From left: Laura Linney (Photo: Netflix), Skylar Gaertner (Photo: Netflix). Jason Bateman (Photo: Netflix), Sofia Hublitz (Photo: Netflix), and Julia Garner (Photo: Steve Dietl/Netflix) in OzarkGraphic: Libby McGuire
On April 29, Ozark, one of Netflix’s biggest original series, officially bids farewell after four seasons by dropping its last batch of episodes. Created by Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams, the crime drama’s primary star is… well, its blue-tinged lighting, honestly. So burning question number one: Must almost every shot be either darkly lit or under a cobalt haze? We’re kidding. Sort of.
The show follows the Byrde family, who move from Chicago to the Ozarks to launder money for a Mexican cartel and create utter chaos in their wake, and boasts a cast including Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Sofia Hublitz, Skylar Gaertner, and Julia Garner, who rightfully won two Emmys for playing Ruth Langmore. As the show wraps up its run with seven final episodes, here are The A.V. Club’s most pressing questions.
1. How much time has passed since the Byrdes moves to the Ozarks?
From left: Laura Linney (Photo: Netflix), Skylar Gaertner (Photo: Netflix). Jason Bateman (Photo: Netflix), Sofia Hublitz (Photo: Netflix), and Julia Garner (Photo: Steve Dietl/Netflix) in Graphic Libby McGuire
On April 29, , one of Netflix’s biggest original series, officially after four seasons by dropping its last batch of episodes. Created by Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams, the crime drama’s primary star is… well, its blue-tinged lighting, honestly. So burning question number one: Must almost every shot be either darkly lit or under a cobalt haze? We’re kidding. Sort of.The show follows the Byrde family, who move from Chicago to the Ozarks to launder money for a Mexican cartel and create utter chaos in their wake, and boasts a cast including Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Sofia Hublitz, Skylar Gaertner, and Julia Garner, who rightfully won two Emmys for playing Ruth Langmore. As the show wraps up its run with seven final episodes, here are The A.V. Club’smost pressing questions.
I always knew the symbols on the title card were hinting at things to come in that episode, but I think it was the third season before I realized they were literal representations of the letters Z-A-R-K inside the big O.
Well I mean they are guideposts for what’s going to happen during the episode so I wouldn’t say they don’t hold significance. Bit of an Easter egg hunt while you’re watching.
I was annoyed at how illogical they made Wendy this season, I’m all for turning her to dark side, but she was always set up to be just as calculating as Marty(with different understandings of how to manipulate people, Marty in the shadows and Wendy knowing people could be manipulated in a very public manner). Doubt they’ll do her right, she’s hungrier than Marty but she never seemed incompetent.
She’s far more realistic than he is, that’s for sure. He tries to morally justify the things they do while she just owns that they now have no choice but to be bad people.
which is fair, she just seems to make make really rash decisions compared to the Wendy who seemed much more methodical a season ago (maybe she’s supposed to be a bit of a mirror to how Darlene ended up so paranoid and impulsive).
Yeah it finally seems like she just snapped. Like she has slowly over the season become more involved in what Marty was doing, I think in the first season she had no idea. But the more she sees the dark side of the world they are in the crazier she seems to be getting.
so jonah is going to die and zeke is going to take his place in the family right?as far as if ruth shots javi – they pretty much show that in the latest preview, unless shes a terrible shot.
My biggest question is, How much of a threat is Javier to Charlotte? Because there is definitely a menacing, creepy vibe there and it could be exploited by a sadistic writer.
My guess is that Wendy either is killed or sent to jail, more likely killed. While Marty has tried to get the family out of their situation, Wendy has dragged them deeper into trouble. Marty is always looking out for Charlotte, Jonah and Ruth while Wendy has tried to send Jonah to prison and wanted Ruth dead, while also arranging for her own brother to die. Wendy needs to face justice, whatever form that takes.
My take: The Byrdes will barely escape with their lives from an attempt by the Cartel, make a deal with the FBI to dish everything on the Cartel, go back to Chicago, and resume life as if nothing had happened. The kids will leave as soon as they turn 18 and cut off all contact. Wendy and Marty will continue to screw other people behind each other’s backs.
Ruth will get her revenge and become Queen Bee of the Ozarks, filling in the power vacuum left by that damn old woman her cousin was banging, using the connections and money she developed while under the wing of Marty, as well as the fact that she is a BADASS QUEEN.
The baby will end up with someone on the pastor’s side of the family, hopefully. Being raised by Marty and Wendy is not what that poor baby needs.
The beginning of the last season shows the family in a car crash. I believe they will all be together heading back to Chicago, escaping the drug life and die in that crash.
To be honest, I’d be surprised (even a little disappointed) if anyone except Charlotte is still alive at season’s end. Particularly Ruth. Part of me would love to see her going out as the “victor” of sorts in all this, but at the same time, she’s headed down a path that should inevitably lead to her demise in a rage-filled blaze of glory.
“But what happens to Zeke …. ?” “…… will Ruth somehow get involved?”Zeke is in the Truck with raging Ruth last we left her!While Ruth is balling out Wendy and Marty, there is a barely audible baby crying in the background. You do barely hear a screen door shut too after Wendy whispers to Charlotte and Charlotte exits but I don’t know if Charlotte went for Zeke or not. Also, when Ruth jumps back in the truck you can see a back facing baby seat on the passenger side next to her. You have to freeze frame to really see it there but it is.
