Bizarre Plot Twists to Conclude “Bullet Brain”
*Spoilers*
Bullet Brain’s <神探高倫布> faulty plot will become even more twisted as the series approaches its grand finale this Friday, May 10. The fantasy-like drama received many viewer complaints over its illogical and inaccurate story lines, even dubbed by netizens as a “plastic” drama. With just three episodes remaining, bizarre tactics will be used to wrap up loose ends.
In a rush to conclude the story, several supporting characters were killed off successively in tonight’s episode. Pao Ping On (Ngo Ka Nin’s 敖嘉年) wife Joanna Rose (Corinna Chamberlain 陳明恩), who returned to England after becoming pregnant, died shortly after the episode began. Joanna planned to return to Hong Kong to reunite with Ping On. The flight experienced severe turbulence and Joanna was thrown about in the cabin. She then suffered a heart attack and was taken to the hospital where she died after seeing her husband one last time.
Eva (Sire Ma 馬賽), who is currently in England, was notified of Joanna’s passing and immediately went to inform her father, Louis Kim (Joe Junior). After failed attempts at waking him, Eva realized that Louis has passed away in his sleep, quickly ending his story.
The final death in this episode was Mui Mui (Natalie Tong 唐詩詠). Charged with murder after dismembering and cooking a former lover, Mui Mui was finally sentenced to death by hanging. Columbo (Wayne Lai (黎耀祥) was able to see her before the execution. He presented a wedding ring to her to declare his love, and braided her hair as she had wished. Although the scene was touching and a moving tribute to Mui Mui’s tragic life, some complained it lasted too long and had too much dialogue.
In the preview for the next episode, Mui Mui seems to return as the undead, leaving viewers to ponder its implications. To add to the confusion, Columbo appeared as an Indian, sitting on a plane with a turban and darkened skin.
With unexpectedly low ratings and poor audience reception, this Friday’s finale will wrap up TVB’s disappointing attempt at filming in a new format. While cast members were initially enthusiastic about the new filming techniques, many now admit to the series’ failures. Whether the company will continue to diverge into unknown territories or adhere with its more traditional formats remains to be seen.
Source: Apple Daily
This article is written by Katrine for JayneStars.com.
No joke! The last few episodes has been good! Natalie has improved alot!
yes.
The last few episodes were very good indeed because less screen time of Sire Ma. Great performance of Wayne & Nat
I agree with you guys.
The last few episodes of BB has been really good. The ending to episode 24 was suspenseful. It makes me want to watch the episode!
I have watched this series from beginning until the episode 22; it is really good for me because i can easily understand the new plot of this series. Recently, I have not watched any TVB series but this one. Wayne Lai is good and Natalie Tong is excellent. I am happy that TVB did not even gives a damn to the rubbish comment that requested for cancelling the series. Some people do not understand the new plot does not mean the series is bad. There are still a lot of people enjoying this series, especially in USA.
I from the USA (New York), and I did not enjoy at all. Neither does my local Chinese bakery store owner or the local Chinese restaurant. Or even my friends and family. Even my local bootleg Chinese video shopping cart store can not even sell well on Bullet Briandead DVDs with the bad reviews.
Although there are some annoying scenes (like in the beginning when Sire first meets Wayne), the presence of a “crappy plot” and the use of “modern props”, I also enjoyed the series. There were some parts where I would wonder what would happen next.
I think what made this drama bad was because of Sire Ma’s character. I believed without her character, it would have been better.
I hope TVB still continues to explore new stories and new filming formats. I think it was a good idea on paper but execution was lacking.
My personal opinion on why BB has probably failed due to the following:
1) Over reliance on Sire Ma to carry the voice-overs and narratives. Great that TVB is giving newer actresses a chance but she is too severely inexperienced to hold long scenes as only character in the scene.
2) Audience expectation not met since the presentation, the trailer, and scenes from theme song indicate possible comedy
3) Production values seem lacking; film feels too bright to convey serious dark comedy – it was big miss if they were going for the slick MDWAV feel by the same token the first MDWAV was filmed about 10 years ago.
One weakness trumps it all. The script. It is inconsistent to say the least. Worst is the script itself is confusing. It tries to be so many things and failed at everything. I feel like I am watching a series with a mistaken identity.
I agree with you too smurf120. I hope TVB can still continue exploring different topics and using different approaches to film their dramas.
I think this is subjective. What I mean is: If a person let one of the weaknesses to trump it all, then of course the series won’t be up that person’s standard. However, if you look from various perspectives and have an easygoing perspective to the drama, then the series may be more interesting or make it more appealing to the viewer itself.
The plot was weak, but the acting were great.
Admittedly I have not watched every single episode and went into a coma myself during the Ping On/Dai He coma scenes. Good thing Natalie Tong kept it somewhat interesting.
