Dive into "Accidente," where Netflix has apparently discovered a parallel Mexico, one where the biggest crime wave involves teens toking up, and the police response is straight out of a comic book. Here, in this bizarro world, law enforcement treats marijuana use with the kind of severity usually reserved for international espionage.
Now, from where I'm sitting in the real Mexico, this portrayal is as accurate as saying tacos are a traditional dish from Iceland. In our world, where impunity reigns supreme at 98%, and you're more likely to stumble upon a narco fiesta than a police crackdown on some casual reefer madness, "Accidente" feels like it's not just on another planet, but perhaps in another galaxy.
The series attempts to weave a tale of consequence and morality, but ends up spinning a yarn so far-fetched, you'd think the script was written during a particularly imaginative high. Enter "El Charro," the only character who seems to have gotten the memo that he's in a show meant to entertain, not educate on Mexican law enforcement practices. He's the life of this party, galloping through the absurdity with the charm of a man who knows he's in a satire.
"Accidente" might give you a chuckle if you're looking for a 'what if' scenario where Mexican police are both omnipresent and overly concerned with minor infractions, in a land where the biggest worry is who's got the next joint. For those of us acquainted with the actual lay of the land, this show serves as a fantastical, almost comedic, departure from reality.
So, if you fancy a trip to an alternate Mexico where the grass is greener, and the law is... well, let's just say 'overly enthusiastic,' give "Accidente" a whirl. Just remember, for a taste of genuine Mexican life, maybe stick to street tacos and leave the policing to the... well, not to this show's version of the police.
