Spoiler Warning
Over the past month, Netflix’s Outer Banks has been consistently increasing in popularity, currently the #4 show in the U.S. as of right now. While it may come off as a corny high school show (which is not wrong), it actually has a very mysterious and intriguing plot. The show is able to keep you on the edge of your seat, as each episode progresses. This review will compare the pros and cons of the show, and let you know at the end whether or not it is worth your time.
What is the show about?
The show revolves around a group of teenagers in their summer vacation, called the “Pogues.” The group’s leader, John B, has a missing father that the group is determined to find. One day, however, they stumble across a mysterious clue linking to a treasure that is connected to John B’s father.
The Positives
Personally, I didn’t have a problem with any of the core characters in the show, with my favorite being JJ. I also liked to see side characters such as Topper getting a mini redemption at the end of the show, similar to that of Steve Harrington from Stranger Things. Charles Esten as Ward is an interesting villain. He gives a layered performance where he is both crazy and emotional. I thought the acting was really good for the most part, especially the actors who play Ward(Esten) and Rafe(Starkey). In terms of the plot, the show is at its strongest when it focuses on the mysteries of the gold and John B’s father. The whole fugitive arc of John B near the end is really strong. The cliff hangers at the end of each episode were particularly effective. The unexpected twists in the show were pretty interesting as well, such as Rafe shooting Sheriff Peterkin, and Pope getting his revenge on Rafe. However, the absolute number one reason that anyone should watch this show is Sarah Cameron. No need to explain why.
The Negatives
I think the main problem with this show is that sometimes it is so irrational. Let’s be real for a second here. The ending was so unrealistic! Their chances of actually surviving that bad of a storm were so small. It just doesn’t make sense that they got out of it alive. But oh well, I guess that’s just how plot armor works. Also, I still don’t understand why Pope couldn’t have taken another 10-15 minutes to finish his interview. Was it really necessary to walk out in the middle of it to “inform his friends about where the gold is”? It seems like he ruined his chance at a scholarship for no good reason. I get they were trying to show his loyalty to the Pogues, but I doubt it would have made a difference if he stayed a little longer. Moreover, I feel like the whole rivalry between the Kooks and the Pogues could be so much more interesting. They always seem to fight for the dumbest reasons. The Kooks constantly use JJ pulling out a gun on them as an excuse for starting fights, but do they not remember that he did that to stop Topper from drowning John B? And why did they make 27-year-old Chase Stokes play a 16-year-old?
The Verdict
Despite the many irrationalities in the show, I still think that the positives outweigh the negatives. Whether it is the well-written plot or Sarah Cameron, I’d say there are many reasons to watch this show. If you are into mystery and cliff-hangers, then this is a good show for you.
For these reasons, I’d rate Outer Banks a solid 4/5.
Stay tuned to The Roundup for more Television & Film Reviews!
