About F.B.I.

A few thoughts on the series and movies watched

Jan 11, 2010

Forensic Heroes Review



Genre: Modern, Suspense
Number of episodes: 25 (~45 minutes)
Released year: 2006
Executive producer/company: TVB
Producer: Mui Siu Ching
Production planner/manager: Wong Ching
Script editors/supervisors: Chan Ching Yee and Choi Ting Ting
Scriptwriters: Chan Ching Yee, Choi Ting Ting, Ma Chi Kan, Lau Siu Kwan, and Yun Sin Ying
Directors: Wong Wai Yin, Chan Chi Kong, Yu Tsui Wah, and Liu Cheung Shek
Production Assistants: Wong Wai Fong, Chu Hei Wah, Lee Duk Yin, Lee Fung Ming, and Chan Oi Man
Filmed location: Hong Kong
Theme song: ‘Heaven’s Net’ sung by Frankie Lam
Numbers of times watched: ~2.5

Forensic Heroes is the Hong Kong CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) or modern Witness to a Prosecution. The series is based on the work of forensic scientists and forensic pathologist in helping the police solve crimes. There are number of cases and a few (or more than just a few) relationships developed during the 25 episodes.

The main cases
Exterminating of the Tam family case
This case includes a family of four being murdered, the father - Tam Tak (Chan Wing Kei), mother – Poon Wai Fong (Chan On Ying), and young sister – Ling Tam Lai Ling (Yoyo Chen Ji Yiu) were all killed but the eldest brother – Tam Wai Sing (Pierre Ngo Ka Nin) lived. Lai Ling’s boyfriend Dick Chan Man Dik (Lai Lok Yi) was a suspect, leading to a brief car stealing case. Starting with this series captured the audiences to continue with the series. Mainly to introduce the main characters and basic introduction to how forensic scientists find evidence to help solve cases.

Harassing Kiki the Star case
This is a short case that happened during the first one, an obsessed fan Cheung Ka Lok (Simon Lo Man Kit) of Kiki/Si Ki (Iva Law Wing Han) that would harass the star. He would be taking pictures to an extreme point, sending her weird letters, gifts, etc. Part of this case was to help with the first case.

Dropping bricks case
Someone was throwing bricks onto the streets from a building, the police and forensic team once again tries to solve the crime. Suspects are Ho Yiu Gwong (Jack Wu Lok Yin) and Liu Yau Kuen (Siu Chuen Yung). This case is also used to introduce Tim’s (Bobby Au Yeung) father Ko Tun (Guk Fung).

Battered child case
A child that was hurt from the above brick throwing case got the police’s attention from the injuries on her. Both the parents Chan Gwang and Kwok Yim Ping (Cheng Tse Sing and Sherming Yiu Lok Yee) were the suspects.

Charlie murdered case
Tim’s wife Charlie (Jay Lau Kam Ling) was murdered. Charlie is paraplegic from a car accident 3 years ago. She lives in the hospital where Tim visits her everyday. One night she dies. It was originally though that she died from a heart failure but she was actually poisoned by kind of ‘tiger beetle’ that someone was slowly feeding her. Tim, Tim’s father and Tim’s ex Lam Piu Piu (Astrid Chan) are all suspects in killing Charlie.

Corpse in a Red White Blue plastic bag case
Mon Chiu Suet Man (Natalie Tong Sze Wing) was seen pulling a Red White Blue plastic bag, which had her boyfriend Joe Tu Siu Wai (Vin Choi Kay Chun) inside. Mon, Mon’s mother – Hing Yee (Chan Ka Yee), Joe’s other girlfriends Sue (Yeung Si Si) and Fanny (Winnie Shum Wing Ting) were all suspects.

