Warning: The following content contains spoilers
Since the debut of “Outer Banks” in 2020, the producers have never failed to incorporate shocking surprises and rollercoasters of passion-filled events for their audience, leaving fans’ anticipation at an all-time high for the release of season 4. The character growth is at its peak and emotions are running high as the audience reflects on how far the show has come.
Let’s begin with part 1 of the season. This contained the first five episodes, with part 2 being released about a month later. Season 4 started with the usual agenda for the “pogues”–hunting for treasure. The new quest came with new enemies, never making it an easy journey, but the six best friends had each other’s backs.
Some viewers were pleased to see the friends-to-lovers relationship between two of the main characters, JJ and Kiara, continue to thrive throughout season 4. Even though this couple is popular among watchers, some audience members believed friendship moments between multiple characters were missing.
Senior Miles McCormick hoped for more friendship moments in part 2 of season 4. “The original premise of the show was a group of five friends and I think it was interesting having some [romantic] relationships in it but I think the moral of the story needs to keep it as friends in a friend group and not a relationship group,” McCormick said.
Relationships among the teenagers have always been a key part of this show, but past seasons have also highlighted the relationships between the teenagers and their parents. Season 3 ended off exploring the highly complex relationship between Sarah and her dad, but this season, it was JJ’s turn.
In a previous season, JJ had helped his abusive dad Luke leave the island to escape the trouble he was in with the law, assuming he would never see him again. But in season 4, he returns.
McCormick said that he was a little surprised at his return because Luke’s disappearance was a while ago so he wasn’t really relevant in the story. “I don’t think I was aware of him going anywhere far, so I was thinking it’s possible that he could come back,” he said.
Luke’s return wasn’t his only surprise, in the last lines of part 1, he tells JJ that he isn’t his real father.
Before the unpack of season 2, love them or hate them, the “kooks” are part of the story too. Throughout part 1 of season 4, Sarah’s brother Rafe shows key character development. He puts aside his part of acting violently against the pogues.
Sophomore Sheree Wilson shared her thoughts on Rafe’s character development. “He developed maturely.”
McCormick agreed, noting that, “Rafe seems to be distancing himself from the other kooks…he’s becoming more responsible. He’s less in emotional shock of his father’s death and he’s waking up to the real scenario of what’s going on between his family.”
Now for part 2. Starting with the happy news, Sarah finds out that she is pregnant. Of course, with both her and John B being 19 years old, it is scary at first. After being calmed down by Kiara, they all are very excited, knowing that John B and Sarah will be great parents. John B asks his best friend JJ to be the godfather.
Throughout all four seasons, the characters have experienced many different losses, but nothing could’ve prepared them for the loss at the end of season 4. Their best friend of all time, JJ, ends up being killed by Chandler Groff, who they recently found out was his real father. Leaving his best friends completely heartbroken, they don’t know what to do, except revenge.
Wilson shared her predictions for season 5. “[I think it is] going to be centered around Kiara and John B because [JJ] was John B’s best friend and Kiara was dating JJ. So I definitely think they’re going to get their revenge,” Wilson said.
There are many controversial ideas on if JJ will come back in season 5. In the media, Rudy Pankow, the actor who played JJ, seemed to hint that season 4 was his last season, but could it be an act? The treasure they were hunting for in all of season 4 came with a wish. Could his best friends wish for his return?
“He’s coming back in season 5,” Wilson said.
On Nov. 4, Netflix announced Outer Banks will return for its 5th and final season. Will viewers be pleased with the ending of their favorite show? They will have to wait and see.
