Ozark season three came out on Netflix last week, and if you're like me, you've already burned through it. To quickly recap, the show is about Marty Byrd (Jason Bateman) and his wife Wendy (Laura Linney). They move their family to the Ozarks and begin laundering money for a Mexican cartel. In season three, they open a casino so they can launder money at a faster rate. A marriage undoubtedly has many everyday frustrations. Add a money-laundering operation on top of it and the stress is really applied.
One of the major storylines in season three is Marty and Wendy's relationship and their fighting, in addition to everybody who wants to see their demise. Here are five times Marty was right in his reasoning and five times Wendy was.
Marty: They Should Have Left When They Had The Chance
Throughout season two, Marty makes plans for the family to get out from under the thumb of the cartel. He has a plan set in place for their escape. The last scene of season two shows Wendy informing Marty that the family will not be leaving, but staying in.
As season three unfolds, it becomes apparent that the family would have been better off getting out when they could, as the pressures begin to stack. If they had left when they had the chance, the FBI would no longer be breathing down their neck and they would theoretically have been out of the reach of the cartel.
Wendy: The Need For Legitimate Business
Part of Wendy's reason for forcing the family to stay in business with the cartel was she was certain they would not have been safe on the run. Her plan was to start legitimate businesses. They would use cartel money as seed money, but the business itself would not be for laundering.
Wendy knew if she could set up a legitimate business and show cartel leader Omar Navarro that these businesses provided security for his family, she and Marty would not be expendable. By the end of season three, when there is a head on the chopping block, it's not Marty's or Wendy's.
Marty: Communication Is Key
Marty did not keep it a secret that he was unhappy with Wendy when the family ended up staying. That being said, he did understand that they needed to present a unified front when it came to business. It did not take him long to realize he could not control Wendy and that she was going to make whatever move she wanted when she wanted.
The one thing he did request is that she gives him a heads up before she made said moves. It took a while for Wendy to get on the same page as Marty, but once they do and they are working as a team again, it saves them.
Wendy: She Should Be The Face Of The Business
Wendy and Marty kind of naturally find their own way when it comes to the business. Marty handles the day-to-day at the casino, all the laundering and handles the FBI the best he can.
Wendy becomes the face of the business and handles the clients, including Navarro. With a background in politics and public relations, Wendy is more adept to handle the face-to-face encounters than Marty. She has a knack of getting what she wants and knowing what buttons to push when it comes to making a deal.
Marty: Ben Should Have Left
From the moment Wendy's brother Ben shows up at the Byrd's doorstep, Marty is against him. Ben has bi-polar disorder and although he is on medication, it is clear he has been a burden to the Byrd family and Wendy her entire life. With how volatile the situation is, Marty thinks it wise to tell Ben to leave. Wendy puts her foot down and tells Ben he can stay, which proves to be a grave mistake.
When Ben stops taking his medication he becomes a loose cannon and a threat to not only the Byrd's operation but their lives, as well. This forces Wendy to choose between the safety of her children and her brother. Had she listened to Marty, that choice could have been avoided.
Wendy: Being Bold With Navarro
When Omar Navarro wants to meet with Helen (Navarro's and the Byrd's attorney), Wendy decided to go right at him. She doesn't show any fear, but instead speaks her mind and lays out a business plan that provides the Byrd's security and is also favorable to Navarro.
Helen remarks after the meeting that it was the longest he had ever listened to anyone. From that moment on, Wendy has an open line of communication with Navarro. She can't exactly make demands of him, but he is always willing to hear her out. The equity Wendy has with Navarro pays off when it matters most.
Marty: Knows Their Limits
Marty and Wendy are opposites. When Wendy wants to press an issue and be aggressive, Marty usually wants to play it safe. While this annoys Wendy to no end, Marty's slow approach is often in their best interest.
Unlike Wendy, Marty understood that while they were partners in name with the Navarro Cartel, they weren't actually. The Byrd's worked for the cartel and had to do what was in the cartel's best interest or they would be killed. Marty knows how to play the game, he may have a different philosophy, but it keeps his family alive.
Wendy: Was Right About Helen
Wendy constantly measures herself up against Helen. Helen is a smart and powerful woman, but she's also a psychopath (she didn't hesitate to have her ex-husband jumped by hired killers). Wendy sees Helen as a "what could have been" version of herself.
Admittedly, Wendy thinks she is smarter than Helen, as she sees through the maneuvers of the slick attorney. Wendy knew that Helen was moving to have the Byrd's killed and knew she needed to act. She made a difficult and risky phone call to Navarro to prove her loyalty and gain his trust and assurance that she and her family would be protected.
Marty: Always Be Careful
It was touched on earlier how Marty always plays it safe when it comes to the business. On top of that, he is always careful in his everyday life. He is constantly taking extra precautions to cover his tracks. Whether he is paying off he and Wendy's therapist, trying to turn an FBI agent or finding loopholes to launder money, Marty goes the extra mile to put distance between his family and the dangers of the world they live in.
While none of these beforementioned examples sound like the activities of a cautious man, they are all done with one thing in mind: "I have to keep my family alive." Marty's world is one that is filled with risk. He becomes masterful at managing these risks, and because of this, it keeps his head above water.
Wendy: Delt With Ben
When Ruth and Darlene "break" Ben out of the mental hospital, he makes a beeline for Helen's home. He explodes in the face of Helen, with her daughter Erin present. It becomes apparent he knows too much about the illegal activities taking place and what is even more apparent is that he doesn't care who knows.
Wendy tried tirelessly to keep him quiet for not only his safety but for her family's. The more she tries to save him, the more Wendy realizes she cannot control her brother. After she exhausted every other avenue, with all of her efforts in vain, Wendy turned Ben over to the cartel, who, unfortunately, killed him. Even though this devastated Wendy, her choice showed Navarro just how committed to him she was and it also saved her life, Marty's life, and the lives of their children.