Jonah (played by Skylar Gaertner) has been on quite the journey during Ozark’s three-season run on Netflix so far. Introduced as the young son of money launderer Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) and wife Wendy (Laura Linney), Jonah’s gone from a blissfully unaware schoolboy to a tech-savvy and hardened teenager. And while he’s remained a pivotal part of the family throughout, despite the heartbreak caused by his parents’ actions, could season four finally see him reach breaking point?
Season three was arguably Jonah’s most transformative ever since he set foot in the Ozark’s with his parents and sister Charlotte (Sofia Hublitz).
He’d already experienced grief following the death of Buddy (Harris Yulin) and had come to terms with his parents’ criminal enterprise, even showing know-how of his own to set up an illegal bank account.
But in the season three finale, he discovered the truth about the tragic death of his uncle Ben Davis (Tom Pelphrey).
Ben arrived to reunite with sister Wendy in the third season and quickly struck up a close bond with his nephew.
READ MORE: Ozark season 4: Helen’s death foreshadowed by Jonah in quote to Erin
However, Ben’s erratic behaviour and refusal to take medication for his bipolar disorder posed a threat to the future of Wendy and Marty’s place with the Navarro Cartel.
Ben even outed the entire business to scheming lawyer Helen Pierce (Janet McTeer) in front of her daughter Erin (Madison Thompson) – a massive mistake in the eyes of the cartel.
In an attempt to show their commitment to the cartel and secure their own safety, Wendy even organised to have her own brother murdered for the threat he posed and his actions.
Helen lent a helping hand of course, but when Jonah tracked her down to exact revenge for his killing by shooting her, she told him the truth about his mother’s involvement.
“Jonah is at a bit of a crossroads when it comes to his family; until then, he had gotten through by being extremely adaptable, loyal, curious and optimistic.”
Gaertner went on to refer to how Jonah has managed to overcome the challenges his parents have posed to those characteristics thus far.
But hinting Ben’s death could be one step too far, he added to the publication it “threatens to topple all of that”.
So with Gaertner opening up on Jonah’s new way of thinking, this could be the biggest clue yet Jonah will go his own way – but how could he do it?
One option is to hand his parents and the entire enterprise into law enforcement – although he’d likely recognise the consequences which could follow as a result.
Fans have already seen Charlotte try to emancipate herself from her parents too so could Jonah follow suit?
Jonah also has a fake identity under the alias Mike Fleming established as well, complete with a bank account and documentation.
Or will Jonah end up staying by his parents’ side despite everything they’ve been through as they ready themselves for their biggest test yet in the fourth and final season?
Ozark seasons 1-3 are available to stream on Netflix now.
