This is a pretty good show but one thing ruins it for me
I’ll admit, I loved the first Big White Duel season, so I was hoping for more awesomeness in this. I suspended my disbelief for some of the miraculous surgeries carried out in this drama by the amazing cast, and I can ignore some of the small plotholes it presents, but one thing I could mot forgive is Natalie Tong. Why does she nearly always play a dumb character in these dramas? I really, really hated her character Cherry in My Unfair Lady and how she treated Vincent Wong I wanted to throw my teacup at my TV, and here she does it again by being an unbelievable idiot that it blows my mind. In the drama it shows she made some past decisions that were extremely childish and selfish, and in the present day while dating Kenneth Ma’s character Dr. Tong Ming, she again makes stupid decisions that lead to her misfortune - her own fault - and she decides to just be friends with Tong Ming. Like wtf? This show should he an 8 or 9, but her character pulls it down to a 7.Was this review helpful to you?
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You think you're going for a rollercoaster, but it's just a ride that goes in circles
The show can be summarized with one word, "anti-climatic". Firstly, the storyline is heavily focused on obtaining funding to give patients open access to all medical needs. While this is a meaningful theme, the way they executed it is beyond dull. There was always a build up for something bad to happen, but then nothing bad actually ends up happening. For example, both Zoey and Yan gets stabbed in different instances, but they both heal perfectly fine. The one that's absolutely crazy is YT was supposed to have so many side effects after his surgery, but somehow he also has zero effects but continues to be a surgeon. Not even a low key family doctor, but a surgeon, we all need a doctor like Yan, clearly she can do the impossible.The show tried to introduce some different plots, but there would always be zero follow-up or it would be extremely unrealistic unless you're a robot. For example, Zoey has a miscarriage, but it never showcases her struggle and she continues to see Tong Ming at work as if everything is fine. Next, the girl that likes Vincent is also extremely robotic; she gets raped and still acts like nothing happened and continues to try to get a date with Vincent, I guess nothing will stop her from trying.
In addition, the storyline for the supporting characters were so dismissive, they really might as well not have existed. I thought Rachel was supposed to be afraid of doing surgeries, but somehow she also gets over it miraculously without any explanation, I guess it's really mind over matter. Her relationship with her bf is also beyond flat, I don't even remember his name.
Also, I don't know how much was invested into the English theme song, but it's way overused. You get yelled at, queue the song. You're about to kiss, queue the song. You're just driving to work, queue the song.
Honestly, if you're really into the premise of the show, kids' lives matter is probably a better pick. I'd like to save you some time, you're welcome world.
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Underwhelming...
I can't say I am too disappointed with TVB these days, but you can tell by now that I didn't really love the plot holes and some of the poor character development. The production team was a bit too ambitious in the storyline they tried to write, and the end product was underwhelming. When TVB tries to cover topics this big, their limitations really begin to show. Unfortunately, they don't seem to be getting out of this habit any time soon either. Read my full review at: https://ceejays-entertainment.blogspot.com/2022/07/big-white-duel-II-review.htmlWas this review helpful to you?
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Restored part of my faith on doctors and the healthcare system
Hong Kong has always done well in professional medical dramas. I have enjoyed Big White Duel 2 and was excited to hear about the filming of the sequel back in 2020. Finally had the chance to watch it recently, and it was better than the prequel, imho. It has a big story on medical reform, with medical emergencies (some based on real incidents) and societal issues weaved in the main arc on medical reform, and a big cast that delivered. It restored part of my faith on doctors and the healthcare system, following a recent nasty personal experience.The cast returned to the set to continue their care for the patients, and at the same time, fight against authorities to implement medical reform - this time on getting the Hong Kong SAR Government to fully open the Drug Formulary, so that the full list of prescriptive drugs can be subsidized and be affordable by the patients. Doing so will benefit patients of rare diseases as the drugs are usually exorbitant (as the R&D cost is shared by fewer patients) and not subsidized (as the tight public medical budget prioritises drugs for common diseases to benefit more patients).
It is heartening to see the squad of 6 doctors always putting the patients in the first place – with doctor delaying treatment so as not to disrupt the medical reform plan, doctor getting infected / injured while saving patients and doctors risking being fired to operate on patients - and backing each other up. Unity is strength – Yay!
The acting and the chemistry of the squad of 6 doctors are great. They are one big family caring and backing each other in both their professional and personal lives.
The OST Wish reminds me of the OST Can You Hear Me in the prequel – Both are moving ballads that blended well with the scenes in the respective dramas to bring out the emotional, heartwarming and heartbreaking moments in the drama. Here's the OST medley by Kayee Tam (singer of prequel OST) https://youtu.be/C0URUvejhlg
Rewatch Value? It’s a drama that I am prepared to rewatch with relatives and friends new to the drama, but can be quite emotional heavy to watch again on my own.
What could have been better? To me, it is quite a stretch for YT to be able to recover fully and continue to be a neurosurgeon. Could it be good begets good, or that miracle does happen?
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Decent but underwheming
Big White Duel 2 picked up after the first season but there is a lot of underwhelming missing plot like how Tong Ming protege and his girlfriend went over to the NHS in UK and also there isn't much of an explanation of what happened to Kennis which happened in the final episode of the first season.There is not enough follow through with the sub-plots within the plot and that in itself is a bad thing for me who work in the film industry as a writer feels that the storyline can be much better.
The cast is star studded but the script is not as good (the cast is the only reason why it is 5 star(
But there is other medical series which is better but will not have a sequel.
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