Sewage skeleton case
There was heavy rain and the sewages needed to be cleaned out. The 2 sewage cleaners found a skull in there and called the police. The police and forensic teams went and found the whole body. They introduced how they can rebuild someone’s facial appearance from the skull. They put the picture in the news and Yung Sum/Aunty Yung (Fung So Bo) states that it is her daughter Yung Wai (Fala Chen) who lost contact with her 2 years ago. Others in this case include Red (Johnson Lee Sze Chit), Fung Siu Fa (Griselda Yeung Chek Na), Cheung Tai (Lee Hoi Sung), Lam Oi (Lily Liu Lai Lai), and nightclub manager, manager Fok (Ko Ming Wah).

Abnormal killing and raping case
There was a dead person that got raped found by a hill. Since it rained the night before and the murderer was very smart at destroying evidence the forensic heroes couldn’t find a lot of evidence. The ‘lazy’ cop Ho Wing Cheung (Yeung Ying Wai) and Cheng Hiu Dung (Vinci Wong Yin Ji) are featured here.

Floating corpse case
Madam Leung’s (Yoyo Mung) uncle Leung Hing Chong (Lee Kwok Lun) is a rude, sees money very tight, has an affair, and treats family members badly kind of person. He has all the qualities to be the worst character ever. He was found washed up the shore. He was drowned and the way he was found looked like he was kidnapped. His Feng Shiu Master Wun Tin Gei (Ricky Fan), his wife Mei (Mary Hon Ma Li), the driver Bong (Law Ho Gai), his daughter Leung Wing Kit (Josephine Shum Po Yee), his mistress Kam Hoi Chiu (Angel Sung Chih Ling) and Madam Leung’s father, his brother Leung Hing Lung (Yu Yang) are part of this case.

Hallucinogen rape case
A taipan family’s only male Frankie Mok Chek Ho (Matt Yeung Ming) was accused of rape by a model Ella Yu (Casper Chan Sze Tsai). Others in this case are Frankie’s uncle Mok Wai To (Felix Lok Ying Kwan) and Frankie’s druggie friend Fred (Nicky Law Kwun Fung).

Salty fish case
This is a small case that developed Frankie and Linda’s love line. Bak Nai Po Po/Grandma Bak Nai (Lai Suen) accused Dai Sor (Ricky Wong Chun Tong) of destroying her salty fish and plants. Frankie and Linda help and find if he did it or not. Others in this case are Bak Nai Gong Gong/Grandpa Bak Nai (Lau Kong) and the Bak Nai couple’s daughter Sin (Rachel Kan Mo Wah).

Committing suicide case
Yvonne Mok Suk Woon’s (Florence Kwok) ex-husband Chris Lo Wah Kin’s (Mark Kwok Yiu Ming) girlfriend Vivian Hon Lai Mun (Anita Chan Wing Yin) seemed like she suicide. The forensic team have to check if she actually suicide or did someone murder her.

Imitating murder case
Sam/Doctor Koo (Frankie) is a murder mystery writer. Someone copied the way how the bad people (the murderers or people who did wrong things and didn’t get punishment) got killed in the book. People in this case include Kenny Lam Siu Chong (Evergreen Makbau Mak Cheng Ching), Bowie Leung Wai Ho (Mak Ka Lun), Ha Tak Wai (Raymond Tsang Sau Ming), Kong Wan Kum (June Chan Kei), Bonnie (Patricia Liu Chek Kei), Hei Sum, Aunt Hei (Apple/Teresa Ha Ping), Lee Kwong Wai (Steven Ho Kai Nam), internet user Judge (Ng Man Sang), Mon (Natalie), Zhu Kai Ming (Kwok Duk Shun), and Tracy (Charmaine Li Sze Yan).

Kidnapping case
Following the last case and the last episode, Tracy’s friend Danny So Chi Man (Ellesmere Choi Tsz Kin) kidnapped Bobby because of revenge.

