Silent Tides Episode 4 Recap
> Silent Tides Recap
As night falls, Tsim Sha Tsui Beach is swarmed by refugees. In the chaos, Qiao Yinwan is knocked down, and her scattered belongings are snatched. He Xian helps her recover her items, but due to a previous misunderstanding, she is unable to express her gratitude. He Xian then asks if she is also heading to the dock, offering to travel together. Qiao Yinwan politely declines, and He Xian, after telling her to take care, leaves with his family.
His father asks if Qiao Yinwan is a friend, and He Xian explains she is the woman who previously helped him exchange US dollars. Ke Zhengping, tasked with escorting important individuals, arrives at the beach. He instructs a member of his team to hide their distinctive hair to avoid detection and urges his group to follow him carefully through the crowd.
He introduces Ou Xin, captain of the Zhongshan Anti-Japanese Guerrillas, and Long Haishan, captain of the White Dove Team, who confirms a boat is ready and guides everyone aboard. At the overcrowded beach, boat tickets to Macau are exorbitantly priced at $100 per person, far exceeding the usual $8. Yang Chang and Mary manage to board a boat. He Xian, with his family of five, is quoted $500.
His wife tries to get a discount for their children, explaining they only have $470, but the boatman refuses. He Xian pays $400 cash and offers his valuable watch, claiming it is worth over $300, to cover the remaining cost, allowing his family to board. Qiao Yinwan, however, cannot afford a ticket and remains stranded on the shore. Yang Chang recognizes He Xian and calls over Huang Zixia, leader of the Tai Ho gang.
Huang Zixia confronts He Xian for boarding his gang's boat, accusing him of helping Huang Gongjie, Tai Ho's rival. Yang Chang and Huang Zixia mistakenly believe He Xian is colluding with Huang Gongjie. He Xian explains his ignorance of the gang's feuds and Huang Gongjie's betrayal, but Huang Zixia orders him off the boat, threatening to throw him to the fish.
He Xian tries to leave alone, asking his family to continue to Macau, but Huang Zixia demands that his entire family be thrown off. He Xian appeals to the gang's code, stating that family should not be involved in personal disputes and offering to take responsibility himself. Huang Zixia angrily reminds He Xian that Huang Gongjie killed his grandfather and that if not for He Xian's help, Huang Gongjie would already be dead.
He Xian's family urges him to leave, and He Xian demands a refund for their tickets, but Huang Zixia yells at them to "Get lost!" Meanwhile, at the Macau pier, Liang Yanming, Lok Pak, and Chairman Gao urgently discuss refugee rescue efforts. Lok Pak attempts to coordinate public and Portuguese commercial vessels, while Chairman Gao manages Chinese merchants. Liang Yanming proposes the Steamship Sai On depart first.
However, Inspector General Gonçalves arrives, conveying Governor De Solaire's order: all Macau-registered vessels are prohibited from traveling to Hong Kong. Gonçalves explains that while Hong Kong has surrendered, Japan has not yet approved resumed travel, and Macau must ensure shipping safety and maintain its cooperative relations with Japan. Liang Yanming passionately argues that many high-ranking Chinese officials are trapped in Hong Kong and are Japanese targets, warning of immense losses if ships are not sent immediately.
Gonçalves coldly dismisses his plea, stating Portugal's neutrality in the Sino-Japanese conflict and ordering the Steamship Sai On to halt operations. Stranded on the beach, He Xian's father asks him what they should do. He Xian tries to console his family. The port's ban on ships is overheard by Yu's family, who immediately alert all Boat Dwellers. That night, hundreds of small fishing lights appear on the dark sea, slowly advancing towards Hong Kong, offering hope.
When refugees ask about the cost, Yu announces the journey to Macau is free. He Xian's family recognizes Yu, and Qiao Yinwan identifies her as a Boat Dweller girl she met in Macau. Qiao Yinwan thanks Yu profusely, saying they would not have escaped without her. Yu replies that they had helped her previously.
As the fishing boats approach Macau waters, Governor De Solaire orders the Portuguese naval fleet to deploy for defense, emphasizing that they are only to guard and not to intercept or attack the Chinese civilian ships. Japanese warships, however, pursue the boats at full speed, bombarding and strafing them, destroying several vessels and causing numerous casualties. He Xian's family takes cover, watching Portuguese warships warn armed vessels to stay out of Macau waters.
Ou Xin, leader of the guerrillas, heroically orders Long Haishan to gather armed comrades to confront the Japanese. He then rams his boat into a Japanese warship, causing a massive explosion that illuminates the sea. Long Haishan tearfully directs the remaining boats to break through towards Macau, while He Xian learns that these sacrificing individuals are Communists.
