What happens to JJ’s dad in Outer Banks season 2?

Fans of the Netflix series Outer Banks might not be able to choose their favorite character out of the beloved Pogues, but JJ (Rudy Pankow) is certainly up there for everyone. The hilarious friend who has a troubled home life is usually there for comedic relief when we need him, but he also has super emotional moments — usually involving his dad.

In the first season of Outer Banks, we were introduced to JJ’s dad, Luke (Gary Weeks), who’s not exactly a standup guy. He drinks a lot, doesn’t support JJ, and gets aggressive very quickly. Not to mention, he’s pretty much a criminal and is in trouble with the law more times than not. Unfortunately, he’s not a good role model for JJ in the slightest, which is why JJ spends most of his time outside of the house and with the rest of the Pogues.

After one terrible fight between JJ and Luke during Outer Banks season 1, JJ even puts a gun to his father’s head while he’s passed out. He doesn’t shoot, but you can tell it takes everything out of him not to.

As you can probably tell, JJ and his dad don’t have a good relationship. At all. Luke has a reputation in the town and almost everyone thinks JJ is going to end up just like him. Understandably, JJ resents this.

What happens to Luke in Outer Banks season 2?

So what happens to JJ’s dad in Outer Banks season 2? The new season has officially dropped on Netflix today and we’re here to recap what ultimately goes down. The good news is JJ and Luke end on a somewhat positive note as JJ helps his dad skip town. As positive as it could be, anyway.

Towards the end of the season in episode 8, the Pogues get into a sticky situation when they get John B’s car, Twinkie, stuck in the water. Kiara volunteers to go take her dad’s truck, and JJ goes with her so he can find tools to help get the car out. The two have to be fast if they want to save Twinkie, but unfortunately, an unforeseen distraction comes up.

As JJ runs out and grabs his bag and tools, his father comes up behind him and tells him he’s on the run. Luke says that he has to get off the island before he gets caught, and guilts JJ into helping him. Although Kiara is against it, JJ explains that if he helps his dad now, he might not ever be in that position again.

Eventually, JJ helps his dad get all set up on the boat to flee, and is alarmed when he sees a pill bottle. The two have an emotional goodbye that’s super bittersweet. Luke tries to be nice by telling JJ he has a good heart, and JJ cries. As you’d imagine, this is a super difficult thing for JJ to experience. He sends his dad off, who claims he’s going to Yucatan, Mexico, and we see that JJ secretly took the pills from his dad.

JJ and Luke’s relationship isn’t a major part of Outer Banks compared to everything else going on, but it’s very important to JJ’s character. We’ll be curious to see if Luke makes his return in Outer Banks season 3, if a third season is ordered.

Be sure to stream Outer Banks season 2 now on Netflix!