In his quest to build a drug empire in the 1980s, Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo (Diego Luna) takes the helm of the Guadalajara Cartel, unifying traffickers. Meanwhile, DEA agent Kiki Camarena (Michael Peña) moves his wife and young son from California to Guadalajara to take on a new post. As Camarena gathers intelligence on Félix and becomes more entangled in his mission, a tragic chain of events unfolds, affecting the drug trade — and the war against it — for years to come.
From the outset, the “Narcos: Mexico – Season One” desert scenes evoke images from the movie “Traffic.” Others adopt more of a “Godfather” look and feel as they depict an inevitably class-conscious society in stylistic fashion. Complemented by excellent acting and confident pacing, this latest iteration of the series is a welcome addition to the set.
As in the original “Narcos,” the new installment does a fine job of dramatizing the emergence of organized drug cartels, this time with a focus on Mexico and marijuana instead of Colombia and cocaine. The differing supply chain dynamics between cocaine and marijuana come into view, as does greater insight into the scope of operations by each cartel.
The history, if not necessarily factually precise, captures the essence of the era across its ten hours of fascinating content. Indeed, the narrative draws viewers in as easily as a form-fitting shoe. Never in a hurry, the slate of six directors weave a complicated and involving tale, full of intrigue and deception. To its credit, “Narcos: Mexico – Season One” brings several elements of previous “Narcos” storylines and characters together in a satisfying fashion.
Diego Luna heads up this series as Miguel Ángel Felíx Gallardo, the mastermind who unexpectedly coalesces the many disparate drug gangs across the Mexican landscape into a working organization. Michael Peña as legendary DEA agent Enrique ‘Kiki’ Camarena brings a familiar and welcome face to the action. Joachin Coslo as Don Neto provides both a foil and sounding board for Gallardo’s ambitious plans to build an empire, which occurs with impressive speed. The notion that traditionally disorganized Mexico criminal activity could evolve into something more elaborate went against fledgling DEA mindsets, leaving the agency in the proverbial dust for years.
Scoot McNairy narrates in a delightfully smug manner as events unfold. McNairy smoothly intones that “By partnering with the trafficker’s natural enemy, Felíx made his system virtually unstoppable,” while visuals of payoffs to local police and border guards roll through the voiceover. Thirty million dollars a week poured into the operation, requiring the cartel to purchase Mexican banks and make deposits in the U.S. to protect profits.
Felíx sits perilously atop an illegal empire that requires constant care and feeding. Constituents both above and below test his fortitude at every turn. He must assuage and pay high government officials, and then either coddle or discipline underlings, as circumstances dictate.
Kiki surveils and investigates with the dedication of a true believer. When he first sets eyes on the boundless acres of a novel seedless “sinsemilla” strain of marijuana, he is understandably awestruck. Until that point, the field, nourished by abundant aquifer water, had remained a well-kept secret to all but a few. Later, when the head of the highly-corrupt Mexican DEA equivalent unexpectedly shows up at the remote site, the tension Kiki feels is palpable, his life literally on the line.
Despite the personal risks taken by the lonely DEA agents in Guadalajara, political realities regularly intercede to thwart their efforts. Enforcement of drug policy, for example, often takes a back seat to Wall Street interests regarding Mexican government debt repayment. Progress comes painfully slow until the situation gets completely out of hand, forcing the U.S. to finally act.
The extensive use of English subtitles for the many scenes filmed in Mexico and Colombia may put some viewers off. However, the Spanish speaking actors – a highly accomplished group regularly appearing in Latin American movies and television – lend an air of gravitas that would otherwise be lost. Not a bad way to brush up on Spanish either.
As in the original “Narcos,” the juxtaposition of Kiki’s fervent admonitions to other DEA agents about the pervasive Guadalajara drug trade contrasts with current legalization movements across the U.S. Such recent developments and attitudes toward marijuana call into question what the drug wars actually accomplished, if anything. No doubt, a question for another day.
An often lavish production design also includes good old rotary dial landlines, telex machines, the occasional Walkman, and period automobiles. Hit songs from the early 1980s evoke the freewheeling atmosphere of the time. Mixed with generous doses of smart humor, the ensemble all comes together nicely. Created by Carlo Bernard, Chris Brancato, and Doug Miro, “Narcos: Mexico – Season One” provides another wild ride through the sordid, unseen world of the drug trade.
Now available on DVD from Lionsgate
