S02.E10: The Gold Coast

[paulvdb]

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Marty makes plans without telling Wendy. Darlene sends a message via Jonah. Wyatt learns the truth about his dad. Ruth realizes Cade must be stopped.

[Mindthinkr]

I think the lawyer cartel lady got to Wendy’s ego. Although she is/was quite capable on her own with dealings on the political front in Chicago, in the Ozarks she began deferring to Marty. Not so much anymore. She’s beginning to take on a stronger role in making decisions. As she is gaining this power I do see their marriage heading south. The affair didn’t help, but there has never seemed to be much affection or caring between this couple. They’re “matter of fact” people 

I understand why Wendy gave the baby to Darlene Snell. I actually expected it in an earlier episode. Marty seemed like a good co-parent to the baby and I think that he and his son are going to be the ones who miss the baby the most. 

That paddleboat does not look like it is going to be big enough to support a money making casino business. Most of the floors are not enclosed and a fair bit of room will be needed for security and the money. I know there are going to be renovations but is it really going to bring in the type of cash flow that they have been talking about? I doubt Mrs Snell is going to allow any extra buildings to be built on her land. Does she have any heirs if the cartel should off her? 

I’m really sorry that the show did the angst ridden teenage daughter trope. Was that the best that they could come up with for her character? I think the one show that did service to a teen daughter was Bosch. In contrast I enjoyed their son being able to launder money and lay low. 

[bentley]

Interesting parallels between the Snells and the Byrds. For both, the female turns out to be the most ruthless and the one truly in control, despite the husbands' illusions they're the ones in charge.

The cartel, and Wendy, made a huge mistake this episode. Yes, Ruth's dad needed to be taken out. He was never going to  stay away for good, and his influence over Ruth was just too ingrained for her to ever truly be free of him. The smart play would have been to take him out quietly and without a trace. Ruth knew he was being paid off and would not have suspected anything when he vanished. Even if she eventually suspected, there would be no proof and Marty could honestly deny any accusation. Instead, they've given her a reason to be angry and vengeful just as she's been granted access and control of all of Marty's money and his businesses. That won't end well. They've underestimated her. Stupid.

I wish they'd devoted more attention to the Ruth/Marty relationship. I think it's the most interesting one on the show, with dynamics similar to Rick/Daryl/Merle on The Walking Dead. Marty treats her like an adult and recognizes her abilities, but at the same time, he can be annoyingly abrupt and dismissive of her, just at the moments she needs the most reassurance. Unless I missed it, they told us he would be teaching her how to manage the books this season without ever showing us. I would have liked to see more of that.

I wish I liked the daughter more, as the moral compass of the show, but god she's annoying. Still, run Charlotte! Run far away!

[Mindthinkr]

2 hours ago, bentley said:

 

Interesting parallels between the Snells and the Byrds. For both, the female turns out to be the most ruthless and the one truly in control, despite the husbands' illusions they're the ones in charge.

The cartel, and Wendy, made a huge mistake this episode. Yes, Ruth's dad needed to be taken out. He was never going to  stay away for good, and his influence over Ruth was just too ingrained for her to ever truly be free of him. The smart play would have been to take him out quietly and without a trace. Ruth knew he was being paid off and would not have suspected anything when he vanished. Even if she eventually suspected, there would be no proof and Marty could honestly deny any accusation. Instead, they've given her a reason to be angry and vengeful just as she's been granted access and control of all of Marty's money and his businesses. That won't end well. They've underestimated her. Stupid.

 

I agree with you as a whole, but please ponder this. As we didn’t see exactly how the crime scene shaped up; how do we know it didn’t end up looking like a mob hit? For all concerned I agree it would have been best if it was more hidden. There has to be a reason they did it in such a manner that it stood out for all to see. 

[suomi]

Wendy Corleone.

[Chaos Theory]

I really liked this season and how the women took the lead and the reigns.   

8 hours ago, bentley said:

Interesting parallels between the Snells and the Byrds. For both, the female turns out to be the most ruthless and the one truly in control, despite the husbands' illusions they're the ones in charge.

I noticed this to.  I wondered if it was intentional but then decided it didn’t matter because it was a fun parallel to watch.  Watching Darlene and Wendy undermine their husbands was fun to watch.

i also reall liked the  Ruth and Rachel scenes.  I thought they made an interesting pairing when they were both bitching about Marty.  They were both wildcards and I thought they both had interesting stories this season.  

