FX’s Mayans M.C.
Season 2, Episode 8: “Kukulkan”
Directed by Allison Anders
Written by Sean Tretta

* For a recap & review of the previous episode, “Tohil” – click here
* For a recap & review of the next episode, “Itzam-Ye” – click here
The episode title “Kukulkan” comes from the feathered serpent god of the Mayans. Kukulkan was worshipped by other Mesoamerican cultures such as the Aztecs, where the god was known as Quetzalcoatl. A Mayan cult grew up around Kukulkan, the priests of which helped peaceful trade and communications among the Mayans.

Emily’s digging through various junk boxes in her home to look for cartel files kept from Miguel’s father’s days. Then she comes across some information she circles, realising something big. Has she tracked down the truth?

At the butcher shop, EZ hangs out for a bite to eat. His dad asks when the club’s voting on whether he makes it into the club as a full patch. Felipe tells him: “It‘s your life.” He’s supportive. Angel’s busy reading— looks like James Baldwin. Little brother gets a call shortly. Then he’s meeting Emily out back of a nail shop. She mentions finding the picture of Felipe with Jose Galindo. EZ already knows dad was on “Galindo‘s payroll” years ago. Eventually, he tells her what happened with his mother. This rocks Emily, to hear the family she married into are the ones responsible for the death of a woman she loved, and who loved her. The whole thing gets nasty once it gets even more personal, after EZ brings up “our baby” and their once potential future. She refuses to tell him what she actually found.

One of “Jax Teller‘s last requests” is the Mayans M.C. be at the SAMCRO table for a big deal. Everybody’s heading out after hearing from our old lad Chibs. The two brothers have to go meet Potter first. The government man threatens to report their father to ICE unless they tell him about the rebels and Adelita, along with supporting evidence.
After that it’s on the road for the club.

“There’s always more truth”

Dita and Felipe have another clandestine meeting. She says they’re “almost done.” She tells him she loved him deeply years ago. After he left she understood sadness like she never had before. He explains it was dangerous for them to be together. And he fell in love with Marisol, whom bougie Dita calls a “village girl.” Any possibility she’s the one who put out the hit on Felipe’s wife? That theory’s credible when Emily finds mama-in-law’s name signed from the bank account number connected with Marisol’s hit.

The Mayans meet Chibs, Happy, and a few of the old faces from the Sons of Anarchy. The Reaper rides in to “Do Your Worst” by Rival Sons. Together, the clubs sit down. Chibs talks about the long transition from their old business model to the new one Jax wanted before he died. One more big shipment of guns coming, then the Sons are done with it. Chibs wants the Mayans to help run some of those into Mexico to the Vatos Malditos. Shitty timing. Strange that El Palo didn’t say anything to Allesandro. The Mayans are uneasy. Chibs tells them they can all “come out whole” somehow. Outside, a couple of the other Mayans crew start shit with EZ, so Coco gives orders to beat them down. The patched Mayan members aren’t happy. Rules is rules!

Miguel’s gotten Palomo to track down the woman Potter was with once upon a time. What’s he going to do? She makes him promise nothing will happen to them. He calls it “potential leverage.” He remains steadfast than nothing bad will happen. Miguel’s both smart and devious. No telling what he’ll do.
The Vatos get to the lodge and the Sons try to rebuild bridges with the Mayans. Chibs promises things will be made right. He also doesn’t mince words. El Palo respects that about the “Great Scotsman.” Back to the table go the three clubs to plan how things will go once the Irish deliver on the final shipment of SAMCRO’s guns.
All the tiny details are hashed out.
Except the Vatos want restitution from the Mayans. Bishop is angry, and doesn’t see his club as in the wrong. Everything nearly comes to blows and bullets. Finally, the Vatos accept the terms from the Mayans laid down by Chibs, albeit reluctantly.

At the butcher shop, Felipe receives a visit after hours from Emily. She claims to want steak. He knows it’s not “about meat.” She passes him the document she found in the old bills. He slyly reads and sees Dita’s signature. Emily asks if Felipe had an affair with her. She explains what EZ knows about the hitman and the payments coming from Sonora. It all comes together, devastating Felipe. Emily’s scared about what’ll happen. The pair need to make sure they can all get out of this safely.
That’s when Miguel comes to find his wife. He’s somewhat pissy. Very compelling that Felipe calls him son, in a way that’s innocuous to everybody else and significant to him. Emily’s taken off with her husband and Alvarez, and Felipe’s left with his thoughts.

“I’m sure you can appreciate a good monopoly, son.”

The deal with Vatos isn’t going down without blood.
The Mayans are attacked with a Molotov cocktail on their bikes, then bullets from a van on the road. Riz takes a shot to the chest from El Palo and Coco’s nailed with part of another Molotov tossed nearby. It starts to look like Riz may not make it, his pulse fading fast. And Coco could be blind.
Holy shit.
A wild ending to this episode. The fallout’s going to be massive, too.
“Itzam-Ye” is next time.