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‘Outer Banks’ Review: Season 3 Might Just Be the Best Season Yet

Calling all the Kooks and Pogues

Outer Banks Pogues Season 3 CAT2
JACKSON LEE DAVIS/NETFLIX

*Warning: Spoilers ahead*

Attention my fellow Pogues and Kooks: Outer Banks season three is now streaming on Netflix, and I couldn’t be more excited about the latest installment. Yes, I’m one of the many people who completely fell in love with the drama when it first premiered in April 2020 and found myself watching the entire first season in one sitting. (I wish I was kidding.) Why am I so obsessed? The show has everything. Action? You betcha. Suspense? Of course. Teen angst? Yes, yes and yes. 

But, in case you haven’t had the time to watch the show yet, here’s a quick rundown before diving into my Outer Banks season 3 review: The show follows a teenager named John B (played by Chase Stokes) who enlists the help of his three best friends (known as the “Pogues”) to try and find his missing father, who mysteriously disappeared while searching for legendary treasure.

Fast forward to season three (aka our newest installment) and the Pogues find themselves on a deserted island. Completely stranded, John B and his friends have decided to claim the island as their own, calling it “Poguelandia.” After watching the first two episodes of season three, I can honestly say that this new season is the best one yet. I know it sounds like I’m just fangirling over here (and I am) but it really is that good.

Keep reading for my Outer Banks season 3 review.

The first episode of the new season starts with a one-month time jump, where we see our favorite group of friends—John B (Stokes), Sarah (Madelyn Cline), Kiara (Madison Bailey), Pope (Jonathan Daviss), JJ (Rudy Pankow) and Cleo (Carlacia Grant)—trying to survive on the deserted island. You see, the time jump occurs at the start of the third season because, in the previous installment, the Pogues find themselves lost at sea after trying to avoid getting captured by Ward Cameron (Charles Esten) and his son, Rafe (Drew Starkey). That’s when the group of teens stumble upon the deserted island, and we’re given a glimpse into their months of survival—hence the sudden jump to the present.

While in “Poguelandia,” we have a chance to see the special, genuine bond among the Pogue members that we've come to know and love in previous seasons. We see the crew sit down and play an oh-so-scandalous game of truth or dare on the new beach. We witness JJ teach Kiara how to catch a fish. (Is it just us or are some serious sparks flying between the two of them?)

While the island may seem like a dreamy tropical paradise, the uncertainty of their future looms over the Pogues, and it leaves the viewer with an uneasy feeling. But, it seems that luck is on their side when a plane flies over the island and spots the castaways, landing to rescue them. However, the teens start to put the pieces together and soon discover that their “knight in shining armor” has been hired to find them. Could it be Ward coming back to finish what he started? Or Carla Limbrey (Elizabeth Mitchell), who is trying to take back what’s rightfully hers? For the sake of avoiding major spoilers, the only thing I will say is the group of teenagers soon encounter a dangerous foe that’s even more terrifying than Ward and Carla combined, and I’ll leave it at that.

Outer Banks Pogues Crew CAT
JACKSON LEE DAVIS/NETFLIX

Throughout the episode, each moment is more thrilling than the last, with a number of twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat. And when I saw the final scene fade to black and the end credits pop onto my screen alongside the “Watch Next Episode” button, I clicked to watch episode two immediately.

Kiara Plane Outer Banks 3 CAT
JACKSON LEE DAVIS/NETFLIX

Going into episode two, I didn’t know what to expect. At first, I thought nothing could top that action-packed first episode I just watched, but I was proven wrong once again. The stakes have never been higher for the Pogues, and it seems like the crew is about to be put to the ultimate test as they set out on a quest to find the biggest treasure of all: the city of gold, known as El Dorado.

So, will the crew finally beat the odds and take home the gold? Or will there be more obstacles the group of friends simply can’t overcome? It’s hard to know for sure, but one thing is certain: I’m rooting for you, Pogues.

outer banks season 3 poster netflix
Courtesy of Netflix

PureWow Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The first two episodes of Outer Banks season three certainly did not disappoint, and if the rest of the season continues down this path, it’s gearing up to be a thrilling watch. (And fortunately for anyone else fangirling as hard as me, Netflix has already renewed the series for a fourth season.)

John B and Sarah Outer Banks S3 CAT
JACKSON LEE DAVIS/NETFLIX

When is Season 4 Set to Arrive?

Due to the writers’ strike, the production of Outer Banks season four was delayed in September 2023. But now that the SAG-AFTRA strike has reached a deal, the Netflix series could resume production soon. We think it’s only a matter of time until we hear a status update from the streaming platform about Outer Banks.

John B Outer Banks S1 CAT
Netflix

A Quick Recap of Outer Banks Season 1

John B and his friend set out to find his father, who goes missing looking for lost treasure aboard a ship called the Royal Merchant. Along the way, the Pogues encounter individuals who are also hungry for the gold. After the treasure heist ends in a murder, John B must go on the run as he is accused of committing the crime.

Pogues Outer Banks S2 CAT
JACKSON LEE DAVIS/NETFLIX

A Quick Recap of Outer Banks Season 2

John B and his girlfriend, Sarah, end up in Barbados. They are still on the run from the cops, who will stop at nothing to arrest John B. The quick and savvy teens befriend some allies during their journey. And they try to devise a plan to take back the gold and claim what is rightly theirs.

Excuse us while we wait patiently for Outer Banks season four info.

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Assistant Editor, News And Entertainment

  • Covers all things news and entertainment
  • Has over 5+ years of reporting on celebrity news and pop culture
  • Studied Journalism at Brooklyn College