Edited September 3, 2018 by Chaos Theory

[bentley]

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I agree with you as a whole, but please ponder this. As we didn’t see exactly how the crime scene shaped up; how do we know it didn’t end up looking like a mob hit?

What is the difference between a mob hit and a cartel hit, and why is this better? Genuinely curious. Since the cartel just tried to take out the Snells earlier in the same fashion, I think Ruth would know it was the cartel and not the mob. Whoever she thinks is responsible, I'm afraid she will suspect it was the Birds behind it all, and unfortunately she will be partially right.

[Mama No Life]

It wasn't Wendy who gave the baby to Darlene, it was Marty.  I don't want to correct things but I feel like that's an important distinction as it parallels Jacob killing Ash and that being the trigger to the wives finally taking over the situations.  

 

I totally agree that Wendy wants to stay in the Ozarks because she's feeling the power.  Sad to see Rachel leave as she is the only person who can get emotion out of Marty.

[ganesh]

"A paper wheel". Hahahahaha. 

[Pike Ludwell]

So many emotionally flawed characters making life difficult for themselves. Charlotte being so upset about Jonah trying to kill a cartel guy in self defense - ridiculous. She was down on Jonah in one scene, not just because this is the life they are now leading, but because he did not feel bad about wanting to kill him. Good grief ... it was self defense.  Wendy being so upset about Charlotte wanting emancipation .. Marty at least came around and realized it made sense and they aren't in fact good parents. But Wendy's hysteria was really insane. Ruth clinging to her father after repeated abuse with more likely to come - ridiculous. She should have shot him when she could have claimed self defense, and be done with that problem. Then she kisses his dead body on the lips at the end. She should have been happy he was gone. What was there to like about him? Yeah he was her father, but too bad writers made her so weak in that regard.  She should have said something like: "Bye daddy. Too bad you weren't fit for this world." And why should she give a flip about the Byrds being responsible. She should thank them. And Ruth considerately and rationally explaining to Wyatt she killed his farther and uncle. She was being open, kind and rational. She had good reasons for the killing. Wyatt's supposed to be fairly reasonable but he then goes off in a snit as if he didn't hear a word she said.

[DiabLOL]

27 minutes ago, Pat Hoolihan said:

And Ruth considerately and rationally explaining to Wyatt she killed his farther and uncle. She was being open, kind and rational. She had good reasons for the killing. Wyatt's supposed to be fairly reasonable but he then goes off in a snit as if he didn't hear a word she said.

That was so weird for me because I totally remembered the deaths as an accident and that the set up was meant for Marty. I totally don't remember Ruth intentionally murdering them. I need to figure out which ep that was and rewatch. 

[DoubleUTeeEff]

Oh shit, Wendy. If I were Marty, I would take my son and go ahead with the escape plan but change the last leg of the trip from Australia to somewhere else. I'd sign the emancipation papers for Charlotte before I left but also give her the option of going too. Of course, that wouldn't be as good for a Season 3. They've set up a lot of story for it. The mob blowing up the office, what happens when the FBI finds one of their agents murdered, Cade's murder, getting poor Zeke away from Darlene, and the Byrds becoming partially legitimate business people and active members of the community.

I was confused as to why they just left Cade there in the road as well. It seems to bring unnecessary heat when they could have just let people believe that he left with the bribe money. Oh, did I just answer my own question? Did Wendy want it that way to send a message to Marty? I guess if there's a season 3, we'll see if Ruth cares or not. She might not like that she won't be in charge like she and Marty were planning.

A lot of death of some major characters this season. Cade, Jacob Snell, Mason, and the FBI agent. 

It was funny that Zeke's two options were either being with the people who murdered his mother or the people who murdered his father.

[ganesh]

Ok Darlene. The casino is your Vietnam. *eyeroll* Though I would probably have handed the baby over just to get rid of her. 

[ganesh]

On 9/2/2018 at 7:08 AM, Mindthinkr said:

That paddleboat does not look like it is going to be big enough to support a money making casino business. Most of the floors are not enclosed and a fair bit of room will be needed for security and the money.

