I_should_be_reading_a_book
Completely low budget and amateurish production, direction, storyline, acting, locations and props. Its only redeeming points are that within the constrains of very possible defamation and libel suits, it makes a fair attempt at showing the relationship between the governments (Mexican as well as USA) with the drug cartels; one star for that. Some of the casting efforts, even if the actors are at high school theater level, are uncanny (eg. the presidents and the cartel bosses) and the naming of the characters, albeit quite funny, allows the viewer to easily ID the real persons in the story; another star for that.On the "El Cheapo" side, it was filmed in Colombia, in an attempt to avoid reprisals during filming. Thus the props, for somebody who knows how/where the narcos live, from houses, cars, jewelry, watches, lifestyle, etc. are -again- like something you would find in a high scool production; just doesn't match. As an indie effort it would pass. As a production of a solid American TV copany in partnership with Netflix is just plain unacceptable. There are goofs everywhere, from cars and trucks that belong in the 50's to houses that are visibly from another country, however I'm probably nitpicking. Nevertheless, with el Chapo in a NY jail and the rest of the players dead or in prison, they might easily have filmed in the true locations.The whole series left me with the impression that the producers and the director are presenting Guzmán in a glossy light, making him (and others) appear, times over, as victims of circumstances and government corruption, which while it's undeniable, also the criminals don't have an ounce of good in them: they are blood lusting murderers that don't hesitate to promote the corruption of the whole social fabric, starting from elementary school kids. Their families gloat in unlimited millions until they are busted, only to cry foul when the authorities and politicos take all.In any case, the greatest sin is that the story is left unfinished as the second season ends six years ago 2012, leaving out a substantial part of the true story that is already written. The producers might be planning for a third season to give it closure; there's much to tell from then on, including the second capture, 2nd imprisonment in the Almoloya prison, last escape and final manhunt & capture, as well as the extradition to the US that Guzmán tried to avoid at all costs. Probably the producers are awiting for a development in the trial. If so, good. Otherwise blah!
edmundday
A lot of similarity with Narcos but without the tiresome FBI agents, this series is fantastic. Really gripping, can't wait for series three.
jeysonl
Although production is not as expensive as Narcos, the strongest point here is the connection with victims. While in Narcos Colombians are just props, in El Chapo you can have a broader view of how cartels and corruption affect Mexican lives (S2E08 is a punch in the stomach). Here there's no glamourizing like Narcos. No fancy farms or lame parties. Here cartels are depicted as true criminals with no regard to anyone but them. And to make it worse, you see a state engulfed in corruption, from mayors to the president, police to the army.
In my opinion Narcos 3rd season is somehow tiresome, focused on a security manager of one of the cartels, gives me impression they are extending the story that should be coming to an end. Here you wanna know more about his scape from prison and how they finally caught him after that interview with Sean Penn.
bud-88279
I think this show is very good and very well done.. What an interesting story to follow if you do not know the mans complete background which most Americans ( like myself ) do not. 9 episodes though? I also believe Narcos is a very good show and Surviving Escobar is good, but 60 episodes?? Bud316
