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Sometimes, it’s a healthy practice to step away from Korean dramas (or other dramas that you continuously watch) to get a refreshing look at other series.
– Buckle up, we’re in for a bumpy ride.

– The drama starts with an opening sequence of future events. Ugh. I hate this kind of opening, recently seen in Taiwanese drama’s Summer’s Desire and Korean drama’s Road No. 1. What am I supposed to feel for these scenes? I don’t know the characters, the plot, or the logic behind it. I can’t feel the “epic-ness” at all. Nope. Are they used to excite the viewers? Probably. Create suspense? A little. I’m not sure of anything, but I know for a fact that there will be at least four accidents, each involving one of our leads (or more). =P

– The series begin by introducing Cheung Hiu-man (plays by the lovely Sonija Kwok) as an automobile mechanic. Her stepmother Yu Ngoi-hei (acts by Ching Hor Wai) owns an auto shop, where she conveniently works at. Hiu Man is asking a local taxi driver to pay the bills to have the instrument panel fixed. The taxi driver, however, says that the instrument panel is often like that, it’s okay. Unfortunately, this conversation is heard by a senior taxi driver Ho Kau (plays by Kent Cheng) known as Brother Taxi. He is also Hiu Man’s godfather. He lectures the younger taxi driver, “You think I’m an idiot? Normal repair and maintenance are the driver’s responsibilities. If you ignore the problem now, chances are you’ll get into trouble sooner or later. Remember, safety comes first!” And since the younger lad has no money, Ho Kau offers to pay his bills first.

– And just like any other dramas, there’s a family owned restaurant that the men and women often drop by. The small restaurant named Chiu Fat Kee is owned by Ngai Chiu-fat (plays by Kwok Fung, bottom  left). He’s known for making the best beef balls around. Kingdom Yuen plays his wife, Chan Siu-fan (top left). They have a daughter named Ngai San-san, plays by Angel Chiang (top right). Another taxi driver rushes on and asks frantically around for someone to take his shift tonight. His wife has passed out at the hospital and he needs to keep her company. Seeing this, Ho Kau offers to help once again. He seems like the typical good guy eh? While everyone is bluffing about their kids, Siu Fan brings up Ho Kau’s son, Ho Ga-bo, known as Turbo (plays by Raymond Wong). Ho Kau’s face turns serious and says, “I don’t mind if he doesn’t go to college. It’s okay if he works honestly. But the boy has a bad character.”

– Ho Kau visits the Chiu fat in his kitchen and advises his fellow friend to take a vacation trip somewhere since he has been working for years. Do go and spend the hard-earned money! Chiu Fat says he only needs to rest during New Year because he feels happier hearing the compliments from customers. Ho Kau insists that Chiu Fat takes on a student, in which he recommends his son, Turbo. Chiu Fat then replies that young men now won’t be able to handle the repetitive, tedious work.  Ho Kau gives up and pays a visit to the auto shop where Hiu Man works to give her beef balls noodle. There, he also bumps into Hiu Man’s stepmother, known as Lady Boss. As him and Lady Boss chat, it is revealed that Turbo had once dated Hiu Man but as the stepmother claims, he was stupid to not cherish her.

Later, when Lady Boss is happily crossing the street, a van is seen speeding towards her. It stops inches away, giving Lady Boss a good scare. Our leading man, Turbo, sticks his head out the window, “Lady Boss, why are you in a hurry? Are you going to play mahjong?”

– Irritated by his son’s appearance, Ho Kau asks, “Why are you here? To see girls?” Turbo responds, “I’m here to pump my tires only. You are so long-winded.” Ho Kau has two taxi cars, one is called Cab Senior, and the younger one is Cab Junior. Cute. Hiu Man notices his worn-out tires and tells him to change them but the man refuses, “Even though the tires are worn-out, my driving skills can still control them.” To that Ho Kau sputters, “I don’t care if you get killed. I don’t mind if no one attends my funeral. But I’m afraid you’ll get the neighbors in trouble and make me lose face!!” Ouch. They have serious communication problems.

You know what? Turbo’s reckless attitude reminds me of my 18 year-old brother, who recently got his driver’s license. His logic about safety doesn’t even make sense, “With my good looks and excellent driving skill, accidents are never going to happen. Stop nagging me okay?” And when I reply with a fact, he gives me the most annoying, immature answer ever, “I DON’T CARE!!” I need to have this boy watch “When Lanes Merge”. Tskk.

