Summary
The story of Season 4 proves there’s life in OBX, disproving claims it did not have longevity.
Season 4 shows that Outer Banks is maturing. The characters are the same. The vibe is the same. Heck, it even follows similar plot beats. But it has proven its longevity by adding a sense of maturity to the young characters. Gone is the YA-feeling gloss; less stupid drama, more growing up.
The series did not have a choice, really. Season 1 exploded on Netflix, earning audience plaudits and fan groups, while the critics raised their eyebrows. Outer Banks risked moving into 13 Reasons Why territory, where the story gets absurdly nonsensical to the point that it had written itself into sludge.
But this series has an advantage. You can feel the breeze from the beach and the love and cohesiveness between the characters. The cast in real life and the characters in the fiction tie together because the TV show, while it has its mysteries and actions, is accountable by a sense of community.
Why? Well, because where they live means something to them. That’s the USP of the Pogues.
At the start of Season 4, the Pogues are ready to embark on a new lease of life after the events of Season 3. The characters are suddenly business-minded. The riches that landed on them become an opportunity to make a difference in their lives. Everything they did not have growing up was available to them earnestly.
Yes, the relationships are still important and always will be—queue John B and Sarah Cameron, who will probably always be the fan favorites and who somehow get cuter in Season 4. But this sense that they want to grow up and avoid drama is what makes this evolution of the story heartwarming.
The writers are implying growth. In the first five episodes, even the “Pogues vs Kooks” story is a mere flash in the pan, as both groups appear tired of warring with each other.
Of course, it would not be Outer Banks without a treasure hunt that ironically threatens their new lease of life. Extending from the Blackbeard reveal in Season 3, Season 4 brings a conspiracy that ties a few of the characters together.
New villains and secrets come from the woodwork. Outer Banks manages to keep the story fresh.
This review is only based on the first 5 episodes offered to me; there’s a chance that all my claims are undone by a turbulent second half. But, I will say this. Young teenage drama series often fall apart at the seams because they do not focus on their strengths, which are usually the characters. It focuses far too much on the drama.
Outer Banks Season 4 evidently has plenty of drama, but it’s a series that appears self-aware. It knows when to honor a moment and pivot to more action and drama. At this point, the critics’ perspective is almost redundant. Will the fans continue to enjoy it? Absolutely.
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