Sere Visions

Monday, December 15, 2008 - 11:08 PM

Gem of Life: Episodes 1 - 20

Episodes 1 -20

I was anticipating Gem since the sale presentation clip was released last year. TVB shocked us with the amount of sexual scenes and violence but it also promised us breathtaking sceneries, exquisite accessories, and a splendid cast.

I can’t say I’m blown away from Gem yet but I can’t say Gem is disappointing either. At the moment, Gem is above average. I hope it does not keep up this way. I want it to start picking up and amaze me with a great story. Gem seems to have no storyline right now. Everything is just happening and seems to serve no purpose. While I find Gem to be lack lusting in the story area, something still interests me and compels me into the series.

The Gem of Life revolves around the lives of three sisters with distinct personalities. Jessica (Ada Choi) believes in superficiality/money. Sylvia (Maggie Shiu) believes in independence/career. While Constance (Gigi Lai) believes in goodness/love.

Jessica is one of the draw in factors of Gem. Her story is the most interesting. While Jessica is superficial, the writers added more layers into her character. Such as her willingness to put up an act for her ex husband, her sincerely caring for her family etc. I find Jessica realistic and I like her despite her lies, cheats and tricks. And to add in, Ada is doing fantastic and has a lot more to offer us!

I was biased by the pairing of Ada Choi (Jessica) and Elliot Yue (Martin) because of the age gap. Now I am happy with the pairing. I have a rough idea what will happen in later episodes. I’m assured that Ada will have a very exciting story coming up. She will definitely shine with what her character with go through. Martin also as a lot more to tell us than we know. I can’t wait to see Ada and Elliot showcase their talent later on. Martin complements Jessica. He brings out the best in Jessica. Although Jessica set up tricks to attract him, she has genuinely fallen in love with him. He’s bound to find out about it and I wonder how they will reconcile.

Sylvia is the hard headed, career driven, rational, super woman which Maggie always plays. Maggie nails her performance. I hated how they made her ex-husband into a cheater. I would have liked it if TVB left out the cheating part and had him divorce her because of the lack of communication. The cheating was totally unnecessary and was just added to make him at fault and not Sylvia.

Sylvia and Calvin make a fun couple – I can't wait to see their development. Sylvia learned of Calvin’s past and her perspective on his character has changed. I think she likes him.

I dislike Constance. She does things that make me go “Huh?” For example, she hops onto a stranger’s boat and shows no awkwardness without pants on. Isn’t it cold since you’re in the water? I just find Constance very fake with her inconsistencies. She makes a big fuss and cries about nearly every unfortunate thing that happens - it makes me go arghhh.

Constance and Terrance (Moses Chan) are developing ever so slowly. What is the hold up? Get a move on already Terrance!

I am intrigued by Bowie Lam’s Calvin. He has depth and there is still much we have to uncover from him. He appears to be a flamboyant and filthy rich business man who doesn’t care an ounce about moral or ethics. But under all that, he’s a very complex man with a past that we still need to discover. One of my most favourite scene in Gem so far is his chat with Sunny (Kenny Wong) in the noodle shop. Calvin is not a total jerk. He became relentless because of the dog-eat-dog society out there.

Episode 10.
Sunny: Fish and meat are not suitable for me.
Calvin: What do you mean not suitable for you? Doesn’t everyone want meat and fish for dinner every day? Eating this simple is good for you, is it?
Sunny: I thought you were full from the last meal.
Calvin: I never allow myself to eat too much (that’s funny because I see him eating something in every scene :P)

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Sunny: I’m not talking about your business, I mean your meal.
Calvin: What’s the difference? Everyone is like this. When you have no money and you’re starving, you steal from others. I constantly tell myself not to eat too much. I have to steal others’ dishes. For this reason, I’m on top and you’re at the bottom.
Sunny: During the two years when we were chefs, you used to always come over to my place for dinner.
Calvin: Who are you kidding? I never ate at your place!
Sunny: During those two years when we worked together, you had no place to go to during the holidays. We used to take turns inviting you over for dinner. I’m bringing this up not because I want something from you. I just wanted you to know, from the start, no one put emphasis on who’s on top of the world or who’s at the bottom. The only person, who puts great emphasis on this, is you.
Calvin: Have I ever told you why I never went home for the holidays?
Sunny: I asked but you wouldn’t answer.
Calvin: If your mom was working as a prostitute to make money to keep the food on the table, would you tell anyone? I don’t want to care about status but truth is, there’s always someone on the top and there are those who are at the bottom. Once you had a taste of being poor, you will do anything to make money. Once you earn the money, you’ll use your wit to earn even more. This is how I am, why would I not care?
Sunny: With no past, there is not future. Do you remember your birthday?
Calvin: I don’t remember.
Sunny: But I do. It was yesterday. I remember you were over at my house once and you told my mother that it was your birthday. She cooked up a feast for you. If I remember correctly, you told me you were full and very happy that day.
Calvin: Why do you remember these things? I don’t even remember myself! Why do you have to bring it up?
Sunny: I remember everything that my friends tells me.

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