Season four was the season of JJ.
Part two started strong with what I believe to be arguably the best episode of the season, maybe even the whole series.
The Pogues were trying to get “Pougelandia” back after the evil Kook real-estate agents had redrawn property lines and they had a town council meeting to make a decision. In a shocking turn of events, it turned out that JJ’s father figure, Luke Maybank, was helping the Kooks by admitting to a flaw in the original property contract.
In a rage of frustration, JJ stormed past his father, grabbed a chair, and swinging it over a cop’s head, started smashing the windows of the town hall. Then possibly one of the greatest action montages in cinematic history commenced.
JJ raged through the town, setting things on fire and smashing business windows. He stole a ring from a jewelry store, blew up a car and destroyed the real estate office that was responsible for their property loss.
While the first episode of part two solidified JJ’s reign over season four, it also solidified his fate. JJ had gotten himself into trouble that could not be forgiven by simply turning in the bad guy. He had racked in a multitude of felonies, was ostracized by Kie’s parents and all of Outer Banks, except for the Cut, and was even framed for murder. JJ had long ago thrown his life away, but unfortunately, this physically came to fulfillment at the end of season four.
Despite my previous sentiment that the Pouges should “Ditch the treasure hunting,” I was extremely happy with the antics of the crew this season. The hunt shifted away from trying to break ghostly curses and obtain massive accumulations of riches and once again became what the Pouges are really all about– friendship, family and love.
Sarah and John. B were starting a family together. Pope and Cleo were in love. The whole crew (even Rafe) was back together for a final adventure. With JJ and Pope both on the run from the cops and a gnarly crew of gang members after them all, the Pouges really had nothing to lose.
It made perfect sense to end JJ’s reign with one last treasure-hunting bang. The volatilely loveable character could not survive another season without having his morality tainted by his alcoholism, criminal record or even just his wild-child stunts.
JJ’s life had to end because, in his short two decades on this planet, he experienced more life than most could hope to accomplish in a hundred years.
