'Ozark' Season 3 Episode 2 Review: Ruth remains ruthless, but what is Wendy's brother Ben really up to?
The Navarro Cartel is falling apart and Wendy Byrde (Laura Linney) believes she has a plan that could help Helen Pierce's (Janet McTeer) client live legitimately even if the worst of tragedy befalls. She manages to convince the drug lord himself by luring him into expanding his business which gives him a foothold in the time of war.
However, little does Wendy know her only option for a lakeside casino would be Mud Bunny, whose owners Anita and Carl are hellbent on not letting their family business of years go despite receiving a generous offer from both her and Helen.
Meanwhile, the episode also introduces us to Wendy’s eccentric brother Ben Davis (Tom Pelphrey), who is a paragon of virtue and widely talks about philosophy. However, he lands up in his sister’s residence as an unwelcome guest seeking shelter after he loses his job in an episode of rage at a school.
What comes across more intriguing is his relationship with Wendy. She's not only a different person with him but also their jokes and perceptions seem to fit better.
When everything else fails Wendy, Ruth Langmore (Julia Garner) uses the opportunity to help Marty get a new casino by planning a slot scam at Big Muddy's.
Meanwhile, Marty, who was running his own plans to thwart Wendy and Helen's sees himself in a helpless situation when FBI agents descend on Missouri Belle Casino to monitor its functioning for a month.
From Wendy going beyond extremes to not lose to Anita and Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) setting the casino opposite Big Muddy on fire, their actions are highly influenced by the desperation to be ahead of the other, even if it could cost lives.
Furthermore, Ruth is exploring her options unable to deal with Marty's "s**t". But, it's hard to not think beyond that knowing her history with Helen.
Ruth is the one who materialized the entire slot scam at Big Muddy, well aware of Helen’s interests in acquiring the old couple’s property. Are Ruth’s actions driven by more than just her desire to help Marty own another casino?
However, more than Marty, it’s the newly formed trio that seems to be walking into the lion’s den. By wiretapping Wendy’s phone calls, Marty has learned enough to be alarmed about her growing proximity with the drug lord.
And, there’s Wendy’s baby brother Ben, whose sudden appearance is not paid much heed owing to a mountain of issues the Byrdes already have to deal with. However, we can't stop wondering what his true intentions of coming to Ozark are.
Marty isn’t new to the vicious world of the drug cartels. His plans are bound to fail before Helen and now Wendy's even if he goes to hell and back. Wendy is on her own now with her never-ending dreams further fueled by her new achievement with the scam at Big Muddy.
'Ozark' Season 3 is available to stream on Netflix.