1. Why did everyone take dumb-dumb pills for the last 2 seasons2. Why is everyone always making the decision that will cause conflict for the “plot”3. Why did anyone keep watching after the season 2 finale…4. Why did they keep the Darlene character around for as long as they did
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The cryptic symbols are spelling out the name of the show, it’s just the title card. I wouldn’t expect them to do anything more with it.
Ravished?
I always knew the symbols on the title card were hinting at things to come in that episode, but I think it was the third season before I realized they were literal representations of the letters Z-A-R-K inside the big O.
Took me about 3 episodes to realize “oh, they’re just letters.” I don’t think they hold much significance beyond that.
Well I mean they are guideposts for what’s going to happen during the episode so I wouldn’t say they don’t hold significance. Bit of an Easter egg hunt while you’re watching.
what is the symbol
I think it will end “Newhart” style with Michael Bluth waking up from a dream where he was living in the Ozarks.
the alternate reality where his wife didn’t die.
I was going to say everyone gets fired except Ted Baxter.
I’ve made a huge mistake.
I’d like to know how and or why the issue of Ruth and Cade breaking in to the funeral home and destroying all those caskets was never addressed.
I was annoyed at how illogical they made Wendy this season, I’m all for turning her to dark side, but she was always set up to be just as calculating as Marty(with different understandings of how to manipulate people, Marty in the shadows and Wendy knowing people could be manipulated in a very public manner). Doubt they’ll do her right, she’s hungrier than Marty but she never seemed incompetent.
She’s far more realistic than he is, that’s for sure. He tries to morally justify the things they do while she just owns that they now have no choice but to be bad people.
which is fair, she just seems to make make really rash decisions compared to the Wendy who seemed much more methodical a season ago (maybe she’s supposed to be a bit of a mirror to how Darlene ended up so paranoid and impulsive).
That I agree with. She’s not usually one for unforced errors.
Yeah it finally seems like she just snapped. Like she has slowly over the season become more involved in what Marty was doing, I think in the first season she had no idea. But the more she sees the dark side of the world they are in the crazier she seems to be getting.
so jonah is going to die and zeke is going to take his place in the family right?as far as if ruth shots javi – they pretty much show that in the latest preview, unless shes a terrible shot.
My biggest question is, How much of a threat is Javier to Charlotte? Because there is definitely a menacing, creepy vibe there and it could be exploited by a sadistic writer.
Oh Javier is 100% trying to bang Charlotte
Well! I guess that settles that 🙂
My guess is that Wendy either is killed or sent to jail, more likely killed. While Marty has tried to get the family out of their situation, Wendy has dragged them deeper into trouble. Marty is always looking out for Charlotte, Jonah and Ruth while Wendy has tried to send Jonah to prison and wanted Ruth dead, while also arranging for her own brother to die. Wendy needs to face justice, whatever form that takes.
My take: The Byrdes will barely escape with their lives from an attempt by the Cartel, make a deal with the FBI to dish everything on the Cartel, go back to Chicago, and resume life as if nothing had happened. The kids will leave as soon as they turn 18 and cut off all contact. Wendy and Marty will continue to screw other people behind each other’s backs.
Ruth will get her revenge and become Queen Bee of the Ozarks, filling in the power vacuum left by that damn old woman her cousin was banging, using the connections and money she developed while under the wing of Marty, as well as the fact that she is a BADASS QUEEN.
The baby will end up with someone on the pastor’s side of the family, hopefully. Being raised by Marty and Wendy is not what that poor baby needs.
Separated at birth: Julia Garner and one of the Nose Creatures from the 70’s Puff The Magic Dragon animated special.
12. Why did we need Ozark?
In my case, it was for entertainment.
Because it was a good show. Maybe not to your taste but a lot of people really enjoy it.
Fair. I liked it better when it was called Breaking Bad
You know the same concept can be used more than once in entertainment, right?
You know they don’t have to use tired, rehashed concepts in entertainment, right? Like you can try to do completely new things, it’s awesome
Oh that’s cute
The beginning of the last season shows the family in a car crash. I believe they will all be together heading back to Chicago, escaping the drug life and die in that crash.
To be honest, I’d be surprised (even a little disappointed) if anyone except Charlotte is still alive at season’s end. Particularly Ruth. Part of me would love to see her going out as the “victor” of sorts in all this, but at the same time, she’s headed down a path that should inevitably lead to her demise in a rage-filled blaze of glory.
“But what happens to Zeke …. ?” “…… will Ruth somehow get involved?”Zeke is in the Truck with raging Ruth last we left her!While Ruth is balling out Wendy and Marty, there is a barely audible baby crying in the background. You do barely hear a screen door shut too after Wendy whispers to Charlotte and Charlotte exits but I don’t know if Charlotte went for Zeke or not. Also, when Ruth jumps back in the truck you can see a back facing baby seat on the passenger side next to her. You have to freeze frame to really see it there but it is.
1. Why did everyone take dumb-dumb pills for the last 2 seasons2. Why is everyone always making the decision that will cause conflict for the “plot”3. Why did anyone keep watching after the season 2 finale…4. Why did they keep the Darlene character around for as long as they did
Painfully derivative show.
Great great show with a terrible ending…. wendy needed to get that ‘smirk’ slapped off her face at least once before the ‘end’………..
Ravaged and ravished are two different words and you should have googled them.