TV Show Review - Narcos (Season 3)

Season: 3
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Number of episodes: 10
Year: 2017
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Alberto Ammann, Damían Alcázar, Francisco Denis, Michael Stahl-David, Matt Whelan, Matias Varela

Description: A chronicled look at the war on drugs in Colombia, focusing on the Cali cartel.

Review: After a somewhat messy first episode, introducing old acquaintances and new protagonists, season 3 is in my opinion the best season. The reintroduction of DEA agent Javier Peña and the leaders of the Cali cartel; Gilbert Rodriguez Orejuela, Miguel Rodriguez Orejuela and Pacho Herrera takes time. Most people claim it to be the weakest season, but I think it’s definitely the best.
New important characters also have to find their way in this third season. For example, DEA agents Chris Feistl and Daniel van Ness are important allies of Javier Peña. On the other end of the spectrum, the sons of Gilberto and Miguel play important roles. Perhaps the most central role however is played by Jorge Salcedo. Jorge is the security guard for the Cali cartel, but would like to start for himself. This, like cruelty, is ultimately reason to turn against the cartel.
The Cali cartel has a completely different character than Pablo Escobar’s Meddelin cartel. Where the latter uses overt violence and terror, the Cali cartel is more cunning and underground. By making clever use of corruption and bribes, the Cali cartel manages to extend its tentacles into the core of (political and judicial) power. As a result, Gilberto manages to strike a deal with the government on a surrender without costing the cartel leaders money, power and position. With the help of Jorge Salcedo’s inventive wiretapping device, those within the cartel who oppose this plan are soon killed. Unfortunately for the cartel, DEA agent Peña has other plans. He manages to capture and imprison the mastermind behind the cartel.
This is the prelude to a political and military joust between the cartel, a corrupt Colombian government and an unwilling U.S. government. The latter seems to have an interest in keeping the government in place. It only makes Peña more motivated in his fight against the Cali cartel. While Peña does everything in his power to roll up the cartel, Jorge maneuevers between his family, the Cali cartel and the DEA. At the same time, the Cali cartel is defied by inner struggles. Not only is the surrender contested, but by picking up Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela, other leaders see an opportunity.
Season 3 is so strong in part because of the cast surrounding its protagonists. Think bookkeeper Guillermo Pallomari, widow Maria Salazar, Chepe Santacruz Londoño. Chepe, in fact, knows how to combine humor and cruelty with great skill. The power struggle between Jorge Salcedo and Miguel’s son, David Rodriguez (a Colombian version of King Joffrey) adds an extra dimension to this season. With that, I always found agent Javier Peña a much more interesting character then Steve Murphy, who was the focus on in previous seasons. Now it’s Peña who shines and him being portrayed by an excellent Pedro Pascal makes it extra interesting for me.
Season 3 offers everything an exciting mafia series should offer; a touch of truth in a nicely set up drama. Probably not a popular opinion, but season 3 of “Narcos” is definitely its best.

TV Show Review - Narcos (Season 2)

Season: 2
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Number of episodes: 10
Year: 2016
Starring: Wagner Moura, Pedro Pascal, Boyd Holbrook, Alberto Ammann, Paulina Gaitan, Joanna Christie

Description: A chronicled look at the criminal exploits of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, as well as the many other drug kingpins who plagued the country through the years.  

