‘Ozark’ Season 4 Part 2: ‘Trouble the Water’ Changes Lives Forever, Including Ruth Langmore’s

A spoiler-heavy recap of the 'Ozark' Season 4 Part 2 episode 'Trouble the Water' as explained by the symbols in the title card 'O.'

by Lauren Anderson

Published on May 1, 2022

3 min read

Charlie Wilkes, Ruth Langmore, and Rachel Garrison strike a deal over a bottle of whiskey

Ruth Langmore (Julia Garner) wants nothing more than to avenge her cousin’s death by getting back at the Byrdes. She has a right to Wyatt’s (Charles Tahan) belongings. Her inheritance also includes the Snell estate and Darlene’s (Lisa Emery) stake in the casino. Armed with that, Ruth plans to take over the Missouri Belle.

But first, she needs help from Charles Wilkes (Darren Goldstein). Fans will recognize the powerful Kansas City businessman from Ozark Season 2.

With Wilkes’ help, Ruth can potentially clear her record of three felonies and four misdemeanors. Doing so will allow her to own the casino without needing Rachel Garrison (Jordana Spiro) on the license.

After promising to “Yes, ma’am” her way through a conversation with the judge, the trio toasts Ruth’s future. By the end of “Trouble the Water,” Ruth has a clean record and is ready to start anew.

Prison barbed wire symbolizes multiple imprisonments in ‘Trouble the Water’

Prison comes up multiple times in this episode of Ozark‘s final season. Marty and Wendy Byrde (Jason Bateman, Laura Linney) get into a physical altercation with an aggravated driver in the previous episode of Ozark. As a result, they go to jail. Charlotte (Sofia Hublitz) and Jonah (Skylar Gaertner) bail them out at the beginning of “Trouble the Water.”

Barbed wire is also indicative of Camila Elizonndro’s (Veronica Falcón) visit to Omar Navarro (Felix Solis). During their sit down, he scolds the Byrdes for their lack of progress with the Specially Designated Nationals (S.D.N.) list.

On top of that, Omar and Camila have other demands, which include laundering more money through the casino. Camila claims it’s to keep their lieutenants calm and happy, but Marty knows better.

He and Wendy are now being held captive in a metaphorical prison by Camila. Marty knows she wants more money laundered to buy off the lieutenants. Now, Marty’s focus is getting Omar out so he can get rid of his traitor sister.

Laura Linney as Wendy Byrde, Richard Thomas as Nathan Davis, Adam Rothenberg as Mel Sattem in 'Ozark's final season

Laura Linney as Wendy Byrde, Richard Thomas as Nathan Davis, Adam Rothenberg as Mel Sattem | Netflix

The idea of life behind bars comes up again for Wendy later in the episode. Mel Sattem (Adam Rothenberg) presents her father, Nathan (Richard Thomas), with evidence of Ben (Tom Pelphrey) and Nelson (Nelson Bonilla). With Mel’s help, Nathan petitions to take the kids from Marty and Wendy, threatening to go to the police with the evidence.

Wyatt’s guitar is returned to Ruth in ‘Ozark’ episode ‘Trouble the Water’

With very few belongings in the first place, Ruth has little to remember her cousin by. That is, until Deputy Ronnie Wycoff (Brad Carter) returns Wyatt’s guitar to her.

Despite knowing who killed Wyatt and Darlene, Ruth plays dumb and goes to see their alleged killer, a former Snell employee. There, Ruth let’s on more than she should. Instead of asking why he killed Wyatt, Ruth’s more interested in why he took the guitar in the first place.

Sam Dermody gets baptized at the Lazy O pool and Ruth gets a fresh start

“Trouble the Water” ends with a few Ozark characters starting anew. Sam Dermody (Kevin L. Johnson), who has been lost since his mother’s death in Season 1, finds a religious calling. With the help of Nathan’s church group Sam is baptized in the pool of the Lazy O.

Julia Garner as Ruth Langmore with Ben's ashes in 'Ozark' Season 4

Julia Garner as Ruth Langmore | Netflix

Plus, with her officially clean record, Ruth decides it’s time to give Ben’s ashes to Jonah. Then there’s Wendy, distraught about her children being taken away from her but plotting a new revenge scheme nonetheless.