Ozark (TV Series) A Hard Way to Go (2022) User Reviews

Realistic but unsatisfying

[flare2 · 8/10 · 5 May 2022]

Yes, I also wished for a gruesome death for Wendy. It would have been nice if Ruth escaped her family curse. Marty getting a redemption arc and finally doing something right for somebody else than Wendy would have also been appropriate.

But I can also see that this show is about realism and consequences. The ending made sense, the bad guys always win in real life.

Its not a bad ending, its just unsatisfying.

A Hard Way to Go

[bobcobb301 · 8/10 · 12 May 2022]

I feel like there was another season left in the show, but the cartel stuff was becoming too repetitive. Ruth got her demise after what seemed like a happy ending and they even went out similar to the Sopranos.

Good, but could have been better.

I'm surprised by the low ratings.

[fede_4488 · 8/10 · 1 May 2022]

Is it because the writers didn't give you what you wanted? The Byrds to pay? That a fan-favorite character was killed?

Well, that's life for ya. The bad guys win all the time.

I'm knocking 2 stars because of the non-event that was the car crash.

The Bleakest Ending Ever?

[ecatalan98 · 9/10 · 4 May 2022]

After reading so many bad reviews about Ozark's finale, I decided to step in. I ask those who didn't like the finale, what exactly did you expect? A happy ending? Ozark's finale makes "Breaking Bad's" finale look like a Disney happy ending. Now don't get me wrong: I'm a huge "Breaking Bad" fan and loved every second of it, but Ozark was like BB's sinister twin brother. Ozark has practically NO goofy moments, no comic relief whatsoever. It took itself dead serious to a fault.

As things kept building up towards the end, I was really intrigued by how the show would end, because all I could see were more episodes ahead... at least one more season. I understand those who say it ended "abruptly", but at the same time, it had nowhere else to go. In the end, the Byrds were probably the most sinister of the Ozarks' residents, leaving a trail of death behind caused either by their actions or by being directly involved.

In Ozark, the entire Byrd family "broke bad", not just Marty and Wendy Byrd. Even the morally centered of the family, Jonah ended up breaking really bad. It was a sinister finale but one that I think was realistic within that whole Ozark world. Yeah, the Byrds made it out physically alive, but mentally and morally demolished. It was a great show, extremely bleak and hopeless but ultimately very satisfying.

Spoilers

[theknownames · 9/10 · 25 May 2022]

The name of the show is Ozark. It's the main character. The family were forced there and made it work. They had a chance to get out but instead they chose evil one by one . Ruth representing Ozark was the fattened calf . She was reborn ( she spent an episode soaking wet , confessing and became clean) then she was sacrificed in the final episode as her dress suggests.

Some of the blatant gimmicks like dream scenes for example ,worked well season .

The third season demonstrated how the series could go on and on if it wanted to. The Birds were on a mission to get out of what Marty's business partner thrust them into in the first place .

They all became as bad as their captors. Wendy became the ringleader who resorted to tactics to keep her family in line. The family members had no escape at that point, the dad represented another non viable out.

The kids could have gone off on their own but they were cohered and chose to join in , Jonah's second kill was basically his initiation.

The show is rife with biblical and classic good and evil . It was tremendously entertaining and a modern fable. No one got their way , not even the viewer . The Birds won.

One take away is even Wendy Bird isn't so evil as to f with voting machines lol.

Such a Great Finale

[tristan_19 · 10/10 · 30 April 2022]

I applaude the writers of the show. Of course, not everyone will like that one, but I personally loved it.

The whole point here is to end the Byrdes' story, and A Hard Way to Go does it in a magnificent fashion. I love the final twist. Ozark has been teasing Jonah shooting someone with a rifle since day one, pretty much. First time, the bullets were out. Second, he left Helen live and shot a window. This time, the bullet went out.

Now, I don't know if he shot Mel, or if he shot the jar, therefore destroying the evidence. I think those are the two options. I love how this'll be a subject of discussion for years and years to come. Such a bold move, and I love it. We also have been teased with Mel's decision. Was he gonna go back, or stay and continue the investigation ?

