All of Death Is a Going Home

**All of Death Is a Going Home** is the ninth episode of the third season of Max's original martial arts crime drama *Warrior* and the twenty-ninth episode overall. It premiered on August 10, 2023.

## Synopsis

Ah Sahm makes a bold sacrifice to protect Yan Mi, Mai Ling reckons with the consequences of her actions, and Leary reaches his breaking point.

## Plot

Haven broken into Strickland's estate, Lai makes her way through his home disguised as a maid, first killing his guard, before confronting Strickland directly. Seeing that she is armed with a Dao, Strickland grabs a sword of his own, certain that Lai has come to kill him at Nellie's behest. Lai is first to draw blood, cutting Strickland twice, first in the abdomen and then the forearm, but he is ultimately more skilled and manages to best Lai, but not before allowing her to pick back up her blade and come at him again.

Bill is still sore as he gets dressed in the morning following his brawl with Chief Atwood. To make matters worse, he receives a home visit from Mayor Buckley, accompanied by Stone and Harrison. He's just come from the hospital, where Chief Atwood is claiming that Bill attacked him. However, Stone and Harrison are claiming that Atwood was inebriated and fell down a flight of stairs. That said, Buckley is in need of a new police chief and asks if Bill is up for the task. Bill looks to Lucy, who gives her approval.

Chao brings Yan Mi to his workshop, where Ah Sahm awaits. After Chao exits, Ah Sahm reveals that trainees Young Jun brought in to learn how to print are quickly improving. Their bill aren't perfect, but it's close, and when it is perfect, Ah Sahm fears Young Jun will have her killed, meaning she has to leave town. Yan Mi asks Ah Sahm to come with her. He says that he should, but they both know it won't be easy, and so, she kisses him and advises him to decide quickly.

Bill returns to the station as the new police chief, where he is greeted with applause from his fellow officers, including Lee, who congratulates Bill on his promotion. Bill then takes a moment to readjust the photo of Chief Flanagan before entering his office.

Ah Sahm confides in Ah Toy that he's contemplating leaving Chinatown with Yan Mi, but Ah Toy warns him that if he leaves, Yan Mi won't be the only one running away from the tongs. But if he stays, Ah Sahm knows it's going to get ugly. Ah Sahm doesn't belong in the Hop Wei anymore, to which Ah Toy replies that he never really did. She can't tell him that what's waiting for him out there is any better, because it wasn't for her, but maybe it's time for him to find out for himself.

Li Yong returns home to speak with Mai Ling, only to find her being guarded by Long Zii hatchet men, who refuse to allow him near her. She proposes they talk another time when he's not as angry, but the hatchet men back down after he shows a bit of force, allowing Li Yong to approach Mai Ling and asks if she truly believes that he would hurt her. She replies that she doesn't know. And so, Li Yong takes off his Long Zii jacket and leaves.

Nellie arrives at the brothel with Lai, beaten and battered. She returns her to Ah Toy, revealing that Strickland left Lai on her doorsteps, which infuriates a saddened Ah Toy.

Strickland gives Leary a tour of his railroad. Now that Buckley is mayor, Leary presumes that it won't be long until Strickland's Chinese labor is on a boat back to China, thus forcing him to begin the hiring process for American labor, but Strickland reports that until the cost of material comes down, he can't afford to hire American. Leary was under the impression that Buckley would get rid of the Chinese immediately, but Strickland argues otherwise and says that allowances will be made. Leary becomes upset, as Strickland promised him jobs. Strickland reminds Leary that he actually promised him a partnership. This is bigger than one job site; every stop along is railroad will create new towns and opportunities for men that Leary represents. Strickland will make Leary the richest man in San Francisco if given time, but Leary's people need jobs now, though Strickland retorts that Leary's people do half the work for twice the pay. He doesn't want the Chinese there any more than Leary, but while they are in America, best believe Strickland intends to make a dollar off of them. He then proposes they have a drink and talk about Leary's future, but Leary is too short-sighted and accuses Strickland of screwing him over.

Young Jun looks to their doctor to do more for Father Jun, however, his blood is poisoned. The only thing the doctor can do is prepare some tinctures to end his suffering, but Young Jun becomes upset and tells him to leave. Father Jun agrees with the doctor that there's nothing more to be done about his condition, even if Young Jun doesn't want to accept it. His time has come, and Father Jun now wants Young Jun to kill him, as he wants to be remembered as the powerful leader of the Hop Wei. All Young Jun has ever wanted was his father's respect, and to achieve that, he must now kill him, which he does by stabbing Father Jun in the neck with a knife, but not before telling Father Jun that he loves him.

Hong and Marcel party with like-minded individuals. However, when Hong goes to the bar to get Marcel a drink, he runs into the same cop that held him at gunpoint while Chief Atwood beat Young Jun back at Hop Wei headquarters. Hong immediately reacts and attacks the cop, choking him and then bashing him over the head with a bottle before storming out. Marcel chases after him and accosts Hong for his actions. Inside the club, no one is who they are on the outside, which is why they go to the club, to be free of all that, but Hong can't look past the fact that this same cop puts his boots on their neck in Chinatown. Marcel's club is nothing more than a fantasy, which Marcel retorts is his life. Hong, however, has to live in the real world, which Marcel encourages him to do by himself.

Leary returns to the Banshee, where he greets Killy and Conor, who thanks Leary for getting him free from jail. With Connor and Garrett back on the streets, Leary supposes they're going to need some work and offers them a job for tonight, to blow up Strickland's railroad.

