Los Angeles, 1938. LAPD detective Tiago Vega and his partner, Lewis Michener, investigate a murder. While at City Hall, Tiago’s activist brother Raul Vega battles with the fiery Councilman Charlton Townsend over the construction of California’s first freeway. Meanwhile, Peter Craft, the head of the German-American Bun, meets Elsa, the mysterious mother of one of his patients. Sensing danger, Tiago’s mother Maria pleads with Santa Muerte to protect her family as the rising tensions in the city threaten to explode.

Tiago scours Sister Molly's beach house for clues. Peter Craft invites Elsa to a party at his home. Lewis asks a gangster to help battle the growing Nazi menace in LA. Josefina Vega has a harrowing encounter with the police.

Lewis confronts Townsend in his office. Rio implores Mateo embrace her and the Pachucos. Peter visits Linda at the asylum. Townsend and Kurt go on a dangerous outing. Maria fights to protect the Craft boys from Frank.