Narcos (Netflix Series)

[activeStick]

Has anyone started watching this series yet? It goes through Pablo Escobar's rise in Columbia and his cocaine empire.

I've seen 4 episodes so far - good stuff!

[Sainters7]

I need to check this out, read Killing Pablo about a decade ago, just nuts how much power he had, even over government and the police.

I wonder if someone playing Griselda Blanco would make an appearance. Watched Cocaine Cowboys on Netflix recently, after everything I knew about Pablo, it was weird and really interesting seeing someone else in power that even Escobar was wary of. He didn't really take over until later on when she was out of the picture.


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[corporatejay]

Yeah, I like it. The criticism from people is that this isn't really a "deep dive" and somewhat superficial documentary style version.

As someone who is really not familiar with Escobar at all, I'm really enjoying it. Maybe someday someone will do a more rich take but this is highly watchable.

[blankall]

Was going to post about this. Love it so far. I find it borrows a lot from the Scorsese style, and isn't as good. However, for a TV series it's still great.

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by blankall

Was going to post about this. Love it so far. I find it borrows a lot from the Scorsese style, and isn't as good. However, for a TV series it's still great.

I noticed the same thing. The voiceover, freeze frames, and camera moves are all out of Goodfellas. It was a little distracting, but overall I enjoyed the first episode.

[gasman]

I have to go back and re watch the first two episodes. It took me that long to figure out that there were subtitles on the Spanish parts and then How to turn them on

thanks unblockus

[Mike F]

Nothing spoils a show/movie like bad narration, and the narration in the first episode was teeeerible and non-stop. And it didn't help that Boyd Holbrook, who plays DEA Agent Steve Murphy, can't act any better than he can narrate. The scene where he comes home and talks to his wife after shooting the kid was painful.

When the second episode started with more narration, I shut it down. I may revisit the show if I'm desperate at some point, but that would be it.

[HotHotHeat]

Are you guys finding a version with English voice over? The episode I watched was mostly in Spanish.

[Mike F]

By voiceover, I mean narration by DEA Agent Steve Murphy. All of the Spanish stuff is subtitled.

I'll edit to clarify that.

[djdragan]

Only 2 episodes in, but really liking it so far. While I don't mind the subtitles, I'm finding that they blend in with the background often, making them difficult to read. Not sure if there is a way to change the color or size/font?

[Mango]

Just wrapped up episode six. While at times the acting leaves something to be desired, the snippets of actual footage really lends a hand to the storytelling. It's well done and pretty riveting.

Spoiler!

Tough to see the young man used as a scapegoat, as they showered him with gifts, compliments and well wishes for his new family before sending him on the plane with a bomb.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

Are you guys finding a version with English voice over? The episode I watched was mostly in Spanish.

I don't believe dubbed is available.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by djdragan

Only 2 episodes in, but really liking it so far. While I don't mind the subtitles, I'm finding that they blend in with the background often, making them difficult to read. Not sure if there is a way to change the color or size/font?

Yeah, it's an awesome show, but the white letters are terrible for the subtitles. You'd think they'd make them white with a black outline or something so they can be seen no matter what.

[darklord700]

Just started watching Narcos and it's addictive watching. Kind of like a rom-com which you don't need to use your brains much and will get entertained.

However, I do find the actor playing Escobar a little lazy. I could hardly detect any emotion or menace from his acting. And he kind of looks like Jason Dufner before his weight loss transformation.

[Nammer403]

Cant wait for season 2!

[burn_this_city]

Saw the first season and really enjoyed it. It's one of those shows where you find yourself sympathizing with some pretty evil people.

[darklord700]

Nm

[darklord700]

Thing I learned is that Escobar could have quit when he was in Panama. He already has all the money in the world so why go back to Columbia?

I don't buy the missing home angle. For people like Escobar peace is worse than death, he needed his war everyday. I think deep down inside Escobar knew he was walking the path of his own destruction but he simply couldn't help it.

Maybe Escobar did feel guilty about all the people he killed that he cannot endure peace for there'll be no peace in his heart ever.

[jeffporfirio]

Watched the first two episodes yesterday, as a native spanish speaker, enjoyed it even more. The Colombian accents are pretty good. Good series for late night.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by darklord700

Thing I learned is that Escobar could have quit when he was in Panama. He already has all the money in the world so why go back to Columbia?

I don't buy the missing home angle. For people like Escobar peace is worse than death, he needed his war everyday. I think deep down inside Escobar knew he was walking the path of his own destruction but he simply couldn't help it.

Maybe Escobar did feel guilty about all the people he killed that he cannot endure peace for there'll be no peace in his heart ever.

The celebrity factor of being the most powerful man in Columbia also played into it. There's a reason why he needed to run for office.

It should also be stated that this show takes liberties with the truth for dramatic purposes. So Escobar's true status in Panama might be different than the show states.

For example, the storming of the Supreme Court did not go down the way the show depicts:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Justice_siege

It's debatable how much involvement Escobar had in the storming, and he most likely did not execute the perpetrators afterwards; that was the Columbian army.

It'd actually be pretty interesting if Season 2 was shot from Escobar's perspective.