*Some overall season 3 arc spoilers.*
This is an odd entry: first, because it’s almost an entire season after the previous episode I reviewed, and two, because Diego Luna is barely in it. So this will be a fairly quick episode write-up, and then I’ll spend some time at the end wrapping up Narcos: Mexico.
Now that Félix is no longer in the picture, the federation has dissolved. The separate plazas are each running their own operation, and Amado is on top. Over in Colombia, Cali has made a deal with the government and will be shutting down in exchange for slap-on-the-wrist prison sentences, so Amado is focused on finding a new supplier while also thinking about how he wants his on story to end. Walt is trying to investigate the “narcosjunior,” wannabe-narco rich kids. He has one such teenager in custody, but the interrogation isn’t bearing the fruit he needs. And a new character this season, a reporter named Andrea, investigates a PRI slush fund that she thinks she can tie to the cartels.
Season 3 of Narcos: Mexico is all right, but it emphasizes for me how crucial Félix and Diego Luna’s performance were to my appreciation for the show. It doesn’t hold my attention as well when he’s not around. Still, there are some nice points of interest.
This season takes place at the same time as season 3 of Narcos, so again, we see the implications of the Cali deal on Mexico. Pacho and Amado’s relationship is interesting, and I like seeing Amado realize he has to start thinking about his own exit. “Escobar, Félix, the Cali guys… All thought they had more time,” he points out. “They were wrong.”
Andrea is an enjoyable character. The “dogged reporter will do anything in pursuit of the truth” thing is a well-worn trope, but it’s effective, and the stakes are magnified when the people she’s investigating could definitely kill her if she gets too close. She also serves as a new narrator this season.
Like I said, Diego Luna’s appearance in this episode is miniscule—he doesn’t even have any lines. We just see him in an opening flashback leading up to Amado’s first meeting with Félix. The scene is more noteworthy for what Neto tells Amado about Félix in preparation. He sums Félix up simply: “Takes shit too seriously. He’s got big ideas.” When he mentions Félix’s plan to unite the plazas, Amado is intrigued by its potential, but Neto warns, “Don’t bring it up. Once he gets started on it, he’ll never stop.”
And that’s it for Narcos: Mexico! Here are my final thoughts:
Recommend?
In General – I would, as long as you’re into gangster stuff and don’t mind a lot of violence. This is an interesting series that touched on a lot of history I didn’t know.
Diego Luna – Absolutely. This is one of my favorite performances from Luna—he’s phenomenal as Félix!
Warnings
Graphic violence (including torture,) drinking/smoking/drug use, language, sexual content, and strong thematic elements.
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