Ozark ending explained: Did [spoiler] commit murder in season 4 part 2?

Meanwhile, Ruth’s former mentor Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) and his ruthless wife Wendy (Laura Linney) attempted to finalise a deal that would set them up for life and in a position of great influence.

With plenty of blood already on their hands, disaster soon strikes for the Byrdes in season 4, part 2, but do they manage to hold on to their dreams and get that fresh start?

RadioTimes.com breaks down that epic finale for Ozark.

**MAJOR SPOILER WARNING for the finale of Ozark**

Ozark season 4 part 2 ending explained

Ozark deaths: Who died in Ozark season 4?

The Ozark body count was already high before season 4 part 2, but the series' final chapter added some additional names to the pile:

• Javier "Javi" Elizonndro - murdered by Ruth Langmore, who was hungry for revenge following Javi's murder of her cousin Wyatt Langmore
• Nelson - killed by Rachel Garrison in self-defence
• Omar Navarro - executed by a rogue prison officer on the orders of Camila Elizondro and the FBI (more on that later)
• Ruth Langmore - murdered by Camila Elizonndro, who sought revenge for the death of her son Javi at Ruth's hands

Of course, it will be the death of Ruth that will hit fans the hardest, but she went out with steely resistance, showing no remorse for murdering Javi and shouting at Camila to get on with it.

These characters were killed in the second half of the season, but the following died in the first half of Ozark season 4.

• Sheriff John Nix - The local sheriff was murdered by Javi Elizondro
• Frank Cosgrove Sr.- The trucking company boss and head of the Kansas City Mafia was murdered by Darlene Snell.
• Darlene Snell - The opium grower was murdered by Javi Elizondro.
• Wyatt Langmore - Ruth's cousin and Darlene's husband was murdered by Javi Elizondro.

These join the previously dead characters of Helen Pierce, Ben Davis, therapist Sue Shelby, Cade Langmore, Agent Roy Petty, Jacob Snell, Boyd Langmore and Russ Langmore, plus many, many others.

Why did Ozark kill off Ruth Langmore?

It will be the death of Ruth Langmore that will no doubt hit fans the hardest.

However, actress Julia Garner has explained why she felt this was quite a natural conclusion for the character after all she has been through.

On Ruth's ending, actress Julia Garner told Time that she believed Ruth died when her cousin Wyatt Langmore (Charlie Tahan) was killed: "She wasn’t going to voluntarily quit life, but I think she was so dead inside that if given an opportunity to die, she wouldn’t say no. In the end, it’s not her going over to death, it’s death coming over to her.

"By the end of the season, she didn’t care about living. She did what she needed to do, she killed Javi, and after that mission, she was like a ghost.

Meanwhile, explaining why they chose to kill Ruth off - which was not always planned for the show - showrunner Chris Munday told Vanity Fair that there needed "repercussions" to each of the characters' actions and to avoid a "fairytale ending".

Ruth's death was also foreshadowed in the preceding episodes with ominous lyrics in the rap tracks by Nas and also her consistent visions and interactions with dead family members, including her beloved cousin Wyatt Langmore.

Of course, the wardrobe choice of a white dress by Ruth in the finale should also have been a clue.

But can the same be said for private investigator Mel Sattem?

Did Jonah Byrde really kill Mel Sattem in Ozark season 4?

Yes, Jonah Byrde did kill Mel Sattem.

We thought we'd seen the last of Mel Sattem after Marty and Wendy used their contacts and deep pockets to have him reinstated back into the Chicago PD to ensure that he didn't testify against them in family court. But Mel's conscience sent him straight back to the Ozarks, with goat cookie jar in hand, where he confronted the Bydres about Ben's death.

Marty and Wendy offered to pay him off, but Mel wasn't interested.

"You don't get to win," he said. "You don't get to be the Kochs or the Kennedys."

But before he could continue, Jonah cocked a shotgun and pointed it directly at him. Mel fell silent, raising his free hand slowly as Marty, Wendy and Charlotte silently observed the tense scene.

Suddenly, a shot rang out but we weren't privy to what happened. Did Jonah murder Mel? Or was it just a threat? Is the youngest Byrde really capable of such an act?

We've witnessed Jonah wield a firearm before – on one occasion he pointed a gun at Helen, and on another, he sprayed bullets at the windows in their home – so his actions in the finale are unsurprising. But does he have the capacity to kill?

The expression on Marty and Wendy's faces was something akin to pride, which contrasts with their previous parenting style. But with Mel refusing to back down, this appears to be the only solution – and what's one more inconsequential death if it means ensuring their liberty?

