Narcos depicts the true stories of the Drug Lords leading the Medellín and Cali cartels of Colombia. The notorious drug cartels operated in the 1980s and 1990s in South America.
Thus, it is about the rise and fall of Columbian Drug Lord Pablo Escobar and his Medellín cartel. In addition, it also chronicles the real-life tale of the Cali cartel of Southern Columbia.
Synopsis [official] of the Spanish Series about Colombian Drug Lords
It chronicles the rise of the cocaine trade in Colombia and the gripping real-life stories of drug kingpins of the late ’80s in this raw, gritty original series. Also detailed are the actions taken by law enforcement as they battle in the war on drugs, targeting notorious and powerful figures including drug lord Pablo Escobar. As efforts are made to control cocaine, one of the world’s most valuable commodities, the many entities involved — legal, political, police, military and civilian — find themselves in conflict.
Brief FM note about the Spanish Series about Colombian Drug Lords
In the Spanish language, the term “narco” is an abbreviation of the word “narcotraficante” which means drug trafficker. So, this inspired the name of this series about the drug kings.
This is the first Netflix original series from Colombia, South America.
Although we had watched this series in the past; recently, we rewatched it again for the sake of our readers. And our thoughts on this high-quality crime thriller have not wavered. We loved it then. And we love it now. The biographical story of the audacious drug lord Pablo Escobar is addictive, in the cinematic sense.
Also, it depicts the true tales of the drug empire. That was built by both the Medellín cartel and the Cali cartel. For its truthful stories and good acting it is worth watching series.
Now, let’s revisit the historical world of drug lords of South American nations in detail.
Key Details about the Narcos (S1 to S3) Series
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Thriller |
| Creators | Carlo Bernard, Chris Brancato, Doug Miro |
| Original languages | Spanish (& English) |
| Age-restrictions | A (18+) |
| Seasons | Three – S1 (2015), S2 (2016) & S3 (2017) |
| Episodes | First Season = Ten / 10 Episodes (Season 1) Second Season = Ten / 10 Episodes (Season 2) Third Season = Ten / 10 Episodes (Season 3 ) Total Episodes = Thirty |
| Cast (S1 & S2) | Wagner Moura (Pablo Escobar), Boyd Holbrook (Steve Murphy), Pedro Pascal (Javier Peña), Alberto Ammann (Pacho Herrera), Paulina Gaitan (Tata Escobar), Juan Murcia (Juan Pablo Escobar), Jorge Monterrosa (Trujillo), Raúl Méndez (César Gaviria), Juan Sebastián Calero (Navegante), Paulina García (Hermilda Gaviria), Diego Cataño (La Quica), etc. |
| Cast (S3) | Pedro Pascal (Javier Peña), Arturo Castro (David Rodriguez), Kerry Bishé (Christina), Michael Stahl-David (Chris Feistl), Matt Whelan (Daniel Van Ness), Damián Alcázar (Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela), Francisco Denis (Miguel Rodriguez Orejuela), Alberto Ammann (Pacho Herrera), Pêpê Rapazote (Chepe Santacruz Londono), Matias Varela (Jorge Salcedo), Miguel Ángel Silvestre (Franklin Jurado), etc. |
| Taglines | There’s no business like blow business. |
| Network | Netflix |
Narcos (Season 1 & Season 2) Series
Its stories take place between 1979 & 1993, and they are about Medellín Cartel.
To cite the Encyclopedia Britannica: “Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria, (born December 1, 1949, Rionegro, Colombia—died December 2, 1993, Medellín) was a Colombian criminal. He was the head of the Medellín cartel. And he was arguably the world’s most powerful drug trafficker in the 1980s and early 1990s. According to some reports, he was worth approximately $25 billion in those days. A larger-than-life figure, Escobar inspired numerous books, movies, and TV projects in the decades after his death.”
So, season one of the show traces the rise and fall of Pablo Escobar. And the demise of the Medellín cartel in Columbia, South America is shown in season two.
