Ozark Season 3: The Biggest Twists
I have a love/hate relationship with Ozark. On the plus side, the Netflix crime drama's ensemble — powered by Julia Garner's breakout, Emmy-winning performance as Ruth — is an embarrassment of prestige TV riches. On the down side, the series' frustrating tendency to prioritize plot over character regularly undermines the emotional stakes and reduces occasionally interesting and complex characters to one-dimensional pawns in what often feels like a low-rent Breaking Bad.
Short-story-shorter: I breezed through all 10 of Season 3's intermittently flawed, occasionally brilliant episodes and here are the 15 moments that caused my jaw to drop (sometimes while my eyes were rolling).
Ben-goes-OFF
MOMENT OF TRUTH
An off-his-meds Ben tells Helen's teenage daughter (as Helen looks on) that her mother is evil incarnate and the world cheers him on.
Darlene-shoots-Frank-Jr
JEWEL THIEF
Darlene shoots Frank Jr.'s penis off as payback for beating up Ruth. It's a start.
listening
LISTEN UP
Marty is surveilling Wendy's phone calls because it's not enough that he's bribing their therapist.
Marty-kidnapped
PURE TORTURE
Marty is kidnapped and tortured by Big Bad crime lord Navarro, but the crisis gets resolved in the span of a single episode.
Marty-pays-shrink-off
THE DOCTOR IS IN (CAHOOTS)
Marty and Wendy's marriage counselor is secretly accepting kickbacks from Marty in exchange for taking his side during their sessions. Also: Are we going to pretend that it's normal for a psycholgist to treat patients in her living room vs. a home office? No we are not.
Ozark-blood
THIS IS WHAT YOU CAME FOR
With Helen out of the picture, Navarro brings Wendy and Marty in for a group hug and that's a wrap on Season 3.
RIP-Helen
DING DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD
Navarro has Helen killed by her own henchman and the world cheers on.
Ruth-and-Ben
THEY FOUND LOVE IN A HOPELESS PLACE
Wendy's bipolar brother Ben comes to town and falls in love with Ruth and THIS IS NOT GOING TO END WELL.
Ruth-attacked
SHE GETS KNOCKED DOWN, BUT SHE GETS UP AGAIN
Frank Jr. beats up Ruth, sending her to the hospital in critical condition and incurring my forever wrath.
Ruth-quits
SHE'S (FINALLY) OUTTA THERE
Ruth quits working for Marty and Wendy after coming to grips with what we've all known since the pilot: Wendy is an awful human being.
shrink-wrapped
SHRINK WRAPPED
Helen puts a hit out on Marty and Wendy's marriage counselor because she knew too much and because she conducted her therapy sessions in her living room and WHO DOES THAT?!
Wendy-crying
DEATH OVERCOMES HER
Wendy OKs a hit on her brother Ben and finally comes to grips with what we've known since the pilot: She is an awful human being.
Wyatt-and-Darlene
ODD COUPLE
I was surprised at how quickly my reaction to this pairing went from "Ewww... " to "Awww... ." Anyone else? No? Whatever.
Wyatt-Ruth-Darlene
THE NEW RESISTANCE
Ruth decides to go into business with her cousin Wyatt and Darlene, setting the trio up to take on Marty and Wendy and suddenly I'm very excited for Season 4.
Marty-Cremates-Ben
SICK BURN
Marty does Wendy a solid and cremates her brother's body. He really does love her!