Journey to the West

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Journey to the West is a Hong Kong television series adapted from the classical novel of the same title. Starring Dicky Cheung, Kwong Wah, Wayne Lai and Evergreen Mak, the series was produced by TVB and was first broadcast on TVB Jade in Hong Kong in November 1996. A sequel, Journey to the West II, was broadcast in 1998, but the role of the Monkey King was played by Benny Chan instead, due to contract problems between Dicky Cheung and TVB. Cheung later reprised the role in another television series The Monkey King: Quest for the Sutra, which was broadcast on TVB but not produced by the station.

Production

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Seasons

30 Episodes • Premiered 1996

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 1: The Stone Monkey Breaks Free from the Rock

1. The Stone Monkey Breaks Free from the Rock

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The stone monkey is born from a magic rock and disturbs the heavens with his power. The Jade Emperor imprisons him under the Five-Finger Mountain to atone for his arrogance.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 2: Tian Peng and Wu Gang Compete for Chang’e

2. Tian Peng and Wu Gang Compete for Chang’e

Tian Peng and Wu Gang both fall for the moon goddess Chang’e, leading to jealousy and chaos in heaven. Meanwhile, the monkey learns from a great master and becomes Sun Wukong.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 3: Wukong’s Death Approaches

3. Wukong’s Death Approaches

Wukong trains for decades to master immortality and learns the seventy-two transformations. He escapes the underworld by tricking the King of Hell and alters the Book of Life and Death.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 4: Wukong Is Punished

4. Wukong Is Punished

Wukong becomes keeper of the heavenly stables but grows rebellious when mocked by other immortals. He quits heaven in anger, leading the Jade Emperor to declare him an outlaw.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 5: Wukong Cannot Escape the Buddha’s Five-Finger Mountain

5. Wukong Cannot Escape the Buddha’s Five-Finger Mountain

Wukong wreaks havoc in heaven and steals the peaches of immortality. The Buddha traps him beneath a mountain for five hundred years as punishment.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 6: Tian Peng Falls into the Realm of Beasts

6. Tian Peng Falls into the Realm of Beasts

Tian Peng is banished to earth and accidentally reincarnates into the body of a pig. Rescued by Guanyin, he becomes Zhu Bajie, destined to help the future scripture pilgrim.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 7: Tripitaka Takes Wukong and Bajie as Disciples

7. Tripitaka Takes Wukong and Bajie as Disciples

The monk Tang Sanzang begins his pilgrimage and frees Wukong from his mountain prison. He also recruits Bajie and the river demon Sha Wujing to aid his holy mission.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 8: Wukong Fails to Borrow the Fan

8. Wukong Fails to Borrow the Fan

The pilgrims face the Fiery Mountain and Wukong seeks the magic fan to extinguish the flames. His first attempt to borrow it from Princess Iron Fan ends in failure.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 9: The Dream Demon Causes Trouble

9. The Dream Demon Causes Trouble

While Wukong searches for the fan, a Dream Demon attacks the sleeping monks. Wukong allies with the Bull Demon King to outsmart the demons and retrieve the fan.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 10: Red Boy Is Manipulated by the Dream Demon

10. Red Boy Is Manipulated by the Dream Demon

The Dream Demon manipulates Red Boy into turning against his parents and attacking Wukong. Red Boy’s misuse of his fire powers brings ruin until he learns the demon’s deceit.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 11: Wukong Nears Death

11. Wukong Nears Death

Wukong is blinded and gravely wounded in a trap set by Red Boy and the Dream Demon. Through Tang Sanzang’s compassion and prayer, he miraculously recovers.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 12: Red Boy Reaches Enlightenment

12. Red Boy Reaches Enlightenment

Guanyin heals Wukong and guides him to subdue Red Boy. Seeing his parents’ suffering, Red Boy repents and becomes the child Buddha Sudhana.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 13: Tang Sanzang Is Ambushed

13. Tang Sanzang Is Ambushed

The travelers rest at a manor run by Lady Mo, who secretly tests their purity. Wukong exposes her illusions, saving his master from moral temptation.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 14: Wukong Is Expelled by His Master

