Triple Nine (TV series)

For the high IQ society, see Triple Nine Society. For the 2016 film, see Triple 9.
Triple Nine

Triple Nine (Chinese: 九九九行动) is an English language dystopian fiction television police procedural telecast on what was then the Television Corporation of Singapore's Channel 5 (today's MediaCorp TV Channel 5) from 1995 to 1999. As the station's earliest attempt in an action-based drama series, the series revolved around the lives of a group of police officers, namely Inspector Mike Chin (James Lye), Inspector Elaine Tay (Wong Li Lin), and Sergeant Alan Leong (Lim Yu Beng) from the Special Investigation Section of the CID.

The cast changed in subsequent seasons, notably with the inclusion of Inspector Sean Han (Robin Leong), Inspector Herbert de Souza (Mark Richmond), and Sergeant Yeo Lay Kim (Chong Chia Suan) from the third season, and Sergeant Sarah Chan (Annabelle Francis) from the 4th season. All 4 seasons are available on Netflix from November 2020, as well as meWatch. The series is rated "NC16" on Netflix Singapore.

Trivia

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  • Beatrice Chia (Dr Ooi Su-Lyn) who acted as Mark Richmond (Inspector Herbert)'s girlfriend in the drama eventually became his real-life wife in 2006. They have a son.[1] Beatrice Chia actually cameoed in season 2 episode 9 as Lily Chan, a bomber's accomplice.
  • Before Chong Chia Suan auditioned and won the role of Sgt Yeo Lay Kim, she was the weather girl on Channel 5 news. Other actresses who auditioned for the role of Sgt Yeo were Lisa Ang, Melody Chen and Tammy Wong.
  • Mark Richmond's character, Herbert de Souza, originally had the nickname "Mouth" because he couldn't stop talking. His initial episodes were filled with diatribes and monologues which were eventually shortened.
  • Lim Yu Beng, Loke Loo Pin and James Nord Lim, who played forensic expert Charles Soo, were the only three cast members who stayed throughout all 4 seasons.
  • When Wong Li-lin's character Elaine Tay was killed off towards the end of season 3, a body double was used to portray her corpse, because Li-lin could not be reached to reprise her role.
  • Season 4 was supposed to run for 26 episodes, but was shortened to 22 episodes instead due to conflicting schedules and a few other problems.
  • Tan Kheng Hua (Chong Swee Chin) who appeared briefly as Lim Yu Beng (Sgt Alan)'s second wife in season 2 episode 21 is his real-life partner. They divorced in 2017 after 25 years of marriage.[2] They have a daughter Lim Shi-An [3]
  • Loke Loo Pin (ASP Pang) was a practising dentist who stumbled upon acting and debuted in "Masters Of The Sea" (1994) with a one-liner. The currently-retired dentist released her biography "AcciDental Actress" in 2020.[4]
  • ASP Pang and 2 of her colleagues (INSP Cheng and DSP Chandran) which made up the board of inquiry looking into Kim's shooting of a suicidal boy in the last episode of season 4 were wearing incorrect medal ribbons on their uniforms. Specifically ASP Pang was wearing the Good Service medal and Long Service medal ribbons from the Singapore Armed Forces instead of those from the Singapore Police Force.

