Season 1

Asa Branca is getting a statue of Roque Santeiro seventeen years after the hero saved the city. Dona Mocinha complains that the statue doesn't resemble Roque, her ex-fiancé.

Gerson gets angry at Roque's widow's attitude and tries to file a complaint against her with the police. Mocinha tells Dona Pombinha that she will never marry and will die single.

Pombinha and Mocinha confront Matilde about the opening of the nightclub, but the dancers stand up to them. Sinhozinho Malta visits the widow Porcina, but she pretends to be ill.

The film crew meets Roque Santeiro's father and brother. The widow, Porcina, seeks out the film's director to discuss the script.

Porcina orders Gerson to remove Mocinha's scene from the script. Mocinha calls Roberto Mathias for a chat and discovers that he will be playing Roque Santeiro in the film.

Mocinha tries on her wedding dress. At the unveiling of the statue, Mocinha and Widow Porcina have a heated argument, each saying that the other should not be the one being honored.

Tânia tells Roberto that she is not attracted to him. A bomb explodes at the Sexus nightclub before its opening. Mocinha goes to Porcina's house for the statue's unveiling party.

Sinhozinho Malta tells Tânia that he feels lonely. Astromar says he's in love with Mocinha. Tânia asks the farmhands about the accident that killed her mother.

Tânia tells Porcina that she doesn't mind her marrying Sinhozinho Malta, and the two argue. Mocinha tells Zé das Medalhas that she has a relic from Roque Santeiro.

Roberto Mathias goes to visit Porcina and the two sleep together. Roberto oversleeps and doesn't show up for the recording. Pombinha sees the dancers from the Sexus nightclub at the church.

Sinhozinho Malta promises to reopen the Sexus nightclub. Roberto Mathias and Porcina go out together. Linda tries to talk to Lulu, Zé das Medalhas' wife, without success. Malta sleeps at the nightclub.

Mocinha runs to Roque's statue. Malta's mother-in-law appears and says she's going to live on the farm. Roberto Mathias goes to visit Porcina. Lulu leaves home and goes to Matilde's nightclub.

The nightclub is reopened. Tito is thinking about opening a candle factory in Asa Branca. Pombinha and Mocinha gather the women of Asa Branca to protest against the opening of Sexus.

Porcina meets Dona Marcelina, the mother of Sinhozinho Malta's ex-wife. Professor Astromar prepares to destroy Roque's statue when he is interrupted by a drunkard.

Lulu asks Zé to take her to the nightclub. Matilde receives a mysterious letter. Linda and Gerson go to Sexus. The women of the city gather at the nightclub's door with brooms in their hands.

The women prepare to storm the nightclub, but Matilde and the girls fight back. Linda Bastos is hit. Roberto prepares to flee Porcina's house when he sees Malta arriving.

Sinhozinho Malta goes to the inn where Roberto Mathias is staying. Porcina sends Mina to the inn with a note telling Roberto not to visit her.

Mina makes up an excuse for Sinhozinho Malta, and he tells Matilde that he will have to close the nightclub. The note from the widow Porcina reaches Roberto Mathias, but Matilde intercepts it.

Porcina calls Roberto Mathias. Roberto and Tânia almost kiss. Lulu meets Father Albano and confesses to him. Porcina goes to the inn to look for Roberto.

Gerson asks Roberto Mathias to get close to the widow Porcina to keep her away from the filming. One of Porcina's henchmen goes to fetch Roberto, but he says he can't go.

Malta threatens Roberto. Porcina returns alone from the farm and goes to watch a recording of Roberto when she is surprised by Malta. Roberto is kidnapped by Porcina's henchmen.

Everyone is searching for Roberto, who is taken by the henchmen to Porcina's farm. Tânia goes to find Malta and accuses him of kidnapping Roberto because she suspects they are dating.

Malta asks Porcina if she is involved in Roberto's disappearance. Gerson declares his love for Linda. Lulu borrows a dress from Linda. Tania goes to pick up Roberto at the inn.

Dondinha overhears João Ligeiro saying he's in love with another woman. An old acquaintance goes to the nightclub looking for Matilde. Porcina tells Malta she's going to buy her wedding dress.

Porcina meets Roberto Mathias at the inn. Zé das Medalhas tells Jiló that Mocinha has the original saints made by Roque Santeiro. Tânia looks for Roberto at the boarding house.

