Ben Murchison
At the close of the first season of Narcos: Mexico, we saw Kiki Camarena (Michael Peña) explaining to Félix Gallardo (Diego Luna) that while he knew he was dead, Félix would not be able to survive what he started either. The abduction and murder of DEA agent Camarena, sets into the motion the events of its second season, which sees a team of agents led by Walt Breslin (Scoot McNairy) working up the list of those responsible, while Félix tries to strengthen his position with the Columbians, and keep the various plazas from feuding with each other.
Through three episodes of Narcos: Mexico Season 2 you can see that while the first season was focused on a smaller centralized group of individuals, this time they cast a wider net showing more details and personality of important members of the cartel and those they are in business with, which not only serves the story of this season, but sets up the future of the series as well. Most notably you see them expanding upon the recognizable ‘El Chapo’ (Alejando Edda), as he looks to make a name for himself outside of just his own family. The most interesting subplot early on though was Amado Carrilo Fuentes (José Maria Yazpik), helping the leader of his plaza Pablo Acosta (Gerardo Taracena), to settle a feud across the border in Texas, which provided some lighter moments blended with brutality and a gun battle. It essentially encapsulated what works best about the show.
Ultimately, revenge and regret are the themes for the season, and what everything boils down to for its main characters. Walt reminds his team throughout why they are there, what happened to Camarena and who is responsible. They are no longer playing by the rules, and it makes them dangerous to Félix and what he has built. If there was a line they were not intended to cross, they swiftly made their way over it in order to get the results they needed. McNairy narrated last season before finally showing up in its finale, and gets to continue that voiceover now along with starring. He mostly has to play it straight given the circumstances, but he’s a very good actor and you can see all of the emotions and weight of the story on his face. He had big shoes to fill but seems to have been a good choice.
To get where he is, Félix has pushed away, or betrayed those closest to him to save himself and build his empire. At his own birthday party, he points out that everyone there celebrating with him would kill him if they could get away with it. That feeling follows him like a cloud any moment he spends alone, shown through his dreams as well as in his observations of those around him. While he may still be the smartest man in the room, and able to exude confidence and power while making calculated moves to continue to grow his business, privately he realizes that he already made the mistake that will ultimately be his undoing. Diego Luna adds an amiability to a character that should be despised, and through no fault of his own, he’s just genuinely a likable actor. A villain that isn’t well rounded doesn’t work as well, so it’s all to Narcos benefit.
As with all prior installments, this season of Narcos is heavy on important dialogue, mainly some stirring speeches from Félix, and a discussion he has with Pacho Herrera (Alberto Ammann) stands out, which was one of just a few times he has been made to feel small. During these moments you can see everyone playing mental chess against each other, and how the most ambitious among them all have their own endgames in mind. Paired with that smart writing, you get to see the DEA carry out tactical maneuvers of their own, some that go according to plan, and others that have to be adapted. The tension of the high stakes, and the growing frustration after each small victory when politics and diplomacy intervene has always been a recurring theme, although you sense things are a little different this time.
If you have been a fan of Narcos since the beginning and you were still on board when things shifted to Mexico, then Narcos: Mexico Season 2 continues to deliver on the things you love about it. The team of writers, directors and cinematographers have the tone and feel of their show well at hand, and there is something different about watching real life events that you can research, played out on screen. Seeing actual footage welded into the dramatized accounts provides authenticity, and that will continue to grow as things move closer to present day, but for now let’s just enjoy the ’80s music.
Narcos: Mexico Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGv_F9hpQ-w
