WARNING! This article contains major SPOILERS for Outer Banks season 4, part 1!Luke Maybank finally returns inOuter Banksseason 4, with the truth about the whereabouts of JJ’s father making the teen’s story more tragic. Season 1 quickly established thatOuter Banks' characterJJ Maybank (Rudy Pankow) came from a troubled home life, as his mother abandoned him years before the start of the show, while his abusive father blames him for her absence. JJ’s father, Luke Maybank (Gary Weeks), proves to be a poor parent for the teen, andoften engages in criminal activity, which includes abandoning JJ while running from authorities in season 2.
Most of the Pogues’ parents are absent from season 4, with Sarah’s father Ward and John B’s father Big John both dying inOuter Banksseason 3’s ending. However, JJ’s family life comes to play an important role in Blackbeard’s treasure hunt. InOuter Banksseason 4, episode 5, JJ receives a letter from Wes Genrette hinting at a major revelation about his identity, but states that he first needs to ask Luke about “Albatross.” Thisleads him to seek out Barracuda Mike to finally find Luke, ultimately reuniting JJ with his fatherfor the first time since season 2.
Why Luke Maybank Abandoned JJ & Went On The Run From Authorities In Outer Banks Season 2
InOuter Banksseason 2, Luke goes to jail but suddenly shows up and tells JJ that he’s out on “work release” for “good behavior.” But, whether that’s actually true is another matter. Luke then tells his son thathe broke into a pharmacy and assaulted the pharmacist, so he needs help fleeing the island to avoid going back to jail. JJ ends up helping his dad get a boat and enough provisions to last five days on a trip, with Luke telling him that he’s heading for Yucatán and may never return.
Outer Banks Recap: 10 Biggest Things To Remember Before Season 4
Several major events in Outer Banks' previous three seasons are sure to be relevant to what’s ahead in their next adventure in season 4.
UntilOuter Banksseason 4, part 1’s ending, the season 2 episode “The Cross” was the last time JJ had seen or spoken to his father. He was still a wanted man throughoutOuter Banksseason 3 and the 18-month gap between the teens’ El Dorado and Blackbeard treasure hunts. However, when JJ finally needs to speak with Luke about “Albatross,” he learns that not only has Barracuda Mike been in contact with him the entire time, butLuke has actually been much closer to home than JJ was led to believe.
Outer Banks Season 4 Reveals Luke Maybank Has Been Secretly Living In The Cut With Barracuda Mike
Luke Has Secretly Been Living Down The Beach From JJ For 2 Years
Feeling further betrayed and misled by his father, JJ discovers thatLuke has been living on The Cut with Barracuda Mike for almost the entire time that he’s been “missing”and on the run. JJ heard that his father had gone as far south as Belize, but, in reality, had just been a few miles down the beach from him. During this time, Luke was still engaging in criminal activity in order to make money. However, Luke’s long-delayed return inOuter Banksseason 4 comes with a massive revelation about the truth of the Maybanks family’s relationships.
Luke also reveals to JJ that the woman who he thought was his mother was actually just a girlfriend he had at the time he agreed to raise JJ.
Luke has no choice but to go with JJ to the lighthouse to escape Shoupe and the authorities, which is where he agrees to explain the meaning of “Albatross.” As it turns out,Albatrossis the name of the boat that Larissa Genrette died on, withLuke elaborating that he isn’t JJ’s birth father.Outer Banksreveals JJ’s real parentsare Larissa and Chandler Groff, and Luke raised JJ as his son to “help out.” Since Groff is still alive, plenty more revelations await regarding Luke and JJ Maybank’s true backstory inOuter Banksseason 4, part 2.
Outer Banks
Cast
Outer Banks follows a group of teenagers in the Outer Banks of North Carolina as they uncover a legendary treasure linked to the mysterious disappearance of the group’s leader’s father, leading to a series of dangerous and thrilling adventures.
