[This story contains significant spoilers for part one of Outer Banks season four.]
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| Left to right: Madelyn Cline as Sarah, David Jensen as Genrette, Chase Stokes as John B, Rudy Pankow as JJ, Jonathan Daviss as Pope, Madison Bailey as Kiara, Carlacia Grant as Cleo in 'Outer Banks' season four. Courtesy of Netflix |
The first half of Outer Banks season four wrapped up with multiple cliffhangers for the Pogues, many of which are expected to be resolved to some extent in the second half of the season.
On Kildare Island, Rudy Pankow's character, JJ, faces a shocking revelation when he discovers that he is not the biological son of his abusive and alcoholic father, Luke (Gary Weeks). Instead, his real parents are the late Larissa Genrette and Chandler Groff (J. Anthony Crane), making him a Kook and the grandson of Wes Genrette (David Jansen)—the very type of person he despises.
“It plays out in a series of outbursts,” Pankow explains to Reporter about how this news will affect JJ, one of the Pogues, when the show returns on November 7 for the final episodes. “I think it’s an identity crisis in Part Two.”
He elaborates, “Questions arise like: Who am I? Where do I fit in? What kind of person am I now? Will my friends judge me? And who do I look up to now? I think that's how it’s going to play out.”
Meanwhile, in Charleston, Cleo (Carlacia Grant), Pope (Jonathan Daviss), Sarah (Madelyn Cline), and John B (Chase Stokes) are dealing with their own challenges while searching for Blackbeard’s Blue Crown. Pope and Sarah venture into catacombs beneath an old church in pursuit of treasure but must hide among the rats when Lightner (Rigo Sanchez) and his boss Dalia (Pollyanna McIntosh) arrive and seize a mysterious scroll likely to be a map. When the mercenaries leave the catacombs, they seal the only other exit, leaving the Pogues trapped as the area begins to flood.
When Outer Banks returns next month, Daviss hints that he is “still in the catacombs, so hopefully we’ll find a solution to that problem. There’s a lot happening in the cliffhanger and many revelations that will continue to be explored.” The Do Revenge actor adds that fans can expect “explosions, craziness, and Pogue activity.”
Cleo is also grappling with the death of her beloved father figure, Terrance (Terence Rosemore), who was introduced in season two and last appeared in season three. Terrance was brought in to assist the mercenaries but was killed by Lightner while trying to protect Cleo. The actress notes that this loss will significantly impact her character throughout the remainder of the season.
“Cleo is trying to navigate her trauma and cope with Terrance’s death while seeking revenge and maintaining her relationship with Pope and friends—all while adjusting to a new country that she isn’t from,” she tells Reporter. “Cleo is not the type to ever give up on what she wants. That’s just how she is.”
Back on Figure Eight, Drew Starkey's Rafe seems to be attempting to make amends after years of conflict with his sister, Sarah, while also pursuing a relationship with Sofia (Fiona Palomo). Early in the Part One episodes, Rafe is approached by Hollis Robinson (Brianna Brown), a realtor connected to his late father, Ward (Charles Esten). She presents him with an opportunity involving a significant deal that requires a substantial financial investment from him.
Initially, Sofia is reluctant and advises Rafe against it, even when her father encourages her to persuade him. However, after overhearing Rafe dismissing Sofia as not his girlfriend, she changes her mind. Sofia speaks with Hollis, who offers her $25,000 to convince Rafe to accept the deal, which she takes.
Following her interaction with Hollis, Sofia urges Rafe to go through with the deal, even though he feels apprehensive. He does so and later takes her to Goat Island, the property involved in the transaction, expressing his desire to keep a part of it to build a home together. Although she tries to convince him not to proceed with the deal, it’s too late.
When asked how Rafe will react upon learning that Sofia accepted money to persuade him, Starkey says, “Trust is crucial for him, and he’s never really had anyone he can trust—neither family nor loved ones. So I think this will be a sensitive issue for Rafe.”
On a brighter note for the Pogues, their relationships seem to be thriving, and this is unlikely to change in the upcoming episodes. John B and Sarah have solidified their relationship since they started dating in season one, even describing themselves as married, despite it not being legal yet. Cline expresses her belief that their characters are meant to be together.
“We began as season one’s star-crossed lovers, that will-they-won’t-they dynamic,” she shares with Reporter. “Now, they always come back to each other, and I feel that’s just the nature of their relationship. They’ve been through so much that if that hasn’t torn them apart, I think they’re bonded for life.”
Pope and Cleo also appear to be finding their rhythm, despite the heavy emotional burden Cleo faces as she copes with the loss of Terrance and narrowly escapes Lightner multiple times.
As for JJ and Kiara (Madison Bailey), who many fans consider the quintessential couple of Outer Banks, there may be some bumps ahead. Speculation has arisen online that Kiara may have had a romantic involvement with Rafe during her “Kook year.”
Bailey and Cameron are coy when asked about this possibility, fumbling over their responses. “No chance. I was at Sarah’s. We were friends. That timeline doesn’t overlap because that was our friend time,” Bailey explains, laughing.
Regardless of any potential past between Kiara and Rafe, Bailey believes that she and Pankow’s characters have a strong future together. “These characters have so much in common, and I think they’ll go the distance if they prioritize their friendship,” she states.
“They’re both very independent, which is why they work well together. As long as they give each other the space to be themselves, I think they’ll be just fine.”
