#obxspoiler

So can we all collectively agree that Big John was kind of the worst and there was way too much screen time for him and not enough screen time of all the Pouges together? - I did love that the name ‘Big John’ actually fit though and not just in a sense of ‘big = dad’ because the height on Charles Halford alone was enough to make it seem like John B was actually a child and not a grown man playing a child.

I love this show with all my heart and soul but what makes it truely magic to me is the friendships and the togetherness and the found family elements. The lack of that this season really affected my personal viewing pleasure in a negative way.

As much as I loved seeing all the duo pairings this season I am so so annoyed that Kiara, Cleo, JJ and in particular Pope weren’t part of that finale El Dorado cave treasure hunt. I don’t even wanna talk about it because it makes me so annoyed. (I will totally talk about it with anyone that wants too though hahaha)

The emotional journey I went on with John B and Topper as individuals boy oh boy.

John B was my fave in season 1 and my least fave in season 2 and this season I both adored him and he irritated the absolute shit out me, overall I think as the leading character it’s hard not to root for John B but I think his storyline will be greatly improved having Big John out of the picture in Season 4.

Topper whyyyy. I actually fully stanned Topper for like 90% of this season and I have no shame in admitting it. He was ALWAYS down to help Sarah and in turn the Pouges and while some people may find his apprehension to break the law and get himself in near life or death situations frustrating, I personally found it relatable? I’d argue that the Pouges were worse to Topper than Topper was to the Pouges for most of this particular season and the way he was adamant he wasn’t going to get into a fight with John B at Mike and Anna’s anniversary party was hot idc what anyone has to say. Of course we can’t have nice things though so Topper had to fuck things up and burn shit to the ground - literally. Of all Topper’s questionably poor choices this one’s gotta be the one he can’t come back from. I think Austin North is superb as Topper but truthfully I would have payed good money to axe a quarter of the scenes he and Sarah shared and given them to Jiara instead.

Jiara season baby!! LOVED LOVED LOVED the build up of their story this season, it was expected but brilliant none the less. All the almost moments, the back and forth, the ‘I’m just a loser and you’ve got your whole future ahead of you’ angst of it all 😩. Then there’s the “Like I love you dude” - it wasn’t big or grand or showy but it was Kiara and it PERFECTION even if JJ’s reaction wasn’t what I personally would have wanted to see. THE KISSSSS. No words, other than I would have like JJ to be the one to say I love you first here but anyway let it be known that I’ve rewatched that scene too many times and ‘Hanging on the Telephone’ has been on repeat all day, thanks Soundcloud. Admittedly though the aftermath of the kiss was disappointing, with over an hour left of OBX we literally were given CRUMBS of them in that finale episode which was disappointing to say the least. I also have suspicions on where Jiara might be in season 4 with that time jump at the end of the season and the uh lack of interaction or affection between them but that’s a discussion for another day.

Speaking of the time jump - did it really need to be 18 months? Like 3 months great! 6 months fine, even like 8-9 months and I would have been like yeah okay 🤷🏽‍♀️ but 18 months!? A whole year and a half!? So much can happen in that time and that’s so much we’ve missed. Most notably the starting points of Jiara and Cleope!? What do you mean we don’t get to see where their relationship went after those monumental first kisses. I get a time jump because the actors are also aging up but 18 months just felt like too much. I’m interested to see what happens in season 4 at least.

In other shipper news Cleope - loved them. So sweet and Cleo is an absolute queen. Easily one of my favourite characters this season and I really enjoyed the journey her and Pope took and in particular Cleo’s relationship with The Hayward’s as a whole. What a beautiful addition to this show.

Did somebody say toxic? Oh wait it’s just John B and Sarah. I’m sorry, I know this is such a popular ship but I just absolutely cannot with them anymore. I have been so neutral on them over the past two seasons but between Sarah’s cheating and John B’s serious anger issues, at this point I surely can’t be the only one who thinks they both (John B in particular) need time to heal on their own before they come back together (and I mean like at least three quarters of a season broken up not just three episodes). I don’t know, obviously it’s been 18 months and they own a surf shop now and they’re both free of their bad dads so maybe things will be different in season 4 but I have VERY low exceptions.

Sarah’s understandably coping a bit of flack this season but I fall more neutral on my opinion on her this season. In season one she was my least favourite and in season two it was the opposite, this season my opinion on her falls somewhere in the middle. I did love that we got to see more of her friendships with the other Pouges outside of John B though! Another reason why I think it would be beneficial for her character to not be tied to John B’s permanently going forward. Sarah and Kiara’s friendship is always a highlight for me.

Putting this all the way down here at the bottom where people might not see because I’m low key ashamed… but RAFE 🤤 I’m sorrrry he’s just so freaking fine. Well at least until he opens his mouth or you know, moves 😅. I’ve seen a bit of a Rafe/Kiara rise with the new season releasing and look, I’m not judging because their shared scenes this season showed some major chemistry but in the name of all things good and well I’m going to stay strong and say our good sis Kiara deserves way better than to ever be pulled into any storyline that involves Rafe Cameron as a love interest. A friend? Maybe, potentially, I mean for someone who swore he was going to be coming for Kiara he did approximately nothing to fulfil that - which is exactly what good enemies to friends stories are made of, but as a romantic interest I’m going to pass thanks. I’ll stick to nurturing the potential that Jiara has.

