The Awakening Story
Chinese Title: 婚前昏後
Episodes: 25
Cast:
Damian Lau – Suen Hok Kei (Philip)
Louisa So – Chiu Cheuk Lam (Susan)
Liza Wang – Lam Ho Suet
Maggie Cheung Hor Yee – Suen Hing Ga (Rose)
Patrick Tang – Suen Hing Chai (Stephen)
Tavia Yeung – Suen Hing Yan
Joe Ma – Fong Sing Heem
Myolie Wu – Sheung Ping Ping
Ellesmere Choi – Chan Wing Lok
Theme Song by: Faye Wong
Favourite Relationship: Rose, Stephen and Hing Yan (Maggie, Patrick and Tavia – siblings)
Favourite Character: Susan, Stephen and Hing Yan (Louisa, Patrick and Tavia)
Favourite Pairing: Philip and Susan (Damian and Louisa)
Best Actress: Louisa So
Best Actor: Damian Lau/Patrick Tang
Who Looks Good: Damian Lau, Louisa So, Maggie Cheung, Patrick Tang, Myolie Wu
Who Should Get More Screentime: Patrick Tang
Summary: (I'll use the names of the actors/actresses instead of the names of the characters)
Liza has been in a coma for nearly two decades, and when she finally wakes up, she finds everything changed, unfamiliar and distant. When Liza fell into a coma 16 years ago, she left behind three kids (Maggie, Patrick and Tavia) and a husband.
During the time of her coma, her husband Damian, developed a relationship with his co-worker Louisa. Ironically, it was Louisa who was by her side when she woke up from her coma. Not wanting to agitate her, Liza was kept in the dark about Louisa's relationship with Damian. During this period of time, Louisa was Liza's close confidante, and confided in her about her worries and troubles.
Everyone in the family seemed to have moved on and just be around her now and then because of her title...everyone with the exception of Maggie. Maggie tries desperately to keep her family together in hope that when her mother wakes up, everything will be 'perfect' again. However, she realizes that the task is not easy at all. Her first obstacle is Louisa - Maggie sees Louisa as a third party. The rest of the family, however, approves of Damian's relationship with her, leaving Maggie helpless and frustrated.
Meanwhile, Tavia falls in love with Ellesmere, and they get married after a period of dating.
Liza is full of praise for Louisa, hence irritating Maggie greatly. She finally blurts out that Louisa and Damian are not purely co-workers. Confused and dejected, Liza confides in her doctor. However, she finally accepts the fact and even wishes them well. She suggests a divorce, and to Maggie's horror, Louisa and Damian get married with the blessings of everyone else.
Unable to face her family after she flared at her mother for being so happy for their marriage, Maggie decides to move out. However, she does not have many close friends, and finally her doctor friend Joe takes her in.
Coupled with the breakup with her long time boyfriend, Maggie is depressed and performs poorly at work. Louisa continues to help her, and Maggie finally accepts her.
While living with Joe and his parents, Maggie develops feelings with him, and they start dating.
Meanwhile, Damian finds Louisa too business-oriented and starts to prefer the family oriented life with Liza back then. Finally they go their separate ways and Louisa goes on a business trip. Before she left, she met up with Liza and told her that Damian belonged to her, for she was the one he loved. Their conversation ended with Liza telling Louisa that they would always be good friends no matter what.
Joe and Maggie gets married, and Damian prepares a special fireworks display for Liza, just as he had promised her years ago. With the fireworks in the background, Liza replied that she was happy, and they smiled sweetly at each other...
Script:
Interesting script, this series is not a typical series with a typical boring storyline.
Character/Performance:
Philip Suen
Successful and resourceful, Philip has a high position in a well-known company. Strict and often controlling, he demands them to work hard and have successful careers. Although he often means well, he comes across as demanding. However, when his wife wakes up, he learns that his children have to lead their own life and make their own decisions, for he cannot be there for them always. Faithful and devoted, Philip waited several years before developing a relationship with Susan. From a business oriented man, Suet has changed him back into a family man, and hence he breaks up with the career oriented Susan…
Damian Lau as Philip
Another great performance from Damian! I simply loved his pairing with Louisa, what a pity their characters did not end up together.
