Episode 1 of *Billionaire’s Bunker* opens with the young Max lost in thought, reminiscing about his firsts. He had fallen head over heels for Anne, his childhood companion and closest friend, and their lives together had been nothing short of idyllic—until fate dealt a cruel blow. A tragic accident ensued, one where Max, behind the wheel and intoxicated, caused a crash that claimed Anne’s life.
Following the devastating incident, Max found himself sentenced to prison for involuntary manslaughter. Inside those cold, unforgiving walls, he became a target, a pawn in a brutal game of survival. For a time, Max managed to secure protection by paying off the right people. But as the days turned into weeks and then months, a change began to stir within him. Tired of living in fear, he decided that enough was enough. He chose to embrace life, no matter how confined, and began finding small moments of joy amidst the chaos.
Max dedicated himself to building his strength, both physically and mentally, and slowly but surely, he started viewing his circumstances through a lens of positivity. Life in prison gradually became more bearable, the days flowing into one another with a semblance of routine. Then, one fateful morning, Max’s exemplary behavior led to an unexpected twist: he was granted early release.
Upon stepping out into the world again, Max was greeted by his father, who had come to pick him up. There was an air of tension between them, a silent grudge Max harbored towards his dad—a weight that would have to wait, however, as they had a more pressing destination: the bunker.
The world outside was teetering on the edge of war, a fact not lost on Max’s father. Determined to protect his son, he had secured a coveted spot in a secret, luxurious bunker—a sanctuary for his family amidst the looming chaos. Max was initially hesitant, his mind still clouded by the past, but his resolve wavered when he learned that Anne’s family would also be seeking refuge there.
On their journey to the bunker, Rafa, a confidant or companion, filled Max in on the staggering sums they had poured into this endeavor. This top-secret haven had been meticulously crafted by a company led by a formidable woman named Minerva. Her vision was to offer Europe’s wealthiest families a fighting chance at survival, a beacon of hope in the face of impending catastrophe.
The company maintains an air of impenetrable secrecy, guarding every detail with an ironclad grip, including the precise whereabouts of the bunker. As Max and Rafa embark on their journey to this clandestine location, they witness a scene of palpable anxiety—people scurrying to pack their belongings, driven by a collective fear of the impending world war.
The bunker, named Kimera, is a secluded sanctuary nestled at the lake's bottom. It has been a meticulously guarded vision for seven long years, its realization made possible by cutting-edge engineering marvels. Upon their arrival, Max and Rafa are greeted by individuals who promptly outfit them in turquoise leather suits, specially designed to shield them from the perils of radiation. These suits are not mere protective gear; they are equipped with sensors to monitor radiation levels, air quality, and various other environmental factors. Additionally, they are fitted with permanent electronic monitors that vigilantly track their health and well-being.
As a final precaution, their phones are confiscated. Within Kimera, access is strictly controlled through biometric technology—residents must scan their hands to operate the doors. Max's family, overjoyed at his return, envelops him in warm embraces. On the television screens, the news continues to broadcast the escalating political tensions that have gripped the world.
Inside the bunker, Anne's family is doing their utmost to maintain composure, their nerves frayed by the recent sighting of Max. Guillermo, Anne's father, extends a heartfelt welcome to Max and graciousously accepts his apology. However, Asia, Anne's sister, proves to be less forgiving, her resentment simmering just beneath the surface. It is revealed that Anne's mother succumbed to her grief a few short months after Anne's untimely demise. Now, Guillermo has remarried, his new wife being the charming Mimi.
Meanwhile, Max's grandmother is far from pleased to discover that she must serve herself at the buffet. Her mind races with foreboding thoughts, imagining a future where she might be asked to scrub toilets by the bunker's staff. In a display of her regal demeanor, she dispatches her personal physician, Antonio, to fetch her meal. Ultimately, it is Guillermo who intervenes, leveraging Grandma's cancer diagnosis to persuade the staff to provide them with personalized meal service.
Asia steers the conversation toward the accident, pressing Max on why he fled the scene. The air thickens with tension as everyone silently expects Asia to come to terms with her sister's death and simply move forward. As they converse, Minerva takes center stage to deliver her first address. She declares that the situation has taken a dire turn, with multiple bombings escalating the chaos. Assuring the assembled guests, she urges them to steel themselves for what may come, emphasizing the need for resilience.
Minerva asserts her authority, making it clear that she is the undisputed leader in Kimera and demanding strict adherence to the rules from everyone present. To lift spirits amidst the gloom, she proposes that the guests engage in simple, menial tasks to stave off depression. Eager to inject some levity into the somber atmosphere, Minerva invites the guests to share a joke, and Max’s mother obliges with a lighthearted quip.
