'Ozark' Season 3: Wendy is a 'power-hungry b***h' but why do fans still love her?

No matter how manipulative and shrewd she is, Wendy's character is what makes 'Ozark' so gripping and gritty, isn't it?
PUBLISHED APR 1, 2020
Laura Linney as Wendy Byrde (Netflix)
Laura Linney as Wendy Byrde (Netflix)

Spoilers for 'Ozark' Season 3 Episode 1-10

Wicked and shrewd, Wendy Byrde (Laura Linney) seems to have taken the spotlight in 'Ozark' Season 3 as she didn't even leave her husband Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) out of the power battle.

Perhaps, the best scene in the season was when Sue Shelby (Marylouise Burke), the therapist, finally brings the cat out of the bag: "What does it say about a marriage when a husband and wife both try to bribe the therapist?" When the couple finds out they are both doing the same thing to keep arguments at bay, more arguments ensue and it soon turns into a big fight. When Marty blatantly calls Wendy a "power-hungry b***h", she storms off.

Fans agree that she certainly is a "power-hungry b***h", but they still seem to love her character. "I'm sorry but I have no problem with Wendy and Marty. Someone, please shoot Helen and Darlene. #ozark," one wrote.

Jason Bateman as Marty and Laura Linney as Wendy (Netflix)

Another fan posted, "Wendy is a boss b***h towards the end of Season 2 while Marty is being a little b***h #Ozark."

It isn't surprising, considering even after taking some really selfish and manipulative steps, she is still ahead in the game. One fan went on to say, "Just here to remind you that Wendy and Ruth are the superior characters in #Ozark."

Another posted, "Wendy is such a f******g phenomenal character. Laura Linney knocks it out of the F*****G park. #Ozark." Another fan posted, "Laura Linney’s warm and comforting smile is a major part of what makes the cold and sinister side of Wendy Byrde so great. #Ozark."

Not all viewers seem to like her though. Some, just like Marty, believe that she is a b***h indeed. "I’m not feeling Wendy this season. Episode 4 and she out of pocket," one said and another posted, "Wendy Byrde is such a snake. I don't trust that one bit."

Tom Pelphrey as Ben Davis and Laura Linney as Wendy Byrde (Netflix)

At the end of the season, after Wendy leaves her brother Ben Davis (Tom Pelphrey) to die, her humanity comes through in waves. Impressed by the narrative, fans complimented the graph and said, "@batemanjason Season 3 Episode 9 of #Ozark is easily the saddest TV episode I have ever seen. So raw. So real. It humanized Wendy. It made me feel so sad for Ben. It really highlighted mental illness issues and the struggles that families deal with for their loved ones. Well done." Another viewer said, "I can’t believe Wendy left her bro to die. What a fkn b***h."

What's more, Ben's death is also an indication that her son Jonah Byrde (Skylar Gaertner) might soon turn against her. Nevertheless, Wendy's character is what keeps the show gripping and gritty, isn't it? Perhaps, that's why it is Helen Pierce (Janet McTeer) who gets the bullet in her head.

As the show gets renewed for Season 4, it will be interesting to see what the Byrdes do to survive the upcoming storms. If you still haven't watched the show, catch up on all 10 episodes on Netflix.

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