I step away from Streaming Saturday for a week – One week! – and it’s already falling apart. I already know Stuart Sweet hates Ozark. We’ve only argued about this in the past. He also knows how much I’ve been looking forward to the series’ first season. So, what does he do? He rants about the first episode then rage-quits the rest of the season. Mrs. Buckler and I chose to ignore his silly ramblings and watch it. Is this going to be another Stuart-is-wrong-about-Ozark posts? You betcha!
Here’s a sneak peek of all the fun that Stubborn Stuart is missing…
Before I Get Started…
…I think it only fair to share this detail. Mrs. Buckler and I are roughly halfway through Ozark’s third season. We don’t know how it all ends, although a lot of people are talking about it on Facebook and YouTube. I don’t like spoilers so I’ve avoided clicking play on anything that “explains” the Ozark ending. I recommend you do the same if you haven’t finished the current season. With that out of the way…
…it’s time to roast Stuart a little bit. Let’s face it, the guy is old, out of touch, and just plain doesn’t get it. He harps on Ozark’s problem-solution-problem format. (For the record, I did too in the past.) But I also realize something that Stuart just doesn’t get. That problem-solution-problem formula distracts viewers from the true message of this series…
…It’s All About Character Development
Do you remember when I said that, Stuart? I’ll save you the 30-second hassle of using the blog search function. I said “Character Development Makes (Ozark) a Winner” in a September 8, 2018 Streaming Saturday post. I also said:
“…Let me tell you what made Ozark’s second season so intriguing: character development. The show’s writers and actors really stretched themselves to make the show’s characters more interesting, frustrating, and ultimately relatable. Now that’s the mark of good storytelling!”
This, not the drama of constant problems and fixes, is what really makes Ozark fascinating. It’s watching the characters do the things they do and learning the whys behind all of it. That’s what makes Ozark interesting. It’s who they are and who they are becoming as a result of the decisions they make. Along those lines, season three seems to be developing a very dark and intriguing theme.
The Three Faces of Wendy Byrde
Wendy Byrde is a character you hate, love, then hate again. At least that’s the way this wild ride is turning out. In season one, we detested her for cheating on Marty. In season two, we applauded her for stepping up and being strong when Marty couldn’t. This time, she’s masking her selfish and dangerous decisions under the guise of “empowerment.”
From the first episode, Wendy’s ambitions exceed her reach. This is putting her family in danger but she’s too bad she’s too drunk on her own (perceived) power to see it. Besides, she and Marty never had the best of marriages and their daughter is a little brat. And there’s something very strange about Wendy’s relationship with her brother, Ben. I’m thinking I don’t like that guy, either. The son is cool though so I hope everything works out for him.
Forget Anything Stuart Said…
…and stream Ozark, season three. I know I will. Something tells me that Wendy’s power plays will create a situation that Marty can’t talk his way out of. At least it looks that way. As I mentioned above, we’re only halfway through the series. If things take a hairpin turn, I haven’t seen it yet. One way or another, the Bucklers will see how this whole Ozark thing turns out.
