The question of when Javier Peña’s partner, Agent Chris Feistl (nicknamed Murphy), is released from prison is deceptively complex. While Murphy doesn’t exactly experience a traditional jailbreak in the narrative arc of Narcos, his removal from active duty and subsequent return to the United States, effectively signaling his departure from the Colombian operations, occurs towards the end of Season 2, specifically after the death of Pablo Escobar.
Murphy’s Departure: A Journey Through Loss and Disillusionment
The Aftermath of Escobar’s Death
The final episodes of Narcos Season 2 are fraught with tension and moral ambiguity. The hunt for Pablo Escobar concludes in a violent shootout, leaving a power vacuum and a host of unresolved issues. Murphy’s involvement in the extrajudicial execution of Escobar, a moment shrouded in ethical grey areas, becomes a pivotal point in his character arc.
The death of Escobar, while presented as a victory, throws into stark relief the corrupting influence of the drug war. Murphy witnesses the celebration that ensues after the death, while the bigger picture is that the cartels continue to wreak havoc on the country. This disillusionment begins to erode his faith in the mission.
The Cover-Up and Its Consequences
Following Escobar’s demise, the agents involved, including Murphy, participate in a cover-up to ensure their version of events – one where Escobar was killed in a legitimate firefight – becomes the official narrative. This act further compromises Murphy’s already waning moral compass. He begins to grapple with the fact that the very “good guys” he thought he was working alongside are willing to bend the rules to achieve their goals.
This cover-up directly impacts his future in Colombia. The internal investigation following Escobar’s death and the questionable circumstances surrounding it lead to Murphy being pulled from active duty. He is not technically imprisoned in the traditional sense but is effectively sidelined and removed from the action.
Return to the United States
The final scenes of Season 2 depict Murphy reflecting on his experiences as he boards a plane back to the United States. He is leaving Colombia, not as a criminal escaping justice, but as a tarnished agent grappling with the ethical implications of his actions. While he doesn’t serve time in a Colombian jail, he is effectively removed from the front lines, a consequence of the decisions made during his tenure. This removal could be interpreted as a form of professional “imprisonment” within the system.
FAQs: Unpacking Murphy’s Fate in Narcos
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify Murphy’s situation and provide deeper insights into his storyline:
1. Why was Murphy pulled from active duty?
Murphy was pulled from active duty due to an internal investigation following the death of Pablo Escobar. His involvement in the circumstances surrounding Escobar’s death, including the potential cover-up, raised red flags and led to his reassignment back to the United States. The inquiry questioned the legality and ethicality of the methods used during the hunt for Escobar.
2. Was Murphy ever formally charged with a crime in Colombia?
No, Murphy was never formally charged with a crime in Colombia. The investigation resulted in his removal from the field, but not a criminal prosecution. The concern was more about the methods used and the potential for scandal than prosecutable offenses.
3. Did Murphy return to Colombia in subsequent seasons of Narcos?
No, Murphy does not return to Colombia in Narcos Seasons 3 or Narcos: Mexico. His story arc concludes with his departure from Colombia at the end of Season 2. The focus shifts to the Cali Cartel and the rise of the Mexican drug trade, rendering his character irrelevant to the new narratives.
4. How did Peña react to Murphy’s departure?
Peña is visibly affected by Murphy’s departure. They had formed a close bond despite their differing approaches to law enforcement. Peña understood the pressures Murphy faced and likely sympathized with the moral compromises he had to make. Peña continues to fight the drug war, now essentially alone, carrying the weight of their shared experiences.
5. What was the significance of Murphy’s voiceover narration?
Murphy’s voiceover narration provided a unique perspective on the events unfolding in Narcos. It offered insight into his thoughts, motivations, and evolving understanding of the drug war. His narration humanized the story and allowed viewers to connect with the character’s struggles and disillusionment.
6. How did Murphy’s character differ from Peña’s?
Murphy and Peña represented contrasting approaches to fighting the drug war. Murphy was more impulsive and prone to bending the rules, while Peña was more cautious and adhered to a stricter moral code. Their contrasting personalities created a dynamic partnership, but also highlighted the inherent tensions in their methods.
7. Did the real-life Murphy face the same circumstances as depicted in the show?
While Narcos is based on real events, it is a dramatized adaptation. The extent to which the on-screen portrayal of Murphy accurately reflects the real-life experiences of DEA Agent Steve Murphy is subject to debate. Certain events were likely condensed or altered for dramatic effect.
8. What motivated Murphy to join the DEA and go to Colombia?
The series suggests that Murphy was initially driven by a sense of adventure and a desire to make a difference. He saw Colombia as a place where he could fight against evil and help bring justice to a troubled country. His motivations, however, become increasingly complex as he witnesses the brutal realities of the drug war.
9. How did Murphy’s experiences in Colombia change him?
Murphy’s time in Colombia profoundly changed him. He became more cynical, disillusioned, and aware of the moral compromises required to fight the drug war. He lost some of his idealism and gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of power, corruption, and the unintended consequences of his actions.
10. What happened to Murphy after he returned to the United States (beyond the show)?
The series doesn’t explicitly state what Murphy does after returning to the United States. In real life, Steve Murphy continued to work for the DEA and has since retired. He has spoken extensively about his experiences in Colombia and continues to advocate for law enforcement efforts to combat drug trafficking.
11. What are the central themes explored through Murphy’s storyline?
Several central themes are explored through Murphy’s storyline, including the moral ambiguity of the drug war, the corrupting influence of power, the clash between idealism and reality, and the psychological toll of violence. His journey highlights the difficult choices and ethical dilemmas faced by those on the front lines of the fight against drug trafficking.
12. Is there any possibility of Murphy returning in future Narcos-related projects?
While not impossible, it is highly unlikely that Murphy would return in future Narcos projects, as the narrative focus has shifted away from his specific time period and location. The franchise has expanded to explore other aspects of the global drug trade, making his character less relevant to the current storylines.
In conclusion, while Murphy isn’t formally imprisoned in the conventional sense, his departure from Colombia at the end of Narcos Season 2 signifies the end of his active involvement in the drug war. This “release” is a consequence of the moral compromises he made and the disillusionment he experienced while fighting against Pablo Escobar, leaving a lasting impact on his character and the overall narrative of the series.