This review will contain spoilers from this season and previous seasons.
The second half of the fourth season of Netflix’s famous adventure drama series Outer Banks released Nov. 7, with each of the five episodes having a running time of 42-72 minutes. The first half of the season, previously released Oct. 10, featured intense build-up to a tale packed with action, betrayal, and tragedy. While the first five episodes were a bit disappointing, the tail of the season was surprisingly much stronger, refining the season’s plot.
Part One of the series’ fourth season left viewers with an unpredictable plot twist regarding character JJ Maybank’s father, and a returning character, Chandler Groff (J. Anthony Crane). The grand reveal triggered a series of devastating events throughout the new episodes for JJ and the rest of the pogue gang. The second half of the season kicks off where the reveal left off, pushing JJ into a self-sabotaging rampage, prompting him to destroy everything in his path.
The highlight of this season was the cinematography, which was beautifully done in multiple emotion-driven scenes. JJ’s breakdown is captivating with its almost cartoonish filming style and breakdown of the fourth wall. While idiodic and impulsive, it demonstrates the intense rage and grief JJ was going through perfectly, and sets up the plot for the final episodes as they run from law enforcement.
The balance between humorous and sentimental scenes in this season was also done exceptionally well. This season was comforting yet chaotic and at times painful, but the episodes never lost their rebelliously-spirited nature. The directors did a great job staying true to the show even though this season was heavier than others.
Adventure later on in the series leads the pogues to a new location in Morocco, which features incredible scenery and cinematography, capturing the chaos and suspension of attempting to outsmart multiple enemies in a bustling and hectic city.
The character Pope Heyward (Jonathan Daviss) experienced major character development throughout this season, in contrast to JJ’s impulsivity. Pope consistently stands up for his friends, in turn jeopardizing his future with his continued loyalty. While watching him put the pogues over his educational opportunities is frustrating, it attests to the family dynamic the pogues created, a key component of what makes Outer Banks special.
Rafe Cameron (Drew Starkey) also shows growth in the second half of the season, helping and joining the pogues on their Moroccan expedition. Throughout the previous seasons, Rafe abused the pogues due to their status and competed with them for the gold, at one point even attempting to kill Sarah. Rafe shows his self-improvement by reconnecting with his sister, which will hopefully lead to him overcoming his issues and becoming one of the pogues for the final season.
The season closes with a tragic scene of JJ’s birth father, Groff, stabbing him and ending his life. JJ’s heartbreaking death takes away the heart of the show, so it will be interesting to see how the energy and dynamic will play out during the next and final season. JJ’s impact on the plot this season was done amazingly well, showing the depth of his character with dark moments as well as JJ’s classic humor. JJ encounters so many near death experiences throughout the show, constantly sacrificing himself for others but ending up lucky; death was necessary for realism since his luck was eventually going to run out.
The final season will hopefully tie up loose ends, such as how Groff found and killed JJ, and how Sarah and John B. (Chase Stokes) will balance adventures with the responsibility of having a child. Viewers also anticipate Groff’s upcoming actions regarding his possession of the treasure the pogues had been searching for, a crown which grants wishes.
The five episodes that close out the newest season of Outer Banks improved the season’s overall rating, and earned part two a four out of five feathers. The next season should include even more chaos, with the pogues attempting to avenge JJ’s death and steal back the treasure. Outer Banks was renewed for a fifth and final season closing out the series, estimated to be released at some point during 2025.
