Introduction: War, Hostages, and the Rise of Pablo’s Fortress
The seventh and eighth episodes of NarcosSeason 1—"You Will Cry Tears of Blood"and "La Gran Mentira"(The Big Lie)—plunge viewers into the darkest chapter of Colombia’s battle against Pablo Escobar. These episodes are a harrowing exploration of terrorism, political compromise, and the cartel’s ruthless tactics to maintain power. From the bombing of a commercial airliner to the kidnapping of innocent families, Pablo Escobar’s war against extradition escalates into a bloody nightmare. Meanwhile, the DEA scrambles to uncover the truth, and the Colombian government teeters on the brink of surrender. With explosive action, moral dilemmas, and high-stakes negotiations, NarcosSeason 1 Episodes 7-8 are a gripping and unforgettable continuation of the series.
Key Themes:
Terrorism & Innocent Lives: The bombing of Avianca Flight 203 and the kidnapping of politicians’ families show Pablo’s willingness to sacrifice civilians for his cause.
Political Compromise: The Colombian government’s reluctant negotiation with Pablo highlights the power of fear and public pressure.
Betrayal & Loyalty: Tensions within the cartel (Pablo vs. the Cali Cartel, Pablo vs. his partners) and the DEA’s struggle with informants reveal fractured alliances.
The Cost of Resistance: The deaths of key figures (journalist Diana Turbay, hostage infants) underscore the human toll of the drug war.
Episode 7: "You Will Cry Tears of Blood"
Plot Summary
The episode opens with a devastating act of terrorism: a bomb explodes mid-air on Avianca Flight 203, killing all 107 passengers and crew—including hundreds of innocent civilians. Though no definitive evidence links Pablo Escobar to the attack, media outlets (and even Pablo’s own family) suspect his involvement. The tragedy propels César Gaviria, who had been scheduled to board the flight but changed his plans, to the Colombian presidency. True to his campaign promise, Gaviria declares war on Pablo and launches an immediate crackdown. Colonel Carrillo leads multiple raids, but Pablo—always one step ahead—evades capture each time.
Pablo, enraged by the government’s retaliation (including police killings and failed arrests), goes on the offensive. He orders the murder of officers and orchestrates a massive explosion that kills both cops and civilians, escalating the violence to unprecedented levels. But Pablo isn’t the only player in Colombia’s drug trade. The Cali Cartel, led by the more discreet Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela (aka "Bachu"), operates in the shadows, avoiding public attention while amassing huge profits. Pablo seeks an alliance with Bachu, proposing a ceasefire between cartels to focus on fighting the extradition treaty. However, Bachu’s arrogance during their meeting angers Pablo, and the talks end bitterly.
Back in Bogotá, Pablo’s lawyer Fernando fails to negotiate with President Gaviria, who refuses to negotiate with criminals. Frustrated, Pablo shifts tactics: he begins kidnapping politicians’ family members, using them as hostages to pressure the government. When Gaviria still refuses to back down, Pablo executes one hostage—a chilling message to the nation. Journalist Diana Turbay, daughter of a former president, condemns Pablo’s actions in a televised interview. Enraged by the public backlash, Pablo kidnaps Turbay himself, hoping to use her as leverage to force Gaviria into negotiations.
Under mounting pressure from the public and political elites (including the former president), Gaviria finally caves. He agrees to meet Pablo’s demands, setting the stage for a tense showdown. Meanwhile, DEA agents Murphy and Pena track down the wife of bomb suspect Jaime ("Natalie"), hoping she’ll reveal the bomber’s identity. When Natalie refuses to cooperate and goes on the run, the agents turn to the CIA for help. The CIA provides intelligence suggesting that following luxury cars in Medellín could lead them to Pablo. But Pablo, anticipating the DEA’s strategy, uses homeless men driving luxury vehicles to confuse the agents—leaving them empty-handed.
The CIA’s aerial surveillance team eventually locates Natalie’s hideout, and Murphy and Pena rush to the scene. They arrive too late—Natalie has been murdered by "La Química" (The Chemist), one of Pablo’s hitmen. As the agents intervene, La Química attempts to kill a baby in the house. Murphy heroically stops him, but the hitmen escape. In the chaos, Murphy and Pena split up to pursue the killers. Pena is forced to let one of Pablo’s young assassins (a "child soldier") go when outnumbered, while Murphy arrives just in time to save the baby. Horrified by the violence, Murphy decides to adopt the orphaned child, vowing to protect him from the chaos around him.
