Mayans M.C. Season 2 Episode 8 Recap: “Kukulkan”

By
Rebecca Murray
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Mayans M.C. Season 2 Episode 8
JD Pardo as EZ Reyes and Clayton Cardenas as Angel Reyes in ‘Mayans M.C.’ season 2 episode 8 (Photo by Prashant Gupta/FX)

Angel (Clayton Cardenas) and EZ (JD Pardo) are out on a leisurely cruise to their dad’s place as FX’s Mayans M.C. season two episode eight kicks off. Meanwhile Emily (Sarah Bolger) is helping the Reyes brothers get to the truth behind their mother’s murder by looking through ledgers in the Galindo family’s storage locker. She finds a box marked household bills and pulls out an older ledger. She locates the transactions that match the ones Happy pointed out to EZ and Angel.

Angel and his dad relax and enjoy breakfast in front of the butcher shop, with Felipe (Edward James Olmos) teasing his youngest son that constantly being on his cellphone will make him stupid. They discuss the upcoming vote which will determine if EZ’s earned his patch, and Felipe assures him he’ll be there supporting him – no matter what.

Angel emerges from the butcher shop, book in hand. There’s a lighthearted exchange between bros before Angel kisses his dad, says he loves him, and heads off to the club for a meeting.

After breakfast, EZ and Emily meet in secret (she’s being closely watched by Nestor, on Miguel’s orders). Emily’s upset about what EZ’s getting her involved in, and she admits she found the photo Dita kept of Felipe and Jose Galindo. EZ confirms he knew his dad worked for the Galindos decades ago, but Emily remains confused as to what she’s doing. She begs to know the truth and EZ spills his guts.

Emily tears up as it registers the Galindos were behind EZ’s mom’s death. She’s shocked and says, “No, that can’t be right! I loved your mom.”

Emily continues to deny the Galindos had anything to do with the murder, calling the very thought of a connection “insane.”

EZ reminds her he wouldn’t be exploring this avenue – and involving her – if he wasn’t 100% convinced he was right. He believes his dad (when he was still going by his real name, Ignacio Cortina) did something to get on the wrong side of Jose Galindo. His parents fled to the U.S. and were safe until Miguel moved to Santo Padre.

Emily’s stuck in denial mode. She refuses to consider the idea of Miguel ordering the murders of EZ’s parents. Miguel didn’t even become involved in the cartel business until his father died. “I know Miguel. He is not the person who destroyed your family,” says Emily, voice shaking.

EZ’s not budging. He thinks Miguel not only ordered the murder but also through that act destroyed his and Emily’s relationship. Miguel took their future away from them, yet Emily continues to support Miguel.

EZ asks if she found records of the transactions but Emily sidesteps the question with one of her own. She asks why he’s doing this and EZ doesn’t answer. She walks away, claiming he’s wrong and she’ll prove it.

Over at the clubhouse, the Mayans discuss the gun trade. (And, yes, Chibs is mentioned!) The Mayans need to take control of the guns now, according to SAMCRO, and a meet has been set up. Even though the Santo Padre charter won’t be in charge (this has always been a NoCal operation), SAMCRO wanted Bishop and the Mayans at the table.

“This is one of Jax Teller’s last requests. We’ve got to represent,” says Coco. (The memories this statement dredges up are still painful to Sons of Anarchy fans.)

EZ’s made it to the clubhouse when the meeting breaks up. He tells Angel about his talk with Emily and that she now knows everything. Angel thinks EZ took a huge risk. EZ then breaks the news Emily refused to tell him what she found. She needs time to sort out what she’s just learned.

Speaking of Emily, she’s interrogated when she returns home. Both Dita (Ada Maris) and Miguel (Danny Pino) question where she’s been, but Emily plays it off. There’s obvious tension between Emily and Miguel which Emily tries to break by offering to make them dinner.

While EZ and Angel were talking, they simultaneously received an unwelcome text from Potter. They ride over for a secret meetup out in the middle of nowhere. Potter (Ray McKinnon) seems to believe they need each other, a claim EZ and Angel wholeheartedly deny.

After Potter’s attempt at small talk gets him nowhere with the brothers, Potter cuts to the chase. If they don’t help him with his rebellion problem, he’ll deport Ignacio Cortina. The knowledge Potter knows his father’s real name and is ready to deport him is more than Angel can stand. EZ’s forced to restrain Angel whose initial response to Potter’s revelation is to kill the messenger.

