I think it’s time we talk about Netflix’s original series, Outer Banks. Spoilers ahead.
To kick things off: I am no media critic, but I do have some strong feelings about this season of Outer Banks. While I adored season one, I did not have such high hope for season two. The second season seems to be tricky for TV producers – don’t even get me started on how Riverdale fell apart after season one. Nonetheless, I absolutely sat in front of my laptop, anxiously awaiting the release of Outer Banks‘ second season. So, let’s break it down from plot, to casting, to costuming, and more.
The Cast
As most fans suspected, the five protagonists from the original release returned for more action and adventure this season. I truly think Chase Stokes, Rudy Pankow, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, and Madelyn Cline work wonderfully together. Their off-camera friendship definitely shines through as they are filming. What I don’t love: twenty-something-year-old actors portraying 17-year-old juniors in high school. Stokes and his character, John B Routledge, actually share a 10 year age difference. That irks me. I think a lot of young people struggle with body image because, oftentimes, adults portray teenagers in film and television. Netflix, do better.
Among the recurring characters, we also see Charles Esten as Ward Cameron and Drew Starkey as Rafe Cameron. Something I really liked about this familial from the get-go grouping: the resemblance. I found that this faux family shared similar features, which I appreciated. In this season, I feel that these secondary characters were also able to dive deeper into their roles. I especially applaud Esten on his performance. For those of you who haven’t seen it yet, just wait. You’ll be impressed, too.
This season didn’t really introduce us to too many new characters, but I don’t have too many grievances about that. As a matter of fact, I can’t think of many new characters off the top of my head. I am interested to see, however, how the producers incorporate Claracia Grant’s character, Cleo, into future seasons. Although she was only featured in a few episodes, I can tell Cleo’s spunk and smarts will come in handy in episodes to come.
The Soundtrack
I’m definitely a music person. I’ve found some of my favorite songs through movies and TV shows. I first fell in love with Vance Joy from Netflix’s Thirteen Reasons Why and Anna of the North from Ginny and Georgia. I was super impressed with the Outer Banks’ first season worth of songs, so, needless to say, I was stoked to see what this season had to offer.
I still think about season one’s tunes; I mean, I get chills every time I hear alt-J’s “Left Hand Free”. As for this season: a solid 4.5/5 stars from yours truly. I really loved what Netflix put together for this one – Fleet Foxes, and Young the Giant, and Dr. Dog, oh my! All jokes (and allusions) aside, I’d say this is a pretty valid lineup. I was slightly disappointed by the lack of beachy-tunes, but this season had a totally different vibe than the last. It seems that the producers ditched the beachy sounds of summer for more nostalgic sounds, which I’m totally okay with.
With that being said, I have to rattle off some of my favorites. Sonny & the Sunsets’ “Too Young to Burn” and Dr. Dog’s “Where’d All The Time Go” are two classic nostalgia tunes that will forever hold special spots in my playlists. The remixed “Paper Planes” by M.I.A. was also music to my ears. Finally, I was really happy to see a snippet of Sun Room’s “Crashed My Bike”. I had actually run into Sun Room months ago on TikTok. I immediately added some of the band’s tunes to my library – I just knew these guys wrote the song of summer. I absolutely adore Netflix for featuring upcoming artists in as big of a project as Outer Banks.
Outer Banks, along with countless other original series, proves that Netflix producers have some pretty solid music tastes. Both seasons proved themselves to be musically apt and I am definitely looking forward to the sounds of season three!
THe Plot
Alright, here’s where things get tricky. I’m definitely not going to sit here and write out a whole synopsis of this season’s antics, but I want to give a solid review. If you haven’t watched season two yet, I recommend you do before reading this because let me tell you, there’s a lot going on.
Overall, I’d say this season was well done. It was cinematic, it tied up last season’s loose ends, and all in all, it was entertaining. I will say that it seemed to be a bit much, almost as if the producers bit off more than they could chew. I noticed a few plot holes and selective scripting, but hey, I can’t complain too much.
Just to go over the basics, we kick off season two with John B and Sarah Cameron cuddled up on their rescuers’ ship. As soon as they step foot on land in the Bahamas, they’re on the run again. After an armed robbery, a botched surgery, and some wicked car chases, the two lovebirds work their way back to the US. They (unofficially) marry on the boat back to the mainland and wreak some havoc on the residents of Charleston, where they just so happen to run into the rest of the gang. Back home, Rafe and Ward are working on covering their murder trail, looking for ways to pin it on John B.
Sure enough, our guy goes to prison. This is where I got super annoyed with the show. These kids were going full Scooby-Doo to clear John B.’s name, yet none of the evidence was valid enough for the police? I’ve watched a lot of true crime in my day, and let me tell you, that is just poor police work on the OBX PD’s part. Even if it is fictional, I don’t care.
Obviously, I have a few more complaints about season two, but I hate to bore you with them. I do, though, want to touch on the season finale. Total deja vu moment here. Season one: missing kids, loads of money at stake, unfortunate cliffhanger. Season two: more missing kids, even more missing money at stake, and yet another unfortunate cliffhanger. And oh, John B.’s dad is alive! I deal with one dad-back-from-the-dead character, but that role was filled by Ward Cameron. Two undead dads in one season? Seriously? I’m just disappointed. Will I still watch season three as soon as it drops? Absolutely.
The Costumes
I don’t have much to say here. I do have to applaud the costuming department on its consistency though. They continued to reincorporate season one-pieces, like John B.’s signature bandana and Sarah Cameron’s dainty star necklace, into this season as well. I remember stealing a few looks from the show back in 2020, like the solid-colored cropped camis, layered jewelry, and the general skater-surfer vibe. Although the two seasons are nearly a year and a half apart, the costuming department didn’t miss a beat.
I especially love the style development of none other than former Kook Queen, Sarah Cameron. Watching Cline’s character become a bit rougher around the edges added a lot of flavor to this season. I absolutely adored watching Sarah step into her Pogue style. From dad-style button-ups to ratty high tops, to old baseball caps, Sarah was always killing the game.
Bailey’s character Kiara was also styled in good taste this season. I always loved her printed Boho Bandeau’s; I was thrilled to see them included in this season as well. I just know Kiara would be the kind of girl to absolutely dominate the thrift store and make a killer outfit with her findings. That takes a really special person if you ask me. I digress. Needless to say, the leading ladies are always styled to perfection; the styling of the men of OBX isn’t too shabby, either. Absolute chef’s kiss for the costuming department.
To Wrap it up…
Season two was predictable, but I’m sure teenaged audience members ate that up, and I’m okay with that myself. The plotline, costuming, soundtrack, and cinematography were so phenomenal that I was able to overlook some amateur incorporation of CGI, selective scripting, and repetitive plot holes. Okay, Netflix, you did well. Although season three isn’t confirmed, I’ll know the story of the Pogues isn’t over just yet and I, for one, will be back for more for seasons to come.
What did you think of this season?