Madre Paula

Portugal, 1720. Paula, a humble young woman, is taken by her father to the convent of Odivelas. Adding to her not wanting to be a nun, the other nuns treat her poorly for being poor. In court, João V is confronted with terrible news involving the Emperor Carlos VI (or so he thinks). Among the nobles is Francisco, the King's younger brother who wants the throne. Paula discovers that some nuns sleep with rich and powerful men. Someday, she and João V cross over and he becomes fascinated with her. It is the beginning of a forbidden love.

In the convent, the King tries to see Paula again but she is involved with Count Vimioso. João V ends up sleeping with Madalena Máxima, the mistress of the moment. The Queen confesses herself sad by the lack of passion of João V by her. Francisco know his true love: Mariana, a nun. However, this don’t stop him from committing a serious mistake. Finally, João V sees Paula but she refuses to be one of his mistresses. Meanwhile, someone is listening to their conversation

Madalena Máxima humiliates Paula publicly in the convent. Paula promises revenge. The Queen believes Madalena Máxima is pregnant with the King’s child and summons her. Francisco and his noble friends defend the going to war with Emperor Carlos VI and later decide to forge new evidence. However, the King receives a visit that promises to shed some light on this case. Paula, advised by the Abbess, starts professing, becoming a true nun. After the ceremony, she and the King meets again.

João V and Paula are now lovers and she’s the King's favorite, but she is also clever at giving him political advice. Francisco asks his mistress, Mariana, to commission her sister Bárbara, also a nun in Odivelas, to get information about Paula. Montalvão offers a land in Mafra to the crown, next to the convent which left the nobles fearing treachery. The son of the King and Madalena Máxima is born. The Queen is informed. João V visits the child, but ends the relationship with the nun. And Paula… makes a decision about that child.

For the first time, worlds collide. Paula goes to court to watch an opera show and João V is keen of telling Maria Ana that this is his new lover. At the court Manuel, younger brother of João V and Francisco, arrives. With him, comes the Spanish lady Carmen Villalobos. But something goes terribly wrong. After that, Francisco sees an opportunity to finally dethrone his brother. Will it succeed? Paula discovers that the friendship with Bárbara isn’t as pure as it should be and decides to retaliate. Bárbara vows revenge.

Bárbara goes to the witch Isabel da Moita and asks her help to dominate Paula. Abílio, lover of the witch, learns about Isabel's plan, goes to the King and sells the information he has. After that, João V makes a decision that left Francisco even angrier with the King. The Queen learns about the sin of Martinho de Barros and will use this information to try stop the love affair between her husband and Paula.

The King discovers the whole truth about the supposed sink of the ship and Francisco is taken to prison for disobedience. Following that, Maria Ana receives the visit of the noble friends of the infant. The Queen’s plan to separate João V and Paula seems to be working well. However, the King finds a loophole. Maria Ana asks the King to free Francisco, who is sick in prison. João V accedes to the request but the result of that could end terribly.

Paula is poisoned and is near to death. João V is desperate and can not be far from her. Francisco plans to replicate the past and take the throne from João V, just as their father, Pedro, had done with Afonso, the uncle. With the absence of the King, the nobility goes to the Queen and suggests his removal.

After the last events, João V doesn't get out of bed, depressed. This time, Maria Ana demands to take the regency of the crown. Paula has some shocking news and decides to write to João V. In her new position, the Queen orders the Inquisition to punish Paula. Meanwhile, Maria Ana also learns the news from Paula.

João V is back to court and, with that, the Queen and Paula talk for the first time. Gold arrives from Brazil leaving the people, the nobles and the clergy all in turmoil. Many months passed without nay contact but finally Paula asks the King to visit her. The conversation is tense and painful. Vimioso makes a proposal to Paula. After get her answer, he decides to talk to the King.

Manuel sends a letter to Francisco, asking for financial aid, since he is in ruin. Francisco thinks that is the way to achieve his attempts to destroy the King. Will Manuel follow his brother's plan? Odivelas organizes a religious festival. Paula participates. João V and, much to the nun's surprise, Maria Ana herself appears to confront Paula. Given her state, this confront could have terrible consequences to Paula.

Francisco's plan seems to be running smoothly. To celebrate, he goes to the brothel. But something goes wrong. Paula gives birth to José. Maria Ana knows the birth of Soror Paula's son. The Queen makes a decision about this child. Knowing that, the King and the Queen argue and, on the limit, Maria Ana makes what she thinks will be the ultimate decision to end her problems. But, someone listen to her plans...