EZ demands to know what Potter wants, warning him he’s willing to cut his heart out even though Potter’s backup will take him down for the deed.

“Whether you’re inside his circle or not, you had proximity to the cartel and to Senor Galindo. So, my question is to you gentlemen, how far does the ruse go?!” asks Potter, voice escalating into a scream by the end of the question.

If they don’t tell him everything he needs to know (complete with evidence to back it up), then ICE will pick up Felipe and lock him up in a detention center. Potter will allow them a couple of days to figure out what they want to do.

Angel’s furious Potter’s screwed them again, but EZ’s not so sure. He tells his big brother Potter won’t break up their family. He’s not going to let Potter win this time.

EZ’s finally able to calm his brother down. They’ll think about their options on the ride back to the club.

Mayans M.C. Season 2 Episode 8
A scene from ‘Mayans M.C.’ season 2 episode 8 (Photo by Prashant Gupta/FX)

Crows circle overhead as the Mayans head to the meeting at the Flying Serpeant Lodge. Members of the Tempe chapter aren’t happy to see EZ, calling him a snitch.

Miguel drops Dita off at the doctor’s office and she has another secret rendezvous on the roof with Felipe. He’s sure Miguel will find out about their meetings, and Dita surprises him by saying they’re almost done. She tells him she loved him and that he was her savior and protector. But, he left her. Felipe apologizes and she recalls how he fell in love with a village girl he ultimately married.

Dita asks him to never tell Miguel the truth (that he’s his real father). He promises, and Dita gives him a hug and asks for forgiveness.

EZ’s been calling Emily but she’s ghosting him. Angel asks what they’re going to do and when EZ replies, “We’ll know when we know,” Angel jokes that he needs to stop praying at the church of Coco.

Engines roar and here comes the episode’s big SoA crossover! Four Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original members ride up to the lodge. The Mayans rise to greet these old friends as Chibs (Tommy Flanagan), Happy (David Labrava), Quinn (Rusty Coones), and Montez (Jacob Vargas) enter. In typical Chibs style, he greets the Mayans with “Who do I have to f*ck to get a drink around here?”

The meeting begins (after a lot of hugs) and Chibs admits they never expected to still be in the gun business. However, now they’re ready to focus on their other income and need to drop out of moving guns. However, the Mendocino port’s closing down which means the Irish need a new drop-off point. A new arrangement needs to be made immediately which is why SAMCRO invited the Mayans to the table.

The Santo Padre charter points out the San Diego port isn’t an option because the military keeps it hopping. It turns out Chibs is actually thinking the Irish should use the Tijuana port and want to use the club the Mayans just engaged in a shootout with days prior, the Vatos Malditos.

Montez claims their leader is a friend of his and when they talked, the guy never mentioned being on the outs with the Mayans. They’ll be coming to the meeting soon, and Montez assures the Mayans that if VT never mentioned a beef, they’re willing to sit down with the Mayans.

Montez gives his word nothing will go off the rails with SAMCRO there. Chibs thinks they can sort this all out because there’s lots of money riding on this deal.

“You bring them to the table. They’re willing to talk…we’re willing to listen,” says Bishop.

Meanwhile, Miguel meets with Paloma in the tunnels. She’s brought a folder with information on Sophia Fiero, a young woman with a deformed hand who fit the criteria Miguel asked about. She’s in Coatzacoalcos and the locals describe this blind woman who sells items in the market as having been with a tall white man with a mustache – Potter. It turns out Sophia had a child and based on when Potter was there, the child is most likely his.

Paloma wants Miguel to give his word no one will hurt this woman and her child. Miguel gives it, explaining he’ll use her as leverage to get Adelita back.

Outside the lodge, EZ’s busy filling the tanks of the Santo Padre charter when he’s hassled by a couple of members of the Tempe group. Riz (Antonio Jaramillo) and Coco (Richard Cabral) step in and the Tempe dudes obviously have no clue who they’re messing with when one shoves Coco away.

Coco turns to EZ and says, “I’m feeling a little burnt out from the ride. Do me a favor – f*ck this b*tch up.”

EZ doesn’t pause and immediately headbutts the biggest guy. After that guy falls, EZ moves to the next one, landing multiple blows the guy’s barely able to respond to.

