Episode 1 of "Hotel Cocaine" kicks off with a adrenaline-fueled spectacle, as a contingent of men brazenly retrieves a cocaine consignment from the treacherous depths of the ocean. Mere moments later, an opposing faction swoops in, brutally eliminating the first group and seizing the valuable cargo.
The narrative shifts to the glitzy and exclusive environs of Miami's hottest spot, The Mutiny Club and Hotel, where the crème de la crème converge. From shadowy drug kingpins to glittering movie stars, this sanctuary becomes a playground for the elite, where tensions dissolve and hedonism reigns supreme. The Mutiny Club is Miami's illicit utopia, a neutral ground where even law enforcement mingles with the underworld, united in their pursuit of hedonistic pleasures.
Enter Roman Compte, the deftly navigating club manager, whose sole mission is to ensure every patron's wildest dreams are fulfilled. Passionately dedicated to his effervescent boss, Burton Greenberg, Roman's spirits are lifted by the impending Rolling Stone exposé, but his optimism is tempered by the presence of a lurking DEA agent, Zulio, perched at the bar. Roman's instincts prickle, sensing potential disruption, and he is dispatched to distract the ominous figure.
However, Zulio's intentions are far from benign. He harbors a sinister agenda to dismantle Roman's world, coercing him into a dangerous alliance. Zulio tasks Roman with reconnecting with his estranged brother, Nestor Cabal, the city's preeminent cocaine tycoon, whose recent shipment was plundered. Adding insult to injury, an informant was sacrificed in the fray, leaving Zulio desperate for a new informant—Roman.
Roman's heart is heavy with resistance, but Zulio employs a ruthless tactic, leveraging Roman's beloved daughter, Valeria, as leverage. Compelled by his familial bonds, Roman begrudgingly accepts the mission's first objective: to infiltrate Nestor's inner circle via his loyal lieutenant, Chucho, who happens to be at the club.
Yet, extracting information from Chucho proves to be a daunting challenge. The steely enforcer dismisses Roman's overtures for a meeting with his elusive boss. Undeterred, Roman employs the cunning of Janice, a captivating entertainer whose allure proves unparalleled. With a seductive finesse, Janice elicits the whereabouts of Nestor's lair from Chucho's guarded lips, setting the stage for a perilous journey into the heart of Miami's underbelly.
On the far side of the bustling club, Burton's surprise was palpable as he discovered Hunter's lack of interest in chronicling the club's tales but rather a fascination with Burton's familial legacy. Coming from a wealthy, politically entrenched family that he's estranged from, the request for dirt on his own kin left him reeling. Seeking counsel, he turned to Janice, who, despite foreseeing a steep price, advised Burton to acquiesce to Hunter's demands. Janice believed Hunter would soon uncover Burton's secrets anyway, and it was wiser to preemptively offer. Yet, Burton disagreed, disappointed in her strategy.
Elsewhere, Roman's anticipation of reuniting with his brother simmered into anxiety. Over breakfast, his frustration boiled over when his daughter expressed indifference towards Cuba, their ancestral land marred by a government that had wronged him deeply. He held Fidel Castro responsible for his first wife's death and his own imprisonment, yet he yearned for his daughter to cherish their heritage.
The next day, Roman's arrival at Nestor's doorstep stunned Chucho, who couldn't believe the brothers' bond. Nestor, while harboring resentment for Roman's abandonment, was softened by his promise to provide information in exchange for funds to finance Valeria's education. Yet, Nestor's trust remained elusive, demanding Roman's hand in eliminating one of the perpetrators behind a recent drug heist as proof. Reluctantly, Roman obeyed, pulling the trigger and securing his brother's confidence.
Later, beneath the club's neon glow, Roman confided in Zulio about Nestor's intent to reclaim his stolen drugs. The thieves had already contacted Nestor, proposing a buyback, but Zulio sensed a more complex web. Insistent on knowing the rendezvous point, Roman complied, unwittingly setting Zulio's team in motion. Little did Roman know, Chucho's doubts about him lingered, and he swayed Nestor into altering the meeting location, a move that would soon test Roman's loyalty and cunning.
As the drama unfolds, Burton heeds Janice's counsel and bares his soul to Hunter, confessing the truth: he had fraudulently forged his father's signature on loan papers to secure the club's ownership. This revelation, if exposed, threatens to unleash a storm of retaliation from his family, culminating in the loss of both the club and his freedom behind bars. Consequently, Burton finds himself in a bind, unable to forsake his kin. He implores Hunter to prioritize the club's enduring legacy and its profound significance to the community, convinced he's diffused the situation. Little does he fathom, however, that he's merely stirred up a hornet's nest.
Elsewhere, Roman convenes with Zulio and his crew, his voice laced with caution as he hints at their inadequate preparation. Zulio, however, dismisses his concerns with a wave of the hand. As tensions mount, Roman meets with Nestor, steeling himself for the impending confrontation. But Nestor's revelation stuns him—Chucho has altered the meeting spot yet lingered in the shadows. Roman's mind races, realizing Chucho's inevitable confrontation with the police and the betrayal he'll expose. Yet, he steels his resolve, prioritizing the exchange above all else.
Nestor, unwavering as Zulio anticipated, initiates the assault, sending bullets whizzing through the air. In the chaos, Chucho emerges, and their gazes lock for a fleeting instant before Roman's finger tightens on the trigger, dispatching Chucho with a single shot. As he prepares to deliver a fatal second blow, Nestor's sharp eyes spot him, and he swiftly orders a retreat. Together, Roman and Nestor hustle to discard Chucho's lifeless form outside a hospital, where Nestor utters a prayer for the fallen man's salvation, while Roman silently entreats the grim reaper to swiftly usher him into the next realm.
