Kung Fu Finally Revealed Russell Tan’s Ultimate Plan

The following contains spoilers for the CW's Kung Fu, Season 2, Episode 11, "Bloodline" which aired Wednesday, May 25, 2022.

In the latest Season 2 episode of the CW's Kung Fu, the main antagonist, Russell Tan, revealed his ultimate goal: immortality. He wants to use the power of the Yueling bell to access a secret realm between life and death, and discover the secrets of the alchemist, Xiao. Yet, for all the tension and buildup swirling around Tan's motives, the reveal of the standard "I want to live forever" trope seemed anticlimactic. In fact, it was another twist that truly shocked, as viewers found out just how far he will go to achieve his immortal endgame.

The first hint of Russell Tan's wider plan came after Mia showed increasing signs of aggressive behavior, and Xiao made an appearance to whisper in Zhilan's ear. The ever suspicious Zhilan accused the alchemist of hiding something, so Xiao spilled a few hints, leading Zhilan to deduce that Russell Tan wanted to use the power of the bell to resurrect his dead son, Raymond. She then proceeds to plant seeds of doubt in Juliette Tan about her father's promises and motives. Later, Juliette dug into Tan's secrets and decided Zhilan was right: bringing Raymond back from the dead was her father's goal and he lied to her. From that moment, she sets her path against her father.

However, this epiphany turned out to be a big red herring, for both the characters and the viewers, ending in tragic consequences. As Juliette confronts her father about his lies, and what she believes to be his motivation, the show cuts between their interaction and Ryan discovering important research information. Revelations about the secret realm are doled out as Juliette hit her breaking point with her resentment and hatred. She tried to kill her father only to have Russell Tan turn the tables and murder her. He won't have anyone, not even family, stand in his way of achieving the secret of immortality.

So, no corporate conspiracy to destroy and rebuild San Francisco, no bringing back his dead son -- simply a desperate man wanting to cheat death -- which was a disappointing reveal. Russell Tan had been presented as a sinister and enigmatic villain; ruthless, power-hungry and his ultimate goal for his actions shrouded in a mystery. There were a myriad of ways the writers could have taken the story, but they went with the most mundane. The only interesting plot point was Juliette's death, which brutally demonstrated the lengths Tan would go to obtain his objective.

Yet, it also sets up a confrontation between Tan and Xiao that could prove to be a compelling storyline. There are obviously additional secrets she is keeping and other factors at play to be discovered, as well as questions that need to be answered. Tan isn't going to stop until he has want he wants, and Xiao is standing in his way, which is a dangerous thing. Juliette found out the hard way what happens to people in Russell Tan's way.

However, Xiao will prove to be more difficult to remove, and that may set up the salvation for this storyline. The final confrontation between these two ruthless and conniving individuals over the immortality they both crave could surpass the lackluster goal itself and provide viewers with the requisite drama to end the season with a bang.

Kung Fu airs on the CW network on Wednesdays at 9 PM ET/PT