Susan Chiu
Intelligent and capable, Susan works in the same company as Philip and has a high position as well. She has two suitors, but Damian is the only one she loves. Ironically, Susan is the person that Suet trusts the most and feel the most comfortable around after she woke up from her coma. Towards the end, Susan becomes even more business-oriented and Philip feels neglected. Finally they part on good terms and she leaves on a business trip.
Louisa So as Susan
Louisa is such an underrated actress at TVB! She portrayed a great Susan and I enjoyed her pairing with Damian in here. For me, it was such a pity that their characters did not end up together.
Lam Ho Suet
After waking up from a 16-year coma, Ho Suet finds everything around her changed and unfamiliar. Her children have grown up so much, her husband has another love, and technology has advanced so much. She has to grapple with all this, and when she finally succeeds in doing so, she decides to go for a makeover and start a career. Understanding and forgiving, Suet is a good mother. All these time, Suet remains good friends with both Philip and Susan, and even wishes them well.
Liza Wang as Ho Suet
Liza portrayed her character well, and her expressions of fear and confusion when she first went home were so realistic. Good job overall, though I would have preferred it if she maintained her naïve look instead of the more modern one she had after the makeover, for I felt she looked nicer with that.
Rose Suen
Independent and stubborn, Rose works in the same company as her father. She tries so hard to keep her family together in hopes of having it back in 'perfect' condition after her mother wakes up from her coma. However, when things don't work out, she decides to do things that make her happy and more fulfilled instead. She is prejudiced against Susan, for she feels that Susan is the one responsible for breaking up her parents. However, when Susan continues to help her unconditionally, she is moved and accepts her. Sing Heem helps her through her troubles, and they get married.
Maggie Cheung as Rose
Great performance from Maggie, as usual! She potrayed Rose so very genuinely and well, and her chemistry with her co-stars was good.
Stephen Suen
The only son, Stephen is understanding and easy going. He accepts the decisions made by his mum and does not probe unnecessarily. He strives to be a hairdresser despite his father's objections. He falls in love with Ping Ping.
Patrick Tang as Stephen
This was the first show of Patrick I watched, and I must say he is very good. He is so natural and adorable, I cannot help but love his character a lot. His chemistry with his co-stars is good as well.
Suen Hing Yan
The youngest of the siblings, Yan is stubborn and reckless occasionally, yet her sweetness is irresistible. She falls in love with Wing Lok and is the first of the siblings to get married. She also gets pregnant towards the end of the series.
Tavia Yeung as Hing Yan
Tavia was specifically casted for the character because of her resemblance to Maggie back then. She potrayed her character well, and made her role really likeable. Especially her crying scenes, her eyes just fill so naturally and beautifully with tears. Her chemistry with her co-stars is good, and she just looks so innocent and sweet!
Chemistry:
Maggie, Patrick and Tavia
They had great chemistry as siblings, and have several adorable scenes together. Irresistibly sweet!
Damian and Louisa
This is a great pairing, despite their age difference. A good actor paired with a good actress, what else could be said? I simply loved this pairing, and it was such a disappointment for me that they did not end up together.
Damian and Liza
Good pairing, though I prefer Damian's pairing with Louisa.
Maggie and Joe
They look so nice together, don't you think? They had good chemistry together, and I wished they had more screentime, don't you?
Patrick and Myolie
Myolie looked so sweet, and Patrick was so adorable! What an adorable and sweet pairing! I liked the way Patrick would protect Myolie, so sweet!
Tavia and Ellesmere
Their romance was just so sweet and romantic! They had good chemistry, and I liked this pairing a lot!
Plus Points:
1. Nice theme song.
2. Great instrumental background song! It brings out the emotions so very well!
3. Great cast, great performance!
4. The script was interesting and not boring.
5. New pairings – Ellesmere and Tavia ; Maggie and Joe
Minus Points:
1. For me, the ending. I was a Philip-Susan supporter, if it isn't obvious enough.
2. Not enough scenes with Yan and Wing Lok!
3. Not enough scenes with Rose and Sing Heem.
Overall:
Appealing cast, great performance, good chemistry, The Awakening Story is an enjoyable series.
Conclusion:
Highly recommended, especially for Louisa, Tavia, Maggie and Damian fans. The Awakening Story is an enjoyable series with a strong cast not to be missed.
