Episode 14 recap: Luo Yuan Appointed as the Chief Judge of the Environmental Resources Tribunal
In the evening, Xia Wei Dong's mother, Xia Mu, was driving by when she happened to witness a serious traffic accident, which left her shaken. Remembering the previous chemical plant explosion, she felt even more afraid. Angrily, she pulled Xia Wei Dong into the car and questioned her about the dangerous environmental work she was doing at the tribunal. Xia Wei Dong tried to explain that she was only serving as an expert advisor, but her mother was not satisfied with the explanation and asked her, heartbroken, why she had to take such risks.
After the confrontation, Xia Mu stormed off to her bedroom, no longer wanting to talk to Xia Wei Dong.
In the course of his investigation, Geng Nian felt that he had become too deeply involved, worried that this would violate the principle of the court's neutrality and cause dissatisfaction from other departments. However, Luo Yuan believed that the existence of the environmental tribunal was extremely important, and they needed to speak up for the environment that could not speak for itself.
Luo Yuan also mentioned Qu He Ping's previous suggestion, which was to form a seven-person expert jury for major cases, as this could better ensure the determination of the facts in the case.
During their conversation, Geng Nian learned about Zhao Qingsheng's retaliatory actions against Lin Haiyan. She felt that to solve the problem, they needed to delve deeper into the other side's perspective. Meanwhile, Lin Haiyan was considering transferring away from Qixing County, hoping to distance herself from the ongoing conflicts. After discussing with her husband, Guan Yi, she decided to first go back to Dajiang City to assess the situation. Although Guan Yi was concerned about his wife's constant commute between Qixing County and Dajiang City, he understood and supported her dedication to her work at the court.
Under the night sky, the Dajiang City public security officer, Ma Weizhong, was patrolling with his team when they encountered the fisherman Hai Aping, who was illegally catching eel fry. The fisheries law enforcement team quickly took action and caught Hai Aping red-handed. Faced with Ma Weizhong's questioning, Hai Aping initially tried to make excuses, but eventually confessed.
The environmental protection bureau and the procuratorate had been unable to reach a consensus during the negotiation process, so Luo Yuan decided to hold a trial to hear the case. Xia Wei Dong was worried about the outcome, but Luo Yuan firmly stated that he would not allow the worst-case scenario to occur.
The Episode Review
"Above the Rivers" Episode 14 - "Luo Yuan Appointed as the Chief Judge of the Environmental Resources Tribunal"
This episode of "Above the Rivers" continued to explore the complex web of environmental issues, legal battles, and personal conflicts that have been unfolding throughout the series. The highlight was the tension between Xia Wei Dong and her mother, as Xia Mu confronted her daughter about the dangers of her work at the environmental tribunal. This emotional scene provided a poignant reminder of the personal sacrifices and family challenges faced by those committed to environmental protection.
The episode also delved deeper into the workings of the environmental tribunal, with Luo Yuan asserting its crucial role in giving voice to the environment. His discussion with Geng Nian about expanding the tribunal's structure to include expert juries was an intriguing glimpse into their efforts to ensure impartiality and thorough fact-finding.
Elsewhere, the episode continued to weave together various storylines, including the ongoing dispute between the environmental protection bureau and the procuratorate, as well as the personal dilemmas faced by characters like Lin Haiyan. The action-packed scene with the fisheries law enforcement team highlighted the tangible consequences of environmental crimes.
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