Ozark
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So what hasOzarkbeen about all this time?
But it turned out that the cost was mostly paid by others.
Think how few people have survived the orbit of the Byrdes.
God help anyone who gets in their way.
The episode opens with a shovel tapping the muddy ground.
Ruth has buried Nelson, and she has a vision of Wyatt looking on.
Its the foundation of the pool he always wanted.
And it kind of makes sense that it would have a body underneath it.
Its a desperate final plea because Marty knows that Jonah still listens to Ruth.
Convince him, or Marty spills Ruths secrets.
It cant be her fault if Jonah still insists on leaving.
Wendy accepts, and they share a moment dishing about their shitty fathers and past mistakes.
Ruth confronts Nathan with a toast for Ben and pushes his buttons in the process.
Every beating I ever got from my daddy, I knew it was my fault.
Wont Nathan just beat Jonah and Charlotte?
What if Jonah is a mini-Marty and Charlotte is a Wendy?
He even admits hes doing this to get back at Wendy.
Remember the scene that opened the season thirteen episodes ago?
The Byrdes are driving as Sam Cooke plays on the radio.
Theyre joking, smiling, and discussing moving after an upcoming FBI meeting.
And then a truck serves into their lane and nearly hits them straight on.
Marty swerves out of the way, and the van flips several times.
Marty gets out first, pulling Jonah and then Charlotte.
Shes not responding at first, but it turns out shes okay too.
Its a show about sudden danger everything seems fine, and then a truck is in your lane.
But its also a show about the Byrdes being able to weather any storm.
Even if that means everyone around them has to die.
They come home unharmed to learn that Nelson is missing.
They can survive anything.
She will turn out to be correct.
Marty gets Ruth to confirm that Nelson is under her new pool.
Or she can wait till Navarro has no more power.
Bring her in on the operation with the FBI to keep the Belle a part of it.
Wyatt is on the roof, talking about the pool he always wanted by the lake.
Its a nice scene and good to see Ruth smile.
Despite Rachels guilt-driven anxiety, they go to the meeting with the FBI and Camila at the funeral home.
Ruth and the Belle will remain part of the operation that Camila will lead.
It looks like its all going to work.
Wendy says goodbye to Sam, who is moving to North Carolina a funny end to a funny character.
Wendy basically tells Nathan that she will pay him to stay away.
Everything is coming up Byrdes!
But why does it feel like theres a truck around the corner?
Wendy is feeling so confident that she pulls the rug out from under Schafer.
Youre going to want to make a quiet exit, she says.
Theyre pulling the voting machines in Michigan and Wisconsin.
At least the laundry list of Byrde sins wont include election fraud anymore.
Mr. Risk Management didnt take into account Clares vulnerability.
Camila starts asking tough questions, and Clares story shifts a few too many times.
Clare cracks: It was Ruth Langmore.
And everyones stomach drops.
They cant warn Ruth, or everyone will die.
The Byrdes have to watch this truck come and not swerve out of the way.
They have no moves to make.
Wendy is scared this will be too much to bear, but Marty assures her it wont be.
Omar is killed during the transfer just as Ruth gets home to find someone has beat her there.
She knows and approaches the car slowly.
Camila emerges from the woods with a weapon.
Clare Shaw told me.
She doesnt turn away.
Your son was a murdering bitch, she growls.
And then she yells, Well are you gonna fucking do this shit or what?
And those are her final words.
The Byrde legacy of death finally takes out Ruth.
They will move to the northern suburbs of Chicago.
No one will know the full extent of their body count in the Ozarks.
A sad Wendy and Marty go home for one of the last times.
They exchange rare I love yous.
The camera pans out through broken glass in a door to reveal a figure outside.
Its Mel with Bens ashes.
He broke in to get them.
He seems like he might be drunk.
I couldnt do my job, he says.
He couldnt put all the guilt away.
The Byrdes are so good at putting all the guilt away.
And so he came to find the evidence in Bens ashes.
Marty offers payment, but Mel says, You dont get to win.
World doesnt work like that.
Wendys response: Since when?
And Jonah pulls a gun on Mel.
The last loose end is closed onOzark.
The Byrdes can finally go home and leave it all behind.
And it truly seems like they will.
They have told themselves over and over again thatnothingis too costly when it comes to protecting their family.
Thats been the theme of the show how far these people were willing to go to stay together.
All the way to the Ozarks and back again.
With so many lives destroyed along the way.
Dirty Laundry
Areall the loose ends tied up?
Lets think about it.
With Ruth gone, the FBI may have some questions.
It feels like all of that could collapse and pull the Byrdes back in.
Does anyone else think the final scene is a little much?
Does that seem in character to you?
Felt a bit like a cheap joke to end the series.
So whos the season and series MVP for you?
For the season, I think its time to give Laura Linney and Jason Bateman some more love.
They were both excellent this year, arguably doing career-best work.
Thanks so much for reading for all four seasons!
Its been a pleasure and a joy to dig into this show with you.
