What will the future of “Steel Proof 6” look like when the audience turns away?
Once a highly acclaimed crime drama series, “Forensic Heroes” has returned with its sixth season, only to disappoint fans with an unstable script and subpar acting performances.
At the end of 2023, the news that Bosco Wong would replace Bobby Au-Yeung as the lead in “Forensic Heroes 6” caught the attention of viewers. From the moment the project began filming, discussions about the plot and cast took over social media. Fans were excited, with many flocking to the set to catch a glimpse of the 43-year-old star. In this new installment, Bosco Wong continues to work with his team to uncover the truth behind complex cases. After controversies surrounding the quality of recent seasons, viewers hoped that “Forensic Heroes 6” would bring the iconic TVB brand back to its former glory.
However, the reality has been far from expectations, as the series has faced heavy criticism and a significant drop in viewership.
Audience Criticism
In the series, Bosco Wong takes on the role of forensic expert Xu Jingbo, working alongside Detective Hao Nian (played by Vincent Wong) and forensic doctor Bei Qing (played by Sisley Choi) to solve crimes. Initially, Xu Jingbo struggles to collaborate with the new investigation team, lacking the support of his former colleagues. However, as the series progresses, he gradually finds his footing, helping the team bring hidden crimes to light and delivering justice for the victims.
The 24-episode series, with each episode lasting around 40-50 minutes, debuted on August 7th. Currently, 12 episodes of “Forensic Heroes 6” have aired. The latest storyline revolves around Ho Bao Anh, portrayed by Moon Lau, who recently married Xu Jingbo. The couple embarks on a romantic trip to Japan, but after a night of drinking, Xu Jingbo wakes up to find Bao Anh mysteriously missing. Together with Bao Anh’s close friend, Zhang Da Wei (played by Karl Ting), Xu Jingbo desperately searches for her.
Halfway through its run, Bosco Wong’s series has garnered substantial criticism for its lackluster content, falling far short of expectations. Recent episodes have been described as dull and fail to engage viewers. Overly sentimental and unnecessary romantic scenes frequently appear, while the core forensic investigation elements that define the series are disappointingly underwhelming. As a result, the plot of “Forensic Heroes 6” lacks the suspense and tension expected from a crime and detective series.
On social media, many have expressed their disappointment with “Forensic Heroes 6.” Despite having over 3 million viewers initially committed to following the series, ratings for recent episodes have plummeted as more viewers choose to stop watching. Fans believe that not only has the latest season failed to recapture the series’ golden era, but it has also tarnished the once-beloved brand. Many viewers are calling for the producers to stop “milking” the franchise, a term used to describe exploiting a brand’s popularity by creating numerous prequels, sequels, and spin-offs without regard for quality.
Reasons Behind the Disappointment
There are several reasons for the failure of “Forensic Heroes 6.”
First, the departure from the original tone of the series has left fans feeling alienated. Previous seasons of “Forensic Heroes” focused on complex cases and forensic science, drawing viewers in with logical reasoning and scientific evidence. However, in the latest season, the cases are sparse, dull, and lack excitement. Instead, the series places more emphasis on developing the emotions and relationships of the characters. Romantic scenes are overly abundant and seem out of place in a crime and detective series.
This puzzling shift has left many fans of “Forensic Heroes” dissatisfied. Some have remarked that season 6 feels more like a drama series with too many life-related plotlines, when what they crave is a tense, suspenseful atmosphere.
Furthermore, the cast has failed to resonate with viewers. Although some main characters from season 5, such as Bosco Wong and Vincent Wong, have been retained, the introduction of many new characters in “Forensic Heroes 6” has made the series feel unfamiliar. On the positive side, this could bring fresh and diverse experiences to the series. However, it has also negatively impacted the coherence and depth of the characters within the storyline.
Additionally, the performances of the actors have been underwhelming. The investigative team members are criticized for lacking chemistry and failing to support each other effectively. Meanwhile, Bosco Wong’s portrayal of Xu Jingbo, the central character, lacks charisma. His character is entangled in outdated romantic tropes, and as a forensic expert with investigative experience, Xu Jingbo often delivers unnecessary lines unrelated to the crime-solving process, frustrating viewers.
Lastly, plot holes in the script have further diminished the appeal of “Forensic Heroes 6.” The series contains numerous errors in logic and nonsensical details. For example, a superstitious police officer repeatedly bungles investigations, and a forensic doctor haunted by past trauma falls for someone who resembles her abuser. Moreover, the investigation team appears ineffective, with crucial evidence often provided by strangers rather than deduced from scene analysis. The role of the police is frequently undermined, turning key investigators into absurd, superfluous characters.
As viewers follow the crime-solving journey, the presence of many extraneous events and characters only adds to their frustration and fatigue.
Once considered a promising project, “Forensic Heroes 6” has proven to be a letdown in both content and acting. Thus, it is not surprising that the series has lost its audience. Fans agree that “Forensic Heroes” was only captivating and true to its brand spirit in its first three seasons. The more recent seasons, especially seasons 5 and 6, have shown a worrying decline in quality.
