Outer Banks Season 2: Why Kiara & Pope Staying Just Friends Was The Right Choice

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Outer Banks season 2.

Outer Banks season 2 saw Kiara and Pope attempt a romance before ultimately settling on remaining friends – here’s why that was a good decision. Played by Jonathan Daviss and Madison Bailey, respectively, Pope and Kiara served as staple members of the Pogues in North Carolina’s titular Outer Banks. Despite there being a rule against romances within the group, John B (Chase Stokes) narrated during Outer Banks season 1, episode 1, “Pilot” that JJ (Rudy Pankow), Pope, and himself each “kind of have a thing” for Kiara. After several lingering looks, and John B’s attention turning to Sarah Cameron (Madelyn Cline), Pope eventually made his move. Shortly after he professed his love, Pope and Kiara shared a kiss.

Fans then waited eagerly to see where things would go next. In the wake of John B and Sarah’s perceived deaths, the fledgling romance understandably started off on rocky footing. Coping with their grief in drastically different ways, Pope and Kiara frequently clashed. Upon learning that their friends were actually alive, things eventually turned a corner. Their connection was further renewed as they worked together to hunt the famed Cross of Santo Domingo and keep Pope safe from the mysterious Carla Limbrey (Elizabeth Mitchell). Enjoying a brief respite once the Pogues were all firmly reunited, that connection was taken to the next level when Pope and Kiara slept together in Outer Banks season 2, episode 4, “Homecoming.”

What followed was a whole lot of awkwardness as Pope and Kiara navigated their new status quo. That awkwardness ultimately led Kiara to the realization that she didn’t feel as she’d expected to and that what she truly wanted was for her and Pope to return to a platonic friendship. As disappointing as that development no doubt was to those who shipped Kiara and Pope, it was actually the right move. While the actors are individually talented and both have a good rapport within the group, the romantic chemistry simply was never there. Throughout Outer Banks season 2, their lustful interactions felt forced and uncomfortable – as befitting two characters still figuring themselves out and approaching love too rationally.

On paper, Pope was everything Kiara could have hoped for in a boyfriend. He was smart, loyal, and said all the right things. Pope also not only supported but actively contributed to Kiara’s environmentalism, as seen in Outer Banks season 2, episode 2, “The Heist.” Even while searching for the gun that killed Sheriff Peterkin (Adina Porter), and could thus prove John B’s innocence, Pope remembered to bring garbage bags in order to simultaneously clean plastic out of the ocean. In short, he was perfect. As such, it made all the sense that Kiara would pursue something more than friendship. Unfortunately, Outer Banks season 2 highlighted that as perfect as something seemed on paper, or however much effort is put into making it so, sometimes things simply don’t click. More importantly, Outer Banks pointed out that it’s actually okay when such a thing happens and, through Pope, the right way to react.

For all the treasure hunting and adventure, Outer Banks has also been multiple coming-of-age dramas. As such, experimenting and exploring the different kinds of love in one’s life was part and parcel of the Pogues’ self-discovery. As hurt as Pope initially was, it was a necessary step in both his and Kiara’s individual and collective growth. Only by trying did they realize it didn’t work and set up finding that kind of love elsewhere — namely a seeming connection between Pope and Cleo (Carlacia Grant), as well as JJ and Kiara as a romantic couple.

It also demonstrated that the Outer Banks‘ writers won’t make the same mistake as countless other shows. They were committed to at least exploring their original plan of a Pope and Kiara romance. Regardless, they were ultimately unafraid to embrace fan reaction and accept that, equally, what looked good on paper didn’t necessarily translate to screen. As such, they offered the same kind of narrative agility seen recently on The CW’s Nancy Drew, an overall positive message, and thus set up Outer Banks season 3 to be even more intriguing.

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