Outer Banks season 4: the ending explained (and how it prepares for season 5)

The second part of season 4Outer Banks is online and it turns out to be hectic. There has never been so much action in the Netflix series. The Pogues have been put to the test between mercenaries, sandstorms, shipwrecks, and even chases. And it ended very badly. The story therefore takes a new turn with this plot twist.

Was JJ’s death planned all along?

Everything had always ended well for the Pogues, until now, but it came to an end in this season 4: JJ was murdered by his biological father, Chandler Groff. Why such a gesture? It remains difficult to explain as it was so free, since JJ had just given him the precious crown. But this is probably a purely revengeful act, after JJ left him for dead at the bottom of the well… well, after Groff himself left JJ for dead in the open sea and tried to kill Kiara in the ‘locked in a fridge.

Why couldn’t help be called? The Pogues were in the middle of the desert, in the middle of a sandstorm, and the wound was gaping: there was no rational solution to save their friend, who quickly succumbed to his injury. Unfortunately, even if OBX has already done in the surprise “resurrection”, there seems to be no narrative trick to hope that JJ is ultimately alive.

And this is not a decision of the actor, Rudy Pankow. In an interview, the series’ showrunners — Josh Pate, Jonas Pate and Shannon Burke — confirmed that it was planned, from the very beginning, that JJ would eventually die. It was a way of making sense of the story, based on the characters’ friendly mantra: Pogues for Life. “ The decision was very difficult to make, as it is an essential part of the whole », specifies Josh Pate. “ This sets the stage for an epic fifth and final season. We anticipate a story of redemption and a season that embodies the friendship that JJ had come to represent. JJ’s death was a difficult, but necessary element to the structure of the story, and we intend to honor it as much as possible because we love the character as much as the fans do. »

With one final clarification: why does Groff kill his son so coldly? “ The goal is to make us hate Groff. I think we achieved it. » We confirm it. And that sets the stage for season 5.

What’s coming up for season 5 ofOuter Banks

It is Kiara who, in her last word at the end of season 4, sets the tone for season 5 (already confirmed): “ vengeance “, she simply declares. Because the Pogues seem to have decided: yes, they are going to avenge JJ. But it’s not insignificant that the last shot focuses so much on Kiara, after the death of the man she loved.

Season 5 ofOuter Banks will be largely dedicated to the character played by Madison Bailey. Indeed, Josh Pate confirmed that Kiara will be the center of attention: “ Kiara will be the backbone of the season, as JJ has been this season. But it’s the final season, so hopefully we can bring everyone to a conclusion and incorporate everything we want. » He adds that Cleo will also see her writing developed during this season 5 – which was again prepared by her desire for revenge concerning the death of her mentor, earlier in season 4.

All the rest of the main cast (Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Chase Stokes, Jonathan Daviss, Carlacia Grant, Drew Starkey) should therefore be back in season 5 of the series. Not to be expected before the end of 2025, or even the beginning of 2026.