Wendy's world is tumbling down around her and she is not getting her way, which is impossible for a control freak to cope with. Laura Linney delivers a fabulous performance utilising Wendy's full toolkit from bullying, blackmail, bribery to begging.
14 Reviews
Well, a happily ever after is going to be difficult
michielkromhout4 May 2022
Not sure what to expect from the final 2 eps. There seems that be nowhere left to run, but at least there's two weights less pulling them to the bottom.
I like the unraveling of Wendy. I actually told her out loud she had it coming, which - to me - is a sign of good writing (others may find it unhinged of me but so what.... SO WHAT I tell you! 🙂)
I like the unraveling of Wendy. I actually told her out loud she had it coming, which - to me - is a sign of good writing (others may find it unhinged of me but so what.... SO WHAT I tell you! 🙂)
Wendy's Crawl Space Moment
FilmBrat1051 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Laura Linney is superb! I cannot imagine anyone else in this role, she is captivating and Wendy is ruthless. The rift between Wendy and the kids only continues to grow with the presence of Nathan and as Wendy's true colors have surfaced (and stayed there). Mel makes his departure, but I think that (wonderful) shot of him looking at the urn/'cookie jar' is a hint that he could be back. On the other hand, it could just be a little wink to the audience on how close Mel was, a testament to his character and being an inspector. The ending shot was gorgeous visually, meanwhile the context of it is horrifying. I imagine Wendy will have something done to her father that will prevent the kids from going with him. Either way, it's clear, the last two episodes should be spectacular.
Wonderful Linney
rich-fouts30 April 2022
Linney is spectacular in this episode. When her father tried to get her kids, she doesn't really think he has a case, and takes it semi-seriously. But when it looks like he's got the goods, she moves into her usual high gear. When it doesn't work, there are fireworks in a way only LL can deliver.
A rare episode with a consistent plot
Chef741 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This season has been full of random plots, random remarks and random mistakes inconsistent with the characters. However this episode was really good in the sense that everybody acted. And finally Wendy buying her way out, acting all neurotic and manipulating people didn't work out. Grandpa still got the custody even without the PI's appearance at the court. So Wendy bough the PI for no reason.
Great show, but needless politics
Riddler9129 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Enough with the politics! I know Laura Linney is a Democrat, she has made that perfectly clear during the show a million times but the whole "Republicans want to steal the elections" is pretty shameless, particularly in the wake of the 2020 elections. Also, enough with the shots taken at religion, we get it, the writers don't like it. A lot of people do. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't take cheap shots any other religion because it's not progressive, but hey, Christians are always fair game.
Otherwise pretty great episode, Ruth and Mel did the wrong choices, Maya is the only one with a conscience in this show, I loved the way she spoke to the Byrdes.
Otherwise pretty great episode, Ruth and Mel did the wrong choices, Maya is the only one with a conscience in this show, I loved the way she spoke to the Byrdes.
Family Problems
ZegMaarJus8 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This Episode begins with Jonah and Charlotte, they talk about the money laundering Jonah is doing. Marty and Wendy got locked up at the police station, Jonah and Charlotte pay the release fee. Marty and Wendy offer Mel a job at the Chicago Police Department. Jonah and Charlotte leave the Ozarks, they go away with their grandfather. Ruth has been released from her criminal record. Navarro returned to jail. Wendy bangs her head against the window, she starts bleeding. Nice Episode of Ozark Season 4, so much drama this Episode. But the real action/blood/killing i really miss now!
Never happy Endings
moviesfilmsreviewsinc28 July 2022
Episode 12 opens up with Jonah picking up a hungover Charlotte. They head to the county jail and bail out Marty and Wendy after Marty assaulted a man. The Byrde family knows how to be there for each other in the worst of times. Wendy continues justifying to Marty about keeping Camila engaged when they get home, but Marty does not feel it is sustainable. Wendy expresses that she's not easy to love and gives Marty the blessing that he can leave her when this is all over. This felt like intense manipulation by Wendy. We see this at the end of the episode, too - the whole "I'm not easy to love" mantra. Meanwhile, Mel tells Nathan that Ben was with a Mexican cartel man when he disappeared. He believes it is linked to Marty and Wendy as the FBI got involved with them for money laundering. Ruth and Rachel meet Charles Wilkes to make a business deal with him. He reckons he can clear Ruth's criminal record with a judge as most of them are juvenile cases. Rachel thinks Ruth needs to make herself clean as it's a great opportunity. Ruth meets the judge and does her best to remain polite and well-mannered. She claims she gave up crime when her father died. The judge offers to help, but she wants to scour her records first and do a drop-in visit. You can see it in her eyes - the drop-in visit terrifies Ruth. It feels too personal for her. At the midway point of episode 12, Wendy and Marty manage to find a way to reinstate Mel Sattem at Chicago PD. If he rejoins, he will miss the court date set for Nathan's petition. Mel is furious that the Byrde family is manipulating him, but they tell him that he's reached the end of his investigation. Feeling conflicted, Mel speaks to Agent Maya for advice. She tells Mel that he will hate himself if he takes the Chicago PD reinstatement. Agent Maya rings Marty and Wendy and accuses them of trying to screw with Mel's life. The ending sees Wendy's actions lead to the breakdown of the family. Her demise is slow but worth watching as we know what she's willing to do to manipulate people.
