The Ozark Season 4 Part 1 Scene That Has Fans Scratching Their Heads

In the opening scene of Episode 1, "The Beginning of the End," Marty, Wendy, Jonah, and Charlotte (Sofia Hublitz) are in the car discussing their imminent departure. Marty swerves to avoid hitting an oncoming truck, and their van flips multiple times. In the immediate aftermath of the wreck, it's unclear if there are any survivors. The remainder of the episode picks up right where Season 3 leaves off, and fans took to Reddit to voice their confusion about what could be the Byrdes' unfortunate end. "What was up with the car crash at the beginning of S4E1? Was it a dream or something? Was it a dream implying they can't escape their circumstances? Or am I missing something here?" wrote u/Severe-Draw-5979.

The idea of the scene being a dream is a legitimate explanation, especially since the show has used this plot device before. In Season 3 Episode 3, "Kevin Cronin Was Here," Wendy dreams she shoots Marty, harkening back to the Season 2 death of Cade Langmore (Trevor Long). However, many fans appear to be taking the scene at face value. "Foreshadowing. It's a narrative device," stated u/Johoski. "It's definitely a flash forward. Might be [returned to] mid-way on Part 2," stated u/willthroaway_.