Criminal masterminds the Profitts - paranoid lunatic Mel (Kevin Spacey) and his frisky younger sister Susan (Joan Severance) run a $40 million a day smuggling network. Specially trained undercover FBI man Vinnie Terranova (Ken Wahl) has worked his way in as added muscle for their security detail/hit squad.
His very sinister new employers are making enemies of volatile elements due to Mel's eccentricities, specifically his paranoia. Vinnie might find sufficient evidence to indict the Profitts if he lives long enough. He might not considering the torch Susan is carrying for him and the one her brother is carrying for her. Vinnie is once again called upon to pretend to be a homicidal maniac just to fit in.
Amidst this is friction with a hot-blooded Argentine gangster (Franklyn Seales - Dexter from 'Silver Spoons', in what would be his final screen role) whom Mel has disrespected. A stand-off ensues and Vinnie is witness (perhaps even accessory) to multiple murder committed by Roger LoCocco, Buckwheat! The Mel Profitt storyline which won new viewers and critical plaudits for this series also introduced Kevin Spacey to many who would become fans of his work. His edgy portrayal of a temperamental dope fiend fixated upon his own sister opened up an early chance for him to submerge himself beneath a flamboyant persona. It is rumoured that Billy Bob Thornton and Gary Cole were each up for the role before Spacey was cast.
As for the beautiful Joan Severance, she never did sufficiently subdue her Texas drawl. Her performance as Susan Profitt was far from Emmy Award calibre but her chemistry with Ken Wahl was undeniable.