1999
Newly appointed U.S. Drug Czar Robert Wakefield struggles to balance his public war on drugs with his daughter Caroline's escalating addiction. Meanwhile, in Mexico, principled police officer Javier Rodriguez navigates the corrupt world of General Salazar, who forces him to work with the DEA to dismantle a rival cartel. In San Diego, DEA agents Montel Gordon and Ray Castro arrest drug kingpin Carl Ayala, whose pregnant wife Helena discovers his criminal empire and takes over his operations, demonstrating a ruthless aptitude for the business. As Caroline's addiction worsens, Robert becomes increasingly disillusioned with the systemic failures of the drug war, ultimately resigning to focus on his daughter's recovery.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Traffic interweaves the lives of a U.S.
Open full beat sheetHelena Ayala is listed as Wife of Carl Ayala. A pregnant socialite who discovers her husband's criminal empire. In the parsed data, Helena Ayala is connected to 30 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 31.
30 scenes / 10 dialogue linesRobert Wakefield is listed as National Drug Control Policy Director. A former Ohio Supreme Court Justice appointed as the new U.S. Drug Czar. In the parsed data, Robert Wakefield is connected to 28 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
28 scenes / 9 dialogue linesJavier Rodriguez is listed as Mexican State Police Officer. A principled but conflicted police officer in Tijuana. In the parsed data, Javier Rodriguez is connected to 24 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
24 scenes / 5 dialogue linesCaroline Wakefield is listed as Daughter of Robert Wakefield. A high-achieving teenager struggling with drug addiction. In the parsed data, Caroline Wakefield is connected to 18 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
18 scenes / 7 dialogue linesMontel Gordon is listed as DEA Agent. An ambitious and cynical DEA agent working in San Diego. In the parsed data, Montel Gordon is connected to 17 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
17 scenes / 3 dialogue linesSeth Abrahams is listed as Teenager. Caroline's boyfriend and fellow drug user. In the parsed data, Seth Abrahams is connected to 10 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
10 scenes / 3 dialogue linesCarl Ayala is listed as Drug Kingpin. A wealthy businessman who secretly runs a major drug smuggling operation. In the parsed data, Carl Ayala is connected to 10 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 9.
10 scenes / 1 dialogue linesRay Castro is listed as DEA Agent. Montel Gordon's partner. In the parsed data, Ray Castro is connected to 10 scenes, first appearing around scene 5.
10 scenes / 0 dialogue linesManuel Sanchez is listed as Mexican State Police Officer. Javier's partner. In the parsed data, Manuel Sanchez is connected to 9 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 60.
9 scenes / 1 dialogue linesGeneral Arturo Salazar is listed as Mexican Anti-Narcotics General. A powerful and corrupt military official. In the parsed data, General Arturo Salazar is connected to 8 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
8 scenes / 3 dialogue lineschar_14 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_14 is connected to 4 scenes, first appearing around scene 20.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue lineschar_13 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_13 is connected to 3 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 27.
3 scenes / 1 dialogue lineschar_12 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_12 is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 8.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue lineschar_15 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_15 is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 22.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue lineschar_16 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_16 is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 22.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesRobert Wakefield presides over a court case where a lawyer argues against the use of informants.
Robert WakefieldRobert and his clerk discuss a mysterious gift and the implications of his new role as Drug Czar.
Robert WakefieldJavier and Manolo wait in the desert for a drug shipment.
Javier Rodriguez, Manuel SanchezJavier and Manolo arrest the drivers of a moving van, but are interrupted by General Salazar.
Javier Rodriguez, Manuel Sanchez, General Arturo SalazarDEA agents Gordon and Castro attempt to buy drugs from Ruiz, leading to a chaotic shootout.
Montel Gordon, Ray CastroCaroline and Seth use drugs in a guest house.
Caroline Wakefield, Seth AbrahamsGordon and Castro interrogate Eduardo Ruiz in his hospital bed.
Montel Gordon, Ray Castro, char_11Carl Ayala arrives home while his family prepares for a party.
Helena Ayala, Carl Ayala, char_12Carl and Helena discuss business and their relationship.
Helena Ayala, Carl AyalaDEA agents raid the Ayala home and arrest Carl.
Montel Gordon, Helena Ayala, Carl Ayala, Ray Castro, char_12Javier and Manolo wait to meet General Salazar.
Javier Rodriguez, Manuel SanchezSalazar recruits Javier for a mission.
Javier Rodriguez, General Arturo SalazarManolo expresses fear about the mission.
Javier Rodriguez, Manuel SanchezRobert Wakefield drinks on a flight.
Robert WakefieldRobert meets his family.
Robert Wakefield, Caroline WakefieldThe Wakefields discuss drug policy.
Robert Wakefield, Caroline WakefieldThe family has dinner.
Robert Wakefield, Caroline WakefieldHelena meets with her lawyer, Arnie Metzger.
Helena Ayala, char_13Helena leaves the jail.
Javier Rodriguez, Helena Ayala, Manuel SanchezJavier tracks Francisco Flores.
Javier Rodriguez, Manuel Sanchez, char_14Francisco is delivered to Salazar.
Javier Rodriguez, General Arturo Salazar, char_14Teenagers party at a mansion.
Caroline Wakefield, Seth Abrahams, char_15, char_16The teenagers drop off an overdosing friend.
