Episode 1 of "Sugar" opens with a haunting black-and-white sequence. Hideo, a dignified Japanese man, receives a mysterious phone call informing him that someone has dropped money outside his window. Seconds later, a fully suited individual strides into Hideo's abode, accusing him of abducting a young boy named Yuma. When Hideo remains tight-lipped, the visitor's patience snaps, and he lashes out in a violent attack.
As the intruder collapses unconscious, he stumbles upon a woman and a young boy concealed in a neighboring room. Not long after, the boy's father arrives on the scene, and the suited man departs, leaving a trail of confusion and fear.
This mysterious visitor is John Sugar, a renowned private investigator specializing in locating missing persons. Despite his reluctance to harm others, Sugar is not afraid to resort to violence when necessary. Later, in the dimly lit bar, he receives a request for his services from a man named Jonathan Siegel.
Sugar boards a flight to Los Angeles, where a kindly taxi driver named Munzer whisks him away to a suburban abode. There, he meets Ruby, a woman with a sharp tongue and a keen eye for detail. As he prepares to enter the house, a sharp headache assaults him, but it quickly dissipates.
Ruby confronts Sugar about his involvement in Siegel's case, revealing that she is his manager and disapproves of Siegel's direct approach. Sugar reveals that he has met the famous film producer at his lavish estate, and it is Siegel's granddaughter Olivia who has vanished without a trace.
Olivia has a history of disappearing due to drug use, but this time is different. She has been clean for two years and has failed to contact her grandfather, causing Siegel to panic. Ruby warns Sugar to steer clear of the case, fearing it may be harmful to his health.
However, Sugar insists, claiming that Olivia reminds him of Djen, a past case that left a lasting impression. This revelation softens Ruby's stance, and she hands him a gun once owned by the legendary actor Glenn Ford. She also suggests he consult Dr. Vickers for a check-up, but Sugar brushes it off, declaring himself fit as a fiddle.
With a jaunty wave, Sugar hops into his sleek, blue convertible and disappears into the night, leaving a trail of mystery and anticipation in his wake.
He cast a keen eye over Olivia's sleek car and then peered curiously into her apartment. In the midst of his meticulous search, Olivia's half-brother, David Siegel, unexpectedly emerged on the scene. He was on a mission, dispatched by their father, to track down Olivia. Once he had departed, Sugar stumbled upon a photograph of Olivia, captured in a tender moment with her former stepmother, Melanie.
Eager to unravel more secrets, Sugar made his way to a bustling bar. There, he struck a deal with a homeless man named Carl, entrusting him with the guardianship of his car. Inside the bar, he encountered Melanie, a former rockstar whose charm and wit were as captivating as her past fame. Over a few drinks, Sugar revealed his unusual inability to become intoxicated, while Melanie listened intently. As the night drew to a close, she boldly invited him to accompany her home.
As they returned to his car, Sugar thanked Carl profusely, even convincing him to reconnect with his sister and seek her assistance. But as Sugar drove off, they were unaware that David Siegel's security guard, Kenny, had been tailing them. Their destination was Melanie's house, where she made a seductive advance, but Sugar firmly resisted her charms. Realizing that she had consumed too much alcohol, he decided that seeking answers from her would be futile for the night.
Outside the house, Sugar confronted Kenny, demanding that he desist from following them. Under the cover of darkness, Sugar stealthily returned to Olivia's residence and hacked into her car's computer system. In the trunk, he discovered a gruesome sight - a lifeless body. Swiftly, he scanned the fingertips of the deceased, collecting vital clues.
With a sense of urgency, Sugar made his way back to the Del Corazon, his usual hotel haunt. Inside his bungalow-style room, he set up an array of security cameras, preparing for any unwelcome visitors. As he sat down to dinner, a woman arrived with a mysterious letter that had been left for him. It appeared to be an invitation to a party, but Sugar sensed there was more to it than met the eye.
As he watched a video of Olivia's mother, Rachel Kaye, whose untimely death in a car accident had left a trail of unanswered questions, Sugar's thoughts turned to the compromising photos he had found at Olivia's place. Suddenly, his arm began to tremble uncontrollably, as if possessed by an unseen force. Blood trickled from his skin, but he quickly regained his composure. The bleeding stopped as abruptly as it had started, leaving no trace behind. With a steely determination, Sugar injected himself with a mysterious liquid and retired to bed, ending a thrilling and enigmatic first episode of "Sugar."
