Episode 1 of Iron Reign kicks off with Navarro sneaking out of work early, his hand surreptitiously slipping an illicit object into his jacket's depths. As he makes his way, fate intervenes in the form of Flaco, who forcibly abducts him into his vehicle and speeds towards a desolate warehouse, where Navarro's fate takes a brutal turn.
Revealed is Navarro's duplicity – he had been pilfering from Joaquin Manchado, the iron-fisted kingpin who controls the Barcelona port and its illicit cocaine trade. Joaquin, unforgiving of betrayal, deals Navarro a swift and final justice.
The following dawn finds Joaquin at the port, his gaze searching for his son, Ricardo. In stark contrast to his father's ruthless ambition, Ricardo languishes, absorbed in the virtual world of video games, his addiction casting a shadow over his existence. Joaquin exhorts him to rise to the occasion, as they brace for a colossal shipment the following day.
Joaquin then convenes with Nestor, the customs chief, arranging a clandestine rendezvous to fine-tune the logistics of their impending cargo. A whisper of anticipation lingers – they await a prestigious guest who will grace the occasion.
Amidst these preparations, Joaquin confronts a glitch in his operations – a crane malfunctioning for two days, jeopardizing the timely arrival of his precious shipment. He confronts Molina, the maintenance head, with an ultimatum: either comply or face the embarrassment of a salacious video exposed to Molina's unsuspecting wife. Molina capitulates, and repairs commence promptly.
As night falls, Joaquin and Nestor's secret meeting unveils the Frenchman, bearer of news that the coveted cargo is bound for Tampico. In private, the Frenchman probes Joaquin about the port's troubles, but Joaquin allays his fears, promising a seamless operation.
Yet, storm clouds gather as pirates set their sights on Tampico, their bloodlust ignited by the prospect of plundering the ship. The invasion is swift and brutal, the pirates slaughtering the crew mercilessly. But the Mexicans rise to the challenge, their swift response quelling the threat and securing the shipment.
Parallel to these events, Victor, an undercover operative, meets with a mysterious woman, his mission clear – to dismantle the Pereiras' and Massimo Carfora's drug empire from within. He dares to name names, exposing the corrupt officers entwined in the smuggling web, painting a sinister portrait of the underworld's intricate machinations.
