Why the Honda Odyssey Appears Prominently in Ozark
Honda models are not only great for cruising around on the Delmarva Peninsula; they also make for excellent set pieces in movies and television shows. However, sometimes Honda models are so prominent in a piece of media that you have to wonder: did Honda have a hand in this?
One recent example of a show with a bevy of Honda product and imagery is the Netflix show Ozark. The Honda Odyssey, along with a smattering of other Honda vehicles, appears so prominently in the first episode that our team here at Pohanka Honda soon found themselves wondering: did Honda sponsor Ozark?
While it’s not clear if Honda sponsors Ozark, the Honda Odyssey is prominently included in the first episode. Netflix does use product placement to make money in many of its shows, but in this case, we believe that the Honda Odyssey served a clear purpose to the story that justifies its inclusion whether or not marketing was involved.
Where does the Honda Odyssey appear in Ozark?
The Honda Odyssey appears as the vehicle used by the Byrde family throughout the first season of Ozark. In the first episode, Marty offers the vehicle to his antagonist, Del, in lieu of money that he doesn’t have, describing it as “the top-ranked minivan in the U.S.” Del, agrees to the offer, then states that he will lease the vehicle back to Byrd at $1,000 per month. When Byrde reacts to this in surprise, Del somewhat menacingly, repeats Marty’s words that the model is, “the top-ranked minivan in the U.S.”
Ever Wonder: Why doesn’t the 2022 Honda Odyssey have a vacuum cleaner?
Why does Marty Byrde drive a Honda Odyssey?
The concept of family is a big theme of Ozark, and few vehicles encapsulate the idea of the modern American family as does the Honda Odyssey. Honda themselves describes the Odyssey as, “the fun family minivan.” The model continues to be seen by many as the quintessential family machine. Year after year, it is indeed “the top-ranked minivan in the U.S.,” sticking around long after most minivans have vanished and given way to crossovers in their place.
The Odyssey also seems to represent a certain kind of American family- the affluent, suburban kind, which is just what the Byrdes are. While many modern families switch to SUVs in a desire to appear more adventurous, the Byrdes have no such aspirations. They want to be and keep their family together as they, somewhat unwittingly, get drawn into an ever-deepening morass of criminal activity. The lack of any all-wheel drive or off-road capability in the Odyssey enhanced the impression of the Byrdes as truly fish out of water in the rough and tumble country world of the Ozarks.
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