Outer Banks season 4 just became the show’s deadliest season yet. Since its beginning, the action-adventure Netflix series made it clear that murder was right around the corner, and sometimes in one’s home. Notably, all the main Outer Banks characters have faced a near-death experience at one point or another, with some also coming close to killing. Whether it’s a storm overcoming their boat, an angry Kook looking to blow some steam, a deadly family member, or ruthless people after a treasure, John B, Sarah, JJ, Kiara, Pope, and Cleo have never been safe.
Omar
Killed By Chandler Groff For The Captain’s Log
Omar’s body is found on the beach in episode 2, “Blackbeard.” His death increases the mystery behind Wes Genrette’s fatal quest, as the mortician reveals both characters were strangled by the same person. Initially, all signs point to season 4’s Blackbeard treasure hunters, however, when Omar is revealed to be a part of their group in episode 5, everything leads to Groff and Hollis.
Accordingly, in episode 7, “Mothers and Fathers,” Dalia exposes Groff as Omar’s killer. She and her mercenaries attack his home when he’s with JJ. After the pair are trapped, Dalia confronts Groff about betraying them. She reveals he pretended to be a part of their crew after they rescued him from a cell in Tangier, which explains why Groff has the same tattoo Lighter has.
Dalia’s exposition establishes Groff as the season’s real villain and successfully links him to Wes Genrette’s murder as well.
The deceitful character stole the captain’s log for Blackbeard’s ship from Dalia. When Omar tried to retrieve the log, Groff strangled him to death. He then shared the log with Wes Genrette, getting his father-in-law to request the Pogues to search for the secret lockbox hidden in The Adventure. He did this knowing that it contained the amulet that would lead to the scroll with the location of the Blue Crown.
Omar’s death sentences Groff to death, since he killed one of his own. As Lightner remarks when he fights him in the final episode, justice demands “blood for blood.” Dalia’s exposition establishes Groff as the season’s real villain and successfully links him to Wes Genrette’s murder as well. Having marked two of his killings as betrayals, Outer Banks foreshadows the character’s true nature and sets up his next killings.
Wes Genrette
Killed by Chandler Groff For The Ownership Of Goat Island
Wes Genrette’s death confirms the Outer Banks quest after Blackbeard’s amulet was the tip of a much bigger and more dangerous hunt. The eccentric character recruits the youths to seek Elizabeth Teach’s amulet. He believes the trinket is the piece to breaking the curse on the Genrettes, which started when Francis Genrette killed Blackbeard. Right before his body is found, Wes sees what he believes is Elizabeth’s ghost, heavily suggesting that the curse is real.
Wes Genrette’s death adds pressure on the Pogues, as Shoupe initially suspects the youths had something to do with it because Groff tells him they were around on the night of the murder. Shoupe and the Pogues understand that whoever is behind the death is after a bigger treasure. As the Outer Banks sheriff connects Omar and Wes’ murder to the same person, it’s only a matter of time until all clues lead to Groff.
In episode 7, “Mothers and Fathers,” Groff tells JJ he faked Elizabeth’s ghost with a mannequin, accidentally revealing he killed Genrette. His motives aren’t explicitly revealed. However, Groff’s deal with Hollis suggests he believed he would become Goat Island’s owner. Since, in the end, the island doesn’t pass to him, it is also possible he killed Genrette to distract the Pogues from the real treasure.
After Rafe blames Groff for scamming him with a fake development plan for Goat Island, Shoupe is convinced he is responsible for all the deaths. The sheriff gathers evidence that Groff is a con man, and is ready to charge Genrette’s murder on him. However, Groff escapes to Morocco in search of the Blue Crown. Season 5 promises to have all fronts looking to catch the villain, including the Kildare police department.
Terrance
Killed By Lightner As He Tries To Save Cleo
In a shocking twist, Terrance came back to fulfill a heroic role in season 4 of Outer Banks. While at first, it seems that the character is on Lightner’s side, he quickly proves loyal to Cleo. Knowing that JJ and Kiara beat him to Blackbeard’s amulet, Lightner holds their friend hostage until she can surrender the trinket. Terrance, who is working with the mercenary, warns her to give him what he wants and subtly protects her against harm. Outer Banks revisits Terrance and Cleo’s connection from season 2 and explains that he took care of her for 13 years, establishing their relationship as father and daughter.
Terrance’s death confirms he wasn’t a part of Dalia’s mercenaries, as Lightner would have been forbidden to kill him.
Thinking he had died at the police shootout in Nassau, Cleo is happy to reunite with Terrance, albeit under terrible circumstances. As the three wait for Pope to deliver the amulet, Lightner gets impatient thinking they’re conspiring against him, and aims his gun at Cleo. Terrance jumps to stop him, but the mercenary ends up victorious. Lightner kills Terrance and attacks Pope, fleeing with the amulet. It becomes clear that the Pogues are way over their heads, facing an enemy that will stop at nothing to get what they want.
The adventurous teens suffer their first loss, as Cleo’s father figure has been killed in their home. The Pogues give the character a burial at sea in support of their friend. Terrance’s death hangs over the characters’ heads for the rest of the season, especially taking a toll on Cleo and Pope and igniting a significant change in their relationship. Co-creator, Shannon Burke, hints that Terrance’s death will inform Cleo’s “bigger [character] arc” (via Tudum). Since the tragedy, Carlacia Grant’s character grows a vengeful spirit that may not be satisfied until season 5.
