Ozark Season 1 — References To The Bible (Fisher of Men)
I’m going to convince you Ozark S1 contains several easter eggs from the Bible. The events of the show are like parables that lead to a deeper understanding of the Bible.
Wyatt Uses The Bible To Trick Charlotte
S1 starts with the Byrde family travels from Chicago to the Ozarks. After renting a hotel room, Marty goes to look for businesses that he can use to wash the money he got from Del.
The money is in the family’s hotel room, and Marty tells Charlotte and Jonah to guard the hotel room.
When Wyatt and Three Langmore try to get into the Byrde’s hotel room in S1 E2 “Blue Cat”, Wyatt makes up an excuse.
Wyatt tells Charlotte that “the manager” wants to make sure that a copy of the Bible is in the room. This is a lie.
Wyatt’s “Come-To-Jesus Summer”
Wyatt says his job working at the hotel is his Dad’s hope that he will “have a come to Jesus Summer” and switch his major. Wyatt tells Charlotte that his dad is a Baptist lawyer. This is also a lie.
His lies work. Charlotte leaves, and later Jonah does too. And while they are away, the money is stolen by Ruth Langmore.
Marty Becomes A Fisher Of Men
“Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News." Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men.
Before Jesus feeds the multitudes, John the Baptist is beheaded. John’s disciples took his body and buried it and then the disciples went and told Jesus.
When Jesus hears about John’s death and burial, he withdraws by boat to a solitary place.
This may be coincidence, but the story arc of Matthew 14 is very similar to E1 and E2 of S1 from Ozark. Bruce and the Hansons are killed, Marty withdraws to a solitary place, and when the money is stolen by the Langmores he travels by boat to go retrieve it, managing to get the money back through what feels like a miracle.
In order to get the money back Marty has to first act like a fisherman.
He buys fishing equipment, coolers, ice, and five catfish before going to confront The Langmores. As viewers we know, Marty is not fishing for fish, but for the Langmores. Similar to the way that Jesus told his disciples “I will make you into fishers for men.”
Did you find this interesting? We created a book that explains more references to the Bible that we found in the show Ozark. Here’s a trailer for the book:
Here’s what the book looks like:
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