LAPD Detective Sam Hodiak and undercover officer Brian Shafe begin the search for a missing teenage girl, Emma Karn, who has fallen under the spell of infamous cult leader Charles Manson.
Hodiak and Shafe investigate a complicated murder case amidst rising racial tensions. Meanwhile, Manson forces Emma's father, Ken Karn, to introduce him to an executive in the music business.
A drug dealer is murdered, and the prime suspect is Shafe's snitch. Meanwhile, Shafe and rookie Charmain Tully go undercover into the Manson family in a mission that comes with serious consequences.
Hodiak investigates Art Gladner's murder through his late wife Lucille, who runs a burlesque club. Manson hides Emma but Hodiak, under pressure from Grace, ultimately finds her and brings her home.
A South Central murder investigation ratchets up tension with the Black Panthers. Emma runs away from home in the midst of the chaos and Hodiak pays Manson a visit and gives him a near-fatal beating.
Karn buries secrets. Failing to impress a record producer, Manson takes his disappointment out on his family. Shafe catches a tough break. Hodiak loses an old friend.