– Having argued with his father, Turbo receives a call and is off to pick up a passenger in Happy Valley. Wearing a long, flowy skirt, Ko Lai-Sum (acts by Kate Tsui) attracts the attention of Turbo, who playfully shoots her some flirtatious comments. Seated behind, Lai Sum cringes at his driving manner. She carefully takes out her phone and records him speeding and passing the red light. When they approach a traffic police officer, Lai Sum shouts, “Stop the car!”. She gets off and introduces herself to the officer as his junior.

It’s far-fetched to have Turbo speeds down multiple roads without getting caught right? I never want to see this devil near me.

– I don’t mean to make fun of Kent but this scene had me rolling because it was unexpected. I thought Ho Kau is still healthy and strong until his strained expression is shown carrying a passenger’s luggage. This happens with old age everyone. Don’t think you’re off the hook.

– The father and son’s argument never stops! Ho Kau comes home to find the door opened, inside is Turbo, lying lazily on the sofa, waiting for food to be served.

Ho Kau: “You think I want to see you naked? I have everything that you have.”
Turbo: “I won’t be a disgrace to the neighbors okay?”
Ho Kau: “But you’re a disgrace to your mom!”
Turbo: “Mom is not around.”
Ho Kau: “She’s right behind you, rascal.” He offers her some oranges.
Turbo: “Hey, I’m hungry, will you cook please?”
Ho Kau: “Ask your mom to treat you to some candles and incense sticks.”
Turbo: “Light them then. If you want me to eat them, light them.”

Fed up with his father, he stands up to leave for a shower. His ticket from earlier this morning conveniently falls out of his wallet and attracts the eyes of Ho Kau. Turbo answers in a surly tone, “So what? I still haven’t gotten a suspension yet.” Ho Kau goes on and lists the number of points that have been deducted from his account. Man, this boy drives me nuts with his responses. Turbo: “Are you doing nagging me? I’m just unlucky today, being trapped by a police woman.”

I want to punch him in the face when he says this line: “If driving fast is dangerous, then all car racers will be dead!…I know my own capability.” BOY! What are you talking about? There’s a time and place for racers. It’s a different story when you’re on normal roads. DUH!

– The next day while eating and chatting at Chiu Fat Kee, the men are alarmed by the waiter of a traffic police. They all rush outside to meet a new officer, and it’s Ko Lai-Sum (Kate). Ho Kau asks her for mercy saying that working as a taxi driver is really tough, we eat fast in order to make money. At this, she tells him to relax and let them go.

– Returning back to the restaurant, Lady Boss Sis Fun asks Ho Kau to come to their monthly gathering. She also wants him to invite Turbo as well. He looks reluctant, but he calls up his son anyway.

– Since the weather is hot and humid, the idiotic Turbo stops by a convenience store to buy some beer. You know, he isn’t a bad person, more like reckless. I think (hope) his intention when he bought these beer were to bring them to the gathering. However, another idiot shows up and blocks Turbo’s van with his. Irritated and angry, he downs several cans of beer while waiting for the owner to return. When the owner does return, he doesn’t even bother with an apology and challenges Turbo to a race. Of course, with his personality, Turbo accepts and amusingly buckles up before he officially transforms into a devil. Um, where are all the traffic police?!

….I smell tragedy.

– Turbo is still DRINKING after he wins against the other idiot! O_O His pride needs to be put in place. Ngai Chiu-fat (Owner of Chiu Fat Kee) is seen crossing the road when the light says it is safe to do so. Driving at high speed, Turbo swerves to avoid hitting him. Unfortunately, as his van spins on the road, its butt smashes against another car causing it to flip. The driver is shown with a bloody face. While Turbo’s van hits a curb, rolls over and causes a trash can to hit Chiu Fat’s right arm.

This scene was nicely filmed.

– As fate has it, Ko Lai-Sum discovers the accident first. After Turbo is pulled out, she takes measure of his alcoholic level. DUN DUN DUN! At Chiu Fat Kee, Ho Kau receives a phone call from Chiu-fat, telling him about the accident.

– Whoa, this scene is powerful without the use of words. Ho Kau just stares worriedly at his son. The thing he fears the most has happened and while Turbo tries to avoid eye contact, his guilty eyes still find their way to his father’s face. This accident is imminent, meant to be a life-changing lesson for Turbo. I just hope that we all don’t have to go down the same fatal road just to realize something.

– I gotta say, the first episode started off well. I’m eager to find out more about Ho Kau and Turbo’s relationship and how they will mend it. So far, I don’t particular like any of the characters yet. Ho Kau is somewhat annoying, can’t he say something nice to Turbo at least once? Words may not cause harm physically, but they can do a great deal of emotional destruction. And I totally HATE that smug smile on Turbo’s face. Raymond Wong, you did a great job. 🙂