Content Warning: The following article contains spoilers for the Netflix series Ozark.
The well-written characters on Netflix’s Ozark have said some unforgettable lines throughout the years, with the best ones often perfectly summing up their unique personalities.
From Helen’s definition of power to Wendy’s realization about her life of crime, each character in the gripping series has a compelling way of describing and reacting to the dangerous circumstances around them. With the recent release of the fourth and final season of Ozark, it’s the best time to look back at some of the iconic quotes that capture the fan-favorite characters’ personalities.
Ben Davis:
“I Know I F****d Up. I’m Trying To Fix It.”
Fans can’t be blamed for feeling horrible for Ben after he gets tangled up in a mess that he started. Ben’s relationship with Wendy is put to the test when she realizes his repeated mistakes could get her entire family killed.
It’s almost too painful to watch Ben try “to fix it” by calling Helen and lying to Wendy, as he continuously makes things worse. Creating problems and trying and failing to fix them isn’t new for Ben, though, as Wendy has pointed out that he tends to do so wherever he goes. Unfortunately for Ben, he won’t ever get a chance to fix his mistake with the cartel, as it is the last he’ll ever make.
Wyatt Langmore:
“You See, I’m A Cursed Langmore, Long Inured To Violence And Death.”
Wyatt’s essay is a brilliant in-depth look into his troubled mind and it predictably breaks Ruth’s heart. His father’s death is the last straw for him, as he’s accepted that as a “cursed Langmore,” hardships and unfairness are just a part of his life.
His essay perfectly captures what it’s like to live as Langmore from his perspective. The “violence and death” he sees in his daily life is enough to discourage him from trying to change his situation. Instead of pursuing college and a relationship with Charlotte, he burrows deeper into his despondence, believing that it’s his only option.
Helen Pierce:
“It’s The First Law Of Power. Those Who Can, S**t On Others. Those Who Can’t, Clean It Up.”
Helen says some of the most ruthless things on the show, as she is often responsible for executing Navarro’s brutal orders in the US. Her line about “the first law of power” speaks volumes about what she does as the cartel’s lawyer.
She knows exactly where her place is and what she can and cannot do. Fans may recall how she warns Wendy against speaking her mind in front of Navarro, as Helen does not have the same ambitious drive she does. When she talks about having power, it’s ironic that in a lot of situations, she doesn’t have it at all and is often the one tasked to “clean it up.”
Darlene Snell:
“This Is About Respect.”
Viewers never really know exactly what to expect from Darlene, which is an important part of what makes her such a great character. If there’s one thing fans know for sure, it’s that she values respect – anyone who doesn’t show it will likely get shot in the face like Del.
Her violent actions and extensive plotting against the Byrdes and the cartel are all driven by a feeling that the Snells and their land have been disrespected. Her twisted rationale likely frames her as the victim in the whole situation, even though she’s a corrupt criminal like everyone else.
Buddy Dieker:
“You Gotta Act And Let Everybody Else React.”
The Byrdes can always rely on Buddy to point them in the right direction. The old-timer has a lot of insightful advice that comes from years of experience in dealing with criminals and mobsters.
His firm and smart advice about letting “everybody else react” helps Marty realize that he can’t just keep running away from the cartel and the Snells. It’s just like Buddy to remind the underdog to be tough in the face of impossible odds, as it’s likely something he has had to do several times in his life.
Charlotte Byrde:
“I Have To Pretend Like The Worst, Scariest, Most Damaging Thing In My Life Is Actually F*****g Awesome.”
It’s easy to forget that Charlotte and Jonah are just kids. As a teenager with a solid group of friends in Chicago, it was extremely difficult for Charlotte to just leave everything behind. She tries to create some sense of normalcy in the Ozarks by hanging out with new people and doing typical rebellious teen activities.
Just like she admits to Wendy, however, all of these do nothing to change the “most damaging thing” that has happened to her. She’s forced to pretend, along with her parents, that everything is okay, which isn’t easy to do when hitmen and criminals become part of her new reality.
Jonah Byrde:
“If We Survive The Night Are We Still Grounded?”
Since Jonah is much younger than Charlotte, he adapts in a completely different way. Jonah is surprisingly brave and can handle even the scariest situations, sometimes even managing to joke about them. Fans may remember how he shrugs off what Darlene does to his hair as just another wacky event in his new town.
When he makes a joke about being “grounded” after surviving yet another dangerous night with his family, no one is taken aback by his nonchalance. It’s not that Jonah doesn’t understand the gravity of the situation he’s in, but that he has learned to expect them and face them with courage.
Ruth Langmore:
“What The F**k Are You Gonna Do? Kill Me, You F****n’ B***h Wolf?”
Ruth is a character who won’t tolerate nonsense. She’s quick to respond with a witty insult when Frank Jr. offends her and the Langmore family knows not to mess with her. Marty and Wendy haven’t learned this lesson yet, though, and they don’t expect her reaction after Ben’s death.
Ruth is horrified and hurt by her boyfriend’s death and she has had enough. When the Byrdes attempt to remind her she can’t just quit a cartel, she responds in classic Ruth fashion and insults Wendy in a jarring but hilarious way.
Marty Byrde:
“Sometimes People Make Decisions, S**t Happens, And We Gotta Act Accordingly.”
Marty is one of the best characters in the series, as it’s initially through his eyes that viewers experience the wild world of the drama show. His line about acting accordingly perfectly captures how he has handled everything the cartel has thrown at him from the start.
Although he sometimes loses his cool, Marty is almost always composed, calculating, and calm. He understands that there’s nothing left to do but deal with whatever happens, which is a better step than dwelling on them or letting emotions overwhelm him. It’s an admirable but slightly unsettling skill that he has showcased several times.
Wendy Byrde:
“Fighting For Your Life Makes Every Other Thing You Ever Did Before Seem Extremely Dull.”
Wendy may never admit it, but she enjoys risk and power. Fighting for her life has reminded her that she’s capable of incredible things, even if most of them are horrific. She may have once used the excuse of keeping her family safe to mask the fact that she loves their dangerous life in the Ozarks, but over time, she has shown that she is embracing her new role as Navarro’s go-to person in the US.
No matter how much Marty protests, Wendy could never go back to a dull, safe, and certain life. She’s had a taste of the exciting life full of possibilities that comes with a perilous connection with the cartel, and she’s never going back.