The episode didn't need three hundred explosions and cartel wars. It was felt in the undertones. Story was clear from the get go. Omar had to go, in order to have Camila take control, and the FBI having access to money seizures through the casino. We also had to wrap up the Javi storyline, because Camila wouldn't have let the Byrdes go otherwise. So...

Do I love that Ruth died ? Absolutely not. But did it make sense in that situation ? Yes, definitely. Clare was put in this position by the Byrdes, and forced into it. It had to have consequences, and of course, she wouldn't have wanted her life continually in danger, since she was gonna have to deal with Camila and the cartel for years and years to come. She had to set things straight from her perspective. That bleeds into the Byrdes' life and the concept that no one come out clean. The Byrdes are definitely not clean. Actions have consequences, and it's the snowball effect, like described by Marty in 'Kaleidoscope'. Now, this'll haunt Marty and Wendy's lives forever. These events will stay with them. And this is, in a way, their punishment.

I freaking loved the Langmore scenes. Ruth imagining her whole family and Russ singing while sitting on the roof and talking to Wyatt was so poignant. And I would've loved that type of ending for her. But, to be fair, it would never have been a happy ending, because her whole family, except Three, was gone already. It would have been sadness and sadness forever. Her demise was such a twist in the gut, but yeah she had so many opportunities to stop pursuing Javi in episode 8. It was the beginning of the end for her, and she knew she was taking an unfortunate risk.

Apart from that, I absolutely love Charlotte and Jonah's relationship. This is the sweet part of the bittersweet finale. They will move on, and I am happy for them.

The dialogue is elite. Mel talking to Wendy and Marty about how the world works and everything is so impactful and interesting. It's not always the innocent people that make it on top. It's people with resources and will. Wendy did say to Marty he was underestimating people's will earlier in the season.

I also appreciated the one up on Nathan. Nathan never cared all that much for the kids. He just wanted to win one over Wendy. He was toxic from the get go and only saw his children as screw ups that he needed to put in a straight line. I don't think much love has ever emanated from that family anyway. Some good may have come from it, but... Eh it was just toxic all around if you ask me. Better the kids staying with Marty and Wendy.

Loved Rachel this season. She has another shot at running a local business, even tho it will be supervised by the FBI. But it will be on the straight narrow this time, and under the rules. Sam got an happy ending, finally. I am so happy for him at that point.

Anyway, enough rambling. I hope that people will see above the 70 minutes presented to them. I hope, in all honesty, folks will be able to take a step back and actually think about the themes and the characters. I genuinelly loved the tone and the concepts of the episode. It was dark, twisted, thought provoking and engaging. Just because you may not have liked that one decision or one aspect doesn't mean the whole thing is bad. It's just the vision and version of the producers. Take what you want from it. Make it your experience.

See ya.

Rushed

[IMDbUser123456 · 4 May 2022]

Wow, I had a feeling the ending was going to be underwhelming for the last half of the season but I didn't expect this. It just felt rushed and like a cheap cop out, kill off some key people for no reason.

Have all the characters do uncharacteristic stuff and then just end it with no conclusions to anything. This whole show has been a solid 8.5-9/10 for me, such a shame that it had to get a 1/10 ending. Just another addition to the "Amazing series with horribly written ending" pile.

They killed the wrong people-could have ended so much better

[ErinsGloma · 6/10 · 1 May 2022]

This was a great show but the last few episodes left me disappointed. Something was wrong with the pacing. Also I saw the twist with Navarro's sister from the beginning. Not realistic that they were so late to catch on. Also Wendy's motivations and actions made no sense. Ruth should have survived. I wanted Wendy and Camilla to get their due. Wendy's dad's character did not make sense. Again the motivation was unrealistic. The kids started out interesting but at the end they seemed inconsistent and empty characters. The dialogue was not very good.

