I have to admit, I love getting into a binge-worthy series. There are a number of shows that I watch, and by watch I really mean listen to them while doing other things. And as someone who thinks they’re good at multi-tasking (but really isn’t), it’s rare when a show demands my attention, pulling it away from surfing Facebook or Pinterest. One such show is Ozark. If you’re not watching Ozark, you should be, and I’m tempted to jump through the computer screen and check your pulse.
Without giving much away, the synopsis for Ozark from Wikipedia is as follows:
Financial planner Marty Byrde suddenly relocates the family from the Chicago suburb of Naperville to Osage Beach, a summer resort community in the Missouri Ozarks after a money laundering scheme goes wrong, and he must make amends to a Mexican drug cartel by setting up a bigger laundering operation in the Ozarks.
Not into shows about money laundering or drug cartels? Think again. Admittedly, this type of setup normally wouldn’t pull me in, but I decided to watch the first episode after many of my friends raved about it. After watching the first one I was hooked, and I bet you will be too. Here are five reasons you should be watching Ozark right now:
There are two seasons available to stream
What’s better than having one season to stream of your new favorite show? Having two! But seriously, no need to wait for season two to find out what happens next, since both are available now. Stream to your heart’s content, at least until the end of season two that is. Then you’ll be stuck waiting with the rest of us.
You’ll hope the bad guy wins
It’s always a bit of a mind bender when you’re cheering for the bad guy to win. With Marty and his family breaking the law, and the FBI on his tail, you celebrate the little victories of him escaping justice when he does. But what makes it all work is there are much worse guys than Marty to hate. All hail the anti-hero!
The writing is absolutely superb
Whoever writes for this show deserves a standing ovation. The character development, plot, themes, everything about this show is top-notch. You even find yourself hating the bad guys less and less through the multiple “save the cat” scenes. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Save the Cat, an excellent book on screenwriting, talks about the importance of showing a character’s softer side so the audience will connect with them. Like saving a cat from a tree, for example. There are many “save the cat moments” throughout the show, you can’t help but feel closer to the characters, despite their nefarious activity.
Jason Bateman gets serious
It’s nice to see an actor play a serious character, especially when you’re so used to seeing them in comedic roles. It shows the depth of Jason Bateman as an actor, and he plays Marty Byrde so well it makes me forget he even has a funny side. And sure, Bateman shines in his role, but so does the rest of the cast. Laura Linney is the perfect Bonnie to Bateman’s Clyde.
You’ll be able to join in on water cooler chatter
I’ll hazard a guess that a lot of people in your office are talking about this show, or would love to talk about it. Ask anyone who watches it and they’d love to sit around and wax hypothetical about what it might be like to actually launder money. Perhaps you’ll gain a co-conspirator, blow off your corporate job, and flee like the Byrdes. How hard could it be, right? But don’t do it, as tempting as it may be. The bad guy usually gets caught in the end, and I suspect the Byrdes will at some point too. Until then, I’ll be watching on the edge of my seat, cheering every time they dodge their inevitable fate.
Are you watching Ozark? What’s your favorite part about it? Sound off below.