As a longtime fan of teen adventure shows, I must say that Outer Banks has truly outdone itself with this fourth season. The writers have managed to maintain the essence of the original concept while taking it to new heights – all while keeping the characters grounded and relatable.
[This contains major spoilers from part two of Outer Banks season four.]
Netflix‘s Outer Banks season four began and ended with JJ.
In the television series, it was Rudy Pankow’s character, the most Pogue-like among the Pogues as determined by the showrunners, who initiated and resolved the central conflict of the fourth season. This plotline followed a group of North Carolina teen treasure hunters as they discovered, lost, and regained more than a million dollars. The story also delved into JJ Maybank’s family background and led them on an exciting journey across the Atlantic Ocean to Morocco for a thrilling climax.
In the 90-minute closing episode, released on Thursday alongside the second half of Season 4‘s 10 episodes, our group embarked on a desperate dash across the North African desert in a climactic confrontation against the man who was later revealed to be JJ’s biological father. As the season reached its conclusion (now marked as the second-last episode due to the show’s renewal for Season 5), JJ succumbed to his injuries and passed away.
According to showrunner Jonas Pate, there has always been an inherent quality about the character that he can’t help but be drawn to. He describes him as both endearing and tragic, and this aspect of his personality seems to have been predetermined from the start. In simpler terms, we could say that this characteristic was already present in the character’s genetic makeup from the beginning.
Regardless of circumstance, it’s undeniable that JJ’s finale in the Netflix drama will undoubtedly leave its passionate online audience stunned. “Are we going to require a witness protection program for ourselves?” Pate joked on Wednesday, prior to the second season’s debut.
Below, Jonas Pate discusses with co-showrunners Josh Pate and Shannon Burke the reasons behind choosing JJ, the decision to set the show in Morocco, and how the cherished ‘P4L’ mindset will shape their production as it moves forward.
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What a season for JJ. Was this something you’d planned from the beginning?
SHANNON BURKE By the conclusion of season three, it was clear that season four would center around JJ. We didn’t have all the specifics, but we had a good idea of many key plot points. We also had an inkling of how JJ’s story would ultimately unfold; we weren’t certain if it would be resolved this season, but we had a general understanding.
JOSH PATE Over the course of our storytelling, we’ve shone light on various characters, and we were eager to delve deeper into his past. A significant aspect that we created this year revolved around the character of the adoptive father, who emerged as a major antagonist. Since the initial three seasons, there was a reset this year, so we had to rework the roles of the villains.
Why did he have to die?
JONAS PATE From the start, there’s been an undercurrent of tragedy within his character. The concept of mortality, knowing you have a limited time, is not only a key aspect of John B, but also the series itself. This idea was discussed from the first season, and it turns out, this tragic element was inherent in the storyline right from the beginning. We aimed to narrate the tale as gracefully and engagingly as we could.
How would you manage the rhythm of a finale that’s nearly 90 minutes long and entirely set in Morocco, given that audiences are accustomed to shorter episodes? From a technical standpoint, I’m curious about your process.
SHANNON BURKE The extended length of this episode developed naturally. We hadn’t planned on making it so lengthy from the beginning. Gradually, as we worked on the script, it seemed to grow longer and longer. In the end, we decided to fully develop the story rather than rushing through it, which is why we chose to present it in a more gradual manner, allowing events to unfold bit by bit. Originally, we had a shorter version, but it didn’t do justice to the storyline that was to follow. Therefore, we opted for a slower pace to ensure a more authentic portrayal of the events.
JONAS PATE I thought we were prepared for its length, but when I delved into it, it turned out to be even longer than anticipated. Yet, you managed to salvage it from that point on.
Was there any pushback from Netflix?
JONAS PATE I believe they were aware that we had numerous planes to land, so it was likely going to take some time. Netflix are fantastic collaborators in allowing the story to be the focus. I think they’ve demonstrated this with many of their shows, such as “Stranger Things”.
Let’s discuss your trip to Morocco. The Pogues have traveled extensively, so I’m curious, what led you to choose Morocco for this particular journey?
JONAS PATE Many factors are involved in the process. Some aspects are guided by the narrative itself, others by what seems visually captivating, and still others by certain financial considerations. However, the story remains the top priority.
JOSH PATE It felt eerily similar to Purgatory for them. It was a barren desert! The complete opposite of their usual environment. Given our knowledge about JJ’s fate, it seemed almost fitting, as if to say, “This is the last place they would want to be.” They are so accustomed to beach and water-based surroundings.
As a gamer, I’m curious if the choice of Poguelandia not being my reality influenced the layout or location selection in your game design?
JOSH PATE It was clear to us that our destination would be found in the Sahara Desert, somewhere far removed from their familiar surroundings. The city where we filmed the finale, with its labyrinthine streets filled with dust and chaos, required a significant overhaul of the script when we moved to Morocco for shooting. This was due to Jonas’s enthusiasm about the unique opportunities that the clay city perched on a hill could offer. Consequently, everything was adapted according to the new location.
Instead, let’s discuss the remainder of the Pogues series. I find that this program deviates from typical teen adventure shows due to the fact that the primary couples generally stay united. Was this an intentional choice on your part?
SHANNON BURKE We’ve grown fond of these characters. We prefer them to have admirable traits rather than being selfish or underhanded. It’s not enjoyable for us when they engage in negative actions, but we appreciate it when they show kindness towards one another.
JONAS PATE Our aim was to recognize and pay tribute to P4L. In essence, our goal was to present them with challenges from the outside world, yet we didn’t want to overwhelm them too much.
Sarah Cameron is pregnant!
JONAS PATE We aimed to avoid a typical young adult couple’s breakup pattern for John B and Sarah, yet we needed them to encounter conflict. There’s always an exhilarating sensation when you come up with an intriguing concept, almost as if you’re hesitant about it. The initial conversations about that idea felt like, “Oh my goodness, we can’t do this!” However, these are the ideas that often linger in your mind. They spark excitement.
Who decided to call it a “poguelet?”
JOSH PATE I think Carlacia [Grant, who plays Cleo] ad-libbed that on set, it was so funny.
That’s fantastic! Let me ask you one more thing: Since the characters have matured significantly yet remain relatively young, do you find it necessary to strike a balance between maintaining an exciting plotline and keeping their age in mind while developing the series?
JOSH PATE Many of their characteristics are influenced by our recollections of our teenage years, stemming from time spent in the coastal Carolinas. The initial ideas for Kooks and Pogues were derived from familiar groups to us, and I often ponder about these groups and consider what boundaries they might have had and the type of events that transpired.
JONAS PATE We had friends in high school who got pregnant. We just felt like it was a real thing.
JOSH PATE Such a thing could occur effortlessly for them, but we wish to acknowledge the predicament it poses for them and remain faithful to their characters.
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Parts one and two of Outer Banks season four are now streaming on Netflix.
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2024-11-07 23:25