I am guilty of joining the "Outer Banks" bandwagon. I don't usually jump on bandwagons as quickly as I did this time. I always go into trending shows with a skeptic eye, thinking that I'm going to be disappointed due to the general masses over-hyping how good it is. This time was different, though, because "Outer Banks" exceeded all of my expectations. I went into this show thinking that it was just going to be another soapy drama with romantic relationships being the main focus and no actual plot. While this show does have ship-worthy couples and swoon moments, it also has an attention-grabbing plot that will shock you just minutes into episode one. The characters were not one-dimensional but actually all unique and relatable. The one character that stood out the most to me, and I feel is not getting enough attention form the masses, is JJ.
Here are five reasons why JJ is actually the best character on "Outer Banks."
Disclaimer: There are spoilers.
1. His definition of family.
In my opinion, JJ is the glue for the Pogue squad. He is what makes the them a family instead of just a friend group. JJ and John B are the only members of the squad that don't have any other family to rely on. JJ specifically views the Pogues as his salvation from the daily trauma he faces. Even the way that he spent his money from the gold they found shows how he views them as his family. He bought things he thought his fellow Pogues would appreciate and enjoy.
2. JJ has a multi-layered personality.
At first glance, JJ is an obnoxious, sarcastic, asshole teenage-guy character. But as the story develops, there is more than meets the eye. When you start learning more about JJ, you start to realize that the confident front he puts up is just an act. JJ is an insecure teenager that many can relate to, mainly because his coping mechanism for his insecurity is acting like a jerk. His insecurity makes him seem like he doesn't care, but really, he comes from the abuse that he faces from the hand of his father.
3. The emotional trauma he deals with.
JJ has to deal with one of the toughest things a child can face, which is the physical abuse of an alcoholic father. At least the other Pogues' families have been there for their children and loved them wholeheartedly. John B had his own trauma to deal with when he lost his father, but he still grew up being loved. JJ, on the other hand, has been dealing with this abuse alone. The Pogue squad doesn't even realize the extent of JJ's horrendous home life until the end of the season.
4. He always places the Pogue squad first.
JJ was an accomplice with Pope in sinking the boat but that didn't mean he had to take the full blame. While I like Pope, he was the one that wanted revenge and made the first step in seeking it. I also don't think it is fair that the squad seems to place JJ at the end of the friend group, and they don't see JJ's life as valuable as the rest of them. Not to mention the price that JJ had to pay when he was physically assaulted by his brutal dad for taking the fall.
5. Rudy Pankow's acting - Simple. As. That.
Rudy does an amazing job at playing a complicated character that is rough around the edges but a softie on the inside. One of the scenes that stood out to me the most was when JJ stands up in the hot tub, revealing to Kiara and Pope the bruises on his abdomen. The way that JJ starts off as self-assured - showing off the gifts he bought - to emotionally crumbling by the end of the scene had me wanting to climb into my TV and hug him.
