XVI

now and then, 2023

So, it’s been a few days since the season 3 trailer for Outer Banks came out, and I’m irritated and scared for the fate of this show. Netflix is notorious for having a great show turn to crap around the 3rd and 4th season. I fear that Outer Banks will become a hot mess.

Like don’t get me wrong, visually the trailer was really appealing, and some of the storylines were intriguing, but overall I’m concerned for a few reasons:

1. This show is so heterosexual. Like there aren’t even side characters that are apart of the LGBTQ+ community. Like be foreal, a friend group with all straight folks….hmmm just doesn’t seem that realistic. Like, the writers are telling me Cleo is, checks notes, straight? Like sister was all over Sarah in season 2, “Sarah, my girl,” ring any bells? 

Also, Kie, definitely doesn’t like men, because when John B kissed her, she immediately was thrown off. Then she gets with Pope, and after having sex with him, she literally said “that didn’t feel like it should’ve, like no fireworks, etc.” I just feel like that’s room for her to open up and explore her sexuality. The whole Kie and Sarah friendship, turned enemies back to friendship, would’ve been so cute if they had a fling their freshmen year, but Sarah didn’t want others to know about her and Kie, so that’s why they ended their friendship in the first place. I just think having Kie being passed around her friend group just pisses me off and the lack of her story line also pisses me off. 

Lastly, for this point, I am a JJPope stan, so I want JJ and Pope to be together, they just have so much more chemistry, but even if they don’t get together, I need Kie to be with a girl. This show is just so STRAIGHT, like BFFR. 

2. I’m mad they keep bringing folks back from the died, but not Sheriff Peterkin..like if anyone should be brought back it’s her, not Ward. I love that John B is gonna reunite with his dad, and that scene that was shown is gonna be heartbreaking, but I’m mad they one, showed it in the trailer, and two, made that a little predictable. Like I know we saw him at the very end of season 2′s finale, but I thought it was a flashback, I was very wrong. 

3. I want Cleo to have a good story line, not just the token Black girl, and I know the writers have Pope and Cleo lined up to get together, and I wouldn’t be upset at that, but I need it to be NATURAL, slow burn if you will. I don’t think Cleo likes boys, like she just doesn’t give me that, and it’d be nice to have her and Pope be a bestie duo. But on the flip side, I do love the black love representation, I just don’t know if the writers will even do that storyline justice. 

4. I need all of the Pogues to get rest. Like these folks haven’t showered nor rested for 2 seasons, and then this one looks like it’ll be nonstop. Like Sarah needs to rid herself of her family, and save Wheezie. Justice for Wheezie. Like that scene with Topper, I wanted to vomit. I know it’s most likely a flashback, but I don’t wanna see that. He’s a weirdo and folks keep wanting to give him a redemption arc. JJ needs rest, I wish he’d stayed with the Heywards. I hope we see his anxiety being addressed this season. John B needs a break too, like please let this man rest. 

5. Rafe and Ward need to DIE, or get thrown in prison and throw away the key. PERIOD, he doesn’t need a love story, nor a redemption arc. 

6. Why are they solving ANOTHER mystery? I know that’s the plot of the show at this point, but they haven’t even gotten the gold or the cross. Like moving onto another mystery…really? 

I know this rant may not seem like I’m excited for this season, I am, but I’m scared for the outcome. Also, this shows lack of representation is concerning. The fact that the directors are feeding into the fan service is also telling of what the show can end of being in the future. 

A school project: book cover redesign for Heroes of Olympus

Panel redraw from Batgirl (2000) Issue 7