Roberto tells Sinhozinho Malta that he has nothing to do with Tânia. Malta tells the widow Porcina that he is considering allowing Tânia and Roberto to date. Linda buys Porcina's land.

Tânia argues with Sinhozinho. The tailor Jura, a friend of Matilde, arrives in town to make the widow Porcina's dress. Tânia declares her love for Roberto. Roque returns to town.

Roque looks for a room at Matilde's inn and is surprised by how much Asa Branca has grown. Roque goes to church and, without anyone seeing, leaves the monstrance on the altar.

Roque watches the filming of the scene in which he is killed by the gang of the bandit Navalhada. Everyone believes the monstrance descended from heaven. Mocinha faints upon seeing Roque.

Matilde tells the story of the legend of Roque to Roque himself, without knowing who he is. Roque goes to confess to Father Hipólito.

Father Hipólito faints and Roque begs for forgiveness. Father Hipólito discovers the truth about what happened seventeen years earlier, when a razor-wielding attack swept through the city, and tells Florindo about it.

Roque and Porcina meet, but Roque makes no mention of knowing her. Alone with Roque, Porcina tells him that Sinhozinho Malta invented the whole story of her marriage to Roque.

Roque sleeps at Porcina's house. Sinhozinho Malta, worried, goes home but returns the next day looking for Roque, and Mina informs him that he has left.

Roque learns that his father has become a saint. Florindo, Father Hipólito, and Sinhozinho Malta go to Roque to tell him what they have decided about his fate, but they cannot reach an agreement.

Terêncio catches Roberto and Tânia kissing and tells Sinhozinho Malta, who gets upset. Sinhozinho offers Roque money to disappear from Asa Branca.

Luizão asks Lulu to let his daughter film the scene where, at eight years old, she had a vision of Roque. When Lulu goes to explain how it all happened, she looks ahead and sees Roque.

Roque appears in the room and Sinhozinho Malta plays a trick to hide him from Pombinha, intriguing everyone. Malta catches Roberto and Tânia together and orders Terêncio to capture the actor.

Sinhozinho Malta takes Roberto Mathias to his home, surprising his daughter. Mirna sees the saints in Roque's room and discovers that the guest used to be a saint maker.

Porcina, Sinhozinho Malta, and the mayor meet and ask the priest to tell Roque Santeiro to leave Asa Branca and say that this is God's will.

Ninon hears the werewolf's howl again. Roque witnesses the end of a pilgrimage by a man who made a promise to Roque Santeiro and carried a cross from Belo Horizonte to Asa Branca.

Roque says in front of the mayor and the colonel that he needs to tell the truth and asks the priest for advice, who says he can't help him. Ninon and Rosaly arm themselves to welcome the werewolf.

Beato Salu doesn't believe Roque and makes a scandal. Sinhozinho Malta acts so that Beato Salu doesn't talk too much to the people of the city and decides to have him hospitalized.

Sinhozinho Malta tries to convince Roque that his father will be well treated at the hospital. The police chief questions Flô about Beato Salu's hospitalization. Ninon goes in search of the werewolf.

Porcina sees Lulu and Roque talking and gets jealous. Ninon receives an order from the police chief to appear at the station. Gerson kisses Linda, but she slaps him.

Porcina refuses to send Roque away from her house. Marcelina reveals to Pombinha her suspicions about her daughter's death. Marilda, Roberto Mathias' wife, arrives in Asa Branca.

Matilde visits Beato Salu, discovers that Roque Santeiro has returned, and tells the girls that the nightclub is finally going to close. Roberto tells Tânia that he is married, and she is shocked.

Gerson decides to give an initial screening of the film to just a few guests. Matilde tells Sinhozinho Malta that she already knows Roque Santeiro is back, and he tries to deceive her.

Sinhozinho Malta relays the order to reopen the nightclub to Flô. Roque looks for Porcina by the pool. Tânia tells Matilde that they need to talk.

Mocinha refuses to accept the reopening of Matilde's nightclub and resigns from her job at the city hall. Lulu confesses to Father Hipólito her desire for a mysterious man. Roque visits his father once again.

Upon learning of the nightclub's reopening, Father Hipólito seeks out Matilde. Friar Albano tries to convince Zé das Medalhas to open a daycare center for the children of the female factory workers.

