Outer Banks Season 4 Part 1 Review: A New Adventure With the Same Quality as the Past
Cast: Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Rudy Pankow, Drew Starkey, Austin North, Caroline Arapoglou, Marland Burke, Julia Antonelli, E. Roger Mitchell, Samantha Soule
Director: Jonas Pate, Erica Dunton
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Filmyhype.com Ratings: 3.5/5 (three and a half stars)
Outer Banks Season 4 Part 1, available to stream on Netflix starting October 10, 2024, with its part 1, confirms itself as one of the most compelling series on the streaming scene. With a perfect mix of mystery, action, and intricate relationships, the Pogues’ new adventure does not disappoint. After concluding the search for El Dorado in the previous season, the story opens up a new puzzle with the legendary treasure of the pirate Blackbeard as its protagonist. This change of direction refreshes the plot and gives the series a new dimension, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. The adventurous adventures of a group of teenagers from the southern United States who are infallible treasure hunters are back on Netflix. The series confirms itself as an engaging mix of coming-of-age, mystery, and action, which confirms the good things done in the first three seasons, with some small but fundamental differences.
The cast of young protagonists is confirmed: Chase Stokes (John B) Madelyn Cline (Sarah), Madison Bailey (Kiara), Rudy Pankow who is JJ, Jonathan Pierce Daviss (Pope), and Carlacia Grant (Cleo). Incredibly, a series like Outer Banks continues to churn out success after success, proposing a story as unlikely as it is extreme. And yet, it is precisely its mix of adventure and teen drama that continues to work. So, here we are at the fourth season, which was initially supposed to be the last for creators Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke, then rethought to continue. Indeed, in a certain sense, it reboots the story after the search for El Dorado, which had covered the first three seasons. Already the finale of the third cycle set 18 months after the epilogue, foreshadowed what the new treasure to search for in the new episodes would be (namely that of Blackbeard), which somewhat surprisingly divided into two parts, as is now Netflix for its series that it considers flagship.
Outer Banks Season 4 Part 1 Review: The Story Plot
After the incredible adventure on the Orinoco and the discovery of Eldorado, the Pogues return to their Kildare and, thanks to the nuggets found, they finally build the life they desire, even if a lot has changed in the meantime. The boys invest in a fishing shop, Pope prepares to undertake the course of study he desires, and JJ buys back (at a crazy price) at an auction, his house in the Deep. Love then, is going swimmingly, especially that between John B and Sarah who, once again, is the one forced to make the hardest assessment for the choice to go from the Kooks to the Pogues. Returning home, in fact, does not erase the past and the boys find themselves having to defend themselves from those who hold grudges against them, starting with Sara’s brother and ex. Then of course, they do their part to complicate their lives, and, after a crazy bet, the golden interval is already over and the Pogues find themselves, once again, having to find a way to survive.
In the meantime, however, the news that six teenagers have succeeded in the incredible feat of finding El Dorado spreads, and the boys are approached by a mysterious man who wants to entrust them with the search for another treasure: that of the pirate Blackbeard. And it is from this moment that the perfect machine of the Outer Banks starts up again, following the Pogues in a new, exciting adventure. The plot develops at a fast pace, but leaves room for more reflective moments, allowing viewers to become even more attached to the protagonists. Among the characters, JJ Maybank, played by Rudy Pankow, emerges as the real star of this first part. His adventures, often hilarious but sometimes frustrating, make him the emotional centerpiece of the season. The relationship between JJ and Kiara (Madison Bailey) is also explored in greater depth, adding a touch of romance in a context full of danger.
Outer Banks Season 4 Part 1 Review and Analysis
Outer Banks Season 4 features all the elements that made this series so loved, but with one big difference, which represents the biggest risk faced by production. If in the first three seasons, the narration, with its linked developments, could be considered a single great exciting story, which from the casual discovery of the Royal Merchant took the boys to the cave of Eldorado, with all the good things in between, in this fourth chapter, the story is all to be invented. Sure, there are elements of continuity, starting with the characters, the rivalry between the Pogues and the Kooks, the sheriff who keeps an eye on them, the incredible propensity of the young protagonists to get into trouble, and their hunger for life and adventure, not to mention the legendary treasure at the center of the desires of good and bad guys, but precisely with regards to the thread of the great adventure at the heart of Outer Banks Season 4, there is no thread to reconnect, we practically start from scratch.