I don’t have problem with switching genres and shift in direction since I am fan of strange sometimes off-kilter shows (i.e. Shameless, Dexter, Heroes, Liao Zhai). Think the mood and pacing ultimately needs to match. Pacing def failed.
Most importantly the genre changed faster than the script/story changed. Certain pieces of the story would stretch over the course of 2-3 episodes – think I read a commenter from another forum say it felt like 50 episodes even though only 20 eps aired.
that’s the problem if you have been jumping through the elements all too quickly in just 25 eps. Look at Drive of Life’s quality.
What return from undead? That’s the daughter!
Now from drama to comedy to fantasy to tragedy. What it needs now is time travel to complete every genre there is.
o.O
Columbo appeared as an Indian, sitting on a plane with a turban and darkened skin.
C’mon!!! now i have to watch it.
Columbo changes gender, becomes a woman, marries Ping On and the end.
Hehehe
you’re joking, right?
I hope not. Since this series can be anything, I will think why not?
I don’t think that would happen sadly.
I think it would be a happy ending where Pierre and Wayne becomes back to normal…
Before the last two episodes aired I thought they were going to pull a Donnie Darko. Wayne’s Dai Hai will beg for the chance to go back in time and get a death kill from the bullet making the whole show a fantasy dream sequence.
Now, that is a TVB series.
Such a funny and happy ending. Will wait and see ………….
That’s a pathetic ending suggested by you Funn.
This is getting wacky after I saw that preview. Lee Tim Sing is a LIAR, WTF! You promise this series getting better, few weeks back? Any progress?????
Coco,
Very well said; agree 100%.
Thanks 🙂
Personally, this show is very interesting, after episode 15. If you follow the show, I believed you will agree to me. TVB is trying new script, and I believed everyone had put in their best effort, please give them our support and applause.
well said 🙂
I find it getting better in ep 20 onwards. I really like Natalie in this series. She has done a good job.
I personally like the roles of Natalie, Edwin and Wayne as Ko Dai Hei. Sire Ma’s character is okay, but at times, she does get annoying.
And as for those who don’t find this drama interesting because of Sire Ma’s annoying character~
If a person let one of the weaknesses to trump it all, then of course the series won’t be up that person’s standard. However, if you look from various perspectives and have an easygoing perspective to the drama, then the series may be more interesting or make it more appealing to the viewer itself.
– this quote spoken by coco is well-said. It can apply to some people (:
Taking different perspectives and being easygoing is one thing, but to expect it in order to overcome or mask the obvious defects and deficiencies in a series is another. I dont think tvb, the producer or the actors warrant that much latitude given that they aren’t exactly doing this stuff for charity.
True but not all people aren’t bothered by the modern props, bizarre plot twists though.
its not about exploring new way of filming or plot, its the fact that a lot of scene are dragged out and nothing happened. its like 22 episode already, and you can easily tell the story in like 5 episode
I understand what you mean – I don’t mind watching slower character reveals but the side stories just lost my interest.
It’s better at the end than at the beginning. I’ve just watched Episode 23 and it’s much better than I thought. Plot twists were at least not as ridiculous as the previous ones. Natalie Tong did very well overall, while Sire Ma was OK eventhough her character is annoying.
Finally wrap up this terrible series on Friday!! Looking forward to the new one…can’t be worse than Bullet Brain.
Prediction of ending
1. Columbo dies
2. Ping On lives to regret his decision or whatever
3. Eva marries ..
You know what, I don’t care. Just end it.
#1 and #2 may happen. But for #3, I really doubt it. Eva will probably be heartbroken from the deaths around her..
And if you didn’t care, you would not post your comment. You do care a bit.
After watching Bullet Brain episode 21, I do not think number 3 would be true, Funn. As for Ping On, that sounds likely. But if Ping On’s Columbo dies, Ping On also dies unless he comes back alive.
Eva dies. Great shot Ping On, on her boob.
1. Not true.
2. True.
3. VERY true.
What’s that I read Columbo aka Tai Hei still young? When did this become a vampire series?!
Yes, it’s true. I thought so too. It became a vampire fantasy drama.
None of the endings came true, LOL.
Coco, Ending 3 was true though. Eva did marry Columbo
Never predict endings, Funn. Obviously, you were very OFF from the endings. Major fail.
She predicted 2 out of 3. Thats good.
What are you against Funn Lim?
Who did Eva marry? :/
And meh.
Why do you always come to the rescue for Funn?
Eva did married Columbo.
Coco, why do I question your intellegence?
Do you like Funn’s comments or something?
#2: only happened in Eva’s imaginary mind.
So technically, that didn’t come true. Hence, Funn only got one out of three right.
There is something to like her comments? Why don’t you stop being a dumb ass.
If there isn’t something to agree or to like, why are you running to her rescue?
