Warrior (TV Series) A Window of F*cking Opportunity (2023) User Reviews

One of the most epic episodes in modern television

[arbobk · 10/10 · 19 August 2023]

Wow, this episode was super nerve wracking and brutal with all the build up being worth it. Seems like they put all of the budget into this one. Definitely the best season of the series that goes out with a bang

love, friendship, revenge, blood and tears all rolled into one. Everybody's storyline just got a little more interesting

Also no spoilers but don't forget to watch the after credit scene... Is season 4 confirmed ? If so; can't wait. Knowing with the strikes it will take a while, but will definitely be worth the wait

But if this is the end... I'm okay with it. Almost every story angle is ambiguous enough.

Amazing finale

[dororomayumi · 10/10 · 19 August 2023]

I never thought I'd say a 9.4/10 (What this episode currently has) rating was a disservice, but this episode is such a masterpiece that I'd say it deserves higher. While this may not be better than Season 2's "Enter the Dragon" it definitely is on the same level and may be equal. This is easily the most emotional and intense episode of the show.

The opening scene is a masterclass in storytelling, plunging us into the depths of Mai Ling's complexity. While her character has been a polarizing figure for me at times, this episode paints her in shades of gray, cementing her as a truly captivating antagonist or perhaps even a character worthy of redemption. The direction of this scene is nothing short of astonishing, with every shot meticulously crafted to evoke a sense of deservedness that resonates powerfully.

As the episode unfolds, it becomes evident that the showrunners have meticulously tied up the threads that have been dangling throughout the season. Every plot twist and narrative turn feels meticulously planned, rewarding viewers with long-awaited resolutions that are as satisfying as they are surprising. The meticulous attention to detail pays off in dividends, as the story's momentum propels us toward a heart-pounding climax.

The action sequences in this episode are a unsurprisingly incredible, showcasing a level of intensity and unpredictability that's truly remarkable. Each fight and confrontation has weight and purpose, serving the overarching narrative in ways that raise the stakes to new heights. The choreography is seamless, the tension palpable, and the outcomes often surprising, making for an exhilarating viewing experience that demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible.

Yet, it's the emotional resonance of this episode that truly sets it apart. With a deft hand, the writers and performers collaborate to plunge us into a maelstrom of feelings. The characters we've come to know and love are put through the emotional wringer, and we, as the audience, are right there with them. Overall it just felt very emotional.

In the final act, the episode reaches heights of storytelling that rival masterpieces such as Mr. Robot's "407 Proxy Authentication Required" and Breaking Bad's "Ozymandias". The closing 20 minutes are an emotional rollercoaster, with a scene just before the Warrior title card that is destined to be remembered. Disturbing, emotional, and expertly acted, it's a testament to the incredible talent both in front of and behind the camera.

In summary, Warrior Season 3's 10th episode and finale are nothing short of a triumph. With exceptional storytelling, razor-sharp dialogue, and characters that feel real, this installment easily earns a perfect 10/10 rating.

After a strong third season, Warrior gives us a memorable season finale with one of the best choreographed fight sequences

[Holt344 · 10/10 · 20 August 2023]

We now witnessed the season finale of Warrior's third season, a show which I was very glad was renewed by HBO Max after being cancelled by Cinemax. The episode was directed by Loni Peristere, making this his eight episode he has directed and it's brilliant on so many levels. It was written by the showrunner and there's no one else than him I would want to write the season finale. Highlights regarding performance were Andrew Koji, Olivia Cheng, Dianne Doan and Dean Jagger. This episode keeps the tension and suspension going, leaving us with scenes and character moments that feel earned, mostly thanks to how the plot is quite slow paced. The finale also builds to the future, leaving us wanting more. Warrior have never been a perfect show, it have always been a lot of things going on but I feel this have been the most focused season. It's brilliantly shot, directed and written. Also some spectacular choreography and acting.

