Outer Banksreturns for another exciting adventure that pits the Pogues against the Kooks and many more. Season 3 concluded the first chapter of the Netflix series. Until then, the show had been focused on the mystery surrounding John B’s father and the group’s search for the gold. That all came to a head inOuter Banksseason 3’s ending. The series concluded its third season with the deaths of Ward Cameron and Big John, as well as the Pogues finding Eldorado, the city of gold.
Cast
Outer Banksseason 3’s finale featured an 18-month time jump. Despite having concluded their mission, the Pogues agree to embark on a new adventure, this time going after the lost treasure of Edward Teach, more famously known as the pirate Blackbeard. That is the setup forOuter Banksseason 4 - part 1, which starts by revealing what happened between the Pogues' return from Eldorado and their decision to accept the offer to look for Captain Blackbeard’s treasure. This marks the first time that Netflix splits a season ofOuter Banksinto two parts.
Outer Banks Season 4 - Part 1 Continues To Present Exciting Adventures
Blackbeard’s Treasure Makes For An Interesting Mystery
Outer Bankscould have easily ended with season 3, with the series wrapping up the search for Eldorado and Big John perfectly. The Pogues have enough gold to start new lives and leave treasure hunting in the past. However, Netflix and the show’s creators decided there was more story to tell, and I’m glad that they did. While the show has to move past the major stories that had been guiding it for three seasons,Outer Banksis a series that can easily go on for many more.
Between the issues the Pogues have with the Kooks, the teens' newfound fame for discovering Eldorado, and the characters' dreams of something bigger for themselves, more adventures had to come.
The first part of season 4 is a clear sign of that, presenting a new mystery that is building up to be just as exciting as what came before. I liked how the Pogues decided to slow down after finding Eldorado, savoring what they had accomplished in the 18-month gap between their return home and the decision to go after Blackbeard’s treasure. But that peace was never going to last. Between the issues the Pogues have with the Kooks, the teens' newfound fame for discovering Eldorado, and the characters' dreams of something bigger for themselves, more adventures had to come.
I’m happy to say that they come in droves, as season 4 is filled with shocking and exciting twists at every turn. As I was watching the new season, I realized thatOuter Banksis exactly what I hopedTom Holland’sUnchartedmoviewould have been. While the show does not have the same budget as the movie,Outer Banksexplores intricate mysteries as characters go to visually stunning locations around the globe. While more contained than previous installments, part 1 once again delivers elaborate and fun set pieces.
John B Takes More Of A Backseat
Outer Banks Season 4 - Part 1 Focuses On All The Pogues
Don’t get me wrong, Chase Stokes' John B is still very much the leader of the Pogues and the one in charge of making the tough decisions for the group, but the character is not nearly as prominent in the first episodes of season 4 as he was in the first three seasons. Madelyn Cline’s Sarah Cameron falls on that list, too, perhaps because the show is trying to give more focus to characters that have gotten less of a spotlight, as John B and Sarah previously dominated.
JJ is the source of some of the funniest and most infuriating scenes inOuter BanksSeason 4 - Part 1.
So far, the true star ofOuter Banksseason 4is Rudy Pankow’s JJ Maybank. For better or worse, JJ finds a way to always be the center of attention in the new season, with Pankow once again delivering an energetic performance. JJ is the source of some of the funniest and most infuriating scenes in part 1. Closely by his side is Madison Bailey’s Kiara, with the show giving proper focus to their relationship now that the duo is firmly together. I like how Kiara supports JJ but also calls him out when he’s wrong.
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Carlacia Grant’s Cleo gets more to do this time around, and the emotional part she plays in season 4’s first episodes are excellent. As for Jonathan Daviss' Pope Heyward, the character continues to be the group’s voice of reason, and it’s a lot of fun seeing Pope’s mind at work when he is in full treasure-hunting mode. Part 1 also sets up a frightening new villain group, while teasing a potentially surprising arc for Drew Starkey’s Rafe Cameron. With an intriguing new mystery and a shake-up to character focus,Outer Banksseason 4 is off to an exciting start.
All episodes ofOuter BanksSeason 4 - Part 1 are now streaming on Netflix. Part 2 will be released on November 7.
Outer Banks
Outer Banks follows a group of teenagers in the Outer Banks of North Carolina as they uncover a legendary treasure linked to the mysterious disappearance of the group’s leader’s father, leading to a series of dangerous and thrilling adventures.
