In the pilot of The Evil Lawyer, viewers are immediately thrust into a world of deception, corruption and jaw-dropping secrets.
The story begins with Yupin, a pregnant woman who is rushed to emergency surgery after a horrible traffic accident. But as doctors battle to save her life, she begs them, desperately, to save her unborn child. Then she blacks out.
Months later the case comes to court. Yupin blames a monk named Boonlu for staging the accident in order to steal her baby. Prosecutors support her claims with chilling evidence allegedly linked to Boonlu’s monastery, such as infant remains purportedly used in ritual practices.
Yet, despite the horrific allegations, defense lawyer Jittri manages to tear the case apart. When the doctor tells them that Yupin’s baby was stillborn before delivery, Jittri insists that the baby had died in the womb. She wins a victory for her client on that legal technicality, leaving Yupin devastated and robbed of justice.
The controversial decision sparks anger. Jittri’s assistant quits in protest, saying she’s exploiting loopholes instead of finding the truth. Outside the court, Yupin, in a rage, throws pig’s blood on Jittri, publicly branding her as immoral.
Among those watching the scene is public defender Mek Piriyawich.
Seeking a meaningful case, Mek volunteers to represent an elderly man named Panitarn Boonprayook. Authorities say Panitarn was responsible for starting a deadly fire at a recycling factory and has already confessed to the crime.
But Mek quickly suspects something is wrong.
While investigating he finds out that Panitarn was a security guard and is taking care of his young grand daughter Kratai. Another disturbing detail is revealed by local residents: The factory is owned by Panitarn’s son, who might be pushing his father to take the blame.
Panitarn is being made the scapegoat, Mek is sure of it, and he fights to prevent him from taking the blame. He fails at first, but he is eventually able to convince the old man to reconsider by reminding him of the granddaughter who depends on him.
Panitarn pleads not guilty in a critical hearing, turning the tables on the prosecution’s plans.
Prosecutor Techin Methaneepaisal is furious with the decision, apparently because he has personal reasons for wanting the case concluded quickly. His frustration is even more obvious when he informs his powerful father, Police General Anan Methaneepaisal, of the delay.
Meanwhile, Mek’s personal life is complicated.
In the course of investigating the factory fire he reconnects with his ex-girlfriend, Ang. Three months earlier their relationship had ended suddenly after a mysterious party on a luxury boat. Mek doesn’t know why she ran off on him and Ang won’t talk about what happened that night.
Techin sees an opportunity and approaches Mek with a startling proposition. He is offering money to make me drop the case about the factory. Techin tells him that he knows the truth about Ang’s secret, but Mek doesn’t.
Mek, hungry for answers, follows Techin to his lavish estate.
Techin introduces him to Nay Oo, a Burmese woman seemingly being held there against her will. She is the center point of a disturbing tale, bruised and terrified.
Nay Oo witnessed her sister’s death at the notorious VIP boat party, Techin said. He says the victim drowned accidentally and that Ang helped cover up the incident to protect her reputation and the future of her politician mother.
Whether the story is true is uncertain.
What is clear is that Techin wants to silence Nay Oo for good.
He tries to murder her, but she gets away. Mek is in the midst of a panic attack but intervenes. The fight gets out of hand when Techin deliberately sets Mek up by putting a gun in his hand.
In the scramble, Nay Oo snatches up a golf club and swings it into Techin’s head. The blow is fatal.
Nay Oo runs from the scene and panic ensues.
The police show up and take Mek on the spot for the murder of Techin. His chances look grim. The evidence seems to be piling up against him.
Just when all hope seems lost, Jittri shows up unexpectedly and offers to be his defense attorney.
The episode concludes with Mek up against the fight of his life.## Rezension
The first episode is a compelling mix of court-room drama, political corruption and murder mystery. It appears that just about all of the major characters have something they’re hiding and it’s difficult to know who you can really trust.
Techin’s death brings up more questions than answers. The father’s actions seem suspicious and the mystery old man watching things in Techin’s house silently means there are more players working behind the scenes.
The factory fire investigation also seems to involve powerful people, suggesting the larger conspiracy is far beyond a simple negligence case.
Perhaps the biggest mystery concerns Ang and the events of the boat party. Techin makes her out to be part of a cover-up but his credibility is at best questionable. Given his manipulative nature, viewers should be wary of accepting his version of events as fact.
Overall, The Evil Lawyer gets off to a flying start, with a gripping mystery, strong characters, and enough twists to keep viewers hooked. If the series can maintain this sort of intrigue, it could turn out to be one of the year’s most gripping crime dramas