It did look small. On top of security and a vault, which you could probably site a vault on the shore, you're going to need a sizeable bar. Plus I don't really know what they're going to put in there; slots for sure, but that takes up space. People are going to want to play cards and roll dice. Although I suppose that's the point. Marty came up with the scheme on a whim out of desperation. 

[ganesh]

On 9/2/2018 at 10:35 AM, bentley said:

For both, the female turns out to be the most ruthless and the one truly in control, despite the husbands' illusions they're the ones in charge.

Yeah, but Darlene is an idiot. At least Wendy is making strategic decisions (or trying). 

On 9/2/2018 at 10:35 AM, bentley said:

They've underestimated her.

I've been saying that all day. 

3 hours ago, Pat Hoolihan said:

Yeah he was her father, but too bad writers made her so weak in that regard. 

I think this was a poor narrative choice. It feels contrived in the sense they envisioned the ending they wanted and backtracked from there. I think it's bad character building, or lack thereof. Ruth was the one that really needed to 'emancipate' and she didn't get to do that. Though she did take a decent shot at him. It was the right call by Wendy though. 

I still liked the show, but I felt earlier in the day that this particular plot was kind of derivative, and I'm disappointed the show didn't do better here. I guess it's her tragic flaw or something, but I would have preferred something not as derivative. Or at least give us more as to why she was. I do agree they also wasted a good opportunity not developing Ruth and Marty more. 

I get that Marty should have talked to Wendy more, but I also get that he's spent the last few months just running around dealing with either idiots or an intractable cartel. I'd be like, "yeah no" at that point too. Though it seems when Marty and Wendy are on the same page, they're unstoppable. 

Yeah "how about you let me do my job?" Marty probably should have done that right from the start with everyone. 

Though I think it didn't sink in with Marty how grateful the cartel was for the casino when the lawyer was talking to them. Wendy understood that more clearly, and I do think staying was the right decision. 

Well, that was a good season! I think I'll make this my Labor Day tradition next year. 

Edited September 4, 2018 by ganesh

[Armchair Critic]

Good riddance Cade "Slingblade" Langmore.

[iMonrey]

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That paddleboat does not look like it is going to be big enough to support a money making casino business. Most of the floors are not enclosed and a fair bit of room will be needed for security and the money. I know there are going to be renovations but is it really going to bring in the type of cash flow that they have been talking about? 

I think the show miscalculated the weather too. It gets cold in Missouri, even in the southernmost part. People aren't going to sit around in an outdoor casino in the middle of winter. In fact most of this season seemed to take place in November. (I don't think poppies would still be growing in November in Missouri, either.) I guess they could enclose the two upper portions but it's still not terribly realistic.

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It was funny that Zeke's two options were either being with the people who murdered his mother or the people who murdered his father.

Technically "murder" implies intent, and Marty was acting in self defense to save Wendy's life when he shot Mason so it's more accidental homicide. But . . . point taken.

Quote

I still liked the show, but I felt earlier in the day that this particular plot was kind of derivative, and I'm disappointed the show didn't do better here. I guess it's her tragic flaw or something, but I would have preferred something not as derivative. 

Yes. Overall I feel like this was a stronger season than the first. But Ruth, who is arguably one of the most interesting characters on the show, is horribly frustrating to watch, as she vacillates between her devotion to her father and her devotion to Marty. We get it: her greatest flaw is her need for her father's approval and/or love. But it's annoying as hell. There's nothing compelling about watching an abuse victim constantly try to win their abuser's love or respect or approval. It just sort of turns you off to them. By the end I was ready for someone to off not only Cade but Ruth as well. 

Also, the scene where she marvels at the Byrd's breakfast routine seemed horribly contrived and ham-fisted. Yes, I get that she has never had a "normal" family life, but she owns a TV set. She's familiar with what typical suburbia is supposed to look like. A family sitting down to a meal together shouldn't be that alien a concept, even to her.

I would happily watch a third season of this show, but I won't be devastated if there isn't one. I guess that speaks to my level of enthusiam for the show overall. 

[ganesh]

41 minutes ago, iMonrey said:

We get it: her greatest flaw is her need for her father's approval and/or love.

But we didn't get why. They just laid it out as fact, and I don't know if it was earned. I mean, I guess I could buy that she's raising the other two on her own and she's young, so it's exhausting being the adult and she needs an actual adult there, but she actually seemed to be doing fine considering she had to kill her uncles to survive. She basically got Wyatt into Mizzou. If anything, it's more believable to me that she's yelling "I've had to parent these two and I'm not parenting you too now."

