Mayans M.C. Season 1, Episode 1 recap: Perro/OC

Mayans M.C. starts off as addictive as the drugs the Mayans are running for the infamous Galindo Cartel.

If you miss Sons of Anarchy, there is a new show to obsess about. Mayans M.C. is just as amazing as its predecessor, and will soon become one of the top shows on television. Prepare to immerse yourself in the experiences of the baddest M.C. south of the border.

The Mayans M.C. series follows a drug running motorcycle club representing the rivals then allies of the Sons of Anarchy. The similarity between the series will impress and ensnare fans of the original series, with the predecessor fitting like a custom-made cut.

Warning: Spoilers ahead.

Trouble for the Mayans

A simple drug protection run is on the horizon, and Obispo “Bishop” Losa (Michael Irby), the Mayans chapter President, wants extra protection. After vetting, the rookie Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes (JD Pardo) is asked to come along. Unfortunately, however, the shipment is hit by heavily armed masked men. It’s a professional hit.

More from FX

• Fargo season 5 filming locations: Where was the season filmed?
• Keep up with the Fargo season 5 mystery with the release schedule
• Fargo can be watched out of order, but here’s the best order to watch the series in
• Fargo season 5 episode 1 release time (by time zone)
• Yes, A Murder at the End of the World was really filmed in Iceland and in the US (filming location details)

As a result of the multi-million dollar loss, Bishop and Che “Taza” Romero (Raoul Max Trujillo), the club VP, have to report to the less than pleased leader of the Galindo Cartel, Miguel Galindo (Danny Pino). During his inquisition, Miguel demands to know how the debt will be repaid. EZ speaks out of turn and mentions seeing a “BTT” tattoo on the wrist of one of the hit-men. BTT is the Base Town Tribe out of San Bernadino. Mostly known for selling weed and prostitution, some of their members are ex-military and had experience “killing Hajis” in Fallujah.

After Miguel and his men leave, Bishop punches EZ for speaking up and then decides to go after the BTT leader named Mafa.

The tunnel

After their meeting, the Mayans escape south of the border via their underground tunnel hidden inside a large generator of some kind. (I knew it was true!). They’re going south to visit Mayans founder Marcus Alvarez (Emilio Rivera) and get medical attention for Neron “Creeper” Vargas (Joseph Raymond Lucero) who was injured in the heist. Creeper doesn’t speak Spanish, and the crew clowns him before surgery, telling the doctor to include a sex change when doing shoulder surgery. Expect the tunnel to play an important role in future episodes.

Some of EZ’s history

As the Mayan prospect, EZ has to do all the dirty work. During the visit with Marcus Alvarez, he’s forced to wash the motorcycles. During several moments of reflection, mostly when tasked with jobs others don’t want, there are flashbacks about his life. EZ got 20 years for killing a cop, and Emily (Sarah Bolger), his girlfriend of three years, visited him several times in prison. He did not show up to the visits initially, however, because his life as he knew it was over. When the pair finally did meet, he explained himself. Angered, she slammed down a sonogram and stormed out. (Great Gemma Teller Morrow (Katey Sagal) cameo during this scene)

As it turns out, EZ got out early for good behavior. Or at least that’s what the crew thinks. In reality, however, he’s a snitch for the DEA. Only his father Felipe Reyes (Edward James Olmos) knows.

Surrounding Samoans

The Mayans M.C. surrounds the Samoans in an old cemetery. A gunfight ensues. The Mayans have an ace up their sleeve: Johnny “El Coco” Cruz (Richard Cabral), a former military sniper. Several sniped Samoans later, and some timely help from the local San Bernadino SOA chapter led by Les Packer (Robert Patrick), Mafa is captured and interrogated.

Miguel Galindo simply wants the name of the person who tipped them off about the shipment. Mafa doesn’t speak…at first. Then Miguel makes the order, and a Galindo henchman ties a tourniquet before chopping off Mafa’s right arm. He consequently spills the beans about a bilingual woman who spoke of “Diablo,” the Spanish word for devil. Furthermore, she’s the leader of Los Olvidados (“The Forgotten Ones”), a vigilante group causing the cartel great difficulty and financial hardship.

Who is linked to whom?

The Samoans’ link to Los Olvidados, doesn’t explain how they knew about the shipment. There still has to be a rat. After wrapping Mafa’s roughly 450lb. carcass in cellophane, EZ quickly learn the entire story. El Coco, EZ’s brother Angel (Clayton Cardenas), and fellow Mayan Gilberto “Gilly” Vargas are working with Los Olvidados and their enigmatic leader Adelita (Carla Baratta). Screwing over the cartel is obviously not what the Mayans leadership wants, but Angel thinks he’s doing for the MC what the MC can’t do for itself. (Shades of early Jax)

EZ is not excited about the arrangement, but…

Adelita and her army, mostly children who have suffered because of the cartel, are waging war on the cartel. She’s like a gang affiliated Pied Piper, and the majority of her troops wear disturbing animals masks that resemble creepy Halloween masks of yesteryear.

The primary objective for Adelita and her troops is clear: the Galindo Cartel should receive some of the pain, heartache, and loss they’ve inflicted.

A clandestine meeting

As a mole, EZ eventually has to meet with the DEA rep, Kevin Jimenez (Maurice Compte). The secret meetup is in the back of Felipe’s carnicería. Kevin says EZ needs to deliver everything, and respond immediately, or the deal may be revoked. EZ, however, bucks back and is only willing to rat out the cartel. Not his brother or his M.C.

Oh, and BTW, just to make things a little more complex…

EZ’s ex-girlfriend Emily is married to Miguel!

Mayans M.C. airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on FX. Catch up now before you start to hate yourself more than Adelita hates the cartel.