Narcos (Seasons 1/2015) Series
Trailer of the First (2015) Season of this Spanish Series
Synopsis of the First (2015) Season of this Spanish Series
As drug lord Pablo Escobar rises, Colombian and U.S. law enforcement find themselves battling an enemy who will do anything to keep his empire.
Ratings of the First (2015) Season of this Spanish Series
| FM’s rating | 4.45/5 |
| Rotten Tomatoes ratings as of the date | 78% Tomatometer & 95% Audience Score |
| Critics Consensus/Rotten Tomatoes | This show lacks sympathetic characters but pulls in the viewer with solid acting and a story that’s fast-paced enough to distract from its familiar outline. |
Poster of the Narcos (S1/2015) Series
Spoilers Free Brief Review of the Narcos (S1/2015) Series
We learnt about the rise of drug king Escobar (amazingly played by actor Wagner Moura) in Columbia. He dominated the worlds of the illegal drug business as well as the legal political arena. With a net worth exceeding billions of USD, and political power, Escobar posed deadly threats to everyone who challenged him.
Thus the first season marks the start of the intriguing and unbelievable life of Escobar. He dominated the illegal drug business for more than a decade in the American continent. His meteoric rise and fall are worth feasting your eyes on. This show has painstakingly and successfully recreated the bygone era of Pablo Escobar in this smart screenplay. Also, the ensemble cast played their roles perfectly in this captivating crime show.
Spoilers Alert – episode summary of the First (2015) Season of this Spanish Series
A peek into the Ten (10) episodes of the First Season
Descenso (S1, E1)
{Spanish title means Decline}
A Chilean drug chemist brings his product to Colombian smuggler Pablo Escobar; Agent Steve Murphy of the DEA joins the fight against drugs in Bogota.
The Sword of Simón Bolivar (S1, E2)
A radical communist group makes a move against the narcos; Murphy’s new partner gives him an education in Colombian law enforcement.
The Men of Always (S1, E3)
Murphy and Peña try to derail Escobar’s political ambitions by exposing his drug involvement.
The Palace in Flames (S1, E4)
More U.S. money in the fight against communism creates new challenges for Murphy and Peña as they try to capture Escobar.
There Will Be a Future (S1, E5)
Pablo leads the narcos to the brink of war with Carillo and the government; Peña tries to protect his witness.
Explosivos (S1, E6)
{Spanish title means Explosives}
Peña and Carillo get closer to Gacha; Murphy tries to protect the pro-extradition candidate Gaviria from Pablo’s assassins.
You Will Cry Tears of Blood (S1, E7)
The turning political tide forces Pablo into hiding, but he still manages to strike back; Murphy and Peña finally get help from the CIA.
La Gran Mentira (S1, E8)
{Spanish title means The Big Lie}
The government is forced to change its tactics in the fight against Escobar; Pablo faces threats from within his empire.
La Catedral (S1, E9)
{Spanish title means The Cathedral}
Pablo makes a deal with the government, which seems to put an end to the chase; Murphy and Peña have other plans.
Despegue (S1, E10)
{Spanish title means Takeoff}
Pablo’s activities in prison provoke the government to extreme action; Murphy and Peña face a situation of their own.
Narcos (Seasons 2/2016) Series
Trailer of the Second (2016) Season of this Spanish Series
Synopsis of the Second (2016) Season of this Spanish Series
The Escobars cope with the challenges of life on the run. Pablo’s enemies team up against him. The Search Bloc’s tactics become increasingly dubious.
