Rating: 3/5

SPOILER-FREE

Netflix has officially released season three of the hit teen show “Outer Banks.” The show follows John B, his tight-knit friend group and their hunt for treasure. Set on the beach in North Carolina, the show perfectly encapsulates a fun teen summer— with its passionate romances, an action-driven plot and loveable characters. 

The show begins with John B grieving the loss of his dad, Big John, who was lost at sea and presumed dead. Big John was on a quest to find a missing ship known as the Royal Merchant, which John B and his friends later discovered held a great treasure: gold worth $400 million. The group, who call themselves “Pogues,” made it their mission to continue Big John’s journey and search for the treasure themselves. 

In a tangled plot, the Pogues experience many ups and downs. And, in what seems like a wild-goose chase, the Pogues ultimately find the lost treasure, only to lose it to Ward Cameron, the show’s central antagonist and father of Sarah Cameron — John B’s love interest. In this turn of events, the group faces many trials; they witness a murder, Sarah’s brother Rafe turns against the group to please Ward and John B is arrested. These points are prime examples of how the plot becomes more and more unrealistic as the show progresses. 

Season three of “Outer Banks” kicks off in a way that leaves viewers skeptical; the Pogues are now stranded on an island after jumping off a ship to escape the season two antagonists. They now have one goal –– to survive and escape the island. This sets the tone for the new season; it is messy, unrealistic and it becomes a challenge to keep up with the story. In the new season, the original plot almost seems lost. The plot intensifies so rapidly that the show becomes harder to watch. Although the popularity of “Outer Banks” did not come from an intelligent plot or Oscar-worthy acting, it had one thing going for it –– it was charming. Over time, it has lost the qualities that made it such a fun and appealing show; the characters get twisted into the story so deeply that they start to lose themselves and the attributes that made them loveable. The plot puts such emphasis on the action and drama that we lose the endearing and valuable moments we saw the group experience in the first two seasons. 

The show is not terrible, but it is not what it used to be. It is best not to stretch out the plot when shows have very complex storylines, as quality beats quantity every time. Some series are better when they are shorter, or at least when new plots are created, and “Outer Banks” is one of those shows. For those who were charmed by the show’s relatable characters and their precious relationships, season three comes as a bit of a disappointment. While at times the show can still have its loving moments, they become rare this season. However, the show ultimately remains entertaining. If you like shows with crazy plots, cheesy acting and action-packed scenes, this season might be the one for you.