"Outer Banks" is back on Netflix with part one of its fourth season. This season was full of drama and treasure hunting. Fans were excited after waiting a year on a cliffhanger. The pogues have found a way to live after receiving over a million dollars from the gold they found. This is for a mature audience only due to the content of strong language, violence, and mature themes.
This season is about the Pogues returning to the Outer Banks after finding the gold at El Dorado. They were committed to having a “normal” life. They aimed to live together and run a bait, tackle, and charter tour shop. They called this new haven “Poguelandia 2.0.” However, after having financial setbacks, they accept Wes Genrette's offer to find Blackbeard’s treasure. The Pogues go on an adventure to Charleston, where they believe Blackbeard hid something important.
Highs
The highlights of this season revolve around the adventure of going on a new treasure hunt. This keeps the audience intrigued and excited about what the Pogues will find. The episodes where they were building the bait shop were creative and successful. It shows that despite being low on money, they built a mini island together.
The friendship between all of them is strong, creating a sense of family—specifically, the bond between John B (Chase Stokes), JJ (Rudy Pankow), and Pope (Jonathan Davis). They have been best friends for years, and their friendship is still going strong despite the mess JJ gets them into. Another high point is the relationship between Sarah (Madelyn Cline) and John B.; regardless of their obstacles, they did not give up on each other.
Another highlight is how the director captured JJ and Kiara deep in the ocean to find an abandoned ship. This was beautiful and showed the aspects of a real ship and finding treasure there.
This season's plot is another highlight, considering how many new obstacles they must overcome to get the treasure. They have had to escape multiple dangerous enemies chasing them. The enemies are Lightner and his boss lady, who are determined to get the treasure regardless of who dies.
Another high is Rafe's development into a more caring character. He regrets being on bad terms with his sister, Sarah. Rafe (Drew Starkey) is involved with a new girl this season, Sofia (Fiona Palomo), who is a Pogue. She shows him that the Kooks are horrible people.
Lows
There are minimal lows in this new "Outer Banks" season. The main low is the Kooks' inhumane treatment of the Pogues. Topper (Austin North) used to care for Sarah and Kiara, but that soon left when he got back with the Kooks. They keep doing terrible things to the Pogues with no consequences.
Another low is Deputy Shoupe (Cullen Moss) as his character only believes that the Pogues are in trouble. He only has the officers follow them because he thinks they are lying. This creates tension for the Pogues, adding more reasons to why they do not trust the police.
Rafe taking a bad deal is a low point, considering how manipulated he becomes by his father’s old friend, Hollis Robinson. She is a real estate developer after his money and plans to betray him. This creates a terrible situation for Rafe, who has had no one guiding him since his father passed.
Another low is JJ's recklessness. He does what he wants regardless of the consequences. He seems out of control this season, and his stubbornness adds stress for the Pogues. His relationship with Kiara is tense, considering how careless he can be.
Verdict
This "Outer Banks" season is worth watching. This season is full of drama and obstacles for the Pogues to face. It takes the audience on an adventure that ends on yet another cliffhanger.
Rating: 8 out of 10.
Mariam Fakhreddine is a film and theater reviewer for The Eastern Echo. She has worked as a news and features reporter for The Echo for two years.
