Pope and JJ on the dock in Outer Banks season 4Outer Banks season 4 part 2 ends with an explosive finale that sees the death of a major beloved character. Netflix’s popular YA mystery was first released in 2020 and focused on the conflict between local teens and out-of-towners in North Carolina’s coastal region, and their quest for long-lost treasure. To date, the show has run four seasons, with the newest episodes dropping on Netflix on November 7. The controversial Outer Banks season 4 part 2 finale saw the death of fan favorite JJ Maybank, which has sent the fandom into a meltdown.

Outer Banks season 4, part 2 reveals that Chandler Groff, JJ’s biological father, murdered Larissa, and then lied to get away with it. Tragically, he is also the one who kills JJ. The revelation of JJ’s death was very unexpected, and many fans have taken to social media to air their feelings about the event. See various fan reactions below:

@bellysinfinite posted a collage of JJ, with the caption, “Sorry but there is literally NO Outer Banks without JJ Maybank.”

@supercvrp posted a video clip of JJ with the rest of the gang, and vowed not to watch season 5.

@jiarafes tweeted that JJ’s death was the biggest TV fumble of all time, and compared it unfavorably to major character deaths from other shows, such as Daenerys Targaryen’s from Game of Thrones.

@literallyjiara tweeted 2 close-ups of JJ’s face during his death scene, asking, “HOW IS THIS HAPPENING?”

@yanawrites tweeted a video that showed a montage of JJ with his friends, and wrote that “If anyone deserved a happy ending, it was JJ Maybank.”

@booksandquills2 tweeted a GIF of Matthew Macfadyen flipping a desk on the show Succession, while bemoaning that the character who went through the most trauma and deserved a happy ending was the one who got murdered.

What JJ’s Death Means For Outer Banks

Groff Put His Own Interests First

Rudy Pankow as JJ giving an intense stare in Outer Banks season 4 Rudy Pankow as JJ on the dock in Outer Banks season 4 Rudy Pankow as JJ in Outer Banks season 4
JJ Maybank (Rudy Pankow) leaning on his motorbike in Outer Banks season 4 JJ looks at something in Outer Banks season 4 episode 5Rudy Pankow as JJ giving an intense stare in Outer Banks season 4 Rudy Pankow as JJ on the dock in Outer Banks season 4 Rudy Pankow as JJ in Outer Banks season 4 JJ Maybank (Rudy Pankow) leaning on his motorbike in Outer Banks season 4 JJ looks at something in Outer Banks season 4 episode 5

As shocking as JJ’s murder was, having Groff be the one to do it was fitting for his character as a self-serving narcissist. He went after JJ and Kiara to try to get the Blue Crown, a piece of Blackbeard’s treasure the group searches for. After Groff threatens Kiara with a knife, JJ hands over the treasure, but Groff then stabs him, and he dies in the arms of the woman he loves. Groff is then left to escape with the treasure, and will no doubt play a prominent role in season 5 of the show.

Given that Groff had murdered Larissa to secure the Genrette ancestral home, JJ stood in the way of this as Larissa’s biological son. With JJ out of the way, Groff will stand to inherit a fortune, and has a piece of Blackbeard’s treasure as well for good measure. It was a tragic ending for a tragic character, and, as many of the fan comments suggest, it will be an ending many cannot get past. However, it’s likely the creators saw this as a necessary plot point for the group to evolve, and for the story to reach a satisfactory climax.

Our Take On Outer Banks’ Future

Outer Banks Season 5 Could Go Out With A Bang

The Pogues all look annoyed at an outdoor auction for the Maybank property in Outer Banks season 4

While JJ’s death is going to play a prominent role in Outer Banks season 5, and will influence the decisions of the group, there could be more deaths to follow. As season 5 is officially confirmed as the final season, I would not be surprised if at least one or two of the core characters met a similar fate as JJ’s before the show reaches its conclusion. Revenge on Groff will be a key plot point for the Pogues in Outer Banks season 5, as will finding the treasure to raise the money they need to save their home, and honor the memory of their friend.