Our team takes one step closer to winning the retrial, but things don’t run as smoothly as they hoped. Doubts and suspicions start creeping into their midst, and these unaddressed issues threaten to destroy the group from within before the real fight even begins. Facing a new challenge, our lawyer will need to find a way to keep his group intact while bringing the public back to his side.
EPISODE 12 RECAP
As the message about the donations reaches Sam-soo’s ears, he gapes at the rest of the group and drops his phone. One by one, the others share the same shocked face after they read the amount: they raised 370 million won (approximately $340,000).
Attorney Hwang cheers since Tae-yong can pay her back (heh), and Tae-yong is ecstatic to have finally met his long sought-after philanthropists. The comments have also turned positive, praising the team for another job well done. To commemorate the moment, Yoo-kyung offers to take a group photo, and the image of an officer, lawyer, and prosecutor holding hands reflects the true collaborative spirit of the legal system.
Sam-soo plays soccer with the son at the park, and the ball flies towards another boy and his mom. As the son approaches the other child to invite him over, the adults watch warily and then sigh in relief when the mom gives him permission to join. Soon, the rest of the playground boys play soccer with the son, and Sam-soo steps out to give the kids more space.
Doo-shik receives a call from Boss Kim at the same time Sam-soo receives one from Prosecutor Jang, and both conversations leave the men feeling suspicious. For Doo-shik, Boss Kim tells him that Tae-yong’s group is using him to make money, and he demands Doo-shik to pay him back. As for Sam-soo, Prosecutor Jang asks if their fundraiser is for Tae-yong’s upcoming political campaign. Though neither Sam-soo nor Doo-shik accept their words completely, their faces cloud over with doubt.
When a few people ask Tae-yong for pictures, Doo-shik frowns at the lawyer and excuses himself from the group. Though they wonder what’s wrong, they have bigger problems to worry about such as investigating Jae-sung. Attorney Hwang finds it odd how quiet their opponents are, especially since their silence feels reminiscent of their previous case.
Holding the first face-to-face event, Chief Judge Yoon instructs the others to make Justice Jo feel welcomed and forces Judge Heo to wear a bear costume to atone for his Samjung retrial ruling. As soon as the justice arrives, the crowd erupts into cheers, and Judge Heo carries Justice Jo on his shoulder to parade him around the field.
During dinner, Justice Jo mentions how he’s considering a chief judge for the open justice position, and immediately, the chief judges appeal to the justice’s good side to accrue his favor. However, it’s Judge Choi who catches Justice Jo’s attention, and the justice proposes a toast for the young judge’s future.
At Yoo-kyung’s house, her parents are smitten with Tae-yong’s good image, but as they talk about his retrials, the news makes a scathing accusation about the lawyer. The reporter claims that Tae-yong violated donation laws and possibly bribed witnesses with the money he raised.
While visiting Doo-shik and his family, Sam-soo watches the same report on tv and tells the others that he can explain. However, Boss Kim calls Doo-shik first and reminds him of his earlier warning. When Sam-soo tries to clarify the situation, Doo-shik notes Sam-soo’s new clothes with disdain, and Sam-soo groans over his ill-fated relation with suits.
The repercussions hit Kwi-hyun as well, and Prosecutor Yoon leads his team with a search and seizure warrant. Prosecutor Jang laughs in glee over his junior’s impeccable work, and Mayor Kang joins the celebrations, repeating the compliment he received from Legislator Kim to his son-in-law.
Tae-yong apologizes to Yoo-kyung’s parents as he excuses himself, and they watch him leave without uttering a single word. Yoo-kyung follows him outside and tells him not to fret over the news too much since they know the truth.
After their dinner with Justice Jo, everyone but Judge Choi bows repeatedly towards his direction long after he’s gone. In his car, Justice Jo reads the news about Tae-yong and smiles. When he arrives at the courthouse, a voice calls his name, and he comes face-to-face with Tae-yong who introduces himself to the justice for the first time.