitate Holly's mission to terrorise the sky and of course Jim Jim's side insignificant and already way too many people in this series story. Sam and Tony and 2 others (no Jayden-he doesn't attend such trivial stuff) were going through applications and he saw Holly's application.

Back at home he immediately rushed to Holly's room and in one of Sam's very rare moments of presumptuous bossy behaviour he questioned Holly on her intentions to the point he was shouting and she was almost sorta begging to explain to him her POV and he deduced "So all that dating agency, all those being nice to me, those are your ploy to get more info about PPP from me issit?" and Holly exasperated said "I meant well with the dating agency! And yes I came back to HK for the PPP application but I really want to join the program. Mom knows" and Sam angrily said "Don't bring Manna into this!You? A pilot? PPP is for those who has strong interest in aviation. I did not see an ounce of that in you!" and Holly now angry moved her hand over the books on her bed as she said "See these? I have been studying! I have worked hard! I am serious" and she showed him the guidebook which she accidentally poured coffee over and Sam did not take that lightly as he took the book and angrily said "I poured my heart and soul into these notes! And see how you treat it? Like it was some meaningless paper!" but he did not throw the book, he was careful to fold the book and held onto it as Holly tried to explain what happened to the book but Sam angrily said "Stop! Stop! You listen here Ho Nin Hei. You will never get to the interview" and Holly angrily said "What? Why not? I fulfilled the requirements!" and Sam said "Not on my watch, no you will not. You will only endanger people's life. You treat this like it is some game, some hobby of yours. I have never seen you be serious in anything, I have never seen you be dedicated to anything. Tell me, why PPP?" and Holly said "I love the sky!" and Sam said "No, you joined PPP because your boyfriend was a pilot. You're lazy, insincere and you lack dedication. You an't even dress properly, everything that PPP is not looking for you. YOU.WILL.NEVER.GET.INTO.PPP.EVER!" and he left angrily as Holly exasperated was you know being hyper angry and all that as she said "What's wrong with my style?!".

Pause.

Sam has a point but I feel he may have been too fast to judge Holly as wrong as a pilot. I mean look at Isaac. Does he give you an impression he is a good pilot? Wait! That is why Sam is always scolding him! Anyway never seen Sam in such temper tantrum display before. Quite scary. And when angry, everyone calls the other by their FULL NAME.

Continue.

Next day Coco, Isaac and Sam on a golf cart. Always could see a golf cart driving past beautiful landed properly. Gated community, car probably parked outside of outside and rich place. Believable since TWO pilots and an air stewardess. Anyway Holly appears dressing demurely in white and jeans and less goth/emo and even Coco and Isaac were shocked and she said she is going to try for PPP and Isaac stepped down from the golf cart in surprise and kinda felt happy for her and said "Well hop on. Brother can drive you there as well" and Holly saw Sam's darkened face and she said "No, I will take the bus" and I was thinking she is gonna walk all the way out? Anyway Sam took the cue and with Coco on the golf cart drive on as Holly walked away and poor Isaac, he was not on the golf cart and had to chase after the golf cart and jump on it!!! I don't know why but I thought that was funny. Isaac is always the one getting the attitude from the 2 pillars in this series.

At the airport or Skylette HQ or somewhere there, Holly arrived to see many many many applicants. Sam and Tony and 2 others (no Jayden!) checked through the names and said something like got 180 applicants or something and they need to narrow to 90 and then to the last I think 12 places. And here I was wondering is Holly good enough to be top 12 at all?

Inside the room, Holly got some attitude from some wannabe pilot. I think she must be the oldest there since the rest looks young. They were studying with tablet, laptops and books and Holly? Nothing. Maybe Sam was right about her. And in walked Jim Jim and his brother uncle, Adrian the big gun at Skylette (yes it is his uncle) and Tony welcomed Adrian and Adrian said he is here to accompany Jim Jim for the PPP and everyone loudly whispered "I see... there is advantage to being related to the important person here... the brother of the one with connections" and Jim Jim looks slightly embarrassed.

Sam and gang came into the room to explain about PPP and Sam whilst looking at Holly emphasised "PPP is for the young ones amongst you who loves flying. You need not have experience but you will need dedication" and Holly coolly smiled at him like "You'll see UNCLE!". Anyway interview time, we see some selected people being interviewed and I suppose they will be in PPP. One said he loved flying and planes and have studied all books since young and kept them. One said he was saving money to go to Canada or somewhere to join the aviation academy when PPP came along. Jim Jim said "After I retired from sports, I found myself being idle and without direction. One day (FLASHBACK) I was on a raft in the sea, looking at the sky when I felt something passed by and it was a flying fish. I saw so many flying fish. I thought to myself why can't flying fish fly? And I knew this is what I want to do for the rest of my life" and his nickname as a swimmer was Flying Fish.

Pause.

I thought retired champion swimmers become coach or open sports shop or become spokesperson instead of starting again on low salary?

Continue.

Holly's turn, Sam gave her that look and Tony was impressed of Holly's knowledge of meteorology as Sam said "She graduated with a degree in meteorology. Her knowledge in this area is expected. Miss Ho, Why do you want to join PPP?" and Holly said something about loving the sky and want to fly in the sky, some girly BS and Tony was impressed and Sam wasn't as he looked at her and said "Well, purely procedural, we need to test your knowledge. Can you tell me what is the difference between a 2 engine aircraft and a 4 engine aircraft?" and Holly was like huh? and Tony smiled and said "No worries. We don't expect an immediate answer. Like everyone else, you have 1 hour to tell us" and Holly was like ok but still major huh?