Review: The Netflix original series “Narcos” tells the story of Pablo Escobar and the fight against drugs in Colombia. Especially because of the latter, the desire of the series’ creators to want to make a season is understandable. Season 2 is about the last phase of the life of Pablo Escobar.
Escobar is portrayed superbly by Wagner Moura. Actually, all the performances are strong. The series is authentic because the characters speaks Spanish and it uses TV images of the actual events.
Season 2 is just as raw and rough as the first. The big difference is that the pace is much slower. This only benefits the series. It gives more room for the characters, but also more time for the story. This season is only about the last month of Pablo Escobar’s life, the story continues to captivate every episode.
As mentioned before, the main storyline is the downfall of Pablo Escobar, but also the rise of the rival Cali cartel. The latter make good use of the fight against Pablo Escobar and his Medellin cartel. The story is still told from the perspective of DEA agent Steve Murphy, but actually has multiple perspectives. Such as from partner Javier Peña (my crush Pedro Pascal) who chooses to work with a branch of the Medillin cartel and thus indirectly the communist rebels and the Cali cartel. The relationship of Tata with Pablo is also explored further. So much that it turns out that their love for each other ultimately meant the final downfall of Escobar.
Despite the large number of storylines events and characters, “Narcos” is very easy to follow. The intense, rock-hard battle is portrayed crystal cleat and regularly supported by authentic TV footage from the news. The character of Pablo Escobar has lost all sympathy. In season 2 it is only about survival. In the beginning he succeeds quite well. Especially since he has the police pretty much under control and even manages to kill his biggest legal opponent. However, his other enemies and former friends smell blood and, as so often, it ends in a bloodbath.
“Narcos” clearly shows that a man who thinks he can conquer the world can also fall very hard. Symbolically, it goes from unprecedented wealth to a shabbily dressed ending in flip flops. It is raw and explicit in its violence, but has a compelling story. “Narcos” season 2 is amazing, probably even a little better then season 1.
 

TV Show Review - Narcos (Season 1)

Season: 1
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Number of episodes: 10
Year: 2015
Starring: Wagner Moura, Pedro Pasal, Boyd Holbrook, Alberto Ammann, Paulina Gaitan, Joanna Christie

Description: A chronicled look at the criminal exploits of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, as well as the many other drug kingpins who plagued the country through the years.  

Review: ‘Plato o plomo’, or ‘silver or lead’ is the choice you had when you encountered Pablo Escobar. In seasn 1 of “Narcos”, viewers can see what happened if you chose one of the two options. In ten episodes we are introduced to one of the greatest drug traffickers to have ever existed.
The series revolved around three characters. The first is Pablo Escobar, played by Wagner Moura. Moura does a great job of portraying the character of Escobar. One moment you admire him and the next you are disgusted by him. Escobar is one of the most interesting drug lords to ever exist. He went from being a poor street kid from a disadvantaged neighborhood in Colombia to a cocaine dealer who made a million dollars a day in his heyday.
The others are DEA agents Steve Murphy and Javier Peña. Murphy is a young American agent whose personal goal is to put Escobar behind bars. It is also Murphy who takes us into the story and provides the narrative. Which is a bold choice, since the series is about Escobar. Peña is the cop more known in the district of Colombia and is familiar with how things work there. Together they try to bring down Escobar. Boyd Holbrook and Pedro Pascal are both really solid in their roles, though I did wish Pascal had more screen time then Holbrook.
In the first season, we learn how Escobar allows his drug cartel to become one of the largest in the world. Escobar knows that he wants and thinks he can make anything happen. Anyone who works against him is given a choice: plato o plomo. In other words, you either allow yourself to be bribed or you will be shot. Agents Murphy and Peña do everything to stop the regime of Escobar.
The story is structured in such a way that at first you can still admire Escobar, but eventually you become more against him. He is a smart businessman and shares his wealth with the less fortunate. As the power of his cartel grows, so does his ego. And Escobar slowly loses himself in the madness that his wealth has created.
In addition to the story of the struggle between the police and the drug traffickers, as a viewer you also learn a lot about the political history of Colombia and the struggle between America and communism. For example, we follow the story of President César Gaviria, who regularly faces difficult decisions that could potentially cost him his life. It is interesting to see how two warring factions both tried, in their own way, to fight for the Colombian people.
The strength of the series is its authenticity. The story is supported by real footage from the time, so that as a viewer you are sometimes reminded with amazement that all the violence and bizarre events in the series really happened. The creators’ choice to have Escobar and his associates speak Spanish also contributes well to this, because often movies and shows do everything in English to make it more accessible for viewers.
“Narcos” is a fantastic show, I don’t know why I didn’t watch it sooner.