Cast

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Main cast

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Cast Role Season Appeared Description/Fates
James Lye Inspector Mike Chin 1, 2, 3, 4 Resigned from the police force at the end of season 2 because of "Jack"'s case, and became a P.E. teacher. He was approached by ASP Pang towards the end of season 3 when Inspector Elaine was killed, and decided to rejoin the CID in the last episode of season 3.
Wong Li Lin Inspector Elaine Tay 1, 2 Was working under ASP Pang in the Vice department of CID. Inspector Mike's love interest, killed by "Jack" towards the end of season 3.
Lim Yu Beng Sergeant Alan Leong Heng Man 1, 2, 3, 4 Hardworking and efficient CID officer. He was a single father with a young daughter, Cindy. Sgt Alan remarried Chong Swee Chin in season 2 episode 21 with Cindy, Insp Mike and Insp Elaine in attendance. At the beginning of season 4, Sgt Alan went overseas for a 3-month course, and was expecting to be promoted to Staff Sergeant upon his return. Unfortunately, his promotion was hindered by Insp Herbert's adverse report on his performance. Eventually towards the end of season 4, he became a Staff Sergeant. In season 4 episode 5, Alan demonstrated that he was the fastest runner for IPPT amongst the officers.
Annabelle Francis Sergeant Sarah Chan 4 Jovial lady officer who transferred from ASP Kho's team (working on a Filipino maid's case) to CID in season 4 episode 1. Fell in love with Inspector Martin in season 4. Was able to run and swim very well. Sgt Kim's schoolmate. There was a lot of tension between her and Kim and she was very upset with Kim in the final episode of season 4 for killing Rudy.
Robin Leong Inspector Sean Han 3, 4 Was from Seattle (hence the slang), where he presumed himself that he was a "hot shot" in the Seattle police department before transferring over to CID. Always using his hands as actions. Rude, snobbish, arrogant, enjoys shouting, yelling and thinks too highly of himself just like Hebert de Souza, egoistic and competitive. Was described by Sergeant Sarah as "a player". Looks down on others, never agrees with anyone who is lower rank than him and thinks too highly of himself. Enjoys doing things without thinking other people’s feelings. Took it out on everyone after his argument with his father and got thrown out of the house. Rude attitude towards Dr. Ooi, shouted at her, even insulted her and didn’t agree with her views. Rude, totally prejudiced against Mike and treated him as a murder suspect without any concrete evidence, took actions into his own hands and threw him into the holding cell without any orders from ASP Pang in the last case of season 3. Was very lucky to get away with only a warning letter for assaulting during interrogation. Didn’t like Inspector Mike very much, always against him, gets pissed off easily by Mike since end of season 3 and in season 4 and was absolutely very, very, very worried that Inspector Mike will outshine him as the top Inspector of CID after Mike decided to return to the police force and was hoping that Mike will overturn his decision to return to police force. Started off in the wrong foot with Sergeant Kim and always pisses her off throughout season 3 and 4 whenever they partner each other.
Loke Loo Pin ASP Pang Sook Ching 1, 2, 3, 4 OC of Special Crimes, CID. Reporting officer of Mike, Elaine, Alan, Sarah and Sean. Stays alone at a HDB flat and appears single.
Mark Richmond Inspector Herbert de Souza 3, 4 Rude and rash officer transferred from CNB. A brusque, scornful, anti-establishment loner and loose cannon. Enjoys agitating Sgt Alan Leong in seasons 3 and 4. Was angry with Dr Ooi for trying to find out his past. Was abandoned by his mother when he was 7 years old (which explains his anger). Was dating psychiatrist Dr Ooi Su-Lyn. Unable to "lie" and wrote an adverse report for Sgt Alan even though he knew that the report would hinder his impending promotion.
Chong Chia Suan Sergeant Yeo Lay Kim 3, 4 Was once a member of the girl gang 13 Roses. Transferred from Commercial Crimes to CID in season 3 episode 1. Was a strong competitor with Sergeant Sarah when they were both in school. Was attracted to Inspector Mike, although the love was not reciprocated. In the last episode of season 4, Kim was stabbed by an assailant on her way home after she shot a 18-year old boy.
James Nord-Lim Dr Charles Soo 1, 2, 3, 4 Pathologist with a warped sense of humour working for the police. Good friend of ASP Pang. His wife was murdered.

