Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Outer Banks!
In a bold move, Season 4 of External Banks ends with a jaw-dropping moment when Chandler Groff (J. Anthony Crane), a new antagonist introduced this season, kills JJ Maybanks (Rudy Pankow) after he gains possession of the long-sought treasure. External Banks follows a group of teenagers – known as the Pogues – as they embark on a dangerous adventure. External Bank Season 4 raises the stakes of your journey even further, with the Pogues facing a deadly new threat in Chandlerwho quickly becomes the most dangerous opponent in the group.
Talking to Deadlineco-creators Jonas Pate and Josh Burke explain that Chandler is a hapless sociopath who serves as a frightening antagonist, noting a reset from previous seasons. The decision to kill JJ was a narrative choice intended to establish Chandler as a cruel person whose actions will be further explored in season 5. Check out what the creators had to say about their surprising decision:
He kills JJ after winning the crown, it’s completely pointless; It’s almost banal. When we were conceiving the character, we focused on the dark triad personality traits and wanted to create an almost sociopathic character that had pretty hard edges. That’s because the fourth season was a complete reboot of the first three seasons, which somehow function as a trilogy. We needed to quickly reconjure a formidable villain, so we tried to conjure the worst we could imagine.
Ultimately, JJ wants to give up the treasure because he doesn’t care about it compared to the things that are important to him. Chandler hates JJ’s cheerfulness. He’s such an unhappy person that he realizes JJ doesn’t actually need this, and it drives him crazy. You’re right to point out that it feels gratuitous, and part of the work of Season 5 will be going back and understanding why he did that. The story is not over, we are in the middle. It’s all potential [for season 5] but I’m sure this will be developed, as to why he had to do it.
What this means for Outer Banks Season 5
Chandler is the biggest threat the show has ever seen
The decision to murder JJ signals a major shift in tone for External Banks. This proves the emergence of a more menacing threat for the Pogues, with Chandler firmly at the center of the conflict. His menacing nature will likely intensify the Pogues’ already dangerous pursuit in Season 5, forcing the characters to rely on the physical consequences of your actions and the inevitable emotional impact your actions cause. JJ’s death could fuel their determination and lead the group to take more risks or change their journey to seek justice in his name, while also facing Chandler’s threat and cruelty.
As the series transitions into Season 5, it will be important to further explore Chandler’s motives. Pate and Burke teased that the death will have many layers to uncover, and audiences can expect to learn about the deeper reasons behind Chandler’s behavior. While JJ’s death may seem gratuitous at first glance, it appears to be part of a larger narrative puzzle that will add a new dimension to Chandler and bring new emotional challenges to the ongoing story. The Pogues’ expedition could take a dark turn as they face the repercussions of JJ’s death.
Our opinion on JJ’s death in season 4
JJ’s death in External Banks Season 4 brings the series into a dark new chapter. Although shocking, it creates a darker tone by moving into External Banks season 5. With Chandler now established as a new antagonist, the Pogues now face greater danger. This loss could fulfill your need for revenge or justice, which could change your story going forward. With these even higher stakes, the remaining characters must navigate a more treacherous journey in External Banks.
Source: Deadline