Narcos: Mexico TV Series Review
Jayden Leung
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Description
Narcos: Mexico is a historically inspired drama which revolves around the development of the Mexican drug war throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s. Narrated in third person, the plot is experienced through multiple perspectives, ranging from DEA agents to drug-traffickers. Set in Mexico, the majority of the dialogue is in Spanish with English subtitles. Fortunately the cast is mostly made up of Latino actors and actresses. This show takes on a serious, documentary-like tone and is rated TV-MA for a reason, with its frequent scenes of cursing, violence, and nudity. I advise against watching this show shortly before going to sleep.
The Bad
The Bad
Although the show starts off with an amazing first season, the next two become bland and less interesting. Some of the most interesting characters from the first season are removed. The characters who replace the lost ones are far less interesting. They lack depth of character, making their struggles feel unimportant, and thus, uninteresting.
After Season One, many of the characters also appear undeveloped. They lack the engaging story arcs of previous characters. Moreover, the third season presents a bland new hero, features a subplot which is not connected to the main story, and ends up going nowhere, leaving the audience feeling that their time has been wasted.
Another potential problem is that for certain audiences, the show can be very heavy emotionally. There is a scene for example where a drug-trafficker’s wife and children are murdered, and their bodies tossed over a bridge. This is less of a critique and more of a warning.
Overall, I would give this show a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. It is one of the better shows on Netflix, brought down only by a lackluster third season.
The Good
Narcos: Mexico excels in creating an engaging plot, an element essential to dramas. Each episode brings new plot twists which keep the viewers on edge. Most characters have distinct personalities, making them feel relatable. The character Don Neto in particular reminds me of the unhelpful kid in group projects.
Narcos: Mexico features great character story arcs too. At the beginning of the first season the characters are nothing like how they are at the end of the season. A particular favourite of mine is the main villain, who started off Season One as relatable in his struggles, but gradually becomes a cold-hearted killer.
Stellar acting makes the characters all the more likeable. The setting makes the series feel authentic, as well. Most characters speak Spanish, and scenes are filmed on location in Mexico in areas such as Guadalajara or Ciudad Juarez. The authenticity is refreshing, especially after viewing some TV shows with atrocious cultural accuracy.
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