Jacob Snell quotes from Ozark

Jacob Snell

Man cannot tame what God wishes to be wild.

Jacob Snell

Legend goes that when they flooded my people out to make way for this lake, they swallowed a church up whole. You can still hear the bell from under the water. Certain people believe it's a sign. A call to worship. Others think it's a sign that someone's gonna die. Today, it was both. Next time, it's up to you.

Jacob Snell

Ill-humor in the morning brings about a darkened day.

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.

How big?

Jacob Snell

Bigger than yours.

Darlene Snell

[calling out from the porch] You buckle up! Drive safe.

Jacob Snell

Things happen. You apologize and you move on.

Marty Byrde

She blew a man's head off.

Jacob Snell

For which she is contrite.

Marty Byrde

Am I supposed to believe that?

Jacob Snell

The woman brought you fresh honey.

Marty Byrde

Mm-hmm.

Jacob Snell

It was you, wasn't it? You spiked the product.

Darlene Snell

What if I did?

Jacob Snell

You know how many people you've hurt?

Darlene Snell

Ugh! Some junkies who were killing themselves with dope succeeded. So what? This is about respect. The cartel thought they could roll right over us. Well, they don't anymore.

Jacob Snell

I think you misconstrue the situation.

Darlene Snell

I told you not to get involved with them.

Jacob Snell

I don't answer to you, Darlene. I think you misconstrue the situation. They'll come after us. There'll be a war.

Darlene Snell

We've had to fight before. I am not afraid. Are you?

Jacob Snell

Yes, I am. I am afraid. Of you...and your implacable rage. Your rashness. You killed Ash...for no reason. For money, for a casino.

Darlene Snell

I killed him to save you.

Jacob Snell

I guess we just see things differently.

Marty Byrde

Jacob.

Jacob Snell

Excuse me if I don't shake your hand.

Marty Byrde

I'm fine skipping pleasantries. Let's make this overture brief.

Jacob Snell

The Almighty himself could not convince us to lift our blockade.

Marty Byrde

What about the federal government? You know who I spent the morning with? Your friends over at the power company. I wanted to know how it was that they were able to get your ancestors off of their land so quickly back in 1929.

Jacob Snell

No mystery there. Lies, theft, intimidation.

Marty Byrde

Well, they got an assist from a little thing called riparian rights.

Jacob Snell

Pardon me?

Marty Byrde

Riparian rights are the laws that say who owns the land under a body of water. It's kind of crazy, right? I mean, who ever stops to consider the land under a lake? Or, in this case, the Missouri River. Which last time I checked was a federal waterway. What this means, Jacob, is that the instant you flooded your land and connected it to the Missouri, you ceded all of that flooded land to the US government.

Helen Pierce

Which is how I managed to obtain this written order guaranteeing our workers access to the boat. Now, if you defy this order, we can have the US Marshals escort them.

Jacob Snell

And the land that you need for access roads and parking lots to get the people to your precious boat. We own all of it. What's to stop us from parking guards all around the water's edge?

Marty Byrde

Eminent domain. The feds are gonna give all the surrounding land to our business partners to build shopping malls and hotels and, yes, access roads. Because it's in their financial interest. The tax revenue from said development is gonna be massive, just like it was in 1929. They own it all. Above, around and below.

Jacob Snell

There is a sermon to be had here, but I don't feel much like praying.

Marty Byrde

If you try to fight this, it will cost you a lot more than a bullet in the shoulder.

Jacob Snell

Which is why you asked to meet me alone. You were afraid Darlene wouldn't be quite so receptive. I'll need assurances...if we're expected to stand down, that you will never, ever try and hit me or my wife ever again.

Marty Byrde

You have them, so long as you keep Darlene in line. Jacob...tell Darlene that the casino profits are gonna make you richer than you ever imagined. That you can use them to buy twice the land that you have now.

Jacob Snell

She's the same woman now as when I married her. Same woman that slipped into this booth 45 years ago, took my beating heart in both her hands and took off quicker than a mare. Same woman I've been chasing ever since.

Marty Byrde

They'll kill you, Jacob.

Jacob Snell

What do you do, Martin, when the bride who took your breath away becomes the wife who makes you hold your breath in terror?

Jacob Snell

[walking out on their property] What is it?

Darlene Snell

It's a badger, looks like.

Jacob Snell

Hmm. Best leave it. His family will find it and drag it back to the den. Pups will feed on the worms and eat the corpse. That way its death has meaning. Brings nourishment to the family.

Darlene Snell

Shh. It'll be quick. I promise. Cyanide in your coffee, from ground-up cherry pits.

Jacob Snell

[straining] I never could keep up with you, Darlene.

Darlene Snell

It's okay, baby. Just rest. [kisses him] I love you, Jacob. You just rest. I'll make sure it means something.