Acapulco Season 2 Episode 8 Review: Money Changes Everything

The pieces of the puzzle are falling into place on Acapulco Season 2 Episode 8, “Money Changes Everything.” We’ve always known that Maximo goes from a poor kid in the ’80s to ultra-rich in the Present Day, and it feels like we’re getting closer to figuring out how he makes that happen.

Acapulco has done a great job this season at keeping things fresh within the confines of their “flashback” storytelling structure. They’ve introduced new characters, brought past characters into the present, and even handed over the storytelling to others outside of Maximo.

So when there’s a Maximo-driven episode, it doesn’t feel like we’re being bogged down with more of the same especially in this case, when a new character introduction feels like they’re going to be important later on.

Acapulco Season 2 also does well to showcase some of the smaller aspects of Mexican culture — Easter Week. I wish they had called it “Semana Santa” or Holy Week, to bring a little more authenticity in, but it’s still a perfect way to further the story through the culture.

In many ways, the characters have been developed beautifully in the sophomore season. And some characters have been expanded on. The downside to that, though, is some characters have been waylaid too often. Case in point? Sara is absent for the second episode this season.

Sara’s personal journey with her sexuality took up a large portion of Acapulco Season 1, so it makes sense that we’re getting the other side of the coin in Season 2. It is kind of a big shift in the focus though. I’m hopeful that if Acapulco gets a Season 3, we’ll see more parity in storylines.

Maximo’s life takes a dramatic turn for the worse on Acapulco Season 2 Episode 8. For all of the “do the right thing” messaging being thrown around, I didn’t think he would come clean about being the mole.

It would have been more intriguing to see the story play out where he let Hector take the fall and get fired for being the mole. The guilt trip that would ensue could be a juicy route to go down.

While I’ve had issues with some of Acapulco Season 2’s pacing, the introduction of Mr. Vera is perfectly timed. With no idea how Maximo became private-jet-rich yet, this is one new clue on the road to solving that mystery. After their interaction, he’s the perfect role model for Maximo to base his future career on.

They have a deeply honest conversation that transcends the boundaries of this story, “At the end of the day, all you have is yourself.” Since Don Pablo has left, I’d bet Mr. Vera steps in to fill that mentor vacancy. 

In the wholesome spirit of Acapulco, I like to think that Maximo takes Vera’s message to heart. But playing devil’s advocate, I hope he doesn’t. It’ll be an exciting twist if Maximo gets rich through some ruthless manipulation.

With only two episodes left in Acapulco Season 2, the pace has to pick up in the present day. They’re taking their sweet time touring Acapulco for Hugo, but the time spent on Old Maximo is bound to take over the flashbacks with what little time is remaining.

I fear that because of this, the Isabel vs. Julia storyline is going to end up rushed, or worse, end up unresolved.

Acapulco Season 2 Episode 8 serves as the boiling point for a lot of the stories building through the season. The comedown is going to force a lot of change for all of the characters in a short amount of time.

We’ll see what happens by the season finale, but if Acapulco Season 3 moves forward, there need to be some overall adjustments made. Much of Acapulco Season 2 has been “hurry up and wait,” with significant time jumps followed by a few hour-long jumps, disorienting the viewer.  

With such a gap between Maximo’s story of the ’80s and the present day, it’s going to be very interesting to see how this story eventually ends. And maybe more importantly, when.

Stray Thoughts

• Joe, the bodyguard, is such a fun addition to this season. I LOVE his personal ’90s flashback.
• Hilarious that Diane writes out jokes to test with her employees and even funnier that Chad is the one who helps write them.
• I really love Chad. His awareness that he’s not in the same place mentally as Julia and doesn’t want to hold her back just shows how much he cares about her.
• With all of Julia’s big aspirations, I’m not sure how she and Maximo can have a sustainable relationship either, at least not right away.
• “Why was Diane always hiding in some plant?” — we love when Hugo breaks the 4th wall!
• Memo and Hector are definitely an underrated dynamic.

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

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Acapulco airs Fridays on Apple TV+.

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