Ep 2. Blue Cat

In the second episode of Ozark's first season, titled "Blue Cat," we find the Byrde family settling into their new lives in the Ozarks. As they try to adjust to their new surroundings, they are met with hostility and resistance from the locals.

Marty Byrde, played by Jason Bateman, continues to work on laundering money for drug lord Camino Del Rio, or "Del" for short. Meanwhile, his wife Wendy, played by Laura Linney, tries to make a name for herself in town by befriending local businesses and getting involved in local politics.

The episode centers around the Blue Cat Lodge, a failing strip club owned by Bruce, a local hot-headed criminal who is not happy about the arrival of the Byrde family. Bruce is played by actor Trevor Long, who gives a standout performance as a man on the verge of losing everything.

Marty decides to invest in the Blue Cat in order to clean some of Del's money, but he runs into immediate trouble with Bruce. As tensions rise between the two, Wendy steps in to smooth things over and eventually comes up with a plan to save the Blue Cat.

Throughout the episode, we also see the Byrde's struggle to connect with their teenage children, Charlotte and Jonah, who are having a difficult time adjusting to their new lives. Charlotte, played by Sofia Hublitz, rebels against her parents and begins to explore the dark side of the Ozarks, while Jonah, played by Skylar Gaertner, becomes obsessed with nature and starts to investigate the local wildlife.

As the Byrdes try to navigate their new lives, they are constantly reminded of the danger they are in. We see glimpses of Del and his sadistic enforcer, Nelson, played by actor Nelson Bonilla, as they prepare to make a surprise visit to the Ozarks. The episode ends on a cliffhanger as Marty receives a threatening call from Del, reminding him of the consequences if he fails to launder the money.

Overall, "Blue Cat" is a tense and thrilling episode that sets up the rest of the season. The performances from the cast are excellent, particularly Bateman, Linney, and Long. As the Byrde family continues to navigate their new lives in the Ozarks, it's clear that danger is lurking around every corner.