S1, E3: De Santis's boat, Ciao Charlie, was set on fire by his long-time rivals, the Straziota, aiming to ruin him. Without Antonio's income, Maria can no longer pay for Sacro Cuore. After hearing this from Mezzafemmina, Michele decides to redeem his brothers' actions by giving her money for her school fees for Christmas. Though it's dirty money from smuggling, he knows Maria will accept it as the right thing to do. A romance develops, and Maria encourages Michele to audition for a TV show looking for young musical talent. Antonio discovers that his father, whom he thought was an honest fisherman, was actually working for Don Nicola and had turned to corruption to afford the boat.