Ozark Season 3 finale recap: How does Season 3 end?

Um, that Ozark season 3 finale though.

Ozark has somehow managed to top what was an already intense season with a crazy, crazy season 3 finale. To say that I saw it coming would be the biggest lie in the world, because that ending literally came out of nowhere. I’m not sure I’ve gasped and screamed from this much shock due to an episode in a long time.

As you’re aware, the season 3 penultimate episode gave us a lot to think about. Wendy basically handed Ben over to Helen which resulted in her brother’s death. It was pretty brutal as far as the things Wendy has done over the course of Ozark but it was nice to see the human side of her reaction to what she did.

She managed to bounce back pretty quickly by the time the season 3 finale got started. But still, I’m not too thrilled with Wendy’s actions. And speaking of that, it doesn’t take Ruth very long to figure out that Ben died at the hands of his sister. It hurts me to see that Ruth had a love interest taken away from her so quickly. She’s always dealing with Byrde family nonsense so seeing her in a relationship was nice.

Meanwhile, things are spiraling out of control for Navarro in Mexico. His family is in danger because of the cartel war, and he wants Helen to get the kids out of there. Helen–babysitting? Yeah, I’d like to see how this plays out.

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Ozark has been building up to Helen’s gradual takeover of Byrde Enterprises, and that is exactly what she conveys to Navarro. She believes Marty and Wendy aren’t exactly capable of doing things right and have been failing as of late. So Helen does what Helen does best–scheming and planning. Her first move is to acquire a casino license which she believes will come in handy when she takes over the casino for the Byrdes.

When Wendy finally returns home, things get a bit weird when Jonah starts asking her what they plan to do about Helen. Given that she killed Ben, Jonah wants some justice for his uncle. Come on, Jonah. You know your parents aren’t going to do anything.

Despite what’s happened with Ben, Wendy and Marty are quick to let Helen know they are back on board with everything and hope to keep things running smoothly. She fills them in about Navarro, moving his assets, and that she needs to legally be allowed to do so via Byrde Enterprises. Don’t do it, guys, it’s a trap!

Luckily, Wendy is a bit hesitant to trust Helen and feels that something more sinister is at play here. The time to make a move with Navarro has come, but he’s not as receptive to their sucking up.

Did I mention that Ruth has officially decided to quite the Byrdes and their shenanigans? The whole Ben situation has put her over the edge, and the fact they didn’t provide their support with the Frank Jr. debacle, she doesn’t want anything to do with them.

Oh, and thanks to Wyatt, Darlene exacts revenge on Frank Jr. on behalf of Ruth by literally shooting off his penis. I’m not sure he is going to survive that, but given what he’s done, he sort of had it coming. Just saying.

The stakes get higher for Marty and Wendy at some point in the Ozark season 3 finale so Wendy comes up with a plan to help Navarro end the cartel war. This is a surefire way to get him on their side, and away from Helen.

Basically, if they can get the rivaling cartel on American soil, then the government will take care of the rest. This will get the Lagunas cartel back for everything they’ve done, and it would be a way to appease to the FBI that is after Marty anyway.

Thanks to the footage that Jonah got during the explosion, they have visual proof that the Lagunas cartel was actually in the U.S. And with that secured, all is left is to talk to Navarro about their plan. In exchange, Wendy wants Helen out of their lives and business.

Somewhere in the background, during all of this, Darlene has been making some business moves and plans. She realizes that Ruth has now parted ways with the Byrde family, and now she hopes to get Ruth on board with her new business. You all saw that crop field, didn’t you?

As we approach the end of the season 3 finale, things start to feel crazy. Wendy and Marty are asked to join Navarro in Mexico. Helen is heading there any way to take Navarro’s kids back to him. But something about the whole thing feels off. It almost feels as if Wendy and Marty get on that jet, they might not come back.

But before this little trip even begins, Jonah pays Helen a visit–with a shotgun. He doesn’t use it, but I won’t lie when I say I totally thought he was going to. Jonah has really grown up, hasn’t he? And a bit scarier than I expected him to be.

Anyway, the Byrdes manage to make it to Mexico in one piece with Helen and Navarro’s kids. And as they approach him to exchange greetings, something insane happens. Helen is shot point-blank by one of Navarro’s men. Yes, she’s dead. And it came out of the left field. Like what just happened?!

I was blown away by this moment, and I think I startled my family with the frightening scream that came out of my mouth. I mean, it was pretty nuts.

But it does prove one thing for sure. Marty and Wendy are officially running with the big boys now, and they best be prepared for whatever is coming.

What did you think of that crazy Ozark season 3 finale? Tell us below!