Key Moments:
Avianca Flight 203 Bombing: A turning point in the war, escalating public outrage and government action.
Pablo’s Hostage Strategy: Kidnapping politicians’ families to force Gaviria’s hand.
Cali Cartel Meeting: Pablo’s failed alliance with Bachu, revealing cartel rivalries.
Diana Turbay’s Kidnapping: Pablo’s use of media figures to manipulate public opinion.
The Baby Rescue: Murphy’s moral stand and the emotional toll of the conflict.
Episode 8: "La Gran Mentira" (The Big Lie)
Plot Summary
Despite his agreement to negotiate, Pablo remains defiant. He demands the construction of a luxurious prison—La Catedral—where he can serve his sentence without police interference. The Colombian government, under international pressure (especially from the U.S.), refuses the terms. But with public opinion swayed by Diana Turbay’s death and the fear of more violence, the government ultimately caves. They allow Pablo to surrender, admitting only to drug trafficking charges, and permit him to build his own prison.
Pablo’s trusted journalist, Valeria, disagrees with his decision to negotiate, leading to a bitter fallout between them. Before surrendering, Pablo entrusts his drug empire to lieutenants Fernando Galeano ("El Negro") and Gerardo Moncada ("Kiko"), demanding they pay him massive monthly taxes to prove their loyalty. Though unhappy, they comply.
Meanwhile, tensions rise between the cartels. Diana Turbay’s death devastates the nation, but the government, desperate for peace, agrees to Pablo’s terms. The U.S. opposes the deal, but Colombia prioritizes ending the violence. Pablo’s former ally, the Cali Cartel, grows suspicious of his power. During a dinner with journalist Valeria, she accidentally reveals the location of Pablo’s secret hideout. The Cali Cartel, enraged by Pablo’s arrogance, plants a bomb in retaliation. Though meant as a warning, the explosion causes lasting harm—Pablo’s daughter, Manuela, suffers permanent hearing loss in one ear.
Pablo realizes that the police are no longer his biggest threat—the Cali Cartel is. Meanwhile, the Ochoa brothers (Pablo’s former partners) fear extradition to the U.S. and betray their sister Marina and Pablo’s ally Gustavo Gaviria by revealing their secret meeting spot to the police. Colonel Carrillo arrests Gustavo but tortures him in secret, hoping to extract Pablo’s location. Gustavo refuses to betray his boss, choosing death over dishonor. Carrillo covers up the murder, claiming Gustavo died in a shootout.
Pablo’s family mourns Gustavo’s death, but the cartel’s war continues. Valeria, despite her rift with Pablo, warns him that the Ochoa brothers were responsible for Gustavo’s betrayal. Enraged, Pablo orders an attack on a football field where Bachu is playing—a symbolic strike against the Cali Cartel. But the hitmen fail to identify Bachu among the identically dressed players, and he escapes unharmed.
On the day Colombia votes to abolish the extradition treaty, Pablo solemnly buries Gustavo as a martyr. With the treaty repealed, a helicopter transports Pablo to La Catedral—his self-built prison. From a distance, Murphy and Pena watch helplessly as the world’s most wanted drug lord evades justice, hidden behind walls of his own design.
Key Moments:
Pablo’s Prison Deal: The government’s surrender to his demands.
The Cali Cartel Bombing: Retaliation that harms Pablo’s family.
Gustavo’s Death: A loyal lieutenant’s refusal to betray Pablo.
La Catedral: Pablo’s fortress, marking his temporary triumph.
The DEA’s Defeat: Murphy and Pena’s powerless witness to Pablo’s escape.
Why These Episodes Matter
Pablo’s Descent into Terror: These episodes show how Pablo’s fear of extradition drives him to commit atrocities, from bombings to kidnappings.
The Government’s Surrender: The Colombian government’s decision to allow Pablo’s prison deal highlights the power of fear and public pressure.
The Cali Cartel’s Rise: The rivalry between Pablo and the Cali Cartel adds a new layer of danger, setting up future conflicts.
Critic Verdict: "NarcosSeason 1 Episodes 7-8 are a harrowing exploration of terrorism, political compromise, and the cost of power." – TV Drama Review