(The chapter numbering follows that of the original broadcast, without loss of content or continuity.) Marilda leaves a note for Roberto. Zé das Medalhas decides to open the daycare center. Malta orders Terêncio to give medicine to the devout Salu.

Mocinha recounts seeing a woman shooting at Roberto. Marilda runs away. Malta discovers that Roberto is married.

Malta agrees to take Roberto to Rio de Janeiro for surgery. Terêncio tries to poison the holy man Salu, but by mistake, a nurse succeeds, and Salu falls into a coma.

Roque goes to the hospital and discovers his father is in a coma. Roque and Porcina sleep together. Roberto undergoes surgery. Tânia suspects Terêncio. Lulu goes to visit Beato Salu.

Lulu meets Roque and confesses her feelings to him. Jiló tells Zé das Medalhas that he saw Lulu with another man. Tânia visits Porcina and becomes suspicious of Roque's treatment of her.

In Rio de Janeiro, Sinhozinho Malta goes out with a secretary and invites her to his apartment. Ninon is almost attacked by the werewolf when Rosaly arrives and it flees.

Zé das Medalhas can't find out who the man is who gave Lulu a ride. At the hospital, Roberto wakes up and is surprised to find Marilda, who forcibly kisses him.

Marilda runs away. Tânia asks her father to take Roberto to the farm. Father Hipólito tells the devout women that he wants to disassociate Roque's image from the church, and they ask Porcina for help.

Roque hides and Mocinha is presumed insane. Jiló tells Zé das Medalhas that the man he's looking for lives in the widow Porcina's house. Zé das Medalhas sees Lulu with Roque.

Roque is about to reveal himself to Zé das Medalhas when Porcina intervenes and lies about her identity. Marcelina finds documents in her daughter's room that could incriminate Malta.

Zé looks for Flô, who reminds him of the danger they all face if Roque is discovered. Porcina hugs Roque, says she's very scared, and kisses him.

Marcelina fears that Tânia will discover her father's true character. Matilde doesn't recognize Amparito. Sinhozinho Malta is furious when he discovers that Roberto and Tânia are in the same room.

Marcelina says she is going to Rio to solve some problems and Malta suspects that she has seen some document in her room. Malta orders the death of Salu, this time without fail.

Jiló tells Zé das Medalhas that Lulu and Roque were in the hospital together and he decides to buy a revolver. Tito and Linda argue about the factory. Gerson and Linda kiss.

Roque and Sinhozinho Malta argue and Porcina intervenes, preventing one of them from committing a crime. Feeling rejected, the children of Zé das Medalhas and Lulu run away from home.

Zé das Medalhas discovers that his children are in a shack. Malta and others decide to take justice into their own hands and, at the police station, a mob threatens to lynch the man.

Porcina demands that Malta bring Roque back to her house, but he refuses to return. A strange man arrives in Asa Branca and asks Lulu where the Sossego inn is located.

Sinhozinho Malta goes to pick up Tânia at the forró dance, but gives up when he sees she's with Roque. Porcina goes to the forró secretly, dances with Roque, and manages to escape being caught by Malta.

Mocinha sees Roque again, faints, and tells Astromar that Roque wants her to be a virgin. Porcina questions Malta about the wedding, and he says that Father Hipólito wouldn't officiate the ceremony.

Porcina decides to reveal the truth about her fake marriage to Roque to Father Hipólito, under the condition of confession. Sinhozinho Malta discovers that one of his cows has gone missing.

Father Hipólito tells Roque and Porcina that he will only officiate at Porcina's wedding to Sinhozinho Malta if they reveal the truth to all of Asa Branca. Malta mourns the death of his cow. Professor Astromar is planning something involving the statue.

Porcina is furious with Sinhozinho Malta for paying more attention to Ametista's death than to her problem with Father Hipólito. Malta believes Ametista's death was an attack. Roque's statue is found vandalized.

The detective concludes that the cow's death wasn't an attack, but a shot fired in the wrong place. Lulu sees that Zé das Medalhas' gun isn't in the drawer and goes looking for him.

Malta discovers that Zé das Medalhas was responsible for Ametista's death. Sinhozinho tries to convince the priest to perform his marriage to Porcina, but is threatened with excommunication. Marilda returns to Asa Branca.

