Netflix's Ozark Season 3 recap: Wendy aims to expand the laundering operation while Marty wants to keep it low, amidst FBI pressure

Ozark Season 3, which premiered in 2020, shows Marty and Wendy Byrde deeply entrenched in the cartel’s operations.

Their casino, the Missouri Belle, is now operational and serves as a front for laundering money. Wendy is getting really ambitious with the laundering operations while Marty still tries to keep it low. Wendy eventually gets involved with the cartel boss, Omar Navarro, and attempts to expand the business, which further invites challenges.

Marty tries to sabotage the efforts when Wendy and Helen try to buy another casino, and the cartel boss ends up abducting Marty in return. Wendy then approves the execution of her own brother, Ben Davis, when he falls in love with Ruth and goes against Frank Jr.

Read on for the full recap of season 3 of Ozark.

Here is the full recap of season 3 of Ozark

Ruth Langmore continues to work closely with Wendy Byrdes, running the casino's day-to-day. But her loyalty is tested throughout the season. Ben goes out of control and exposes the cartel's operations to Helen and even to law enforcement. His presence eventually becomes a liability, especially with the FBI's pressure.

As mentioned, Wendy, increasingly emboldened, wants to expand their laundering operation by acquiring a second casino: the Big Muddy. Marty is more cautious and believes that the expansion could be dangerous. Despite this, Helen and Wendy go ahead and offer the deal.

While Marty tries to sabotage the same by convincing the Big Muddy owners not to sell. As a result, Wendy retaliates and keeps Marty and Ruth away from laundering money through it. This further adds to the tension and prepares the viewers for something even worse.

Marty's suspicion is growing about Wendy and Navarro's bond. He uses spyware to eavesdrop on Wendy's call with the cartel boss. When the boss gets to know about this, he kidnaps Marty and takes him to Mexico, suggesting his fragile position within the cartel and his own marriage.

On the other hand, Ben is shown as a sensitive and unstable figure with bipolar disorder who falls in love with Ruth, who shows some empathy for him. He stops to take his medicines and feels alive in Ruth's company while also becoming a part of Wendy's cartel business.

How did season 3 of Ozark end?

Another volatile subplot that runs alongside Ben’s downfall is the conflict between Ruth Langmore and Frank Cosgrove Jr., the loose-cannon son of Kansas City Mob boss Frank Sr.

In episode 1, Ruth is seen pushing Frank Jr. off the Missouri Belle for misbehaving during a poker game, while the latter responds by beating Ruth. Ben goes against Frank. Jr, and damages his property while Ruth ends up in the hospital. Marty, infuriated, finally cuts ties with Frank Sr., losing an important cartel distribution pipeline.

As a turn of shocking events, Wendy then approved the execution of her own brother to protect the family from dealing with Navarro. Ruth is shattered by the betrayal, disgusted, and she walks off to join forces with Darlene. This sets up the new dynamic in Ozark.

The Byrdes are then summoned to Mexico, and Helen travels with them, assuming she’s about to take control. Instead, Navarro kills Helen in front of Marty and Wendy, solidifying his trust in them.

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While the Byrdes grieve Ben, the Lagunas cartel attacks Navarro’s son’s baptism, killing many guests, escalating the war. The couple then makes their final pitch to Omar Navarro, which sets up the foundation for season 4 of Ozark.

Jonah is shaken after discovering the truth about Ben, straining his relationship with Wendy. While the FBI is closing in, Agent Maya Miller still wants to bring Marty down in Ozark.

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