Content Warning: The following article contains spoilers for the Netflix series Ozark.
The terrifying and violent world of Ozark has unsurprisingly strengthened bonds between the characters caught in the chaos, with some partnerships in the series standing out for all the right reasons.
The best relationships in the show often underscore how beneficial strong alliances can be, especially when most of the characters are involved in criminal activities. Some great relationships are not necessarily advantageous because they help the characters survive their lives of crime, but because they’re rare examples of genuine love and connection in the gripping drama series.
Roy Petty & Russ Langmore
Russ made the worst mistake of his life by trusting Roy, but for a while, their relationship was a truly beautiful source of hope for the LangmoreThe way Roy manipulates and tricks Russ into becoming an informant is impressive, as the Langmore really doesn’t suspect that anything’s miss throughout the whole process.
It’s implied that Roy may have cared for Russ as more than just another informant after his tragic death. That flyer Russ made for their bait shop must have tugged at his heartstrings and reminded him of better times, much like how it gave the Langmore a reason to think that he could be more than just a petty thief.
Charlotte Byrde & Jonah Byrde
It's hard to imagine exactly how hard it must have been for the Byrde children to uproot their lives and leave everything they know behind. The two of them have relied on each other for emotional and there’s no telling how different things would be if they didn’t have their bond to count on.
As his older sister, Charlotte tries to comfort Jonah and reassure him that everything will be okay, which Jonah occasionally does for her as well. They even formulate an escape plan together in case things go south with their parents – it’s a necessary safety net that highlights how fast they’ve both had to mature.
Omar Navarro & Wendy Byrde
When Wendy asks for a face-to-face meeting with the most dangerous and richest man in Ozark, things unexpectedly go as planned. Navarro ends up liking her for her feistiness and calls her every now and then to get her opinions about a variety of situations.
There’s a clear imbalance of power in their odd new friendship, but it’s a beneficial partnership for the both of them. Navarro knows he can trust Wendy to execute her plans properly and by keeping Navarro close, Wendy ensures that he won’t murder her entire family.
Marty Byrde & Ruth Langmore
Although Marty and Ruth meet in an unconventional way, Ruth’s persistence and ambition and Marty’s need for a smart sidekick he can trust happen to coincide. Ruth isn’t used to being entrusted with real responsibilities, but Marty knows she can handle the Lickety Splitz.
His confidence in her makes her has made her more loyal to him, as he’s the first person she’ll turn to when she suspects something’s not right. She even goes as far as murdering her own relatives to save him. Marty doesn’t reciprocate her efforts enough, as fans may recall how he refuses to retaliate against Cosgrove Jr. after he assaults Ruth. It’s an imbalanced but interesting relationship that has turned sour, as Ruth continues to realize how valuable and capable she really is.
Helen Pierce & Wendy Byrde
Helen and Wendy form an unstable alliance when Helen starts to see Wendy as her equal. Wendy’s unbelievable feats for the cartel impress the lawyer, who sees their partnership as an opportunity to gain power within the organization.
Wendy obviously appreciates the way Helen recognizes and applauds her efforts, as she is often met with disapproval from Marty when she talks to him about making more operations legitimate. Their relationship was good while it lasted, as it likely had audiences rooting for their success at every turn.
Darlene Snell & Jacob Snell
A brief flashback that depicts how Darlene charmed Jacob when they were young speaks volumes about the dynamic of their relationship. Darlene is the bold, manipulative, and impulsive one, while Jacob is usually level-headed, practical, and principled.
Jacob is helplessly in love with Darlene, even though she could (and does) live without him. Together, they’re a power couple with significant influence in the Ozarks – no one would dare cross the Snells. Even though Jacob definitely deserved more than the cruel death he got through Darlene’s hands, his demise and foiled murder attempt of his wife are undeniably in line with what viewers know about the twisted couple.
Charlotte Byrde & Wyatt Langmore
Charlotte and Wyatt’s connection is one of those unique, pure relationships that offer a source of comfort for both of them. They find common ground when they realize that they both have messed up families and they just want to get away from it all.
While Charlotte genuinely enjoys her time spent with Wyatt, his perspective is tainted by a lingering doubt and a lot of insecurities. He believes in the “Langmore curse” and often questions if he’s even good enough to be around Charlotte. It’s unfortunate that their differences ruin what they had in the end, but it doesn’t change the fact that their closeness helped them both back then.
Jonah Byrde & Buddy Dieker
One of the most delightful relationships in the series is that between Jonah and Buddy. With his parents often too busy to really pay attention to how he’s doing, Buddy steps in and serves as Jonah’s guardian and pal, even teaching him how to use guns to defend himself.
Jonah’s eulogy for Buddy says it all – the old man knew how to listen and respond to the young Byrde’s statements as if he was an adult. A tear-jerking part of the eulogy is when Jonah its that Buddy was his only real friend.
Marty Byrde & Wendy Byrde
When they’re not working to become even more powerful characters in Ozark, Marty and Wendy are putting in the effort to save their complicated marriage. Their relationship is one of the best not necessarily because it’s flawless, but because it depicts real issues like cheating and neglect.
The way they’re able to set their differences aside and come together to protect the kids is irable. They may not see it themselves, but their strengths and weaknesses match each other perfectly. Wendy is the ambitious visionary and Marty is the cautious and practical voice who tries to make sure they don’t get killed.
Ben Davis & Ruth Langmore
A fan-favorite couple on the series also happens to be a short-lived relationship. The whirlwind romance between Ben and Ruth seems to come out of nowhere, but it just makes perfect sense when viewers see how good they are for each other.
Ben gives Ruth a kind of love and affection she’s never had before, and their relationship allows her to be vulnerable around someone else. Ruth believes in Ben in a way that his family never could, which encourages him to pursue and protect her against all odds. Of course, nothing that beautiful could last long in the show that often takes some pretty dark turns.