If you're running out of series to binge on, you're in luck. "Narcos," Netflix's newest non-fiction thriller, recounts the rise of Colombian drug dealer Pablo Escobar and the hunt that brought him down.
We're grounded in the narration of Drug Enforcement Administration agent Steve Murphy, played by Pedro Pascal, who is hunting for cocaine kingpin Pablo Escobar, played by Wagner Moura, during the Colombian drug wars of the early 1980s.
“Narcos” begins with the formation of the Narcos group with Chilean drug chemist Mateo Moreno and smuggler Escobar. After hearing that Moreno, also known as Cockroach, is dealing to others behind his back, Escobar hunts down and kills the drug chemist. After killing Moreno, Escobar establishes a new order of power, forms “Death to Kidnappers” and becomes a politician by day and drug lord by night.
Netflix released ten episodes for the first season. On Sept. 3, 2015, Netflix announced that it was renewing “Narcos” for a second season to air in 2016.
This hardboiled look at the Colombian drug wars is tough to watch at first. The narration can be a bit bland, and the show can go from dreary to dark in a matter of about 45 minutes. That's the consequence of faithfully depicting the events of the drug war — it's a gruesome reality.
Despite the rocky narration and the dreary atmosphere, the season holds its own with suspense throughout, as well as thrilling stand-offs. "Narcos" recalls not only the history of the drug wars, but also the strategic smuggling of the drugs onto U.S. soil. This is all surrounded by the cat and mouse chase between Escobar and Murphy, with the drug dealer always one step ahead.
From kidnapping to violence, this crime drama skillfully depicts the horrors that come from drug wars. “Narcos” highlights the greed of money, the exploitation of women and the vast control and power of drug lords. “Narcos” returns to Netflix in 2016 and it is sure to not disappoint.