Ratings of the Second (2016) Season of this Spanish Series
| FM’s rating | 4.50/5 |
| Rotten Tomatoes ratings as of the date | 93% Tomatometer & 96% Audience Score |
| Critics Consensus/Rotten Tomatoes | This series’ sophomore season manages to elevate the stakes to a gut-wrenching degree in what continues to be a magnificent account of Pablo Escobar’s life. |
Poster of the Second (2016) Season of this Spanish Series
Spoilers Free Brief Review of the Second (2016) Season of this Spanish Series
Pablo Escobar escapes from the prison, runs away and hides from his enemies. Meanwhile, the Columbian police (Search Bloc), Los Pepes and Cali cartels wage a small-scale war against the Medellín cartel while searching for the elusive Escobar. The proverbial cat and mouse continue in South American nations. Meanwhile, the drug business continues to thrive. Led by Wagner Moura (Pablo Escobar) and Pedro Pascal (DEA agent) – its ensemble cast continues to deliver engaging performances.
Season two of this show is our favourite among its three seasons.
Spoilers Alert – episode summary of the Second (2016) Season of this Spanish Series
A peek into the Ten (10) episodes of the Second Season
Free at Last (S2, E1)
In the aftermath of the military effort to take Pablo into custody, family members reunite and enemies worry; Connie and Steve argue about safety.
Cambalache (S2, E2)
{Argentine slang means Swap or Exchange}
Tata becomes impatient with life on the run; Pablo responds to Gaviria’s reward offer; Javier and Steve meet their new boss.
Our Man in Madrid (S2, E3)
President Gaviria presents an old colleague with a new job; Pablo, Steve and Javier are shaken by new tactics.
The Good, the Bad and the Dead (S2, E4)
The Cali cartel considers moving in on Pablo’s territory; Limon shares a plan with Maritza; Tata gets a gun.
The Enemies of My Enemy (S2, E5)
The Search Bloc has a new leader; Javier starts to lose faith; Pablo brings Carlos down from Miami in hopes of cheering Tata up.
Los Pepes (S2, E6)
Los Pepes wants to take down Pablo and the empire; Tata’s brother wants her to leave and seek safety with her kids.
Deutschland 93 (S2, E7)
As danger increases for the Escobars, Pablo sends his family to a different country; Gaviria considers a plan.
Exit El Patron (S2, E8)
After the latest terrorist attack, Colombia starts to turn on Escobar; Tata receives help from an unexpected ally; Quica becomes more anxious.
Nuestra Finca (S2, E9)
{Spanish title means Our Farm}
Pablo and an estranged family member are reunited; Judy’s life is put in jeopardy; the DEA and CIA clash.
Al Fin Cayo! (S2, E10)
{Spanish title means Finally Cayo (it fell)!}
Javier deals with the consequences of Judy’s interview; Tata tries to persuade Pablo to surrender for the sake of his children.
Awards won by the Second (2016) Season of this Spanish Series
| Name of the Award | Details of the Awards Winners |
|---|---|
| Premios Fénix (Fenix Film Awards) – 2017 | Television: Best Ensemble – Winner Premio Fénix Television: Best Drama Series – Winner Premio Fénix |
Narcos (Season 3/2017) Series
Its stories take place in 1994 and it's about the Cali Cartel.
To quote the Encyclopedia Britannica, “The Cali cartel had a more subtle style and sophisticated approach than the Medellín cartel. The members of the Cali cartel quickly reinvested their drug profits into legitimate businesses. They deliberately undermined the Medellín cartel as it became increasingly unpopular and violent. The Cali cartel went so far as to help Colombian police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) track down Escobar.”
Thus, Season 3 of this show chronicles the rise and fall of the Cali cartel.
Trailer of the Third (2017) Season of this Spanish Series
Synopsis of the Third (2017) Season of this Spanish Series
The rules changed in the aftermath of the bloody hunt for Escobar as the DEA turned its attention to his successors: the Cali Cartel.
Ratings of the Third (2017) Season of this Spanish Series
| FM’s rating | 4.40/5 |
| Rotten Tomatoes ratings as of the date | 97% Tomatometer & 93% Audience Score |
| Critics Consensus/Rotten Tomatoes | This show continues to evolve in its third season, drawing on historical details to take viewers on a thoroughly gripping — and unsettlingly timely — journey into darkness. |
Poster of the Third (2017) Season of this Spanish Series
Spoilers Free Brief Review of the Third (2017) Season of this Spanish Series
Although, the Cali cartel did not get the limelight and publicity that the Medellín cartel led by Pablo Escobar received. Maybe it was because the Gentlemen of the Cali cartels did not wish to be seen as the enemy of the common people and the government of Columbia. Season three of this show explores the sly, quiet, intelligent and business-like approach of low-profile bosses of the Cali cartel.
