After a mother of two is shot to death in Chinatown, Goren and Eames first believe her death may be connected to the Tiananmen Square massacre. However, the investigation leads them to a smuggling ring that deals in antiquities.

The detectives investigate a triple murder, including the son and daughter of a wealthy businessman, that occurred in his apartment. After investigating the children's stepmother (his second wife), they turn to a pair of nannies (Tammy Blanchard and Merritt Wever), one of whom works for the family. However, the detectives must reach back to the nannies' history as children, and a television soap opera, to better understand the motives for the crime.