Sugarwood

Anyone burned by the slow stroll to nowhere of recent Netflix dramas had to be pleased with the pins-and-needles tension - and shocking payoffs - of "Ozark," Jason Bateman's new original series for the streaming giant. From the first episode to the ending, Season 1 was filled with shocking twists and intense familial strife. The importance of the premiere episode was its power. While that may go without saying, given the first hour's overall impact, it's important to remember how many dramas start slow. "Ozark" digs right in, and does so with great purpose: to alert you to what kind of show you're watching and prepare you for what's to come. Meet Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman): a financial adviser working for a small firm in Chicago with his partner, Bruce (Josh Randall). But making smart monetary moves isn't just Marty's business. It's his life. We learn as much by the penny-pinching tendencies on display when he denies another $10 donation to his daughter's friend - for charity. A shot that starts with his entire family gathered around the dinner table ends with Marty munching on chips alone. Clearly, his job is affecting his life. And it all starts with the massacre of Marty's business partners. Del (Esai Morales) suspects his money launderers are skimming money in the process, which we later find out is a bluff. He didn't know. He just presumed, and Bruce fell for it. What's important to note about all these deaths goes beyond simple set-up. Yes, Marty's last-second idea saves his hide and sets in motion the entire series - moving the family to Missouri, laundering more money than he ever imagined possible - but it also sets a standard: The worst can happen, and Del won't hesitate to pull the trigger. This lesson is reinforced again when Wendy (Laura Linney) tries to flee with her fling, Gary (a.k.a. "Sugarwood" - thanks for the episode title, P. I.). Just as you expect a conflict between an angry Marty and his wife's lover, down drops Gary's body with a sickening thwack, right in the middle of the street. Del found out what Wendy was trying to do and dealt with it before Marty had a chance. How he handles Gary - and Wendy - is memorable for all parties: exactly the response Del wants.

I've never commented on a specific episode of a series, but I just saw the first of Ozark and I'm in awe. Jason Batman's directing work is magnificent. We'll talk about his performance when I get my pulse back. Wow!

So far all I've watched of this show is this episode, but I have to say that I am hooked. I've been kind of putting off watching this show despite the intriguing premise. I loved Breaking Bad and this has a very Breaking Bad feel to it. I've seen some less than flattering reviews saying it's a "poor man's BB," but let's be honest, that show was a masterpiece and we have to take what we can get. That said, this episode is a very promising beginning and I can't wait to see more.

Nice of view

breaking bad new version

not enough but wonderful.

can enjoy abt human greed, evilness & modern moral.

Everybody is different, some like comic cartoonish series, some comedic, some action etc. This series and this episode is exactly made for the kind of people who likes "serious drama", but wants constant excitement. It starts just like anything, but then, it puts the pressure on and on and on, and it's a rush of joy and tension watching it. As a pilot it could have been just a movie and i would have been more than happy, gladly we got more and i can say it's absolutely worth the watch, but the first episode really impress me. Have to add this before i forgot to mention it. The script, the writting in this series is top notch. Sometimes after some dialog so well written, i had to stop and concluded that was very well written. It's nice to see well written shows for grownups.