https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtJ6yAGjsIs
Narcos is an American crime drama web television series. Set and filmed in Colombia, seasons 1 and 2 are based on the story of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, who became a billionaire through the production and distribution of cocaine. The series also focuses on Escobar’s interactions with drug lords, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents, and various opposition entities. The use of televisuality is a big reason for the success of this show especially in the intro. The intro clip alone has well over 7 million views on youtube.
When I first started watching Narcos, even after the first few episodes I never skipped the intro because the columbian music in the background is very entertaining but, it drew me in the most because I feel like it fits the personality of the main antagonist Pablo Escobar very well. He’s relaxed and always enjoying himself and the intro music emulates that. But, at the same time it contrast his evil side and the problems he caused in Columbia. Also, another big reason this intro is so interesting to me is because it shows real life footage of Pablo Escobar and his reign. Throughout the intro you see everything from, women, drugs, money, DEA agents, Escobar himself riding motorcycles and smiling, explosions, gridlock maps tracing Escobars moves, suspects and witnesses being X’d out, along with Pablo’s Mansion, and exotic zoo animals. After watching a few episodes and getting an understanding for the show you would think maybe Colombia’s drug war wasn’t so bad. Then you’ll realize that is exactly what the producers wanted you to think.
The Narcos intro exploits everything that was going wrong in colombia in the 80’s while at the same time glamorizing it with flashes of money, beaches, and attractive women. Depending on where your from, the type of TV you usually watch, and other factors, the intro will make you almost want to be Pablo, but the forensic theme and various clips of drug bust and chaos will make you second guess that and want to be the DEA agent responsible for catching him. There is so much chaos in the intro you’ll wonder how do they catch this guy and is selling cocaine really that bad? I believe this is why the show was able to keep viewers and be brought back for multiple seasons, it always straddle the line between paradise and chaos and people want to see that. The show has been rated 8.8/10 stars on IMDb and has been nominated for many awards, including 2 golden globes.
Kea’Shaun Phillips