Episode 5 of "The Horror of Dolores Roach" unfolds within the shadowy confines of the theater's backstage, where Dolores awaits her appointment with Ruthie, a personal detective hired for a delicate mission. The usher's curiosity piques as he inquires about the nature of their partnership. Ruthie's task: to hunt down Dominic, Dolores' former lover, whose shadowy past intertwines with hers in ways she'd rather forget.
As Ruthie uncovers Dominic's sinister double life as an illicit drug lord, and Dolores' unsettling involvement in his empire, doubts creep into her mind. Dolores' heartfelt pleas resonate with tales of betrayal, claiming he selfishly framed her, sentencing her to sixteen years behind bars. Ruthie, filled with empathy, urges Dolores to seek healing over vengeance, yet Dolores' persuasive words ignite a spark of reconsideration within her. Ruthie concedes, granting herself two weeks to unravel the mystery surrounding Dominic.
As Dolores steps out into the night, she senses Jeremiah's watchful presence, offering a ride to her shop as they engage in a conversation laced with her future plans and Jeremiah's own struggles. His frustration over Luis' burgeoning success and sudden snubbing as his butcher of choice reveals cracks in his once steadfast resolve.
Meanwhile, at Empanada Loca, the new flavored delights are flying off the shelves, a testament to Luis' swift inclusion of Marcie on his menu. But Ruthie's investigation reveals a shocking twist: Dominic, presumed dead in a tragic fire over a decade ago in the Dominican Republic. She presents the evidence, leaving Dolores seething with anger and frustration at the loss of her opportunity for revenge.
Elsewhere, Jonah's desperate search for his missing father, Gideon Pearlman, takes a turn when he hangs posters within Luis' eatery. Dolores learns of Gideon's last known credit card transaction in the vicinity, igniting a spark of concern within her. Ruthie's sharp detective instincts, overheard by Dolores, only amplify her trepidation. In a bid to find Luis, Dolores descends into the bowels of the basement, where a chilling revelation awaits.
Stepping into Luis' room, a bizarre sanctuary reminiscent of a child's wonderland, Dolores' world shatters as she confronts the grotesque sight of Gideon's dismembered body and Marcie's skeletal remains strewn about. The horror dawns on her—she realizes she's at the epicenter of this macabre tale. Just as she grapples with the enormity of it all, Luis' sudden appearance shatters the silence, sending shivers down her spine.
Luis, amidst his solemn pledge to obliterate the incriminating evidence, vehemently opposes its disposal in any aquatic realm. Should the occasion arise, he resolutely vows to shoulder the entire burden of transgressions, unwavering in his commitment. She, deeply moved by his unwavering loyalty and fervently averse to the specter of imprisonment once more, shifts the conversation to the intricate matters involving Ruthie and Jonah.
As Jonah tirelessly affixes additional posters, seeking the missing, Jeremiah engages in a heartfelt discourse with Ruthie. Luis, sensing the urgency, decides to take matters personally, strategically leveraging Gideon's mobile device to craft a deceptive message. The fabricated note portrays a prolonged absence, attributed to mounting gambling debts, luring Jonah into suspending his search, duped by the subtle deception. Luis, gratified by the success of his ruse, vows to shield Dolores from harm, their bond deepening amidst the intimacy of the cellar, where they intertwine in a passionate embrace, their love intertwining with each passing moment.
Employing the expertise of a private investigator, Luis has meticulously unraveled Dolores' intricate web of strategies aimed at uncovering Dominic's whereabouts. Yet, he steadfastly maintains that Dominic remains very much alive, his disappearance a mere facade, orchestrated by the cunning drug lord himself. As she watches the incriminating photos from the crime scene consumed by flames, Dolores finds solace in the possibility that her beloved may yet be found.
Their investigation leads them to the third floor, where Sophia Morris, a mutual acquaintance and friend to both, resides. It is here that Dolores prepares to embark on a new chapter, her resolve strengthened by the hope of reconnecting with Dominic, amidst the shadows and secrets that bind them all.
