Netflix takes dark drive through Ozarks with new series

Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) is on the move after a money-laundering scheme
goes wrong. With his wife Wendy (Laura Linney) and their two kids, he moves
from Chicago to The Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri to pay off his debt to a drug
lord (Esai Morales) in order to keep his family safe. This Netflix series was
created by Bill Dubuque and premiered on July 21, 2017.

The first episode of the show begins with Marty Byrde working a typical day at his
and his partner’s financial planning firm. He is called to a meeting with his partner
where he is held at gun point and accused of skimming money from the Mexican
drug lord. Byrde’s partner is killed, but Byrde is able to convince the drug lord
that he can get him his money back if he goes to The Lake of the Ozarks. Since
many people vacation there, Byrde is sure that they will be able to take
advantage of the vacation crowd. The drug lord give Byrde forty-eight hours to
pack up and move his whole family to the new location.

As the show continues, the Byrde family needs to buy a waterfront house to keep
up appearances. The only waterfront house they can afford in the Ozarks comes
with a catch – the original owner, Buddy, an elderly man who only has eighteen
months to live, is guaranteed a place in the basement until his death. The Byrde
family agrees to buy the house and move in with Buddy.

This dramatic Netflix series is rated TV-MA because of violence and
inappropriate content. The writing is well done sharing bits of humor especially in
the way that Marty is able to talk himself out of anything and the addition of
Buddy to their family.

I would recommend this series to anyone who likes a story that is entertaining
and engaging, but somewhat dark. The main characters make you worry for
them as they are trying to fix their circumstances and find a way to reconnect.
With three seasons produced, this show keep you on the edge of your seat for
awhile.

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