They really dropped the ball with making a good emancipation parallel with Ruth and Charlotte. 

45 minutes ago, iMonrey said:

A family sitting down to a meal together shouldn't be that alien a concept, even to her.

She should have said, "I thought this was only a thing you see on tv." Also it gave the great joke - we eat in the car when we're on the run.

I would be very interested in a 3rd season where the Byrds replace the Snells as the power family in the region and gets into it with the mob.  

[Rap541]

On ‎9‎/‎4‎/‎2018 at 11:17 AM, iMonrey said:

I think the show miscalculated the weather too. It gets cold in Missouri, even in the southernmost part. People aren't going to sit around in an outdoor casino in the middle of winter. In fact most of this season seemed to take place in November. (I don't think poppies would still be growing in November in Missouri, either.) I guess they could enclose the two upper portions but it's still not terribly realistic.

The thing about casinos is getting the casino *in*. Once you have a legal casino on a tiny paddleboat, you have an established casino business and can expend to a larger boat while the first boat still functions as "the casino". Three years later, you've got a private island built in the middle of the lake with the real casino and the tiny paddleboat becomes the quaint bar. 

[Witchz]

Okay so I was very surprised when they had Darlene kill Jacob - just as I would have been shocked if he followed through and killed her. These two people were all each other had and to give it up so quickly just hits me as not believable. Darlene could have gotten a baby with Jacob alive and I don't believe for one second getting a baby would make his death okay for her. But with that said I don't see how they are going to take her out next season without hurting the baby which you know she is going to wear as a shield - 24 x7. 

I also would have liked it if they would have had some dialogue between Marty and Wendy about he fact that they killed Zekes father and then gave him to the people responsible for his mothers death and eventually his fathers- how creepy and scary is that ? And wrong - whats to say she wont get crazy and harm the baby? If she can kill her husband of many years she can a baby too. Im confused about Ash was he their son or just an employee? 

I didn't find Rachel a likable character this season - last was better for her imo. I really cant see Marty falling for her at this time with her drug issues being what they were. I did not agree with his insistence that she was not to blame for what she had done - come on please. He is so strong in his belief that everyone else has made choices that led to their demise or rise - but she gets a go free card? Really lame.

The daughter thing - I don't care either way. 

I wanted to see Ruth kill her father and it would have been a lot cleaner for all involved. With all these deaths and disappearances from a seemingly quiet town it would have to set off a lot of red flags wouldn't it? And I think it would not take long for the answer to be clear about who is or has to have involvement. 

My biggest complaint about this show is do we have to wait for another year before we get some more of it? I wish they would do half seasons or more shows because I cant get enough of this show even with any of the dislikes I may have. 

Isnt this the last show - so we cant really spoil it can we?

[ganesh]

13 hours ago, Rap541 said:

Once you have a legal casino on a tiny paddleboat, you have an established casino business and can expend to a larger boat while the first boat still functions as "the casino".

They really underscored that with Helen saying several times how huge it was that they just got the casino in and how impressed the cartel is. I feel like they bought themselves a ton of breathing room with the cartel, which will help when they have to deal with Frank. 

12 hours ago, Witchz said:

But with that said I don't see how they are going to take her out next season without hurting the baby which you know she is going to wear as a shield - 24 x7. 

Would the cartel care? She poisoned their product. They only backed off because Jacob said he'd keep her in line. 

12 hours ago, Witchz said:

And I think it would not take long for the answer to be clear about who is or has to have involvement. 

Again, would they care though? The cop knew the dad robbed the strip club and he knew he was selling the boat parts. I would think they'd just chalk it up to 'I'm surprised this didn't happen sooner' and move on. For all they know, he got into a road rage incident and got shot. No one but Wendy and Helen knows he had a bag of cash. 

[Rap541]

Well, I do think the FBI guy's body will turn up eventually and that will be an issue but I have to admit, I am really glad he's gone. 

[ganesh]

They already found his car and made a point to zoom in on the federal plates. So that means more FBI agents and I'm sure a dead agent turning up in the Byrds backyard is going to be an issue. 

Which is funny because this is the one thing they literally have nothing to do with. 

