The latest season of “Outer Banks,” premiering on Netflix on February 23, offers plenty for fans to dissect. Following John B’s (Chase Stokes) reunion with his father, the duo embarks on an expedition to uncover the final clue leading to the legendary location of El Dorado in South America, where more treasure awaits.
As the plot unfurl, Big John (John B’s father) faces abduction at the hands of Carlos Singh (Andy McQueen), the season’s formidable antagonist, who is also on the treasure hunt. Singh, a treasure seeker, believes it is his fate to discover El Dorado, adding a personal stake to the conflict.
Kiara and JJ’s kiss sparks new romance despite the chaos (Photo: Outer Banks Season 3/the Jonas Pate, Josh Pate, and Shanon Burke production company)The Pogues’ Plan for Rescue
John B and Sarah (Madelyn Cline) concoct a scheme to utilize Ward Cameron’s (Charles Esten) plane to reach South America, aiming to save Big John and seize the gold. Their plan aligns almost perfectly with their goals—almost.
The Pogues Arrive in South America
By the end of Season Three, the Pogues have successfully arrived in South America. Their mission revolves around rescuing Big John from Singh, who is convinced that John B holds the key to deciphering a gnomon, an ancient astronomical device that can unveil the treasure’s location.
Determined not to back down, John B, Sarah, Pope (Jonathan Daviss), and Cleo (Carlacia Grant) take flight on Ward Cameron’s private jet. However, a plot twist reveals that Ward is aboard as well.
Upon landing in Tres Rocas, Sarah instructs her father to remain on the plane and return home. In a typical display of defiance, he disregards her advice.
Kiara (Madison Bailey) and JJ (Rudy Pankow) join the scene later, having escaped from the camp her parents had confined her to, and share a long-anticipated kiss. However, complications arise when those who aided Kiara and JJ expect a share of the El Dorado treasure.
The Quest for Treasure Begins
Within moments of arriving in Tres Rocas, Kiara and JJ encounter Pope and Cleo, who are evading Singh’s henchmen. Meanwhile, Sarah, John B, and Big John seek out Jose, their guide to El Dorado, only to discover that Ward has already reached Jose and is lying in wait.
Before any disputes can arise, Singh’s goons make an appearance, consistent with their patterns. John B, Sarah, Ward, and Big John hop onto Jose’s boat and cross the river, finding a spot to camp for the night.
Ward’s Deceptive Move
Later that evening, Ward sends his location via text to an unknown number, revealing that he has reached out to Singh in a desperate bid to ensure Sarah’s safety.
The following day, John B, Sarah, and Big John ascend a mountain during the solstice, searching for the direction to El Dorado, while Ward remains behind due to an injury sustained when he feigned his own death in the previous season.
When a clue surfaces, Singh and his men appear once more. Big John refuses to divulge his findings, triggering a violent shootout, during which he is struck.
Pope and Cleo’s secret relationship blooms in the finale (Photo: Outer Banks Season 3/the Jonas Pate, Josh Pate, and Shanon Burke production company)Pope and Cleo’s Relationship Blossoms
Throughout the season, Pope and Cleo’s chemistry builds, culminating in a kiss during the finale. They decide to keep their relationship secret from the other Pogues, especially since Pope and Kiara had previously harbored feelings for one another.
Discovering El Dorado
After another confrontation with Singh and his crew, Sarah, John B, and Big John stumble upon a hidden water passageway within a cave. With excitement, John B and Sarah venture into the passage, leading them to El Dorado and its coveted gold—finally achieving their goal!
Emerging from the water, they find Singh awaiting them, having tracked their movements using Big John’s blood trail. Singh forces John B to reveal his backpack filled with gold and threatens to kill Big John if he doesn’t comply. In a tense moment, Big John emerges holding a firecracker, threatening to destroy El Dorado if Singh harms his son.
Despite Singh’s skepticism about Big John’s willingness to demolish El Dorado, he is shocked when Big John follows through, allowing John B, Sarah, and Big John to make their escape.
Ward’s Final Sacrifice
Upon hearing the explosion, Ward races to find John B, Sarah, and Big John. Confronted by Ward, Singh threatens to kill Big John, but before he can act, one of Singh’s men arrives, demanding the gold. In a courageous act to shield his daughter from bullets, Ward takes the shots and grapples with his attacker, plunging them both over the cliff.
Big John’s Tragic Fate
As the Pogues begin to realize the gravity of the situation, they notice Big John’s condition deteriorating from blood loss. They hurry him to their boat and set off down the river, but tragically, Big John dies en route. This loss leaves both Sarah and John B to mourn their fathers’ deaths throughout this perilous journey.
A New Adventure Awaits
Fast forward a year and a half later, the Pogues receive accolades for their role in solving the 500-year-old mystery surrounding the Royal Merchant shipwreck and pinpointing the location of El Dorado.
While the fate of El Dorado post-explosion remains uncertain, their knack for unraveling ancient mysteries leads to a new challenge: locating the missing ship of Edward Teach, known as Blackbeard, dating back to 1718. This new pursuit promises to unfurl in the already confirmed fourth season of the show.
