Emilio Alonso Manglano dedicated his early years at the helm of the Center to controlling the fervent individuals attempting to overthrow the fragile Spanish democracy. According to his daily notes, General Alfonso Armada would have been the alleged leader of a group that included politicians such as Felipe González, Manuel Fraga, Peces-Barba, and Ramón Tamames, fueling conspiracy theories. Actor Miguel Herrán plays Juan José Martínez, the leader of the gang that stormed the bank.
In the last episode of the series, it is acknowledged that Manglano's involvement in the assault could not be proven, despite being labeled guilty throughout the production. According to the series, Manglano allegedly ordered the retrieval of documents that made up the supposed provisional Government in case the coup succeeded. However, it is unlikely that Manglano was involved in the assault, as he had not yet assumed the position of director of Cesid nor had any relation with the intelligence services.
On the day of the assault, Manglano received news of his appointment as director of Cesid and subsequently had a meeting with the Minister of Defense in which the matter was discussed. Following the assault, it is mentioned that Manglano was dedicated to thwarting coup attempts, and his involvement in past events and his commitment to democracy are presented.
The Netflix series accuses Manglano of commissioning the assault on the Central Bank of Barcelona to recover documents from 23F, implicating him in criminal activities. Despite the accusations, there is no real evidence supporting such claims. Manglano was appointed as director of Cesid before the assault and, according to his notes, was busy preparing to assume the position.
Amid the intrigue generated by the series, the importance of Manglano's figure is highlighted in a context of coup attempts in Spain. His role in defending democracy and his relationship with some historical events are emphasized. The plot shows a scenario in which Cesid failed to prevent 23F and faced internal challenges. Manglano, designated to lead the intelligence service, was previously disconnected from Cesid, in an attempt to renew the institution and prevent regressive risks.
