1x04 The White Mountain

I'm going to mention Joe Taslim again, even though I already did in my comment on the previous episode. His fight sequences as Li Yong are elevated higher than the fight sequences of other characters, simply because he's an actual martial artist, which was proven further with his fight sequence in this episode. And it was a practice fight sequence, too, not even a real one. Its choreography was the best we've seen in these four episodes. Of course, I think it's mostly due to Joe Taslim being the one who was doing it. I don't think that fight sequence would've been as good if someone else did it, even if it was choreographed the same. This means that Ah Sahm's fight sequence in the jail cell is no longer the best one in the show currently, nor is it the best choreographed.

We've been given a little insight and backstory to Bolo's character. Hell, this is the first time we've heard his name, I think. Me, I already knew his name, and I vaguely remembered his backstory; I've watched this first season as it was airing; although, if you didn't know his name in the first three episodes, that much could've been gleaned from IMDb. Still, even though I already watched through this first season, I don't have a problem with reliving and digesting the reveal of his name and a glimpse into his backstory, how he ended up joining the Hop Wei.

I wonder if there's more to Jack's monologue about the Mongols and the Chinese. It's possible that it was a foreboding and foreshadowing of what's to come. I think the mention of the Fung Hai and how they think they're direct descendants of Genghis Khan, and that the Chinese didn't know who they were dealing with, was a bit on the nose. That may be referring to Mai Ling teaming up with them, or it could mean that there will be a white mountain of bones because they've teamed up. Either way, bloodshed seems to be on the horizon, and bodies will begin piling up.

Bill's in a tough spot. He has a debt to pay and was given money by Ah Toy, but he used it to gamble instead; although, I feel like it wasn't the amount he needed to do so. After putting more thought into it, it's possible that the ending implies that he's using it to win more money that's enough to pay his debt to the Fung Hai. He did look satisfied with the cards. The problem is; seen at the beginning of the episode, that even though he can get lucky and win a lot of money, he'll likely keep on gambling and then lose it all.

I feel like Leary will be brought into Bill's predicament, who wasn't in this episode at all, interestingly enough. I know that will happen because I remember it from the first time that I watched this first season, but the more specific details, I don't remember, the details of what led to Leary becoming involved. I remember something specific that Leary does to help Bill; I won't mention it because it's a huge spoiler. The only theories that I can think of that could lead up to it is: Bill starts to become scared about what will happen to him because he can't pay, he goes to Leary for the money to do so, and when Bill meets up with Jack to pay, something goes wrong, and Leary shows up. Or Leary doesn't give Bill the money and mildly coerces him to spill the beans on why he needs money, goes and deals with it himself, which leads to what I remember him doing.

I'd say that the best part of this episode was the introduction of the Fung Hai into the story. The tong itself seems more opposing than the Long Zii. And while I know that the Long Zii and even the Hop Wei use weapons; hatchets, small knives, and maybe hammers, those two Fung Hai hatchetmen and Zing, the tong's new leader, seemed to be using bigger, more menacing knives. Young Jun has some competition.

Honestly, the Long Zii has been underwhelming. Even the Hop Wei comes across as more threatening, but I probably feel that way because the Long Zii dress blandly, while the Hop Wei wears suits. The only thing the Long Zii have going for them right now is Li Yong and Mai Ling, the latter of which proved herself of having the capability to be ruthless and cutthroat when need be. The Fung Hai looks more menacing than the Hop Wei with their facial tattoos.

And Zing's actor is Dustin Nguyen, another actual martial artist besides Joe Taslim, so any fight sequences of his are bound to be executed very well. I remember Zing from when I watched through this season as it was airing, but I don't remember where the season left off when it came to his character. I don't even remember if he was still alive by the end of the season finale; if he was, I have a feeling that he'll have a much bigger part in the second season.

Overall, I think this episode was the weakest of all four episodes. There was character development to Bill and Lee's relationship, more buildup to the foreboding and imminent war between the tongs that's been gradually building up, a little bit of backstory into Bolo's character, a romantic interest and hook-up with the main character that included some important dialogue about Penelope's marriage with Mayor Blake from her perspective as well as dialogue about Ah Sahm's grandfather, and more development into Bill's gambling problem ━ yes, you know what's coming, the word that's coming ━, and that's all great and important stuff. But the episode itself didn't feel as captivating and immersive as the previous three episodes were. I'm going to give this episode a six out of ten; it was still an entertaining episode, so it's more so a high six, close to a seven.