Black Sash on the WB
by Stephen Lin, Editor in Chief
April 4, 2003 + Boston, MA
Don't Drink and Script
 If Dawson's Creek were to get in an apocalyptic car crash with Martial Law, the resulting mess of twisted metal and severed body parts would be Black Sash.
As terrible as that wreck sounds, I'm strangely compelled to watch the next episode. After all, how many TV shows do you see centered around a kung fu school?
Only Attractive Physically Fit People Do Kung Fu
So, unusually attractive students from varying high school cliques are drawn to Tom Chang's (Russell Wong) kung fu school. Tom, being the do-gooder ex-cop that he is, attempts to help all his students with all their problems; everything ranging from anger problems to abusive parents to dating skills.
Meanwhile, Tom has problems of his own, such as the misguided restraining order preventing him from seeing his own daughter. You see, Tom was an undercover agent who was framed and as a result was sent to a Hong Kong prison for five years and, in the process, lost all his credibility with family and friends in the process. YAWN.
So, what's good about this?
I've got a soft spot for non-belt, family-style martial arts systems as I train in an non-belt, family-style martial arts system (hung gar, to be exact), so I'm biassed. However, for everyone else, I'll break it down into a short list:
- Russell Wong has that cool factor about him.
- Tom Chang's master is played Mako (Conan the Destroyer, Samurai Jack)!
- Hot guys and gals.
- Decent kung fu action.
To be honest here, Black Sash will be lucky if it runs as long as Birds of Prey did. However, Black Sash is NOT a complete bastardization of a perfectly good pre-existing concept. That said, Black Sash is probably worth taping while you watch Alias. If you happen to have a spare hour at some point, go back and watch your tape.
One thumb at a 45 degree angle. One thumb completely horizontal.
On the web: Black Sash at the WB |
