I originally watched this on NBC when it aired. The more 'R' rated is slightly better.It's sort of a Mexican version of The Sopranos. If you like that sort of thing you'll probably like this as well.I have to say that for network TV it's as good as it gets. I think it's problem was that it was too far ahead of it's time. It was certainly ahead of anything else at the time on 'network' in terms of complexity and realism. The proof is that the DVD holds up very well and in fact, with the state of things in Mexico, seems even more relevant now.I cannot for the -life- of me understand why this didn't have a good long run... except that, again, I think the US wasn't ready for it. I think if it had been made today, on HBO, it would do great.I took it down 1 because you may sense some 'Network TV' flavor, but that's only if you're expecting something as truly gritty as Breaking Bad... which is almost 20 years after.To this day, the portrayals of Mexicans in various roles hasn't been approached. These are some of the most memorable characters I have ever seen on TV.I also want to praise the music editor. The music selections were -miles- ahead of the competition. For a lot of people, Kingpin was their introduction to some a wide variety of great artists such as Leila Downes.

I watched ever episode and loved it. I love "Mafia" theme shows and movies. It was more realistic than most people would realize. I loved the cast choices. I think it had lots of potential for a series on TV. We need a primetime "Mafia" series again that is broadcasted on NBC, CBS, FOX or ABC (not HBO).

well i live in the the area that parts of this show was filmed and i have seen how the drug world works....For some reason people think that this is bad.... wel the styriotypeing is not ,wel to me, styriotyping.... if seen people deal drugs and i have seen how thing go when something goes wrong..... and if some people that are hispanic and take offence with it then don't watch it. i don't see any itallien people getting upset because they are being steriotyped by the sopranos... i thought that this show was very accurate, but a little to graphic. but you know life is a little to graphic. you will see things in life that you wish you could have never scene.... but hey thats life.... but i hope that this shows comes back for another sesion...if thier are any mistakes then sorry but im only 17 and suck at spelling.

Kingpin is a great mini series. Most parts are very intense and it's full of family love. The only bad part is that there seems to be two different story going on at the same time. There doesn't seem to be any connection between the two (I miss the first episode, so I don't know if they have mentioned the connection, but from the 2nd episode to the 6th, there is nothing mentioning the connection between the 2 "story")