And this makes the fourth season very accessible, at least in its first five episodes, even to neophytes. Another narrative element that changes the cards on the table at the beginning of the season is the absence of fathers, because among other things, Outer Banks, in its first three chapters, is also a story of fathers and sons. It is to the fathers that the rivalry between Kooks and Pogues dates back, and it is from the fathers that not only the children’s worries descend, but also the exciting and crazy treasure hunt that sees them follow their footsteps to South America. The fathers, John and Ward, were both killed during the search for Eldorado and this element, at the beginning of the narration, is missing, a lack that weighs, because it takes away depth from the story. But the authors soon find a way to bring back into play this central theme of the series, first with two, apparently secondary, returns, then with a sensational twist. In short, Outer Banks, even in its fourth season, confirms itself as a very well-written series, which involves and entertains, through well-mixed classic elements: no surprises, but a well-made product that can enthuse not only the very young but audiences of all ages.
One of Outer Banks strengths is its ability to transport viewers to breathtaking locations. Even in season 4, the exotic locations and spectacular camerawork provide a visual escape that few shows can match. Despite the budget of a TV series, Outer Banks never falls short in quality, featuring well-choreographed action sequences that are reminiscent of big-budget blockbusters. The tropical settings and mysterious islands are a perfect backdrop for treasure hunts, and fans of the series will undoubtedly find new reasons to stay glued to the screen. Season 4 also introduces a new threat, a group of formidable villains who add another layer of tension to the story. This suggests that the second part of the season could reserve even bigger surprises, keeping viewers’ attention high. Furthermore, the development of Rafe Cameron’s (Drew Starkey) character promises to bring an unexpected narrative arc to the scene, making the plot even more intriguing.
The main new entry of the season is Wes Genrette, seen in the last finale during the inauguration of the museum dedicated to the Royal Merchant, in Denmark Tanny. The man, together with his son-in-law Chandler (J. Anthony Crane), recruits the Pogues to find a precious amulet that belonged to the wife of Edward Teach aka the legendary Blackbeard, through a logbook from 1718 directly from his ship, which remained underwater right on those coasts. There is a curse on the treasure that has affected his family for over 300 years (including his daughter Larissa, Chandler’s wife), and in this case, it is a booty of inestimable value. Even if reluctant, especially because of the supernatural aspect of the matter, our teenage antiheroes cannot help but seize such an economic opportunity, always banding together in the name of the purest friendship despite internal disagreements due to that hothead JJ, who never thinks before acting. Also, they must make a common front against those who want to take away their new home, Poguelandia 4.0, built with their efforts in homage to the one on the island.
Always halfway between The OC (for the theme of social privilege) and The Goonies (for the adventurous aspect that also brings it closer to Tomb Raider), Outer Banks continues to excite even if it reiterates a bit too much some elements, narrative and visual, such as the use of light in the locations. The series plays with references to the past, such as the feud between the Pogues and the Kooks, between John B. and Rafe, who ideally take Ward’s place as the villain of the story. Even if, as is now tradition, there will be some less than recommendable treasure hunters who will get on the trail of the protagonists. Sarah and Kiara will also have to definitively choose which side to be on, just like Rafe’s girlfriend, also a member of the Pogues. Especially when the boy is approached by a real estate agent and old family friend (another new entry reminiscent of Diana Payne from Gossip Girl), determined to use his money for a business in which he will become a partner. Finally, watch out for the love stories of the group, which, together with their friendship, will be put to the test.
Outer Banks Season 4 Part 1 Review: The Last Words
Ultimately, Outer Banks Season 4 Part 1 is a perfect blend of mystery, adventure, and relationship dynamics. Despite the smaller roles of John B (Chase Stokes) and Sarah (Madelyn Cline), the series continues to grow with a focus on characters like JJ and Kiara. The new challenges, extraordinary settings, and thrilling action sequences make this season a must-watch for fans of the series and anyone who enjoys adventure stories full of twists and turns. A teen drama with a young adult adventurous flavor: this is Outer Banks, which confirms its derivative but peculiar traits in the fourth season, which acts in a certain sense as a reboot of the story but continues to reiterate what works best on the streaming platform. A new treasure hunt, new puzzles to decipher, new obstacles to overcome inside and outside the group whose solidarity will be put to the test, together with the typical elements of adolescence.
Outer Banks Season 4 Part 1 Review: A New Adventure With the Same Quality as the Past - Filmyhype
Director: Jonas Pate, Erica Dunton
Date Created: 2024-10-10 16:34
3.5
Pros
- The reboot of the main storyline.
- The new treasure to be discovered.
- The dynamics of the group, between love and friendship.
- The shorter duration of the episodes.
Cons
- It all becomes a bit redundant in terms of dynamics and reiteration of some storylines.
