The inaugural episode of "Reina Roja" unfolds with a poignant prologue, centering on Antonia Scott, a resident of the somber Ubeda Hostel, who finds herself mired in the depths of suicidal contemplation. Her mind churns with countless methods to escape the tyranny of her own existence, only to be abruptly yanked back to reality by an unexpected visitor: Jon Gutiérrez, a detective who dares to defy convention with his homosexuality.
Sent by the enigmatic Mentor, Gutiérrez's mission is to persuade Antonia to rejoin his employer's ranks. Unlike the countless other emissaries Mentor has dispatched, Gutiérrez stands apart. He possesses a keen insight into Antonia's psyche, his sole concern being to escort her, regardless of her will to work for Mentor. Rather, he urges her to reject the offer personally, a testament to his unwavering integrity.
As Gutiérrez prepares to depart, Antonia poses a probing question, a litmus test of his character. Her gaze lingers on his response, weighing its sincerity before she follows suit. A second query escapes her lips, curious about the circumstances that drew Mentor's attention to Gutiérrez. A flashback paints a vivid picture, revealing Gutiérrez's noble yet misguided attempt to rescue a young woman from the clutches of her abusive, drug-dealing boyfriend. In a desperate bid for justice, Gutiérrez plants illicit substances in the boyfriend's vehicle, only to witness his well-intentioned ploy unravel into disaster. The girl's subsequent report to the authorities lands Gutiérrez in the precarious position of a suspect, facing the grim reality of imprisonment and the loss of his badge.
Enter Mentor, a shadowy figure offering a lifeline—a deal that would erase Gutiérrez's legal troubles in exchange for Antonia's reinstatement. Though cognizant of the challenge ahead, Gutiérrez is swayed by the restoration of his badge and Mentor's revelation: Antonia possesses an IQ of 242, placing her among the elite of humanity's intellectual giants.
Meanwhile, the tapestry of "Reina Roja" weaves another thread. A man whistles as he meticulously scrubs a floor stained with crimson, foreshadowing darker deeds. Elsewhere, Carla, a young woman brimming with entrepreneurial spirit, engages in a fruitless plea with her father to invest in her business venture. His rejection, couched in financial constraints and veiled hints of poor timing, underscores the weight of familial responsibilities. Before departing, he bids Carla to extend his regards to her son, Mario.
Deflated yet resilient, Carla summons her driver and makes her way to the stables, where her beloved horse awaits. Having been swayed by Gutiérrez's tale, Antonia agrees to accompany him, her urgency palpable as she rushes forth, shoes forgotten in her haste. The GPS in their vehicle updates their destination: La Finca Development, a bastion of societal elite, where the cream of the crop reside. The stage is set for a gripping narrative, teeming with intrigue, betrayal, and the unyielding pursuit of truth.
As they embark on a journey to Laura Trueba's grand abode, a prominent figure in the banking landscape, they pass through meticulous security checks before being ushered towards the mansion. Mentor, their gracious host, greets them warmly, with a particularly joyful countenance towards Antonia. While Gutierrez engages in conversation with Mentor, Antonia waits patiently in the vehicle, her mind possibly already unraveling the mysteries that lie ahead.
Mentor entreats Gutierrez to linger, tasked with delving deeper into the intricacies of the incident that has shaken the house. Gutierrez hesitates, his heart yearning to return home and present his mother with a birthday gift, yet he complies, recognizing Mentor's authority. Mentor stresses the importance of secrecy, impressing upon Gutierrez the solemn vow of silence regarding any revelations within the mansion's walls.
Meanwhile, Antonia grapples with a panic attack, her frayed nerves finding solace in a calming pill administered by Mentor's compassionate hand. Once her tranquility is restored, Mentor initiates a discourse about their mission, only to encounter Antonia's steadfast resolve: she won't fully commit until the perpetrator who scarred her physically and emotionally is brought to justice. Mentor, initially skeptical of her ghostly tale, is swayed by Antonia's unwavering conviction and the visible scar on her chest, a testament to her ordeal.
