Former police sergeant Vince Faraday is framed as notorious criminal Chess and left for dead at the hands of the corrupt ARK corporation's security. Mentored by Max Malini among a group of bank robbers who use carnival talents, Vince must leave behind his wife and son to fight against corruption in Palm City, including villains Chess and Scales. Under the guise of The Cape, Vince must trust mysterious blogger Orwell to help in the fight.

Max Malini's old friend Gregor Molotov has come to town, but not for a friendly visit. He is looking for whoever has the cape, and The Cape/Vince has to protect the carnies who took him in. Dana, Vince's wife, returns to work after grieving his loss and sees Palm City's corruption at work in the public defender's office. She also discovers there were witnesses when Vince vanished.

When "The Cape" tips off Dominic Raoul (aka Scales) that Peter Fleming has been extorting money from him, Scales heads to a costume party on a train to confront Fleming. "The Cape" and Orwell, also at the party, discover Max and the gang are going to heist the train, and Vince/The Cape is conflicted about what to do. Meanwhile, Dana and Trip must endure scrutiny and taunts while trying to deal with their loss.

Peter Fleming (aka Chess) and the ARK Corporation prepare to unveil a special device that may alter the fate of Palm City. Tracey Jerrod (aka Dice), a young savant and inspiration for the device, emerges and targets Chess to avenge her father's death. Realizing he must keep his enemy alive in order to fully destroy him, Vince (aka The Cape) suddenly finds himself defending his archnemesis. With the help of Rollo, Ruvi, Raia and Max, Vince attempts to master new skills and also tries to accept how his choices will affect his wife, Dana and son, Trip.

Badly bruised and exhausted, The Cape heeds advice from Max to take some time off to recover. Determined to finally kill The Cape, Peter Fleming hires a tech-savvy team, including Goggles and Hicks, to track and destroy The Cape. Meanwhile, Orwell faces digital challenges against the teams’ strong expertise and Dana becomes more involved in uncovering the truth about Vince’s case.

Orphaned since birth, Conrad Chandler, the heir of one of Palm City’s founders, exacts revenge on the public and threatens to paralyze and control the city. The Cape and Max alert Marty of the impending danger to the city, which backfires on The Cape. Meanwhile, the Secretary of Prisons, Patrick Portman, aids Orwell in her search for the lone heir. Orwell locates Conrad through Netta, his mysterious caretaker, but soon discovers his deeply disturbing past and finds herself in danger. Elsewhere, Dana becomes increasingly uncomfortable with her new social life.

The Cape, Max, and Rollo are forced to rely on Dana's legal connections to help them discover The Lich's whereabouts. Heavily entranced by Conrad Chandler's (The Lich) potent serum, Orwell struggles to fight off the physiological and mental effects of the strong dose. Meanwhile, Netta's strange loyalty to The Lich is clarified. In a sedated, weak state, Orwell drifts between reality and fantasy sequences, which slowly reveal her history and past.

Concerned about the protection of his gang’s city territory, Scales makes a controversial pact with Fleming and plans to bring a dangerous villain, Razer, to the city. Vince intercepts Razer’s arrival, disguises himself as the villain, and infiltrates the inner circle of Scales and his gang. Meanwhile, Fleming battles internally with his alter ego, Chess, and Orwell remains in a dreary state, hinting at a uncertain future.

The Cape's worlds collide as Dana defends Marty after Fleming sets him up to the take the fall for corruption in Palm City.