Outer Banks Season 4, Episode 9 ‘The Storm’ gives us the worst JJ, the one letting intrusive thoughts lead him, and then the best JJ, the one pushing against the bad thoughts and choosing to live. It’s basically an entire season’s worth of character growth for him in a few minutes, and it leaves us terrified of what’s to come.
But as a single, separate hour of this show, it’s a really great showcase of what has made Outer Banks successful. These kids are family to each other, and we say that in many shows, but rarely does it apply as well as it does here. They’re the type of family that would jump off a sinking ship to save you. And that doesn’t come around very often.
MORE: Here’s our review for Outer Banks Season 4, Episode 7. And Outer Banks Season 4, Episode 6!
WOULD HAVE BEEN DOING ME A FAVOR
Outer Banks Season 4, Episode 9 ‘The Storm’ is JJ basically giving up. And why wouldn’t he? Sure, he’s got the Pogues and he’s always had the Pogues, but his identity keeps taking hit after hit after hit. There’s only so much you can take before you break. And JJ has never had the foundation to do anything but break. He’s always been left behind by his family. He’s only ever been chosen by his friends. So, in fact I would have been more shocked if he didn’t break.
That doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt, of course, or that the show handles his breakdown all that well. Because JJ breaking down? That makes sense. Only John B. trying to get through to him? Yeah, no that part doesn’t track. Kiara has always been the one to hold a mirror to JJ’s worst instincts, and though John B. is his best friend, Kiara is the love of his life. If anyone was going to make him see there was more to live for it was Kiara.
But the show makes the decision to not let her try and instead puts it all on John B. And he tries, he really does, but JJ isn’t budging. Self-hatred is a powerful drug, and once you’re in a spiral, it’s really hard to get out. Ironically, for JJ, what snaps him out of it isn’t his friend or his girlfriend talking to him, but fear. Fear that something might happen to his friends. That’s why he gets up, why he says enough. He’s afraid of the storm and he’s afraid for the people he cares about. Because even at his lowest, he cares. In fact, he’s always cared more about others than himself.
MORE: Here’s our review for Outer Banks Season 4, Episode 5. And Outer Banks Season 4, Episode 6!
WHAT IF WE MADE HIM GODFATHER
This is John B. acting with his heart, and boy does it feel like JJ deserves it after he jumps in after Sarah and saves her life. But JJ isn’t actually the best choice to be anyone’s godfather, at least not now. Logically, I think both John B. and Sarah know that. But do we really choose godparents logically? We don’t. So in a way, I guess JJ is the only choice that makes sense.
But the important part isn’t the words, or the choice, or even JJ lashing out, it’s John B.’s words about what JJ means to him. I’m not sure I’ve ever cried as hard watching this show as I did in this John B. and JJ scene because don’t tell me this isn’t love. Sometimes you find the love of your life and your best friend finds the love of his life, but the other love of your life is that friend that was always there with you, through thick and thin. That’s what John B. and JJ are to each other. More than friends, brothers by choice.
And sure, that moment is broken and they don’t get to reaffirm it until later in the episode, but that doesn’t make it less true. Outer Banks has been a show about ships, and about friends, but above so many other things it’s been a story about JJ and John B. and how they made it from two kids shooting the sh*t with each other to the men they are today. What a journey it’s been, hasn’t it?
MORE: Did this season deliver any of the things we wanted from Outer Banks Season 4?
Things I think I think:
- Look, at this point considering how many crimes we’re racking up, what’s one more?
- Okay, real talk: we haven’t gotten nearly enough actual Jiara as a couple content. That’s a very bad sign, for me.
- Rafe redemption arc can bite me.
- This is tough because I know I said his friends should be holding JJ accountable, he needs that, but also poor guy is just destroyed.
- Shoupe is lowkey never as bad as he wants to be.
- THEY’RE FAMILY.
- Not trusting Rafe is a solid choice.
- “What if we made him Godfather?” AND WHAT IF I CRY?
- Bawling at JJ and John B., as everyone who has watched this show for 4 seasons should.
- “You’re gonna screw up that kid like my father screwed me up,” is a low blow JJ.
- Why isn’t Kiara trying to talk to JJ?! She’s the one he’s most likely to listen to.
- JJ going “enough of this shit” is a mood, though.
- Man, the way he didn’t think. He just jumped.
- THIS REUNION.
- And JJ is no biggie. YES, BIGGIE.
- The way he hugs back John B at the end? SOMEBODY SEDATE ME.
Outer Banks season 4 is now available to stream on Netflix.
Need more? Read our other reviews below:
- Outer Banks Season 4, Episode 1 Review: ‘The Enduro’
- 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’
