Acapulco Season 2 Episode 10 Review: Against All Odds

In an otherwise good-not-great season, Acapulco Season 2 Episode 10, “Against All Odds,” nails the landing.

It’s no secret that I’ve found the Apple TV+ bilingual comedy awkwardly paced in its sophomore season. The season finale hits the sweet spot between timelines and advances both forward.

Since this episode brings both timelines into the same physical location, there are opportunities for “real-time” reminiscing. Maximo recounts the story of his mother’s wedding to Esteban while touring Hugo through the building, which allows the entire cast to sit in the same scene, probably for the first time.

There should have been more of this on Acapulco Season 2. The entire season has dragged the present timeline along with a few location changes, which is a mistake. If Old Maximo had really wanted to immerse his nephew into his home, they should have visited more of Acapulco.

It would have alleviated the pacing issues throughout the season to get the Present Day storyline literally moving a bit more. If Acapulco Season 2 had more overlapping scenes, giving Eugenio Derbez’s Present Maximo a “window” into the past, the modern timeline would have been more dynamic.

It makes the final episode of Acapulco Season 2 feel more lively and gets both timelines in an exciting position for a potential Acapulco Season 3.

The writing of Acapulco is one of its strongest assets, and it shines in the season finale when Chad is saying his goodbyes to the Las Colinas staff. In a very Bridesmaids-esque homage, he does his best to thank everyone in broken Spanglish, except for the very end when he’s talking to Hector.

It’s equal parts hilarious and emotional watching him say goodbye. Selfishly, I hope Chord Overstreet is able to return in some capacity if we get another season.

Something that Acapulco still struggles with is telling other characters’ stories. As much as this episode has major developments for Maximo’s life, it’s just as impactful for Julia’s. It takes away from the emotional impact that we don’t get to hear her side of the story.

Maybe that will change in a potential Season 3.

At the end of the episode, Maximo’s path to fortune and success seems back on its original track. I’m glad that he’s brought back into the Las Colinas environment via clever thinking, and that Diane will continue to have a place within the show if it moves forward.

His career path is also clearly laid out now, and it doesn’t seem like a coincidence that the rich Mr. Vera is referenced again. If Maximo is going to get rich soon, Las Colinas’ investor is likely involved.

The last loose thread of Acapulco Season 2 is Isabel. I don’t think her conversation with Julia is the last we’re going to see of her, and I hope it’s not. There’s still something to explore there, especially with how important her family’s restaurant was this season.

Knowing that the family has no ties to the establishment when Maximo, Hugo, and Joe visit in the present day, Acapulco has left the door open. And the major twist at the end of the episode could definitely tie back into her storyline.

This leaves us with the mystery of the season: Old Maximo has been avoiding something in Acapulco since he and Hugo arrived way back on Acapulco Season 2 Episode 1, “Break My Stride.” The show has done well to narrow it down through the season, the clues leading us to 1) a person, then 2) a woman, and then 3) “the love of his life.”

Acapulco is great at dishing out red herrings, so I was always thinking outside the box about who Maximo was afraid of seeing. It was always going to be a little too obvious to be Julia or Isabel.

Diane was a clever train of thought for a while, with Maximo’s betrayal of Las Colinas and his bonding with Mr. Vera (which is definitely something to keep an eye on still). In a last-ditch effort, I threw out a wild theory after Acapulco Season 2 Episode 9, “The Power of Love.” And I was right!

There’s a clear disconnect between Maximo’s life in the ’80s and his Present McMansion lifestyle. The juxtaposition of his life in Acapulco (the colors, the community, his family) and his present life (very sterile, rich, solitary) leads us to believe something is going to go wrong.

That something is an estranged(?) daughter! How has Maximo been hiding this major part of his life from his nephew? It’s not like Hugo is an unaware child, he’s old enough to go toe to toe with his uncle’s wit. 

So we don’t know what Maximo’s relationship with his daughter is like, but we do know he was anxious to see her. But at the same time, it’s entirely possible that the “her” he’s anxious to see is her mother, which has to be Julia or Isabel at this point.

I can’t see Maximo bringing another woman into the fold with how slow-burn his romance has been with Julia, but I can see him backsliding into Isabel’s comfort. It’s anyone’s guess at this point as to which woman he shares this child with.

Regardless, this twist has completely thrown Acapulco into new territory. If a Season 3 renewal is granted, I think it will automatically course-correct any of the pacing pain points from Season 2. The major reveal is firmly grounded in the Present, which should give each timeline an equitable share moving forward.

Acapulco Season 3, should it come, will hopefully give Eugenio Derbez meatier content in the Present Day timeline. And with this cliffhanger ending, I hope we get to see it.

Stray Thoughts

• The scene between old and young Maximo is weird, but it’s also a heartfelt conversation you always wish you could have with your younger self.
• Nora and Esteban’s wedding had me teary, and it is so cute to see all of the Las Colinas staff together outside of the hotel.
• Lupe’s soft spot for Memo!! But also, how serious was she about that proposal timeline — yikes!
• Kudos to Jessica Collins for her background acting. Diane never has a clue what people are saying in Spanish but she always at least tries to look engaged.
• I love that Sara and Julia had a more developed relationship outside of Maximo this season.
• And I love getting to know more about Hector! One of the best B-plot characters in the show.

What did you think of this episode of Acapulco? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Acapulco is available to stream on Apple TV+.

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