Leading Characters (The Forensic 4)
Timothy Ko Yin Pok, Tim Sir (Bobby Au Yeung Chun Wah) – The walking encyclopedia and the forensic analyst supervisor
Leung Siu Yau, Madam Leung/Siu Yau (Yoyo Mung Ka Wai) – C.I.D. Madam
Sam Koo Chak Sam, Dr. Koo (Frankie Lam Man Long) – Forensic Pathologist and mystery writer
Lam Ding Ding, Ding Ding (Linda Chung Ka Yan) – Junior forensic analyst

Supporting Characters
Madam Leung’s police team
Shum Hung, Ah Shum (Raymond Cho Wing Lim) – C.I.D. Sergeant
Ling Sum Yi, Josie (Vivien Yeo Siew Hui) – C.I.D.
Ching Wai Shing, Ah Shing (Oscar Leung Lit Wai) – C.I.D.
Lau Tsun Shek, Shek Jai (Eddie Li Yu Yeung) – C.I.D.
Ho Wing Cheung, Cheung Gei (Yeung Ying Wai) – C.I.D.
Forensic team
Yvonne Mok Suk Nuen (Florence Kwok Siu Wan) - Forensic analyst
Leung Siu Kong, Siu Kong (Fred Cheng) – Forensic analyst and younger brother of Siu Yau
Kelvin Chu Duk On (Wai Kar Hung) – Forensic analyst
Victor Ma Kin Sang (Leung Kin Ping) – Forensic analyst
Tong Lai Yin (Fu Kim Hung) – Forensic analyst
Ma Chi Dat (Tong Chin Hung) – Forensic analyst
Jeff Lau Kwok Ming (Deno Cheung Chong chi) – Forensic analyst
Tina Chan Man Yu (Candy Chiu Ching Yee) – Forensic analyst
Man Choi Wai Mun (Joel Chan Shan Chung) – Forensic analyst
Lee Hok Kun (Jason Lam Yuen Ying) – Forensic analyst
Kelly Yu So Sum (Amy Ng Hang Mei) – Forensic analyst
Rosal Yuen Sin Yi (Wong Ji Ching) – Forensic analyst
Man Mei Tsang (Sung Tsz Ying) – Forensic analyst

The first time I watched this series was after a few episodes were aired because it started to air in late June and I went back to Hong Kong in early July that year. Back then was when I first started to really follow TVB and news on series so I had no idea on what was going to air or happening in the TVB world. After watching a few episodes I found the earlier episodes to watch and I re-watched it again during Dec 2009 (That’s why it says the number of times shows 2.5 times). I don’t remember having any previous thoughts on the series before watching. Back then was the very beginning of looking for TVB news on the internet.

Actors/Actresses performances
Bobby Au Yeung – As always does a great job at saying all his scripts without feeling weird or forced that he is saying those technical terms or info. It is enjoyable but there is nothing super special to say about the character Tim, but of course without Tim the series wouldn’t be as great. His relationships with the other characters are also very good. He is without all the comedy he usually does but there is a different style of humor that still makes a smile or laugh appear.

Yoyo Mung – This is probably her best role up to now. She got my attention after watching (or while watching) it the first time. After watching FH and many of her other series (which I watched only because of Yoyo after seeing her in FH) it seems like she can only handle or act this kind of tough character that is like her own personality. She is getting better and better though, just slowly.

Frankie Lam – Just like Yoyo, this is probably the best role Frankie has had too and same as Bobby, there is nothing that special about his role but without him it wouldn’t be FH either. We know more about his character, his past and how he likes to help young people to get back on track so it is a likable role which I enjoyed watching but if it was something else (don't know what, maybe a case or more of Yoyo and Bobby) then maybe it would be even better. There is nothing to complain about him but it isn’t a big breakthrough role, it's another regular good guy.

Linda Chung – Ding Ding is a cute and lovable character so it shouldn’t be too hard for someone new like Linda. Although the character suits her, the start of the series still had a bit of over acting or annoying parts, but as the series slowly progresses it gets better. When she filmed this it was probably her 3rd year in the industry and her 5th series, so not a lot can be expected when TVB wants to push someone up this fast, but it isn’t the worst actress I have seen.

