Episode 11 recap: Judge Luo Yuan Holds Traveling Court Hearings
In this episode, we see that Judge Luo Yuan is a different kind of judge than the traditional, stern image. He understands that being a judge is not just about sitting in the courtroom and ruling based on evidence and the law. It's also about finding the right balance between the law and human compassion.
Luo Yuan knows that his work as the judge of the Environmental Protection Court is not just about adjudicating cases, but about protecting our shared home - the Earth. He takes each case very seriously, striving to uphold legal justice while also doing everything he can to protect the environment.
One day, Luo Yuan's car is followed by Zhao Qingsheng on his way to the courthouse. Luo Yuan has to step on the gas and take an alternate route to lose him, realizing that not everyone has the same respect for the law as he does. Geng Nian urges Luo Yuan to try to get Zhao Qingsheng back on the right path, but Luo Yuan knows this will not be easy.
Farmer Huang Weilong is prosecuted for fishing during the banned season, and his case is brought to Luo Yuan's Environmental Protection Court, with Lin Hailin as the presiding judge. Luo Yuan and his colleagues investigate the site where Huang was fishing and question him. While the amount he caught was not large, two of the fish were rare species, underscoring the seriousness of the issue.
At the same time, the problems with the chemical factory continue to escalate.
Through this episode, we see Luo Yuan's dedication to using the law to protect the environment, while also trying to balance it with understanding the human element of the cases he presides over. The episode highlights the complexities he faces as he navigates his role as a modern, forward-thinking judge.
The Episode Review
"Above the Rivers" continues to impress with its thoughtful exploration of environmental law and the challenges faced by its principled protagonist, Judge Luo Yuan. In this episode, Luo Yuan demonstrates his nuanced approach to the bench, recognizing that true justice requires balancing the letter of the law with empathy and understanding for those affected.
The storyline of the farmer Huang Weilong, caught illegally fishing rare species, highlights Luo Yuan's efforts to investigate the full context of a case before rendering judgment. Rather than simply handing down a harsh punishment, he and his team seek to understand Huang's motivations and circumstances. This humanistic touch adds depth to what could have been a straightforward procedural.
Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict with the shadowy figures threatening Luo Yuan adds an engaging dramatic layer, raising the stakes as he continues his mission to protect the environment through the courts. The cat-and-mouse dynamic with Zhao Qingsheng is particularly compelling.
With its focus on complex moral quandaries and refusal to deal in simplistic heroes and villains, "Above the Rivers" continues to deliver thoughtful, nuanced storytelling that sets it apart from typical legal dramas. Episode 11 is another strong installment in this quietly compelling series.
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