Episode Summary
In this episode, Man loses a major exclusive to SNK after Lau Yim gives away key evidence. This leads to a city-wide cameramen strike. Chan Tsz-kit finally agrees to an interview, inspired by Yim's passion. The strike succeeds, and Sze-ching proposes a new government PR strategy.
Spoiler Alert
The Race for the Ho Po Story
Man Strikes Out
The episode kicks off with Chan Tsz-kit meeting Choi Siu-kei. You remember him. He’s the guy whose life was ruined by that bus accident story. We learn he's now working as a delivery driver just to get by. Man Wai-sam shows up, probably thinking she can work her magic. But Choi Siu-kei is completely done with reporters. He sees her and just walks away without a word.
So, Man pivots. She tries to get the story from the family of Ho Po, the injured cameraman. She mentions his film was nominated for an award. She tries to sound sympathetic. Ho Po's wife isn't having it, though. She tells the media to clear Choi Siu-kei's name first. Then Cheung Ka-yin, or Cathy, shows up from SNK. She also tries to get an interview. She also gets shut down. It leaves Man and Cathy standing there, trading a few classic passive-aggressive jabs.
Sze-ching Plays the Game
Back at All-Media, Hui Sze-ching is waiting for Man. She hands over a government investigation report. Man knows Sze-ching never does anything for free. She asks what the catch is. Sze-ching is direct. She's being held back in her position and needs a major win to advance. She also warns Man that the report will be officially released in one hour. The clock is ticking.
Sze-ching then reports to her boss, Chan Kai-fung. She tells him All-Media already has the report. He completely panics. He knows if Man's team breaks the story first, they'll face another wave of public criticism. So, he immediately calls a press conference to get ahead of it. Later, he praises Sze-ching for her quick thinking.
All-Media Gets Scooped
The Family Chooses a Rival
Man takes the leaked report straight to Ho Po's family. She argues that using the media is the only way they can fight for their rights. At the same time, Lau Yim goes to Chan Tsz-kit's auto shop. She wants him to do an interview. She thinks his story about losing a career he loved could inspire Choi Siu-kei. At first, he doesn't want to reopen old wounds.
Then comes the gut punch. Ho Po's wife decides to grant an interview. But she gives it to SNK News, not All-Media. She went with the network that has more influence. Everyone at All-Media is furious. Man is disappointed, but she tries to look on the bright side. At least someone is helping the victim's family.
Lau Yim Makes a Controversial Call
Ho Po's daughter, however, trusts All-Media more. She secretly gives Lau Yim her father's phone. She hopes they can use it to help raise money for his medical bills. Yim finds a video on the phone. It's of an actress named Sa Sa. In the clip, she emotionally thanks Ho Po for his help when she landed her first lead role.
Yim tracks down Sa Sa. She asks her to talk about the poor conditions on the film set. Sa Sa refuses. She's afraid it will ruin her career. Yim then shows her the video from Ho Po's phone. Cathy from SNK also arrives to try and persuade Sa Sa. Yim then makes a bold move. She tells Sa Sa that if she chooses to be interviewed by SNK, Yim will give them the video as an exclusive. After some hesitation, Sa Sa agrees to the SNK interview.
The Aftermath and a New Fight
Chan Tsz-kit Steps Up
SNK airs the interview with Ho Po's daughter and Sa Sa. It’s a huge story. Chan Kai-fung finally understands Sze-ching's value. He gives her public credit in front of the higher-ups. Man is absolutely livid. She did all the initial legwork, and SNK got the glory. She confronts Yim, who admits she gave SNK the video. Man gets even angrier. Right at that moment, Chan Tsz-kit walks into the All-Media office. He says he's ready to do the interview.
He tells his story on camera. He talks about the pain of being forced out of a job he loved because of a workplace injury. He was lucky to get a fair settlement. He worries about all the other exploited cameramen who won't be so fortunate.
The Cameramen Go on Strike
The story causes an uproar. The film company is forced to temporarily shut down. Cameramen from across the industry organize. They band together to demand better labor protections.
Seeing the protests, Yim starts pulling double duty. She works the camera and reports from the scene. This frees up Ma Ka-ming, who was itching to get involved, to join the picket line. Over at SNK, the mood is tense. Cathy hands out petition forms. A department head warns some of the cameramen to be careful. He implies there will be consequences for striking.
The strike works. The film company finally agrees to negotiate compensation with Ho Po's family.
A New Strategy Emerges
Later, Man asks Chan Tsz-kit why he changed his mind. He tells her that Lau Yim reminds him of a younger version of herself. This makes Man think. She finally understands the difficult position her old boss, Yu Ying-fei, was always in as a manager.
Her rival, Koo Chiu-wah, shows up at the protest site just to taunt her. He says the demonstration will fall apart in three days. Man fires back that even if only one person is left standing, her work wasn't for nothing. The episode ends with a news department meeting. They discuss how the government always seems to be playing catch-up with the news cycle. Sze-ching proposes a solution. They should appoint an official spokesperson. This person would be an industry insider but not a government employee, acting as a bridge to the public.