Japanese General Yazaki Kanjuro, after assessing the situation, orders his forces to cease pursuit and dispatches a secret telegram to Colonel Sawa and Consul Fukue, instructing them to coordinate arrests in Macau. At dawn, the refugees reach the Macau pier. He Xian and his family are reunited, and his child asks who saved them. He Xian proudly answers, "They're Communists—members of the Zhongshan Anti-Japanese Guerrillas."
Long Haishan hands over the escort mission to Ke Zhengping and immediately begins searching for missing comrades. Meanwhile, Agency Chief Sawa pressures Governor De Solaire to temporarily close the border gate for 24 hours to prevent the entry of "fugitives." Although De Solaire initially resisted, he eventually yielded to Sawa's pressure. Lok Pak tries to negotiate with Deputy Chief Yamaguchi Kumi of the Special Service Division, but is informed the Governor has already given the order.
Huang Gongjie, now in Macau, offers his services to Agency Chief Sawa, promising to recruit all necessary personnel within a day in exchange for becoming Captain of the Sawa Agency's Special Operations Team. Sawa agrees, assuring Huang Gongjie that success will grant him significant influence in Macau. A harsh cold wave hits Macau, bringing temperatures to historical lows and causing widespread frostbite and deaths among the stranded refugees, leading to much suffering and crying children.
He Xian's children are hungry, but his wife comforts them, promising a meal once the gate opens. He Xian realizes he still has an apple he bought for the children. Yu's injured mother collapses, and her family frantically tries to revive her. Medical personnel note her wound, though not severe, is at risk of infection due to the lack of hospital access. They highlight the urgent need for food, which is scarce.
He Xian's children generously offer their apple to Yu's mother, claiming they have already eaten. Yu thanks He Xian, who vows to care for Yu's mother and expresses deep gratitude to Yu's family for saving them. Ke Zhengping discusses dwindling food supplies and the plight of elderly refugees, also worrying about "Buddha's Hand."
He tells a distraught Qiao Yinwan not to worry about her brother, Qiao Renyu, believing the Japanese won't harm him since he's merely a bank employee, not British military or official. Qiao Yinwan, however, cannot understand what could be so important that he would risk his life and delay his escape.
An elder explains to young Zai, who wonders why Chinese people are barred from Macau, the historical seizure of Chinese territories by foreign powers due to a weak Chinese government, reciting Wen Yiduo's "Song of the Seven Sons," moving many to tears. He Xian thanks Ke Zhengping for rescuing his family. Agency Chief Sawa informs Yamaguchi Kumi that screening thousands of refugees before the gate's scheduled 9 AM opening is impossible.
Sawa then reveals his plan to offer "special passes" as bait to identify fugitives and instructs Yamaguchi Kumi to present this to Governor De Solaire. At the Executive Council meeting, which Governor De Solaire convened to discuss refugee arrangements, Chairman Gao presents a food supply solution, urging Governor De Solaire to open the gate.
However, an assistant announces that Sawa has reneged on his promise to reopen the gate, claiming he only said "initially 24 hours" and needs more time to screen fugitives with newly received intelligence from Hong Kong. Chinese merchants protest vehemently, citing the dozens of refugee deaths at the gate and warning of international pressure. The Portuguese members of the council, however, harbor suspicions towards the Chinese and are unwilling to offend the Japanese.
The proposal to open the gate is ultimately defeated by a vote of six to five, with council member Rodrigues casting the decisive vote against, stating his distrust of Chinese promises in general, citing a previous issue with Mr. Ma. Sawa enters and offers De Solaire a "good way to ease that pressure": issuing special passes for "designated travelers" to discreetly filter and apprehend targets.
The Macau government broadcasts an announcement: special passes will be issued temporarily for "special tourists" as the sole valid entry document before the official reopening. Liang Yanming angrily confronts Lok Pak about the mere 30 passes allocated to the Chinese community, despite hundreds of prominent Chinese figures needing them, while foreigners received a disproportionate share. Lok Pak explains that Governor De Solaire prioritizes international pressure over Chinese refugees, and he fought hard to secure even these 30 passes.
Lok Pak then requests one pass for Qiao Yinwan, and Liang Yanming ensures a list of important individuals he has will be prioritized. At the pier, Huang Gongjie briefs his new team, supervised by Deputy Chief Yamaguchi Kumi. He explains that he will monitor those receiving passes at the gate while his teams search refugees, using recently arrived fugitive photos from Hong Kong.
He stresses the critical importance of this first mission for the Special Service Division, vowing that no wanted Imperial Army fugitive will escape. Simultaneously, Ke Lin, Director of the Medical Department at Kiang Wu Hospital and leader of its volunteer medical team, demands entry to provide emergency medical aid to the refugees. Despite being warned he cannot leave once inside, he insists on entering. He then announces to the refugees that his team will offer free medical services, prioritizing severe and critical cases, and instructs them to queue for initial check-ups.