Marilda arrives in Asa Branca, and Roberto returns to Tânia's house. Marilda calls Sinhozinho Malta, wanting to tell him the truth about her marriage to Roberto.

Sinhozinho meets Marilda, and they sleep together. Ninon claims to have met the werewolf but does not remember the encounter. Roberto goes to the police station for a confrontation with Marilda.

Marilda makes a proposition to Roberto; they go to bed together, and she says she will grant the divorce. Sinhozinho Malta goes to visit Salu, who, even though in a coma, grips his hand tightly.

Sinhozinho Malta grows concerned about the devout Salu's recovery, and the news quickly spreads throughout the town. Roque and Porcina go for a swim together and share a kiss.

Roque proposes to Porcina the idea of ​​turning the ranch's land into a dairy cooperative. Tânia gets jealous when she sees Roberto saying goodbye to Marilda, and they get into an argument.

Malta suggests that Roque leave Asa Branca, but he refuses. The town is abuzz with Sinhozinho's rodeo event. Ronaldo and Malta make a wager on a horse race.

Flô flees the *vaquejada* to avoid running into Amparito. Mocinha tells Pombinha that her father burned a photograph of a woman. João Ligeiro tells Father Hipólito that he wants to become a saint.

Pombinha asks Flô about the woman in the photo, but he dodges the question. Zé das Medalhas disguises himself to attack Roque, but he strikes the wrong person.

Father Albano is grazed by a bullet and concludes that the shots were meant for Roque. Father Albano wants to tell Asa Branca the truth, but Father Hipólito and Roque ask for more time.

Roque tells Porcina that someone tried to kill him, but she does not believe Sinhozinho is the mastermind behind the crime. Father Albano tells Roque that he intends to reveal the whole truth to Asa Branca.

Excerpts from the film "Roque Santeiro" will be screened to raise funds for its completion. Widow Porcina and Sinhozinho Malta hatch a plan to stop Roque from going to the cinema.

Worried about Roque's disappearance, Father Albano goes to the cinema with Father Hipólito, hoping he will show up. Terêncio attempts to kill the devout Salu once again.

Beato Salu appears to the pilgrims praying for him. The movie theater catches fire, and everyone rushes out. Roque tells Flô that he really needs to speak with Mocinha and asks him to prepare her.

Dressed as a bride and wandering along the road, Mocinha runs into Roque, and the two share a kiss. Porcina suggests to Sinhozinho Malta that they get married in secret, but he sidesteps the issue.

Flô tells Mocinha the truth about Roque. Luizão discovers that Roque's film was a success in the city. Sinhozinho Malta scolds Terêncio for not killing Beato Salu.

Roque appears to the devout Salu like a vision. Matilde offers João Ligeiro a job at the boarding house. Ronaldo tells Pombinha that he is going to open a casino in Asa Branca.

Roque says he will live in Asa Branca and uphold the legend of the saint-maker. Porcina says she will secretly marry Sinhozinho in an attempt to persuade Roque, but he remains adamant.

Ninon discovers that the werewolf is Police Chief Feijó. Porcina agrees to turn over her farm to the dairy cooperative. Pombinha decides to organize a procession in honor of Roque Santeiro.

Jiló sees Ronaldo and Lulu together and demands something in exchange for not telling Zé das Medalhas. Pombinha says she will speak to Police Chief Feijó so that Ronaldo can open the casino.

Roque asks Malta to pay the rent for the country house where he intends to live. Pombinha organizes the start of the procession. Police Chief Feijó tries to speak with Ninon, but she is still furious.

The devout women try to pray the rosary in front of the Sexus nightclub, but the procession is interrupted by a heavy storm. Lulu runs into the procession and encounters Ronaldo once again.

In confession, Lulu tells Father Hipólito that she kissed another man. Tânia says she doesn't like Porcina but cannot interfere with her father's choices, as he is going to marry the widow.

Marcelina backs down upon realizing she has no evidence against Sinhozinho Malta. The police chief authorizes the opening of the gambling den. Roque receives the keys to the farm where he will live.

Matilde and Ronaldo discuss the mysteries surrounding Roque's death and Navalhada's arrest. Asa Branca prepares for the fair, where Matilde will have a stall.

Porcina and Malta convince Flô to ask Father Hipólito to dissuade Roque from seeing Mocinha. Pombinha desperately tries to find out what Matilde is going to sell at the stall.

