Outer Banks season 4, part 2’s tragic and controversial ending lays the groundwork for a season that will be completely different from anything the show has done before. The Netflix action-adventure mystery teen drama series, created by Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke, follows a group of teens (the Pogues of the Outer Banks) consistently finding themselves in trouble and hunting for treasure. Unfortunately, the finale of Outer Banks season 4 features a devastating death that will completely change the show’s course for its fifth and final season.

Outer Banks season 4 features the Pogues in desperate need of some quick cash to save their new home, meaning they must get back into the treasure-hunting business. Wes Genrette hires them to find the amulet of Blackbeard’s wife in Outer Banks season 4. However, like always, the characters’ mission turns complicated fast. JJ learns he is adopted (and his parents are Chandler Groff and Larissa Genrette), and the Pogues soon find themselves in Morocco trying to retrieve an artifact called the Blue Crown. But the last scene of Outer Banks season 4 signals a significant shift in the Netflix teen drama’s story.

Outer Banks Season 5’s Treasure Hunt Is Motivated By Revenge For JJ’s Death, Not Just Money

The Pogues Will Want To Avenge Their Friend

At the end of Outer Banks season 4, part 2, Groff stabs and kills JJ, his biological son. The Pogues (especially Kiara, JJ’s girlfriend) are completely and utterly devastated by their friend’s death, which is understandable, to say the least. They hold a funeral for him in Morocco, and the season ends with the Pogues’ loss and the villain’s (Groff) win. However, Outer Banks season 5 will feature the characters pursuing Groff, not only for the Blue Crown but also to get revenge for JJ.

JJ obviously meant a lot to each member of the TV show’s central friend group (John B, Kiara, Pope, Sarah, and Cleo). So, their treasure hunt in Outer Banks season 5 will be more dire than ever. When they first were in pursuit of the Blue Crown, they needed it for its monetary value. Now, JJ’s death in the Outer Banks season 4 finale will be the Pogues’ primary motivation to track down Groff. They want to avenge JJ, which makes the Pogues’ story arc in season 5 more tragic and emotional than it has been in previous seasons.