The Outer Banks: “Paradise on Earth.” If you have somehow not yet discovered and watched the first three seasons of Netflix’s most popular teen drama Outer Banks, it cannot be recommended enough. The fourth season manages to have a different feel than the previous three while working with the same core cast, coastal setting, and central plot.
The series continues to revolve around John B. and his loyal Pogue friends as they pursue a legendary hidden treasure linked to his father’s disappearance. As they search for hints regarding the whereabouts of various treasures, they encounter the privileged Kooks and navigate a dangerous path full of mystery. Their quest for wealth is hindered by teenage drama like love triangles, identity crises, and unspoken secrets.
“Seasons two and three did not have the momentum or intensity of the first season. The plot was not very dynamic, and the new characters did not blend in as well as they should have to the overall dynamics of the show,” observed Junior Advisory Moderator Matthew Baham. “I was happy and relieved to see the show return to its original fast-paced action and character drama in Season Four.”
Season Four of Outer Banks, set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, shows the cast of characters a little more mature and somewhat less prone to drama. The Pogues are growing up and have become business-minded following the events of Season Three, which provided them with a new direction and new opportunities. But what would Outer Banks be without a new treasure hunt that ironically challenges and threatens their newfound lease on life? Of course, new villains emerge and secrets surface to complicate the adventure.
After Blackbeard’s introduction in Season Three, Season Four presents a conspiracy that ties some characters together and reminds the Pogues that no good can last, especially when you’re a Pogue. Fortunately, the focus is now more on character growth and self-awareness than on teen drama. The loving relationship between John B. and Sarah keeps the show alive as the audience envisions their future together. Actors Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline’s magnetic chemistry continues to carry the weight of the romantic subplot.
Familiar characters from previous seasons, including Rafe Cameron (Drew Starkey) and JJ Maybank (Rudy Pankow), are further developed—not necessarily drifting from their old ways, but instead becoming more self-aware and introspective.
Matthew O’Connor ‘26 said, “The writers shifting their focus on the side characters other than John B and Sarah provides a deeper understanding of those previously underdeveloped side characters.”
The show, however, is not without flaws. Each season becomes increasingly predictable regarding plot (always a treasure to seek and find) and adolescent characters (always with abusive or absent parents). Many critics understandably claim the story is recycled each season, but it remains an enjoyable watch, with fans eagerly anticipating a Season Five renewal.
