Are you sure he didn't deserve to die? If a man broke into your home and threatened your livelihood what would you do? I get what you're saying but Mel signed his life away when he smashed that glassThat detective was annoying but he wasn't someone who deserved to die. If his worst qualities are being a coke head and self righteous then he might as well be a saint compared to 90% of the people in Ozark. Jonah was the last family member who didn't agree with how Byrdes were moving and was ready to move out. It was pretty much out of character what he did in the end compared to what he would have done in the past. That whole accident scene and reasoning being so was just lazy writing
I think putting the entire blame on the car accident as a catalyst is a mistake. The fact that the entire family was reunited in the van beforehand was establishing what people blame the accident on. The kids forgave Wendy for finally admitting to her bullshyt and telling the whole truth. The accident didn't cause a bond, it solidified one
And ultimately you gotta look at the context of the Byrdes during that final scene. Jonah killed Mel because he was threatening their newfound freedom that they've worked 4 seasons to attain. The entire family was on the same page of "Nikka we worked TOO hard for you to pop up with THIS bullshyt

"
they will be stuck in that cycle

you had TWO Black characters. And I didn’t mind that for what the story is, but come on… play some damn Nickelback or whateve. Leave Al outta this
Al Green makes everything better though
it’s really levels to this shyt fellas
Anything short of Marlo laid out in the streets with a bullet in his head for everything he did was would cause uproar
) died. Instead we see the beginning of yet another ultra rich cac dynasty built on bodies of a dirt poor family