Honestly, if you’re still reeling from the end of Outer Banks Season 4, you aren’t alone. The fandom practically imploded. We spent three years begging the writers to make Kiara and JJ a thing, only to watch it end in the most brutal way possible. No one saw that Morocco cliffhanger coming—or maybe we just didn't want to.
JJ Maybank was always the heartbeat of the Pogues. He was the loose cannon with a heart of gold, the guy who would jump off a literal cliff for his friends. But seeing him bleed out in the sand while Kiara screamed? That was a different level of trauma.
The Rise and Fall of Jiara
The "Jiara" ship wasn't even supposed to happen. If you go back to 2020, the creators, Josh and Jonas Pate, were actually leaning toward a Kiara and John B vibe, or maybe even Kiara and Pope. But the internet had other plans. The chemistry between Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey was so loud in Season 1 that the writers basically had to listen.
It was the ultimate "slow burn" trope.
We watched JJ pine for her while she dated Pope. We saw him get incredibly protective every time a Kook looked her way. Then Season 3 finally gave us the kiss in the wilderness therapy camp. It felt like a win. Finally, the "hot rich hippie chick" and the "pogue-ist pogue" were official.
But by the time Season 4 rolled around, things felt... different.
Why Season 4 Felt So Off
A lot of fans noticed the vibe shifted in the later episodes. People on Reddit and Twitter started complaining that Kiara and JJ didn't feel like a couple anymore. They were barely touching. They were doing "bro" handshakes instead of being romantic.
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The hyperbaric chamber scene in Part 1 was supposed to be this high-tension, emotional moment. Instead, it felt kinda stiff.
"It was like JJ hated Kie and was just going through the motions," one fan wrote on Reddit. "There was absolutely no flirting or real emotion."
This sparked a massive wave of rumors about a real-life feud between Madison Bailey and Rudy Pankow. People started digging into their Instagram follows and noticed they weren't posting each other like they used to. Some even claimed they used body doubles for a cuddling scene in the finale because they couldn't stand to be near each other.
The truth? Probably less dramatic. Sources close to the production told outlets like TMZ that there was no "beef." It’s more likely that after five years of playing the same characters, the actors were just ready for a change. Plus, the writing for Season 4 focused heavily on JJ's downward spiral after finding out Chandler Groff was his biological father. He was in a dark place. He wasn't exactly in the mood for romance.
The Death of JJ Maybank: A Necessary Tragedy?
The Season 4 finale changed everything. JJ had the Blue Crown. He had a chance to get away. But when Groff held a knife to Kiara's throat, JJ didn't hesitate. He gave up the treasure—the thing they had been chasing across continents—just to keep her safe.
"I already got it," he told her. "Everything I wanted."
Then Groff stabbed him.
It was a senseless, gut-wrenching death. Watching the Pogues bury their best friend in the Moroccan desert was the low point of the entire series. Kiara’s last word of the season—"Revenge"—set the stage for what’s coming next, but it doesn't make the loss any easier.
What the Creators Say
The showrunners have been firm: this was always the plan. They view JJ as a tragic figure. He was the "king of friendship," and his ultimate arc was supposed to end in the ultimate sacrifice. They wanted to show that the stakes in the Outer Banks world are real. You can't hunt for legendary treasures and cross paths with international criminals without someone paying the price.
Still, killing off the most popular character right before the final season is a bold move. Some call it brave storytelling. Others call it a middle finger to the fans who spent years rooting for Kiara and JJ to get their happy ending.
What Happens to Kiara in Season 5?
So, where does Kiara go from here? Season 5 is officially the end of the road for the Pogues. Production has been moving along in Charleston, and we know a few things for sure:
- The Vengeance Arc: Kiara isn't the same person anymore. The "Kie" who wanted to save the turtles is gone; the Kie who wants to hunt down Chandler Groff is here.
- The Rafe Factor: This is the part that has the fandom divided. There have been heavy hints that Kiara and Rafe Cameron might have a "forced alliance" in the final season. They both hate Groff. They both lost people. Some fans are even shipping "Riara," which feels a little soon, honestly.
- Flashbacks: Don't expect JJ to stay gone entirely. While Rudy Pankow isn't a series regular anymore, there are strong rumors that we’ll see him in flashbacks or dream sequences.
Kiara’s journey has always been about identity. She never felt like a Kook, but she wasn't quite a Pogue by birth either. Losing JJ—the person who accepted her most—forces her to figure out who she is without that anchor.
The Jiara Legacy
Looking back, the relationship between Kiara and JJ was the heart of the "Pogue Life" fantasy. It was about choosing your family. It was about the girl from the big house choosing the boy from the trailer park because he was the only one who truly saw her.
Even if they didn't get to ride off into the sunset on a surf trip to the Maldives, their story defined the show. It wasn't just about the gold. It was about the person you'd give the gold up for.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Rewatch with Context: Go back to Season 1, Episode 1. Watch the way JJ looks at Kiara during the kegger. It’s wild how much foreshadowing was there from day one.
- Prepare for the Finale: Outer Banks Season 5 is slated for 2026. Keep an eye on Netflix’s official social channels for the first teaser trailer, which is expected to drop late this year.
- Ignore the Noise: Don't get bogged down in the "feud" rumors. Unless the actors say it themselves, it's just internet speculation. Focus on the story the writers are trying to tell.