[Lemons]

18 hours ago, Witchz said:

Okay so I was very surprised when they had Darlene kill Jacob - just as I would have been shocked if he followed through and killed her. These two people were all each other had and to give it up so quickly just hits me as not believable. Darlene could have gotten a baby with Jacob alive and I don't believe for one second getting a baby would make his death okay for her. But with that said I don't see how they are going to take her out next season without hurting the baby which you know she is going to wear as a shield - 24 x7. 

I wanted to see Ruth kill her father and it would have been a lot cleaner for all involved. With all these deaths and disappearances from a seemingly quiet town it would have to set off a lot of red flags wouldn't it? And I think it would not take long for the answer to be clear about who is or has to have involvement. 

My biggest complaint about this show is do we have to wait for another year before we get some more of it? I wish they would do half seasons or more shows because I cant get enough of this show even with any of the dislikes I may have. 

Isnt this the last show - so we cant really spoil it can we?

What I don't think they explained is why Darlene never had children, or did they?  Why now, in her 60's?  

It was disappointing that Ruth was upset over her father's death, she should have said good riddance.     

[TV1]

I really love this show for the most part. I saw only average reviews but I was on the edge of my seat. I didn't really enjoy Wendy's character at first but her development up to this episode became fascinating. That motherly sweetness masking something more than we really know at this point.  I love to hate her. It was such a shift in roles and Marty being more emotionally affected by the end.

I think it would be interesting to see where this depressing arrangement puts them. The look of fear on Marty's face in that final picture was chilling. I thought it would be interesting to see how she takes it farther than Walter white in that she thinks this is better for the family and they all just obey her out of fear. I could see Marty attempting a private relationship with Rachel and it not really bothering Wendy as long as It doesn't affect their image. OR she cares in a power hungry possessive way and he sneaks the relationship. It feels like it would be Wendy's  world and people just live in it and the moral decaying of that. It's too bad Rachel must not be returning for season 3 (if there is one). I really got into her storyline and enjoyed her scenes with Ruth. They put enough into her backstory and made me sort of want her to get more than a rehab send off. I felt bad for her. Yeah she stole the money but she was put in a crappy situation and Petty must have traumatized her.  I feel bad that she has no one. I like that Marty was still drawn to her and that it made Wendy all twitchy. I gotta have a little dose of that in the shows I watch :) I like the realism of their marriage not ever really recovering from the already screwed up situation combined with her affair. It's an endlessly entertaining character study of slowly being corrupted in the process of trying to protect your family.

Can I just say that I want to adopt Ruth? Her cute little crying face broke my heart about 400 times.

[tomsmom]

The one thing that bugs me is the fact that none of the criminals use burner phones and I was especially bugged by the fact that it showed the typing bubbles on Marty’s phone when Charlotte doesn’t have an iPhone. It doesn’t work that way.

[iMonrey]

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In regards to the bone switching: We are supposed to believe that the FBI just packed up at 5 pm and went home leaving all that evidence sitting out in the field unattended overnight? Zero chance of that happening.

They should have had someone get to the lab tech. That would have been more believable.

I really didn't understand how this went down either. They dug up some bones from the family plot then planted them where the FBI was digging. But . . . the FBI had already unearthed another skeleton that belonged to the preacher's wife (presumably), so there must have been a switcheroo in the crime lab and they never explained how they pulled that off.

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I didn't find Rachel a likable character this season - last was better for her imo.

Yeah, there really wasn't any hint that she had a drug problem last season. It kind of felt like the show was really reaching just to return the character to the story. 

[Jersey Guy 87]

16 hours ago, iMonrey said:

Yeah, there really wasn't any hint that she had a drug problem last season. It kind of felt like the show was really reaching just to return the character to the story. 

Rachel seemed interested in having some drinks and a good time with a guy last season.  That's a far cry from being hooked on opiates which seemed to be her first reaction after stealing the money.

[Rockfish]

Even with the uneven writing and plot holes, this show is one I really enjoy. Linney’s and Bateman’s acting is great, seems effortless. I was naive, though, before I got to the last couple of episodes—based on the title of this one, I thought, “Yay, they’re going to make their escape to the Gold Coast!” Um, nope. 

I enjoyed seeing Wendy become more and more pragmatic and ruthless while Marty started making emotional-and-not-always-the-best decisions, also liked the interaction between Wendy and the lawyer.

