Mayans MC reveals more of EZ’s backstory, yet another Angel side deal

Episode 3 of Mayans MC brought in new recruits, old memories and another Angel-related complication.

In the third episode of Mayans MC, there were several big revelations that we’ve been waiting to see. Three in particular were very important. One of those three is going to make things way more complicated for EZ.

This episode dove into EZ’s backstory, complicated Angel’s path and showed us a softer side to Miguel, who had be stone-faced through all of the drama so far. In the end, we’re left with more questions and a sense of impending doom for some of the parties involved.

First and foremost, Angel is in way too deep for his own good.

Angel is in over his head

The Mayans head to a Native American casino for a meet up with the Chinese gang that is buying the cartel’s heroin. The initial purpose of the meeting is to clarify why the last heroin shipment was lost (to Los Olvidados).

Before the meeting takes place, one of the Chinese gangsters has a side chat with Angel. Angel promises him six kilos of heroin and it’s clear that the have a side deal going on. This is the second thing Angel is in on that he shouldn’t be. The two shake hands and head back inside.

The club takes ownership of losing the heroin, saying they were caught off guard and that they would be upping security around the shipments. The Chinese are offered a 2% increase on their cut and all parties seem happy with the arrangement. They break out a bottle of single malt to celebrate.

We then learn the second reason for the meeting, as Alvarez shoots one of the Chinese gang members in the back of the head. Busting out the scotch was a code set up between the Chinese boss and Alvarez to signal the shooting. The MC was initially shocked, before learning that this had been set up prior to the meeting.

Alvarez later clarifies to Bishop why the rest of the MC wasn’t given a heads up. He was not sure if one of them was in on it and he wanted to see their reactions. Thankfully, Angel has a good enough poker face, for now.

EZ’s backstory

At the casino, EZ is casually ordering a drink when an asshole off-duty police officer starts calling him out. He wants to take action, but the MC signals for him to let it go. When they exit the meeting with the Chinese, they see the cop again and this time, EZ gets the green light.

After getting a well-deserved slugging, the officer looks up to EZ, bewildered, and tells him “I’m a cop.”  This triggers a flashback for EZ, to the incident with his mother that happened eight years prior.

He’s chasing the supposed person who killed his mom when someone yells “drop the weapon” from behind him. In the heat of the moment, EZ turns and shoots, only to hear the final words of the police officer that he mistook for another gangster. “I’m a cop,” says the officer, bleeding on the ground.

The new recruits

The Galindo cartel is working hard to get Miguel and Emily’s baby back. The cartel recruits some local children, which Miguel sells with a made-up ritual involving blood and promises. The kids buy it and the plan is in motion.

The episode ends with one of the newly recruited cartel kids infiltrating the rebel camp by pretending to be orphaned by the burnt bodies from the second episode. This is confirmed when we see the cut on his hand while he is eating with Los Olvidados at their campfire. He’s presumably now gathering intel on the rebels and their whereabouts.

Other notable scenes

EZ’s visit with the rebels – At the beginning of the episode, EZ and the other Mayans members who are in with Los Olvidados pay a visit to the rebel camp. EZ delivers a rather poignant line to Adelita while holding baby Galindo: “I thought you were supposed to be saving orphans, not making more of them.”

Point: EZ.

Filipe and the DEA – Jiminez, the DEA agent (Maurice Compte), stops by the butcher shop to deliver a new contact number to EZ and Angel’s father, Filipe (Edward James Olmos). At the end of the episode, Filipe finds out he is under surveillance from Jiminez and his men.

Instead of giving the new number to EZ, he tears it up in frustration.

Miguel’s softer side – Miguel was sent to America to get away from the cartel life lived by his father. He’s clearly torn between two lives, as he wants to do what’s best for his family but has responsibilities to the cartel. He shows this at the end of the episode when he breaks down and cries to Emily.

His vulnerability shows that he isn’t quite cut out for the same kind of life his father led, and that he cares for the life of his son more than anything. Either that or he’s a hell of an actor.

Catch episodes of Mayans M.C. post episode at this FXNetworks.com. Missed a season of Mayans M.C.’s parent show Sons of Anarchy? No problem! You can watch seasons 1-7 right on FXNetworks.com, based on your Cable provider. All seven seasons are also available for Hulu subscribers.