Guest cast

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Cast Role Season Appeared Description
Jamie Lee Tracey Teo 2 Reporter who was Insp Mike's love interest. She was vying with Insp Elaine for Mike in season 2. Tracey eventually went to Hong Kong for work.
Gary Lee Wei Inspector Martin Lim 4 CNB officer who was attached to CID for a drug-related case in season 4 episode 6. It was revealed in the middle of season 4 that he was actually part of a heroin syndicate. He grew disillusioned after receiving a warning letter for letting off a 13-year old opium peddler, and decided to turn his back on the police. Insp Martin and Sgt Sarah were dating. Eventually Martin was killed by Sarah near the end of season 4.
Beatrice Chia Dr Ooi Su-Lyn 3, 4 Inspector Herbert's girl friend, and a forensic psychiatrist who tried to mend the estranged relationship between Herbert and his mother. Dr Ooi first appeared in season 3, episode 8, in which she was assigned by ASP Pang to assist Insp Han with the case of the Machritche murders.
Sivaganesh DSP Chandran 2, 3, 4 Snobbish, rude and arrogant officer who thinks too highly of himself. His brand-new Mercedes Benz was stolen in season 4 episode 3. He was extremely pissed off when questioned by Insp Herbert. Chandran is also ASP Pang's grumpy superior, and often storms into her office to complain about Herbert in season 4.
G. P. Revi ASP Ganesh 1, 2 Ganesh was Insp Mike and Sgt Alan's reporting officer in season 1. He was fatally shot by a robber in the first episode of season 2 when he intervened in the robbery of a jewellery shop when off duty.
Nazeem Ansari DSP Rajen 3 Rajen briefed ASP Pang about the maid's case in season 4 episode 1.
Kavita Sidhu Dr Jacintha Matthews 3 Dr Matthews is the "new" pathologist who appeared in season 3. Insp Sean dated her for a short while.
Ghazali Safrain Cpl Halim 1, 2 Insp Elaine's partner in season 1 and 2.
Amy Cheng Inspector Emily Cheng 3, 4 Investigation officer on Inspector Sean Han in season 3 and Sergeant Yeo in season 4. Turned down Inspector Sean Han who tried to court her.
Tan Kheng Hua Chong Swee Chin 2 Sgt Alan's second wife whom he married in season 2 episode 21.
Mike Kasem[5] Sergeant Patrick Fernandez[5]

Episodes

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Season 1

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Originally aired in 1995

  1. Drink If You Dare
  2. The Price of Blood
  3. Silent Victims
  4. Missing Children
  5. Singthroat
  6. Movie Madness
  7. Ring Twice for Vice
  8. Misfortune Teller
  9. A Long Wait, A Slow Kill
  10. Babies for Sale - Dead or Alive
  11. Spellbound
  12. Skin Deep
  13. Hell for Elaine

Season 2

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Originally aired from 15 October 1996.

  1. Rest in Peace ASP Ganesh
  2. Right Time to Die
  3. Tough Choices
  4. None so Blind
  5. Terminal Death
  6. A Time to Kill
  7. Acid Justice
  8. If Looks could Kill
  9. Backfire
  10. Till death do us part
  11. All I want for Christmas
  12. Resort to Murder
  13. Silent Witness
  14. Sins of the Father
  15. Crazy for You
  16. Recipe for Murder
  17. Surf for a Kill
  18. Death of a Lion
  19. Death before Dishonour
  20. It happened one hot day
  21. Guns N' Roses
  22. Dead Man's Hand

Season 3

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Originally aired from 21 July 1998.

  1. Pilot
  2. Parental Guidance
  3. Stab in the Dark
  4. Face of Horror - Part 1
  5. Face of Horror - Part 2
  6. (Case of dismembered body of a loan shark)
  7. Killer Instincts - Part 1 (Machritchie Reservoir murders)
  8. Killer Instincts - Part 2
  9. Mind Games - Part 1
  10. Mind Games - Part 2
  11. Token Angel - Part 1
  12. Token Angel - Part 2
  13. --
  14. --
  15. Unreasonable Sacrifices - Part 1
  16. Unreasonable Sacrifices - Part 2
  17. With Friends Like These... - Part 1
  18. With Friends Like These... - Part 2
  19. Red Debts - Part 1
  20. Red Debts - Part 2
  21. --
  22. --
  23. Who Needs Enemies - Part 1
  24. Who Needs Enemies - Part 2
  25. --
  26. --

Season 4

[edit]

Originally aired in 1999.

