Published by Mason Oldridge, 15 November 2024
CONTAINS SPOILERS!
The North Carolina-set teen drama is back with a new mission… and back on top form.
The Pogues’ new fortune allows them to set up a new home and business for themselves: Poguelandia 2.0, but, when JJ bets their last gold nugget on himself in a dirt bike race he ultimately loses, they cannot afford to pay their property tax and reluctantly accept the offer they were made at the end of last season to help locate Blackbeard’s treasure. They are hired by Wes Genrette, whose ancestor killed the legendary pirate and whose family have been cursed ever since, as he believes finding the treasure will break the curse. However, also on the same mission are ruthless mercenaries who will stop at nothing to find the goods first.
After the relative disappointment of last season, Season 4 can be seen as a return to the quality of the first two.
This season brings with it an epic new villain in Chandler Groff, Wes’ son-in-law. Groff inhabits a charm that masks his greed and deceitfulness, similar to that of Ward Cameron, making him an enthralling and entertaining baddie to watch. Following the season finale, we can assume he will appear as the main antagonist in next season too!
There are many memorable moments but perhaps the most atmospheric is JJ’s rampage in an angry response to the outcome of the town council meeting. Perfectly set to Fontaine D.C.’s Starburster, the police struggle to cope with the public unrest in a truly haunting scene.
The season finale is, once again, cinematic. An action-packed race amidst a sandstorm in Morocco culminates with JJ discovering the crown, though the victory is short-lived as Groff returns, steals the crown, and stabs JJ to death in revenge for leaving him in the well. JJ’s death is totally unforeseen though retrospectively explains why he took centre stage this season.
A fifth and final season is on the way and, with a death among the main cast bound to change the tone and revenge on their mind, the final visit to OBX is set to be an exciting one.
8/10