Warning: Spoilers ahead for Outer Banks Season 4 Part 2.

The Outdoor benches The Season 4 Part 2 finale took fans on an emotional rollercoaster as the Pogues traveled to Morocco to track down the Blue Crown and JJ’s estranged father, Chandler Groff. However, the most shocking moment of the OBX finale was JJ’s death, and many fans are now wondering why the show’s creators killed him off.

The heartbreaking moment unfolds Outdoor benches Season 4 finale, part 2, after JJ (played by Rudy Pankow) retrieves the Blue Crown and tries to escape with Kiara with the mercenaries on their tail. Earlier, Rafe trapped Groff (J. Anthony Crane) by pushing him into a well, but Groff manages to escape and intercepts JJ and Kiara in a well. terribly intense scene.

ForbesThe Tragic Ending of ‘Outer Banks’ Season 4 Explained: Is This Main Character Really Dead?By means of Monica Mercuri

Groff grabs Kiara, holds a knife to her throat and threatens to kill her unless JJ hands over the crown. JJ tells his father that he doesn’t care about the crown because he already has everything he’s ever wanted. JJ hands over the crown and turns to hug Kiara. But in a brutal twist, Groff betrays him and stabs JJ for no apparent reason, making his death feel even more senseless and heartbreaking.

Why did Chandler Groff kill JJ after he got the crown?

The creators told Netflix’s Tudum that Groff had JJ killed by his son as a means to an end. “He’s completely capable of killing him completely unnecessarily and for no reason after getting everything he needs,” said co-creator Shannon Burke.

Fellow creator Josh Pate added that “Groff is a sociopath”, and they patterned his character after a sociopath they read about in a non-fiction book. ‘Even when he lies, he lies to himself and thinks he is telling the truth. We started looking up psychological profiles and thought, ‘How can we create the most sociopathic character?’ Like sociopaths, he doesn’t really feel that kind of empathy. Everything is just kind of a mask,” he explained.

At the end of the finale, Kiara, the Pogues, and even Rafe – who acted as an honorary Pogue this episode – mourn the loss of their best friend. Rafe tells the group that Groff is headed to Portugal, and they decide to follow him, determined to get revenge for JJ’s death. This sets up the storyline for the show’s fifth and final season, which Netflix officially greenlit this week.

Why did the makers kill JJ Maybank in the… Outdoor benches?

The makers of Outdoor benches told Tudum that they had always planned for JJ to die in the series, calling it a “very difficult decision.”

“It sets the stage for an epic fifth and final season,” Pate continued. “We are planning a story of redemption and a season that embodies the friendship that JJ came to represent. JJ’s death was a difficult but necessary part of the architecture of the story, and we plan to honor that as much as possible because we love the character as much as the fans do. And Rudy is a good friend of ours.’

After discussing the decision with Pankow, the creators added that the actor embraced the “powerful way to end his character’s journey.” Burke recalled that Pankow “immediately began planning” how to play his death scene.

Pate said filming the scene was so emotional for everyone that even “the sound guys were crying.” As for how Pankow pulled it off, he responded, “I knew everyone was on board to bring everything, and I felt that from everyone. Bailey and I took it, and I know we crushed it. It was emotional, but I think deep down everyone was on the same page… ‘Let’s make an impact.’ And I think we did that.”

Leave Rudy Pankow the Outdoor benches For good?

It looks like Rudy Pankow is leaving Outdoor benches for good after the death of his character, JJ Maybank, in the season 4 finale. While there’s a chance viewers could see JJ in flashbacks, Pankow expressed his gratitude for joining the show and shared a heartfelt farewell.

“I would like to leave the cast and crew with the deepest gratitude. It was so much fun coming to work,” he told Netflix. “This is by far the biggest thing I’ve ever done in (my) experience, and to have this as my start is the start of my life. I’m going to miss it. Thank you for so many great memories that I will have for the rest of my life.”

He continued: “To all the fans showing so much support and love for JJ, I just want to say thank you. It really impressed me when I played it. It was an honor to bring him to life for you, and a joy to play with him. And P4L!”

Outdoor benches Season 4 is streaming now. Watch the official trailer for season 4, part 2 below.