El Mantequilla - Season 1

In Mexico in 1982, Abel Rodríguez, a lowly insurance salesman, is at the center of an elaborate scam that results in Polanco's wealthiest figure being robbed of his money. While most believe that Abel has escaped to the Bahamas, rookie police agent Elena Robles senses that there's more to the case. The truth is that there's much more to the case, and it hinges on a man named Julián.

A prisoner who has pretended to be the famous swindler "El Mantequilla" is making noise after he doesn't receive his monthly pay-off. Swooping in to help is Julián Manríquez, a ruthless lawyer. However, Julián isn't his real name, it's actually Emiliano Escamilla, and Emiliano is seeking to draw the prisoner's former lawyer out of hiding. Meanwhile, Elena teams up with an ambitious journalist.

Botello is forced to sell a painting that was stolen by "El Mantequilla". At a clandestine auction in Acapulco, Botello comes into contact with eccentric gallery owner Becky and her friend, Fernando Lacrosse. But when the buyer realizes that the painting is a fake, questions mount about who has the original. Elena, meanwhile, comes up against the misogyny in her job.

The painting brings Emiliano into contact with Cuauhtémoc Robles, a decorated former police chief who is also Elena's father. Pretending to be an army captain, Emiliano sets his attention on Robles' former boss, who he claims is responsible for imprisoning Emiliano's mother. Pablo attempts to piece together a story and Elena turns to her father for help in solving the case.

Emiliano's latest persona, a supposedly famous ranchera singer, allows him to befriend Robles' old boss, captain Rodríguez. As Emiliano sets his sights on a lost treasure of "El Mantequilla," he comes to see Robles' involvement in his family's misfortune. Elena and Pablo's investigation into a "New Mantequilla" is derailed after Pablo's overzealous imagination brings consequences for him and Elena.

Realizing that Cuauhtémoc Robles played him, Emiliano tries to regain the upper hand while Robles sends Emiliano on a "treasure hunt" that will supposedly lead him to his father. An unexpected turn of events for Emiliano results in his true identity being leaked to the press. Pablo, meanwhile, becomes a key figure in a major story after he gets an anonymous tip.

Emiliano races to cover his tracks as he's being pursued by the police and by the press. Elena finally catches up to Emiliano, but his brief apprehension and headline-grabbing escape have far-reaching consequences. Armed with clues provided by Emiliano, Elena learns the truth about her father; a situation that will force the young detective to decide how far she's willing to go to solve the case.

Cuauhtémoc arrives in Tijuana seeking the help of Jacinto Buenaventura, the original "El Mantequilla," unaware that he's led Emiliano to his father's location. Using his final disguise as a lowly farmer, Emiliano hears a different story from Buenaventura than the one he's been told his entire life. Meanwhile, Elena grapples with the corruption that surrounds her and Pablo gets a sham title.