The railroad baron, Douglas Strickland was the new antagonist for this season and he's written in such a realistic way, the writers have possibly been influenced and inspired by other railroad barons and big business men. Adam Rayner plays him fantastically from his first appearance to last, showing off strong drama and also sword fighting in the previous episode. I find it quite nice in how the writers and especially Jonathan Tropper wrote the end game for his character, having both Ah Toy and Nellie Davenport seeking revenge for what Strickland had done to them, but also Dylan Leary on an entirely different front who noticed how he was being played. This was the right antagonist for this season, memorable and fitting the storyline of the season. Maybe not as much for Ah Sahm and the Tongs, but for every other storyline and characters throughout the season. I really liked the storyline for Dylan Leary and Bill O'Hara this season, on top of Ah Sahm. I was surprised how great the arc Li Yong and Young Jun had, nice to see important and side characters get more screen time and great writing. For new characters other than Douglas Strickland, I think Mark Dacascos as Kong Pak and Chelsea Muirhead as Yan Mi were two others who impressed me.

The final fight sequence came to a surprise yet it shouldn't have, this is something the show has built towards for two seasons, and I'm of course talking about Ah Sahm falling out and switching sides. Ah Sahm has always been our hero and Andrew Koji does a phenomenal job in the dramatic side but also the fight choreography, you can easily see him as a successor to Bruce Lee who wrote the initial story for the show and would have easily starred as Ah Sahm if he got to make it himself. But the sequence I'm talking about is of course Ah Sahm against the Hop Wei Tong, then after defeating them, he's up against his two best friends, Young Jun and Hong. This fight sequence (the whole sequence) might be the season's best, it has lots of emotional depth which makes it superb. I would have wanted it to be shot in a one take, yet this is one of the best choreographed fight scenes in the show, also brilliantly photographed and directed. You hear every punch, every stab. Like the episode; Superb, truly superb. After a strong third season, Warrior gives us a memorable season finale with one of the best choreographed fight sequences.

Outstanding Finale for an Incredible TV Series!

[skip-98756 · 10/10 · 28 January 2024]

Im giving this a 10 because it just blew me away! Everything you could ask for, edge of ur seat excitement, not afraid to kill off major characters, a cast that I just love and I dont mean just 1 or 2 but the whole lot of them are so well chosen and such interesting players with depth that really gets you involved, multiple mega plotlines all converging, I could go on but you get the drift! Not many series have this kind of writing these days...Banshee was one of those that did and I believe its creators are at it here doing this series...Its got the same kind of Ultra badassery going on, same kind of over the top but supremely entertaining fights, hot babes and That Vibe! ...This season ended with a wallop! I'd say the most interesting and explosive one yet. Hope there are more seasons to this adrenalin packed powerhouse of a series! Loved it!

"Have you tried the 18-year?"

[LegendaryFang56 · 8/10 · 30 August 2023]

(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!

[8.55] The million dollar question

[cjonesas · 9/10 · 10 October 2023]

On season 3: A little subpar season three after nearly three years, this time the episodes were not that stellar in each fundamentally structured one as was previously done in the super bright seasons one and two; the storyline plots and sub-plots were a little messier with no real coherence and cohesion between themselves microscopically but nevertheless well jointed (between themselves) by the end.

It lacked real fight spirit and soul of Bruce Lee writing action (presumably, my feeling); the twists and turns of events were not as nicely done like the two previous seasons and sort of minimally dragging, having at least 10-15 minutes less runtime to reach a balanced stellar level (in each episode).

I missed Penelope Blake (Joanna Vanderham) in the third season, while the other actors, especially my dear Mai Ling was there to compensate. I loved her flawless American accent once more and every scene with her in it carried a powerful, charismatic, mysterious and sort of mystical aura and vibe.

The events leading to the ending were brutal, dramatic, though a little unnecessary (story wise), could have been a little more peaceful and I'll miss Chao, who I like very much. He was witty and superior on all accounts. I truly wish he would survive.

After all those dramatic endings, do we have to wait another two years for a potentially possible season 4?! That would be the million dollar question.

• Screenplay/storyline: 8.55
• Development: 8.55
• Realism: 8.55
• Entertainment: 8.55
• Acting: 8.55
• Filming/photography/cinematography: 8.55
• VFX/CGI: 8.55
• Music/score: 8.55
• Depth: 8.5
• Logic: 8.5
• Flow: 8.55
• Action/crime/drama: 8.55
• Ending: 8.55.

Well-Aimed Punches, Better-Aimed Kicks - "Season 3 Review

[JoshuaMercott · 8/10 · 6 April 2024]

The ups and downs this show has faced, and still does, makes me wonder just who the real warriors are. Season 3 continued to deliver high-octane action, brilliant martial-arts choreo, and some of the most unpredictable twists from this genre.

