Narcos

Excellent portrayal of a tightening loop, both in feeling and space. The stalking is decreasing and police arrests are increasing. (12.10.2019)

Rural relax, or a completely different Pablo than what we are used to; hirsute, philosophising about life with fag in his mouth and about 10kg heavier. He’s no longer the machine that breaks regimes and destroys governments. The ending is coming. The scene with Lemon is shocking. (13.10.2019)

It turned out the way it was supposed to, basically a detailed rendering of the "based on a true story" mode in which the last episode of the series is set. Fast-paced, without an artificially drawn-out movie finale, just as it should be. (13.10.2019)

After Pablo's death, it's more of a classic action film full of clichés and story framing, but the gentlemen from Cali certainly don’t disgrace themselves with their characters and slightly different politics. I dare say the creators milked it as much as possible. Where we lack Pablo's classic straightforwardness and propensity for violence, the protagonists supply us with different personalities with different opinions and attitudes, and it’s very interesting to watch them interact. It is in fact the parade of such diverse characters what makes this season so interesting. And I’m not even speaking only about the bosses. For instance, Salcedo is by far the most thrilling etude of the season, and watching him plan his way out of his own web of pitfalls and traps is very impressive and brilliantly acted. The third season may be lacking behind the first two, but only by a little bit. (05.11.2019)

A solid start with the cartel, on a completely different wave reminiscent of a Mexican version of Wolf of Wall Street with all its sophistication, elegance and low profile motto. The end is only slightly stirred up by Pacho with his dance and the following spread. (16.10.2019)

In the second episode, the smooth Cali cartel shows only very leisure movements on an ingeniously conceived chessboard, and the honour of the classically dirty craft is saved for the hairdresser's scene at the end. (16.10.2019)

Quite a broadly conceived episode that maps in detail the laundering of cartel money in every possible way. Even though it lacks the unabashed hotheadedness and unpredictability of Pablo, it's still something to watch, because the Cali cartel goes about it a little differently, and the creators aren't afraid to adapt their storytelling style as a result. (29.10.2019)

The first major twist in an otherwise perfectly outlined plan. The whacking of the main antagonist doesn’t involve any carnage, it’s rather reminiscent of the best from Ocean’s Eleven, which is exactly the concept of this season. (29.10.2019)

It’s getting tougher and the white gloves are coming off. As usual, everything is getting more convoluted and substantial, with excellent supporting characters that are slowly beginning to emerge. (29.10.2019)

It’s like a roller coaster, a gripping episode with loads of shooting and chases. Some are more realistic than others, but they have that Southern verve that I like. You can see the Cali cartel knows how to do things the good way, and the bad way, too. (29.10.2019)

A great raid on a penthouse, a suspenseful, almost Fincher-like scene in a bathroom, and the character of Jorge Salcedo, who is sometimes more interesting than the main gang members, and superbly played by the actor in question. So far, the second part of the third season is far sharper than the first. (31.10.2019)

A heavyweight ending and a first-class escalation of a series that initially looked so innocent. But the finale is not match for Pablo’s. Again an excellent supporting role by Salcedo who handles it brilliantly. A bit of a throwback to Los Pepes and a sensational conclusion. Good as a standalone episode, but sensational as the piece of a puzzle. (02.11.2019)

First-class political gamesmanship and, above all, chasing the next boss. (02.11.2019)

The traditional malaise of great series, where the penultimate one or two episodes tend to be better than the last one, which often not only works with a minimum of characters, because most of them don't live to see the end, but still has to deliver some closure for the whole series. The last Narcos season plays with both ills quite successfully, and the ending manages to stand up well to the political backdrop that was so present then and still is today. (05.11.2019)