Lastly bye bye Ward Cameron. It was fun knowing you truely! What a brilliant villain.

Apart from Cleo not being mentioned in the flash forward my thoughts are this -

Pope going to school ✅

Kiara saving turtles ✅

JJ owning a charter boat ✅

John B owning a surf shop ✅

Sarah co owning said surf shop ❌

Why am I unhappy with that being Sarah’s move foward? Well besides the fact I think it would better suit to see John B and JJ as partners here, it’s mostly because it seems everyone else gets to follow their passion and Sarah gets to follow… John B? It’s just another reason why I don’t particularly enjoy them as a couple, because once again it shows how Sarah’s character is so reliant on John B’s that we (and apparently the writers) don’t even know what she likes or aspires to be. That’s not that unrealistic for a 18/19 year old but I do think it’s prime example of why her character could benefit from being alone for at least a season.

I think I'm going to make these character opinions a seasonal thing. Please enjoy my messy, rambley, late night thoughts.

John B: Oh John B... John B... I've had my ups and downs with how I feel about John B, last season I said he was my least favourite Pouge and whilst I wouldn't say he's become my favourite I do find it hard not to sympathise and love who he is at his core. Last season I wrote about how John B's worst trait time and time again is that he's selfish. It's understandable and it's forgivable because he's young and lost and confused, but you can't deny this boy continues to display selfish behaviour. We saw it in season one which I've already discussed here and it continues, albeit to a slightly less degree in season two. Somehow though despite this selfishness, his charm and charisma and most of all his deep rooted loyalty to those closest to him make it impossible not to want to see him succeed. John B came a long way for me in season two and I think he'll only continue to grow with time. I will say that I enjoyed John B and Sarah as a couple significantly more this season than last, maybe because what they had felt more real and less rushed. Their problems weren't as surface level and you could truly see the depth of their connection, I'm excited for where season three might take them.

Kiara: Yeah I know, Kiara was annoying as shit in episode two basically ruining the recon mission which could have prevented a lot of issues but Kiara is literally the definition of ride or die and if you don't love her then I'm not here for you. I really enjoyed the fact that they seemed to utilise Kie as a character more this season than last because I definitely had a problem with the way her character was underappreciated in season one. My heart broke at every scene with her parents because I could understand both sides and it actually made me want to see more of these parent/pouge dynamics! I'm going to talk a little bit about the parents of OBX in a later post! Then there's the Pope or JJ of it all - The quick version of my thoughts are that I liked what they did with these relationships this season. I've seen some people say they felt Kie/Pope was dragged on for too many episodes but I thought it was perfect, it gave them the chance to properly explore things and realise they weren't meant to be without sweeping the connection completely under the rug. Meanwhile I got exactly what I wanted and needed from JJ and Kie - a few small moments and hints at a potential ship whilst not rushing into anything. Can we just take a second to appreciate how similar JJ and Kie are, not just in their hopes and dreams for their futures but in unwavering loyalty, their coping mechanisms, their wit....the besties to lovers vibe is strong with these two. ALSO Kiara Carrera Confirmed!!!

JJ: "Do you have any idea how special your son is" - You know what hurts about this is that not only is Luke unaware of how special his son is but I think JJ is just as incapable of believing it. Where John B is selfish JJ is selfless, he'd literally lay down his life for his friends and you can just see that he thinks it's a half life anyway, one that will end with him in prison or dead, as long as it's after his friends are happy and safe I don't think he'd care either way, sad but it's true. Despite how much I love Jiara my main ship for JJ is a happy and healthy life, that's what I want season three to bring him most of all. Now I've already talked a little bit about Jiara but I wrote a note in terms of Pope that said "Bro the way I don't even ship JJPope romantically and yet this hot tub neck nuzzle/wrestling scene got me feeling some kind of way".... and I stand by that, like woah they almost had me in the first half of that season. Also can we just appreciate JJ in that white shirt and backwards hat because man, he's fucking beautiful.

Pope: Pope deserves all the love, all the happiness, all the health. I honestly feel like Pope had the most growth this season, from a worried kid who stressed over everything to a brave and determined young man who was ready to risk it all, despite still being slightly on edge. Also I really appreciated the way he handled the whole Kiara situation, sure he was upset and probably angry with the way she lead him on a little but he never pressured her to be or feel anything other than what she did. Pope understood that Kiara was probably just figuring out her emotions (which is completely understandable at their age) and valued their friendship enough to put that first. The whole Limbrey/Tanney/Heyward thing was great!! We love to see complex black characters with deep rooted histories being explored!! The Cleo/Pope dynamic was fun and hopefully one we'll see more of next season! I don't know if I ship them yet as it's only early days but I certainly see potential and if Pope's happy then I'm happy!

So many thoughts! Lots of long posts coming tomorrow I’m sure. Overall though WHAT A SEASON.

Look at you go bestie!!