MovieChat Forums > Ozark (2017) Discussion > By far the best, most effective scene in...

By far the best, most effective scene in season 2 ...

posted 6 years ago by filmklassik (51)
7 replies | jump to latest

– – was the one where the cartel’s lawyer, Helen Pierce (played by the great Janet McTeer) tries to persuade a night-cashier to hand over a hard drive with a key piece of surveillance footage on it. The kid keeps saying no to her. And comes to regret it.

The writing, the performances, and above all, the TENSION in that scene are just terrific. The sense of dread is almost palpable. It was as fine as any good scene in any good suspense film. (And it reminded me of the “coin scene” in No Country For Old Men)

And yet that scene could’ve been omitted from the show without having any effect on the main story (Helen could’ve simply told Marty that the cartel got its hands on surveillance footage; who cares how they procured it?)

And yes, granted, the scene does provide a good illustration of Helen’s character. We now see that she’s as cold and ruthless as a cobra. But my point is, the scene itself is narratively extraneous. You don’t NEED it to tell the story.

And yet that single, extraneous scene is the best one of the whole season.

Which, I’m sorry, does not speak well for the season.

[–] Mister Babadook (2684) 6 years ago

Thats not the only effective suspenseful scene, i thought Jacob and Darlene's last walk around the woods was also really effective and suspenseful, you got a vibe one of them was dying you just didn't know which one. I also thought the cartel coming to Ruth's house and Cade coming out with a machine gun was also really effective and suspenseful.

There was alot of scenes like the one you described throughout the season imo.

The only thing i disliked about season 2 was all the talking scenes with Wilkes and Wendy, some of them went on too long and got boring and i didn't give a shit about the Wilkes character.

[–] winslow (1318) 6 years ago

Oh Charlie!

[–] exatera (3955) 6 years ago

It was far from the best scene of the season.

It's just too bad you can't appreciate it! Oh well.

Personally, I can't wait for season 3.

[–] filmklassik (51) 6 years ago

Well, it was only the “best” in one sense of the word. It was the “best” in the sense that it was suspenseful and clever and well written and well acted in a way that no other scene of the last season managed. It was only the best in THAT sense.

And I can’t wait for season three either provided I’m assured that it’s not as boring and haphazardly written and meandering as season two was.

If I’m promised a tight, suspenseful, beautifully constructed crime story then boy oh boy will I be champing at the bit for season three!

[–] ecarle (14979) 6 years ago

Well, it was a good scene to establish how the female lawyer's modus operandi. She tries talk, threats, menace but when it comes down to it...she's got this one (and only one) stone cold male killer who hangs around with her and does the diry work. Once he is established in this scene, his later reappearances are pretty "fatal" for those who the lawyer wants out(though is he not the one giving the drugs to the FBI guy's mother? Not enough to kill her, just enough to show the fed the cartel has power over him.)

A good scene, but agreed: the Snell's last walk was the best dramatic scene: Him...or her? Which will it be(the poison, by the way, rather reminded me of a woman named Mags' killing technique in one season of Justified; these shows seem to feed off each other.)

With Jacob gone, Darlene is an uncontrollable psychopathic rager(those EYES, dark circled but bugging out in permanent anger), with a baby under her crazy care -- and yet somewhat more controlled with the gunsels now under her sole command.

It was a bit on the nose, but the end of the Snell marriage can be seen to forsee the dangers ahead for Marty with Wendy. Will he keep Jacob's fate in mind? (I think the Snells and the Bryde's had side-by-side scenes where the husband accused the wife of "undermining" him.)

[–] [email protected] (1355) 6 years ago

How about the scene where Helen had her men put the plastic bag over the drug dealers head? I couldnt breathe myself with that scene.
Darlene is the most riveting character. Shes totally mad. To kill Jacob and say his death wont be for naught was chilling.

I dislike Charlottes character but I adore Wyatt, and his father Russ. Didnt like Ruth in season one, but she killed it in season 2. Her acting was fabulous.

[–] Filmtenk2 (4045) 6 years ago

Ruth is among my favorite. Wonder if she'll retaliate against Marty for Cade. Don't understand why they decided to go with ghost Russ and Wyatt. Seems out of place. Maybe it's an attempted to develop Wyatt's character?