Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
The bombing of Avianca Flight 203 turns the hunt for Pablo Escobar into a response to mass murder. Gaviria survives because he never boarded, then takes office with the struggle against the cartel already dominating his presidency. American investigators want greater freedom to operate, but Gaviria resists allowing foreign forces to determine Colombia's response or conduct the pursuit without his government's permission.
Carrillo launches raids while Pablo's informants repeatedly keep him ahead of the police. Pablo answers with more bombings, damaging the business and alarming Gustavo. Rival traffickers see an opening, and the Ochoas begin looking toward Pacho Herrera of the Cali cartel. Gustavo urges Pablo to change tactics, arguing that indiscriminate violence is creating more enemies without securing the agreement he wants from the government.
Pablo turns to kidnapping people whose families can pressure Gaviria directly. Journalist Diana Turbay is taken, adding a prominent captive to the campaign. Her family's appeals help force negotiations even as the government continues trying to catch the man behind them. Murphy and Peña work around restrictions by using aerial photographs and vehicle patterns to track sicarios. Their unauthorised search takes them into hostile neighbourhoods, while the president attempts to bargain with Pablo and pursue him at the same time.