(568-word review) This season was low for me, appeal-wise. It's generally been lackluster, not to mention that too much was going on, which has resulted in clutter. But this was an excellent finale, and it was, without a doubt, the best episode of the season. While one of the reasons (ONE, as I know the main reason was Ah Sahm never telling Young Jun that Mai Ling is his sister) leading up to the most significant story element here of Ah Sahm vs. Young Jun and Hong/the Hop Wei, as in him and Yan Mi, was ridiculous, that's in the past; plus, the conclusion brought some actual excitement to this season.
Leaving aside Ah Toy's vengeance on Strickland, Leary's return to the driver's seat of short-term gain (getting immediate jobs for Irishmen, contrary to Strickland's teachings), with slightly more political intelligence and confidence from those teachings, the set-up for Officer Lee's re-emergence - and Li Yong's rise to some form of leadership (now having EX-Long Zii members move on from the tong and choosing to follow him), plus Ah Sahm and Mai Ling's reunion at the end/and likely subsequent on-the-same-side allyship, as those conclusions/developments aren't as compelling, my other takeaway was what occurred with Chao and another character at the end. That was more impactful than the climax of the internal conflict within the Hop Wei. If a fourth season happens, there's a good chance that Chao's predicament is permanent, and that would suck; we can all agree on that.
However, at the risk of inciting hope, I've considered two possible routes, diverging from that outcome: Yan Mi could somehow (and predictably) get off the train and get back to the railway platform quick enough to, again, SOMEHOW save him or (b.) Lee followed her there, preceded/potentially set up by his scene with Agent Mosley at the police station - his belief that the tongs could tie up that loose end, meaning he's nearby, saw what went down, and will come swooping in, saving Chao a second time.
Minor observations: (one.) Bill's appearance right behind Leary at Strickland's place was a classic case of teleportation; (two.) the "pay-off" of the Buckley-Catherine subplot, with her intention being Mayor Blake's estate, as Buckley is its custodian (which was mentioned in the second episode), wasn't worthwhile, though Stewart Gumm's (his assistant) involvement, especially his relationship with Catherine, was unexpected, in the style of typical 40s/50s-films' storylines; (three.) the one-inch punch by Ah Sahm was goofy, despite the Bruce Lee homage, and winning that easily (I'm not saying he should've been losing) against Hong and Young Jun was extreme.
This counts as both a season finale and a series finale. Everything felt conclusive and had a resolution, though some plot threads, particularly Zing's reappearance and Chao's status, were ambiguously open-ended. Another season would walk the balance between unnecessary/too much and successful, given how the story and plot lines are stretched thin, especially now. Most viewers still want at least one more; should that happen, I think it should end there - if only to give the show a more concrete ending on all fronts. However, if this is the final episode, it is adequate.
Now it's time, fingers crossed, for greener pastures, TV show-wise, with Netflix's One Piece premiering tomorrow. I already want today to be Thursday; I want it to deliver and stick the landing. THE ONE PIECE IS REAL!
Leaving aside Ah Toy's vengeance on Strickland, Leary's return to the driver's seat of short-term gain (getting immediate jobs for Irishmen, contrary to Strickland's teachings), with slightly more political intelligence and confidence from those teachings, the set-up for Officer Lee's re-emergence - and Li Yong's rise to some form of leadership (now having EX-Long Zii members move on from the tong and choosing to follow him), plus Ah Sahm and Mai Ling's reunion at the end/and likely subsequent on-the-same-side allyship, as those conclusions/developments aren't as compelling, my other takeaway was what occurred with Chao and another character at the end. That was more impactful than the climax of the internal conflict within the Hop Wei. If a fourth season happens, there's a good chance that Chao's predicament is permanent, and that would suck; we can all agree on that.
However, at the risk of inciting hope, I've considered two possible routes, diverging from that outcome: Yan Mi could somehow (and predictably) get off the train and get back to the railway platform quick enough to, again, SOMEHOW save him or (b.) Lee followed her there, preceded/potentially set up by his scene with Agent Mosley at the police station - his belief that the tongs could tie up that loose end, meaning he's nearby, saw what went down, and will come swooping in, saving Chao a second time.
Minor observations: (one.) Bill's appearance right behind Leary at Strickland's place was a classic case of teleportation; (two.) the "pay-off" of the Buckley-Catherine subplot, with her intention being Mayor Blake's estate, as Buckley is its custodian (which was mentioned in the second episode), wasn't worthwhile, though Stewart Gumm's (his assistant) involvement, especially his relationship with Catherine, was unexpected, in the style of typical 40s/50s-films' storylines; (three.) the one-inch punch by Ah Sahm was goofy, despite the Bruce Lee homage, and winning that easily (I'm not saying he should've been losing) against Hong and Young Jun was extreme.
This counts as both a season finale and a series finale. Everything felt conclusive and had a resolution, though some plot threads, particularly Zing's reappearance and Chao's status, were ambiguously open-ended. Another season would walk the balance between unnecessary/too much and successful, given how the story and plot lines are stretched thin, especially now. Most viewers still want at least one more; should that happen, I think it should end there - if only to give the show a more concrete ending on all fronts. However, if this is the final episode, it is adequate.
Now it's time, fingers crossed, for greener pastures, TV show-wise, with Netflix's One Piece premiering tomorrow. I already want today to be Thursday; I want it to deliver and stick the landing. THE ONE PIECE IS REAL!