Ozark finale: A no-holes-barred EPIC and realistic resolution

[Top_Dawg_Critic · 10/10 · 12 May 2022]

I'm shocked at all the low reviews... what did y'all want? A Hollywood fairytale ending? This ending was perfection, it wasn't overboard, or underwhelming, it was just right. Karma came around full circle, and for all the stress and anxiety the Byrde's went through all the seasons - because of other peoples mess ups, they were shielded (car accident), and rewarded (the foundation), and got what they earned/deserved, as did everyone else. And the very ending with Jonah, was writing perfection... he has now become a man, and finally understands the sacrifices his family (and now him) needed to make in order to survive - especially with all the hurdles they were "forced" to jump. This is as real-life of a resolution the writers could've chosen, without being Hollywood-ish or cheesy. Legit epic writing and I applaud them for creating and finishing (properly) my top three favorite series of all time, just below Breaking Bad and I'd say equal to GOT. I will miss every part of the Byrdes - even the annoying but needed character of Wendy. R. I. P. Ozark, and hats off to the entire production and the stellar cast, you will all be missed! But the realistic anxiety, tension and stress you made me feel throughout won't be missed. Thank you for the amazing trip, and thank you Netflix for this gem. 10/10.

Not quite Breaking Bad, but not a GoT disaster

[gsmangat1971 · 7/10 · 3 May 2022]

The last instalment of Ozark was not as enthralling as the previous episodes, but then again the bar was set so high the expectations were always going to outweigh the end product.

I do however feel that the reviews fail to reflect the brilliance of this wonderful series. In fact the majority of reviewers are basing their judgement on what they wanted to happen, rather than what actually happened.

My suggestion would be, go back and watch the first episode. The tone is set for the show and the protagonists from the outset; the Byrde's are like that cat that fully intend to use their nine lives.

What was the point in the car crash lmao

[kvckhw · 5/10 · 30 April 2022]

Bruh , they set up this omg car crash teaser for no one to die but not only that no one was injured 😭😭 that car flipped about 7 times and was upside down like bro ??? And jsut for no one to die from it , it was a pointless build up like there was no need for it ? Am I wrong ?

Solid ending to a Brilliant Series

[geopchap · 8/10 · 30 June 2023]

Ozark provided an intense gripping storyline throughout the four seasons that ended not too far off the standard it had set. The ending scene with Mel does leave room for speculation but the take from the series remains the same: The Byrdes destroyed everyone around them in order to achieve their 'happiness'.

Yet, it was interesting that we are left with Jonah pointing the gun at Mel as it felt noticeable to me that whenever the Byrdes had made progress towards getting out the family seemed to come together into a collective unit in survival mode, despite the clear fact that Jonah and Charlotte both had significant periods where they despised and resented their parents.

Can't wait for the spin off series of Sam's time in North Carolina...

the right conclusion, the criticisms are ridiculous.

[horrorules · 7/10 · 5 May 2022]

Usually, in crime series, told through the eyes of criminals, the ending is always the same, the criminal loses, or is arrested or dies (Breaking Bad, The Shield, Gomorrah, Boardwalk Empire etc ...) to get the message across. , even just be clear, that crime does not pay, but unfortunately, sometimes, crime pays and those who are rotten manage to get by, here, in Ozark this happens, evil triumphs, no one is good, Marty and Wendy are rotten from head to toe and so are their children, Jonah, who seemed the most honest of them all, turns out to be a cold-blooded killer, and finally, when it seems this fake and dysfunctional family can finally get what it deserves. ... he manages to win, evil is not punished, sometimes this also happens and therefore all the pathetic bigoted moralists who complain because they wanted good to triumph over evil can go and see Harry Potter, or other stupid fairy tales, life does not it is a fairy tale and as said at times , evil unfortunately triumphs.

My vote is a 7, or 7/8 to the whole series because IMHO is not a masterpiece like Gomorrah or Breaking Bad, but it is still a good series.

Absolutely Slap-Dash and Horrible!