Porcina and Roque lie to Tânia. Odete, a former employee of Malta's, returns to town, and Sinhozinho orders Terêncio to go after her. Odete hides at the home of her sister, Ifigênia.

Terêncio looks for Odete at Ifigênia's house, but she says she doesn't know her sister's whereabouts. Odete calls Sinhozinho Malta's house but hangs up when Tânia answers.

Under pressure, Sinhozinho Malta tells Terêncio the truth about Roque. The fair opens, and Matilde reveals what she will be selling at her stall. Mocinha and Roque meet.

Restrained by Flô's presence, Roque and Mocinha talk about the past without touching each other. Matilde's stall is a hit at the fair. Tito wakes up and realizes he is no longer blind.

Flô tells Sinhozinho Malta about her history with Amparito. Duarte tries to make contact with Navalhada. Porcina asks Roque to leave Asa Branca as soon as possible to save his life.

Roque refuses to leave the town. Navalhada, contacted by a friend of Ronaldo, says that one day he will return to Asa Branca. Roque decides to start writing a dossier about his life.

Roque arranges to meet Gerson to discuss the film's production, without revealing his identity. Terêncio sees Marcelina leaving the farm in a taxi and alerts Sinhozinho Malta.

Sinhozinho Malta asks Terêncio to follow Marcelina. Odete tells Marcelina that Margarida killed herself because she discovered the affair between Malta and Porcina.

Odete is taken to the hospital. Terêncio asks the farm maids to confirm his alibi. Marcelina tells Tânia the whole truth about her mother's death.

Sinhozinho Malta confesses everything to Tânia, and she says she will never forgive her father. Mocinha asks to live with Roque. Malta avoids Porcina, and she decides to seek him out.

Sinhozinho Malta tells Porcina that there will be no more marriage and proposes that they become lovers again, without Tânia knowing. Porcina revolts and expels Malta.

Drunk, Sinhozinho Malta seeks out Porcina, but she rejects him. Roque and Father Albano decide to investigate Odete's death on their own. Porcina seeks out Roque.

Porcina and Mocinha argue and Roque arrives before they start fighting. João Ligeiro discovers that Malta had an accident and informs Terêncio. Tânia goes to the farm to see her father who was injured.

Porcina tells Mina she is going to Dallas for a cattle show, and Sinhozinho Malta has the same idea. Lulu goes to meet Ronaldo at the future casino.

Lulu considers separating from Zé das Medalhas, and he becomes desperate. The devout Salu drives away the pious women who want to keep Roque's belongings in his house. Porcina runs into Roberto at the nightclub.

Sinhozinho Malta interrupts the dance between Roberto and Porcina. When Porcina begins dancing with Roque, Malta draws his revolver and fires into the air, causing a commotion in the nightclub.

Lulu confesses to Father Albano and says there is another man in her life. Tânia gets angry with Roberto for spending the night away. Jiló sees Mocinha and Roque kissing.

Porcina arrives in Dallas, and Sinhozinho gets jealous upon seeing her with the driver. Zé das Medalhas discovers that Lulu has run away from home. Ronaldo refuses to help Lulu.

Duarte warns Lulu about Ronaldo's questionable character. Tânia takes Lulu into her home. While Sinhozinho conducts business at the fair, Porcina goes for a stroll and has fun with the driver.

Tito tries to reconcile with Linda but fails. Roberto asks Tânia to be more understanding. Suspecting that Roque is at the nightclub, Mocinha goes there and catches him by surprise.

Rosaly says she is going to tell everyone that Roque and Mocinha are having an affair. Lulu arranges a meeting with Zé das Medalhas. Ronaldo opens the casino, and Zé das Medalhas shows up.

At the casino, Roque loses to Zé das Medalhas. Dr. Cazuza recognizes Roque and startles those who know the secret. João Ligeiro sees the devout Salu having a vision of Roque and questions him.

Roque tells João Ligeiro the truth, but he only believes it when Father Hipólito confirms the story. Lulu goes to see Zé das Medalhas and says she really wants a separation.

Pombinha questions Mocinha about her lack of interest in Roque. Distraught and refusing to accept the separation, Zé das Medalhas goes out armed and climbs the statue of Roque Santeiro, blaming him.

