*Spoilers for episode 39.*
At long last, here we are! The series finale of The New Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre. As far as finales go, especially for a martial arts show, it’s a bit understated, but I enjoy it.
In the last episode, all the sects teamed up to fight the Mongolians, led by Zhao Min’s family. Here, Zhang Wuji seeks guidance for how they might be defeated, while also getting in just a little more romantic drama before the final buzzer.
I went into this episode expecting it to be, like 75% battle, with bits of character stuff wedged in between the cracks. But actually, while the final battle with the Mongolians has a prominent position within the finale, it doesn’t take over the episode. A lot of screentime is devoted to the more personal storylines, and we’re allowed a lengthy denouement. Within the battle itself, I enjoy seeing some of the tricky war tactics, and both the Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre play key roles, although not necessarily in the way you’d expect.
But again, this isn’t ultimately a battle episode. We spend time with the warriors of Wudang sect. In particular, we see them wrestle with the question of what to do about Master Song—he betrayed Wudang in a horrible way, but he was also severely injured during the lion-killing event, and while some of the Wudang brothers are focused on revenge or punishment, others think there’s nothing more to be done. We get a bit more sentimental stuff with Xie Xun, and we catch up with the major disciples of Ming sect.
I’d thought that episode 39 fully settled the love polygon question, with Zhang Wuji both realizing and declaring his love for Zhao Min, but the finale needs to inject a bit more suspense into his love life. Zhou Zhiruo is hurt trying to defend Miss Zhao, who’s definitely quick to comment on the tender exchanges between Wuji and Miss Zhou at her bedside. And as much as Ming has been ride-or-die for Wuji, their hatred for the Mongolians runs deep, and they don’t know if they can accept their sect leader being romantically involved with one.
This final point is crucial. As I said in my episode 39 write-up, when Zhang Wuji chooses Zhao Min, it’s an incredibly rare instance of him acting based on what he wants rather than what he thinks he’s supposed to do. Wuji is a character who’s given a lot of himself to others, and it feels like the one time he prioritizes himself, going after the woman he loves without regard for others’ expectations, he’s almost immediately asked to give her up to preserve harmony within Ming sect.
Tony Leung Chiu-wai plays this really well. Goodness knows he can play besotted and yearning well, and Zhang Wuji’s strong sense of duty/honor has been evident throughout his time on the show. I like watching that noble inclination towards duty wrestle with his love for Zhao Min. He insists, “That’s not fair to Sister Min. She has left her family and her people because of me. How can I leave her because my brothers are mistaken about her.” What Ming is asking of him, he feels, is “not just a difficult position. It’s unjust and immoral.” But he’s still conflicted about it, because of course he is. He’s Wuji, and considering the needs of others is kind of what he does.
I won’t spoil the ending, of course. I’ll just say this, on a personal note: my DVD copy had some quality issues at the end of the finale, and for the last five or six minutes, the video was choppy and the subtitles were intermittent. Argh! I could see enough to know what was happening, and I picked up the gist of the unsubtitled bits from context, but it was a frustrating way to finish out the series.
Before I get to final thoughts, I want to mention that this will be the last weekly A Little TLC(w) post for now. Hopefully I’ll be able to get my hands on some of Leung’s other early TV work someday—the shows that are available to watch but have no English subtitles are the ones that really haunt me. And I’ll still review new films from him as I’m able to access them. But for my weekly actor reviews, I’m switching over to Y tu Luna también. My La Máquina write-ups have been burning a hole in my pocket, and I’m excited to start posting them!
All right, last thoughts on The New Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre:
Recommend?
In General – If you like martial arts stuff and don’t mind special effects from the 1980s, sure. This is a dense series with dozens of characters, but it’s entertaining, and I had a good time watching it.
Tony Leung Chiu-wai – I think so. When it comes to Leung’s TV performances, I’d probably rate this below both The Duke of Mount Deer and The Yang’s Saga. Still, he was quite enjoyable as this character.
Warnings
Violence (including references to sexual violence,) drinking, strong thematic elements (including suicide,) and disabled characters played by nondisabled actors.
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