Netflix Review: 'Narcos,' Season 3

Pedro Pascal plays DEA agent Javier Peña in "Narcos."

Narcos focuses on the murderous world of '80s drug cartels in Colombia. After two seasons following the DEA's pursuit of the Medellin Cartel's Pablo Escobar, Season 3 set its sights on Agent Javier Peña's efforts to break up the Cali Cartel.

What seemed difficult - steering the plot away from Escobar after his death in Season 2 - plays out perfectly. Peña (Pedro Pascal) has his work cut out for him, but he's up to the task, tracking down the Rodriquez brothers, Gilberto (Damián Alcázar) and Miquel (Francisco Denis), who control 80% of the world's cocaine market, with the help of two additional agents and a mole inside the cartel.

It's a tense season, with lot of raids, torture and mutilation. The frayed relationship between the Rodriquez brothers - while Gilberto's in jail, Miquel assumes control - leaves viewers guessing which direction the Cali cartel will go with the DEA and the rival North Valley cartel hot on their tail.

The mole, Jorge Salcedo (Matias Varla), is the cartel's head of security. He's able to feed the DEA information about the Rodriguezes whereabouts, leading to several major shootouts and capture attempts. Salcedo wants out, but it's not so easy hiding his treason from Miquel's son, David (Arturo Castro), who's onto him.

With the Cali cartel essentially shut down, Peña visits his father in Mexico. They watch as Mexicans cross the Rio Grande to sneak into the States. It appears that Mexico will be the theme for Season 4. 

However, on Sept. 11, Narcos location scout Carlos Muñoz Portal was murdered in San Bartolo Actopan, Mexico, leaving the show's Season 4 production in doubt.

Watch Narcos on Netflix.

Season 1 review

Season 2 review

Steve Bloom

Steve Bloom

Publisher of CelebStoner.com, former editor of High Times and Freedom Leaf and co-author of Pot Culture and Reefer Movie Madness.