What I’m Watching: Narcos

Narcos: Season 3, Episode 5 “MRO” (B+)

This show has managed to deliver a harsh reminder on multiple occasions throughout this season that the world these criminals live in is a brutal, deadly one where one wrong move – or even the suspicion of betrayal – can be irreversible and fatal. The apprehension of Gilberto was bound to have implications, and even if Feistl and Van Ness sort of just happened into finding him, it’s because they were on someone’s tail who should have been more careful. I’m feeling strongly that Matias Varela is this season’s undisputed MVP as Jorge, who is extremely dedicated to his job and also devoted to his family. This isn’t his fault, and he’s a serious straight shooter, but he followed Cordova’s lead which led to the vicious murders of the despicable but in this case innocent Calderon, Cordova, and his wife. Jorge is skilled at not reacting too much in the moment, and I didn’t see his follow-up move coming, which was to call Feistl and Van Ness to try to strike some sort of deal. I’m eager but also very nervous to see where that leads. Nicolas did a pretty terrific job of taking the initiative his father didn’t want him to, and while the new proposal is very different, the clearest point of the president’s argument is that Gilberto is already in jail. I love that Javier approached Christina as a flirting fellow American, and it seems like she’s ready to chat with Eliot Ness as her husband definitely isn’t and is about to be found by Javier. This is a great role for Kerry Bishé and I really look forward to seeing what comes next, even though I can’t imagine it’s a positive and long future for Christina.