Yan Mi returns to her father's print shop to find Lee and Agent Mosely waiting. Yichèn blames her for bringing shame to their family, at which point, Lee accuses her of lying to them about printing money for the tongs after finding her stash of counterfeit bills. They ask for the plates, but Yan Mi doesn't know of their location, and so Mosely places her in cuffs.

As Father Jun's body is it prepared to be shipped back to China, the Hop Wei surrounds his casket and each drive a hatchet into the top. Before sending him off, Chao gives a speech in his honor about Father's Jun's life story of coming to America with a dream of building a legacy. And he died a man of his own making, beholden to no one, knowing his legacy was secure. Today, they make offerings to smooth father Jun's journey through the spirit world, and to honor his contribution to their world by following his example through strength, endurance, and charity. Chao then gives his condolences to Young Jun.

Ah Toy and Nellie tend to Lai's wounds, as she lies in bed unconscious. Nellie says that Lai deserves justice, to which Ah Toy replies that justice comes in many ways. Nellie agrees, giving Ah Toy her approval to take out Strickland.

Leary interrupts Strickland's meeting to reveal that he blew up his bridge, but as Strickland sees it, Leary has done nothing but weaken his own cause, and the bridge will be up again within the month, which Leary threatens to blow up again. Men like Leary are the only men who can stop men like Strickland. He has many connections, but when Leary's boot is on his chest, he'll break like anyone else. "The gangster emerges," Strickland remarks. "You've never met the gangster," Leary replies.

Zimo informs Ah Sahm that Yan Mi was taken by the Secret Service, and so, Ah Sahm makes his way down to the police station to speak with Bill, Lee, and Mosely, to whom he reveals that the plates, printer, and money, are all still in Chinatown, in one place. Should they let Yan Mi go, he'll tell them where to find everything. Lee tells Ah Sahm that the girl only goes free after they get the plates, and if this is a trap to lead them into an ambush, Lee assures Ah Sahm that Yan Mi will be on the first boat back to China. Ah Sahm promises that it's not a trap and asks for the night to make some arrangements so that no one gets hurt. But before they move forward, Ah Sahm asks to see Yan Mi. He is taken to her cell and says that he's going to get Yan Mi out by telling them where to find the plates, at which point, the two of them will leave town together. As soon as they get the plates, Yan Mi will be free. Ah Sahm tells her to go straight to the train station, where he will meet her. From there, they will go wherever they want.

Hong stops by the club to hear Marcel sing.

Ah Sahm stops by Chao's workshop and asks him to hold a bag of cash for him, just for the night. This is every real cent Ah Sahm has made since he's arrived in Chinatown. He'll be back for it tomorrow, and after that, Chao will never see him again. Chao questions why now, to which Ah Sahm replies that they arrested Yan Mi and will deport her if they don't get the plates. Chao fears this is bad for everyone, but Ah Sahm promises this won't blow back on him, as he cut a deal. He warns Chao to stay clear of the ice factory tomorrow morning, as it'll be crawling with cops. Chao asks if the girl is really worth all this trouble, to which Ah Sahm replies that she is. Chao agrees to hold the money but tells Ah Sahm that if he's late to pick it up, then he's keeping it.

Ah Sahm returns to Hop Wei headquarters and convenes with Young Jun and Hong. Young Jun always thought that when this day came, he would feel lost, but somehow, he feels like the old man is watching after him and more proud of him now than he ever was in life. On a lighter note, Young Jun reveals that Hong has a boyfriend, however, Hong reveals that they broke up after he "brought his work home." So long as they have each other, that's all they'll need; the three of them toast to being brothers.

Happy Jack's crew, now being led by Isaac, confronts Chao, suspecting that he killed their leader. Even if he did, it would seem as though Isaac got a promotion. While that may be true, it makes it his obligation to avenge Happy Jack's death, because if he doesn't, every gang on the coast will think he's weak and gun for his business. In the interest of self-preservation, Chao strikes a deal, claiming that he knows the location of the Hop Wei's counterfeit operation.

Leary receives an unexpected visit from a group of goons hired by Strickland to kill him. However, despite being outnumbered and outgunned, Leary single-handedly manages to take out his attackers, killing one with a hammer and another by bashing his head into the bar.

## Cast

* Olivia Cheng as Ah Toy
* Jason Tobin as Young Jun
* Dianne Doan as Mai Ling
* Kieran Bew as Bill O'Hara
* Dean Jagger as Dylan Leary
* Tom Weston-Jones as Richard Lee
* Hoon Lee as Wang Chao
* Langley Kirkwood as Walter Buckley
* Perry Yung as Father Jun
* Miranda Raison as Nellie Davenport
* Chen Tang as Hong
* Chelsea Muirhead as Yan Mi
* Adam Rayner as Douglas Strickland III
* Joe Taslim as Li Yong
* Telly Leung as Marcel
* Robert Hobbs as Stone
* Nicholas Pauling as Harrison
* Sean-Marco Vorster as Gumm
* Milton Schorr as Officer Graham
* Emily Child as Lucy O'Hara
* Jenny Umbhau as Lai
* Sizo Mahlangu as Isaac
* Morné Visser as Killy Donahue
* Ross Van Der Walt as Garrett Donahue
* Matthew Vey as Conor Donahue
* Jandre le Roux as Shaw
* Gary Young as Yichèn
* Angelo Chen as Zimo
* Shaun Verth as Goon
* Xin Sarith Wuku as Xin
* Steven P. Park as Tu
* Desmond Ling as Herbalist

## Trivia

* The episode title was spoken by Chao at Father Jun's wake.

## Gallery

### Videos

The Official Warrior Podcast - Episode 9 - Max