FX’s Mayans M.C. has been a wild card of political issues as far as TV goes. We’ve jumped from wall jabs to racist border enforcers to abortion all within seven episodes. This latest week, however, gets us back to what’s really important: taking down Trump.
In the October 16 episode “Cucaracha/K'uruch,” the DEA begins taking a more active role in the drug crisis. In particular, Agent Jimenez (Maurice Compte) works tirelessly to take down the Galindo Cartel with some reluctant help from his cousin and Mayan prospect EZ (J.D. Pardo). Unfortunately, the agency takes things out of Jimenez’s hands when they intend to go after EZ directly for his work with the cartel.
When Jimenez tries to argue for EZ’s safety, his fellow agent outright denies him. Jimenez then scoffs that a dead Mexican probably looks good for them anyway in the Trump era.
Bowen: Look like you might need a few more sick days.
Jimenez: I'm fine. EZ delivers a bag today. I just want to let you know that I'm gonna-- -
Bowen: It's too late. It's done. This AUSA--they want Reyes.
Jimenez: What the fuck are you talking about?
Bowen: Himler's gonna be my point man for EZ Reyes from here on. You're too close. I'm sending you back to San Diego.
Jimenez: And what happened to EZ?
Bowen: I got Himler to put out a bolo. We're gonna bring Reyes in.
Jimenez: With local cops? That shit will expose him. The M.C. Could—
Bowen: That's not my worry.
Jimenez: Right. Just another dead Mexican. Probably get a bonus for that in this administration.
Bowen: Get the fuck out.
I must have missed that Trump speech where he advocated murdering Mexicans. Jimenez probably confused it with the often-misquoted assumption that Trump called all Mexicans rapists and murderers.
Eventually, the local police do end up rather violently detaining EZ, but, after he provides some valuable intel on the cartel, the DEA then finally makes a move against the drug lord Galindo (Danny Pino). In the end, it looks like the agency is useful for something after all. Maybe they should be thanking the Trump administration.
Then again, no one on this show ever seemed to be in favor of Trump in the first place. Antonio Jaramillo, who plays Michael "Riz" Ariza, was once quoted saying, “[Trump] lies all the time and then he says he didn’t. It’s like a child in the White House. I don’t know how anyone can support a man like this. …The lying, the corruption, the divisiveness. He’s dividing people when he’s supposed to connect us.” Furthermore, he encourages people to “vote Blue Blue Blue Blue Blue. So we can impeach this man and get somebody else in the White House.” If those are the opinions of the actors, I’m surprised these issues didn’t pop up sooner.
Realistically though, the show will never say anything remotely positive towards Trump, just like all TV shows these days. Jaramillo brags that the show is “97% Hispanic,” but the series shares 100% of the same liberal values as any "white" show. Some diversity they have.