Jonah and Charlotte tell their parents they are going with their grandfather. Jonah and Charlotte say that they are tired of their mother and that she rigs everything. Charlotte references what Marty told her - that Wendy controls everything. A desperate and unhinged Wendy begs her father, Nathan, not to take her children away.
Jonah and Charlotte tell their parents they are going with their grandfather. Jonah and Charlotte say that they are tired of their mother and that she rigs everything. Charlotte references what Marty told her - that Wendy controls everything. A desperate and unhinged Wendy begs her father, Nathan, not to take her children away.
Please don't take them
dannylee-7808215 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
1. Marty and Wendy get bailed out
2. Mel gets an offer
3. Nathan wins the court case
They would throw away Omar and all the effort that Schafer made for... their kids to go live with grandpa?? That sounds nonsensical to me. The "family is everything" doesn't even make sense because it's been made clear that family is not the most important for the Byrds. Perhaps the Byrds are lying to themselves but it's been abundantly clear to the audience. And Mel wasn't even needed at the hearing!! I mean Laura Linney performed out of her mind but this felt like really clunky story writing. I guess it's to show that Wendy is losing control and accelerate her demise of some sort towards the finale.
They would throw away Omar and all the effort that Schafer made for... their kids to go live with grandpa?? That sounds nonsensical to me. The "family is everything" doesn't even make sense because it's been made clear that family is not the most important for the Byrds. Perhaps the Byrds are lying to themselves but it's been abundantly clear to the audience. And Mel wasn't even needed at the hearing!! I mean Laura Linney performed out of her mind but this felt like really clunky story writing. I guess it's to show that Wendy is losing control and accelerate her demise of some sort towards the finale.
If I hear Wendy say "We're so close" again...
hpcmakeup4 May 2022
Wendy is so unlikeable no one would take her phone calls by now no matter how much of other peoples money she offered. Her screaming and crying about her almost 18 year old daughter having the choice to go live in NC is ridiculous and absurd! She should be leaving for college so who cares if a judge says she can go. The writing is bad. Nothing is really happening and I feel like I'm forcing myself to finish the series. Not good.
Worst episode and script by far
anthonytnguyen5 May 2022
They really pushed Wendy's character of the rails this episode making it hard to believe and even more so cringe. The acting was fine, it the script was pretty awful. I can't go much more without spoilers, but if you watched the episode, you know exactly what I'm taking about.
The Grandpa Storyline Reaches Its Breaking Point...
Oktay_Tuna16 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I think the most significant weakness in the previous episodes was the grandpa storyline. Grandpa storyline feels like something we had watched before because we did. I do admit that it is interesting and fascinating seeing how Marty and Wendy react to Jonah and Charlotte leaving them. The Ruth stuff in this episode was great but again it was a bit slow and I liked how even though Marty and Wendy's plan to get Mel Sattem into Chicago PD did work, they still failed. It was a nice twist but other than that this episode felt a bit bland and considering we only have 2 more episodes to go, this is concerning.
No one to root for.
egdix7 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
There isn't anyone to root for. Everyone makes nonsensical choices. Anytime there is an opportunity to do something to further their progress they do the other thing. If one of the major players got killed, I am not sure i would mind. I thought the daughter was on board. I thought the son had his laundering gig. Why would anyone from Chicago want to live in North Carolina with their grandpa? How does Marty have absolutely no backbone. His kids are leaving and he doesn't say a word. There is no way I would let that happen. Clearly Wendy shares some of the same afflictions her brother had. I can only imagine how badly her father screwed her and her brother up. Now here kids will be under that roof?
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