After eliminating Escobar, the government agencies of the USA and Columbia started focusing on wiping out Cali chiefs and their lucrative drug businesses. Alberto Ammann (a drug lord) and Pedro Pascal (a DEA agent) led the ensemble cast to tell another absorbing tale from South America. We must confess, that this series was a fascinating and spellbinding journey for our team members at Focus magazine.
Spoilers Alert – episode summary of the Narcos (S3/2017) Series
A peek into the Ten (10) episodes of the Third Season
The Kingpin Strategy (S3, E1)
The Gentlemen of Cali gather together their associates for a big surprise announcement about the future of their business.
The Kali KGB (S3, E2)
A gas incident threatens to disrupt the Cali-government deal and Jorge is asked to help out; Peña grapples with his former Los Pepes connection.
Follow the Money (S3, E3)
The Rodriguez brothers go into hiding during negotiations; Pacho meets with the Lord of the Skies in Mexico; Peña’s new DEA team visits Cali.
Checkmate (S3, E4)
Peña hatches a plan to try to capture Cali leader Gilberto Rodriguez; Amado proposes a business idea to Pacho.
MRO (S3, E5)
Paranoid about leaks, Miguel cracks down on his security; Pacho makes a decision about his new offer; Peña works on cultivating a witness.
Best Laid Plans (S3, E6)
Jorge takes a risk; an accident in New York threatens to expose Chepe; Peña travels to Curaçao to arrest a potential witness.
Sin Salida (S3, E7)
{Spanish title means No Way Out}
Peña plans another covert operation to take down a key Cali cartel member, but he risks running out of time during his search.
Convivir (S3, E8)
{Spanish title means Coexist}
David seeks revenge on behalf of his father, which puts Enrique in danger; Peña asks Don Berna for help on a rescue mission.
Todos los Hombres del Presidente (S3, E9)
{Spanish title means All the President's Men}
David follows his suspicions; Peña is shocked to discover the depth of corruption in the Colombian government; Miguel is sought after once again.
Going Back to Cali (S3, E10)
David and Peña are in a race against each other to find Pallomari; Peña makes a serious decision about the future of his career.
Awards won by the Third (2017) Season of this Spanish Series
| Name of the Award | Details of the Award Winner |
|---|---|
| Spanish Actors Union – 2019 | Alberto Ammann – Winner Award of the Spanish Actors Union – Best Actor in an International Production (Mejor Actor en Producción Internacional) |
Bonus info. about Theme music & Spanish lyrics
The opening/theme song of this show is sung in Spanish by a Brazilian musician, Rodrigo Amarante. The lyrics of the theme song in the Spanish language and its English translation go like this. We simply loved this Spanish language song and its mesmerising music, that refuses to leave our mind space.
The theme song of the Narcos show.
Soy el fuego que arde tu piel Soy el agua que mata tu sed El castillo, la torre yo soy La espada que guarda el caudal Tu el aire que respiro yo Y la luz de la luna en el mar La garganta que ansio mojar Que temo ahogar de amor ¿Y cuales deseos me vas a dar? Dices tu: Mi tesoro basta con mirarlo Tuyo será, Y tuyo será
I am the fire that burns your skin I am the water that quenches your thirst The castle, the tower I am The sword that guards the flow You the air that I breathe And the moonlight on the sea The throat that I long to wet I fear drowning in love And which desires will you give me? You say: My treasure, just look at it Yours it will be and yours will be
Read the review of the "Last of Us" series starring Pedro Pascal.
Featured & Other Images: Narcos | Netflix.
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