Someone better rescue that baby!

Edited September 12, 2018 by Rockfish

[SoMuchTV]

On 8/31/2018 at 7:53 AM, paulvdb said:

 

 

On 8/31/2018 at 7:56 AM, paulvdb said:

 

I'm confused - can someone help me out?  I've just finished the last episode & I'm  just now reading this thread, and it seems to be a combination of the threads for episodes 6 & 10.  And the ep 6 thread is no longer there, although I'm sure I read it earlier after I watched that episode. @paulvdb - are you the mod for this forum?  I tried to quote your episode recaps but they're not showing up - it's the first two posts on this thread.  Did something accidentally get merged?

[paulvdb]

16 hours ago, SoMuchTV said:

Did something accidentally get merged?

Looks like it. I have split the episode 6 posts back into a separate topic. I think all posts are in the correct topic now, but please send me a message if you see a post that's in the wrong place.

[ganesh]

Maybe we should just have a Season 2 thread for the whole thing.

[SoMuchTV]

2 hours ago, ganesh said:

Maybe we should just have a Season 2 thread for the whole thing.

I'd have to disagree with that.  I liked being able to read comments on each episode after I watched it, without spoilers for the ones I hadn't seen yet.  I gotta say, I had trouble keeping a lot of those middle aged white guys straight. Some of them weren't even still alive, for Pete's sake!

[ganesh]

(For people who have already watched the whole season.)

[SoMuchTV]

20 minutes ago, ganesh said:

(For people who have already watched the whole season.)

Oh, got it - you mean an overall season thread, plus the separate episode threads.  It seems like people have requested that on some other shows I follow, and the answer has been that we can either have separate episodes threads, or one per season.  Not sure if that's a site-wide rule, or individual mod's decisions.  But the bottom line is that the thread for the last episode does double  duty as the overall season thread, and it's okay to discuss previous episodes "in light of" things that happened later.  Mod or Admin, please correct me if that's not the right interpretation.

[AuntiePam]

On 9/8/2018 at 7:17 PM, Lemons said:

It was disappointing that Ruth was upset over her father's death, she should have said good riddance.     

It's always more complicated than that.  There had to have been times when Cade was someone Ruth could admire.  And even if a parent isn't admirable, a sign of affection will go a long way -- we saw that in one of the earlier episodes, when Cade showed Ruth some respect.  She ate that up, it was what she'd been looking for.  Kids can be like dogs -- abuse them and they'll still wag their tails when they see you.  And Ruth is basically still a kid.

[CelticBlackCat]

14 hours ago, AuntiePam said:

It's always more complicated than that.  There had to have been times when Cade was someone Ruth could admire.  And even if a parent isn't admirable, a sign of affection will go a long way -- we saw that in one of the earlier episodes, when Cade showed Ruth some respect.  She ate that up, it was what she'd been looking for.  Kids can be like dogs -- abuse them and they'll still wag their tails when they see you.  And Ruth is basically still a kid.

So true.  If a child, even an adult child, loses their abusive parent, they can oftentimes grieve for what mother or father they wished they had, and now it's never going to happen.  Losing a parent can make you feel a little more alone in the world too.

[Guest]

On 9/14/2018 at 4:01 PM, SoMuchTV said:

But the bottom line is that the thread for the last episode does double  duty as the overall season thread, and it's okay to discuss previous episodes "in light of" things that happened later.  Mod or Admin, please correct me if that's not the right interpretation.

No correction required; that's totally on the money for this forum.  

[Maysie]

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It's always more complicated than that.  There had to have been times when Cade was someone Ruth could admire.  And even if a parent isn't admirable, a sign of affection will go a long way -- we saw that in one of the earlier episodes, when Cade showed Ruth some respect.  She ate that up, it was what she'd been looking for.  Kids can be like dogs -- abuse them and they'll still wag their tails when they see you.  And Ruth is basically still a kid.

Thanks for saying this. God knows I thought Cade Slingblade Langmore was an awful, hateful person, and I am glad he's gone, but he's her father. It's all she knows. The need for parental love and approval is one of those really basic needs. And considering Ruth's life - where she's lived, how poorly her family is regarded in the community, her education and options, being the only female in the family trying to hold it all together - yeah, I can see where her emotions and actions regarding her father are kind of all over the map. Her brain is smart enough to know Cade was a bad man and not good to/for her, but her heart and her dna may be at odds with that.

