When Narcos premiered on Netflix on 28th August 2015, it became an instant, humongous success. The story of Pablo Escobar, chronicled in minute detail, took the world by storm. Viewers were enamoured by every aspect of the show – its depiction of the notorious drug magnate, the full scale of his absolute control over the cocaine cartel in the 1980s and early 1990s, and his flamboyant lifestyle. It instantly garnered the acclaim and adoration of critics and audiences alike, making it a runaway winner for Netflix.
On the occasion of Narcos completing five years of its premiere on Netflix, Binged.com presents an interesting list of factoids for diehard Narcos fans- five things depicted in the show that are absolutely true, and five things that are a figment of the writers’ imagination.
Here goes –
These facts are absolutely true –
1. Pablo Escobar really did work as a police officer before becoming involved in the drugs business, as shown in Netflix’s Narcos.
2. The depiction of Pablo Escobar’s generosity is also true. He was actually given the moniker “The Robin Hood of Medellin” for his donations, which were used to build schools, houses and sports facilities for the poor community.
3. The true to life and highly authentic detailing of Narcos has been appreciated time and again by viewers and critics. Escobar loved taking tonnes of pictures and videos of himself in the course of going about his daily life. The treasure trove of pictures and videos formed the actual basis for the true-to-reality detailing of the show.
4. The violence depicted on the show is all true. Pablo Escobar and his cartel members were some of the most violent people ever, and the show captures it well.
5. Virginia Vallejo, the Columbian journalist who has an affair with Pablo Escobar, really did enjoy an intimate encounter involving a gun with Escobar, as shown in Netflix’s Narcos.
And these are outright lies –
1. Narcos shows that Carlos Henao, Escobar’s brother-in-law, is also a crooked drug-dealer. In reality, as clarified by Pablo Escobar’s real life son Sebastian, Carlos was an honest, noble man and father, who was never involved in any illicit activities.
2. Escobar’s escape from La Catedral is depicted as a grandiose confrontation, orchestrated with the help of law-keepers. No such thing happened in reality. Only one guard was killed during Escobar’s escape, and it was quite a tame affair.
3. The real leader of the Search Bloc, Hugo Martinez, depicted in the show as Colonels Carrillo is still alive today. In the Netflix Narcos, he is killed off by the writers.
4. Leon’s reality is markedly different from what it is shown in the series. He did not join hands with the Cali Cartel. In reality, he was valiant and loyal to Escobar till the end, and was killed after being captured and tortured by the Castanos.
5. Pablo Escobar never threatened the people of Cali, as shown in the Netflix series Narcos. In reality, he upheld the fact that his own wife and a part of his family were from Cali and its people held a special place in his heart. He only fought the Cali Cartel.
Escobar also never attacked rival drug lord Gilberto Rodriquez’s daughter at her own wedding, as shown in Narcos.
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