As Episode 3 of "Monarch" kicks off, the enigmatic figure known as Monarch begins spying on Cate and her companions. Lee, privy to Monarch's surveillance, feigns a casual conversation to throw off any suspicion. But the ruse fails, and they hastily scramble into a van in a desperate bid for escape. Faced with a modern vehicle, Lee initially fumbles with the ignition, but he quickly gets the hang of it and speeds off.
As guards converge to block their chosen escape route, Lee is forced to execute some hair-raising maneuvers to break free. They burst through the main entrance, leaving a trail of stunned Monarch officers in their wake.
After Lee, Keiko, and Bill discover the dragon and subsequently establish Monarch, they embark on a mission to secure government support. General Puckett arrives on the scene, skeptical of their endeavor. However, his interest is piqued when Keiko unveils a colossal footprint belonging to an unknown monster. They propose the need for a substantial amount of uranium, a notion that initially grates on the General's nerves. But soon, he grasps the gravity of the situation after Lee warns that the monster could pose a global threat.
Once the army departs and Monarch secures the necessary resources, Lee and Bill engage in a tense discussion. Clearly, they're still finding their footing as partners, but Keiko steps in to smooth over the rough edges.
Flashing back to the present, Lee reveals that Bill had a habit of jotting down every observation he made. Kentaro and Cate chime in, noting that their father shared the same trait. May chimes in, announcing that she's already digitized the files, sparing them the need to return to her apartment. Now, their sole task is to scour the place for any clues pertaining to Alaska. With that piece of the puzzle in place, they hope to unravel Hiroshi's true intentions.
Lee reflects on how Monarch was once fueled by hopes and ambitions. But somewhere along the way, the organization lost its bearings. Now, instead of chasing monsters across the globe, it's turned its sights on them. Cate, seething with anger, declares Monarch to be the family's curse and storms out of the car.
Keiko, Bill, and Lee arrived at the site where they had planned to use uranium to lure the monster. However, the situation quickly deviated from their expectations. General Puckett stood there, surrounded by a contingent of soldiers, all busily preparing a radioactive bomb. Their intentions were clear: they aimed to obliterate the creature, not to study it. Lee attempted to reason with the general, but his efforts were met with unyielding resolve.
Meanwhile, May engaged in a conversation with someone, her words laced with an air of finality as she mentioned she might return soon. After that, she discarded her phone into the ocean without a second thought. Kentaro seethed with frustration, unable to comprehend her actions or the purpose behind their impending journey to South Korea. Lee reassured him, stating that they would be meeting a close friend of his, and that the children would need this ally if they hoped to escape the clutches of Monarch.
Upon their arrival in South Korea, Lee faced skepticism from the guards, who were hesitant to trust him. They apprehended him along with the children, intending to confine them in a van. Yet, it was all an act. One of the guards, a friend of Lee's named Du-Ho, feigned hostility before pushing his comrade into the van and locking the door. Du-Ho would be their guide to Alaska, where they hoped to uncover the truth about Hiroshi's fate.
Simultaneously, a woman from Monarch engaged in a discussion with Tim and his partner, Duvall. She appeared to be a significant figure within the organization, possibly its new leader. She expressed her desire to exclude Tim from the mission, insinuating that his involvement was clouded by personal motives. Nevertheless, when Duvall learned that Lee and the others had surfaced in South Korea, she insisted on Tim's participation.
Back at the scene of the attempted monster extermination, General Puckett was on the verge of conceding defeat. Suddenly, the sonar picked up a signal. Godzilla emerged from the depths of the water, making a beeline for the uranium. Keiko sprinted forward, desperate to prevent the bomb from being detonated, but Lee intercepted her. The colossal beast was subjected to the nuclear blast, and the army erupted in jubilation, believing they had vanquished their foe.
Keiko's fury burned bright, but Bill attempted to soothe her. He reasoned that Lee had made the right call; had Keiko succeeded in stopping the bomb, General Puckett might have had her deported or worse. Lee elaborated on their newfound advantage, boasting that they now had a more substantial backing than initially planned, complete with access to top-notch equipment, a dedicated team, and more. Furthermore, he assured them that he would only relay to Puckett what Keiko and Bill deemed fit, implying that he could overlook certain matters.
In the present moment, Lee engages in a conversation with Cate and May, and together, they piece together the puzzle of their next destination. Learning that Hiroshi had set his course for Barrow, they decide that's where their journey must now lead. Cate takes a moment to confide in Du-Ho, pouring out her heart about her father and the whirlwind of emotions she's grappling with—confusion, anger, and everything in between. Following this heartfelt exchange, Du-Ho and Lee switch roles as the need to land arises, with Cate stepping in as Lee's co-pilot, her hands steady on the controls.
Upon their arrival in Alaska, they stumble upon remnants of Hiroshi's aircraft and evidence of recent habitation in a nearby dwelling. The moment Kentaro and Cate lay eyes on the signs indicating their father's survival, they embrace tightly, their hearts overflowing with relief. Yet, joy is quickly tempered by the grim discovery that awaits. Du-Ho notices ominous claw marks etched into the wreckage of the airplane, his warning sharp and urgent as he sprints back to their plane, determined to aid the group's escape.
Alas, their window of opportunity slams shut. A monstrous creature, resembling a mole, emerges from the shadows, its breath a chilling frost that envelops the transport, encasing Du-Ho in an icy tomb and sealing his fate.
