The latest season of “Outer Banks” kicks off with the Pogues building their dream home, ‘Poguelandia,’ using the money they earned from the gold they recovered in the previous season.

For a brief moment, they savor their newfound freedom, running their bait shop and thinking they have finally found stability. However, their hopes are shattered when they discover the house sale was invalid, leaving them deep in debt and homeless once again.

With nothing else to lose, the treasure hunters could not stay out of trouble and went on another quest to find the ancient blue crown — worth millions of dollars to get their money back.

It is amazing how each season of OBX manages to outdo the last, packing every minute with intense drama and nonstop tension. This season had me glued to the screen — I could not look away for a second, fearing I would miss something crucial.

Despite the thrilling twists and turns of the latest season, some scenes left me stunned and questioning whether I’d want to watch the next season.

Starting off with the biggest plot twist of the century, my least favorite scene is the last episode where the show decides to kill off the beloved character, JJ. Just as the Pogues successfully beat Groff and the other mercenaries to obtain the blue crown, Groff impaled JJ with a knife in exchange for Kie, whom he held captive.

Although JJ’s death emphasized his heartfelt affection for Kie, JJ’s death might drive fans away. JJ was essential to the show, offering moments of humor during emotional scenes and capturing the true spirit of the Pogues.

When it comes to comedy, it was often the little moments — especially JJ’s quirky remarks — that made me laugh. However, I felt Season Four lacked the same level of humor as previous seasons. The wit and lightheartedness that defined OBX seemed toned down, with the focus shifting more toward serious themes. I’m honestly not sure how the next season will maintain the humor without JJ’s presence.

While Season Four delivered plenty of unexpected turns, the show seems to be drifting further from the nostalgic feeling it once gave in earlier seasons. The rivalry between the Kooks and Pogues feels less prominent and there is a noticeable decline in the carefree moments on the beach and boat. There is also less focus on the island as the group is always on the hunt since some of the Pogues are fugitives.

The show’s tone has shifted from youthful rebellion and carefree summer vibes to a more intense exploration of the characters’ survival and personal dilemmas. The increasing presence of violence, the heightened danger posed by characters like Rafe and Ward Cameron and the darker side of the treasure hunting adventure make the show feel more like a thriller than a nostalgic teen adventure.

With the increase in violence, all the trauma makes it seem like each Pogue is immortal and immune to all danger. It is not realistic in how each one had the energy — including Sarah who was pregnant — to run around Morocco and the desert without proper food and water.

JJ will always be my favorite character for this show even though his presence is no longer there for OBX’s last season — Season Five. Although JJ sometimes put the Pogues in rough situations by making some stupid decisions, he always had everyone’s back no matter what he was going through. Whether it’s fighting off enemies or diving into dangerous situations, JJ is always willing to put himself at risk for the sake of his friends.

Overall, OBX remains one of my all-time favorite shows, despite the disappointing ending of Season Four. I’m hopeful that Season Five will restore fans’ spirits and make the journey to the final season worthwhile, ideally offering the Pogues a well-deserved happy ending.