After dinner, Guillermo pulls Mimi aside and confesses his intolerance for Max. Seeking to console him, Mimi finds herself on the receiving end of Guillermo’s bitter tirade. He disparages their relationship, essentially reducing their marriage to a fleeting moment of confusion born out of grief and a lack of better options. Mimi is left reeling, her heart shattered by the revelation that she is not the love of Guillermo’s life and that, in fact, he had preferred their affair when she was merely his mistress.
At the gym, Max corners Asia and hands her Anne’s phone, urging her to let go of the resentment festering in her heart. Meanwhile, at the bar, Guillermo attempts to drown his sorrows, only to be offended when informed that he can only have two drinks. Rafa intervenes, stepping in to ease the burden on the beleaguered bartender and offering Guillermo his own drink.
In the privacy of her room, Asia watches Anne’s videos alongside Max, seeking solace and connection in the memories they share.Suddenly, a deafening roar reverberates through the bunker, causing it to tremble violently. The lights flicker erratically before plunging the space into darkness. A rock hurtles through the bar wall, shattering glass and sending debris flying. Mimi, panic-stricken, dashes off in search of her father, while the other guests frantically surge toward the safety of the dome.
Asia spots Rafa and Max, who are assisting her father amidst the chaos. The security system’s automated voice continues to urge everyone to make their way to the dome. The bartender, acting swiftly, guides Max, Asia, Guillermo, and Rafa to the elevator. As they ascend, the elevator lurches precariously, nearly plummeting, but the emergency brakes engage just in time to prevent a catastrophic fall.
Finally, they all reach the dome, where the staff immediately begin assessing the injured. Mimi, however, remains aloof, refusing to acknowledge Guillermo and turning a cold shoulder to him. Minerva steps forward, her voice grave as she announces that a nuclear bomb has detonated just a few miles from the bunker.
Behind her, a wall of televisions flickers to life, broadcasting news from various stations. The guests watch in horror as more bombs explode in succession, and another minor tremor shakes the bunker. The lights flicker out once more, and the TVs lose their signal. Minerva rushes to the control room, leaving the guests in a state of uncertainty and darkness. Guillermo, his voice tinged with urgency, reminds Asia that they are now in the midst of a nuclear war.
In the pitch-black surroundings, Rafa confesses to Asia that he had ordered Max to flee the scene of the accident. He had been present that fateful night, driven by a desperate desire to save his son from the consequences of his drunken state. It had taken every ounce of Max’s willpower to leave Anne’s lifeless body behind.
Yet, during Max’s trial, Rafa had testified truthfully, a decision that ultimately led to Max’s imprisonment. According to Rafa, he had wanted to teach Max a harsh lesson about taking responsibility for his actions. Max’s mother and grandmother react with fury to this revelation. Grandma launches into a verbal assault, attempting to emasculate Rafa. Max’s mother intervenes, however, and with a heavy heart, reveals that if anyone is to blame, it is herself. She accuses her mother of raising her without love, driving her to seek solace in Rafa’s arms. She makes it clear that she never loved Rafa; he was merely a crutch she clung to in order to escape her mother’s cold embrace.
Minerva returns, her expression grave as she announces that they are having difficulty establishing contact with the outside world. As a result, they will send two individuals above ground to inspect the antennae. To ensure transparency, the mission will be broadcast live.
Everyone watches in horror as the two individuals, clad in hazmat suits, step into the orange haze of radiation. The cameras capture the grim scene on the bridge—dead bodies strewn about, and an eerie emptiness that speaks volumes of the devastation. One of the men, Luca, is exposed to radiation when his glove gets caught on the railing, adding to the sense of dread and helplessness.
As the radiation and heat levels soar to perilous heights, Luca and Cindy waste no time, scrambling back to the safety of the bunker with a sense of urgency. The moment they step foot inside, a stark realization dawns upon them - Luca has been exposed. In a swift move, they shut off the cameras, shielding their vulnerable moment from prying eyes.
Minerva, ever the reassuring presence, steps forward to calm the nervous whispers that ripple through the bunker. With a steady voice, she promises to keep everyone in the loop with regular updates, offering a glimmer of hope in the tense atmosphere. Then, with a determined stride, she makes her way back to the control room, leaving behind a trail of anticipation.
Upon her arrival, Minerva is greeted with a scene of jubilation. Her team, faces alight with excitement, erupts into cheers as they celebrate their triumph. It turns out that the world, contrary to their fears, is not teetering on the brink of destruction. Their meticulous planning and relentless efforts have culminated in a resounding success - they have flawlessly executed a simulation, averting what could have been a global catastrophe.
