Survivor's Law

The Plot

Four lawyers, Raymond Lam, Myolie Wu, Sammul Chan and Bernice Liu, join a deadbeat law firm run by Felix Lok, a loser who has had his licence suspended and owes a lot of money to his former partner. The lawyers are mavericks and therefore can't fit into their old firms, except for Bernice Liu, who joins the new firm because she has a secret crush on Sammul Chan. So once they join Lok's law firm, they start winning cases for him, the company makes money and their reputations improve.

Inevitably there's the love triangle as both Raymond and Sammul pursue Myolie. Raymond, in keeping with his more down-to-earth character, does simple things to win her, including secretly learning how to knit to repair her torn bag, while Sammul, who's more extravagant, buys her a new branded bag. Raymond is also more humble and he gives way to Sammul who's more aggressive.

Sammul however, is also more arrogant and eventually strays from the straight and narrow path and grows estranged from his friends and helps to defend a murderer. But eventually all's well that ends well. This is a happy show.

Comments
This is not scintillating courtroom drama, at most it's a fluffy puff piece. Although I'm not a lawyer, some of the legal arguments are a bit dubious and seem to be twisted to suit the plot. From this show, we can gather that leading actors and actresses don't lose their cases and lead actors can get away with murder.

The most enjoyable part of the show is watching the interaction of the leads. They're all very likeable and have terrific chemistry. For once Raymond Lam is paired with someone who can act, and doesn't look older than him. Sammul looks dashing in his nice suits and Bernice Liu is kinda cute in her goofy glasses.

Sammul has the more meaty role compared with Raymond and he puts up a measured and convincing performance as someone who starts off with good intentions but eventually strays as he's more willing to twist the law to suit his purposes. He's also the least scrupulous lawyer in the firm.

Raymond Lam doesn't break a sweat playing Ben as the upright and righteous character is an easy one for him, the predecessor of Goon Ga Jai in Moonlight Resonance.

Myolie Wu is one of TVB's more natural actresses. She's expressive and I enjoy watching her performances. Bernice is the weakest link as she can't seem to speak properly and her goofy act is a good way to hide it.

Some of the cases the lawyers cover are also quite amusing. Kenneth Ma has a guest turn as a pervert, which was hilarious. Another amusing case involved a follically challenged man and his toupee.

The show proceeds at a brisk pace, with the characters moving smoothly into different cases and building up to the finale.

An enjoyable and entertaining, if predictable, series.