User Reviews

Cambalache is the second episode of Narcos second season and for me felt better than the first. Politics and Violence in equal measure.

Titled Cambalache for the song playing both in opening and closing the episode. The episode begins with Pablo happily singing along in the shower as La Quica and Limon set out to find the rat amongst the prostitutes, gunning them down one at a time. The music returns again as Pablo romantically dances with his wife as his men lead an attack on the soldiers meant to be hunting him. Both violent scenes but to watch Pablo so happy in time with the music further proves his outer warmth is covering a deeply cold hearted man.

The song isn't just used to bookend the episode but has a much deeper meaning. In English it ultimately means "we are the same, gentleman and thief". This is precisely how Pablo see's himself which is why he conducts his own interview offering himself up in exchange for being trialled fairly in his own country. Another man who shares this view is the Attorney General. Elected by the people and acting separate from the president. He also believes Pablo is entitled to fair trial and is willing to go against the President to meet with him. Further continuing this analogy the final scene of the battle between Pablo's men and the soldiers highlights that maybe the "good" are the same as the "bad". They want Pablo and his men dead just as Pablo wants the soldiers who threaten his freedom dead.

The only people in this episode who seem to be clear cut good guys are the Americans as a new Ambassador and DEA chief are instated. George Bush wants Escobar brought to American soil. Maybe finally Pena and Murphy can make a solid push to win the war. Murphy is reinstated following last episodes breakdown and is warned by Pena that it can't happen again which he replies "I don't know". Which surely means that down the line it will. Murphy to me still doesn't feel like a solid lead. He is combustible and really feels out of his depth against Pablo's exploits. But maybe this is a plot device to add a great surprise IF he does bring him down.

Another man at risk of bringing down Pablo is Limon. He lets Maritza live when ordered to take her out and is later forced to kill a soldier. Pablo warned him that he cannot tolerate rats and already Limon is going against orders, it is likely that this could lead to trouble for Quico and Pablo but more likely Pablo taking him out. He's on a very slippery slope from here.

A strong followup episode which i felt in many ways was better than the opener. Pablo was in harmony in this episode but I Imagine it won't be long before he has to get dirty "the same" as anyone else.

Every shot, every word, every second of this eposide was PERFECT. I really really really loved the ending to this eposide, referencing the montage from Godfather 1's ending, where Michael Corelone goes to church while his men goes on a killing spree, while in Narcos, the eposide ends with Pablo dancing with Tata while his men goes on a killing spree of cops, just brilliant!