He concedes, acknowledging that whether the threat be spectral or mortal, it has remained dormant for now, yet Antonia insists its return is imminent. Mentor then reminds her of her duty to assist, painting a clearer picture of the case at hand. The Red Queen team, already present, meticulously preserves the crime scene, collecting clues that might unravel the mystery.
Antonia, with keen eyes and a probing mind, traverses the house, each step filled with calculated observation. As she approaches the somber sight of Alvaro's lifeless body, the reality of the tragedy dawns on her. It is revealed that Laura's beloved son, Alvaro, has fallen victim to a grotesque murder, his head partially severed and immersed in a chilling bath of liquid nitrogen.
Antonia's mind races, reconstructing the grisly events that led to this macabre discovery. She concludes that Alvaro's demise was a deliberate act of hypovolemic shock, inflicted while he was still alive, his blood slowly drained from his body. Furthermore, she posits that the killer had premeditatedly administered a paralyzing agent, ensuring a painless yet eerie spectacle. The precise placement of sacramental oil on Alvaro's lips serves as a chilling punctuation mark, emphasizing the killer's meticulous planning and perhaps, a twisted ritualistic motive.
As Antonia delves deeper into the investigation, Gutierrez engages Mentor in a hushed conversation, unraveling the murky underbelly surrounding this enigmatic case. Confident that the police are oblivious to this nefarious crime, Gutierrez implores Mentor not to embroil him in any complications. Mentor, ever the cunning one, playfully probes, urging Gutierrez to exhibit more proactive curiosity if he truly desires to uncover the secrets of Red Queen.
Meanwhile, Clara's journey home takes an unexpected turn. Accompanied by her horse, she finds herself diverted from the main road, blocked off for repairs. Her driver assures her of a swift arrival, and amidst a video call with her son, their path strays, leading them astray into the heart of the forest. Seeking directions, they encounter a figure, whom the driver mistook for a game warden. But alas, the man's true nature is revealed as he slits the driver's throat, demanding Carla to unlock the car door. Her refusal only prompts him to brutally slay the horse. In a desperate bid for survival, Carla flees the vehicle, plunging deeper into the treacherous woods, shaken to her core yet fueled by the hope of finding aid.
Elsewhere, Antonia's keen eye uncovers a shocking revelation: the crime did not originate within the confines of the house. Alvaro was abducted and slain elsewhere, his body then meticulously placed within the heavily fortified walls of La Finca Development. Antonia's intuition screams that this killer is far from finished, and she presses Doctor Aguado, a fellow Red Queen operative, to repeat the bromocresol test. Her mind races over the anomaly—why did the killer spare Alvaro's extremities, focusing solely on his lips? Antonia is convinced this is no oversight but a calculated move. She abruptly departs, leaving Mentor to arrange her ride home, knowing full well that solitude is her sanctuary during these moments of intense focus.
Gutierrez, too, yearns for the sanctuary of his home. Mentor acknowledges his diligence, granting him permission to depart. Upon his arrival, Gutierrez finds his mother in a peaceful slumber. A tender kiss stirs her awake, and she teasingly inquires about the hidden object behind his back. Delighted to discover it's a porcelain keepsake, she begs him to preserve it even in her absence.
Antonia, meanwhile, retreats to the solitude of her own abode, where she cleanses herself and dons a stunning red dress, her mind drifting to memories of her husband and child. The emptiness of her furniture-barren home hints at a sorrowful past, the whereabouts of her loved ones a mystery. She ventures to the hospital, where her husband lies in a coma, and there, she presses her lips to his, answering a question long forgotten, whispered softly as she sits vigil by his bedside, her mind still racing with the case.
As for Carla, a glimmer of hope arises when she spies what appears to be a cabin amidst the forest's gloom, her cries for help echoing through the trees. But her pursuer is relentless, catching up to her, and the episode draws to a chilling close as the killer administers a sedative, plunging Carla into darkness.
