Secret Murder, Amazing Cases

Details

• Chinese Name: ?案惊奇
• Also Known As: Secret Murder, Amazing Cases
• Episodes: 44
• Broadcast year: 2003

Casts & Credits

Cast

Alec Su

Huang Xiao Ming

Rebecca Wang

Review from AV Corner

When I first lugged the 44-episode boxed set of Pai An Jing Qi (PAJQ) back with me to the U.S. from China, I wasn't exactly ecstatic about watching it. Sure I love Alec, but seeing him play an authoritative, olden-day Chinese judge just seemed kind of silly. I wasn't sure if he was up to the part, because how could Alec ever top Bao Qing Tian, the ultimate judge series after which this one is loosely modeled? Well, once the opening theme song rolled away, so did most of my reservations. What we've got is an adventurous, intricate, Chinese epic with extremely thick plot lines, a bombarde of characters, and respectable cinematography. At the most basic level, it's a series of detective stories. But once you start weaving comedy, action, and the ever essential romance, this series becomes all that and more.

The Cast

Hang Tie Shen (Alec Su) - As the newly-appointed judge of a small provincial village, Han Tie Shen has good looks, kick-butt fighting skills, a charming sense of wit, and an unflinching committment to justice. Alec seals this role down much better than I expected. He's got the cool, authoritative, dignified look down (just like Hua Wu Que in JDSJ), but he still manages to throw in his playful, romantic side as well. Next to Wu Ah Ge, this is the most morally perfect character he's ever played. And with Alec's nice-guy face, there is absolutely no problem believing in his character at all.

Ning Xiang (Wong Yan) - Yup, it's Qing Ar from HZGG, except this time she plays the emperor's long-lost daughter Ning Xiang and Alec's well-matched love interest. Not only is this girl beautiful and smart, but she also kicks some major booty in this series. The chemistry between her and Alec is awesome, and some of their romance scenes are nothing short of ethereal and gorgeous. As an actress, Wong Yan lights up every scene with grace and charm - definitely an up-and-coming actress worthy of attention.

PAJQ really is a Qiong Yau reunion party - as in so many cast members have also starred in Qiong Yau films. Recognize the emperor on the left above? Yes, that's the stringent father from QSSYMM, played by Ko Zhen Hai. In PAJQ, he's somewhat more relaxed, although I've seen better emperors. *cough* Zhang Tie Lin *cough* (P.S. Ke Yun from QSSYMM is also here; she plays a beautiful but sickly aristocrat). As for the girl in the center, that's Jing Ming ~ the child star of Qiong Yau classics like "Xue Ke" and "Wan Jun." Now she's all grown up...sort of. She may be a senior at Beijing University, but she's still got the same childish face and height. Jing Ming plays a spunky, sometimes- annoying, adolescent girl who swoons over Alec. Can't exactly blame her. Finally there on the right is Huang Xiao Ming, who plays the evil prince. He plays Shiau Jian in Qiong Yau's up-and-coming HZGG3. Pretty cute, huh? In PAJQ, he does a good job being this snotty, jealousy-driven villain. There's a whole host of other characters in the series that I won't bother mentioning except for two: Song Dan Dan, the veteran actress who always stars in those overdone Chinese New Year's stand-up comedy gigs, plays Alec's slapstick but well-meaning stepmother. She's supposed to be the comic fulcrum of the series, but honestly, there are lots of instances when I wished she would just shut up and act her age. Then there's Alec's loyal sidekick/ assistant Yian Qing, whose goofy face and comedic antics get a few laughs.

The Plot

Huang Xiao Ming and Wong Yan - paired up again in HZGG 3

Oh my, the plot. PAJQ has some of the most complex, interlacing plot lines I've ever seen: some suspenseful and moving, others just kind of blah. The myriad of side stories, subplots, and characters can make this series hard to follow at times. What's my biggest pet peeve when watching PAJQ? Its tendency to skip crucial pieces of the plot and only acknowledge them after you've become thoroughly confused by everything else in the meantime. They REALLY took liberties with the flashback technique of story-telling. Don't be surprised if you find yourself asking midway through the thick plot lines: What is the point of all this? Side stories can build so dramatically with the other characters that Alec's role almost seems superfluous at times, and it's almost laughable how the writers manage to whirl him into the crossfires. Like the classic Bao Qing Tian series, PAJQ is split into separate "cases:"

The Case of the Fake Prince - The first case is by far the best. It's the one that got me glued to PAJQ. Not only does it introduce us to the main characters, but it also provides a very juicy mystery story - complete with shady conspiracies, age-old secrets, and moving revelations. The gist: the emperor finds out that his only son is not biologically his at all. Alec and Wong Yan also have some extremely touching and charming scenes together as they discover their love for one another. If you don't watch anything else, watch the first case. The Case of the Assassin - Let the confusion begin. Here's where the plot lines start to fall apart in terms of logic and cohesiveness. Alec must stop a mysterious young woman who conspires to kill the emperor. There's also a very disturbing and annoying drag-queenish eunich that doesn't go away. Skip this one. The Case of the Glowing Pearl - Not that great either. Alec uncovers the dark past of one of the emperor's most beautiful wives. The Case of the Mad Doctor - As the second best case, this last installment is worth the time. It's a murder case story with an eerie twist: ancient experiments with organ transplants. My only gripe: the unsatisfying ending. You'd think that with the case closed, we can see some resolution between Alec's and Won Yan's characters. Instead, all I can say is: They showed the WRONG couple!!

Overall

Despite plot loopholes and confusion, PAJQ is still an impressive series. There's plenty of romance, suspense, comedy, and action to go around. Plus, Alec manages to still look good with long hair. It might take awhile to finish watching the series, but overall, it's worth it.