“Narcos” tells the true, horrifying story of Pablo Escobar
Narcos tells the story of Pablo Escobar, the notorious drug dealer from Columbia.
April 28, 2017
I, like many students, have always struggled with foreign language, and even though I took Spanish continually from first grade to tenth, I would honestly struggle to ask for a bathroom in the language. But if you asked me to sing Tuyo, the theme song to the Netflix original series “Narcos,” I’d nail every word.
“Narcos” is an involving, suspenseful show following the true story of Pablo Escobar, the most infamous drug lord of all time. The show is shot on-location in Colombia, with filmmakers creating sets out of actual historical locales. The plot, while historic, actively keeps suspense high even for history nerds (like myself) who know what’s going to happen next.
Wagner Moura brings Pablo Escobar to life, while Boyd Holbrook and Pedro Pascal do the same for DEA agents Steve Murphy and Javier Pena, who pursue Escobar throughout the show. The dialogue and skill of the actors is one of the highlights of the show, as it keeps viewers entertained and makes the whole show seem real.
The plot, while historic, actively creates suspense even for history nerds (like myself) who know what’s going to happen next. All in all, the show stays true to history, which I think is part of its charm. While parts of season two can seem repetitive, overall Narcos has a unique blend of thoughtful storytelling,high-pitched fight and chase scenes, and heart-pounding suspense that leaves viewers both satisfied and wondering if something like that can actually happen. But since Pablo Escobar is involved, viewers should remember one quote from the beginning of the show: “Magical realism is defined as what happens when a highly detailed, realistic setting is invaded by something too strange to believe. There is a reason magical realism was born in Colombia.”
