Episode Summary
The trial of the powerful Wanhai Group descends into chaos when defense attorney Zhang Wenjing intentionally disrupts the proceedings, leading to a brawl. Simultaneously, veteran prosecutor Wang Chunxiang faces disciplinary action after a suspect he was escorting attempts suicide during an unauthorized stop. The case takes a dark turn when another prosecutor, Qiao Zhenxing, commits suicide after recording a confession admitting he was a corrupt "protective umbrella" for the Wanhai Group. This revelation forces the city's Political and Legal Affairs Commission to launch a full-scale investigation into the conspiracy and the integrity of the evidence. Caught in the middle is prosecutor Hong Liang, who is tasked with investigating Wang Chunxiang while trying to resign from his position, facing professional and personal conflicts.
Spoiler Alert
"In the Name of Justice" Episode 1 Recap: A Trial in Chaos and a Conspiracy Uncovered
The premiere of "In the Name of Justice" throws us headfirst into a legal and political firestorm, where a high-profile trial collapses into chaos, a shocking suicide exposes deep-seated corruption, and the lines between right and wrong blur for everyone involved.
The episode opens with the trial of the Wanhai Group, a powerful conglomerate accused of a decade of heinous crimes, including violent extortion and illegal detention. As prosecutor Xie Hongfei lays out the devastating case against chairman Wanhai and his inner circle, the courtroom hangs on every word. But the decorum is shattered when Wanhai's defense attorney, Zhang Wenjing, leaps to her feet, screaming that her client has been framed. Her outburst is a calculated move, inciting Wanhai's son and brother to start a brawl with the victims' families, turning the hallowed halls of justice into a chaotic melee. Zhang is swiftly ejected, but the damage is done.
Meanwhile, a seemingly unrelated incident unfolds. Veteran prosecutor Wang Chunxiang is escorting a suspect, Lin Xi, who begs for a detour to visit his father's grave, promising a full confession in return. Wang, nearing retirement with a spotless record, compassionately agrees. It's a trap. Lin Xi makes a desperate suicide attempt by smashing his head against the tombstone, an act thwarted only by the quick reflexes of the bailiffs. This unauthorized stop lands Wang in hot water, facing an internal investigation led by the sharp, unyielding prosecutor Hong Liang. Wang's colleague, Zheng Yaping, fiercely defends him, urging him not to sign a confession that would tarnish his career right before retirement. Though Hong Liang offers a moment of grace by turning off the recording equipment, Wang, a man of principle, accepts full responsibility and signs the disciplinary papers.
The episode's most stunning twist comes with the death of Qiao Zhenxing, a prosecutor from Dongping City. In a chilling final video, he confesses to being the "protective umbrella" for the Wanhai Group—a corrupt official shielding their criminal enterprise. After sending the confession, he drives to a frozen river, drinks a final toast, and plunges into the icy water. We learn he had been trying desperately to reach Hong Liang, who was unavailable, his phone service cutting out just as Zheng Yaping was berating him for his "cold-blooded" handling of Wang's case. Qiao's suicide blows the Wanhai case wide open, confirming a conspiracy that reaches into the heart of the justice system.
In response to the courtroom fiasco and Qiao's death, the city's top brass convenes an emergency meeting. Lan Jingming, the formidable Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, demands answers. The prosecution team admits they were blindsided by Zhang Wenjing's tactics. More damningly, Police Chief Xu Yanwu reveals that Zhang has been coercing witnesses to commit perjury. Prosecutor Xie Hongfei declares what is now becoming clear: Zhang isn't just a lawyer; she's an accomplice to the Wanhai syndicate. Lan Jingming orders a complete reinvestigation of the entire evidence chain, determined to root out the corruption.
The conspiracy extends even to Wanhai's own legal team. During a prison visit, Wanhai furiously confronts his other lawyer, Cheng Zijian, because their plan has gone awry. His son was supposed to flee the country but instead showed up to cause a scene in court, orchestrated by the rogue lawyer Zhang Wenjing. Elsewhere, Zhang meets with yet another lawyer, Fu Bing, who promises to get her inside information on the case, deepening the web of collusion.
At the center of this storm is Hong Liang, a man at a crossroads. While navigating the politically sensitive investigation into Wang Chunxiang, he is also trying to leave the prosecutor's office for a more lucrative job in corporate law. His resignation is being slow-walked by his superior, who claims he's too short-staffed to lose him. Later, visiting Wang's home to talk, Hong Liang finds himself in a painfully awkward dinner. Wang's wife, furious at the man disciplining her husband, storms away from the table. Zheng Yaping confronts Hong directly, accusing him of shamelessly tarnishing the legacy of a blameless veteran. Hong Liang can only sit in silence, the weight of his choices pressing down on him.
Spoilers & Lingering Questions:
The episode leaves us with a cascade of unanswered questions that set the stage for the rest of the season. How will Qiao Zhenxing's suicide confession impact the Wanhai case? Will it lead to the exposure of a wider network of corrupt officials? Will Zhang Wenjing's blatant witness tampering bring down more than just herself? And what is the real reason behind Hong Liang's desire to resign—is he running from the corruption or from a difficult truth about himself? With the justice system showing cracks from top to bottom, the fallout is just beginning.
