How are you feeling about the third season of Netflix's original series Ozark? Is it better than the first season? Better than the second?
Well, regardless of how you feel personally, the show has been officially renewed for a fourth season. The series about white-collar criminals laundering money on behalf of the mob, only to hide out in the Ozark mountains as the drama blows over, has drawn comparisons to Breaking Bad. In 2019, the show earned Prime Time Emmy awards for Jason Bateman's direction and Juliar Garner's performance as Ruth Langmore. With the third season currently streaming, here are the 10 worst episodes of Ozark!
Stag (S2E4) 8.3/10
The drama escalates when the FBI drops the second piece of bait to gain new intel on Marty Byrde (Bateman). Meanwhile, Charlotte implies that the Byrdes were at the scene of Russ' murder, causing greater suspicion among all involved.
The real drama, however, comes when the Byrdes meet Roy (Jason Butler Harner) for the first time. Rachel has sex with Roy in a bar before accusing him of being an undercover cop. Later, Roy finds a warrant to search the Byrdes' home and uncovers their real identities.
The Precious Blood Of Jesus (S2E2) 8.2/10
Marty keeps his casino dream alive when consorting with Kansas City mafia brass, reaching a deal to unionize the casino and move the project forward.
Meanwhile, when Rachel crashes her car in a drugged-out stupor, Roy leverages her to become an informant against Marty. As Wendy fights off Wilkes' advances, Marty bestows Ruth with greater criminal responsibility by having her move the riverboat set to house the casino. However, things get hairy when Ruth's father Cade demands a cut of the action.
Nest Box (S1E7) 8.2/10
Marty ignores the Snells' lethal warning to stop building on the church, sending them $700,000 to keep them off his back. A snitching game ensues, as Marty tells Mason of the Snells sordid activity, while the Snells tell Mason Marty is a money launderer.
Ruth and Wendy find a depressed Charlotte skipping school to return to Chicago via bus. Russ agrees to stop trying to kill Marty while Roy tries to convince him to open a fishing bait shop for Marty to invest in. Meanwhile, Cade implores Ruth not to visit him in jail unless and until Marty is dead.
Book Of Ruth (S1E6) 8.2/10
Heroin dealers Jacob and Darlene Snell inform Marty of their operation and use Mason's church to run their business. As Marty and Wendy celebrate meeting their three-month quota, clothes come off everywhere.
Marty and Wendy enjoy a roll in the hay. Meanwhile, Charlotte has a one-night stand with a Chicago tourist, prompting Wyatt to call her an official Ozark local. In keeping with the romantic theme, Russ admits to his homosexual desires and begins a tenuous relationship with Roy.
Tonight We Improvise (S1E4) 8.2/10
The seedy strip club Lickety Splitz takes center stage when Marty thinks the place is perfect to continue his money-washing scheme. He hires Ruth to crack the safe inside the club, giving Marty access to the cash after she arranges for the owner Bobby's arrest. Marty later shares his secret business with Jonah.
Personal matters heighten when Roy begins to fall for Russ Langmore, Wyatt's father and Ruth's uncle. Launched on heroin, Jacob and Darlene kill Bobby over the strip club fiasco.
Blue Cat (S1E2) 8.2/10
Blue Cat is the name of the inn the Byrdes reside in when arriving in the Ozarks, and the place where they meet the Langmore clan. If they had it all to do over, they'd likely choose another hotel!
The main drama of the episode concerns Ruth's discovery and pilferage of the $8 million Marty stashed in one of the Blue Cat rooms. After Marty risks his life to retrieve the cash, he considers killing himself so Wendy can collect his life-insurance money. In the end, he decides to invest in the Blue Cat as his newest laundering facade.
Once A Langmore... (S2E3) 8.0/10
Despite the casino bill passing, Roy shuts down the Byrde businesses much to the dubious chagrin of Marty. But the real crux of the episode centers on Wendy's quick-thinking cleanup act.
When Wilkes' attack on Senator Blake backfires, Wendy takes it upon herself to clean up the mess. She convinces Blakes widow not to sue for wrongful death, promising a charity in Blake's name if she agrees. Elsewhere, Marty finds a new laundering business in the form of the boat repair shop after Ruth creates a stir with Cade.
Ruling Days (S1E5) 8.0/10
When Bobby's corpse is found on the Byrde's property, police suspect foul play. However, business receipts over the sale of the strip club show that Marty had no real motive to kill Bobby.
Marty then jumps at the chance to build a new church for Pastor Young, which he thinks is a perfect shell to launder dirty dough. Meanwhile, Ruth wins the managerial position at Lickety Splitz and instantly turns the place into a financial success. In the end, Ruth uncovers Marty's stash of $8 million in stolen funds.
My Dripping Sleep (S1E3) 7.8/10
As the Byrdes settle into the Blue Cat and begin interviewing for local jobs, FBI Agent Roy Petty and his ex-boyfriend Trevor follow them to the Ozarks.
Wendy lands a gig with a real estate brokerage, which is perfect for networking and setting up new laundry fronts. Charlotte confronts Wyatt over his ploy to enable Ruth to steal part of the $8 million, which ruins her job interview. Meanwhile, Ruth blackmails Marty into hiring her as a dishwasher at the Blue Cat.
Kaleidoscope (S1E8) 7.7/10
The least likable episode of Ozark so far, according to IMDB, happens to be a flashback to the year 2007.
The episode disrupts the flow of the first seven chapters by exploring the Byrdes' past. Wendy suffers a miscarriage during a car accident, leading to deep depression and despair. Meanwhile, we learn more about Marty's relationship with sleazy mafia dons. We also meet a young Russ and his heroin-addicted mother.