I managed to catch an episode of The Pupil 2 last night and was pleasantly surprised that it was really very good. I had heard good things about the first season (which I missed) and was curious to see what it had to offer. Even if the cinematography was nothing to shout about, the great writing and solid performances from its stellar cast makes for the kind of compelling drama that we have not seen in local television for a long time.
However, the fact that this drama was made independently (not by Mediacorp Studios), says something about the creativity, the quality and the possibilities that exist outside Mediacorp. The kind of work that independent production houses have produced lately puts Mediacorp to shame. After all, what has Mediacorp produced for Channel 5 lately that is worth raving about? Nothing. Yes, sure, it did produce some good work in the past, like the Growing Up series (before the family became the most unfortunate in Singapore and it all went downhill) and Phua Chu Kang (before Phua Chu Kang had to go to English school). Other than these, Mediacorp has produced series after series of bad dramas, beginning with the ill-fated Masters of the Sea (now that one is worth crushing like a cockroach!). And who can forget the forgettable VR Man?! Or Police and Thief (forgive me, but there are no words to describe just how bad this one is)?!
The Pupil has most certainly surpassed the Master. By leaps and bounds. Perhaps it is not so hard to do because Masters of the Sea set such low standards. If this is so, then it reflects even more badly on Mediacorp. As the ONLY broadcasting network in Singapore with all the resources it has, how is it that Mediacorp still cannot produce something good? Growing Up was a long time ago and that laurel has passed its due date. It seems to me that if there is a lesson that Mediacorp needs to learn from The Pupil, it is that nothing can ever make up for great writing and great casting.
Plus, at the risk of sounding like a veritable snob, can I just say that it is so good to finally hear good English on local TV?