Nikki, watch the very last end when the old granny Eva meets up with young ageless Columbo on the plane. Rewatch that part.
Coco, have you agree or disagree with someone? Do you wanna go back to primary school and teach you something?
That’s because Sire Ma’s character isn’t abnormal. Wayne’s character still is a normal character.
They are abnormal since this series does not make sense. TVB fool you.
Nothing in this drama makes sense or is logical. Everything’s way too bizarre and strange.
1. Nope didnt happen.
2.I wouldn’t say that he fully regrets his decision but that is somewhat true..?
3. only thing that happened.
what?????
There’s no clear evidence that Ping On fully regrets his decision. The scene where Wayne sees Ping On in jail, that’s fake.
Lille, why are changing your avatar? Stick to one.
If the pacing was corrected, show will not be too bad – here are the subplots that I was not interested in at all and could have modifications:
– Joe and Sire’s father/daughter relationship and fights over “Bobo”
– Lau Dan and Edwin’s misunderstanding – better established and intertwined into the story or shorter…as currently I don’t have any clue how it helps the narrative
– Edwin and Sire going on fact finding missions – ahhh cringe…happy if they just did montages, it just showed increasingly how dumb and emotional Eva was or became. In fact I lost most of my respect for Eva’s inspector character during her interrogation scenes. I kept telling myself I hope she gets fired because she tarnished the image of female inspector for Hong Kong for the next 50 years.
– Ping On’s family – should be more central to the plot but it was more introduction then nonexistent for 20 episodes.
-Probably more that I can’t remember
I had respect for Edwin but the current episode threw me off. I thought he would end up with Eva not that other girl.
And I agree with most of your points^_^ It reflected most of my thoughts.
By the end of May 8’s episode (ep 23), I was thrown off and this drama is way too bizarre (not in a bad way though)
I also enjoyed this drama. I felt this drama was really heartwarming.
I’m not trying to be snarky and I respect different tastes, but I find “heartwarming” to be interesting (and difficult) phrase to describe this show.
Which parts do you find heartwarming?
There are some people who are using different screen names keep repeating the same thing. Be aware of that.
That’s fine, @smurf120. For me, the definition of heartwarming is the definition used by Merriam-Webster. The dictionary describes heartwarming as “inspiring sympathetic feeling”. But a better word for “heatwarming” would be touching.
There were several scenes that stood out to me or was really realistic:
1) The scene between Edwin and his father Lau Dan when they finally cleared up the misundestanding.
2) The scene between Edwin and Sire having fun and Edwin remembering the little girl.
3) The scene between Wayne, Pierre and Joanna.
And as for Larry3, thanks for pointing that out but those were some of the touching scenes/felt very realistic.
For me, I was most touched by the scene when Pierre as Columbo sees back his wife and how she had his baby.. but it’s so bizarre yet touching.
You know lilie, you could have stop changing your e-mail address.
BTW, those are hardly heartwarming at all.
I didn’t expect you to agree with me, Larry since everything in the BB throws most people here off.
And fine with me.
You look familiar… Too bad you not that smart.
I don’t see you that smart either, larry.
Coco for coco puffs is back
No offense, Larry but if you and Coco are going to argue like there’s no other day, do it somewhere else. Most of us are tired and sick of seeing you two argue on almost every single article.
Rude.
1 more nightmare episode to go
yesterday’s episode wasn’t so bad larry3.
The entire story is BAD
Nah. it’s getting a bit better.
haha… How is it getting better? The story still is crap.
I don’t think I can convince you Larry.
But how the producer epsiode 24 ended was good though..
It was suspenseful.
If it is so suspenseful, they should have kill all the audience who are watching this crap.
Yea, I liked yesterday’s episode. Much better than the beginning.
Its even worse then the beginning.
TVB might as well kill the audience who are watching this series.
I watch the ending. The car during the hostage with Ping on and the young daughter… is really modern. I mean they can not find a old ass car?
The hospital scene where Columbo goes into Eva’s mind and do wacky stuff just to shot your ex-wife on to her boob… huh?????
The very end… 40 years later Columbo is young, Eva is old as a witch.
Fantastic drama.
Was the last part needed? “old as a witch”?
Yes it is needed, an old witch.
Out of all the characters, I only liked Edwin and that girl’s ending xD
Sire, Ping and Wayne’s ending is so weird.
Worse series ever.
This series should win TVB Best Series in 2013! 😀
Larry people like you really has issues,Its fair enough to express your opinions regarding the movie.But theres no need to go and brag about it over n over again.I also agree the drama isint that all interesting and rather boring,Dont watch it then!
Why are YOU contradicting yourself?
My point is that theres no need to brag on and on and on about your opinion when everyone gets your point already.
Then why are you reading the comment section. If you don’t like it, cover your eyes then