Episode 20 recap: Zheng Wei Becomes the Scapegoat in a Pollution Case
In this episode, Xu Fei is feeling down after doing poorly on an exam. Her husband Geng Nian comforts her and suggests she first focus on treating her kidney stones before thinking about having a baby. Xu Fei wasn't in a rush to have a child, but Geng Nian's concern makes her start to reflect on her own life.
Meanwhile, Su Zhuo visits the hospital to inquire about Yangrunsheng Group's affairs from his wife, but doesn't get any information.
At the courthouse, a new case is filed involving the illegal dumping of garbage by a married couple, Wu Chengong and Shi Bixia. They had started a garbage removal company and hired middlemen to collect the waste. While the household garbage pollution wasn't severe, a report showed the soil on a remote island had excessive heavy metal levels, even worse than the garbage itself. It seems the island had been polluted long before, making it difficult to identify the responsible party.
Qu Heping comes to the courthouse to discuss the progress of the island's waste burial case with Luo Yuan. Luo Yuan says the issue of jurisdiction over environmental resources is a major problem, unsure of who should be held accountable. Qu Heping agrees and says environmental resource judicial reforms are needed.
After working late for several days, the team is finally able to leave early today. Lin Haiyan knows Xu Fei just had kidney stone surgery and urges Geng Nian to go home and be with his wife, but Geng Nian is preoccupied with work, much to Lin Haiyan's frustration.
She tells Geng Nian that marriage requires effort, and one shouldn't take their partner's sacrifices for granted. At the auto shop, Luo Yuan keeps Xia Weidong company while she works on her car. Xia Weidong comments that knowledge is interconnected, like the logic between technology and nature. Hearing this, Luo Yuan realizes the importance of environmental protection - the mountains, waters, forests, fields, lakes, and sands are all part of a shared destiny.
The Episode Review
"Above the Rivers" continues to impress with its nuanced exploration of environmental law and the challenges facing those tasked with enforcing it. In this episode, the tangled web of jurisdiction and accountability over pollution cases is highlighted, as the team struggles to pin down responsibility for contamination on a remote island.
The personal storylines also land well, with Xu Fei's health concerns and Geng Nian's work-life balance dilemma resonating. The quiet moment between Luo Yuan and Xia Weidong provides a poignant reflection on the interconnectedness of knowledge domains - a theme that ties neatly into the show's central environmental themes.
With its blend of professional drama and relatable human stories, "Above the Rivers" remains a compelling watch. The series' ability to educate and entertain in equal measure is on full display in this latest installment. Fans of character-driven procedurals will find much to appreciate in this well-crafted episode.
Comments(Episode 20)