WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Mayans M.C. Season 3, Episode 7, “What Comes of Handlin’ Snakeskin,” which aired Tuesday on FX.
At the end of the previous episode of Mayans M.C., Bishop (Michael Irby) gave Angel Reyes (Clayton Cardenas) permission to kill Flaco (Roberto Garcia) in retaliation for that Stockton Mayan having nearly killed EZ Reyes (J.D. Pardo) in a surprise attack. Angel ended up murdering the two Stockton Mayans in plain view of Nestor (Gino Vento), who was tasked with trying to prevent a civil war by godfather Marcus Álvarez (emilio Rivera). This effectively kicked off a civil war between the Santo Padre and Stockton Mayans. Now, the latest episode of the series, “What Comes of Handlin’ Snakeskin,” shows the immediate results of those murders. Here’s a spoiler-filled recap of the episode.
“What Comes of Handlin’ Snakeskin” opens with a Stockton Mayan crying and telling a woman that Flaco’s mom blames him for what happened to his comrade. However, Angel and Gilly (Vincent Vargas) attack the man from behind. They’re also not the only ones taking the fight to the Mayans, as Bishop and a group of Santo Padre members assault a tattoo parlor associated with Stockton. Both groups have the same question, though: Where is Oscar Ramos (Ivo Nandi), the president of the Stockton Mayans?
At some point after those confrontations, EZ regroups with Angel and Gilly outside of a motel, explaining that he dropped Gaby (Sulem Calderon) off following their short time away together. Gilly then steps away to take a call. This leads to Angel and EZ bantering about the latter having sex with Gaby in the previous episode. Their brotherly talk is cut short when they’re re-joined by the rest of the Santo Padre Mayans, who have been in communication with the Tucson Mayans about Ramos’ whereabouts.
The action then cuts back to Coco (Richard Cabral), who returns home to a distraught Leticia (Emily Tosta), who feared that her father — who has repeatedly gone to Meth Mountain for drug binges lately — may have been dead. And Coco is indeed in rough shape. He soon passes out on the couch, leaving Leticia to take care of her broken father. At some point after, though, he wakes up, and a frustrated Leticia confronts Coco about having potentially stolen some of her things for drug money. Coco denies any wrongdoing and rejects Leticia’s offer of help and her more generally. A hurt Leticia then storms out after telling him to “[overdose] and die.”
Back at the motel, the Oakland Mayans, who are headed by chapter president Diaz (Alex Fernandez), roll up. Things are definitely tense. At first, Diaz tells the Santo Padre Mayans to go home, but Bishop says that won’t happen. After some more talking, Diaz reveals that Ramos asked the Oakland President to protect him. Diaz then reminiscences with Bishop about the latter’s early time with the club before saying that Santo Padre really looks like its been manipulating things so as to stay powerful. However, Bishop says that he disagrees with the current system and that he’ll do what it takes to make money in the drug trade.
From here, Bishop turns the tables on Diaz, asking him to get them back to being outlaws and bring the club “back to its glory.” First, though, they need to settle things with Ramos. Diaz agrees and sets Ramos up to be attacked by a joint force of Santo Padre and Oakland Mayans. This alliance immediately seems quite tenuous, though, as Diaz and the Oakland Mayans act erratic, which makes everyone nervous.
Outside, new prospect Steve learns more of the ropes of being in the Santo Padre Mayans and is given a gun that he initially tries to put in his pocket. After EZ remarks that he might shoot himself in the penis, Steve moves the weapon to his waistband, where it waits with all the potential energy of a Chekov’s Gun.
EZ then calls Gaby to tell her that he’ll be late for dinner and that he misses her. After they hang up, Angel talks to EZ about whether he’s ready for what they’ve got to do, saying being distracted could end up getting him killed. EZ makes clear that he’s there for Angel and the group. Soon after, they’re ambushed by the Stockton Mayans, who beat Steve and the rest of the group. Back in the hotel room, Diaz and his men surprise attack Bishop and Taza (Raoul Max Trujillo). In the end, the Santo Padre Mayans end up outmatched and overwhelmed, with Ramos showing up personally to the onslaught.
Just when things seem bleakest, though, Taza pulls a knife and starts cutting up the Oakland Mayans in the hotel room while Bishop bloodies Diaz, hurting him badly in the process. Downstairs, Steve pulls his gun and shoots one of his attackers, which causes the Mayans to scatter as police sirens blare in the distance. Creeper, though, opts to stay behind and try and save a missing Pavia from going to prison.
After regrouping, the Santo Padre Mayans take stock and realize that they’re almost certainly unmatched. However, EZ reveals that he has an idea. From there, EZ’s plan unfolds — and it’s one of his cleverest yet. The episode cuts back to the hotel and it’s revealed that Ramos is among those handcuffed. The restrained Ramos is then taken away by Detective O’Grady (John Pirruccello), the cop whom the Santo Padre Mayans blackmailed in Season 2. From here it’s clear: Ramos is in a lot of trouble, even of the Stockton Mayans don’t realize it and start taunting the Santo Padre Mayans, claiming they won’t survive the night.
In his car, O’Grady and Ramos drive down a deserted road. While Ramos asks the detective to remove his handcuffs, O’Grady buys some time for EZ to come up to the car and shoot the Stockton President several times. EZ then tells O’Grady to get the two captured Santo Padre Mayans out of custody, making clear the detective — who was promised freedom after offering up his corrupt partner — will be in the debt of the M.C. for a long time to come. Afterwards, EZ goes and eats dinner with Gaby’s family.
Running parallel to the fight between the Stockton and Santo Padre Mayans is Adelita’s (Carla Baratta) story, which ends up playing a key role in “What Comes of Handlin’ Snakeskin.” After learning that Mini (Melany Ochoa) left Los Olvidados as the result of a deteriorating situation and seemingly abuse, Adelita goes to confront her former followers. Pablo, the group’s new leader, is shocked to see them. While he attempts to make excuses for his behavior, Adelita has none of them and stabs Pablo several times in front of everyone. Afterwards, a young boy named Serafin pulls a gun on her, but she diffuses the situation successfully. As that story ends, Adelita shaves the head of her new army and prepares for the coming war.
However, “What Comes of Handlin’ Snakeskin” doesn’t end there. After love interest Hope (Vanessa Gisselle) visits Coco at his house, they do drugs together, despite her feeling like she might be using her for her supply. Just before taking the drugs, Coco says that he’s found peace with Hope and that she’s helped him forget his troubles. But when Leticia returns at some point after her fight with Coco, she finds him on the couch, having overdosed, just like she told him to earlier. As the episode comes to a close, Leticia weeps over her father’s body.
Created by Kurt Sutter and Elgin James, Mayans M.C. stars J.D. Pardo, Clayton Cardenas, Sarah Bolger, Michael Irby, Carla Baratta, Richard Cabral, Raoul Trujillo, Danny Pino, Edward James Olmos and Emilio Rivera.
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