I'll admit out of the manyteen dramas that I've consumed, Outer Banks is one of the most ridiculous. But the insanity surrounding the plot is half the reason it's enjoyable! John B. wrestling an alligator with his bare hands? Kiara getting kidnapped then making a daring escape in her PJ's? John B. and Sarah getting married (kind of) by the power of "the sky, the stars, and the sea" after escaping the SBI? Be so for real. I took to Reddit to find the wildest Outer Bankshot takes and theories, and I was not disappointed. Keep reading to see if you agree with any!
Outer Banks Theories
Image via Netflix
JJ and Sarah Are Actually Siblings
My favorite fan theory for the future of Outer Banks is that Madelyn Cline's Sarah and Rudy Pankow's JJ are actually, secretly siblings. Considering we've never met either of their moms...and they're the same age...and they look similar, some fans are convinced that our two favorite blondes are half siblings.
One Reddit user is not a fan of this theory because "it just feels too forced and THEY'RE THE SAME AGE! meaning they would TWINS that were SEPARATED AT BIRTH?! that's insane even for obx."
Image via Netflix
JJ's Dad Will Return
As much as I hate JJ's dad in Outer Banks, I do love scenes he's in, just because he plays such a pivotal role in JJ's character arc. And I definitely think we'll see him again. "I can see him being a minor villain next season," one Reddit user agrees. "Every season seems to be revolved around a character. Maybe it’ll be JJ’s season?"
Image via Netflix
Outer Banks Has Always Been A Story From John B.
"Based on how much inspiration the show takes from the Uncharted video games, I think the final scene of the show will be John B and Sarah sitting down and telling the stories of their adventures to their daughter," one Reddit user says. "That's where John B's narration comes from."
I'm a sucker for a full circle moment, especially when it involves telling stories to the next generation (hello Jane the Virgin!). Considering John B. and Sarah have been endgame since the beginning, I would love to see them telling the whole Pogue story to their kids — and maybe JJ and Kiara's too?
Outer Banks Hot Takes
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Pope Should Have Ditched The Treasure Hunt
One Reddit user is convinced that "Pope should’ve focused on his future in school instead of giving everything up to search for treasure." And TBH, I totally agree.
In season 1, Pope has a breakthrough about the hidden treasure in the middle of his scholarship interview. He ditches the scholarship committee to tell the rest of the Pogues, throwing away a crazy educational opportunity. Pope beats himself up for it, and his parents definitely aren't pleased, but at least it meant he got to stay in the show instead of leaving for college, which leads me to...
Image via Netflix
JJ and Kiara Never Should Have Happened
While JJ and Kiara is one of the most popular ships on the show, a lot of Outer Banks fans think the "no Pogue-on-Pogue macking" rule from the pilot should have stayed in effect. The individual romances between Kiara and JJ, John B., and Pope make the story really messy, and the fact the show writes Kiara to be with all three of them in the span of three years gives a lot of viewers the ick.
I'll be team #Jiara forever (and literally screamed when The Backseat Lovers' "Kilby Girl" started playing during the motorcycle ride in season 3), but I'll say it would incredibly compelling to see a friend group take care of each other as much as the Pogues do without ever crossing over into romantic territory. That's found family, after all!
Image via Netflix
Rafe Shouldn't Have Any Kind Of Redemption Arc In Outer Banks Season 4
Drew Starkey the man that you are. According to one Reddit user, "Rafe should not have a love interest or a redemption arc" like we see in season 3. We spent all of season 1 and season 2 establishing that Rafe (played by Drew) would do anything it took to get what he wanted (including one successful murder and two other attempts?!). He shows next to no remorse for his actions, and exploring his literal psychopathic tendencies would take the show to a whole new level.
Image via Netflix
Outer Banks Should Have Started With The Pogues In Their 20s
As one of the only people alive who loves the post-time jump One Tree Hill, I would have loved to see OBX start off with the characters in their 20s (although it looks like that's where Outer Banks season 4 will pick up!). This would eliminate SO MANY problems from the jump because the Pogues wouldn't have to worry about missing school, they'd be more self-sufficient, and instead of being the same old high school drama, it could have provided a commentary on figuring out life in your 20s the same way Friends did.
Image via Netflix
Big John Should Never Have Returned
John B.'s dad's disappearance is the catalyst for the Pogues' journey at the beginning of Outer Banks, and Big John's return means the story feels somewhat repetitive in the third season, and it undoes a lot of the growth we've seen from John B. Plus, Big John is just SO chaotic, selfish, and dramatic. If he had truly died in season 1, we could have seen John B. wrestle with that finality, and how to cope with loss in the face of finding the treasure and falling in love with Sarah.
Image via Netflix
And Finally, Outer Banks Should Have Ended After Season 1
Outer Banks season 1 was exactly what we needed at the height of the pandemic. It was escapist — both in terms of the beach vacation vibes, but also because the '00s aesthetic took us right back to simpler times — and it had such a wonderfully resolved finale that some fans think nothing has matched it.
What do you think about these Outer Banks opinions and theories? I'm such a romance fan, I don't know what I'd do if the show didn't have JJ & Kiara get together! Check out all the best New TV Shows and Summer TV Shows coming this year for more of your favorite series.
Lead image via Netflix
This post has been updated.