Ozark - Season 2

Sam Burnham, Curator
​@C_SamBurnham

I recently did a review of Season 1 of the Netflix original program Ozark. Season 2 came out August 31 and I just finished watching the 10th and final episode of the season. I had planned to ration them out to try to spread out my viewing but that didn't happen ad now I'm stuck waiting for Season 3 like so many others.

The problem is, the suspense and enthralling story line draws you in. At the end of each episode, you don't feel that you can wait for to tune in next week, same bat time, same bat channel to see what is going to happen, especially with that "Next Episode Starts in 4 Seconds" icon popping up in the corner at closing credits.
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Season 2 is just as captivating to the audience as its predecessor. There seems to be even more twists and turns in the plot. If you do get bored with the road the action is on, just wait a minute, it will change. The Blue Cat Lodge, slowed by off-season at Lake of the Ozarks, is still a bustling scene as far as the plot goes.

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This season gives us increasingly stronger female roles, but not in a smarmy or trendy politically correct way. Good writing and good acting bring us strong women characters. They’re smart, bold, and confident. You can see where this could cause some intriguing plot friction in Season 3 as these women clash with the strong male characters but not always as adversaries. I hope they exploit this effectively next season.

I’ve got to say that Julia Garner’s portrayal of Ruth is one of the most impressive parts of the show. This character, a troubled and conflicted young woman, is well written and Garner’s acting is superb. I have no trouble buying into the role. She makes you love and hate Ruth at the same time. She provokes both empathy and anger.

It is still a very dark show. Ozark continues to make great use of soundtrack and sound and the visuals are very compelling. Without giving out spoilers, some big characters die in Season 2. That’s just to be expected from Ozark. But there are some new faces as well. And as the Bydres dig harder trying to escape their predicament, the more entangled they become. With any luck, they'll keep digging.

​Season 2 is worth the wait and lives up to the hype.