Ozark Boss Breaks Down Season 4 Premiere’s Very Unhappy Accident
Ozark‘s first Season 4 episode was Car Crash TV at its most literal.
Netflix on Friday dropped the first seven episodes of the rural crime thriller’s fourth and final season (the remaining seven episodes will debut later this year), and, as previously teed up in that bananas trailer, the premiere featured a horrific car accident involving the Byrde family.
But in a twist, the calamity did not play out in real-time. Rather, it was a flash-forward — a quasi-prologue to the final season, if you will. The action then shifted to the present timeline, aka right where Season 3 left off, with Marty and Wendy reeling from the murder of Helen. In the absence of an onscreen chyron clarifying how much time separates the Byrdes’ current Mexican quagmire and the car crash to come, viewers were left to speculate how — and more importantly when — the possibly fatal wreck will occur.
According to Ozark showrunner Chris Mundy, the ambiguity was intentional. “There’s a feeling on our show all the time where anything can happen at anytime, and I like that unease,” he tells TVLine. “We felt like people might be confused for a split second, but then when the [action cuts immediately] to Mexico they’d realize [it was a flash-forward]. But we didn’t want to do any more of the math for them.”
What can be deduced from ominous sequence — given that the Byrdes are alive and, well, happy-ish, in the SUV prior to the crash — is that Marty and Wendy make it out of Mexico in one piece. And although the pre-accident dialogue is sparse, it’s meaty: We learn that the family is just one FBI meeting away from leaving the Ozarks for good.
“I’m calling the moving company this afternoon,” a cheery Wendy announces from the passenger seat, prompting an equally as sunny Charlotte to declare, “Whenever. Jonah and I are packed.”
While acknowledging that the prelude sorta spoils the fact that at some point later in Season 4 the family rallies together and comes within spitting distance of getting their old life back, Mundy hints that appearances can be deceiving. “It’s going to be a mess,” he reveals. “Things [seem] fine even though they’re really not fine.”
Elsewhere in Season 4, Episode 1:
* Drug kingpin Omar Navarro tells Marty and Wendy he is ready to cut a deal with the FBI, and he’s tasked them with brokering said treaty. “I’m sorry that’s impossible,” Wendy informs him, before backtracking when the Big Bad informs them that they either do it or die.
* Navarro’s nephew (played by new cast member Alfonso Herrera) succeeds Helen as Marty and Wendy’s on-site supervisor and immediately establishes himself as a chip off the old block by murdering Sheriff Nix.
* Ruth retains Marty and Wendy’s 14-year-old son Jonah to serve as the chief money launderer (via the Lazy-O Motel) for her and Darlene’s new joint enterprise.
* In the wake of putting a successful hit out on her brother, Wendy becomes even more delusional, self-righteous and insufferable. I didn’t think that was possible!
How many episodes of Ozark‘s new season have you binged thus far? And what are your initial thoughts? Hit the comments!
After watching the season 3 recap and reading this article, I think TVline is being unfairly harsh to Wendy. Yes she’s done terrible things but so has everyone on this show. All her choices have been underpinned by wanting her kids to be safe. Even when she’s acting out of blind ambition, it’s all part of a greater plan to ensure her family’s survival. I don’t think she’s an angel by any means, but she’s just doing her best to operate in a world that she’s never wanted to be a part of. I wish the same energy of dislike for Wendy would apply to Marty also, for creating this situation to begin with. I’m not her biggest fan, but I don’t think it’s fair to single her out like this either. Particularly when almost every other character has behaved in an equally awful way. Jonah is the only one who’s hands are clean and even that’s up to debate.
No Wendy has crossed the point of no return, she is horrible. She wants power and her family is expendable like her brother.
I mean… yeah Wendy is all over the place but she plays smart. In a show like Ozark everyone is a little problematic, so i don’t think she deservers the hate. She makes things juicy even when her plans don’t work, just like Shiv from Succession.
