‘Ozark’ Season 3: Fans React to an ‘Unexpected’ and ‘Uncomfortable’ New Relationship

In Season 3 of Ozark, an unexpected relationship formed that made some viewers uncomfortable. Others believe they understand what’s happening, and think both parties are potentially “playing the long game.”

[SPOILER ALERT: This article contains information revealed in Ozarks Season 3 Episode 5.]

Wyatt and Darlene get into a sexual relationship in ‘Ozark’ Season 3

In Ozark Season 3, Wyatt (Charlie Tahan) refuses to talk to his cousin, Ruth (Julia Garner), after he finds out that she killed his dad and uncle. He begins breaking and entering to support himself before a homeowner caught him and called the cops.

The smart local refused to take Ruth’s money, so he stayed in jail. Darlene (Lisa Emery) overheard Ruth yelling to her cousin at the station, and decided to bail him out herself.

The widow, who raised Zeke as her own and sold goods at a local market, asked for Wyatt to help her with the farm as payback. He agreed, and the two eventually began a sexual relationship.

Wyatt stood by Darlene and testified at a hearing against the Byrdes so that Zeke could remain in their custody. He then invited his younger brother to stay with them and also help out with the farm. Additionally, Wyatt later revealed he fell in love with her.

By the end of the series, Darlene, who replanted her poppy fields, recruited Ruth, who quit Byrde Enterprises, and the Kansas City Mob, who Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) cut ties with, alongside Wyatt and his brother to distribute her heroin.

Many fans find Wyatt and Darlene’s relationship disgusting and uncomfortable

After watching the episode where Wyatt and Darlene had sex, many fans took to social media to share their reaction to the unexpected relationship. One Reddit user called it “f*****g disgusting” and admitted they felt “wildly uncomfortable” watching the intimate scene.

Others didn’t understand why the writers made their relationship sexual, and feel like it’s “set up to emphasize how the Snells and Langmores are the weird a*s inbred hillbilly type” as well as the “locals vs. outsiders” storyline “they’ve set up for the next season.”

Some believe Wyatt and Darlene should have had a mother/son relationship as opposed to lovers because he has “mommy issues,” and the widow “always wanted children.”

Another viewer agreed and shared they “thought when she bailed him out, she would turn him into the new Ash.” They believe that storyline “would have been less creepy” and “more interesting” because viewers would learn more about Ash without having to flashback.

Additionally, many fans don’t understand why Wyatt cut Ruth off “yet fell in love with Darlene, who admitted she killed her husband.”

Other fans understand why Wyatt and Darlene became involved

Other users understand why the unexpected relationship formed and believe they are both “playing the long game.” One viewer noted that “Wyatt is a young Marty” as he’s “the most book smart of the locals and has the same street smarts as Ruth.”

The user continued, “Right now, he’s looking to be cared for and is upset over his dad being killed by a family member.” Therefore, they believe Wyatt could “wind up in charge of it all” when everything is said and done.

Another user noted that no one should be surprised by Darlene “seducing” the young local because she’s done it before. As the fan recalled, Jacob shared how he and Darlene met and explained, “another chick was flirting with him” at the time.

But Darlene “scooted her out of the way and bulldozed Jacob.” The user feels that the now widow was charming “back in the day and still carries that attitude.” Therefore, it “was easy to seduce” an angry, confused, frustrated, and lost Wyatt, who was looking for “stability and comfort,” which he found in Darlene.

One fan believes everyone will understand the “general grooming and manipulation by Darlene” by the end of the series as “the woman we thought was just bats**t insane turns out to have a master plan in play.”

Regardless, with the way Darlene singlehandedly assembled a new crew by the end of the series, the Byrdes are in for a rude awakening once they return from Mexico.