The premiere episode of Season 1 of "The Gardner" unfolds with the grim spectacle of a man being brutally murdered near a serene beach. Amidst this dark backdrop, China, the mother of the perpetrator, provides a haunting narration that delves into the origins of this Tragedy A fateful accident, which occurred when her son Elmer was just six years old, left an indelible mark on his cortex, rendering him devoid of any emotional capacity. Over the decades, Elmer came to terms with his condition, embracing his dual identity: a gardener with an unparalleled talent for nurturing greenery and, unfortunately, a cold-blooded killer who uses his victims' remains as fertilizer for his lush landscapes. How else could he discreetly dispose of the bodies, he rationalizes?
China, fully aware of her son's clandestine activities, has spent years coaching Elmer on how to simulate emotions. Yet, Elmer has always found solace amidst the verdant embrace of his botanical creations.
Detective Torres and his partner Carrera arrive at the beach to investigate the mysterious disappearance, which they soon deduce to be a murder disguised as a drowning accident orchestrated by Elmer. Anton, the deceased, had left behind a trail of personal items that the detectives meticulously photograph. Torres is convinced that Anton's body will eventually surface, while Carrera remains cautiously skeptical, her instincts tinged with suspicion.
Carrera interviews Anton's wife, who arrives at the scene hoping for a glimmer of hope but finds none. Anton was revealed to be a brute, abusing his wife and son. Desperate for justice, the wife turned to China and Elmer, who saw to it that Anton's reign of terror came to an end. Following the successful conclusion of their grim task, China hides the payment in a clandestine compartment in her bedroom, harboring dreams of acquiring an old Mexican abode that once belonged to her family.
Elsewhere, Elmer continues his day as if nothing had happened, meticulously crafting a new landscape that reflects his eerie genius. However, a sudden wave of dizziness forces him to retreat indoors. China, sensing his discomfort, encourages him to prepare a speech for the judges, harboring aspirations that Elmer might win the prestigious Garden of the Year award. Elmer, though hesitant about public speaking, remains open to the possibility, his mind wandering between the terror of his deeds and the tranquility of his gardening sanctuary.
A few days hence, a wealthy yet enigmatic woman named Isabela steps into China's world with a proposition. She engages China to eliminate a youthful woman whom she believes to have brutally ended her son's life eight months prior, driven by a burning desire for vengeance. Isabela is prepared to offer an exorbitant amount, her desperation to see her adversary meet their maker evident in every fiber of her being. China accepts the assignment, cautioning Isabela that the path to success would be neither swift nor easy.
Subsequently, China persuades Elmer to embark on this final mission, vowing that it will indeed be their last. She reassures him that the compensation shall be ample, sufficient to secure their dream home in Mexico. With renewed purpose, Elmer dives into his task, initiating his campaign by cyberstalking his intended target. Once he deciphers her routines, he escalates to physically trailing her every move.
Meanwhile, the evaluation for the prestigious Garden awards unfolds, yet Elmer abruptly deserts his post before the judges conclude their deliberations. He collapses in the town square, vulnerable and in need, and who comes to his rescue? Ironically, it is the woman he has been tasked to eliminate, Violeta. With compassion in her heart, she ushers him into a quaint cafeteria and treats him to a nourishing snack, mistaking his faintness for hypoglycemia. Over lighthearted conversation, they forge a connection, albeit one devoid of names.
That very night, Elmer finds himself unable to shake Violeta from his thoughts. China, sensing his turmoil, suggests a movie night, and Elmer's heart wrenches as he witnesses Jack's tragic demise in Titanic. This uncharted territory of emotion prompts him to seek solace in private tears, an inner turbulence China remains oblivious to.
On the morrow, Violeta recounts her encounter with Elmer to her friends, who tease her mercilessly. Additionally, we learn that Isabela has been harassing Violeta, her phone calls dripping with intimidation.
Elsewhere, at the police station, a tempest brews between Carrera and Torres as Torres firmly rejects Carrera's advances, turning the workplace into a battleground of emotions.
