Ep 2. The Precious Blood of Jesus

In "The Precious Blood of Jesus," the second episode of Ozark's second season, the Byrde family is still reeling from their decisions and the aftermath of the first season's events. Marty and Wendy are still in conflict over whether to leave the Ozarks or stay and continue laundering money for the drug cartel. Meanwhile, their kids, Charlotte and Jonah, are struggling to adjust to their new life in the Ozarks.

The episode opens with Wendy meeting with a local church group to offer a donation and start building a relationship with the community. However, her true motives are questioned when she is unable to provide a specific amount for the donation and leaves the meeting abruptly. Wendy's desperation to build a relationship with the community is due to the constant pressure from their Mexican cartel boss Camino Del Rio to increase their output and launder more money. Marty feels the pressure and tries to keep the business going despite all the troubles.

As an old wound threatens the water supply of the town of Osage Beach, Marty sees an opportunity to improve their reputation and gain the trust of the locals by offering to repair the damaged dam with their own money. He and his new assistant Rachel work together to make sure the construction process is completed within the given timeline. Rachel, who is bisexual and has a drug addiction, is one of the new additions to the cast and will play an important role in their business and personal lives moving forward.

Meanwhile, Wendy spends some quality time with her friend and ally, real estate agent Sue Shelby. Wendy expresses her frustrations about the community's reluctance to accept outsiders and the trouble it causes the Byrde family. Sue offers Wendy some sage advice that makes her reconsider her approach to fitting in, but also to their overall situation. When Wendy receives a call from her brother Ben saying that her father has relapsed into his drinking problem, she sets out to be with her family to support them during this time.

Back in the Ozarks, Marty and Rachel's relationship gets complicated as Rachel reveals more about her past and current situation, making Marty doubt her loyalty. Marty feels caught between his desire to keep his family safe and his obligations to the cartel. As they both work on the dam, Rachel gets into a heated argument with a local man who reminds her of her drug past. The situation escalates quickly, ending with Rachel getting injured, and tensions in the community escalate even more.

Through it all, the Byrdes try to stay afloat while battling external and internal conflicts. As they all struggle to adjust to their new life in the Ozarks, a storm is brewing that threatens to tear them apart. "The Precious Blood of Jesus" keeps the audience on their toes with unexpected plot twists, emotional moments and pivotal character development. The episode effectively highlights the themes of family, loyalty and the desire for power that run throughout the series, which makes it clear why Ozark has become such a popular show with viewers.