Ozark has become Netflix's biggest drug, and crime drama since Narcos, and Darlene may just be the deadliest villain since Pablo Escobar. Lisa Emery is so good at bringing life into the psychopathic poppy farmer who is also a silent activist for the rights of the indigenous Ozarks. In the first season, Darlene was cold, with no feelings for anyone except Jacob. She didn't think before acting, and her impulsive acts would make anyone hate her.
However, after Jacob's death, fans have been introduced to a new version of Darlene. Still a psycho but one that has feelings, can make reasonable calculations, and even negotiate. Through her development, there have been a few moments when viewers couldn't help but love Darlene, although they just have to hate her in most cases.
Felt Bad: When She Said She Wanted A Baby
At first sight, Darlene doesn't sound like much of a mother, which is why even Jacob didn't understand her desire to have a baby. It is not clear whether she just wanted an heir for her heroin empire or really wanted to be a mother, but she seemed genuine. On the surface, Darlene seems like she would be a horrible parent.
However, when Darlene finally got to be Zeke's mother, she was nearly perfect at it. Wendy Bryde, however, came and insulted her, calling her a psycho redneck and unfit to be a mother. It was unfair to Darlene, even if most fans didn't love her that much.
Hated: When She Killed Jacob
Jacob Snell was one of the least likable characters in Ozark, but at least he was someone who could be reasoned with. From the first time he met the Byrdes, Jacob understood that he didn't stand a chance against the cartel and decided to listen to Marty. Jacob was actually the only reason why Darlene lived to see the casino get built.
Considering their long romantic history, one would expect Darlene to keep Jacob alive in case another storm comes, but she didn't. Jacob had also reformed and wanted to play the long game, something Darlene couldn't understand. Killing him proved just how damaged Darlene is.
Felt Bad: When Jacob Wanted To Kill Her
The Snells were the agents of their own destruction when they failed to realize the changes that came to the island the moment Marty Byrde landed with cartel money. Darlene wasn't exactly the best wife for Jacob either as she kept putting his life and legacy in harm's way.
Darlene's reasons for refusing to bend to the pressure from the cartel were, however, well justified as she was just fighting for the rights of her ancestors and the town. Although both Snells were psychos at the time, they were stronger together, and Darlene had always been there for her husband. Jacob's decision to try and kill Darlene was unfair to her.
Hated: When She Killed Grace
Killing Grace, Pastor Mason's wife, remains the coldest thing Darlene has done so far on the show. Her reason for killing the poor pregnant woman was even more inhumane. Grace was the only figure in the show that saw the need to uphold morality in Pastor Mason's doomed boat church.
Grace also had nothing to do with Marty or the Snells' heroin trade, which is why killing her just to force the Byrdes to take the church back to the boats was too cold even for a deranged Darlene. The killing was also brutal, leaving poor Zeke without a mother and sending poor pastor Mason over the rails to his death.
Felt Bad: When Jacob Killed Ash
Ash was the Snells' right-hand man who did their dirty work, be it burying Del Rio's body or getting the cartel off their backs. Although he wasn't exactly an upright man, Ash was probably the only real friend Darlene had besides her husband. He was obedient and willing to fight for the rights of the Ozarks, just like Darlene.
Besides, Ash only killed Del because he had insulted the Snells by calling them the only name they couldn't tolerate. Jacob killing the poor man in cold blood right in front of Darlene for defending the family and for a crime that Darlene committed was hard for her to swallow. It was the first time Darlene expressed true sadness.
Hated: When She Killed Bobby
The show introduces Darlene Snell as a cold-blooded killer who expected everything to go her way and didn't give room for mistakes, except Bobby hadn't made a mistake; he just couldn't stand up to the entire cartel. Bobby was a bad boss, a chauvinist, and a criminal, but he was a human being too.
When he came to the Snells to explain the issues he was facing getting their business done, Bobby was only being a good employee. Darlene and Jacob collaborated in killing him, but Darlene delivered the death blow (or injection, in this case). She simply stood by and watched the poor guy choke on his own breath.
Felt Bad: When Her Ancestors Graves Were Desecrated
Darlene's entire personality is messed up except for this one reason. Her respect for her ancestry, culture, and the rights of the original inhabitants of the island is pure and justified. From the look of things, she dedicated her whole life to recovering her ancestral land from "abomination" and securing her ancestors' resting place.
When the FBI started digging through the tombs and discovered bodies, it seemed like they would find the corpses of Darlene's victims, but it was later proven that it was her ancestors' remains. The pain was real for Darlene, considering her attachment to her ancestors, to have to watch those remains dug just to save her criminal husband.
Hated: When She Refused To Give Up Zeke
Everything about Darlene keeping Zeke was messed up, even if it was Wendy's mistake that got the poor orphan into the psychotic woman's hands in the first place. When Wendy finally decided to make things right and get the boy a real family, Wyatt came in to save Darlene.
Darlene was responsible for Zeke not having a mother in the first place. She confessed to having cut him out of Grace's womb when she killed her. It is just too sickening to imagine the boy being raised by his mother's heartless murderer. Besides, all of Darlene's traits are everything one wouldn't want the poor boy to pick up when he grows up.
Felt Bad: When Buddy Burnt Her Poppy Fields
Darlene's empire isn't exactly something to admire, but it is hers. If Marty gets to help the cartel, she should at least get to keep her poppy fields. She has always been protective of the Snell empire because it is the only way she gets to "save" her ancestral land.
When Jacob agreed to go to bed with the cartel, Darlene was opposed to the idea, but she agreed because she got to keep her heroin business going. When Wendy and Buddy burnt it all down, it meant everyone else got to keep their parts of the deal while she got nothing. Even though it saved Darlene from the FBI, it showed that she was powerless in front of the cartel.
Hated: When She Started A Relationship With Wyatt
Wyatt was close with Charlotte in the first season, and everyone hoped the two would end up together, but the external forces they both faced pushed them apart. Wyatt was still innocent and definitely deserved better than Darlene. When she bailed Wyatt from jail and offered him a job, it was clear she was taking advantage of the poor orphaned boy who had lost everyone he loved.
Everything about Darlene being in a relationship with him feels wrong, especially the fact Wyatt is – at most – in his early 20s. It showed just how far Darlene would go to satisfy her own greed when she finally turned Wyatt into her new pet.