Abhiroop Das
Co-directed by Julio Jorquera Arriagada, Fernando Guzzoni, and Pepa San Martín, Netflix’s ‘Baby Bandito‘ chronicles the exploits of Kevin Tapia, a skateboarder who sets out to establish himself as the craftiest criminal of all time. His recipe for success is a heist that breaks all previous records, but along with the fame and the money comes endless scrutiny. With nowhere to hide, Kevin goes on the run with his partner Genesis, and the brutal journey that follows forces him to question his priorities. The second season of this Heist Drama series adds another chapter to his legacy, this time with a heist that directly targets the heart of his opponent, the Butcher’s operations. However, the past soon comes knocking, and without warning, Kevin finds himself grappling with a two-pronged attack featuring a mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces. Amidst this, though the fate of those he loves, especially his mother, gets somewhat buried, it is not without relevance to the narrative. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Ana Needs the Heist Money for Her Cancer Treatment
At the start of the second season, we learn that Ana has a serious form of cancer, which might take her life if not given urgent medical attention. However, with barely enough money to make ends meet, the need for the money her son stole and stashed away grows stronger than ever. The only problem is that the Butcher has stolen the money back. With Kevin too busy hiding from the police, Ana needs to reinvest in a new heist, one both bigger and bolder than before. As such, Ana’s return to a life of crime has less to do with the thrill of it and more to do with surviving. While we are never told the exact nature and stage of her cancer, her shortness of breath and coughing indicate a potential case of lung cancer. What makes things even more complicated is the health complications that follow, and on multiple occasions, she struggles to pull off the technical feats required to make the heist a success.
When Kevin learns of his mother’s diagnosis with cancer, his fugitive lifestyle comes to a complete halt. He decides to dedicate his skills to retrieving the money and paying for her treatment. Kevin is not alone in this endeavor, as Ana’s lover, Rambo, also agrees to get his hands dirty. As an employee of the Butcher, tasked with maintaining the costliest horse in the collection, Rambo plays a key role in the heist strategy, not just distracting the enemy forces but also leading the way to their treasury. Despite his background as a former cop, Rambo readily steps into a life of crime, solely for his feelings for Ana. This combined display of affection from her loved ones gives Ana the push she needs to keep fighting against her cancer, even when the path ahead seems blurrier than ever.
Ana’s Arrest Brings the Future of Her Cancer Treatment Into Doubt
Although the money is initially retrieved for Ana’s treatment, the surprise abduction of Genesis forces Kevin to change gears. Seeing her son in anguish, Ana does not stop for a second in agreeing to give away the money as ransom, knowing that it can hamper her treatment. However, this decision is not without consequences, as near the end of the series, her symptoms, such as wheezing and weakness, begin to worsen. There is also a psychological component to her illness, as the sense of finality forces her to reflect on her criminal past and all the mistakes she has made over time. Conversely, this realization of human life’s transcience makes her appreciate the bonds she has cultivated, especially with her son. In the end, both these strands of thought come together to inform her game-changing move in the season finale.
While Kevin’s decision to surrender takes center stage in the second season’s ending, Ana and Rambo’s arrest cannot be overlooked. With her son behind bars and the money burnt to a crisp, Ana has no way left to pay for her treatment, and has to rely on government aid and intervention solely. Given that the team’s earlier intention was to get her the best treatment that money can buy, Ana’s fate now hangs in the balance, with the cancer potentially taking its toll on her body sooner rather than later. However, the fact that Kevin likens his life in prison to a relaxing break, there is a possibility that Ana’s cancer disease has already been dealt with behind the scenes, allowing both the characters to sit back in leisure, with no enemies on their tails. The lack of any clarity regarding her health might also hint at her worsening condition. To that end, the future of the show might see Kevin attempting a prison break to save his mother from imminent death.
Read More: Baby Bandito Season 2 Ending Explained: Does Kevin Go to Prison?