[jhnbkrzrh · 1/10 · 25 May 2022]

What a sloppy piece of writing. After all this, it wraps-up with the most relatable character, who deserves a break, getting killed by this new, soulless, murdering, underdeveloped sister character, who is now their new partner? The Birds skate, and their 15-year-old son is now a cold blooded killer? Just another body for the oven, I guess. Maybe they will put his ashes in with Ben's? Stupid. There were a100 other ways to go, that would have had more meaning. Killing off Ruth was just wrong. So, the moral is, the Birds came from Chicago, and almost everyone they met at the Lake, or anyone who got in their way, is now dead. Great storytelling. Used to love this show. It deserved a MUCH better ending.

Years of conditioning has prepared audiences to be dismayed by this series' conclusion

[Amthermandes · 9/10 · 21 January 2023]

I love this show. It's one of the most intense shows I've ever seen, and I've seen some dark, soul-crushing stuff. It certainly brings you in. And a lot has happened up until this point, where it all comes to an end. But I feel like many shows in the past have led audiences to become accustomed to an expected outcome, and I applaud this show for not bowing to these habitual needs of the average viewer.

It doesn't end the way you'd think it'd end, whether you think it'll end in the worst way possible, or the best. That's all I'm going to say about that, because the last thing I wanna do is spoil the ending. But let's just say, it's a very fitting ending, and a triumphant conclusion to an excellent feat in story writing.

I will say that I am impressed with the little details. When you get this far in the show, take a look at the necklace Wendy is wearing. You can make your own inferences to explain the decisions made by the creators regarding that little detail, but for myself, I feel like it sums up her character perfectly. Something is sideways, when it's usually one way or the other. There are other little details that helps make this finale so good, but that's one of my favorites.

Things happen. People might be angry about it, but think about the Sopranos ending. It angered a lot of people, but there was a YouTube video I watched that explained the ending, that made so much freaking sense, I went from being angry about the ending, to thinking it was the most creatives and brilliant way to end a series I've ever heard of. Can't remember the video, but it taught me something about shows like this: You can't take the conclusion at face value. There's so much more to it than what you see. I think Ozark is almost on the same level as The Sopranos or Breaking Bad. It's not quite there, but the ending is amazing when you really look into it and analyze it. My advice, is to keep in mind that some writers do NOT want to spoon feed you everything, let alone the climax of the whole story. Think for yourselves.

I applaud the writers for having the balls to write this ending. Well done.

Solid ending to an amazing series

[brandonmckay8 · 8/10 · 7 May 2022]

One of my favourite series of recent times & a fitting ending in my view. The whole car accident thing from S4E1 leading back to the finale seemed pretty pointless in hindsight & the main thing I didn't like. I get it was to show that they're untouchable but felt like a bit of a anticlimax to the entire build up. As much as the death of Ruth will divide most fans I think that was the right decision for the way the season had built till that point. She was my favourite character & I would've loved her to get a happier ending but that had to be the way it went after the Byrdes didn't call the number Navarro gave them setting the remainder of events in motion. A fitting ending for Netflix's best original.

Cookie Jar Not Breaking The Final Twist?

[sumtim3s00n · 30 April 2022]

I dont know anymore with this show.

Shouldnt we hear the jar break when Mel is shot. I mean if theyre going for an audio conclusion?

And shouldnt a ex-cop with years of experience have his streets smarts about him and not go directly to the home of a cartel connected familyalone, a family that disappeared many people and be equipped only with his superior morals and a go-to attitude ? I wouldnt do that nor I think would anyone even without police experience.

Sometimes the show has these flashes of brilliance while other times it is written lazily, forgetting previously introduced characters, forcing conflicts and NEVER resolving ANYTHING and in general lots of stretching out the plot.

So I was a bit dissapointed, you kind of think you get to know the characters but they change on a dime to fit the story or to force some melodrama filler.

It was a show that had quality foundations but the builders were too often very sloppy.

True to the whole series

[plendach-73289 · 9/10 · 30 April 2022]

The naysayers are those who view themselves as wantabe critics. The truth is that the twist and turns were there to the end. I will miss this show terribly.

