Before I begin writing this review, I have to a confession to make – that is I have not finish “Catch” because I am still waiting for episodes 16-20. The reason I decided to start off this review is because the long waiting had driven me crazy and so I need to direct all of what is in my mind out before I will forget what had happened. It’s funny how I didn’t like anybody from the cast list and the soul thing that driven me to watch “Catch” is the pairing of Fala and Joe. I did not see them together before this and have yet to thoroughly know Fala as an actress but from previous knowledge of their appearances in other productions, I do believe they have great chemistry. So when I read many good reviews about “Catch” regarding its interesting plot it was an additional bonus to watch this and so I started on it yesterday. Unlike D.I.E which is captivating because of its crime solving process, “Catch” is intriguing because you want to know the result of their actions. While D.I.E is a chillaxing type of drama where the audience simply just sit back and enjoy whatever is presented to them, “Catch” is breathtaking, seat gripping adventure that pull the audience into the plot without them knowing. “Catch” is simply an extraordinary and fascinating drama I have watch this year and I am proud to announce that it will probably be the best this year.
The plot is simple: it’s a dog chasing cat chasing mouse chasing cheese drama. Am I speaking too vaguely? The dog, an analogy to the cops, going after the cat, which is alluded to the thieves, trying to capture the mouse, representing a group of rotten individuals, whom is attempting to get the cheese, in this case it could be money or diamond. Notice that all the nouns are plural which indicates that there are more than one in each group of noun. Each team consist crucially of one leader to command all the actions so the team members can carry out. The leader of the cops is obviously Joe Ma, Damian Yau for the thieves, and Evergreen Mak for the other thieves. Together they form the general theme of robinhood.
The chemistry of all the characters in here is just simply great. If the characters have at least a few scenes with one another, you can feel their relationship, whether it is good or bad, as if you are in it yourself. The main focus in “Catch” however, is the relationship of Damian’s team. I believe TVB did extremely well in demonstrating the closeness between the team members as if they’re one part of the family. They interact so freely and comfortably but very professionally when it comes to working together. They understand each other so well without the other party haven’t need to say much and sometimes just a nod of acknowledgment would have you say aww because you can feel how much they know each other. These people were once strangers, come together under one cause – that is to carry out justice that sometimes the law neglected and they do it with a passion that when the good guys – that is the cops start talking about principles and rules, you ask yourself what good is your principles and sense of justice when murderers and rapists are walking the street and you can’t do anything about it except to wait and wait till they strike again. They have so much love for each other and care so much for each other and some might think the friendship is unrealistic but if anyone takes a moment to think about what they’re all in for, no one can deny why they’re so intact. The reason I believe hold them together is their common goal – to serve justice to those who have been neglected. Even if they are to disband, one dies, or two die, or even if only one is left, they will still much better than the cops because they have a goal, a direction, and a hope that the consequences ultimately will be good. They never once question why they chose the path that they did or regret any of their decisions that’s why they remain strong and standing when the cops, especially Joe Ma going through an internal debate. The cops are bound by rules and regulations that when they’re face with moral issues that require their judgment, they start question their beliefs and principles. One difference between the cops and the thieves is that the cops take it personal when it comes to bring out justice while the thieves take it as a duty which is ironic if you think about it. Joe takes it personal to catch Damien because of what he thought Damien did to his mentor just like how he also takes it personal with Evergreen because he thought Evergreen is having an affair with Fala. Dickson in an early episodes take it personal on Damian’s team at the bar and the rapist later in the show. The cops make it beyond their duty as a justice officer to catch these “criminals” because they place their emotions into their work so their minds are cloud with subjectivity instead of being objective and fair like they should have been. Damian and his team is different in that they make it their objective to do good and finish the job. No matter what happened along the road they’re still standing firm behind their original intentions because they believe their mission will result in good deed. They understand what’s right and wrong because they’re living in the reality of real world whereas the cops create an ideal world where everything is either black or white.
Truthfully speaking, I do not like Damian and Idy’s coupling at all. They have no chemistry whatsoever and their storyline is hella boring. I’m sorry to say but Idy’s character is one example of the kind of person I hate in real life. One key word is ignorant. I hold this strong belief that no matter how protective you are and how others showered you with love, you need to be self aware and understand what’s going on around you because at the end of the day, you are the one who truly care and love you beyond anyone else. It’s downright deserving when her husband wants a divorce. Imagine having to live with a walking zombie. A good wife supposes to be understanding, knowledgeable, supportive, and most importantly opinionated. She obviously lacks many of those characteristics because she depends on her husband for everything. And she supposes to be a middle aged woman in here? My gosh, how can you go through 40 something odd years of your life being so ignorant to everything. You would think she has grown up after the divorce but no, she is getting worst. Think about it, she found a place to live because Damian and his cousin allow her a place above their restaurant, she found a job because Damian asks Fala, She got the job and the only reason she didn’t lose it is because of Fala’s help. She is such a burden to all of those around her especially Damian and Fala since they are the two people that she’s close with. If anything I think she chose to be oblivious because why care when others will for you. Sometimes I don’t understand why Fala and Damian would do the things they’ve done to her because it is obvious that they give her substantially more than what she gives back to them. But of course, friendship and love do not measure by quantity but isn’t true friendship or love a two ways street. It can’t just be one person do all the giving and the other do all the taking. Overall, I pass forward all the scenes because her appearance aggravates me even more later on. I have no problem with Idy, the actress since I love her in Return of the Condor Heroes 83 (even though I hate that story) and the Grand Canal. I think TVB didn’t give her a strong comeback because her character serves no purpose whatsoever. Plus, her voice really bother me, is she always sounded like this?
