Bullet Points: Warrior (S2 Ep5) “Not for a Drink, a F*ck, or a G**damn Prayer”

We are officially at the halfway mark of Season 2 of Warrior and what a ride it has been. I am still holding out hope for another season. I still believe we can #SaveWarrior. Enough of the small talk, let’s get right into another recap.

• Back to the Beginning: The relationship between Ah Sahm (Andrew Koji) and Mai Ling (Dianne Doan) is the central reason why Warrior exists. Ah Sahm came to America to save his sister, Mai Ling. Of course, things weren’t that easy, and their relationship has been rocky at best, and non-existent at worst. Remember, she did order her boyfriend Li Yong (Joe Taslim) to kill Ah Sahm after their brutal fight in the climax of Season 1. To say this relationship is complicated is an understatement. Throughout this episode, we see the pieces of the puzzle being laid out on the table, that will eventually lead to a boiling point, and no amount of water can put this fire out. If you’re a fan of family drama, you’re jumping up and down with joy after the conclusion of tonight’s episode.
• The Smell of Opium: Ah Sahm and Young Jun’s (Jason Tobin) side hustle went up in flames when Penny Blake’s (Joanna Vanderham) factory was destroyed by Dylan Leary (Dean Jagger) in the explosive conclusion of last week’s show. Poor Penny. She had no clue Ah Sahm was hiding his opium, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out this relationship is blown up for good. Penny Blake doesn’t take any shit, and she tells Ah Sahm where to stick it. Penny’s story is far from over. She still has to deal her husband, Mayor Samuel Blake. (Christian McKay) It I was a betting man, I would bet these two will not live happily ever after in marital bliss.

• The Taste of Wine: I wondered why there has been so much focus this season on Nellie Davenport. (Miranda Raison) She’s the philanthropist / savior of women in trouble who has taken an interest in Ah Toy (Olivia Cheng) and her bordello. Ms. Davenport invites Ah Toy to visit her winery in Sonoma. You can tell this hits home with Ah Toy. She now understands Nellie Davenport is an ally, and something happens I didn’t expect: They share a kiss. Is this a future relationship starting to blossom? Will this make Ah Toy think about leaving her past behind her to start a future with Nellie? Once again, I’m pointing out the obvious: Warrior needs at least another season to bring closure to all these still developing storylines.
• The Chinese Connection: This is what we have all been waiting for. First off, Bill O’Hara is out for Zing’s (Dustin Nguyen) blood. Remember, he’s the one who ordered the failed attempt to murder Bill and his family. Wang Chao (Hoon Lee) hates Zing. He believes the world will be a better place without Zing in it. Chao and Bill form an alliance to take Zing and the Fung Hai out. The police will raid Zing’s hideout, and they will also solve the crime of who has been killing the scum of Chinatown with a badass sword. We all know it is Ah Sahm and Ah Toy who are the vigilante sword killers, but it would make a lot of things easier if the murders could be blamed on Zing. The plan is to plant the sword and frame Zing. This will lead to the case being solved, and Chao doesn’t have to worry about his friends getting in trouble. Remember, Chao is always thinking ahead. He is playing the long game, and he enlists Li Yong to help as well. Li Yong wears a crazy disguise to sneak into Zing’s hideout. (The disguise Li Yong wears is a tribute to Bruce Lee in The Chinese Connection) Li Yong is running around attacking Zing’s Fung Hai, while Bill and a lot of policemen are outside ready to storm Zing’s hideout to take him out. Finally, a gunshot fired by Chao sends the police in, and we also get to have an epic fight between Li Yong and Zing. The fight is something you have to see to believe. It is well choreographed, and I believe it ends in a way that is justified. Also, mega props to Hoon Lee. If Warrior was ever to get an Emmy for acting, you should look no further than Hoon in this episode. He also takes care of some family business that is about as emotional as it gets. I tip my hat to Chao!

I need some air after this thrilling episode. Right now, check out these question filled bonus bullet points which also feature a couple of extra goodies since this episode rocked so hard.

• Li Yong went behind Mai Ling’s back to take out Zing. Will this cause a lasting rift in their relationship, and since Li Yong is still breathing, will he eventually have that rematch with Ah Sahm we are all dying to see?
• Speaking of dying, since the Opium gig didn’t go so well for Ah Sahm and Young Jun, is it possible one or both try to kill Father Jun? 
• At the end of the episode, Chao takes his daughter away from her unfit mother and gives her to Nellie Davenport so she can find her a good home. Nellie says she knows the perfect couple to adopt her. Why do I have an odd feeling the couple is The Mayor and His Wife? Maybe I’m reaching, but it is Warrior!

Double Bonus…

• Favorite Quote: “You’re my favorite American friends.” Said by scene stealer Hong to Ah Sahm and Young Jun.
• The Trots: Tonight, I learned the trots means you have a bad case of the shits. I love learning new lingo.