All 7.
She had her brother killed… enough said
Wendy is diabolical. And I love it!
Wendy is simply doing what women have done since the beginning of time. Protecting her nest and those in it. Women are born with a cold blooded streak for exactly this. Check out lionesses and their willingness to put their lives on the line for their cubs without fail.
All 7. It’s awesome. Can’t believe there are even more to come.
I watched them all. Why do all the good shows get cancelled and all the crap like survivor stay?
I agree! There’s so much boring crap on tv and this series has been full of surprises from the beginning . The plot has been skillfully written with its twists and turns. What in the world will I watch when Season 4 part 2 ends??
Everybody is upset about her having Ben killed. He was a f—ing
pain in the ass at every turn. I would have shot him myself if I was her.
Cheap flash forwards and other lame attempts to be unpredictable in overrated writing. Turned away from it before too much time spent watching.
It was so predictable. The music and the happy car ride misdirection. You just knew that something was coming.
.
The season was good though (1st half anyway).
Only watched two, I’m pacing myself lol. I’m sad this is it for this awesome show! My son watches also and we talk about it all the time. I really thought Jonah was going to be the hero that gets them out of this mess. The crash was freaky, but then it was gone. I’m so enjoying this! I’ve read most of the articles but I’m still watching as if I know nothing.
I would love watching the series Ozark if that young girl Ruth didn’t swear so much. It makes it sound like so trashy. I’ve heard so many people complain of this. It’s just way too much vulgar from that one girl.
So people getting shot point blank in the head doesn’t make you clutch your pearls, but hearing words like f*** and c*** do? We are such a backwards society.
Totally agree with your comments. Ruth speaks exactly like a lot of people I know. Ruth is the best actor on this show. I was amazed at the final episode showing her talent.
Agreed! Love Ruth’s character, and the actress does a stellar job portraying an Ozarker trying to navigate her way upward through a mess of politics, cartels, family dynamics…and the Byrds!
Unbelievable. Ruth is by leaps and bounds the best character on the show! She’s angry at the world and she has every right to be. If you can’t see the true (family devoted, brilliant minded) Ruth Langmore then you’re completely missing the point!
Ruth is my favorite, has been since 1st season yes her mouth is trashy but it’s all her character knows. I love Julia so much. Never heard of her before this but would watch her in anything now! She deserves so much praise of her portrayal of Ruth tough exterior but soft heart. I wish she’d just haul butt before she gets killed off! Again can’t say it enough, she’s my favorite!!!! I love Jason Bateman, have for years, but in this show Julia rocks!
I 100% agree. Helen needs to
clean up her F word she uses
too excessively!!
My husband and I binged all 4 seasons within about 10 days. We couldn’t get enough of it and couldn’t wait for our evening show time together!
Intense & living on the edge, makes it a great watch; PLEASE continue with the sessions!!❤️
I will miss Bull. Another good show gone. Hopefully Michael Weatherly moves on to another exciting project that we can enjoy. Bringing back agent Dinozzo at NCIS for a few episodes would be great. Or even a spin-off
I am totally disappointed
and disliking Wendy the
“Witch.” She’s gone off
the deep end for certain.
Doesn’t deserve Marty’s
love.
Really disappointed in the clearly sexist lash at Wendy in this article. Not that she’s not awful—but *as if* the silent but deadly Marty Byrd is an innocent just because he plays to the masculine form of their subversion of the moral code.
Excellent story, character depth and action. I’m on the first episode if the 4th season and was totally confused by the opening traffic accident, and that’s what brought me to your site: answers. After learning that the accident was a flash “forward”, I’m not sure I like the rationale behind it yet. We’ll see.
Mundy wrote Ruth died and the Byrdes survived because that what happens in capitalism. Better brush up on your economics. Under capitalism deals are made when they benefit both the buyer and seller. The characters weren’t capitalists. They were criminals.