The highly anticipated season premiere of Outdoor benches has come and gone, suspending fans in the intervening period between episodes. The third addition to the series debuted to mixed reviews in the media, a good time to note the best moments of the series so far.
Season 1 laid the groundwork for the teen drama action adventure and introduced the core storyline for the next 3 seasons: hidden treasure. However, as is standard with all things hidden treasure, there’s a line, and it’s a line that’s willing to kill. Season 2 got everyone’s adrenaline pumping with murders, car chases and an infamous boat explosion; the latest season gave viewers time to breathe on Poguelandia before delving into the franchise’s all-gas-no-breaks standard style with new villains and schemes for treasure.
While the series has been criticized for its lack of continuity and unrealistic details, the escapist quality that catapulted the show into popularity should be remembered. The Outdoor benches universe provided fans with a front row seat to his fictional adventures at a critical time when the world was locked inside during the first few months of the pandemic. Fans were introduced to the Outdoor benches crew led by protagonist John B (Chase Stokes) and watched the group of friends navigate twists and turns through key moments. From John B and Sarah’s “wedding” to the Big John revival, the series has kept its audience on their toes.
Kiara and Sarah’s reconciliation
The two honorary Pogues are now a single pair, so much so that it’s easy to forget the rocky beginnings of their friendship. In the first few episodes of the series, Kiara (Madison Bailey) held a grudge against the former Kook princess because of a 9th grade fight. It’s not entirely clear where their previous friendship soured, but what is clear is that the relationship between the two girls has turned hostile.
After a standoff and Kiara’s ultimatum – Sarah (Madelyn Kline) or her – it becomes clear to John B and the other characters that a reconciliation will have to be forced. After the rest of the Pogues lure the two girls onto a boat and strand them, the girls share a heartfelt moment where they confess the root of their problems with each other. It’s revealed that Kiara felt slighted for not being on the guest list for Sarah’s birthday party, which Sarah accuses her of shutting down. Kiara admits to calling the police at her party and Sarah admits pushing Kiara away. The two girls make up, but agree to hide their reunion from the boys, deciding it’s better if they don’t know their plan was successful. The moment is heartwarming, true to character, and heralds the last member of the crew fans know and love.
John B and Sarah’s wedding
The enthusiasm with which John B recounts his marriage to his father in Season 3 left some viewers wondering if the couple were actually married. At the beginning of the previous season, the two say wedding vows to each other and John B rips off a piece of his bandana for Sarah to wear instead of a ring. While their marriage isn’t exactly legally binding, it sure is a fun scene to notice.
The Resurrection of Big John
The presumed death of John B’s father was a catalyst in the series’ plot; without it, the Pogues’ treasure hunt wouldn’t exist. Throughout the first two seasons, John B and his friends’ motives are driven by avenging Big John’s death and continuing where his father left off. It’s no surprise that fans were stunned by Big John’s resurrection.
Season 2 left viewers with a huge cliffhanger – the reveal that Big John (Charles Halford) is still alive and living in Barbados. Limbrey visits Big John and asks for help in his search for the cross of Santo Domingo, to which Big John agrees, on the condition that Limbrey help his son John B. answers. It’s a cliffhanger that left fans reeling, but a remarkable play from the show’s creators nonetheless.
Kiara and JJ’s Romance
The off-screen friendship between Bailey and Rudy Pankow translated into the on-screen chemistry between their characters, Kiara and JJ, to which viewers immediately responded. Fans clamored for the pairing towards the end of Season 1, but it was something the showrunners and Bailey balked at. The actress behind Kiara has expressed in the past that she’s reluctant when her character gives up her trademark independence, but she still sees how the JJ and Kiara’s free spirits bring them together naturally.
When asked about the pair, co-creator Josh Pate told me Weekly entertainment, “We didn’t want to do it too quickly, so we thought Season 3 would be a good time to explore that, and I’m really happy with the way that turned out.” And they did: in the third season, the new couple gets closer, in the later episodes they share a kiss and even exchange sweet feelings. The slow romance was exciting to watch as it was a couple many fans desperately wanted to see.