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 and Molly try escaping their complicated lives. Lewis interrogates a Cal-Tech student. Townsend and Alex's agenda is jeopardized by a Councilwoman. Peter Craft discovers a dark truth at Elsa's home. Mateo visits a Chicano dance hall.