The Homecoming takes the viewer into the life of Mrs. Chi Tsui-yun (beautifully and sensitively portrayed by actress Lee Tze-ling), a working housewife and mother whose husband, Han Kuei-ching (played by Chiao Kuo-hua), is currently imprisoned as a result of an extortion conviction involving his previous company. Mrs. Chi works very hard at a garment manufacturing firm, the sole money earner for her daughter and an aged mother-in-law. She shows great dedication to her work, catching the eye of her boss. She knows that, even with the eventual release of her husband from prison, she'll have to work hard for a long time to come.
Aware of her plight, her boss (played by Chou Chung-lien) suggests that she attempt to earn a college degree or its equivalent while working; that, he says, is the only way she's going to see any significant improvement in her job status and pay. Taking a deep breath, she goes for it.
The Homecoming centers on Mrs. Chi's trials and tribulations while working and studying for a degree and, at the same time, trying to keep her family life from falling apart. She studies at night, and is out of the house from early morning until almost 11 every evening. At home, there are early signs of trouble. At first, her mother-in-law, ignorant of Mrs. Chi's plans, suspects her of illicit rendezvous with men. When she learns that Mrs. Chi is attending classes, the mother-in-law is touched. But soon enough she begins to complain that Mrs. Chi is not spending enough time with daughter Han Hsiao-fan.
Hsiao-fan (played by Chiang Li-li, who bears a remarkable resemblance to Lee Tze-ling) is right at the rebellious age. Because of mother's continuing absence and grandmother's pampering, Hsiao-fan often arrives home just before mother enters the door at night. One evening she is caught attending an illegal "underground" dance party and mother has to come to the police station to collect her.
Meanwhile, on her weekly visits to the penitentiary, Mrs. Chi begins to receive increasingly hostile treatment from her husband, who is jealous of her increasing success in both business and education. He puts her through a guilt trip, appealing to her sense of responsibility to the family.
With increasing pressures from all sides-her grandmother's admonitions, complaints from her daughter's school, and the jealousy of her husband, Mrs. Chi almost gives up her studies. Her boss, however, convinces her to go on. Up till now she has faced internal family problems with grace, determination, and many tears. You might think that a lady who has tried so hard should reach her goal…but TV screen-writers think differently.
Soon afterwards, Mrs. Chi meets a professor at her school who greatly admires her spirit and wants to introduce her to his severely depressed sister, Yang Li-mei (played by Wang Su-chuan)—she was deserted by her first boy friend; her current boy friend is a married man serving time in the same prison as Mrs. Chi's husband. —Could he be...? No, too farfetched. Well, folks, your intuition is right. Mrs. Chi and Miss Yang have one thing in common: Mr. Han Kuei-ching. Of course, the viewer senses this immediately, but the screen writer lets the two ladies go on in blissful ignorance for nearly the entire last half of the show. They have coffee, go shopping, and soon talk as if they have been friends for years.
Before Mrs. Chi learns of Miss Yang's role in her husband's life, she recommends Miss Yang to her boss as a suitable applicant for a secretarial position in the company. Soon afterwards, the two arrange to meet at the penitentiary so that they can do their visiting together. On the appointed day, Miss Yang arrives early and registers to see Mr. Han. Mrs. Chi, on the scene a moment later, begins to register, but learning that Miss Yang li-mei is in line before her to see him, leaves in shock. The next day, her boss announces that Miss Yang has been approved for the position. Hiding tears and anger, Mrs. Chi calls Miss Yang to let her know the good news, and they begin working in the same office.
The usually optimistic wife now sinks into depression, while the mistress, with her new-found job, feels her life beginning anew ... that is until a chance rummaging through Mrs. Chi's desk drawers for some business papers reveals to Miss Yang a Chi family photo. The story then ends quickly, with shots of Mr. Han at a reunion dinner with his family, and of Miss Yang writing Mrs. Chi a letter terminating her relationship with Mr. Han.
The Homecoming, you may note, possesses, for the most part, a standard TV soap opera plot and, also, standard TV acting. Much of the action is terribly predictable, and most of the acting only technically acceptable. Two factors, however, set the piece apart from the "tube's" regular fare: attention to detail and actress Lee Tze-ling.
Director Wong Chung-chiang has kept a close eye on the continuity—in terms of costumes, props, time, locations, and emotions—from scene to scene. The audio in this drama is better than usual; natural background sounds and prerecorded music are used to add significant depth and reality to the scenes. Lighting is very realistic—no brightly lit bedrooms with children fast asleep, or plywood windowpanes casting shadows on a painted backdrop. All the shots were made on location—whether a school, the prison, or at home. And these details help enhance the sense of realism and viewer involvement in the story.
Then there is actress Lee Tze-ling, who is also the program's producer. For her very fine portrayal of Mrs. Chi, she garnered the Golden Bell award for Best Actress of the Year, and indeed deserves it. Her acting is never exaggerated or technical, always sensitive and motivated.
The Homecoming approaches what good television drama is all about. It has a good leading actress, good technical support and, a believable... well, touching story. Hopefully, others will follow its example and continue elevating the standards of television programming.