Emmys 2019: 5 scenes that prove Laura Linney deserves the Outstanding Lead Actress nomination for 'Ozark'
Laura Linney is a brilliant actress. Her performance speaks for itself as she has managed to earn a nomination for almost every role she played, with two Golden Globe Awards and four Primetime Emmy Awards in her kitty and three Academy Awards and four Tony Awards nominations.
Hence, it comes as no surprise when she was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Wendy Byrde in 'Ozark'.
The actress is competing with leading actresses like Emilia Clarke ('Game of Thrones'), Jodie Comer ('Killing Eve'), Viola Davis ('How to Get Away With Murder'), Mandy Moore ('This Is Us'), Sandra Oh ('Killing Eve') and Robin Wright ('House of Cards') for the category.
While the other actresses may have a stronger chance, especially Clarke for her wondrous performance as Daenerys Targaryen, Linney also has a good chance of winning the award. Here are five scenes that show why the actress deserves it:
Marty and the sex video
Wendy had an affair with a lawyer when the Byrdes were still living their old life in Chicago. Using a private investigator, Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) gets a video of them having sex. Addicted to watching it, it makes his blood boil. However, Wendy finds out about his sick pastime while they're having sex, and lets him spank her like her ex-lover in the clip.
A desperate plea to Mrs. Blake
In an attempt to stop Mrs. Blake from suing Charles Wilkes (Darren Goldstein) for the wrongful death of her husband, Wendy makes a desperate plea to Mrs. Blake by offering a million dollars and promising a charity in Blake's name. To convince her, she says Tim Tim committed suicide because he was depressed.
Marty murders Mason
Marty ends up killing Mason during a confrontation. Wendy helps him clean up the basement of Mason's house and cremate his body at the funeral home, then take Zeke home as a supposed foster child.
Cade Langmore's death
Wendy's evil side first came through in 'Ozark' when she ordered the murder of Cade Langmore (Trevor Long), leaving the audience shell-shocked. She plots his murder in such a way that leaves no hints of her involvement.
In a confrontation with Cade, Wendy expresses her anguish about how Cade attacked Charlotte while trying to find Marty's money, and offers him $500,000 to leave town. Just as he attempts to flee, a Navarro associate brutally shoots him and it is revealed that the pay-off was actually just a clever trick to get him out of her way.
Gold Coast ending
Taking the ropes from her husband Marty who is struggling with mental issues, Wendy decides not to break from the cartel and run. While he is planning to take his family to the Gold Coast, she tells him it would be more dangerous to be on the run.
Wendy decides to stay back in the Ozarks without even consulting Marty. It comes as a major twist in the series as it means that the family will continue to launder the money and carry on with their criminal activities.
With the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards set to be held at the Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, CA on Sunday, September 22, from 8 pm EDT onwards, it is yet to be seen who clinches the trophy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
Meanwhile, the third season of 'Ozark' is expected to go on the floors by 2019 end and hit the screens in 2020.