Outer Banks is one of the most recent and most successful additions to the teen television landscape. Following a group of teenagers set on uncovering the mystery behind one of their father’s disappearances, the show toes the line of being a coming-of-age story while also being a mystery. It’s also a story about the societal divide between the rich (Kooks) and the working class (Pogues). The group we follow is the Pogues, which tends to mean that trouble follows, especially as the group’s ringleader, John B. (Chase Stokes), gets them deeper into a mystery they really shouldn’t be anywhere near.But the real mystery of Outer Banks is why all of these kids have daddy issues, and why none of them seem to have mothers.

The Premise of ‘Outer Banks’ Revolves Around Daddy Issues’

Outer Banks begins with John B. investigating his father’s mysterious disappearance years prior, and in turn getting his friends wrapped up in it as well. So right from the start, we’re being presented with daddy issues that we don’t have the full story of quite yet. So it shouldn’t come as much of a shock then that the rest of the Pogues similarly face issues with their fathers or father figures. Yet, that seems to be the sole focus of the show when it comes to fleshing out the character’s home lives. And sure, it makes for interesting plot lines, but unless they’re all a part of some support group, it’s a little unrealistic that every kid in town with daddy issues just so happens to become friends with one another.

To top it off, none of the Pogues mention their mothers. There are some exceptions, such as the case of Kiara (Madison Bailey), whose mother is an often seen part of the show. On the flip side, Pope’s (Jonathan Daviss) father is a large and pressuring presence on him, with huge expectations for his son that he makes known, even if they’re a bit pushy. Meanwhile, his mom is alive and well, but we hardly see her. Her perspective on her husband’s projections for their son could be very interesting and even provide a bit of relief to Pope, but we never get anything from her. This is the case with practically every Pogue. We either know very little about their mom or nothing at all, and it’s such a strange narrative absence that feels especially like a loss when you notice just how big of a part the fathers play in these kids’ lives.

The Fathers Provide the Most Character Influence in ‘Outer Banks’

Outer Banks does just fine at creating an entertaining and captivating story with every episode it brings. From romantic drama to constant threats against the Pogue’s lives, whether it be from Kooks or their own adventures. But the issues with their fathers also provide a lot more influence and development, or stunted development, than you may initially think. Obviously, John B. is defined by his father’s disappearance, and as previously mentioned, his looking into it is the inciting incident of the series. However, we also know nothing about his mother, and it seems to add to the isolation John B. feels throughout the series. It makes us understand why he’s so set on finding the treasure that ties into his dad’s disappearance. It’s not just John B. who is affected by his father’s choices, each character faces a struggle with their own father that seemingly gives them a renowned purpose. For instance, JJ’s (Rudy Pankow) father Luke is abusive, and so he seeks refuge in John. B and the rest of the Pogues. It’s through this broken family that JJ finds and makes his own in the Pogues. We learn in Season 4 that his biological father is actually Chandler Groff (J. Anthony Crane), and lest you think he gets a better father figure it actually gets worse! Not only did Chandler kill JJ’s biological mother, Larissa, but he abandoned JJ with Luke and then, years later, killed him.

Sarah (Madelyn Cline) has perhaps the most complex relationship with her father though. At the beginning of the series, she and her father have a great relationship, and she says she can’t imagine life without him, but as she gets involved with John B. and the rest of the Pogue’s she slowly realizes that her father isn’t the man she thought he was, and that he’s actually involved in some very illicit things. She struggles throughout the series with her loyalty to her family and what she knows is right, ultimately choosing to do the right thing, cut off her father, and forge her own path, but it’s still a rough journey to get there for her. But, like many of the others, we know nothing of her mother. Interestingly, we don’t even know if she’s alive. She has a step-mother whom she has a rocky relationship with, but her biological mother’s status is unknown.

‘Outer Banks’ is the Land of Daddy Issues

There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason why Outer Banks puts the moms on the back burner of the series. But regarding the fathers, the only logical explanation would be that since John B. is the ringleader of the group, he sort of attracts those who have complicated relationships with their fathers. Of course, the show will likely never address this and give us any answer as to why it only touches on the Pogues’ relationships with their fathers, but maybe someday it’ll allow the mothers to say more than a word or two a season. It may seem like a minor detail, but the lack of maternal figures plays a huge part in the narrative, not to mention the fact that Sarah is a soon-to-be mother herself.

Outer Banks is available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.