"This is messed up, you know that right?"

[bosporan · 6/10 · 4 May 2022]

A disappointing damp squib of an ending, as if the writers ran out of time. It is not a disgusting betrayal like Game of Thrones, but is rushed and the choices over winners and losers seems contrived.

This series has been awesome with each season better than the one preceding and overall, top class TV. It is possible this has coloured my view of the ending having had my expectations stoked up.

Disturbing end

[babicddb · 10/10 · 13 May 2022]

I understand those who are dissatisfied with the end and who give low rates to the last episode, emotional reactions, but the end is not like in GOT in which the last couple of episodes are just garbage, in Ozark the end is cruel but realistic, no sugar and spice and everything nice.

Not an ending that's gonna be liked by all

[FilmManRetaliates · 7/10 · 30 April 2022]

Ozark is probably one of the most underrated crime-drama shows of all time. It deserved a lot more attention and exposure than what it got.

Despite that, the ending was not quite up to the mark if you consider the quality of the whole series. It was not a bad ending by any mean, but it could have been a whole lot better. At least, the fans of the show were probably expecting something better, maybe even at the expense of having a more tragic ending.

I thank the showrunner for creating this amazing series. It was a quality show and I will miss it badly.

Pathetic ending to a fantastic show

[pankajgirips · 1/10 · 2 July 2022]

What a disgusting way to end one of my favorite shows (just like Game of Thrones). Death of the most loved character, character assassinations (Marty and Jonah), the most evil character not getting any punishment. It was still interesting until the final episode, but the finale ruined everything. Disappointed.

Part 2

[matiasbockerman · 9/10 · 1 May 2022]

It was realistic ending, if you didn't like outcome, you still don't have to give those one Star reviews... Overall this is My one favourite Show of all Time. Sure, they should make five seasons, to wrap up this, use some Time for it. But still, this was quite a ride from start to finish.

The end?

[kyrross · 6/10 · 4 May 2022]

Why cant they take a good look at breaking bad and write an ending that wrap the story. If you know a season would be your last, then you close the circle, you sharpen your script so all loose ends come to a resolution... And not that 'Let the audience figure it out' or ' it is an open ending, so anything is possible'... those are writers laziest excuses to not apply themselves. Yes, ending a story is the hardest part of a movie/serie. That what an audience is left with when departing from it. And if the writers painted themselves in a corner, that is their problem to solve, not ours. This leave a sour taste in my mouth knowing we may never have a proper conclusion to this otherwise, great show. And that is why show like breaking bad are so rare... start, middle and end were tought... and in the end, we judge a piece of art as whole. Ozark miss his landing, and we will wondering if a season 5 will happen to finish the tale...

I can't emphasize how much disappointment this ending gave me...

[umutakbulut-35045 · 1/10 · 24 June 2022]

I must clarify that the writers did not spend any effort on the episode and find how to resolve the built-up tension through four seasons! It felt like a last-minute homework of a terrible student. I bet they sold the rights of the episode to unintelligent people who are inexperienced and uneducated in the film industry. The car accident scene in the first episode came out like nothing! It does not contribute to the plot at all, and they came out in one piece and walked like nothing happened one hour later. It was not even a cartel's kill order or something, just a stupid accident. Ruth came out of the car, unarmed, and taunted the cartel to kill her after so many things she overcame. Are you serious? She has a sniper rifle in his house, and they killed the cartel's hitman who came to kill her and buried him in his backyard just recently. She is too clever and careful to be killed like that. Why did Jonah kill the PI like nothing? He had decided to escape that life with a grandpa he barely got to know, and Ruth pointed a gun at their beloved grandpa, so Jonah suddenly changed his mind and wanted to be a murderer of an innocent man who only did his job? Marty could be the new boss of the cartel with the support of the FBI, but he chose to be a captive worker to Camilla instead, who is more dangerous than Omar. Are you kidding me? An atrocious, stupid ending to a wonderful scenario. What a waste.