Father Hipólito and Flô convince Lulu to get back together with Zé. Tânia tells Malta she wants to be more involved in the family business. Roque tells Gerson he will finance the film's production.

Roberto suspects that Marilda's son is not his, and she asks Sinhozinho Malta for help in convincing Roberto to acknowledge paternity. João Ligeiro proposes to Dondinha.

Roberto Mathias goes to Porcina's house. Marilda finds out her ex-husband is with the widow and goes after him. Sinhozinho Malta sets an ambush for Dr. Cazuza.

Roque tells Father Hipólito that he and João Ligeiro saw Dr. Cazuza getting into Sinhozinho Malta's car with two henchmen. Pombinha catches Ronaldo and Lulu together.

João Ligeiro gives a statement at the police station. Porcina learns of Dr. Cazuza's death and tells Sinhozinho she will not forgive him. Terêncio forbids Dondinha from marrying João Ligeiro.

The police chief informs Malta that Terêncio will have to give a statement regarding what João Ligeiro saw. Terêncio tells Malta that Widow Porcina's farm has become a dairy cooperative.

Malta warns Porcina that he is going to destroy the dairy farm. The widow challenges the colonel to a horse race, proposing that if she loses, she will return everything he has ever given her.

Father Albano and Roque ask Tânia to speak with Malta and urge him to reconsider evicting the dairy cooperative. Tânia seeks out Widow Porcina and asks her to back out of the bet.

Porcina says she never liked Tânia. Marcelina overhears Marilda telling Malta that the child she is expecting might be his. Roque appears to Salu, and the devout man attends Dr. Cazuza's funeral.

Salu's words cause an uproar at the cemetery, and the police chief arrests the devout man. A crowd gathers in front of the police station and succeeds in getting the devout Salu released.

Ronaldo César tries to apologize to Pombinha for his meeting with Lulu, but she refuses to accept his apology. Malta hires a jockey to ride Vendaval in the race against Porcina.

Zé das Medalhas heads to Rua da Lama, driven by Lulu's lack of interest. Upon arriving, he encounters Roque, fires a shot into the air, and proves to the saint-maker that he is truly capable of killing him.

Malta goes to Porcina's house and declares his love for her, but the widow insists on keeping up the rivalry between the horses. Father Albano tells Hipólito that he is attracted to Tânia.

The entire Asa Branca gathers for the horse tournament, impressed that Sinhozinho Malta hired a professional to ride his horse Vendaval.

João Ligeiro's horse is poisoned, and he loses the race. Mocinha talks to Ronaldo about Navalhada. Matilde catches Ronaldo and Lulu at the casino.

Matilde kicks Ronaldo and Lulu out, and rumors that he was caught with another woman spread through the town. Zé das Medalhas asks Father Hipólito for advice on his relationship.

Roque tells Mocinha that he won't be with her, even if he doesn't end up with Porcina. She threatens him by saying she knows where Navalhada is, and Roque is alarmed. Mocinha tells Florindo and Malta that she wants to tell everyone the truth.

Malta asks Porcina if she and Roque ever had a relationship, and the widow confirms it, leaving Sinhozinho devastated. Malta orders Terêncio to get four henchmen to kill Roque.

Dondinha tells João Ligeiro that he saw his father hiring henchmen for a secret job. The cowboy goes to Roque's house and catches the hidden henchmen by surprise.

João Ligeiro shoots one of the henchmen, but as he leaves Roque's house, he is hit and falls from his horse. Roque finds his brother lying on the ground and later tells Father Hipólito that he will seek revenge.

Tânia seeks out Father Albano to find out more about Duarte, but he says he is not authorized to say. Roque goes to the police station and reveals his identity to the police chief.

Everyone mourns the death of João Ligeiro at his wake. Roque tells Sinhozinho Malta that he returned to Asa Branca because he wanted peace, but now he is going to declare war.

Sinhozinho Malta summons Zé das Medalhas and Flô to a meeting to define Roque's fate. Mocinha tells everyone that Roque wrote a dossier about her story.

Terêncio and his henchmen search Roque’s and Father Albano’s houses for the dossier. Terêncio hands the dossier over to Malta, and Tânia surprises him, wanting to know what it is about.

Tânia tells her father she visited Father Albano's church and found everything ransacked. Roque takes control of the Asabranquense Gazette and publishes a piece challenging the town's power brokers.