The opening scene of Gangs of Galicia's first episode unfolds with Ana, a legal eagle stationed in Madrid, engaged in a poignant phone conversation with her father. He, a seasoned boat tour guide, prepares to embark on another adventure, welcoming a fresh batch of passengers. They exchange tender goodbyes, vowing to reunite soon, yet fate conspires against their wish. Tragedy strikes as Ana's father is brutally murdered by his seemingly innocuous clients, who were revealed to be hired assassins. The question looms: what sinister motive propelled someone to snuff out his life?
Three months slip by like a fleeting shadow, as Ana and her mother convene with another attorney to decipher her father's will. Initially, everything appears mundane, until the lawyer unveils a bombshell – a clandestine bank account accompanied by an addendum stipulating that the funds be discreetly bestowed upon Berta and Laura Silva, residents of Cambados. This revelation sets Ana and her mother on a path to uncover the identity of these women, leading to a startling discovery: the man they knew as Gonzales was, in fact, Silva, a man cloaked in witness protection following his treacherous betrayal of a mafia associate. Ana is astounded to learn that her father harbored a clandestine past, complete with a different family, from them for all these years. The truth, as expected, leaves her reeling.
Meanwhile, in Cambados, the law enforcement authorities focus intently on their investigation into Daniel Padin, the heir apparent to a notorious drug mafia dynasty. Ana's father had played a pivotal role in incarcerating Daniel's father, but now, Daniel has stepped into his father's shoes, overseeing the day-to-day operations of their illicit enterprise. The police, privy to Daniel's scheme to import contraband, keep a hawkish eye on him and his cronies. Despite their vigilance, Daniel manages to stay a step ahead, devising a swift plan to rescue his stranded associates from the high seas after their boat ran out of fuel. He ingeniously conceals the drugs underwater and expertly evades the pursuing officers, affording him and Nilo ample time to outmaneuver the lawmen.
Unfortunately for the police, one of their own, Munez, betrays his badge by tipping off Daniel, facilitating his escape. By the time the authorities board the boat, the drugs have vanished without a trace, but they apprehend the three men on deck for questioning.
Elsewhere, Ana is consumed by a relentless urge to uncover the truth about her father's identity and the circumstances leading to his demise. Without informing her mother, she resigns from her job and decamps to Cambados. She embarks on a quest to delve into her father's first family, ultimately confiding in her mother about her endeavors. A month hence, she establishes her legal practice in Cambados, where her first client, coincidentally, is Daniel, entangled in a legal pickle. In a hastily arranged courtroom encounter, Daniel abruptly retains her services to expedite his representation in a traffic violation case. Ana proves her mettle, salvaging Daniel's driving privileges.
He extends an invitation to her for a celebratory dinner, yet she politely declines his offer. The following morning, a bouquet of flowers arrives at her office, accompanied by his persistent presence during her morning jogs. Ana's secretary, attempting to shield her, warns of Daniel's questionable character, but Ana remains undeterred. Meanwhile, we encounter the enigmatic Padin, an elderly man who should be confined to probation within the jail walls, awaiting his liberation in a matter of months. As part of his probation, he is compelled to labor during the day at Algrecias garage.
Daniel outmaneuvers the police with consummate ease, prompting them to intensify their surveillance. However, he remains ever elusive, even managing to meet with a business associate at the hospital, where Padin also appears to smooth over a deal marred by a delayed drug delivery. Padin reassures the buyer that Daniel has everything under control and that the drugs will arrive shortly.
At the police station, Naranto cunningly enlists one of the arrested individuals as an informant. Unaware that the police possess scant evidence against him, Samuel agrees to betray Daniel by wearing a wire and keeping the authorities apprised of his moves. He is freed and promptly put to work, informing the police of Daniel's plot to retrieve drugs dumped at sea.
The narrative shifts to an elderly man suffering a cardiac arrest while operating a tractor. Rushed to the hospital, he is revealed to be the father of Nilo and Tono. The sons, unconcerned with his failing health, inquisitively demand to know the whereabouts of the money he amassed during his tenure with Padin. Their father remains silent.
Callous and insensitive, Nilo and Tono wish for their father's swift demise, anticipating the division of his assets. Their grim wish is granted as the old man passes away. At the wake, Marco, Tono, and Nilo's nephew approach Daniel, pleading for employment. Daniel, however, urges him to focus on his studies and refuses his request. Later, he tasks Nilo with keeping an eye on Marco and ensuring he stays on the right path.
Throughout the wake, Daniel ignores Munez's messages. Munez, worried that Naranjo's team is closing in on Daniel, rushes to warn him. Unfazed, Daniel reveals that he has devised another plan to outwit the police.
Following the funeral, Marco deceives another gang member, claiming that Daniel has agreed to let him assist in the next operation. The unsuspecting individual reveals all the details to Marco. Later, Marco sneaks out, causing his parents immense worry. His father confronts Daniel at his residence, only to find Marco missing.
Samuel and a friend venture out to sea to retrieve the drugs, only to be arrested by the police before they can even begin their dive. Unbeknownst to them, this was part of Daniel's scheme to mislead the authorities. While they were chasing a false lead, another team successfully retrieved and unloaded the drugs. To Tono's astonishment, Marco is among the unloaders.