Angel emerges from the meeting to find his brother in the middle of the fistfight. He can’t believe EZ’s hitting a patch but backs down when Coco says he ordered him to do so.

Fight over for now, the wagons circle around EZ as the Santo Padre guys head back inside the lodge.

And now we’ve come to the episode’s second huge revelation. Emily returns to the storage shed, determined to get to the truth. She locates binders with copies of the checks issued that match the figures EZ asked about. Both of the checks in question were signed by…wait for it…Dita Galindo! (I saw that coming. Did you?)

A short while later Emily (with Nestor paying close attention from the front passenger seat) picks up Dita at the doctor’s office. Dita asks if Emily found the quote from her father she was looking for in the storage locker. Emily explains she didn’t, but she did find records of old household payments from 10 years ago. She drops off Dita and then has Nestor take her downtown. She wants to visit Felipe’s butcher shop.

The shop’s closed but Felipe opens it for Emily. While Nestor waits outside, Emily slyly pushes an envelope across the counter. Felipe looks at its contents as he prepares the steaks. Emily explains EZ discovered a hitman killed his mom and was hired to kill Felipe as well. The payments came from Mexico and the copies of the checks in the envelope match the amounts paid.

Did Dita order the hit? She signed the checks but was she acting on her own or following her husband’s instructions?

Emily doesn’t know where to turn with this information and asks for his help. They both need to protect their families, and Felipe asks for a couple of days to get things together and make sure they’re safe.

Miguel arrives and Emily exits the store to greet him. He demands to know why she’s there, and Felipe walks out with the steaks in a bag. “It seems as if all the women in my life can’t stay away from you, Senor Reyes,” says Miguel.

Felipe responds he’s the only butcher in town.

Emily realizes Nestor’s been reporting in to Miguel.

The Vatos Malditos arrive at the lodge and after Chibs and Montez lay out what’s at stake, the VM decide to participate in the meeting. Chibs explains the payouts for the guns, with the Vatos Malditos’ cut set at 30%.

The Mayans agree to the terms and when the VM ask what SAMCRO’s cut will be, Chibs begins to explain they were supposed to get a share for the first two years of this new deal. Bishop interrupts as Chibs seems to be on the verge of saying they’ll take less because it’s taken three years to make it to this point. “We’re okay with that – you getting the 10%,” says Bishop, with the Mayans acknowledging that’s what Jax Teller wanted. (What I’d give to see Charlie Hunnam in a flashback in this episode!)

Montez has a quick whispered conversation with Chibs and then announces SAMCRO’s giving half of their 10% to the Vatos as restitution for the Mayans taking out nine of their club members.

The Vatos leader refuses to accept that offer. He wants restitution directly from the Mayans. Bishop barely contains himself as he reminds VT they came over the border and into the Santo Padre charter’s area without even a phone call. They got what they deserved.

Chibs tries to play peacemaker. He says both sides are in the wrong, but also suggests the Mayans put something on the table as restitution for nine dead. Bishop confers with his people and then offers that during the first year they’ll match SAMCRO’s 5%.

The VT demand 20% and both sides take to their feet, with the sound of guns being cocked as a backdrop. Chibs remains seated but yells, “Jesus Christ, f*cking Mexicans! You make us Scots look sensible!”

Chibs suggest the Mayans up their offer to 5% for two years. Seats are retaken and the deal is struck while tension remains so high you can cut it with a knife. The meeting eventually breaks up and SAMCRO heads back home after saying goodbye to the Mayans. Chibs’ parting words to Bishop are that Jax would be proud.

Hours later, EZ’s outside taking care of the bikes. He finishes lining them up for the trip when he sees a van at the end of the road. He doesn’t think anything about it but as he’s entering the lodge, the van carrying the VT backs down the street and launches a Molotov cocktail at the bikes. That draws the club out and they immediately come under gunfire.

Bishop and some of the club head back inside, with Bishop instructing his men to follow him. Their plan is to hit the VT from the side while they’re engaged in the parking area with the Mayans who remained outside.

Unfortunately, the VT enter the lodge before Bishop and his men can leave through the side exit. Riz yells at Taza (Raoul Max Trujillo) to get down and is hit as he spreads his arms to block bodies. He takes two bullets to the chest and goes down. The VT finally retreat but not before tossing another Molotov cocktail which catches Coco on fire.

As the episode ends, Riz barely has a pulse. Coco is alive but in severe pain. He cries out that he can’t see.




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