It’s hard to believe that Outer Banks has been a staple on Netflix for over four years now. With a loyal fan base and a pace that sees the show churn out seasons at lightning speed, the series has evolved considerably since its early days. Despite some cast members branching off to new projects, the core group—Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Rudy Pankow, Jonathan Daviss, and Drew Starkey—remains intact for the fourth season, which was released in two parts beginning November 7, 2024.
But is Season 4 the best yet, or just another messy iteration? Let’s dive into the latest twists and turns—fair warning: spoilers ahead.
Adventure, But Make It Messy
When Outer Banks first hit the screen, its comparison to The Goonies was inevitable—teenagers on a wild treasure hunt with a lot of hormones thrown in for good measure. In its earlier seasons, the show struggled with finding a balance between its adventure and its soap-opera-style drama. Episodes often took lengthy detours into the characters’ love lives, leaving viewers wondering if the treasure hunt was just a backdrop for yet another high school romance.
However, Season 3 hinted at the adventure the show was meant to be, with an ending that felt like it finally delivered on the promises made by its premise. Sure, it was rough around the edges, but the characters went on a real journey. Against all odds, Season 4 seems to continue that trend—sort of. After a particularly awkward opening sequence narrated via voice-over (which, let’s be honest, no one needed), the Pogues set off on yet another treasure hunt, this time chasing something linked to Blackbeard. And while their quest may seem like it’s heading toward something meaningful, it quickly descends into chaos—a bizarre, often laughable spiral of events.
At this point, Outer Banks has fully embraced its “jump-the-shark” moment—everything is absurd, and it knows it. The increased budget allows for even bigger and more ridiculous set pieces, which somehow makes it both more entertaining and more eye-roll inducing. But even as the show tips further into madness, there’s a strange enjoyment in watching it unfold, even if you’re laughing more than anything else.
It’s not all bad, though. As the series ventures into new environments and tries to strip away some of its past indulgences, there’s a momentary shift in tone. One of the final episodes even takes a somber turn, attempting a more lyrical, adventurous feel. And while some die-hard fans may not have appreciated the change, it’s clear that the show is trying to evolve, albeit in small, awkward steps.
The Turtle Incident: A Controversial Moment
Among the season’s more memorable moments is one that has sparked quite a bit of debate online—the infamous turtle scene. In an attempt to demonstrate the characters’ moral depravity, the show’s villains (who are, of course, rich, spoiled, and morally bankrupt) are seen cruelly stomping on baby turtles that have just hatched on the beach. It’s the kind of moment that feels straight out of a cartoon villain playbook. One can’t help but cringe at the callousness of the scene, and it’s hard not to imagine the writers sitting around, brainstorming ways to make their bad guys even more despicable.
The incident seems to cross a line that viewers weren’t necessarily expecting from a show that’s been, at times, more focused on teen angst than anything too sinister. Yet here we are, watching characters from the “bad guy” faction stomping on helpless creatures in a bid to show their dominance. It’s one of those moments that feels not only ridiculous but just too much—as if the writers had to outdo themselves in terms of how low their characters could go. And it’s likely this moment that will stick with viewers long after the season wraps, leaving some to wonder if it went too far.
Despite the controversy, the turtle scene does highlight one of the show’s recurring themes: the darker side of modern treasure hunting. In this season, the Pogues aren’t just out for gold—they’re facing off against mercenaries, cynical treasure hunters, and self-entitled aristocrats. The show shifts its focus to what happens when adventure becomes about profit rather than discovery, and it brings a much-needed layer of complexity to what has often been a straightforward teen soap opera.
The Season’s Highlights and Lowlights
Though the show’s dramatic antics have become more outlandish, it still manages to produce a few moments of genuine excitement. There are a few standout scenes—one in particular, a chaotic, stylish action sequence that feels like it could have been ripped straight from a Kingsman movie, set to the energetic sounds of Fontaines DC. It’s a highlight in a season that’s often more about spectacle than substance, but even these moments can’t fully mask the show’s flaws.
Unfortunately, Outer Banks remains a victim of its own excess. The show is still loaded with over-the-top drama and cliché plot twists (cue the mid-season “I was adopted!” revelation). The characters, especially JJ, continue to make baffling decisions—such as blowing through a fortune earned through risky schemes, only to face no real consequences. The storytelling often feels forced, with the plot regularly taking strange, artificial detours, from improbable flashbacks to over-the-top character developments.
But maybe that’s part of the charm at this point. Outer Banks has found its groove in being ridiculous, and it seems to know exactly what it is. Whether you love it or hate it, there’s no denying that the show has managed to carve out a niche for itself as a guilty pleasure for fans who can’t get enough of the chaos, even when it’s at its most absurd.
Final Thoughts
Season 4 of Outer Banks is, as expected, a wild ride that pushes the limits of plausibility while still trying to hold on to the core of what made the series popular in the first place. While some fans may take issue with the darker tone and the increasingly absurd antics of the characters, there’s still enough excitement and intrigue to keep you invested.
Ultimately, this season doesn’t solve the show’s ongoing issues—it just leans into them. If you’ve stuck with the Pogues this long, you’ll likely find something to enjoy. But if you were hoping for a return to the more grounded, treasure-hunting adventures of Season 1, you might be in for a disappointment. At this point, Outer Banks has fully embraced its chaotic, soap-opera-meets-adventure formula, and if you’re on board for the ride, there’s still fun to be had. Just don’t expect anything too deep—especially when baby turtles are involved.
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