This article, “does Marty become the head of the Navarro Cartel,” contains spoilers regarding Netflix’s Ozark season 4, part 2.
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The rise of Marty Byrde is a fascinating fictional case study. A man who viewed himself as a pathetic, small-time accountant managed to rise as a trusted advisor in the Navarro cartel, transforming his wife into a ruthless tactician. For Marty, he has always claimed he did all this to survive, which he did. But then, he claimed he was doing this to secure his family’s future. He has brought in many taglines of “why” he’s doing what he does. Let’s not forget, Agent Maya from the FBI gave him plenty of opportunities for a safer life for himself and his family. It could be possible that Marty is a softer, kinder version of Walter from Breaking Bad. It’s possible that Marty enjoys this life, where he feels important and, at times, respected, despite the apparent danger.
Ozark season 4, part 2 – does Marty become the head of the Navarro Cartel?
Technically he does. While Omar is in prison, Wendy suggests that Marty runs and operates the cartel. Omar expects Marty to be like him; ruthless, strong in decision-making, and violent. And while Marty cuts a frustrated and nervous character, he handles the cartel members with ease, ensuring they reveal their business operations in different areas and strongly leading them. He even makes decisions when an apparent traitor comes to the fold.
Marty is not the real head of the Navarro cartel, but his knack for it even leads the FBI to suggest that he could run it if they cannot extradite Omar Navarro. It’s hard not to see what the writers were doing. They gave the audience a glimpse of how high far Marty could rise if he wanted to. It was a unique way of showing the “what if” if they decided to go down a different narrative structure.
And it’s difficult to ignore how Marty takes it on with barely a fear. Though, in reality, Wendy is the one that ensured he took on the temporary role and then suitably removed it from him when she had the chance. Marty’s reaction to no longer being the person who operates the cartel on behalf of Omar is fascinating. He completely loses his cool. Losing all that power and instant respect made him realize there’s a world where he can control it with his words and fingertips.
Maybe in another universe, Marty does become the head of the Navarro Cartel. What an exciting prospect that would have been.
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