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Film Review: Outer Banks Season 4 – A Treasure Worth the Journey, But at What Cost?

Season 4 of Outer Banks takes the Netflix series into deeper, more daring territory, delivering a blend of thrilling adventure and emotional depth that sets it apart from its peers. With high-stakes drama and gut-wrenching moments, the show continues to hold its place as a standout teen drama with universal appeal.

At the center of it all is John B Routledge, played with charm and tenacity by Chase Stokes. Stokes, who once hesitated to audition for the role, has fully stepped into John B’s scrappy, determined persona. From his early days in Lost Island to television credits on Stranger Things and Tell Me Your Secrets, Stokes has grown into an actor who commands the screen. His portrayal of John B grounds the whirlwind narrative, making the treasure hunts and betrayals feel deeply personal.

Madelyn Cline as Sarah Cameron shines as both a partner in adventure and a layered character in her own right. A Charleston, South Carolina native, Cline’s rise from summer commercials to a Netflix lead is as compelling as her on-screen journey. Her chemistry with Stokes is electric, and her ability to convey Sarah’s inner conflict adds a richness to the series’ emotional core.

This season’s most devastating twist comes in the form of JJ Maybank’s story. Rudy Pankow, who has always brought a chaotic, magnetic energy to JJ, delivers his most heartbreaking performance yet. The revelation that JJ is a Kook by birth, followed by his tragic death at the hands of his biological father, Chandler Groff, is a bold narrative decision that leaves a lasting impact. Pankow’s final scenes are raw, emotional, and a testament to his talent. It’s a loss that will undoubtedly reshape the dynamic of the Pogues.

The Pogues themselves are the heart of the series, a chosen family bound by loyalty and shared dreams. With Madison Bailey as Kiara and Jonathan Daviss as Pope continuing to deliver nuanced performances, the group’s bond feels authentic and unbreakable, even as they face unimaginable loss.

Season 4 also cements Outer Banks as a show willing to take risks. By pushing its characters into uncharted emotional territory, it maintains a balance between high-energy action and poignant storytelling. The finale is both a celebration of the show’s adventurous spirit and a sobering reminder of its stakes.

Outer Banks remains a treasure in the Netflix lineup—bold, heartfelt, and impossible to ignore. Season 4 raises the bar, leaving audiences eager to see where the Pogues’ journey will take them next.

By Skeeter Wesinger

November 15, 2024

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/film-review-outer-banks-season-4-treasure-worth-journey-wesinger-gjqce

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Territory on Netflix’s First Season

Watching Territory on Netflix is like stepping into Australia’s dusty heartland, with cattle station feuds that make the Outback feel more like the Wild West than the rural paradise of Tipperary Station in the Northern Territory, the filming location. At the center is the massive Lawson estate, a family dynasty teetering on the brink as rival factions eye the sprawling land with clear intentions. In Territory, guns are as plentiful as dust storms, which makes for plenty of shootouts—more than you might see in a war flick. It’s a stark contrast for a country with strict firearm regulations where gun ownership is often reserved for pest control or agriculture. But here, everyone’s packing heat.

The cinematography offers some stunning aerial views, and for those less familiar with Aussie accents, it might take a minute to adjust, but it’s worth it. The action is gritty, raw, and realistic, although one-liners and snappy dialogue are in short supply. Robert Taylor, playing the gruff patriarch Colin “Pop” Lawson, does a fine job embodying the tough, no-nonsense head of the family, though his character could use a touch more charm. Anna Torv’s Emily Lawson trades glamour for grit, working hard on the Lawson station, showing a compelling side of resilience without needing much polish. Philippa Northeast adds a lively spark as Susie Lawson, bringing energy and skill that elevate her role.

Michael Dorman, playing Colin’s son Graham, turns in a solid performance, but he’s no Joe Pickett here—though I’m curious to hear what others think of his take. Then there’s Marshall Lawson, played by Sam Corlett, fresh from Vikings: Valhalla and every bit as intense here. Corlett’s scenes are memorable, especially when he’s taking flight in a liberated R-22, showing he’s as at home in the sky as he is on the rugged land. It’s authentic and captivating, largely thanks to the on-location shooting, which brings a raw, lived-in feel to the show.

Territory thrives on its atmosphere, conjuring up a rugged, relentless Outback where stakes are as high as the unforgiving landscape. The Lawson family saga gives viewers a taste of the harshness of the Australian frontier, where loyalty is tested, alliances shift, and survival instincts come alive with every episode.

Robert Taylor’s “Pop” Lawson is a character who sticks with you—not because he’s warm, but because he’s fiercely authentic, embodying the unyielding patriarch who might as well be carved from the Outback’s red rock. The family dynamics are charged, with Anna Torv’s Emily proving she’s more than just a supporting player; she’s a formidable presence, adding emotional depth and strength that makes her stand out in every scene. Meanwhile, Philippa Northeast’s Susie is a breath of fresh air, youthful but steely, like a spark ready to ignite in this powder keg of a plot.

The action scenes, while explosive, feel grounded and gritty, a departure from Hollywood-style polish. There’s dirt under everyone’s fingernails, and that rugged realism is part of what makes Territory a compelling watch. Sam Corlett’s Marshall adds a dose of youthful energy and unpredictability, navigating this volatile world with ambition and just a hint of recklessness—particularly in scenes where he takes to the skies in the R-22, offering some of the series’ best “wow” moments.

The real star, though, might just be the land itself. Those sweeping aerial shots and sprawling landscapes give Territory a cinematic feel, grounding the high-stakes drama in the vastness of the Australian Outback. The accents and local flavor give it a uniquely Aussie authenticity, something American viewers will either find refreshing or need time to settle into. In short, Territory is a raw, gritty, and intensely atmospheric series where family legacies hang by a thread, and gunplay punctuates the quiet moments, creating a tense rhythm that draws you in and keeps you hooked.

Some have labeled it a neo-Western, but I’d argue it’s a bold reimagining, fusing the classic allure of the Western with the untamed, raw beauty of Australia’s Outback. It’s a genre-bending adventure that brings the spirit of the frontier to life with a distinctly Aussie twist.

Review by Skeeter Wesinger

October 31, 2024

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/territory-netflixs-first-season-skeeter-wesinger-nc4ee/

 

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