Major Outer Banks season 4 part 2 spoilers ahead. Seriously, the biggest spoiler of the entire series.
Season 4 of Outer Banks has concluded, leaving fans in emotional turmoil, especially after the devastating finale. After four seasons of thrilling escapades across the Outer Banks and beyond, viewers have journeyed with the Pogues through storms, treasure hunts for the Blue Crown, and even Rafe’s unexpected (and perhaps temporary) alliance. However, Outer Banks season 4 part 2 delivered a blow that has shaken the fanbase to its core: the death of a beloved Pogue. The finale was truly heart-wrenching, and many fans are left wondering if they can even continue watching the show after such a painful loss. Let’s delve into the shocking events of the Outer Banks season 4 ending.
Unpacking the Shocking Outer Banks Season 4 Finale
- Part 2 of Outer Banks season 4 premiered on Netflix on November 7.
- Amidst numerous plot twists and turns, the series delivered a devastating shock by killing off a fan-favorite character.
- Discover the reasons behind this tragic decision, which showrunners have described as “the overarching plan for the show.”
Was Rudy Pankow Ready to Leave OBX?
After their adventurous trek to Morocco in pursuit of the legendary Blue Crown, the Pogues, along with an arguably reformed Rafe, found themselves in another high-stakes race against Chandler Groff and the formidable duo of Dalia & Lightener. Amidst the chaos, moments of tenderness emerged, like the heartfelt conversations between JJ and Kiara, where they mused about the crown’s mythical wish-granting powers. Just as the group seemed to be deciphering the treasure map, a fierce sandstorm descended, scattering them. Sarah and John B. were forced to flee from Dalia’s henchmen, while Pope and Cleo bravely held off Lightener, leaving JJ and Kiara to locate the elusive crown.
Against the odds, JJ succeeded in finding the crown, and he and Kiara managed to evade Dalia! However, their escape route intersected with Groff, who menacingly held Kiara at knifepoint. In a gut-wrenching moment, JJ was forced to make an impossible choice: the treasure or the woman he loves. He unhesitatingly surrendered the crown, prioritizing Kiara’s safety in a poignant echo of their comforting embrace from season 1. Yet, in an act of sheer brutality, Groff stabbed JJ regardless, leaving him fatally wounded in Kiara’s arms as Groff fled with the coveted treasure.
This scene stands out as one of the most devastating moments in recent television history. Kie cradled JJ as he struggled for breath. In his final moments, he asked her to look after the other Pogues before confessing that he had already received his wish – her. With tearful “I love you”s exchanged, JJ passed away. The emotional impact of this scene was immense, leaving many viewers, including myself, in floods of tears.
Showrunner Shannon Burke described the scene to EW as intentionally “gratuitous,” emphasizing, “JJ totally is at peace, that’s the intent. He’s gotten past this. He’s been in a bad place and has been spinning for a lot of the season…And you feel when he comes back [after saving Sarah] that he’s in a better place and that there’s a long and bright future with him and Kiara, so it makes it extra tragic, what happens.” Indeed, “extra tragic” is an understatement.
In a Deadline interview, Burke further elaborated, “We wanted to begin in a place of innocence and then go to a place that at least one point to go is really dark for [the kids], and then have them come out of it. That’s the overarching plan for the show. It was always JJ that was going to be, we just weren’t sure how we were going to play it.” This reveals that JJ’s death wasn’t a last-minute decision but a planned, albeit devastating, plot point.
Fan reactions to JJ’s death were overwhelmingly negative. Many felt the decision was rushed and that the season hadn’t adequately built up to such a significant loss. Some viewers also pointed out that the relationships between JJ and the other Pogues felt less developed in season 4, making his death feel somewhat disconnected. Adding fuel to the fire, rumors from a DeuxMoi source suggest that JJ’s death was originally intended for the series finale. However, alleged “cast drama rumors” involving Rudy Pankow might have led to the decision to write him off the show earlier.
