Outer Banks Season 4, Episode 1 ‘The Enduro’ shows us what happened in those 18 months we missed out on and I gotta be honest, it’s a pretty sweet life for the Pogues. So sweet that it’s almost sad to see them end up right back where they started. But we cannot exactly have a show about treasure hunting without any, you know, treasure hunting, so it’s as understandable as it is sad.
At the end of the Season 3 finale, we jumped back to 18 months later so the Pogues could embark on another adventure. The first episode focuses on catching us up with what John B., Sarah, Kiara, JJ, Pope, and Cleo did during those 18 months and why, exactly, they ended up in a place where they would even consider another adventure. And the answer is, in very Pogue fashion, they ran out of money.
How is that even possible? Well, adult life is expensive! Especially when you have to divide that money between six people, and they have basically one functional set of parents between all of them. So, there’s that. And then, of course, there’s the fact that they’re still very much kids, and having money doesn’t equate to maturity.
MORE: Did this season deliver any of the things we wanted from Outer Banks Season 4?
WILL JJ MAYBANK EVER LEARN?
Outer Banks Season 4, Episode 1 ‘The Enduro’ once again makes us ask the question: will JJ Maybanks ever learn? It’s a hard question to ask three seasons in, and the answer is hopefully. But to answer we must really examine why JJ keeps making the same mistake and why it seems like he hasn’t learned the lesson of not risking not just his, but everyone’s future.
It would be unfair to say JJ hasn’t learned any lessons. We see that he managed to sustain a relationship with Kiara for 18 months, so there has been growth. He isn’t risking Kiara’s heart or their relationship. But JJ hasn’t learned this particular lesson, in part because he hasn’t had to. He keeps getting bailed out of situations, and frankly, his friends keep forgiving him for screwing up and at times even enabling his bad decisions. Not that I’m advocating for them not forgiving him necessarily, but when there are no consequences to your actions, the lesson doesn’t really tend to stick.
All the Pogues have issues, of course, but they have all – up to a point – have somewhat of a family. Someone to love them. JJ hasn’t. The rest of the Pogues have been his family. As Kiara points out in this episode, he’s never had a home. He doesn’t understand what that baseline is. And he thinks he constantly has to prove to the people who love him that he’s worthy of that love. That he can do something to “earn” it. Of course, that’s not what love is, but try telling JJ that.
So, yeah, at the root of JJ’s bad decisions, there’s a constant need to prove that he belongs that comes from his upbringing. Until that’s addressed, he can probably never learn this particular lesson, particularly when there continue to be no real consequences to his actions and the people closest to him continue to be enablers when they should be anything but. Sometimes love needs to be tough love.
MORE: How were the special effects for Outer Banks Season 3 done? We’ve got answers!
POGUELANDIA
If Outer Banks Season 4, Episode 1 ‘The Enduro’ proves something is that these kids never needed these wannabe parental units (Pope’s parents can stay, they at least care). They figured it out all by themselves, and they did a pretty good job taking care of each other. They built the life they wanted, the life they dreamed of – and they had each other’s backs while doing it.
By the time we get to the ceremony, I was even wondering why Kiara’s parents were there clapping. Who invited them and who cares about what they think at that point? Didn’t they want boundaries? Boundaries mean no ceremony where your daughter is getting celebrated for something you didn’t approve of that she went and did alongside a boy you hate. And if they haven’t talked to her in eighteen months showing up there is a slap in the face.
But at this point, whatever is coming next, Poguelandia is what these kids are fighting for. And Poguelandia means they are fighting for each other. For their home and their business and each other. Whatever they go back to won’t be the lives they had with parents who didn’t understand them and tried to control them. Instead, it will be the lives they built together. And if they decide that what they want to keep doing is hunting treasure, then so be it. They will do that together too.
MORE: What did we think of Outer Banks Season 3? Our review!
A NEW ADVENTURE
It’s an auspicious start to a new adventure, though. But isn’t it always for this group? But the Pogues are indeed more settled at this point, not just with each other and with the knowledge of what each person in the group is good at, but they also got Cleo now. This isn’t a ragtag group of kids just winging it anymore. Not that they did all that badly when they were, but they are “experienced” treasure hunters now going off on a new adventure. And they’ve got a running clock thanks to JJ’s stunt. Joy of joys. Isn’t that how we like our Outer Banks, with stakes?
Things I think I think:
- So glad they brought up the sleep for 3 weeks thing. Hope you all had a good meal or 5, too.
- “We’re glad you’re back Kie, but we need boundaries” is actual crazy talk from Kiara’s parents. If I never see them again it’ll be too soon.
- Everyone’s reaction to John B.’s pin is hilarious.
- “You can smile.” But can he, Kiara? Does he know how?
- Aww when JJ says “I love you, Pope.”
- “He just never really had a home. He’s happy.” STOP IT.
- Will Rafe ever get some character development?
- “No regard for personal safety” is the JJ motto.
- Are you really gonna blame John B here, JJ?
- “Why are you making it sound like you had nothing to do with it?” indeed, Kiara.
- John B. and JJ are literally dumb and dumber.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Outer Banks Season 4, Episode 1 ‘The Enduro’? Share with us in the comments below!
Outer Banks season 4 is now available to stream on Netflix.
Need more? Read our other reviews below:
- Outer Banks Season 4, Episode 2 Review: ‘Blackbeard’
- Outer Banks Season 4, Episode 3: ‘The Lupine Corsairs’
- Outer Banks Season 4, Episode 4 Review: ‘The Swell’
- Outer Banks Season 4, Episode 5 Review: ‘Albatross’
- Outer Banks Season 4, Episode 6 Review: ‘The Town Council’
- Outer Banks Season 4, Episode 7 Review: ‘Mothers and Fathers’
- Outer Banks Season 4, Episode 8 Review: ‘Family Plot’
- Outer Banks Season 4, Episode 9 Review: ‘The Storm’
- Outer Banks Season 4, Episode 10 Review: ‘The Blue Crown’
