By Ben Murchison
As Scoot McNairy narrates the opening minutes of the new season of Narcos, it would be easy to lose the weight of the events that are unfolding. If you know anything about the story being told, then you recognize that it is accurately described as the moment when the United States public knew that they were a part of the drug war in Mexico. The natural progression for the Narcos saga was to shift a little closer to home, and, despite a largely new cast of characters, the first episode showcases everything you have come to expect, including its familiar music.
In the first episode, titled Camelot, we are introduced to pot farmer Rafa (Tenoch Huerta) and friend, former police officer Félix (Diego Luna), who use a military raid in Sinaloa as an opportunity to move forward with their plans to begin their own empire in Guadalajara. Rafa has developed a new strain of seedless marijuana that just needs a water source and room to grow by itself. Félix has a plan with unbelievable risk, but he is calm, seemingly fearless, and a few steps ahead of everyone else.
Luna has become increasingly well-known and he brings a charismatic element to his role, which Félix possessed as well. Luna has spoken about crafting a character with depth and the importance of not just portraying a “bad guy”, even though he knows all too well the pain that the drug trade has brought to his country. It is hard not to cheer for them as they begin their rise to power.
Meanwhile, Kiki Camarena (Michael Peña) of the DEA is growing tired of being passed up for promotion and takes an assignment in Guadalajara setting him up for a collision course of ambitions with Félix and Rafa. Peña is genuinely likable in just about any role, and he does a great job blending his playful sense of humor with an intensity in his scenes including his initial introduction during an undercover sting that demonstrates his willingness to forgo procedure to get the job done. Camarena’s conversation with his wife Mika (Alyssa Diaz) as they watch their son’s baseball game instantly endears them both to viewers, and that bond will certainly be central as Camarena’s determination impacts them both.
The timeline for Narcos: Mexico takes us back to 1980, and the locations, set design and wardrobes are all done tremendously, albeit ridiculously, as is the case for the Naranjo brothers who are doing their best Beatles impressions in the most shocking scenes of the episode. An authentic feel has been key in the Narcos seasons, even if they take liberties with some events in order to make things more cinematic, and you feel fully immersed here once again.
Like the premiere episodes of many series, this one runs a little slower as it has the task of introducing the people and places that will be featured, but it sets up what will undoubtedly be a compelling endeavor, and its hard not to enjoy the performance of Don Neto (Joaquín Cosio), who elevates every scene he’s in as Félix brings him along for the ride. Since most of the runtime features Spanish, anyone that doesn’t speak the language will have to focus to read the subtitles, but as always with Narcos, it is hard to not be invested in every frame.
Overall Rating: 9 of 10 (I D.A.R.E you to binge it)
Narcos: Mexico is currently streaming on Netflix.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBLcYJ7C4F0
