Disney Plus original series American Born Chinese season one, episode six entitled “Hot Stuff,” kicks off with Jimmy Liu’s Wei-Chen and Michelle Yeoh’s Guanyin talking about Wei’s guilt. This is due to him taking Ben Wang’s Jin Wang family heirloom as he needs it to complete his quest. From the look on his face the viewer can tell that he really feels awful about taking the heirloom as it rightfully belongs to Jin. In his mind, he wants to justify his actions by saying to himself it is for his noble quest. However, deep down he knows that there is nothing noble about what he did to Jin. Especially when Jin could not do anything to stop him as he knows martial arts. Meanwhile Jin tries to get his parents to talk to each other in hopes of them reconciling. This is a result of them having issues with his father “Chin Han’s Simon Wang”, not asking for a promotion and his mother “Yeo Yann’s Christine Wang” using all their savings for her business venture.
Additionally, the viewer sees that Jin and Sydney Taylor’s Amelia get a bit closer due to her wanting to throw Jin a party for his birthday. It can be assumed that due to them spending time together as class partners they have formed a bond. This is demonstrated by how her gift to him is the jacket she saw him in when they first met. The surprising part about this is how she invites Wei to join the party which gives him a chance to apologize for what happened between them. Unfortunately, Jin is not impressed by his apology as he still has his family heirloom. In Jin’s mind, he does not care for what Wei has to say as he took something that belongs to him. Not to mention that ever since he came along his life has become hectic, which is something that he hates greatly. Deep down he wishes that he could get rid of him permanently, that way he can go back to living a normal life.
Towards the end of the episode, Wei and Jin come into contact with Leonard Wu’s The Bull Demon King as he tries to recruit him to use the staff for evil purposes. However, as Wei refuses the viewer can tell he will hurt Wei and then Jin until his father steps in to help. In the Bull Demon King’s mind, he sees that Wei could be different from his father as he did not believe in his quest. He knows what it feels like to have to go out into the world alone. This is a result of Wei’s father “Daniel Wu’s The Monkey King” possibly leaving him as he was chosen to be the next sage. Unfortunately, as things escalated into an amazing fight scene Wei and Jin ran to stay safe.
At the end of the episode, the viewer sees Wei’s father get taken hostage by the Demon Bull King. The interesting part about this is how Jin sees the issue with what Wei has to deal with regarding his quest. From the look on his face Jin seems to realize that perhaps he really does need to help him complete his quest. In his mind, he now sees how serious Wei’s quest is as someone was willing to attack two kids and kidnap someone. Deep down he thought Wei was over exaggerating when it came to the trouble he said he will face without his help. All in all, it seems as if they will now work together to save his father.
Rating: 9.5/10