Politician Mario Chiesa’s arrest ignites a nationwide scandal: Italy’s Tangentopoli (“Bribesville”). As the political fallout spreads across the country, we follow the intertwining lives and ambitions of six main characters.

Showgirl Veronica’s tv career is on the verge of a major breakthrough, but the Tangentopoli affair seems to stop her in her track. Pietro, a Gulf war veteran, takes on the challenge of politics.

Luca, a policeman, obtains the revenge he is seeking, but justice is another matter. Advertising man Leo finds himself under the threat of blackmail: someone has dug out some murky truth about his past.

A new chance comes up for Veronica: her dreams again seem within reach. Bibi is confronted with a reponsibility she had so far managed to elude.

All main characters are faced with a major reboot in their lives: some have to take a step back to get started anew, whereas others suddenly get more than they had even dared to hope for.

Luca gets close to Bibi’s projects for the powerful Mainaghi holding company. Leo undertakes a risky rise to power. In the background, the country is shaken by a new, devastating Mafia attack.

In apparent summer calm, the old political establishment is hard at work on a major counterattack. Meanwhile, the main characters have to face the uneasy consequences of their ambitions.

As prosecutor Di Pietro finds out, a spy hides within his Mani Pulite (“Clean Hands”) investigation team. Leo is close to fulfiling his political hopes and dreams, but he undergoes a crisis of faith.

Luca is ready to put everything at risk to get his revenge: his position within the Mani Pulite task force is compromised. Pietro has to renege on his own self to save his relationship with Veronica.

Di Pietro and the Mani Pulite team involve Prime minister Bettino Craxi as a prime suspect in their investigation. Our six main characters are confronted with extreme choices. It all builds up to a final judgement day: he who is willing to pay the most terrible price will win.