Beside the plot, the most discuss topic in “Catch” is the love story between Johnson Lee, Sharon Chan, and Koni Lui. I think most people who watch this is rarely neutral in Johnson’s love interest because they either like him with Sharon or want him with Koni. I think I am one of those who could careless who he ended up since I started watching it. I thought Johnson is so easily falls in love with Sharon because if I remember correctly, he starts pursuing her already after their 3rd encounter. I thought Sharon and Johnson relationship is unbalance since it is obvious that Johnson’s love for Sharon is way heavier than Sharon’s love for him. He is head over heel for her and could even die for her if she asks him to but I really doubt she would do the same for him. Beside from the hospital scene before Johnson passes away, I really didn’t know that she even cares for Johnson at all. Plus she gets over him rather quickly but that I understand because they didn’t really spend that much time together so her love for him is not that deep yet. As for Koni, many people are hoping that Johnson would confess to having love her all these time before he dies. But I thought that would be unrealistic if he does so because it is apparent that throughout the show, he only treats her as a colleague, a teammate, or a sister. One might takes his occasionally flirting as a hint that he likes her but I thought it is just his nature to play around regardless. I really didn’t think Koni’s love for him is that deep either because in the beginning they seem to be fine and then suddenly when Johnson starts wooing Sharon, Koni comes out confessing that she likes Johnson. Maybe it is obvious in the beginning and I didn’t know. I think in Johnson’s heart, there is no space for Koni because he is in love with Sharon. But what I don’t understand is what he’s talking about in the car before he arrives at the hospital. He wants to have kids with Koni or is he hallucinating and thought he’s talking to Sharon? It’s sad how he didn’t even get to say his last word with Sharon. In terms of personality, I think he matches with Sharon since they both collects “doll” and they both experienced in the field of computers. In term of looks, I think he is compatible with Koni.
It seems like no one is talking about Joe and Fala relationship since most people find them boring. However, I think the reason I enjoy the middle so much is because of them. Yes it’s annoying to watch them misunderstood each other because their lack of communication but I thought their chemistry is great. Joe does look a lot older than Fala but their height and their appearance make them look good when they’re together. I enjoy watching them much more than watching Idy and Damian. I thought the way they resolve their misunderstanding is a little too fast because their misunderstanding is not simply the lack of communication and understanding for one another but it is Joe who doesn’t trust his wife. I think trust is always a key to any relationship and while I do not believe in blindly trusting your spouse but at least give them a reason of doubt. Joe obviously jumps to conclusion every time because he dislikes Evergreen’s character. Fala forgives him too easy and give in to him too many times. I can’t believe Joe has the nerve to ask her to quit her job. All these time he’s talking about principle and justice yet because of his insecurity, he asks his wife to quit her job. If Fala were to suspect him having an affair with a policewoman in his team, would he quit his job if she asks him to? I don’t think so. I agree with Fala that she has no reason to quit because she doesn’t do anything wrong. If she does quit, it is obvious that she is giving in to Joe and admit that whatever Joe accuses her of doing are all the truth. Joe is lucky in that he always has people to share his problems with, like his teammates. Unlike him, Fala really has no one. She can’t talk to Sharon because that’s Joe younger sister and it seems like Idy is no where to be found when Fala is in trouble, which by the way is another reason why I hate Idy’s character. I am glad they have a good ending because they deserve it and hopefully they’ll live happily ever after with their baby.
I thought the original ending is excellent and I rather not watch the alternative ending. Johnson’s death made me cry, not so much because he’s dying but the team’s reaction to his death. I can really feel that they’re devastated and are hurting internally. Damian for example looks really hurt although he tries not to show it to other people. It’s really sad seeing the team missing Johnson because the laughter just isn’t there anymore. Even if Jack is alive, I don’t think they can ever return to normal again without Johnson. I guess his death is necessary to trigger Damian’s decision in killing Evergreen but I don’t think Damian’s death is necessary. I hate it when TVB does it, killing off main character because they wanted a memorable ending. But I think TVB has other intention – that is to show that robbers or killers are predestined to have a bad ending. This is one thing why I think TVB is really narrow-minded and I hate it every time they do it. They always portray the theme that good always prevail and that going through loop hole or take shortcuts are forbidden. I mean, yes it’s true everyone wants to see the law serve the good all the time but it is obviously not the case in real life. They show lawyers who defend the bad guy as though they are criminals themselves and always give them bad ending. Think of Sammul’s character in Survivor’s Law and other characters in TVB series. Why can TVB open their mind to other possibilities such as their main characters don’t have to be good people ALL the time and they can be bad people too. The cops and the lawyers in all TVB shows always play by the book and if anyone do otherwise will be shown as extremely evil. I guess TVB kills off Damian’s character for the same reason too. They don’t tolerate semi good people, they want to show the audience that doing bad for good intention is a bad thing that consequence in a bad ending.
Rating:
9.5/10