Caroline Wakefield, Seth Abrahams, char_15, char_16Francisco is tortured.
General Arturo Salazar, char_14Helena hosts a party.
Helena AyalaCaroline is processed.
Caroline WakefieldHelena and Arnie discuss the situation.
Helena Ayala, char_13Robert confronts Caroline.
Robert Wakefield, Caroline WakefieldSalazar manipulates Francisco.
General Arturo Salazar, char_14Carl is denied bail.
Helena Ayala, Carl Ayala, char_13Helena Ayala leaves the courthouse surrounded by reporters and her lawyer, Adler, while Gordon watches from a distance.
Helena Ayala, Montel Gordon, Carl AyalaRobert Wakefield meets with A.D.A. Kelly to discuss his daughter's legal issues and her drug use.
Robert WakefieldCaroline uses crack cocaine in her bathroom before school.
Caroline WakefieldHelena is threatened by a stranger while watching her son David.
Helena Ayala, Montel Gordon, Ray CastroGeneral Salazar interrogates Francisco about the location of his enemies.
General Arturo Salazar, Javier Rodriguez, Manuel SanchezGordon and Castro interview Eduardo Ruiz about the drug trade.
Montel Gordon, Ray CastroRobert Wakefield tours the border crossing and learns about new drug smuggling techniques.
Robert WakefieldHelena brings lemonade to the DEA agents in the surveillance van.
Helena Ayala, Montel Gordon, Ray CastroAnna visits Javi looking for Manolo.
Javier Rodriguez, Manuel SanchezSeth and Caroline buy drugs from a dealer.
Caroline Wakefield, Seth AbrahamsSeth and Caroline use the drugs they purchased.
Caroline Wakefield, Seth AbrahamsHelena asks Arnie for money and information about her husband's business.
Helena AyalaRobert confronts Caroline about her drug use.
Robert Wakefield, Caroline WakefieldRobert confronts Caroline about her drug use and discovers her stash.
Robert Wakefield, Caroline WakefieldJavier meets with DEA agents Hughes and Johnson.
Javier Rodriguez, Montel Gordon, Ray CastroJavier discusses the drug epidemic in Tijuana with DEA agents.
Javier Rodriguez, Montel Gordon, Ray CastroHelena visits Carl in jail and demands guidance.
Helena Ayala, Carl AyalaCaroline attends a group therapy session.
Caroline WakefieldHelena finds hidden information in Carl's study.
Helena AyalaRobert meets with General Salazar.
Robert Wakefield, General Arturo SalazarGordon and Castro guard Ruiz in a cheap hotel.
Montel Gordon, Ray CastroWitnesses testify against Carl Ayala.
Helena Ayala, Carl AyalaHelena makes a call to arrange a hit.
Helena AyalaHelena meets Francisco.
Helena AyalaAnna tells Javi that Manolo is planning to become an informer.
Javier RodriguezRobert learns Caroline has run away.
Robert WakefieldRobert questions Seth about Caroline.
Robert Wakefield, Seth AbrahamsCaroline is with a drug dealer.
Caroline WakefieldThe cruiser explodes.
Montel Gordon, Ray CastroJavier and others take Manolo to the desert.
Javier RodriguezRobert finds Caroline's drug stash and tries it himself.
Robert WakefieldJavier comforts Anna after the death of Manolo.
Javier RodriguezJavier drives through Tijuana and sees Helena Ayala.
Javier Rodriguez, Helena AyalaHelena walks through a nightlife street.
Helena AyalaHelena meets with Juan Marquez to negotiate a deal.
Helena AyalaHelena demonstrates the cocaine-doll technology to Marquez.
Helena AyalaHelena prepares to smuggle the cocaine.
Helena AyalaJavier undergoes a polygraph test for DEA agents.
Javier RodriguezJavier and Helena cross the border.
Javier Rodriguez, Helena AyalaHelena is searched by customs officers.
Helena AyalaMontel Gordon attends a funeral.
Montel GordonHelena meets with Arnie.
Helena AyalaRobert receives news about Salazar.
Robert WakefieldRobert and Barbara discover their daughter has stolen from them.
Robert WakefieldRobert confronts Seth.
Robert Wakefield, Seth AbrahamsHelena meets Tigrillo.
Helena AyalaRobert and Seth search for Caroline.
Robert Wakefield, Seth AbrahamsRobert confronts a dealer.
Robert Wakefield, Seth AbrahamsSeth and Robert walk to the car.
Robert Wakefield, Seth AbrahamsJavier visits Anna.
Javier RodriguezDon't tell Anna I died like this. Tell her it was something else. Tell her it was official business. Tell her that I died doing something honorable. Please, tell her that for me...
We watched his father get dragged away by federal agents. I don't even know how to begin to tell him where you are or when you're coming back... Or if you're coming back.
Hi. I'm Caroline. I'm not sure I'm an alcoholic. I mean I don't really like to drink. For someone my age it's so much easier to get drugs than beer.
Mr. Rodman...it's too bad your client didn't show as much sense in choosing what he planted as he did in choosing his attorney...
Your husband is very good at his job... which is smuggling illegal drugs into this country.
Well, Javier Rodriguez, you've done a very good job, but we'll take care of it from here.
Mrs. Ayala, were you aware your husband is the largest cocaine smuggler in America?
Addicts treat themselves... they overdose and then there's one less to worry about.
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