I have just finished watching a TVB drama named ‘Forensic Heroes 4’ (法證先鋒IV). It is the 4th installment of a highly successful Hong Kong series franchise about forensic teams investigating variety of murder cases. I remembered the first two series were very good while the third one is still watchable. This fourth one is disappointing. This 30-episode series starred Raymond Wong, Selena Li, Shaun Tam, Alice Chan, Rebecca Zhu, Roxanne Tong, Fred Cheng, Yumiko Cheng, Kelly Cheung, Jonathan Cheung, Susan Tse, etc.
The drama started off very well with a linked murder cases; a carefully thought out story arc that has a lot of depth and plot twist in it. The first story arc also had heavyweight guest stars such as Patrick Tse and Michelle Yim. It got me engaged straightaway to the series. However, once this arc ended and more individual murder cases (following story arc) coming in, it gets more bland and lacks effort. The cases became uninteresting. All the following murder cases also become more predictable without any suspense or twist anymore (I almost immediately knew who the murderer is when every new cases appear).
On the other hand, most of the cast only need to deliver a one-tone facial expression (very serious face) during the investigation. I knew it is normal to be serious in such situation but the over-emphasis of the drama on their one-look faces throughout the entire drama is not something to enjoy looking at. The cast is poorly selected too. I don’t feel any chemistry between the partners in the series and the writing for their relationships felt very lazy and unconvincing. The only cast I can see doing good here is Roxanne Tong who is actually not in the original cast as she is only needed afterward to replace Jacqueline Wong due to the latter’s scandal last year.
The reason this drama still gets huge TV rating is because many people have no choice but to stay at home to watch it to pass time due to the recent coronavirus outbreak. It is definitely not because of the quality of the series. This drama is poorly executed. Out of 10 points, I rate ‘Forensic Heroes 4’ a total of 6.0. I actually laughed a bit seeing the very last scene of the final episode. That shouldn’t be the intended reaction.
(Images in this post are from various online sources)