andarasean-00995

...it's over. I realize that this is my personal preference but the only show I like created by Netflix/Marvel is Daredevil. But even Daredevil's stellar team comprised of Charlie Cox, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Hensen, Scott Glenn, Elodie Yung et al., could not save this cliché-riddled show with the cheesiest dialogue ever. Instead of memorable fight scenes (the hallway fight scenes in DD seasons 1 and 2.) the plot is smothered with excessive brawling until it becomes outright monotonous. Hopefully DD will return without the other Defenders and focus on plot and dialogue rather than almost exclusively on mindless brawn.

To say this series is intense would be an understatement. Be warned: Ozark is not family friendly as it has a multitude of graphic violence, nudity, mature language and sexual themes. Not for children. I am not a big fan of contemporary dramas, but it was Jason Bateman's outstanding performance in The Gift that led me to check out Ozark. And his character Marty Byrde delivers the same smug arrogance as a finance adviser turned greedy money launderer whose circumstances hurdles the patriarch into survival mode, which is tested repeatedly. Laura Linney is brilliant as his unfaithful/neglected wife Wendy Byrde who proves she is as much as an urbane grifter as her husband. Everyone in the cast delivered superb performances. The drama-charged first episode managed to pull me into the entire series and although some of the plot seems downright incredible (disbelief) I was captivated until the end. Look forward to a second season.