  1. Mike is back on the team. The team led by INSP Mike reopens an investigation into the case of a maid who confessed to throwing a 1-year old baby out of the window. Sgt Sarah got transferred to CID to Kim's unhappiness.
  2. Sean partners Sarah in a ‘dog-man’ case, Mike and Kim go in search of an underwear thief, and Su Lyn tries to get Herbert to see his mother.
  3. Sparks fly between Mike and Kim when they team up on a case together. Meanwhile, Sarah gets Herbert to loosen up as he, softening to Su Lyn's attempts to reconcile him with his family, finally makes contact with his brother.
  4. The team investigates the murder of PC Chong, a constable at a NPP. Two suspects were the OC of the NPP, Staff Sergeant Heng, and a successful and well-liked RC Chairman Winston. Through a sting operation, the team discovered that Winston killed PC Chong because he witnessed his interaction with a gangster who was using Winston's shop for storing heroin. Mike and Herbert went undercover as police constables in this episode and Herbert had to cut his hair for the role.
  5. Kim and Sarah investigate the death of a top school swimmer whose body was found at the beach. The episode reveals how upset and envious Kim was with Sarah because the later was always first in sports and school. In the IPPT test, Alan outran everyone to win the $50 "Pang Prize".
  6. Mike and Kim investigate the murder of a rag and bone man. While working on a drug-related case, Sarah finds herself attracted to Inspector Seah, a narcotics officer
  7. Mike and Kim try to nail a man who's been going around, threatening people with an HIV-tainted needle. Also, Mike finds out that Kim likes him but turns her down
  8. Alan and Herbert investigate a case involving a teenage girl gang. Meanwhile, Sean sets into motion the undercover plan to infiltrate a drug syndicate and find out who the top dogs are
  9. Mike and Sarah investigate a businessman's murder and discover that some foreign workers had been paid to kill him. Meanwhile, Sean helps Martin with some drug deals to win the latter's trust.
  10. Herbert and Alan investigate the murder of a man who organises the Children Karaoke Competition. A dismayed Alan learns that he's not being promoted.
  11. Sean is told to kill an informer, which he does so as to gain respect from the gang. But it's also the start of his emotional downfall.
  12. Sean has nightmares after killing an informer and, in his desperation, turns to drugs. Mike suspects something is wrong with Sean. Meanwhile, Kim and Alan draw closer to each other.
  13. Mike investigates a murder where the abused wife is suspected of killing her husband. Sean manages to crack the syndicate and discovers that the corrupt officer turns out to be Inspector Lee. Meanwhile, Kim invites Alan out for a date.
  14. Alan confides his disappointment at being passed over for a promotion to Kim, who thus feels closer to him. Mike takes Sarah out so as to help her get over Sean's betrayal. Meanwhile, Sean gets addicted to drugs.
  15. While investigating a case with Alan, Sean loses control of himself and his drug problem is exposed. Meanwhile, Helen tries to court Mike who turns her down.
  16. Sean goes on cold turkey and Kim helps him get over his addiction. Meanwhile, a spurned Helen threatens Mike.
  17. Alan and Mike investigate a case where a series of women are being killed. Meanwhile, a spurned Helen freaks out and Mike tries to contain her, but to no avail. Later, she goes missing.
  18. Mike and Sarah investigate the case of a dead abandoned baby. Meanwhile, Sean suffers a relapse and starts drinking again.
  19. Mike and Sarah investigate the murder of a man who was found strangled in the restroom of a rundown hotel. Sean seeks help from Alcoholics Anonymous.
  20. Mike and Sarah investigate a series of brutal murders of young women. Eventually they uncover a con operation that lures women with fengshui and black magic.
  21. Margaret (Herbert's mother) drives into a boy who bullies her son Eric (Herbert's younger brother) and gets remanded for investigation. Herbert conciliates with Margaret who abandoned him when he was a kid. Love starts to blossom between Mike and Sarah, as well as between Sean and Kim.
  22. A teenager holds a woman hostage in a supermarket. When Kim fails to talk him into releasing his victim, she shoots him dead. A police inquiry into the matter eventually lets Kim off the hook, but she's stabbed by an assailant on her way home.

References

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  1. ^ "Mark and Beatrice Richmond's son, 15, moves to US to pursue pro golf dream". The Straits Times. 23 July 2022.
  2. ^ Sng, Suzanne (9 January 2023). "Actress Tan Kheng Hua, 59, celebrates one-year anniversary with boyfriend on North America road trip". The Straits Times.
  3. ^ "Lim Shi-An, Whose Parents Are Tan Kheng Hua and Lim Yu-Beng, Used to Visit the Phua Chu Kang Set when She Was in Kindergarten".
  4. ^ "Older women turn everyday lives into memoirs | C3A".
  5. ^ a b "Help, I'm running to HK to hide". The Straits Times. 29 November 1998. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
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