A Look at Netflix’s “Ozark” & MBTI Review

Joel Nova
Joel Nova
Jul 27, 2017 · 6 min read

Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams just can’t stop talking about money. The dual writer & producer duo behind one of my favorite films of 2016, The Accountant, are hot with a new series once again centered around the delicate craft of money laundering. But seriously, they cant stop talking about money; a sequel has been announced for The Accountant. Although Ozark’s star Jason Bateman (Michael Bluth, Arrested Development) looks like he’s been hitting the gym lately, the series is shaping up to be a more calculated, but still cruel, than it’s adrenaline filled cousin.

“Money is not peace of mind. Money is not happiness. Money is, at it’s essence, that measure of a man’s choices.” — Martin Byrde

Jason Bateman stars as Martin “Marty” Byrde, a talented financial advisor, and one half of a firm he started with his best friend, Bruce Lidell. Both of these guys love money, as they are seeking a leg up in social mobility through laundering cash for a powerful drug lord. However, the setting is in Chicago. The Lake of the Ozarks, which the series is titled after, is in Missouri. It’s clear that Marty Byrde has to leave Chicago with his family. The rest of the series may slow down when he gets there, but episode one is certainly a wild ride with no brakes.

The most intriguing quality of the show so far is the access granted to Jason Bateman to direct. He’s strung, on average, a handful of single-episode exploits throughout his career. Bateman has a four episode grind in Ozark, opening and closing the series with episodes 1,2,9 & 10. While doubling as the protagonist, Bateman has the privilege to display his directing and acting personality together. And since I’m writing this review, I have the opportunity to display what I think his character’s personality is!

I’m learning more and more about Meyers Briggs Personality types, of which there are 16. Most people’s understanding of personality is just “Introvert vs Extrovert”, but we are a bit more complicated than that. The Meyers Briggs’ theory suggests that we each have two introverted and two extroverted cognitive functions, it just all depends on where we prioritize those functions in our behavior.

Each type has a four letter code, which drops a hint on the four functions we prioritize. My personality type is ISFJ, and my functions are, ranked from dominant to inferior:

Introverted Sensing — Extroverted Feeling — Introverted Thinking — Extroverted Intuition.

It’s interesting, because my guess for Marty Byrde is quite close to my type. I think he’s ISTJ.


The Lidell and Byrde financial advising firm was slated for an expansion. Scouting for new locations, Lidell must convince Byrde to settle. The details revealed in this one scene nearly showed everything I needed to form a good theory on Byrde’s MBTI.

The dominant function for ISTJ is Introverted Sensing.

“Practical, strategic thinkers that love pulling the best out of people and projects. Whatever they decide to do, it will probably involve maximizing potential.” — Typeinmind.com description for ISTJ

Marty’s career choice is a huge giveaway, as he is an accountant and financial advisor, which requires a huge knack for the small details and maximizing potential for clients.

Introverted Sensors are also great with routines and rituals. Marty has been married for 22 years! The fact that he needed to be further convinced by Bruce to settle on a new office space shows that he needs time to make decisions; changing his routine!

People with this function aren’t always the flashiest people either. They may prefer simple, practical choices. Bruce comparing his fancy car and high rise apartment to Marty’s standard vehicle and house in the ‘burbs is key.

So, we can see why Bruce is into the laundering business, but what is Marty’s motivation? It’s probably his family. Introverted Sensors have a deadly combination of high personal standards and a capacity for selflessness. It appears to me that Marty is risking his life and career to provide maximum financial security for his family.

Extroverted Thinking is the supporting function for the ISTJ

Although it wasn’t shown off much in the scene I mentioned, Extroverted Thinking is the function that makes Marty such a fun character to watch. Marty’s physical appearance isn’t intimidating, but he is a force of nature when he speaks his mind. People with this function can read a room fast, and any details they picked up previously with Introverted Sensing is used for a snap judgement to advance or break down a complicated situation. ISTJ’s are efficient, and they will stick around if you notice them for it.

Introverted Feeling is the tertiary function of the ISTJ

This function is heavily overshadowed by the logical prowess of ISTJ. This is why Marty could come off as blunt when he shares his critiques of others. Because his feelings are directed inwards, he’s not going to be an emotionally savvy man and this may affect his relationship with his family. But the strength of this function is the internalizing of personal values. Marty isn’t concerned with the thoughts of others, as people like me with the opposite function of Extroverted Feeling are. He cares for what he wants, and has proven he’s willing to break the law for it.

Extroverted Intuition is the final and inferior function of the ISTJ

At home, Wendy, Marty’s wife, tries to persuade her son Jonah who is reluctant to go to a school dance. She draws back on a time where Marty was afraid to buy a trampoline for Jonah, but was convinced by Wendy as well to follow through, and in the end they all had fun with it. Charlotte, Marty’s daughter, gets involved in the discussion and it becomes an argument. She lashes out at Marty. Why do you always take his side? It’s not like you ever say anything to him. In that quick sentence, she swipes at Marty’s weak Introverted Feeling function, in that she can not see how Marty and Jonah have a strong relationship. But maybe it’s because they are similar; if they both are reluctant to try new things, it’s clear that they both have inferior Extroverted Intuition.

With this function so far down the totem pole, ISTJ’s like Marty are going to suffer without the proper planning, reconnaissance, and establishment they prefer with a dominant Introverted Sensing function. Uprooting himself and his family out to the Ozarks is going to be a massive strain on Marty’s psyche. But they depend on him, and I’m sure he has a new exciting job (possibly criminal) lined up there. This will be the source of drama for the series. With his strongest function completely thrown down the well, and the threat of drug lords and federal agents in the midst, how will this nerdy accountant protect himself and his family?

Thank you for reading. Ozark entire 10-episode first season is up on Netflix NOW

Joel Nova

Written by

Joel Nova

Giving you a break from all the productivity and politics.

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