It can hardly be said that any of the characters of Ozark remain the same people from its first episode until its last. Even the incredibly cruel characters experience some form of change, whether they become more or less set in their ways. The Byrde family is no exception, as each of them has an experience that makes them question their allegiance to one another and the life they have gotten themselves caught up in. But no matter the developments of the characters, Jonah remains the most stubborn of the Byrdes, right until the end.

Throughout Ozark, the Byrdes are forced to negotiate their way out of the repercussions of their actions. The early discovery that Marty's partner stole eight million dollars from the Navarro drug cartel he and Marty (Jason Bateman) launder money for, leads Marty to make up an excuse to live. He volunteers to move himself and his family to the Ozarks to expand the laundering operation. This hasty decision results in a great deal of tension between Marty, his wife Wendy (Laura Linney), and their children Charlotte (Sofia Hublitz) and Jonah (Skylar Gaertner).

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When Charlotte and Jonah are first made aware of the real reason for their move to the Ozarks, Charlotte is the one who is the most taken aback by it. Jonah, meanwhile, is rather inquisitive and takes it upon himself to help his family figure out their next steps. He researches the cartel and brings the Blue Cat to Marty's attention, proposing that he invest in it and use the business to launder money. He also befriends Tuck (Evan George Vourazeris), a worker at the Blue Cat, whom Jonah eventually convinces to buy him a rifle. Jonah learns to shoot from Buddy (Harris Yulin) and tries to use his knowledge to protect his family shortly after when a cartel enforcer arrives at the home to keep Wendy, Charlotte, and himself from leaving.

Jonah Byrde and Ben Davis at the breakfast table

The biggest change for Jonah arrives at the start of season 4. In the finale of Ozark's third season, Jonah corners Helen Pierce (Janet McTeer) with a rifle, thinking she compromised his family and led to the death of his Uncle Ben (Tom Pelphrey). In a sordid turn of events, Jonah learns that his mother ordered the hit on Ben, and he snaps. Jonah's anger toward Wendy extends to Marty and Charlotte for trying to make sense of her actions, and he moves out of the Byrde's home. In staying at the Lazy O, he becomes much closer to Ruth Langmore (Julia Garner), and agrees to launder money for her. At this point, Ruth has removed herself from employment at the Byrde businesses, and is in a partnership with Darlene Snell (Lisa Emery). Together, they become competition for the Byrdes.

The resistance Jonah exhibits toward his family continues into Ozark's final episodes. The series finale, "A Hard Way To Go," is where things with Jonah take a surprising turn. After he and Charlotte are guilted into staying with Marty and Wendy, and the four of them survive a horrible car accident, the family returns home. Jonah makes the surprising choice to attend the Byrde Family Foundation's fundraiser alongside the rest of his family. Given the tense relationship he has had with them, particularly Wendy, since Ben's murder, this sudden choice is quite stunning. However, the unexpected choices Jonah makes in Ozark's series finale don't stop there.

Jonah holding shotgun in Ozark

After the fundraiser, the Byrdes return home one last time. Wendy and Marty stumble upon the broken glass of their side door. Outside it sits Mel Sattem (Adam Rothenberg), a private investigator the Byrdes thought they had rid themselves of earlier in the season. Mel was originally hired by Helen's family to find out what had happened to her, before they dropped the case. He then scored a second job from Wendy's father, who hoped to find Ben. Marty and Wendy pulled strings to get Mel reinstated by the Chicago police department, making his reappearance in "A Hard Way To Go" more shocking. Mel reveals that he has found Ben's ashes and that he will bring them down for all the bad things they've done. Jonah then emerges from behind with his gun in hand, pointing at Mel. The screen fades to black and a single shot is heard.

The natural assumption is that Jonah killed Mel to protect the family, something he has tried to do since season 1. However, when he first cornered the Navarro cartel enforcer with his gun in season 1, he was unable to use it. When he traps Helen in her home with the gun in season 3, he still finds himself unable to act. In "A Hard Way to Go," he finally uses his weapon, and it couldn't have come at a more opportune time for him. By killing Mel, the Byrdes can continue with their plans. As a troubled Chicago cop who was only recently reinstated after being fired for stealing drugs, the likelihood of anyone devotedly searching for Mel is unlikely. Given their access to the funeral parlor and its crematorium, the Byrdes can get rid of Mel quickly and leave the Ozarks as planned.

Jonah's decision to stay with the family, attend the fundraiser, and then shoot a man to protect them solidifies his position. Jonah has now committed a serious crime on behalf of the family. For the Byrdes, there is no greater display of their allegiance. Of all the Byrdes, Jonah has had the most fascinating journey. He begins as an introvert, becomes overtly curious, and eventually, resorts to crime. The doubts he once had about his family are ultimately replaced by his own display of allegiance. By committing a crime for them, he has committed himself to their legacy, no matter what comes of it now.

Ozark is now streaming on Netflix.

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