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'Narcos: Mexico' Season 2 Episode 3 'Ruben Zuno Arce' plays almost like a heist movie

The episode’s title ‘Ruben Zuno Arce’ refers to a character seen in Season 1 as well. Played by Milton Cortés, Ruben was a rich, politically-connected businessman whose uncle was a partner of Gallardo and also the minister of defense. Kiki Camarena was tortured in Ruben's home.

Spoiler Alert for ‘Narcos: Mexico’ Season 2 Episode 3 -- ‘Ruben Zuno Arce’

There is something about Gustavo Santaolalla’s haunting music that adds another dimension to any story. Neither season of ‘Narcos: Mexico’ would have had the same ethereal feel to it in the right moments without the soft notes of Santaolalla’s ronroco. Episode 3 of ‘Narcos: Mexico’ season 3 starts with one of those moments, where Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo (Diego Luna) contemplates what he has done, wondering if something was wrong, wondering if he had made a mistake.

In the previous episode, Gallardo made a deal with Don Juan of Honduras that would effectively help him bend the Cali cartel of Colombia to his will. Gallardo’s deal would have far-reaching implications. And he wants that. But he is also afraid of what it could end up costing him. 

But while Gallardo is busy contemplating his ambition, weighing his opponents and trying to build a bigger empire, the DEA is busy trying to bring him down.

The episode’s title ‘Ruben Zuno Arce’ refers to a character viewers have seen in Season 1 as well. Played by Milton Cortés, Ruben was a rich, politically-connected businessman whose uncle was a partner of Gallardo and also the minister of defense. It was at Ruben’s home where Kiki Camarena was tortured and murdered. And with that name in the open, one could only expect DEA agent Walt Breslin (Scoot McNairy) to set his crosshairs on him. But that would prove difficult, given his social status.

Ruben had the literal Army protecting him and it was time for Walt and his band of mercenaries to improvise. They trick Ruben into believing a bigger force was coming. A coked-up (and very paranoid) Ruben buys the farce and in a moment of panic, makes a run for it. He even makes it to his plane. There's only one tiny snag. The pilot, paid by the Americans, takes him not to Guadalajara, but to Mexico.

If the previous episode was intense, ‘Ruben Zuno Arce’ was almost a heist movie -- cool, smart and fun to watch.

‘Narcos: Mexico’ season 2 is available for viewing on Netflix.