Outer Banks: 5 Things That Make No Sense About John B (& 5 About Kiara)

John B is the lead character of the Netflix series Outer Banks. The first few episodes of the series introduce viewers to the lifestyle he and his friends lead as Pogues. His best friend is Kiara, a Kook by birth, Pogue by choice. The beginning of the season suggests that Kiara and John B have feelings for one another.

JJ encourages John B to make a move with her and implies that he’s already tried it himself, without success. But when John B kisses Kiara, she reminds him of the Pogues’ rule, “no Pogue-on-Pogue macking”. The two remain close friends, but when John B starts a relationship with Sarah, Kiara is deeply upset.

10 JOHN B: His House

At the time of the first episode, John B lives alone in the house that used to be home to his father and uncle, too. John B works for Ward Cameron but is fired when he learns that John B stole his scuba equipment. Thinking Sarah outed him, John B tells her that he needed that money so he can eat.

But what about his house? Who’s paying the bills and the mortgage? How has he been able to survive alone for so long? Surely the income he makes working for Ward isn’t enough to cover all that.

9 KIARA: Mysterious

Much like JJ, what viewers see of Kiara’s personality is just the tip of the iceberg. She seems to be one thing, then behaves in a way that totally contradicts herself. Perhaps this really is just who she is, but it can be confusing for viewers and characters alike.

Kiara’s family background is a little murky, as is her decision to join the Pogues, how she got into activism, and her character in general. The other characters make sense in their choices, likes, dislikes, and personalities, but Kiara stands out in many ways. It’s not clear why she is the way she is because viewers don’t know as much about her or her family as they do about the other Pogues.

8 JOHN B: His Boat

If John B shouldn’t be able to afford to live in his house, how can he afford a boat? More accurately, how can he afford to maintain it?

The Pogues use the boat almost every day, at least in the summer, which requires fuel at the very least – how does John B pay for it?

7 KIARA: Mixed Signals

In the first few episodes, John B and JJ are sure that Kiara likes John B. She kisses him on the cheek a few times and emphasizes that he be careful – special treatment that she doesn’t offer the other boys. But she rejects John B’s advances when he finally goes for it. She tells him they’re just friends, then kisses him on the cheek again, leaving everyone more confused than ever.

After kissing her, Kiara asks John B if he told JJ. Why is JJ the one she asks about specifically? Later, she’s the one to comfort JJ when he breaks down, and run into his arms at Midsummers. But it’s Pope she ends up with, even after telling him that it would “never happen” between them.

6 JOHN B: Closed Off

John B is constantly on the run from everyone and everything, even things and people that could help him. At the end of the season, it seems like he’s finally going to make a statement to the police that would clear his name, but he just runs away again.

Sure, he doesn’t trust people, but he’s not stupid. Throughout the series, he displays some common sense and intuition. But he doesn’t allow the sheriff to help him even though she’s the only person who can get him out of his tricky situation, and would rather whisk Sarah away from her home than try to reason with people.

5 KIARA: Her Past

If Kiara’s past were explored more, perhaps everything else about her would make a lot more sense. The characters mention her “Kook year” a few times as if it’s something significant in their lives, but viewers never get any details.

She seems to be holding onto some deep secrets, but the revelation the audience receives doesn’t seem to warrant her mysterious behavior. Her parents seem very strict and controlling, but they appear only a few times. Another scene hints that something might have happened between her and Rafe, but again, no details.

4 JOHN B: Gets Into Parcel 9 Alone

When the Pogues first discover Parcel 9’s location, they struggle to actually get to the gold. They end up building a makeshift contraption that allows John B to be lowered down on a rope, weighed down by his four friends.

But when John B is on the run in the final episodes, he tells Sarah to wait for him while he gets some gold for their trip. He goes into the basement of the Crain house alone, but the next thing viewers see is John B already at the bottom of the well – how did he get down there alone? How did he get back up?

3 KIARA: Why She Hates Sarah So Much

Kiara seems very kind, compassionate, and empathetic towards pretty much everyone – except Sarah Cameron. According to John B’s narration, the girls were best friends in the ninth grade and worst enemies in the tenth.

When the secret of her hatred is finally revealed, it’s a little anticlimactic. Sarah didn’t invite Kiara to her birthday party, so she had to watch it on Instagram. Is this really the reason a girl as clever, kind, progressive, and mature as Kiara would form a years-long grudge against Sarah?

2 JOHN B: The Runway

When John B sees that Ward Cameron is forcing Sarah onto their private jet, he gets angry. Without thinking it through, he jumps into his van and barrels through the fence.

What exactly he’s planning to do at this point is unclear. Yet somehow his beaten old van manages to catch up to the plane, defying all logic.

1 KIARA: John B Is Her Favorite

Why is John B her favorite Pogue, her best friend, the one she seems to be in love with? Their relationship is constantly put on a pedestal, and the other characters see this, too.

The night before Pope’s scholarship interview, he asks her why everything is always about John B with her. She gets angry and defensive and says it’s not, but JJ doesn’t jump to her defense. Throughout the season, Kiara has helped John B even when she didn’t believe in what he was doing – just because she cares about him that much. But with JJ and Pope, she’s quick to be annoyed with them.

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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