I have been following the series “All Men Are Brothers” on 8TV for the past few weeks. Had never read any versions of novel and so would not know how faithfully the made for tv series adhere to the actual story. My (misplaced) impression was that the heroes in “Water Margin” are the equivalent to Robin Hood and his band of merry men.
The earlier episodes outlining the exploits the heroes were fairly entertaining, but the developing plot in the latter chapters turns rather disturbing. I have little qualms about the other 107 heroes but Sung Jiang came across as a weak guy with dubious characters. He has no combat skill, was not smart (having to rely heavily on Wu Yong for ideas and strategy) and did not display any leadership quality. Definitely did not deserve to be their big brother. But his biggest crime to the brotherhood was his incorrigible and misguided loyalty to the corrupt government of the day. Imposing on his feudalistic idea to seek amnesty and enlistment he eventually led them down the road to capitulation.
If Chao Kai had not died and remained their leader the ending would be a very different story -one that is more befitting for a great Chinese classic novel.
simon 17.6.2011
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