Pause.

I think I got the question right. I haven't googled yet. I assume the answer is one has 2 engines, the other 4 engines? If 4 engines, any engine failure still got backup of 3 engines? Can fly safer, more stable? Bigger plane? WHAT?! Can't be a trick question! Baffled like Holly so I googled; No answer.

Continue. 

Holly went back to the room to see everyone fumbling for the answer so basically Holly is ok to be stupid since no one knows the answer, not even the one who studied since young. I am pretty sure anyone with aviation interest will know the answer. I don't know. Holly sat next to Jim Jim, also busy looking at his tablet and Holly smiled "Why not we have group discussion?" and Jim Jim said "Sorry, I too can't find the answer at all" and Holly mumbled to herself, reciting the textbook and said "Surely I can't recite the entire chapter as an answer" which shows she did study but not very effective. After a while she suddenly stood up and said "This is a trick! A trick!" and she walked out of the room smiling, not even bothered to look for the answer. 

We see Jayden being pursued by a pretty girl to sign something and yes he signed, after he flirted with her and held her hand which was holding a pen to sign and poor girl quickly rushed away, blushing hard. Holly walked out of toilet and walked past Jayden and Jayden remembered her, cue FLASHBACK of that stupid hugging scene and he called out "Hey you!" and she looked back, baffled as he said "Remember me?" and he was gesturing his jacket and it took Holly some time to remember and said "Oh yeah, you! Hi!" and Jayden asked "You're here for the PPP?" and Holly said "Yes" and Jayden cheekily asked "Wait, are you stalking me?" and Holly smiled as she said "Believe me, no, not ever" and Jayden asked "How was it?" and Holly said "Well... it is errmmmm... you know.. I need to go back and don't ask me any more question, my mind is too full to think of anything else" and she walked away and suddenly she said "Wait. I heard that girl call you captain, so maybe you will know the answer to what is the difference between a 2 engine aircraft and a 4 engine aircraft" and Jayden walked really close to her and said "Surely you can't expect me to help you cheat"

Ahhh Jayden you are my hero!!! I half expected him to rush to Sam and insist on Holly joining PPP just to get to Sam!

Holly surprised and said "Can you help me?" and Jayden said "Didn't anyone told you nothing is free in life?" and Holly said "What do you want in return?" and Jayden said "A kiss" and Holly thought for like 5 seconds and said "Fine!" and she kissed his cheek and said "The answer?" and Jayden said "I already gave you the answer" and Holly was like "What? You did not!" and Jayden said "Ok, listen carefully. S-T-U" and Holly listened intently as he continued "P-I-D" and he smiled and walked away, with style. Holly realised she was duped as she angrily said "Stupid? Oh I am so stupid to believe you!!!"

Ha! Jayden! You made my day!! Will Jayden then appear in those PPP meetings and say I want this Holly girl? I hope not. Jayden doesn't seem like that kinda fella I hope. I mean he is all ego and all but he takes his job seriously.

As for Holly, I am sure she will find the answer somehow to show to us all the beginning may be fake but towards the end she found her love for flying and takes thing seriously. She has too because she will be the Isaac of this series except Isaac does not kiss and sleep with the 2 pillars. She will be Batgirl probably.

Story wise, no comment. Am too tired to talk more except today is entertaining because of Sam's outburst, Jayden's unexpected responses and Isaac's situation. Seriously, Ron Ng has A LOT of role.

Performances wise, like I said Myolie is still one expression and if you say she is good, also can, if you say she is terrible, also can. I find her terrible in a sense her performance tonight is like every night thus far, even when she was desperate and all that, she doesn't show desperate. Absolutely lacking.

Fala Chen is getting better as in her Holly is ridiculous but at least she has more than 1 expression. But seriously, I would have loved it is they switched role. Fala can do the sulky look of Summer very well and I seriously want Myolie to loosen up. Her Summer is getting to be a chore to watch. Not that I enjoy Fala better. I am annoyed at her antics. They're not cute.

The 2 pillars is now the proper foundation and you build a house of cards on top, the house of cards can tumble but still the pillar stays on. That is how strong both Chilam and Sam are. And if you think they're rivals, think again. Their roles complement one another. Even just a few scenes, Chilam dominates. Just  few scenes and still Francis dominates. Together, they're dynamite and I wish Jayden is gay so he can end up with Sam and I bet Sam's the bossy mother and Jayden the cool but stern father. Isaac can be the son.

Ron Ng continues to be effective. Maybe I have low expectations, but I really like watching his Isaac in here. He is still limited expression but compared to Myolie, I can see sarcasm, I can see like "What the hell dude?" moments in his expressions even if they're like half dead and Ron is the most unbelievable pilot ever because look at him! Pilot?! But still he was more enjoyable in part because he has the best lines but also because he is not as reserved as he was in the past. He has matured as an actor even if seriously if without those lines, his Isaac will be a chore to watch too.

No Kenneth tonight. Thank heaves no Toby as well.

Best scene tonight has to be the unscripted moment that I wrote above. I truly believe it was unscripted. Very funny.

This series is still interesting with good momentum even if sometimes the momentum is disrupted by some unnecessary characters. I feel the need to have more people but I don't see the need to give them any more importance than to be fillers.