Ruth is treated like the town's stray dog. Everyone likes to toss her a bone or a scrap and do the minimum for her to make them feel better about themselves, but at the end of the day, it didn't seem to me like anyone really cared about her. It made me nuts when Marty basically laid all this at her feet when he was planning to take off to the gold coast with his family. I know it's a vote of confidence that she can handle the business side, but does anyone seriously think that the cartel would be all "well, it's okay if Ruth is running the money laundering operation now - we don't care where the Byrds are!" Hell no! They will torture her again, or even kill her or her family because there's no way they won't think she's not in on it. There's a reason why Marty wants to be untraceable and to put Ruth in that position was really irresponsible and, I thought, showed how little consideration he really gives Ruth.

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She had good reasons for the killing. Wyatt's supposed to be fairly reasonable but he then goes off in a snit as if he didn't hear a word she said.

I'm okay with Wyatt's anger about Ruth's confession. At first I was kind of annoyed by the "ghost of Wyatt's dad" making appearances to Wyatt, but it gave some insight into how he saw his relationship with his dad. And like Ruth's situation, it's the family he had and it's the family he loved. He knew parts were fucked up, but when you look at things like the situation at school (Wyatt being underestimated because he's a Langmore - Mizzou is out of reach for him simply for that reason) it underscores how isolated they were from everyone else, so I get that you love the ones you're with (especially when no one else will give you the chance). I feel badly for Wyatt because the most important person in his life was killed by the second most important person in his life (and the only one who really has his back).

I think there are some interesting parallels with father/child relationships - you've got Ruth and Wyatt, but there's also Jonah, following in his dad's footsteps, laundering money too (and how fucked up is it that Wendy asked him to do some more, "just this once"? - the Byrds aren't much better in the parenting department than the Langmores; they're just a little more presentable about it). All these children wanting their fathers' approval...

I have to ask this question because we obviously missed something: I thought they wanted the Snell's land to build the casino, isn't that right? Wasn't that part of all the back and forth this season? And now Zeke is (shudder) living under Darlene's care. So what was the point of all of that if the casino is a riverboat now? Is that supposed to be the segue for the casino on the Snell's place? That ties into my biggest complaint about the season - it seemed kind of all over the map. I do understand that these types of stories have a lot of moving parts, but we have the cartel, the Snells, the Byrds, the locals, the Feds and now the mob. I think if they're going to bring in so many different factors the storytelling needs to tighten up a bit. Breaking Bad was masterful at that stuff, but this show doesn't seem to be as artful at juggling all these bits and pieces.

[CelticBlackCat]

To answer your question about the need for the Snells' land, the casino riverboat would be on the river, but they also wanted to build a hotel and other amenities on the land to attract more customers and more revenue.

[atlantaloves]

Well that was a kick ass finale....God just kill off everybody folks! I love this show. The women are not to be messed with, but please somebody kill off Mrs. Snell, for her horrible accent alone!  Oh, and I am totally Team Ruthie! 

[PsychoDrone]

Awesome season.  Charlotte and Cade were the most tiresome characters to watch.  Charlotte was a cliche and Cade was irredeemable.  Cade was similar to Rachel by blaming others for their poor decisions.  Rachel stealing $300k was the height of stupidity.  If she hadn't come back, someone would have come for her.

Cade: "All you people understand is money."  Funny statement from the person that had been spending most of the season trying to get his hands on said money.  Upon seeing that Wendy had set up a meet with him, I knew he was dead.  The public meet wasn't for her benefit, but Cade's. He really had no clue the danger he was in.  Wendy and the cartel lawyer were the two big bads from this season.  Darlene was just crazy without any direction.

Speaking of Darlene, she needed Jacob to keep her in check.  He was the voice of reason in that r-ship.  Without him, she would have been dead long ago.  Only reason Darlene and Jacob weren't killed was the plot didn't demand it.  The cartel is entirely too efficient to not have killed both of them in that hit.  Writers should have figured something else out to make Darlene and Jacob surviving more believable.

Next season, Wendy will become Scarface.  Not really worried about the KC mob.  Arrangements will be made.  Darlene won't be around for long.  And, the FBI will be investigating Petty's death.  Regardless, I will be here for it.

