‘Outer Banks’ Season 4, Part 1 Review: Predictable Yet Entertaining

Warning: This review contains spoilers.

On Kildare Island, the Pogues are back in the treasure hunting business.

Season four of “Outer Banks,” directed by Jonas Pate, premiered on Netflix on Oct. 10. The show focuses on teenager John B. (Chase Stokes), who, in season one, continues his father’s search for gold on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Accompanied by mild kleptomaniac JJ (Rudy Pankow), studious Pope (Jonathan Daviss), and nature-loving Kiara (Madison Bailey), the group of teens juggle school, romance, and mysterious occurrences while living on the Cut, the home for all working-class individuals known as “Pogues.” The teens are joined by “Kook Princess” Sarah Cameron (Madelyn Cline) and, in season two, Cleo (Carlacia Grant), a friend from John B. and Sarah’s time in the Bahamas, joins and completes this group of Pogues.

Season four begins with a wide shot of John B. on a roof with a can of beer — a noticeable, tasteful nod to the similar opening shot of the pilot, when viewers are first introduced to his character.

At the end of season three, the Pogues successfully find the gold they were searching for. When the teenagers discover they have $1.1 million in their shared bank account, the rational Pope reminds the rest of the group that by splitting the money evenly, they’ll each have next to nothing, but combined, the money will be an investment toward their futures. Agreeing with his logic, the group attempts to purchase JJ’s old, rundown house in foreclosure — a location they have grown close to and can logistically use.

Despite season four starting off strong during the auction for the sale, JJ’s emotional attachment to the house overpowers all restraint, and he disproportionately blows most of the group’s money on the house. The highlight of this scene is how Pankow’s portrayal of JJ garners sympathy, while Daviss’s Pope mimics the audience’s frustration; in a testament to the strength of their acting, viewers are infuriated, yet somehow find a way to make peace with the choices their characters have made. After the purchase, the Pogues make do with what they have left to repair the house, build a dock, and start a business to sustain themselves. The renovated roof is where John B. stands at the opening of season four, contemplating everything that brought him to the present day as he stares at the rock of gold in his hands.

What “Outer Banks” does well, and has done well over the past four seasons, is its portrayal of the modern-day teen. With the cast’s undeniable, organic chemistry, particularly through Stokes’s performance as the main character, it is easy to find a member of the Pogues to resonate with in one episode and cringe at in the next. This is what makes the show so engaging: the normalcy and relatability. The show’s writers accurately portray the language teenagers use today, the costume department executes their wardrobe well, and the coloring for different scenes, such as warm tones for light-hearted scenes and cool tones for night shots and eerie moments, makes the coastal North Carolinian aesthetic incredibly immersive.

This show, in addition to the wardrobe and acting, is ultimately a testament to the power of cinematography. Shot in Charleston, South Carolina, the visuals of the marshes, weeping willows, and sandy beaches on the fictional Kildare Island are stunning and add to the “backyard feel” the show has to offer — in addition to being a beautiful place to shoot any kind of scene.

But while this season of “Outer Banks” has all of the elements of a perfect season, its predictability and weak element of surprise in the last episode prevents the fourth season’s first installment from reaching its full potential.

In season four, besides the new business and new homebase, the retired Pogues are ultimately reengaged by Wes Genrette (David Jensen) to find Edward Teach’s lost treasure, particularly his wife Elizabeth’s lost amulet. Teach, also known as Blackbeard, and his journeys in North Carolina are the perfect mystery for season four, yet the backstory behind Teach’s inclusion and familial relevance is much too obvious to any keen observer and fan of the show. With a noticeable focus on specific characters and telltale trope choices, it is easy to pick up what the show is hinting at, which kills any surprise in the final episode’s minutes.

Despite this, “Outer Banks” is generally thrilling and entertaining throughout the first part of season four. With characters that viewers have grown to know and love, the story arcs and the music choices that go alongside them effortlessly keep fans glued to screens. With influences spanning different genres such as beach rock-meets-reggae (“Up, Up” by Sandollar) and psychedelic rock (“Wild Coyote” by The Nude Party), the Pogues’ world is easy to fall into.

While only half of the story is currently available for fans, part two of the series is sure to provide a slew of unmistakably entertaining dialogue between each of the beloved characters and unique, action-packed scenes as the group inches closer to finding Blackbeard’s treasure. As the Pogues say, their mission is to have a good time, all the time, and watching “Outer Banks” season four is guaranteed to provide just that.

“Outer Banks” season four, part two premieres on Nov. 7 on Netflix.