It is November 1957 and a whole year has passed since The Hour was taken off air for their controversial interview with Lord Elms and much has changed. Freddie has been fired and gone travelling, while Bel fought to stay. Bel's whole life is her work and she's becoming increasingly preoccupied with the country's growing criminal underworld. El Paradis is run by Raphael Cilenti who is charming but ruthless. Kiki Delaine is beautiful, talented and utterly beguiling and works as his star showgirl. She knows exactly how to charm a man and Hector finds her hard to resist.

Hector and Marnie invite their friends to a party at their apartment. Racial tension increases across London, due to the influx of immigrants from the Commonwealth who bring new culture to Britain's streets. It provokes much discussion at the party which is interrupted after two policemen arrive at the door to arrest Hector on suspicion of beating up Kiki. Hector's absence has not gone unnoticed the following day by Randall, and Bel has a difficult job to try and keep Hector's arrest secret from him. Freddie makes matters further after he decides to hold a controversial interview with a fascist named Trevor on the same day a visit from members of the board is due to happen.

It is now Christmas at Lime Grove and Hector is attempting to put the arrest behind him while Kiki goes missing. His self-destructive behaviour spirals out od control as Bel and Freddie look for the truth about what happened and attempt to locate Kiki. Lix is preoccupied with the likely spread of nuclear armament across Europe. Randall informs her the real reason for his return. Freddie, Bel, Hector, Marnie, Bill and Laurie attend a special Christmas charity function. Bel and Bill's flirtation is interrupted as Freddie shows Bel a picture he's found of Kiki.

Bel and Freddie are determined to expose Cilenti's vice network and the police collusion about the anti-nuclear policy story that is planned for tomorrow's show. Randall sees the scoop's potential, but ends up challenging them to find some sources to prove their story's ready to hit the headlines. Bel sets up a meeting with showgirl Rosa Maria who puts herself in real danger by revealing the way Cilenti exerts a hold over some of London's most influential men. Bel's relationship with Bill grows deeper, which upsets Freddie, whose home life with Camille suffers as a result of his dedication to the story.

After a source's body is discovered in a Soho backstreet, Bel wants the team to halt their pursuit of the dangerous Cilenti. As she attempts to convince Freddie not to risk his life for a story, he becomes more determined than ever due to a new lead. Randall challenges McCain about his part in Cilenti's manipulation of the previous week's show as Hector manages to wow executives in a meeting with ITV and is tempted by the prospect of being lauded.

Scandal manages to hit The Hour as Hector's face hits the tabloids, along side some leaked stories of Kiki's accusations. The team might have also have uncovered a major conspiracy story featuring Howard Satchell, Minister of Defence. Marnie's faced with a dilemma at ITV. Bill challenges whether Bel's real affections lie elsewhere. Lix and Randall finally manage to get some answers in their efforts to find their daughter.