Edited September 16, 2018 by PsychoDrone

[PrincessPurrsALot]

On 9/7/2018 at 10:04 PM, Rap541 said:

The thing about casinos is getting the casino *in*. Once you have a legal casino on a tiny paddleboat, you have an established casino business and can expend to a larger boat while the first boat still functions as "the casino". Three years later, you've got a private island built in the middle of the lake with the real casino and the tiny paddleboat becomes the quaint bar. 

I have been to a few "on the river" casinos and this is exactly right.  Anything with gaming needs to be on the water.  This can be an obvious boat, which the Byrdes are starting with or buildings built on piers.  Marty said the first floor will have slots, the second will remain more open and they'll close the top for table games.  As they expand, they can use the boat as the cutesy, old fashioned entrance.  With a hotel and showrooms on land (a.k.a. anything without gaming) they can do well.  Most importantly for the cartel, cash business. @Rap541 sounds like we've been to similar places. 

I enjoyed this season even if at times I found some of the characters a bit limited.  Darlene Snell should have ended up in a ditch a long time ago.  I know the Snells are powerful and had police protection, but, given her volatile anger, I would expect someone else to clap back with brick to her head at some point.  I assume next season someone will take her out.  

No tears will be cried for Cade at Casa de PurrsALot.  I do understand Ruth not being able to kill her abusive father.  People who have been abused their whole lives cannot simply take a clear look from the outside and recognize that they are being treated terribly and it is absolutely not their fault.  She may say he's a monster; inside she still feels she has caused some of it.  It is a horribly complex situation.  

[atlantaloves]

Does anybody think Cade sexually abused Ruth? I tell you they were a little too too close for comfort.

[CelticBlackCat]

1 minute ago, atlantaloves said:

Does anybody think Cade sexually abused Ruth? I tell you they were a little too too close for comfort.

Yes, that's been touched on in previous threads.

[AuntiePam]

8 minutes ago, atlantaloves said:

Does anybody think Cade sexually abused Ruth? I tell you they were a little too too close for comfort.

I don't think so.  I didn't see their relationship as 'close' at all, physically or emotionally.  

Do we know how long he was in prison? 

I'll grant that the kiss on the lips looks weird if you're not the kind of family who kiss on the lips -- but many families do.  It was also weird that one time that he lay next to her on the bed, and she seemed uncomfortable, but he was never sexually inappropriate with her.

[JohnnyBravo]

Absolutely loved this series.  I hope they make another season.

[kelslamu]

I understand the thought process for giving Darlene the baby, but how does that play out for social services?  Won't someone check on the baby who is supposed to be with Marty and Wendy?  What if they end up finding a permanent home for him and Darlene won't give him up?  Something has to happen there.

[Rap541]

My theory - total speculation on my part - is that Darlene will cook her own goose at some point and Zeke will land back with the Byrds.

Because honestly, Darlene is a completely untenable character at this point. She has literally no idea who she is messing with as far as the cartel goes, and she has the social graces of a rabid weasel.  There's literally no reason for anyone in this deal to bother keeping her alive at this point. All she has done is make trouble, and she's completely unsympathetic. Why is Wendy arranging for Ruth's daddy to get taken care of when Darlene who had her thugs capture her son and shave his head is somehow safe? Its not like Darlene gets sentimental, she's the psycho who was fine with killing Grace and how does Wendy know that next time Darlene gets pissy, that Jonah won't come home with his balls cut off?

Darlene is next on the dead list.

[ganesh]

10 hours ago, kelslamu said:

I understand the thought process for giving Darlene the baby, but how does that play out for social services? 

Marty said he arranged Darlene to foster the baby leading to adoption. 

10 hours ago, Rap541 said:

Darlene is a completely untenable character at this point.

But there is that. At the time, Wendy and Marty thought they needed the Snells for access to the land. Once Marty and Helen did the end around about owning the land under the water, Jacob knew he lost and the only thing he could ask for was for the cartel to just let them be. Marty even said, listen, you're going to be very rich. Even at that point, had the Snells not tried to kill one another, the cartel would have hit them once the casino was up and running anyway. Why give them the money if they don't have to? Now, Darlene thinks she's still going to "fight". If they don't off her post haste, then the show borders on farcical. She has zero leverage.