According to the DeuxMoi source, “They filmed episode 10 before the last episodes of the first half & Rudy didn’t tell the cast so it threw them off. In the last episode you can see how mad everyone was at Rudy. It’s a mess and it pissed off production but they are going to brush it off like it’s ‘always been the plan.’” While these are unconfirmed rumors, they add another layer of complexity to the already controversial decision.
Could JJ Return in Season 5?
Despite the anger and heartbreak, many fans are grudgingly impressed by the finale’s impact. JJ’s death immediately became a trending topic on social media, demonstrating the character’s profound connection with the audience. The realization that burying him in Morocco, a place he feared being alone in, adds another layer of tragedy.
Although John B. checks for JJ’s pulse and Rafe is seen digging his grave, some fans hold onto hope for a miraculous return. Given Outer Banks‘ history of bringing back characters like Ward, Big John, and Sarah from near-death experiences, the possibility of JJ’s resurrection isn’t entirely dismissed. While the show hasn’t ventured into supernatural territory yet, the introduction of a wish-granting crown opens up intriguing possibilities.
As one X (formerly Twitter) user pointed out in a viral thread, “Why would they create a treasure with the power of invincibility and wishes if it wasn’t significant? So either Chandler finds JJ’s body in Morocco and uses the crown on him or Kie / the Pogues will wish for JJ’s life back.” This theory suggests that the crown’s powers could be instrumental in bringing JJ back.
Referencing Stranger Things 4, which brought back a version of Billy to haunt Max, Shannon Burke acknowledged the potential for Rudy Pankow’s return in some form. “I wouldn’t put [Rudy Pankow’s return] out of the realm of possibility,” Burke told EW. “I wouldn’t say for sure but I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened.” This leaves a glimmer of hope for fans yearning for JJ’s return, even if it’s not in the way they expect.
Sarah’s Pregnancy: A Ray of Hope Amidst Tragedy
Amidst the overwhelming grief of JJ’s death, it’s easy to overlook another major development: Sarah Cameron’s pregnancy. Season 5 is certain to explore Sarah and John B.’s journey into parenthood. Interestingly, JJ, as the baby’s godfather, had suggested his own name as a gender-neutral option. Naming the baby JJ could be a poignant way to honor his memory.
What’s Next for the Remaining Pogues?
Beyond Sarah’s pregnancy, season 4 saw Sarah and Rafe begin to reconcile, finding themselves unexpectedly allied in Morocco. Cleo achieved a measure of closure regarding Terrance’s murder with Lightener’s death, although Pope will bear the consequences. Pope’s decisive action against Lightener marked a significant turning point, especially contrasted with John B.’s inability to take a similar step earlier in the season. With Pope still evading law enforcement and the Marines, his future remains uncertain.
However, the showrunners have hinted at the central theme of the final season of Outer Banks: revenge.
Outer Banks Season 5: A Story of Revenge and Redemption
Jonas Pate revealed to Deadline, “[Revenge] is where we start but I think it will go through different iterations. If you look at The Count of Monte Cristo, one of the greatest revenge stories, you start with revenge, but it goes to understanding and forgiveness, so revenge goes on to different iterations of that, but revenge is where we start for sure.”
The final moments of the Outer Banks season 4 finale depict the Pogues gathered around a fire, grappling with the aftermath of JJ’s death. When they acknowledge that JJ would want them to avenge him, Kiara’s vow for retribution marks a chilling transformation in her character arc.
Shannon Burke told EW, “What’s interesting about her is she’s this ‘save the turtles, save the dolphins’ kind of person, and when you see her at the end of [season] 4, she definitely does not look that like anymore. She has turned into a different person and we’re excited for that and [Madison Bailey’s] really excited for that.”
Josh and Jonas Pate further elaborated to Netflix Tudum, “We’re planning a story of redemption, and a season that embodies the friendship that JJ had come to represent. JJ’s death was a hard but necessary piece of the architecture for the story, and we plan on honoring that as much as we can because we love the character as much as the fans do.”
The Outer Banks season 4 ending has undoubtedly left a lasting impact. Whether you’re heartbroken, intrigued, or a mix of both, the final season promises to be an emotional rollercoaster as the Pogues navigate revenge, redemption, and the enduring power of their friendship in the wake of losing JJ.
