Ozark Season Two: Do We Need More Murda Muzik?

The first season of Ozark was a surprise. Possibly it was as surprise hit even, though it was talked about plenty, but not the level of obsession that can easily occupy the summer TV conversation. What I remember of that first season was the attempt to make Breaking Bad Lite. Seemingly decent people caught up in some shady shit, which reveals them to be incredibly good at being not great people. But also reveals, they weren’t all that great to begin with. The other borrowed device from one of the best shows every made definitely was sewn into the structure of how conflict was handled. The writers would often write the characters (the Byrdes usually) into corners to up the stakes at each turn, then find ways to write them out of it. It worked more than it didn’t. But the second season usually means the stakes are higher, the odds are longer, the losses inevitable. As season two begins, not really. Once the threat of death to you and everyone you (supposedly) love are constantly present, its hard to ratchet up the intensity. Marty Byrd (Jason Bateman) and his family are still torn between rival factions, this time as they try to build a casino, one that will wash both the Cartel’s money and the local color of dixie mafia-esque organizations. Another local faction rises as well, only to be handled within an episode. And this is where Ozark being a slickly produced, wholly competent and swiss watch of show falters. It’s too neat to be great.

Marty & Wendy (played by the dazzling…