JJ Maybank’s time on Netflix’s Outer Banks has come to an end. The premiere of season 4 part 2 ended with the shocking and sudden death of one of our favorite Pogues. And the more we learn about the drama going on behind the scenes of season 4, combined with that goodbye interview that actor Rudy Pankow filmed and the filmmakers saying that this was planned, it seems like there’s no coming back from this. It’s looking like JJ Maybank is truly gone. And we’re furious about it.
Right from the start, there was something different about season 4 of Outer Banks.
There was the excitement of JJ and Kiara entering into a romantic relationship and the Pogues finally had a home of their own. Both of these were things we thought would never happen because trouble always found them. But they did in season 4 and we were happy for them. Then part two of season 4 premiered. There was a notable distance between Madison Bailey’s Kiara and Pankow’s JJ. If anything, they felt like friends and nothing more. And the intimate scenes they had in part two were filmed with classic strategies prevalent in the industry when cast-mates don’t want to film together.
MORE: Revisit Outer Banks season 4 episode 1 and how this heartbreaking journey began.
Nevertheless, we persevered. We kept watching and blamed the inconsistencies in filming or the storyline on the Pogues being in a high pressure situation. Then Groff killed JJ in Outer Banks season 4 episode 10. And he didn’t even do it because JJ was attacking him or he had no other choice. Groff stabbed his own son and killed him to prove a point. The point being that he could. He could hurt JJ. He could kill him. Because JJ wasn’t better than him. Oh, and he left Groff in that well. And it ultimately ended up being one of the most cowardly ways to write a character off Outer Banks, despite me trying to rationalize why Groff did it at this very moment.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, showrunners Shannon Burke and Josh Pate talked about how JJ’s death had been part of the pipeline for a while. Burke said, “We knew at the end of season 3 that season 4 was going to be JJ.” Pate added, “Believe it or not, this is something that was always sort of baked in the cake, and we just wanted to tell the story as elegantly and interestingly as possible.” There is nothing elegant about the way that JJ’s story concluded in season 4.
MORE: Want to get frustrated all over again? Read our review for Outer Banks season 4 episode 10.
If anything, the way that Pankow’s character was killed, kind of felt like a punishment for wanting to leave the show. Because if this was planned, if this tragic character was so beloved and would do anything for his friends, he would have had a different end. JJ would have gone out saving his friends or doing something noble for the rest of the Pogues that grew up like him. Or they could have even made it that he decided to finally go out there and do that surfing trip he dreamed and shared with Kiara. Instead, we got a quiet and shocking death after dragging JJ through painful moment after painful moment this season.
But in case I’m wrong, and the manner of JJ’s death wasn’t a punishment for the actor leaving the show, then it just was bad writing. If you’re going to write a character arc in season 4 like you did with a character like JJ, there has to be a payout. It’s part of the basic social contract between a viewer and a show like this. Because this isn’t Game of Thrones where you expect characters, especially main ones, to die. This is a show where family is at the heart of things and our Pogues always make it through. And there was always a comfort in that certainty. So killing JJ so suddenly, especially after the painful revelations in part 1 of season 4, feels like a slap in the face.
MORE: Outer Banks season 4 episode 6 “The Town Council” saw JJ absolutely break.
Certainly, as fans and critics, we’re not in the writer’s room for Outer Banks. We didn’t make the decision to kill JJ Maybank. But we’ve watched this show, obsessed over it, followed all of these characters’ highs and lows, come to appreciate their romances, and created communities surrounding this show about a bunch of kids who end up being treasure hunters. We understand what Outer Banks is about. And we have learned what to expect from these characters and the show itself from the creatives behind the scenes. That’s why we can say with our whole chest that season 4 part two feels unwarranted, out of place, and like a poorly written AU fanfiction of a show that has felt like a respite and comfort for many.
JJ Maybank’s death on Outer Banks feels like the uncertainty and unforgiving nature of real life creeping into our escape. And for that, we’ll hold on to our anger and keep it close. Because if the showrunners could do this to one of the most beloved characters, how can we trust them to keep John B, Sarah, her child, Pope, Cleo, and Kiara alive by the end of season 5? We can’t.
I was completely shocked! We saw JJ’s pain, felt him hurting for that family love he deserved and he found that with his friends. JJ had a big heart and never gave up on having a true “father”. His death was crazy however it was as unexpected as life is today.
I was shocked about JJ dying! He was OBX. I’m not sure if I’ll watch any more episodes.
This article totally captures how I feel. I know I’m not alone after reading this. Well written!
I’m amazed at how this show managed to forget all previous character development and ruin every character this season in one impressive swoop, starting with JJ and Kiara. Whatever the actor drama might be, the writing speaks for itself: they’re unrecognizable compared to previous seasons. The dialogue is cringy and awkward, there’s no character growth whatsoever—only regression. Their behavior is inexplicable, even if you brought together all the members of the American Psychological Association to analyze it.
If you watched this show primarily for the characters and their evolving relationships, as I did, this season is a decisive nail in the coffin. There’s no coming back from this, even if they somehow revive JJ next season. At least that would be satisfying and somewhat poetic.
If they don’t, and the writers follow through on their promise to turn this show into The Count of Monte Cristo or something in the final season, Outer Banks will go down in history as one of the most infuriating, toxic, and disappointing shows ever.