Episode 16 recap: Wen Shanshan's Tragic Passing Before the Verdict
In this episode, Guan Yi and Lin Hailan have been working tirelessly overnight on the Su Zhuo case, exhausted from the effort. After careful examination, Lin Hailan believes Su Zhuo's case should be considered an environmental tort. Geng Nian acknowledges that he was wrong to previously question Lin Hailan's judgement, apologizes to her, and expresses his faith in her ability to preside over the case fairly.
However, the defendant's side is not pleased, arguing that the plaintiff's side conducted unauthorized testing with inaccurate results. Lin Hailan sees the logic in this and suggests the court organize another round of testing. But when they arrive at the dispatch company, they are shocked - much of the furniture has been removed, the windows are wide open, and industrial fans are blowing throughout the premises.
Su Zhuo and Wen Shanshan suspect that Jia Keming is deliberately tampering with the evidence. But Jia Keming claims this is part of a legal company restructuring. Su Zhuo worries that the pollution levels will now test lower, and opposes the new testing. The company's legal team insists on proceeding, leading to a standoff.
Xia Weidong then notices something suspicious on the walls, prompting more evasions from Jia Keming. The increasingly frustrated Wen Shanshan even brandishes a paper cutter, intending self-harm, before Luo Yuan manages to disarm her - though he sustains a cut to his palm in the process.
Luo Yuan questions Jia Keming's motivations, but gets no satisfactory answers. Ultimately, Luo Yuan decides to seal off the company for 12 hours of testing, while also criticizing Su Zhuo for failing to properly comfort the affected parties. As Xia Weidong tends to Luo Yuan's wound, she spots Yang Yunsheng at the hospital, but he quickly departs without a word.
The Episode Review
"Above the Rivers" continues its gripping legal drama in Episode 16, as the high-stakes Su Zhuo case takes a tragic turn. The episode is marked by the exhaustion and tension felt by the key characters as they navigate the complex environmental lawsuit.
The highlight is the shocking discovery at the dispatch company, where it appears evidence may have been tampered with. This leads to a tense standoff, with the judge Luo Yuan having to step in and order a lockdown to preserve the integrity of the testing.
The personal stakes are also raised, as the increasingly distraught Wen Shanshan nearly harms herself, leading to a heroic but costly intervention by Luo Yuan. The episode ends on a somber note, with the tragic death of Wen Shanshan before the final verdict can be reached.
Comments(Episode 16)