5 Things That Make No Sense About Outer Banks (& 5 We Love)

The Netflix original series Outer Banks premiered on April 15 and has become one of the most popular shows on the streaming platform. The island is home to the Pogues and the Kooks, two classes that are constantly at war. Caught between the two tribes is the local police force.

John B is a sixteen-year-old orphan perpetually on the run from pretty much everyone. Besides his friends, the only thing keeping him going is his search for $400 million worth of gold, and the hope that he’ll see his father again. And while obviously the series isn’t meant to be completely grounded in reality, there are some elements of the show that are awesome, and others that make no sense.

10 MAKES NO SENSE: John B’s House

John B works a part-time job for Ward Cameron, the Kook king of the Outer Banks. John B’s uncle was living with him until he went missing, too, but for the last few months, John B has been fending for himself.

Who pays the mortgage and bills? Where does John B get his food? One scene shows Kiara begging her father to let her friends eat leftovers from their restaurant, which implies that the boys struggle to get fed. The only thing about John B’s situation that makes sense is his limited wardrobe.

9 LOVE: Diversity

The series doesn’t make a huge point of the characters’ diversity, and in doing so, normalizes an environment in which people of different backgrounds can co-exist equally. The discrimination present in Outer Banks has nothing to do with race, sexuality, or gender, but rather class.

The Kooks and the Pogues are diverse groups in terms of race, and the two also balance gender representation. The town sheriff is a black woman who is portrayed as level-headed, smart, and compassionate. The characters’ roles in the show are defined by their personalities far more than anything else.

8 MAKES NO SENSE: Motherless Children

The only characters who seem to have a mother are Kiara, Topper, Wheezie, and Pope – but their appearances are all very brief. Topper’s mother appears only once, while Kiara’s and Pope’s only a handful of times, and they don’t have many lines when they are around.

John B explains that his mother left when he was a toddler, though he doesn’t offer a reason. Nothing is mentioned about JJ’s mother. The Cameron family has Rose, who plays a minor role as Ward’s wife and Wheezie’s mother. As a stepmother to Sarah and Rafe, she isn’t their favorite person. Whether or not this trend is intentional is unclear.

7 LOVE: Setting

The beach setting offers a very palpable and unique feel that separates the show from its contemporaries. It also adds to the Pogues’ sense of liberation and free-spiritedness.

The setting has been particularly enjoyable to watch during the isolation period when many viewers are unable to go outside or to places like the beach. What really accentuates the feel of this environment is the show’s soundtrack.

6 MAKES NO SENSE: Hooded Figure

Early in the season, Sheriff Peterkin is seen in her office talking to someone who isn’t shown on camera until the final shot. A hooded figure stands silhouetted before the window, facing away from the camera.

The identity of this figure isn’t revealed in the first season and is never seen again or even mentioned. Is that scene important? Will it be brought up in season 2? Who is this person and why did they appear only once, shrouded in such mystery?

5 LOVE: Behind The Scenes

The series was produced on a tight schedule with a limited budget. The camera crew shot scenes in a way that sees many sequences begin from a wide shot and slowly pull in, perhaps intercut with alternate, closer shots. As a result, these scenes feel more authentic.

The underwater scenes were filmed at an alternate location, but shots of characters from above-water or diving into it are real. When Shoupe shows up to tell the Pogues to leave the marsh, John B is underwater, but in reality, Chase Stokes is hiding in the water just behind the boat. Additionally, the cast and crew seem to have great relationships offscreen. They have shared many behind-the-scenes tidbits, which fans have enjoyed.

4 MAKES NO SENSE: Police Force

The Outer Banks police force is made up of polarizing characters. Sheriff Peterkin is portrayed as perceptive, kind, and clever, but also authoritative and dangerous. She tries to help John B out of his situation in exchange for information, which isn’t strictly legal, but since she’s helping John B the audience approves of her.

However, the police are also portrayed as corrupt, immoral, selfish, and evil. Shoupe takes money from a crime scene to put in his own pocket, then later works with Ward Cameron for his own personal interests.

3 LOVE: Pogues

Within the first five minutes of the series, John B explains everything viewers need to know about the Pogues: their disadvantage is their advantage. They’re ignored and neglected, which means they can do whatever they want.

Scenes like the one in the episode “Midsummers” make viewers want to be a part of the Pogues. Their lifestyle is liberating, fun, and adventurous, even if it comes with some not-so-pleasant aspects.

2 MAKES NO SENSE: Always On The Run

The first chase of the season occurs after the Pogues discover the shipwreck. On their way home, another boat starts following them. This becomes a wild chase in which one of the men from the boat starts shooting at the Pogues.

These men persist in chasing John B for the first few episodes, then mysteriously disappear. Unless the sheriff’s warning stare was enough to scare them away, their disappearance makes no sense. What also doesn’t make any sense is why John B is so defensive – even with Sarah, before they become a couple. Things would be so much simpler if he came forward to the police and explained things, or allowed Peterkin to help him. Instead, he lies, denies, and runs away from everything and everyone.

1 LOVE: Exploration Of Classism

The backdrop to the entire story is the war between Pogues and Kooks. As John B says, “two tribes, one island”. The bad blood between the two groups doesn’t entirely make sense, especially since Ward, Scooter, and Big John seem to have been working together. But the conversations brought up by the conflict are interesting.

The environment of the Outer Banks means that kids like JJ, John B, and Pope are severely disadvantaged. This is why Pope is so obsessed with getting his merit scholarship and working in forensic pathology – it’s his only chance at a different life. It’s also why JJ is willing to give up everything for Pope’s future.

About The Author

Svetlana Sterlin
(256 Articles Published)

After years of relocation, Svetlana Sterlin (she/her) was raised by her Russian parents in Brisbane, Australia, where she completed a BFA and contributes to ScreenRant and Our Culture Magazine. An avid cinephile and bookworm, Svetlana also writes creatively across multiple forms and genres. Her fiction and poetry appear in several printed and digital publications. Find more from Svetlana here: https://linktr.ee/svetlanasterlin.

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