The plot picked up with the forging of new alliances and the coming of new official terrors courtesy the SFPD. All the core characters whose lives fans (like myself) have been part of faced fresh challenges to their lives and livelihoods.

This season of "Warrior" also amplified the romance angles, which lent the story a glaze of heart-warmed affection worth appreciating.

What Andrew Koji (as Ah Sahm) brought to this story has to go down in TV history as one of the finest and balanced martial arts performances in recent years. He grazed the likes of Bruce Lee in more than a few scenes, and that's saying something.

Hoon Lee (as Wang Chao), Jason Tobin (as Young Jun), Joe Taslim (as Li Yong), and Dean Jagger (as Dylan Leary) continued to captivate. They each had such extraordinary screen presence.

Olivia Cheng (as Ah Toy) and Dianne Doan (as Mai Ling) delivered superb performances that made a solid case for season 3 of "Warrior" progressing into a fourth innings.

Speaking of which, the show and its players certainly held the fort. What exactly might have happened BTS, fans remain unsure. But it looks like there won't be a "Warrior" season 4 anytime soon; all the sadder for it.

Netflix seems to have taken over from HBO Max, so there's a small chance the new party may greenlight round four, but things remains doubtful.

Be that as it may, "Warrior" went out with a bang in season 3. I loved every moment of this show and am both surprised and saddened to watch it go (probably, at least).

Special shout-out to Kieran Bew (as Bill O'Hara), Langley Kirkwood (as Walter Buckley), Chen Tang (as Hong), Tom Weston-Jones (as Richard Lee), Miranda Raison (as Nellie Davenport), Nick Cordileone (as Agent Moseley), Chelsea Muirhead (as Yan Mi), Jazzara Jaslyn (as Eliza Pendleton), Dominique Maher (as Catherine Archer). This season wouldn't have been the same without them in it.

Late 1800s San Francisco came alive once more, with tongs and territories being the name of the game. Corruption, greed, and a good bit of racism and casteism added to the stunning blend of inhumanity the show capably balanced.

Counterfeiting rackets, railroad sabotages, fresh-blooming romances, surprising deaths, and even more surprising survivals enriched this final (potentially) season of "Warrior".

On the other side of the coin, empathy, family, choices, challenges, fate, and destiny all danced in captivating quick-step, rendering the "Warrior" TV series charming to a fault.

There are still so many angles and arcs left for them to explore. But if this is the end, then they made it seem like such an end as to be remembered and emulated. The show has certainly set a gilded benchmark for long-form Chinese martial arts storytelling for the small screen.

Let me close this review with quotes from the series creator and a key partner.

Jonathan Tropper (series creator): "Warrior is a show that simply refuses to die. Through platform and regime changes, the writers, producers, cast, crew, and our stunt team continued to make something powerful, relevant, and wildly unique. And now, thanks to Netflix, we've been given yet another lease on life, and I'm thrilled for everyone involved that millions more viewers around the world will discover it."

Shannon Lee (series executive producer and daughter of Bruce Lee): "If anything can be said about Warrior, with Bruce Lee in our corner, our indomitable spirit is REAL! And so, my wish is that the huge global Netflix audience LOVES Warrior and from that Love more goodness flows - in the form of greater recognition for our talented cast and crew who deserve all the things, in the form of passionate fandom for this relevant kick ass show and, if I dare to dream, in the form of an opportunity to continue our story for our amazing fans who, thanks to Netflix, will have grown in number and enthusiasm!"

Great series with great potential but...

[TristanSilya · 6/10 · 5 September 2023]

S1 and S2 are great. S3 started well but lost steam towards the end. It's hard to review all seasons and all episodes in one short review because there are many points throughout the entire series that was done extremely well.

In general there are many great arks and characters. S1 and S2 did a great job setting them up. The pacing is actually pretty good and it created a great path for S3 to come in and explore.

Albeit S3 kept many of the great elements that made the first two seasons great, it felt like a lost child in a candy store that isn't quite sure what he wanted so he tried a little bit of everything and never really quite got a real liking to anything because eventually they all tasted the same.

In short many of the characters started acting 'out of character' in S3. Doing rash and random things that made almost no sense. Some characters had absolutely no role the entire season. Others popped up and and instantly outshined previous characters that were around since the beginning.

The first half felt like they bit off a lot and the second half felt like they decided to spit it all out and glue it all together into one rushed contrived spectacle. Overall still a decent watch.