Ozark Season 4 Part 2: What To Remember Before Watching – CNET [CNET]

April 26, 2022 Daniel Van Boom technology

Marty and Wendy Byrde. — Julia Garner is Ruth in Ozark.

Netflix

The first time Javi meets the Byrdes, he complains about Darlene Snell, a rival heroin producer who he feels is disrespecting the cartel by operating in the Ozarks. In the final episode of season four part one, Javi takes matters into his own hands. He barges into Darlene’s house and fatally shoots Darlene and her new husband, Wyatt Langmore.

Yes, her husband. Wyatt, who began dating the much older Darlene in season three, planned to leave Darlene in season four part one’s opening episodes. However, Darlene suffered a heart attack amid a confrontation with Wendy, and child services said she was unable to take care of her adopted son Zeke unless she found a partner. Instead of running away, Wyatt popped the question and the two wedded. But of course, their honeymoon was short lived thanks to Javi.

That’s what brings us to Ruth. Wyatt is Ruth’s closest relative and throughout the show she’s encouraged him to pursue a life outside of crime. Naturally she’s distraught that her young, full-of-potential cousin has been killed. As season four part one ends, Ruth is in her pickup truck, driving to get revenge on Javi.

There are two problems with this. First, Javi is an erratic head of a Mexican drug cartel, so Ruth is in grave danger. Second, the Byrde’s plan for freedom requires Javier to be alive.

Byrde’s need Javi

I mentioned above that Omar Navarro is in jail by season four part one’s conclusion. That was a Byrde plan gone wrong.

The story of Ozark has been Marty and Wendy trying to figure out a way to free themselves from the grip of the cartel. At first it was simply washing a certain amount of money, but by season four the goal has changed. To rid themselves of obligation to the cartel, Wendy and Marty have to turn Mexican drug boss Omar Navarro into a free US citizen.

Conveniently, the couple’s casino operations were under investigation of FBI agent Maya Miller, who Marty spent season three trying to flip. Recall that in season three Marty supplied Miller with evidence that led to the jailing of key Lagunas cartel personnel, which the Navarro cartel was at war with.

In season four, Navarro agrees to secretly give the FBI heads up about a series of gun and money drops from Mexico to the US. (Again, a major reason why Navarro wants to escape to the US is his fear that Javier will usurp him as cartel head. As such, his dealings with the FBI are kept to Navarro and the Byrdes.) Agent Miller is able to intercept these drops, and the FBI is sufficiently impressed to meet with Navarro.