Where adventure never ends

How 'Outer Banks' manipulates history to make great television

KARACHI:

When Outer Banks first premiered on Netflix in 2020, few could have predicted that a teen drama set against the backdrop of North Carolina's windswept coastlines would become a global sensation. Yet, everyone's COVID-19 watch has captivated audiences worldwide, including consistently ranking in Pakistan's Top 10 with each new season. Now, with Outer Banks Season 4 part two having just ended, the show dives deeper into the lore of Blackbeard, one of history's most notorious pirates.

Fact or fiction?

One of Outer Banks' strongest appeals lies in its clever manipulation of historical narratives. The series has always played fast and loose with real history, using it as a foundation to craft compelling storylines. In Seasons 1 and 2, the search for the fabled Royal Merchant - a fictionalised version of the real-life Royal Merchant lost in the 17th century - drew audiences into a treasure hunt filled with shipwrecks, betrayal, and hidden gold. The show even introduced Denmark Tanny, a character inspired by Denmark Vesey, a real historical figure who fought for justice as a freed slave in Charleston.

Season 4 takes this formula a step further by centring on Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. The infamous pirate has been a perennial figure in popular culture, and Outer Banks capitalises on his mystique. The season opens with the Pogues (the coined term for those in the show not sullied by riches)—John B, Sarah, Kiara, Pope, JJ, and Cleo - chasing clues leading to Blackbeard's legendary treasure, supposedly hidden near their hometown. While historical records confirm over 2000 shipwrecks along the coast of North Carolina and do suggest Blackbeard may have run aground near there, no definitive treasure has ever been found. This uncertainty allows Outer Banks to take creative liberties, spinning an imaginative tale that taps into viewers' fascination with lost riches and pirate lore.

Though Outer Banks draws inspiration from real events, it is far from meriting a "based on true events" tag. The writers invent objects like Blackbeard's Blue Crown and a mythical amulet belonging to his fictional wife, Elizabeth - artefacts that serve as narrative catalysts designed to heighten stakes rather than historical truths.

Yet, these historical deviations are not a flaw - they are a strength. Outer Banks understands that history, when merged with mystery and adventure, becomes a powerful storytelling tool.

Those who anchor

While the show thrives on its treasure-hunting plot lines, it is the characters who anchor the story and give it emotional depth. Season 4 stands out for its nuanced exploration of JJ Maybank, played by Rudy Pankow. Once the show's resident daredevil and troublemaker, JJ's arc in this season is a revelation. The discovery that his father is not his biological one, he is the grandson of billionaire Wes Genrette and the long-lost son of a mysterious family introduces a new layer of complexity to his character.

Pankow delivers a standout performance, capturing JJ's emotional turmoil as he grapples with his identity and the truth about his family. His scenes oscillate between rage, disbelief, and vulnerability, offering viewers a raw and authentic portrayal of a young man searching for his place in the world. It's a performance that deserves serious Emmy consideration.

The allure of adventure

Why do audiences love treasure-hunting stories like Outer Banks? The answer lies in their universal appeal. At their core, these stories are about the pursuit of dreams - whether it's wealth, glory, or a sense of purpose. Just as people buy lottery tickets with visions of a better future, viewers are drawn to the characters' quests for hidden riches and the promise of a life-changing discovery.

Treasure hunting also taps into a sense of adventure that resonates with audiences of all ages. Not to mention that fact that six best friends are doing it together. They evoke the thrill of the unknown, the excitement of solving puzzles, and the danger of confronting formidable adversaries. From Indiana Jones to National Treasure, the genre has long captured the imagination, and Outer Banks continues this tradition but with modern day streaming.

Like the classic film serials of the 1930s and 1940s, which left audiences on the edge of their seats with weekly cliffhangers, Outer Banks thrives on suspense. Everyone knows the term cliffhanger - that moment in a story where the tension tightens, leaving the audience desperate for resolution. But have you ever stopped to consider its origin? Did it really begin with someone dangling from the edge of a cliff, fingers slipping, as we collectively hold our breath? The answer is both yes and no.

The term cliffhanger entered the English lexicon in the early 1930s, a period often referred to as the golden age of serial storytelling. These episodic narratives, whether broadcast on radio or projected on film, were dependent on suspense. Each instalment ended with a dramatic, often perilous moment designed to lure audiences back for the next episode. And yes, quite literally, one of the most popular tropes was a character hanging from a cliff for their life.