‘Ozark’ Season 4 Theory: Fans Think They Know Why Ben’s Ashes Are Stored in a Goat Urn
Netflix’s series Ozark Season 4 has fans speculating on a particular choice for Wendy Byrde’s (Laura Linney) brother’s ashes. Ozark Season 3 showed Ben (Tom Pelphrey) presumably meet a tragic end when his sister had him killed because of his erratic behavior.
With Jonah (Skyler Gaertner) distraught over his mother’s decision to take out his favorite uncle, he gives his ashes away to Ruth (Julia Garner). Episode 4 shows Ruth at a thrift store purchasing a cookie jas in the shape of a goat to store the ashes. Now, fans believe they know why Ruth decided on such an odd choice for an urn.
[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Ozark Season 4.]
A quick recap of Ben’s fate leading up to the purchase of the goat urn in ‘Ozark’ Season 4
When fans first met Ben, he worked as a substitute teacher. However, after a violent outburst due to his bipolar disorder, the school fires him, and Ben travels to the Ozarks to stay with Wendy and Marty (Jason Bateman).
At the time, Marty and Wendy are in a volatile situation with the Navarro cartel, and Marty sees Ben as a liability. Off his medication, Ben’s behavior proves to be an enormous risk for the Byrdes to take on at the time. He strikes up a relationship with Ruth, who tries to help him, but unfortunately, his refusal to go back on medication forces Wendy’s hand. She calls the cartel’s lawyer Helen Pierce, played by Janet McTeer, and tells her where to locate Ben. While fans never see a body, they do get a first-hand view of the lengths Wendy will go to to protect her business, her husband, and her children.
The reason Ruth decided on a goat urn divides fans
Even though Ruth is rarely conventional, even her choice for the urn had some fans scratching their heads. On Reddit, plenty of viewers gave their thoughts on the reasoning behind the decision for the goat urn in Ozark Season 4.
One user wrote, “Can we talk about this bizarre urn choice? My best guess is because he was a ‘Sacrificial Lamb.'”
However, several other Reddit users disagreed on the meaning behind the symbol. Some fans believe it has religious connotations because the woman who sold Ruth the goat mentioned satanism.
“The woman who sold it said her husband said goats were satanic and sold all sorts of religious stuff and uses crosses and rosary beads. She has it front and center anywhere she goes on the property. I would say it shows Ruth’s character going to the dark side,” another Redditor offered.
Another commenter believed it symbolized Ben’s desire to own a goat farm one day, “Didn’t Ben say something about being together with Ruth and raising goats? I thought that’s why she got it.”
‘Ozark’ Season 4 Part 2 hasn’t been released yet
The Byrdes aren’t known for their calm and relaxing lifestyle, and the ending of Ozark Season 4 Part 1 left fans on the edge of their seats. However, Netflix has yet to announce an official release date for part 2. Right now, the best fans can hope for is the second half of 2022. Ozark Seasons 1-3, and Ozark Season 4 Part 1, are currently streaming on Netflix.