In an interview with Vanity Fair, showrunner Chris Mundy confirmed that Jonah did indeed kill Mel but wanted the audience to question whether this was a good thing or not.

"We wanted people to think about the reality of what happened, not just in the context of watching a TV show, but also in whatever reality these characters are going to keep living in," revealed Mundy.

What now for the cartel in Ozark?

Navarro believed that he would be extradited back to Mexico, where he would be released from prison following Marty and Wendy's payments to corrupt personnel and once again resume his full-time role as head of the cartel.

He would also be scrubbed from the SDN list, leaving him free to conduct his business as before, with his assets free from government sanctions, with Marty travelling back to Mexico to resume his role.

Navarro had also instructed the Byrdes to have his sister Camila killed after he clocked that she was the one who ordered the attempt on his life.

But little did he know that deals were being made behind his back, none of which benefitted him.

Camila had Navarro killed and was installed as head of the cartel. She would continue to work with the FBI – Navarro agreed to a five-year deal with them – providing intelligence that would lead to monetary seizures.

"We're not looking for a payout, we're looking for a relationship,” said an FBI boss to Navarro in part 1.

The authorities know they'll never be able to stamp out cartel operations in Mexico, so they opt fore the next best option: positive PR generated, courtesy of a steady stream of raids.

Part of the cartel's income will continue to come from Clare Shaw, who needs their "raw materials" for her pharmaceutical medication, and Shaw also donated a hefty sum to Wendy's foundation – under duress, we should add.

As long as Camila cooperates, she will remain free from prosecution and in charge of the world's biggest cartel – and as far as the rest of the clan is aware, Navarro is alive and communicating his orders via her.

"You'll be everything and nothing at once," confirmed Wendy.

What does the future hold for the Byrdes at the end of Ozark?

Having fulfilled their part of the deal with both the cartel and the FBI, the Byrdes are seemingly now free to rebuild their lives (although there's no guarantee that the powers that be or Camila and co won't come calling one day), moving back to Chicago where Wendy will continue to manage the foundation, with Marty's assistance.

After scrabbling around in the dirt for most of season 4, they have all of the money and donors they need to fuel their grand plans.

Charlotte's relationship with her mother is back on solid footing, at least for the time being, but it's unclear whether she will continue to work alongside her at the family organisation or carve her own path.

Jonah, who is now a fully-fledged money launderer himself (like father, like son), appeared keen to take a break from his illegal activities and go "legit" for a while. But whether he'll be able to resist the rush and the significant financial gains that swamp the pocket money of your average 15-year-old remains to be seen.

But what is clear, for the first time in a long time, is that the Byrdes are a family united, their collective trauma drawing them together.

Old wounds, it seems, really do heal – although as FBI agent Maya Miller noted: "If you succeed, God'll still know."

Speaking to Time about the end for the Byrdes, actress Julia Garner said: "I don’t view it as the Byrdes winning, even if they think they’re winning. I think they’re lying to themselves. They might have won the battle, but they didn’t win the war. When you get your hands that dirty, they can never be clean."

Finally, showrunner Mundy predicted when speaking to Vanity Fair that the Byrdes would move back to Chicago and carry on with their ambitions and use their political capital.

"I think they’ve gone on," he noted. "They got everything they think they wanted. But I think they’re dragging around a curse, to be honest."

Will there be any Ozark spin-offs?

Despite Ozark season 4 having been confirmed to be the final run of the show, some have speculated on the story continuing in some form with a spin-off.

An obvious candidate for a spin-off would have been Ruth Langmore, but with her character's bloody end, that would be extremely unlikely.

When asked about this possibility by The Hollywood Reporter, Ozark showrunner Chris Mundy said: "It’s certainly something that’s been floated by various people. Never say never, but right now we want to make sure we land this one as well as we possibly can."

Perhaps a continued descent into crime for Jonah Byrde is now the most obvious candidate.

• Read More: Why won't there be an Ozark season 5? Cast and crew explain
• Read More: Meet the cast of Ozark season 4, Jason Bateman's acclaimed Netflix thriller
• Read More: Ozark season 4 – Who is Rachel Garrison?
• Read More: Ozark season 4 soundtrack: Every song in the Netflix crime drama
• Read More: Where is Ozark filmed? Location guide for Jason Bateman drama

Looking for something else to watch? Check out our guide to the best series on Netflix and best movies on Netflix, or visit our TV Guide.

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