Episode 1 of "The Mess You Leave Behind" unfolds with a poignant scene: Viruca, a resolute woman, firmly holds the door shut against her former partner, Mauro, who pleads desperately for entry. Her words are unyielding: "You don't live here anymore." Prior to this confrontation, a subtle hint of her intentions lingers as she hastily copies files from her computer.
Elsewhere, Raquel jolts awake from a haunting dream, her mother's image fading away amidst the jarring words, "f'ing seagulls." With a mix of trepidation and determination, she prepares to embark on a new chapter at Novaris High, her partner German offering a comforting embrace amidst her anxiety.
At Novaris High, a glimpse into the past reveals Viruca, a dedicated teacher, guiding her students, Iago diligently scribbling on the chalkboard. Yet, beneath the surface, tensions simmer, foreshadowing impending turmoil. As Viruca steps outside, a jarring sight greets her—the word "puta" scrawled across her car, sending her to the solace of a nearby bar for a much-needed drink.
In the present, German and Raquel's new life together is marred by lingering tensions from German's parents, who probe Raquel about her late mother, a delicate subject that still stirs emotions within her. Unable to bear the weight, Raquel excuses herself, only to confront German later about his frequent trips to the bathroom, suspecting drug use. Their night ends in a bitter parting, each going their separate ways.
Raquel's dreams persist, this time her mother appearing as a doctor, her ghostly presence lingering as Raquel awakens to the sound of German's mother's sorrowful cries echoing from the adjacent room.
Flashing back, Viruca's struggles for focus are interrupted by a jarring discovery—spilled red wine staining her table and essay questions. Ignoring Mauro's call, she braces herself for school, where she distributes exam papers, unaware that one bears the telltale marks of the spilled wine, a silent testament to the chaos that precedes her.
This situation inevitably ignites a fierce rivalry among the students, culminating in the expulsion of both Nerea and Iago from the classroom. As Viruca concludes her day, her phone buzzes incessantly with messages from an anonymous number, imploring for a meeting. Undeterred, she dismisses them all and presses on with her journey.
The following morning, Raquel makes a detour to the café for a swift jolt of caffeine – an espresso, a stark contrast to Viruca's preferred gin – before venturing to school. The assembly hall echoes with the resonating voice of Nerea, who delivers a passionate speech advocating for equal rights. Amidst the audience, Raquel encounters two of her fellow educators: Ramon, the math whiz, and Ira, the eloquent English teacher.
Post-assembly, Raquel is ushered through the halls, her hands clasped around a daunting class schedule, preparing her for the uphill battle of endearing herself to the students. On the cusp of departure, she crosses paths with Mauro, Viruca's husband, whose demeanor is anything but welcoming. He dooms her to a swift demise within the school's walls, his words ringing ominously in her ears.
Matters take a turn for the worse when Iago, armed with a gun, corners Raquel in the corridor, sending shivers down her spine. Adding to the unease, the camera's gaze lingers on a Missing poster plastered on the wall, its implications looming large.
Returning home after school, Raquel's shock turns to outrage as she stumbles upon a stash of cocaine lying unsuspectingly on her bedroom floor. Confronting German, she unleashes a torrent of accusations, lambasting him for his deceitful ways.
With a firearm firmly clutched in his grasp, Iago urges Roi to accompany him to the steaming hot springs, enticing him with the prospect of capturing captivating photographs. As they plunge into the waters, entwined in a shared moment, Raquel strides off with her faithful canine companion for a leisurely stroll. Iago attempts to exude a veneer of toughness upon her arrival, flaunting his bravado to Roi and confronting Raquel, yet her composure remains unshaken by his feeble attempts at intimidation.
Flashing back to their school days, Iago's sinister side emerges as he forcibly encroaches upon Viruca in the secluded confines of the bathroom. Their sordid exchange is unwittingly overheard by Roi, who, drawn by an eerie instinct, rushes to intervene. Discovering Iago sprawled on the floor, a broken shell of his former self, Roi vows to avenge Viruca's mistreatment.
Returning to the present, Raquel immerses herself in preparations for her literature class, only to stumble upon the devastating news that Viruca had taken her own life three weeks prior. Ironically, it was Roi who had stumbled upon her lifeless body, by the shores of a desolate landscape.
During class, Raquel embarks on her lecture, but Roi's somber musings draw attention to the tragic fates of the authors whose works they had previously delved into, each having met an untimely end by their own hand. Nerea's sarcastic dismissal of Raquel's inquiry snowballs into a chorus of disdain from the entire class, labeling her inquisition as absurd.
Undaunted, Raquel perseveres, her resolve unwavering. After the class disbands, she delves into the stack of essays submitted, only to uncover a sinister twist: amidst the papers lies a Missing Persons poster for Viruca, its reverse side defaced with a chilling message scrawled in jet-black ink: "How long before you die too?" The words chill her to the bone, foreshadowing a darker turn in the already tumultuous narrative.
