In the golden age of narcotelenovelas, one title stands as a colossal, unflinching monument: Pablo Escobar: El Patrón del Mal (2012). While American audiences often gravitate towards Narcos on Netflix, purists and hardcore Colombian viewers will almost universally point to Caracol TV’s 74-episode magnum opus as the definitive retelling of the Medellín Cartel’s reign.
But within that massive catalog of episodes, one specific installment has gained a cult reputation among binge-watchers. We are talking about Pablo Escobar El Patrón del Mal 1x104. If you have scoured forums, Reddit, or YouTube comments asking, “Which episode proves this show is better than Narcos?” the answer is almost always 1x104.
Why is this episode so exceptional? Why do fans claim it is “better” than the rest of the series, and certainly better than the Hollywood version? Let’s break down the narrative genius, emotional brutality, and historical accuracy that makes 1x104 a masterpiece of tragic television.
There is a specific moment in this episode that fans cite when they argue "it's better": Escobar tries to bribe a low-level police officer with a briefcase full of cash. The officer refuses. Escobar, confused, raises the offer. The officer still refuses.
For the first time in the entire series, Escobar’s superpower—his money—fails him. The look on Parra’s face is not rage; it is genuine disbelief. He cannot compute a world where plata o plomo (silver or lead) doesn't work. pablo escobar el patron del mal 1x104 better
Why this is better: This is the thematic turning point. The show doesn't need a bullet to kill the myth of Escobar; it just needs a man with integrity. That scene alone is better than entire seasons of lesser shows.
When fans argue that Pablo Escobar El Patrón del Mal 1x104 is better, they usually cite three specific narrative choices that elevate it above standard crime fare.
If you started El Patrón del Mal but lost steam around the 60-episode mark—do yourself a favor. Skip to the arc starting at episode 100. But treat 1x104 as the main event.
It is better because it serves a purpose. The show is designed as a cautionary tale, not a celebration. Where other crime dramas leave you wanting to be the kingpin, Pablo Escobar El Patrón del Mal 1x104 leaves you feeling relieved that you are not. Why "Pablo Escobar: El Patrón del Mal" 1x104
You watch Pablo Escobar eat a cold arepa out of a plastic bag. You watch him miss the toilet because he is shaking too hard. You watch the man who bombed a plane slip on wet leaves. That is the tragedy. That is the ultimate "better."
To understand why this episode is “better,” we must first set the stage. By the time we reach episode 104 (which falls in the final stretch of the series), Pablo Escobar (brilliantly played by Andrés Parra) is no longer the invincible king of the Medellín Cartel. He is a wounded animal.
The episode covers the immediate aftermath of the failed escape from La Catedral prison and the subsequent creation of "Los Pepes" (Perseguidos por Pablo Escobar). Where previous episodes focused on Escobar’s lavish wealth—his hacienda Napoles, his private zoo, his Robin Hood antics—Episode 104 narrows its lens to a claustrophobic, gritty reality. Escobar is on the run with his family, sleeping in safe houses, burning money for warmth, and communicating via encrypted radios.
The better aspect of this episode lies in its refusal to glorify. It shows the crumbling of an empire from the inside out. How to Watch Pablo Escobar: El Patrón del
If this article has convinced you to seek out this landmark episode, here is your guide:
Episode 104 leans heavily into the tragic irony of Escobar’s character. He started his criminal career claiming to be a familyman and a man of the people (el pueblo). In this episode, his family isn't just collateral damage; they are hostages.
The scenes between Escobar and his wife, Tata (Marcela Gallego), are devastating. Tata no longer looks at him with admiration or fear—she looks at him with exhaustion. There is a specific five-minute dialogue sequence where Tata asks Pablo, “When did we stop living?” Pablo cannot answer. He can only list enemies.
Why this is better: Episode 104 understands that the true cost of narcoterrorism isn't measured in dollars or body counts, but in the hollow eyes of a child who can't go to school. The show doesn't preach; it just shows the cold dinner plates and the silence.