Kung Fu: The Legend Continues

I stumbled across KF:TLC quite accidently and was pleasantly surprised at what I originally thought would be your usual shoot 'em up type show. Instead what I found was a show that explored a father/son relationship in ways I hadn't seen done. Chris Potter is excellent as Peter Caine...I found myself instantly drawn to the character and able to relate to his conflicting emotions about the return of his father. Peter Caine is the character that kept me watching the show week after week and the show was blessed with a good supporting cast as well.

"Kung Fu: The Legend Continues" will never be as good as the original "Kung Fu" TV show. The original "Kung Fu" was a remarkable show that can never be duplicated in this time and age.

"Kung Fu: The Legend Continues" is stricly lightweight fantasy. Kwai Chang Caine's descendants are still around and doing heroic work. Caine and his son, Peter (played by the handsome Chris Potter) were separated when their temple was attacked and destroyed. Peter is now a policeman. Caine and Peter meet again and reconnect. This show isn't just about police cases that Peter and Caine become involved in, it is also about a father and son's relationship. They learn to become family again and learn from each other.

I liked the relationship between Caine and Peter. The actors, David Carradine and Chris Potter have a nice chemistry together. I like the respect the father and son had for each other.

The other characters on the show actually become more interesting as the series progress. The show became more of an ensemble show as it progressed, but everything always comes back to Caine.

The show is fun, kinda hokey, makes Asian people look powerful, both in a good way and in a negative way. Asian people were never portrayed as powerful or exciting in TV or cinema during that time, and this was the only show that showed Asians that are not meek, or stupid.

This is a fun action show. I remembered it was a perfect way to spend an hour of TV watching on a Saturday afternoon.

I give this show a C++!

This show was one of the 10 or so I made it a point to watch in the mid- to-late '90s. Not because it was well-written or because it was revolutionary in some way, but because it was just plain fun! The first season was pretty "bad" start to finish, but the show had little budget. However, as each season progressed, the writing got better, and the story's arc got stronger.

The main reason to watch this show is for the chemistry between David Carradine and Chris Potter. It is beautiful to behold and comes to a very touching conclusion in the season 4 finale (I'm still a little miffed they never had a final season).

As for the rest, you've got some good performances, some awful performances, some surprise guest appearances and fun cameos, and some pretty cheesy special effects (even for 20 years ago), but if you just take it as it is, it's a pleasant way to spend your evening.

One of the local channels just started airing this less than a month ago. They show it every workday night. I fully agree with the first comment here (by anonymous, 27 October 1998). At first, I thought it was lame, but after I had watched 1 or 2 episodes, I really began to like it and now I watch it every day if I have the chance. The most of all I like the character of Kwai Chang Caine. When fighting, he uses minimum violence to defeat his opponents, never kills them (at least I haven't seen it yet). He is kind and wise etc. I haven't seen the original series or the movies, but his character makes me want to see these too.

This IS one of the (very few) best series since "Magnum, P.I.", in my humble opinion. The similarity between Magnum and Kung Fu: TLC is that while both deal with action and fighting bad guys, their real focus is on human relations, friendship etc. And more - in Magnum, Tom Selleck fit the role so perfectly, that it was hard to believe this was acting. I think it is also true with David Carradine.

I never thought I would like Kung Fu: The Legend Continues. Before I watched the series, my impression of the show was of a father and son fighting team that found new people to beat up every week. I admit, to my chagrin, that was my picture of 'martial arts' shows.

Then, by accident, I caught part of an episode where the father and son were hugging each other and the son was teary-eyed. Apparently, the son's mother died many years ago. I was drawn into the program, surprised to see this candid, emotional moment on screen. This was not what I expected.

After viewing a few more episodes, I became a true admirerer of Kung Fu: The Legend Continues. The father, Caine and his son, Peter, had been separated for 15 years thinking each other dead. The large story arc traces their road to reconciliation. While the two must struggle to understand each other and make amends for past grievances, there are external obstacles mirroring their inner obstacles. Through this turmoil, the show balances fast-paced action with heart, humanity, healing and a helping of humor.

I also admire the way the show deals with violence. In the earlier episodes, Peter commonly used a gun in a dangerous situation while his father, Caine, tried to disarm hostiles without killing them. As the show progresses, Peter learns there is "another way" to deal with a dangerous situation than to go for a gun.

Kung Fu: The Legend Continues is a magical show with a positive, yet not syrupy, message of hope in the face of adversity. Here's hoping that the legacy of the Legend Continues.