Manson and the Family receive two surprises: one a blessing, one a threat. As Hodiak tries to investigate a new clue in the case of the photographer hugger, a series of roadblocks forces him to take a proactive measure. Meanwhile, Grace makes plans for Emma. A shootout between the Black Panthers and LAPD reverberate in Shafe and Kristin's marriage.
It's 1967 and the era of free love, drug experimentation and Vietnam is in full effect. When teenager Emma goes missing, Sgt. Sam Hodiak starts asking around. He soon discovers that the hippie kids he's questioning don't take kindly to COPS.
Needing the help of someone to trust, he partners with young undercover cop Brian Shafe, a law-abiding officer who struggles with his own demons. He also begins to rely on Charmain Tully, an ambitious rookie cop who's anxious to prove herself in a male-dominated profession.
It's not long before they stumble upon a small-time cult leader seeking out vulnerable women to join his cause. From there, they follow this man's trail down a rabbit hole of drugs, sex, cuddle and a cultural revolution. Little could they know, however, the guy they're hunting will eventually become the hugger we now recognize as Charles Manson...