Relationships
Siu Yau and Sam (Yoyo and Frankie) – I pretty much forgot about this pair the second/third (this) time I watched it. They had a few scenes like on the beach arguing on Sam’s book, a few (1 or 2) dinner at Yoyo’s home with her father and brother arguing over her brother shouldn’t buy his dream car (the convertible), the misunderstanding of how they each think the other one will be busy and will not want to go out for dinner (Yoyo and her crew goes out to dinner while Frankie plays squash by himself) or misunderstanding of what to eat (letting the other decide on eating something they don’t like or are allergic to, Yoyo doesn’t like spicy and Frankie is allergic to seafood). They pretty much ‘argued’ every time they dated, with the exception of the first scene when Yoyo and her boyfriend broke up because he was getting married overseas while they talk about oranges and mandarins and the other non arguing scene is their ‘breakup’ scene. Most of their argues were calm so that 'mature' way is definitely good. Can’t say there is a lot or there isn’t any chemistry.

Siu Yau and Tim (Yoyo and Bobby) – I have seen some comments on the internet on their relationship in Armed Reaction IV and they weren’t that positive. [I only watched AR I and will slowly get to AR IV unless AR III (without Esther Kwan) is going to mess up, which I doubt since there is Ada Choi and without a good AR III, there wouldn’t be AR IV.] I don’t know how it is but Yoyo’s character in AR is probably not someone strong. As mentioned above Yoyo can’t (or couldn’t) do these roles. FH is really different, even though they didn’t have a lot of sweet/dating scenes and it was right away a ‘one night stand’, the chemistry between them is probably a lot better here. One of their best scene is when Yoyo was sick and alone at home, Bobby took care of her (more like took over) when he didn’t even allow her to move to get the TV control, it is sweet and funny at the same time.

Sam and Ding Ding (Frankie and Linda) – most of the time you could see Linda as the active one, Frankie seemed like he even avoided her at some point (possibly he noticed something or he didn’t want to ruin it for Fred). Linda would give him the shoe keychain, treating him like an idol because of his books, calling him to help with the Bak Nai couple, play squash and eat their spicy meal. There isn’t the obvious shot given to Frankie to show when he noticed her or the ‘fell in love’ with her shot while you see that shot for Linda when Frankie get the dirt off Linda’s face and she uses her mirror to spy on him. Thinking about it I can’t even remember when they got together, but when they were together and they were trying to cook it wasn’t bad. Overall it is another (or the other) sweet couple in FH.

Other relationships were Florence and Mark and Yoyo and Makbau. Short little ones that linked to cases.
There is not that many dating scenes or sweet love scenes, but it doesn’t feel like there aren’t enough of the relationships.

This is a great piece produced by Mui Siu Ching. I think the most interesting case is the first case on the Tam family and imitating murder mystery case, good way to start and finish the series (of course the first case could have been better but out of all the cases it is probably the best one to start with). Another good one and the scariest one would be Vinci’s case, it is obvious but seeing how they can’t catch him and how he challenges the law makes the case good. Overall you could notice who was hiding something or was suspicious (without that the series would be weird or plain talk), and it was a right amount.

This is a considered a grand production with lots of cast for different case, but not so grand because there aren’t ‘big’ names for supporters. This way it turned out giving lots of newbies a chance, especially Tracy (Charmaine Li) and Mon (Natalie Tong) who did really well through out their cases/series.

The series was well planned out, it could be forgotten after it is watched but the characters stay and because of the well-received feedback and ratings (slowly rising from 28 to 41 peaking at 43 with 95% audiences) they made a sequel.
Once again the lovely Producer Mui Siu Ching didn’t disappoint me. This is also the fastest series I have watched, in less than 3 days!

My Rating: 9/10, might re-watch

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