The Outer Banks Season 4 finale, which marked the series' first feature-length episode, set the stage for the fifth and final season with the death of a major character and several unresolved plotlines.
With these unexpected twists and turns, a range of intriguing storylines, ranging from revenge to redemption, will likely emerge in Outer Banks Season 5.
One certainty is that the treasure hunt will continue, especially now that the Pogues have lost their grip on the Blue Crown.
That said, here are eight storylines that may unfold in Outer Banks Season 5 following the dramatic events of the fourth season finale.
Warning: Major spoilers ahead for Outer Banks Season 4. Read at your own risk.
8. Rafe and Sarah’s Reunion with Wheezie
Rafe (Drew Starkey) finally experienced his redemption arc in Season 4 after choosing to help the Pogues, especially now that Chandler (J. Anthony Crane) sees him as an enemy.
Although he told Sarah (Madelyn Cline) he still feared trusting her after everyone he knew let him down, she assured him of her loyalty, emphasizing that she was the only family he had left.
After three seasons of conflict, Rafe and Sarah managed to mend their relationship.
However, Wheezie (Julia Antonelli) remains in the custody of their stepmother, Rose (Caroline Arapoglou).
Despite Rafe's previous unsuccessful attempts to free Wheezie, it is highly likely that in Outer Banks Season 5, the three siblings will finally reunite now that Rafe and Sarah are on the same side.
7. Rafe’s Romantic Relationship
Rafe and Sofia (Fiona Palomo) have been together since Season 3, but Rafe confesses to another Kook that he never takes her seriously, a sentiment that Sofia overhears.
Despite this, he proposes to her in Season 4. However, Sofia has already betrayed him by involving him in a bad-faith deal for the Goat Island Genrette family property with Hollis (Brianna Brown).
When Sofia comes clean about her betrayal, Rafe, who is in crisis in Morocco, breaks off the engagement over the phone.
Given these circumstances, it is highly likely that the two will officially break up, leaving Rafe open to the possibility of a new romantic relationship.
6. Sarah’s Pregnancy
Sarah’s pregnancy is the most significant twist of Season 4.
While her relationship with John B. (Chase Stokes) has been rock solid since the first season, characterized by unwavering support through thick and thin, treasure hunts, and family struggles, the reality of impending parenthood adds a new layer of complexity.
At just 19 years old in the show’s timeline, they may find it challenging to achieve the stability necessary to raise a child.
Currently unhoused and grappling with their respective traumas from their upbringings, both Sarah and John B. face obstacles that could impact their parenting.
However, given that they share one of the healthiest and happiest relationships on the show, Outer Banks Season 5 may provide them with the happy ending they deserve as they navigate this new chapter in their lives.
5. Deputy Shoupe to Bring Chandler and the Kooks to Justice
Finally, Deputy Shoupe (Cullen Moss) saw the bad in Chandler (J. Anthony Crane) and the Kooks after giving the Pogues a hard time from the very beginning, often pinning them for everything bad happening in the show, not knowing the Kooks are behind it.
Toward the end of Season 4, Shoupee finally catches on to the corruption in Figure 8.
After putting the pieces together following Hollis's death, he learns that Chandler is a member of the international treasure-hunting mercenary group the Lupine Corsairs, a wanted man with several false identities, and even twice married.
So, after questioning himself on how he has been prosecuting the crimes in the town, Shoupe may finally bring Chandler and the Kooks to justice in Outer Banks Season 5.
4. Pope’s Future
Pope (Jonathan Daviss) has been diligently working to earn his General Education Diploma (GED).
However, after a run-in with the law, while trying to protect JJ (Rudy Pankow) from the police regarding the potential loss of their land, he nearly decided to join the Marines to avoid prosecution.
Instead, he chose to help his friends reach Morocco, which resulted in him shooting and killing Lightner (Rigo Sanchez), potentially jeopardizing his future.
As a result, Outer Banks Season 5 may explore Pope’s path forward, whether it involves returning to college or assisting with his family’s fish shop business.
3. The Hunt for Chandler Groff
Season 4’s biggest reveal is that JJ was adopted; his biological parents are Larissa and Chandler, a former Pogue who married into Figure 8 wealth and became a Kook.
Although JJ was optimistic about Chandler being his father, the season finale exposed Chandler as an internationally wanted criminal, likely responsible for the deaths of both Larissa and JJ’s grandfather, Wes (David Jensen).
In a shocking turn, he even killed his own son over the prized Blue Crown in Morocco.
As the lifelong best friend of the Pogues and Kiara’s (Madison Bailey) boyfriend, Season 4 concluded with the group planning to avenge JJ by hunting down Chandler in Portugal, where he plans to sell the Blue Crown.
2. The Changes in the Pogues
With JJ’s death, the dynamics within the Pogues may see a major change in Outer Banks Season 5.
Now that JJ is gone, Kiara will likely take on a more prominent role in the group, possibly stepping up to lead the team in their quest for vengeance.
The new season may showcase her incredible growth and resilience, positioning her as a driving force in their pursuit of revenge and healing.
As for Pope, the final season may reveal a darker side to his character following his act of vengeance against Captain Terrance’s (Terence Rosemore) killer, Lightner.
Once regarded as the most level-headed member of the group, he acted impulsively by shooting and killing Lightner.
As he copes with JJ’s loss, Pope may struggle with moral dilemmas that challenge his character integrity and lead to potential conflicts within the group.
1. The Final Fight for Poguelandia
Of course, Outer Banks will not conclude without the final fight for Poguelandia. JJ did everything he could to secure the land, even paying far above the asking price at an auction.
He went so far as to gamble away the last piece of gold they had, leaving the group financially vulnerable.
The fourth season did not delve into the struggle to save their land, which was introduced in Season 3, so it’s highly likely that this conflict will be addressed in Outer Banks Season 5 following JJ’s death.
The group may fight even harder to claim the land where JJ grew up as their own. Therefore, the final battle for Poguelandia may finally begin.