Outer Banks season 2 recap: Most important things to remember before season 3

Outer Banks season 3 is here! The new season premiered on Netflix on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. We know a lot of Outer Banks fans need a refresher on what happened in Outer Banks season 2.

It’s been a long time since Outer Banks season 2 premiered on Netflix. That was all the way back in July 2021. That wait is officially over, so let’s take a look at all the important things that happened in Outer Banks season 2 that you need to remember before watching season 3.

Outer Banks season 2 summary

Outer Banks season 2 begins with the remaining Pogues (JJ, Kie, and Pope) mourning John B and Sarah, who have been presumed dead after their boat capsized during the boat chase in the tropical storm at the end of season 1. We know that Sarah and John B were picked up by a ship, and the couple is heading for the Bahamas when season 1 ends.

After arriving, the ship’s captain, Terrance, knows John B is a wanted man. He plans to turn him over to the police on arrival, but John B and Sarah escape, steal a phone, and let Pope, JJ, and Kie know that they are still alive.

John B and Sarah, then, plot to steal the gold from the Royal Merchant that Ward had shipped down to his house in Nassau. Back in the Outer Banks, John B is still the alleged killer of Sheriff Peterkin. For him to return home, Pope, JJ, and Kie must clear his name, which means proving that Rafe killed Peterkin. After their plot to get Ward or the plane’s pilot, Gavin, to confess, Ward kills Gavin, and the Pogues recover the murder weapon and turn it in for Sheriff Shoupe, who refuses to act just yet.

That’s the first big mission accomplished of the season.

1. Sarah almost dies stealing Ward’s gold

John B and Sarah, with the help of Terrance and Cleo and others, steal Ward’s gold, but Rafe shoots Sarah in the process. Sarah basically dies and then is brought back to life by an amateur surgeon and John B. Unfortunately, they lose the gold in the process, but Sarah survives. John B and Sarah leave Nassau in a stolen boat and make it back to Charleston.

2. The Pogues reunite in Charleston

In one of the most epic reunions in TV history, the Pogues reunite in Charleston while Pope is on the run from Carla Limbrey and her henchman, who believe Pope and his family have a special key that will lead Limbrey to a healing shroud that will save her life. The Pogues escape and make it back to the Outer Banks where they are almost immediately spotted and John B is arrested.

3. John B gets released from jail 

That gun that the Pogues recovered after Ward killed Gavin is what gets John B out of jail. It’s great timing, too, because he was almost murdered by another inmate paid off by Ward. The gun recovered by the Pogues is licensed to Ward and is a match for the weapon that killed Peterkin, so John B is released from prison, which leads to a wild sequence of events

4. Ward fakes his death

Ward, knowing what’s coming, tries to get Rafe out of town before he is arrested for killing the sheriff, but Barry flips on Rafe and turns him in. Running out of options, Ward makes a video confessing to Peterkin’s murder, along with other various crimes, and then blows up My Druthers, seemingly taking his own life. But, we all knew Ward wasn’t going down that way!

5. John B and Sarah break up 

Pogue Prince and Princess break up following Ward’s death. Topper comforted Sarah after Ward died, while John B watched it all go down. Can you blame him? Ward killed his dad and just tried to kill him.

Don’t worry, though, fellow Pogues! John B and Sarah quickly get back together during the hunt for the Cross of Santo Domingo.

6. The Pogues find the Cross of Santo Domingo 

Using their treasure-hunting skills, the Pogues find the cross of Santo Domingo in an old church where Denmark Tanny left it. Unfortunately, Pope gets stung by a bunch of wasps and nearly dies. They leave the cross to get help, while Rafe and Limbrey’s henchman steal the cross.

7. The Camerons kidnap Sarah 

In the ensuing chaos, Rafe becomes the sole owner of the cross, and Ward, who faked his death, has arranged passage across the sea to their new home in the Caribbean via the Coastal Venture, a ship parked nearby. Rose and Rafe kidnap Sarah and take her and the cross to the Coastal Venture.

8. The Pogues try to save Sarah and get the cross

The Pogues go on a dangerous rescue mission to save Sarah and steal the cross back, but their plan is not a good one. Luckily, they meet an old friend on the Coastal Venture (Cleo), and they’re able to save Sarah. Cheese on bread!

Things don’t go super well. After fighting it out with the Camerons and their hired guns, the Pogues escape the Coastal Venture, almost die while doing so, and lose the cross in the process. Things aren’t all bad, though!

Outer Banks season 2 ending

At the end of Outer Banks season 2, John B, Sarah, Kie, Pope, JJ, and Cleo are stranded on a small island somewhere in the Caribbean. For most people, these circumstances would not be ideal. For Kooks, they’d be deadly. These are Pogues we’re talking about, and as we know, you can’t kill a Pogue! The Pogues are making the most of the situation and loving this time spent together.

We assume that the Camerons recovered the cross and likely made it to their destination. The big plot twist and reveal of the season is at the very end of season 2. In Barbados, Big John, John B’s father, is still alive, and he’s working with Limbrey! We don’t know what they’re up to, and we don’t know why, but this reveal will likely have big implications for season 3.

How long will they be stranded on the island? How will they get off the island? We’ll find out in Outer Banks season 3.