The Emerald Hill Ending We Wanted (But Didn’t Get)

Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story snagged the “Top 10” spot on Netflix over the past month, for good reason. The period drama was a visual feast of gorgeous nyonya kebayas, beautiful hairstyles to match, mouthwatering nyonya kueh and dishes, as well as lovable cast members. It was also a welcome invitation to revisit our Peranakan culture.

Just one thing: the heartless continuous elimination of beloved characters through cliched means made it painful to watch. Houses were burnt, people were shot. Yes, it’s fictional, but still… We had hopes for a satisfying ending that would justify our 1,350 minutes (45 minutes x 30 episodes) of screen time (without our kids watching) and countless emotional rollercoasters. *sniff*

The finale of Emerald Hill may be done and dusted, but we are not quite done with it. We guess you aren't, too.

One can dream, right? Below, the events we yearned to see in Emerald Hill’s ending – which would have been better played out over a few more episodes. Hear, scriptwriters!

*MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD.*

1. Ah Zhu reappearing to save Xin Niang

After delighting us with her endearing portrayal of Xin Niang’s streetwise adoptive mother, how could Ah Zhu's last appearance simply be her departure at the pineapple farm? How about showing us how she kicked her gambling addiction, and reunited with Xin Niang by saving her at critical junctures? We waited and waited for this unity, but nope. Did not happen.

2. An Na and her evil dad put behind bars

How could the drama’s key villain An Na be simply diagnosed as schizophrenic and get holed up in a psychiatric hospital in the end? An Na’s behaviour in the show is not quite reflective of schizophrenia. She was set up to be vindictive and manipulative due to her childhood experiences.

Also, how could her evil dad Jin Quan simply fade away after sustaining severe burns? His fate wasn’t elaborated. For all the heinous deeds An Na and Jin Quan committed, we want to see justice properly served.

3. Xin Niang’s biological parents unveiled

NGL, we had hopes that Xin Niang’s biological parents would be revealed at some point… but they weren’t. After being wowed by Xin Niang’s all-round brilliance, we can’t help but wonder who her biological parents might be. Who did she inherit such fantastic genes from?

4. Yin Niang's return and reconciliation with Dong Hao

Yin Niang was absent for a good part of the serial. To be honest, we were waiting for her to show up during the finale episodes and do her part as Xin Niang's sassy and righteous aunt. Unfortunately she appeared only in the closing scene of the last episode, to be part of the customary family photo-taking. She married her long-time lover Dong Hao, but the restoration of their relationship wasn't explained. This was one love story we wanted to hear.

5. Shu Yu finding out that her husband (Jin Hai) is not the biological father of their son (Yao Zu)

We need closure, after seeing so many instances of Jin Hai (played by Shaun Chen) snubbing his son Yao Zu (played by Nick Teo) and disregarding Shu Yu’s pleas to treat him better. Instead, all we got was a scene showing Jin Quan revealing that Jin Hai got a friend to rape his wife, Shu Yu in order to produce an heir. No doubt about it – she deserved to know the scandalous truth. But this loose end wasn’t tied up.

6. Yao Zu’s romantic relationship with Xiao Hui

This long-suffering character – who endured years of torment and injustice in the Zhang household – got a happy ending when he married Xiao Hui. But the latter was Xiao Lao Shu’s girlfriend. How did this couple get together? We did not see this coming.

7. The reform of Bai Ah Li

Did our favourite underdog Bai Ah Li deserve to be conveniently killed by the police in the end, after going through fire and water for Xin Niang? No. He even escaped prison like a pro. Couldn’t the scriptwriter have let him survive and reform? We believe in second chances.

8. Brothers Yao Guang and Yao Liang reformed

Speaking of second chances, imagine how heartwarming it would be to see these terrible twos reflect on their selfish and boorish ways, and change for the better? Even better if they joined hands with older cousin Yao Zu for work. Instead, they had to be tragically shot by their sister and perish in a fire – overused plots we’ve seen enough of.

9. Matriarch Xiu Niang finding out what rogue of a son (Jin Quan) she has

Ignorance is not bliss in this case. How in the world can the matriarch be unaware of the happenings going on in the household since day 1? Even their blur maid Ah Hua was able to sniff out fishy business. Imagine the plot possibilities if nyo (“mother” in Baba Malay, referring to Xiu Niang) was aware of all the wrongdoings. Matriarchs can’t afford to be that clueless, right? We hope not.