Content Warning: The following article contains spoilers for the Netflix series Ozark.
Marty Byrde may handle the numbers in Netflix's Ozark, but it's Wendy Byrde who deals with the people. Played by Laura Linney, Wendy is a divisive character in the fandom – some love her for being cunning and cutthroat, while others question her blind ambition and damaging parenting style.
One thing's for sure, though, Wendy is incredibly smart. She has proven this over the course of the crime-drama series through some well-written lines. With the recent release of the second part of Ozark's final season, it's the perfect time to look back at some of the unforgettable quotes that prove Wendy is the smartest character in the show.
“It’s Always Better To Be The Person Holding The Gun Than The Person Running From The Gunman.”
Wendy is forced to be brave more than a few times in the series, and she realizes that she doesn't have to do it alone soon enough. Right when they're about to escape the Ozarks after successfully establishing the casino, Wendy surprises Marty with her controversial decision to stay.
She reminds him that they're "holding the gun," and that they have allies like the Navarro cartel they can rely on to protect them. She knows that outside of that controlled environment, there's no telling how quickly the FBI or Interpol will hunt them down.
“There's A Saying In Politics – Never Let A Good Crisis Go To Waste.”
Wendy relives some of her best days working in politics when she has to use her skills to manipulate powerful people in the government. She's in her element in that situation and she knows it, so when she realizes Navarro's cartel is suffering losses, she knows it's the perfect time to pitch Helen "on the idea of expansion."
This idea arguably saves the Byrdes' lives, as Navarro gains confidence that Wendy knows exactly how to manipulate public opinion and help him grow his empire in a legitimate way. For Helen, it's the beginning of the end, as Navarro will soon make it clear just how impressed he is by Wendy's plan.
“If You Won’t Protect My Family, I Won’t Protect Yours.”
Wendy somehow always knows exactly what to say to scare people into doing what she wants, it's something she and Navarro have in common. When the cartel leader asks to meet Agent Maya, she hesitates at the last minute, which prompts a particularly terrifying threat from Wendy.
She reminds her that her family's safety depends on that meeting, implying that if Navarro gets upset, Wendy can point her finger at Maya, endangering her mom and newborn child. It's not too far-fetched to say she would have actually done that if Maya hadn't agreed, as fans know she's capable of much worse.
“If You Know You Have A Future There’s No Reason To Blow Up Anything In The Present.”
One reason fans like Wendy so much is that she's able to see the bigger picture in a way that Marty can't. This is obvious when she has that nerve-wracking meeting with Navarro where she persuades him to expand his businesses in a legitimate way with her help.
She even talks about his children and how this move "gives them a different path" – it's a brilliant argument that convinces Navarro to trust her. In Wendy's mind, she's also creating a legitimate future for her family, so it's a win-win.
“Sometimes, If You Don’t Move Forward, You Die.”
It's an understatement to say that Wendy's sudden decision to stay in the Ozarks is causing complications in her marriage. Marty argues in front of their therapist that she "has a much higher tolerance for risk" than he does, which prompts Wendy's memorable quote about moving forward.
She knows that their original plan to escape and hide in Australia is nothing but a daydream, as they would be on the run for the rest of their lives. Her bright idea is to dig deeper and find a way to keep going until they're too big to fail, which is a concept that's absurd for the more pragmatic Marty.
“Anything Can Be An Omen If You’re Looking For It.”
At first, it wasn't clear if Wendy and Navarro’s relationship would end up hurting instead of helping the Byrdes. She doesn't seem too worried about developing a close bond with a murderous cartel leader, even though she knows Marty would hate their late-night phone calls.
During one of these calls, Wendy shows that she knows how to earn his favor by reassuring him after he asks for her opinion on an omen. She reminds him that "anything can be an omen," which is a statement that highlights her rational approach to things. It impresses Navarro, who will eventually fully trust Wendy.
“Evil Comes When The Righteous Path Is So Hidden, It Just Looks Like There’s Only One Way Out.”
When Wendy is stuck in a nerve-wracking situation, she thrives. This is highlighted during a dangerous moment in her life when she's kidnapped and held for ransom by Pastor Mason. Although she isn't religious anymore, Wendy uses Mason's beliefs to manipulate him into trusting her.
She urges him to find "the righteous path," which is obviously not the one he's currently on. She almost gets away from him thanks to this manipulation, too, proving once again how far her well-thought-out words can often take her.
“Bury It. Pile Good On Top Of Good.”
One of the more outrageous storylines in Ozark is centered on the deal the Byrdes broker between pharmaceutical CEO Clare Shaw and the Navarro cartel. She rightly has reservations about it and almost pulls out of the business arrangement at one point, but, as usual, Wendy is there to save the day.
When Clare asks her how she's supposed to live with the guilt, Wendy persuades the CEO by telling her to do good to "bury it." She can start a foundation and donate to charities – it doesn't really matter what she does as long as she tries to "pile good on top of good." It's an unethical but smart method that Wendy applies to her own life, too.
“It’s Good PR.”
When Wendy uses Ben’s heartbreaking death to promote her collaboration with Clare, it understandably angers those around her, including viewers watching from home. After Marty confronts her about it, she simply states that "it's good PR," referring to how it's helping her project with Clare Shaw.
It's an exchange that highlights how far Wendy is willing to go for her goals. There's nothing off-limits if it will help her solve a problem. In this case, Ben's death is something that she can use to gain sympathy from a clueless audience.
“I Like Draining One Swamp At A Time.”
A brief conversation between Wendy and Agent Maya in her home highlights how much Wendy has grown and changed throughout the show. When Maya tries to insult her by saying she likes "being a big fish in a small pond," the agent is taken aback by Wendy's smart response.
For Wendy, the politicians, cartel lawyers, and even FBI agents are no longer "big fish," as she sees herself as capable of astonishing things if she just puts her mind to it. She's unafraid of whatever or whoever may come her way, as she's proven to herself over and over again that she has a brilliant ability to innovate and solve problems.