The first episode to touch upon the tongs, which, as revealed by Master Po (Keye Luke), have existed for hundreds of years, from humble beginnings against tyranny to bloody rule by way of fear. Here we have the Dragon of Retribution Tong, when Chen (Richard Loo) demands the return of his child servant Wing (Carey Wong), who has escaped to the safety of Sister Richardson (Diana Douglas), preaching Christianity as the boy's savior. Caine intercedes on their behalf, and Chen becomes fearful at the knowledge of Caine's Shaolin past. After he and his henchmen fail to kill the priest, the Tong leader, Li Ho Sing (Tad Horino), demands the price of Wing's freedom to be paid in blood. Diana Douglas was the former wife of actor Kirk Douglas, as well as the mother of Michael Douglas. Of the 5 episodes in which Richard Loo appears, plus the original pilot, this is the sole entry in which the veteran character actor actually plays a villain, but he disappears after his murderous hatchet is knocked away by the resourceful and vigilant Caine. Most amusing is a sequence in which Caine, by way of candlelight, portrays a stonecutter, a horserider, the sun, and a cloud, asking young Wing which one he wants to be.
3 Reviews
The Tong
elo-equipamentos23 March 2017
One of my favorite series Kung fu really make history for an entire generation on seventies, also in my teenage years, "The Tong" talk about the brotherhood of blood, so Caine has to fight by blood, then saves the boy of slavery, unusual episode where almost the village is ruled by Chinese, the preacher is amazing trying for the people of another culture accept Jesus, as always this episode has a pit of Chinese culture!!!
"It's not magic...
grizzledgeezer20 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
...it's a block of wood."
"Kung Fu" was one of those "format becomes formula" series in which the same basic story is repeated week after week. Caine gets into trouble simply because good, decent 'murcans don't like Chinamen hangin' 'round. Caine then has to do something brave or profound to prove his worth, framed by flashbacks of his religious training.
"The Tong" stands well-above these episodes. It follows the rule that a story should be about the most-important thing that will ever happen to a character, difficult to do in a TV series. But here Caine has to confront his beliefs in non-violence as the only means of truly changing things, and that whatever happens is "right", regardless of the outcome.
We also see the similarities and contrasts between his Shaolin beliefs, and those of so-called Christians. * Not surprisingly, Caine becomes a Christ figure, turning the other cheek and allowing himself to be (nearly) killed, only to rise.
Producers seem to be aware of script quality and hire directors accordingly. "The Tong" is directed by the great Robert Totten, the talented writer/director/actor who helmed a number of memorable "Gunsmoke" episodes, and passed from us much too soon.
"The Tong" avoids the sometimes pompous silliness Of this series, and is definitely worth watching.
* People calling themselves Christians aren't, because only a tiny percentage actually follow Jesus' teachings and practice.
"Kung Fu" was one of those "format becomes formula" series in which the same basic story is repeated week after week. Caine gets into trouble simply because good, decent 'murcans don't like Chinamen hangin' 'round. Caine then has to do something brave or profound to prove his worth, framed by flashbacks of his religious training.
"The Tong" stands well-above these episodes. It follows the rule that a story should be about the most-important thing that will ever happen to a character, difficult to do in a TV series. But here Caine has to confront his beliefs in non-violence as the only means of truly changing things, and that whatever happens is "right", regardless of the outcome.
We also see the similarities and contrasts between his Shaolin beliefs, and those of so-called Christians. * Not surprisingly, Caine becomes a Christ figure, turning the other cheek and allowing himself to be (nearly) killed, only to rise.
Producers seem to be aware of script quality and hire directors accordingly. "The Tong" is directed by the great Robert Totten, the talented writer/director/actor who helmed a number of memorable "Gunsmoke" episodes, and passed from us much too soon.
"The Tong" avoids the sometimes pompous silliness Of this series, and is definitely worth watching.
* People calling themselves Christians aren't, because only a tiny percentage actually follow Jesus' teachings and practice.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