Hollis Robinson
Killed By Chandler Groff To Cover His Crimes
While Outer Banks season 4 part 1 ending set Hollis as a bigger villain, episode 8 shows she was just another pawn in Groff’s master plan. The real estate developer was helping Groff with the Goat Island scam without knowing it. Throughout the season, Hollis tries to convince Rafe Cameron to buy a share of Goat Island, telling him that the Genrettes are selling the land because they think it’s haunted. Apparently, Hollis thought Groff owned the land and wanted Rafe’s 400,000 dollars to develop the island and produce gains.
Hollis’ innocence is evident, as she also threatens to expose Groff’s alibi the night his father-in-law was murdered, revealing she wasn’t involved.
Even if Outer Banks introduced Hollis Robinson as Groff’s partner in crime, she was but another of his victims. When Wes Genrette’s will exposes that Goat Island’s ownership will be transferred to the state and turned into a nature preserve, the betrayed woman confronts Groff about making her an accomplice in the scam. Hollis’ innocence is evident, as she also threatens to expose Groff’s alibi the night his father-in-law was murdered, revealing she wasn’t involved. To her demise, Groff overpowers her, taking her self-defense gun and using it to kill her.
The villain takes Rafe’s money and leaves the murder weapon in JJ’s van, which provokes the Kildare Police Department to blame the murder on his son. The already infamous Pogue is now charged with murder and has to run away after officers attempt to shoot him down. However, when Shoupe finds out about Hollis’ murder, he knows Groff is behind it, as he’s tied the shapeshifter to the Goat Island scam, Wes Genrette’s murder, and the body at the beach. Groff’s body count increases to three, making him the most dangerous character in season 4.
Lightner
Killed By Pope To Avenge Terrance
Mirroring a critical scene in season 3, Pope kills Lightner, motivated to see Cleo’s revenge quest fulfilled. This marks the second time the character aims a gun at someone, but the first time that he shoots it. In season 3, Pope almost killed Rafe Cameron in retribution for the character stealing Denmark Tanny’s Cross of Santo Domingo and melting it down. Cleo stopped him, reminding him that he would risk losing his home, loyal friends, and family.
In season 4, the Pogue with the brightest future crosses a line that poses severe consequences. Inspired by the guilt he feels for not being able to prevent Terrance’s death, Pope decides to show Cleo his loyal love and kills the mercenary. Notably, the girl is key in making him pull the trigger, as she tells him “Nothing to lose.” The scene starkly contrasts with Cleo’s message in season 3, and no doubt responds to the character’s grief. For her part, actress Carlacia Grant sees the good of the event, noting that Cleo finds Pope’s sacrifice “incredibly beautiful.” (via Tudum)
Although the murder is not likely to be pinned on Pope, it will surely play a key role in his arc in Outer Banks‘ final season. As is, Pope is the only one of the OG Pogues who has killed someone, with most of them coming close at one point or another. Lightner’s death suggests the rest of the Outer Banks characters might be walking towards a path of no return, one that might reach its highest point with Chandler Groff’s death. Whose hand will bring the villain to justice remains to be seen, but Kiara certainly seems like the likely choice.
JJ Maybank
Killed By Chandler Groff Because He Considered Him A Threat
Outer Banks season 5 will likely see Groff the target of two revenge quests after his final kill turned him into the Pogues’ number one enemy. Season 4 perfectly sets the character up to become the show’s most dangerous villain yet, and his death list attests to it. However, in what might be his lamest kill, Groff kills his own son with no strong motivation other than pure arrogance.
While JJ’s identity twist technically made him heir to whatever Wes Genrette had, the character’s will proved neither Groff nor JJ would get anything. Additionally, before he is killed, JJ confirms that he has no interest in fighting his father for the treasure, as he explains, “I have everything I’ve ever wanted. Things that you’ll never have.” To his misfortune, this comment seems to set his father off, highlighting his son’s betrayal of him, which started when JJ refused to throw him the rope to climb up the well.
JJ Maybank’s death sets the Pogues’ next quest in motion, only this time, it’s not a treasure they’ll be hunting.
Accordingly, after having taken possession of the Blue Crown, Groff stabs JJ, saying “You should have given me the rope.” Outer Banks co-creator explains Chandler’s final season 4 moment is completely absurd and irrational, but completely justified in his mind. Notably, after fleeing, the character demonstrates he feels a little remorse but quickly gets over it. While the creators have commented that Groff’s actions will be further developed in season 5, they admit that Groff is a “sociopath” (via Tudum) and him killing JJ is meant to prove that.
Surpassing Ward Cameron’s lashes of passion, Chandler Groff has definitely won the title for Outer Banks’ worst villain. JJ Maybank’s death sets the Pogues’ next quest in motion, only this time, it’s not a treasure they’ll be hunting. Season 5 of the popular Netflix show will see John B, Pope, Kiara, Sarah, and Cleo embark on a journey to avenge their friend, although the characters will not be the only ones trying to catch the thief and killer.
