Hotel Cocaine Season 1 Episode 6 Review: Homeland or Death

Truths emerge in the most inconvenient times on Hotel Cocaine Season 1 Episode 6, “Homeland or Death.”

Following the revelation Valeria experiences on Season 1 Episode 5, “We’re at War,” this episode pushes the narrative even further with truth bombs dropping left and right.

While Roman and Nestor focus on eliminating the Columbian competition, Burton is transfixed on getting the desperately needed answers to Constance’s death.

Stabbed in the Back

As much of a game-changer as this revelation is, it’s not too shocking to discover that Congressman Landon has been lying to Nestor the entire time.

His relationship with Nestor has been sketchy for the majority of the season. Let’s face it: nobody in politics should ever blindly be trusted or followed, and Landon proves this in this episode.

Landon to Henao: “Who the fuck do you think you are? You think you can come to Miami and slaughter the Cubans who’ve worked so hard to set up distribution with minimal violence? You give this man fair terms, or I’ll have the DEA crawling up your fucking ass like a goddamn tapeworm.”

His actions in the first half of the episode, going against Don Henao’s threats against Nestor, are thoroughly convincing, but one can only continue such a charade for so long once those inner connections begin to mix.

The divulgence that Landon has been working to benefit Don Henao and Fidel Castro the entire time is a slap in the face to the relationship Nestor has worked to form with him. With him spending millions to help fund Landon’s initial campaign, re-election campaign, and frivolous activities, it’s no secret that Nestor would not take the devastating news so easily.

I’m intrigued to see how Nestor works his way around his death during such a crucial time in the election and Zulio having witnessed the bombing firsthand.

A Straining Relationship

With all of the events of the episode transpiring so quickly after the ending moments of “We’re at War,” it’s interesting how we see the emotional aspect of Marisol and Roman’s relationship basically disappear. We see Roman defend her in front of others, but he’s cold and emotionless with his words when trying to console her after almost being assassinated.

There’s no hug, kiss, nothing—only a consoling hand on her shoulder. Marisol has been his rock in his time of need, and now he’s ignoring her basic emotions about the situation.

While Janice and Roman may share an inherent connection, and my hopes of seeing them entertain the idea have not disappeared, seeing Roman be passive to Marisol is not the path to tread.

If anything, Marisol needs to take a good look at the situation transpiring around her and take action to get herself to safety, but that’ll only happen if she somehow finds a way to take Valeria with her.

One Step Closer to Justice

Burton’s adamance about getting justice for Constance’s murder leads Zulio to find out the truth behind Don Henao, Yolanda, and Ray’s operation. While I find it amusing to see Zulio put Ray’s crooked behaviors in check, I wish we’d see more of Burton expanding upon his detective skills.

Thematically, it makes sense for Burton to stray from his previous activities at the club as he focuses solely on avenging Constance, but we need to see more of him on this journey.

Roman and Nestor are unabashedly the series’ main characters, but Burton and Janice are the two that give the series a rounded-out feeling. Without the two of them coming in to break tension or stray the narrative at times, the series would become monotonous quickly.

As entertaining as the war between Nestor and the Columbians is, we need the outside perspectives to be intermixed even more.

Stray Thoughts:

• Valeria’s not holding her tongue towards Roman is precisely what needed to happen. She can only be complacent for so long when she is thrown in the middle of a drug war, even if it was partly on her for snooping in the van.
• Zulio waterboarding Ray Dorado is high on the list of my favorite moments this season.

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

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Hotel Cocaine airs Sundays at 9/8c on MGM+.

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