The docuseries follows people deeply involved in the group NXIVM — which is faced with various charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy — over the course of several years.
Mark Vicente and Sarah Edmondson, high-ranking former NXIVM leaders, describe the dream and mission of NXIVM to build a better world. Bonnie Piesse, Mark's wife, tells him she is worried about the organization and Keith Raniere, NXIVM's leader and Mark's mentor. Mark believes there must be a misunderstanding - how could tools to make a better, more ethical world be misused?
After seven years, Bonnie leaves Albany and NXIVM for Los Angeles to make sense of it all. She tries desperately to get through to Mark, who reassures her all is well. Meanwhile, Mark remains loyal to Keith and NXIVM, but a series of phone calls begin to sow doubt within him.
Sarah confides to Mark about DOS, a secret women's group involving "masters" and "slaves." She struggles in her relationships with NXIVM, her husband Nippy, and her best friend. Nippy confronts the organization he's helped grow for 15 years. Sarah and Mark lament how many members they've recruited and question what to do next.
Mark, Bonnie, Sarah and Nippy strategize with Catherine Oxenberg about how to get her daughter, India, out of DOS, even though she wants to stay. "Jane," a former member and India's close friend, describes the appeal of the organization and of DOS, and why she left it all behind.
Catherine believes her daughter is in danger and wants her to come home. But she and the former members are unable to get the attention of the authorities, so they approach the New York Times. While weighing the pros and cons of going on record, Mark reflects on his time at NXIVM.
When they see no action by the authorities, Sarah, Mark, and Nippy contact additional news outlets to provoke outrage and pressure law enforcement to pay attention. Barbara Bouchey, a former board member and early defector, shares her insight into NXIVM and reflects on her time in Keith's inner circle.
Catherine meets Frank Parlato to build a dossier of evidence to present to the New York Attorney Generals office.Original defector Toni Natale describes how she met Keith Raniere and his meeting with co-founder Nancy Saltzman that led to the formation of NXIVM.
The group gathers evidence for their FBI testimonies. They talk about how the agendas of the mens and womens groups within NXIVM may have laid the ground work for DOS .
Keith hasn't been seen in Clifton Park for weeks, and the team gets a tip on where he might be. Catherine meets with India, who maintains her position. Mark and Bonnie return to Clifton Park for the first time since leaving NXIVM and confront their memories of Keith and the curriculum. Sarah, Bonnie, Mark, Nippy, and Catherine face a shocking development in the case.
Prosecutor Moira Penza and defense attorney Marc Agnifilo prepare for trial after the arrests; Nicki Clyne and Michele Hatchette offer a different perspective into NXIVM; Nancy Salzman, under house arrest, sits down for an interview.
Nancy recalls her first interactions with Keith and the subsequent founding of NXIVM. Mark Vicente takes the witness stand.
Marc Agnifilo presents his case for the good work of NXIVM; Marc Elliot remains loyal to Keith Raniere after he claims the symptoms of his Tourette's syndrome were reduced by Nancy Salzman; Lauren Salzman takes the stand for the prosecution.
Lauren Salzman testifies to decades of manipulation at the hands of Keith Raniere; NXIVM supporters are unconvinced by the evidence presented; Nancy Salzman grapples with learning the extent of Raniere's sexual pursuit of both of her daughters.
"Dani" details the shocking decades-long grooming and abuse she and her two sisters suffered at the hands of Keith to the jury.
After Keith's abuses of Dani's sister "Cami" are detailed through disturbing text messages, Keith's trial ends with a guilty verdict. As NXIVM's critics rejoice, Keith's remaining supporters regroup. After "Cami" and others give victim impact statements, Keith is sentenced to 120 years. Following the trial, Nancy examines her role as she awaits her own sentencing.
