One of the most alluring aspects of Netflix’s Ozark is how well-written it is. In four seasons, Jason Bateman’s creative team has strung together many airtight episode focused on how Marty Byrde went down to the Ozarks with his family to wash money for the Navarro cartel. However, upon dissection of the first season, Marty only managed to survive due to a couple glaring plot holes, so let’s see how these plot holes impacted Season 1.
Garcia was sent by the Navarro cartel to monitor Marty, as well as to bring more cash for him to wash in the Ozarks. Garcia started becoming troublesome, though, threatening Marty’s family, along with associates like Ruth. He made it clear he was a hitman who wouldn’t hesitate to protect his boss’ interests, which is why it was so satisfying when Buddy took a gunshot to him in the living room.
Buddy blew a window out as well, which left Marty’s family petrified. The couch and that overall corner of the house was covered with blood and guts in a frankly gory scene, with Buddy then telling the family (sans Marty) to flee. However, Del Rio, the real general, would come up later and interrogate Marty at home. Del Rio kept asking for Garcia, but Marty said maybe the cartel’s rivals came down from Mexico and gotten to him.
The shocking thing is, all the evidence was right there in the house, pointing to a gunfight occurring, yet Del Rio somehow didn’t spot the red flag, despite the kitchen being right next to the living room. In addition, all Del Rio had to do was track Garcia’s phone, which he did with other subordinates. Del Rio would have realized Marty burned him at the family’s funeral home, which was used to launder too. He even called right when the incineration began so he would have discovered Marty lied about Garcia and betrayed his boss.
Marty eventually took Del Rio to Darlene and Jason Snell to negotiate, not just the opium deal, but a casino for both parties to launder. The FBI was monitoring this, though, using the local sheriff to form a blockade outside the farm. Plus, Agent Petty gave them Del Rio’s plates to make it easier.
All they had to do was wait until Marty and Del Rio left, as the sheriff didn’t grant a warrant for them to raid the meeting. After all, they had no probable cause to invade, so it was all a game of patience; however, after the Snells murdered several people, Marty came down in Del Rio’s car alone, but seeing as Del Rio wasn’t inside, he was allowed to head home.
This made no sense, though, because the FBI spotted him with Del Rio and the driver earlier, so seeing as they heard gunshots, Marty should have become a person of interest to interrogate. More so, Marty driving off with the car means he was either stealing it from Del Rio or Del Rio’s team was killed inside. However, the feds didn’t put a tail on the car or put Marty under surveillance after. Had they done this, they’d have tracked him to the new team Navarro would send down, as well as to the Snells as they repaired the partnership to distribute heroin.
Ozark Season 4: Part 1 becomes available on Netflix Jan. 21.
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