The Toll
- Episode aired Jul 21, 2017
- TV-MA
- 1h 20m
IMDb RATING
9.1/10
7.7K
YOUR RATING
During his next sermon, Mason falters. Wendy and the kids are caught trying to flee their home. Marty brokers a deal between Jacob and Del.During his next sermon, Mason falters. Wendy and the kids are caught trying to flee their home. Marty brokers a deal between Jacob and Del.During his next sermon, Mason falters. Wendy and the kids are caught trying to flee their home. Marty brokers a deal between Jacob and Del.
Robert C. Treveiler
- Sheriff Nix
- (as Robert Treveiler)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaJason Bateman's character (Marty) references maritime law while revealing his master plan. On Arrested Development (2003), his character Michael Bluth has an obsession with maritime law.
- GoofsWhen Laura Linney is speaking on a cell phone to Harris Yulin, there was the sound of a phone hanging up at the end of the conversation. Cell phones don't make that sound.
- Quotes
Sheriff Nix: I passed Martin Byrde on the road coming in. So, what sort of business you have with him?
Jacob Snell: He owes us a debt.
Sheriff Nix: How big?
Jacob Snell: Bigger than yours.
- ConnectionsFeatured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Best TV Plot Twists You Didn't See Coming (2018)
Featured review
S1: Solid show, professionally made, but not the consistency or depth to really soar
The opening episode of Ozark very much hits the ground running (if you pardon the pun at the expense of one of the characters); it is urgent, impacting, and violent. It very much lives in the moment and it sums up the elements of this show that work well. Although subsequent episodes turn down the pace, it keeps that air reasonably well, and keeps the jeopardy moving, with new and altered risks and threats at each turn. On this front it is not remarkable, but it does the job well.
Ozark has had endless comparisons to Breaking Bad, which is unfair because the two are not alike where it matters. Marty is not on a journey in the way Walter was; his character is defined in the first episode and he really doesn't move from there. On the face of it, this is a family man in his neck of crime trying to get out, but it is a mire he willingly stepped into, and the skills he uses to try to get out are the same skills he used on day 1. This is a problem though - and not because it makes it less like Breaking Bad. The problem is that the show doesn't feel like it is driving down or into the story or characters, but rather that it is living on the action alone, which puts a strain on the writing to always come up with a problem, but one that can be overcome. It makes it engaging in the moment generally, but I didn't get drawn in as it could have done.
Despite this writing weakness, the cast do well, and the show benefits from a lot of talent, and a lot of people who have great presence. Bateman in particular does this, and he holds attention well. Likewise Linney is a strong bit of casting. Support is good but not perfect. For example Harner tries hard, but his character doesn't totally convince; Mullan is a terrific actor doing a character of still menace - well worn turf, and while he does well, he doesn't raise the bar. Garner is good, and is giving the most complex character - only downside is that she doesn't always come across clear to the viewer.
It is all very professionally made though, and it has more than enough incident and pace to hold the attention, although it doesn't ever have the feeling of depth or anything that would make you invest too deeply in the people. Entertainingly grim and dramatic though.
Ozark has had endless comparisons to Breaking Bad, which is unfair because the two are not alike where it matters. Marty is not on a journey in the way Walter was; his character is defined in the first episode and he really doesn't move from there. On the face of it, this is a family man in his neck of crime trying to get out, but it is a mire he willingly stepped into, and the skills he uses to try to get out are the same skills he used on day 1. This is a problem though - and not because it makes it less like Breaking Bad. The problem is that the show doesn't feel like it is driving down or into the story or characters, but rather that it is living on the action alone, which puts a strain on the writing to always come up with a problem, but one that can be overcome. It makes it engaging in the moment generally, but I didn't get drawn in as it could have done.
Despite this writing weakness, the cast do well, and the show benefits from a lot of talent, and a lot of people who have great presence. Bateman in particular does this, and he holds attention well. Likewise Linney is a strong bit of casting. Support is good but not perfect. For example Harner tries hard, but his character doesn't totally convince; Mullan is a terrific actor doing a character of still menace - well worn turf, and while he does well, he doesn't raise the bar. Garner is good, and is giving the most complex character - only downside is that she doesn't always come across clear to the viewer.
It is all very professionally made though, and it has more than enough incident and pace to hold the attention, although it doesn't ever have the feeling of depth or anything that would make you invest too deeply in the people. Entertainingly grim and dramatic though.
helpful•2812
- bob the moo
- Mar 9, 2019
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Filming locations
- 6405 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Norcross, Georgia, USA(Shell Station and Las Tortas Restaurant where Wendy and kids eat and where Wendy calls Buddy)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 20 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content