14. Wukong Is Expelled by His Master

Wukong kills a disguised White-Bone Spirit, but Tang Sanzang mistakes it for murder. Heartbroken, Wukong is banished from the group while the real demon captures his master.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 15: The White-Bone Demon Is Defeated

15. The White-Bone Demon Is Defeated

Wukong returns to defeat the White-Bone Spirit and rescues Tang Sanzang. The group reconciles and continues westward, while Bajie’s vanity causes new trouble.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 16: Bajie’s Mortal Desires Remain

16. Bajie’s Mortal Desires Remain

Bajie marries a princess and forgets his vows, living in luxury as a prince. Tang Sanzang and Wukong remind him of his duty, and he repents his earthly desires.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 17: Bajie Attempts to Hang Himself

17. Bajie Attempts to Hang Himself

Bajie is deceived by a vengeful demon and believes he has killed Tang Sanzang. Overcome with guilt, he tries to hang himself but is saved by Guanyin’s mercy.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 18: Wukong Bets with the Three Demons

18. Wukong Bets with the Three Demons

In a drought-stricken kingdom ruled by false Taoist priests, Wukong challenges three demons posing as holy men. Through cunning miracles he exposes their deceit.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 19: The Three Demons Are Defeated and Killed

19. The Three Demons Are Defeated and Killed

Wukong outwits the tiger, deer, and ram demons in a series of deadly wagers. Each is slain after their magic fails, restoring peace to the kingdom.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 20: Tang Sanzang Meets the Spider Spirits

20. Tang Sanzang Meets the Spider Spirits

Tang Sanzang is captured by seductive spider demons, but one named Shishi shows compassion. Wukong rescues his master and senses Shishi’s tragic past.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 21: Shishi’s Past Love Story

21. Shishi’s Past Love Story

Shishi recalls her former life as a woman in love with a scholar who died saving her. Moved by her sorrow, Wukong and Tang Sanzang help her seek redemption.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 22: En’en Falls in Love with Wukong

22. En’en Falls in Love with Wukong

Shishi’s sister En’en falls in love with Wukong during their travels. Her affection tests his spiritual discipline as the group continues west.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 23: Shishi Willingly Lets Herself Be Used

23. Shishi Willingly Lets Herself Be Used

Deceived by the centipede demon Yushu, Shishi sacrifices herself to protect Tang Sanzang. Her love and guilt drive her to tragic submission.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 24: The Real and Fake Tang Sanzang

24. The Real and Fake Tang Sanzang

The centipede demon disguises himself as Tang Sanzang, causing confusion among the pilgrims. Wukong relies on Shishi’s guidance to reveal the true monk and defeat the impostor.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 25: En’en Sacrifices Herself for Love

25. En’en Sacrifices Herself for Love

The demon lures En’en from safety, and she dies saving Wukong. Wukong and his allies destroy the demon, mourning En’en’s devotion.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 26: Tang Sanzang Collapses

26. Tang Sanzang Collapses

Exhausted in the desert, Tang Sanzang collapses under the blazing sun. Wukong risks his life to carry him onward, and they are saved by the general Feihu.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 27: Tang Sanzang Is Crowned Queen

27. Tang Sanzang Is Crowned Queen

The pilgrims reach the Women’s Kingdom where Tang Sanzang is mistaken for a handsome queen-to-be. Despite royal temptation, he remains faithful to his vows.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 28: The Master and Disciples Become Pregnant

28. The Master and Disciples Become Pregnant

After drinking the Mother-Child Spring, all four pilgrims become magically pregnant. Wukong seeks Guanyin’s help to find a cure before it’s too late.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 29: Do the Four Disciples Have a Child?

29. Do the Four Disciples Have a Child?

A mischievous goddess tricks the pilgrims into thinking they have given birth to children. The chaos reveals lessons about attachment and illusion.

Still image for Journey to the West season 1 episode 30: Tang Sanzang Enlightens the Flying Tiger

30. Tang Sanzang Enlightens the Flying Tiger

Tang Sanzang enlightens the warrior Feihu about the emptiness of desire. The monk and his disciples continue their sacred journey toward the West.

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