Outer Banks season 4 part 1 ending, explained

The Outer Banks season 4 part 1 ending is definitely a big cliffhanger! Well, there are a few big cliffhangers actually in Outer Banks season 4 episode 5, "Albatross."

For most of the season, the Pogues were just interested in paying off their property taxes. After JJ gambled away the last of the money from the El Dorado gold, the Pogues were in a rough spot, and Wes Genrette (David Jensen), who we met at the end of Outer Banks season 3, threw the Pogues a lifeline.

In exchange for finding the amulet that belonged to Elizabeth Teach, the wife of Blackbeard, in Blackbeard's wrecked ship, Wes would give the Pogues $50K, more than enough to cover the cost of the taxes and get the business back up and running.

The plan was going so well until it hit a snag! Another group, a violent one, was also looking for the amulet, which holds clues to the main prize: The Blue Crown, an artifact believed to have great power.

Of course, the Pogues get wrapped up in the treasure hunt, even if it's already been deadly so far. RIP, Captain Terrance.

Let's talk about the Outer Banks season 4 part 1 ending!

Sarah and Pope are still trapped in the crypt in Half Moon Battery

With little help, Pope (Jonathan Daviss) and the Pogues find the place in Charleston where Blackbeard hid something important. The clue on the back of the amulet points them in the direction of a cemetery or crypt "where living and dead collide."

John B (Chase Stokes) keeps watch outside while Cleo (Carlacia Grant) keeps watch inside a church. Never split up! Pope and Sarah (Madelyn Cline) explore under the church and find the crypt, but they accidentally lock themselves in it after they are chased by a bunch of rats. Kie (Madison Bailey) hangs back in the Outer Banks to find JJ (Rudy Pankow).

Meanwhile, Lightner (Rigo Sanchez) and the Captain make their way down to the crypt, too. Pope and Sarah have to hide while Lightner and the Captain find a scroll in the coffin of one of Blackbeard's closest allies. It's been there all this time, and I'm guessing it's a map.

Anyway, Pope and Sarah try to follow Lightner and the Captain up the ladder and out through a tomb, but the bad people lock it. John B and Cleo get into an altercation with Lightner, but eventually, they get away.

Then, it starts raining, and the crypt fills up with rainwater. Pope and Sarah notice barnacles on the ceiling, which suggests that the crypt regularly fills with water. They have to get out before they drown!

And, that's the last we see of Sarah and Pope in Outer Banks season 4. They are trapped in a crypt with two locked doors. Luckily, Cleo and John B are right outside. Will they be able to get them out, though? We'll find out soon!

JJ's real parents are Larissa Genrette and Chandler Groff

Most importantly, we're here to talk about JJ Maybank and the massive cliffhanger from the last few minutes of episode 5.

After receiving a mysterious letter from Wes Genrette from Demp, JJ tracks down his father, Luke (Gary Weeks), who is in the Outer Banks, not South America. He was crashing with Barracuda Mike. It's a long story that doesn't really matter.

What matters is that Sheriff Shoupe (Callum Moss) shows up at Barracuda Mike's house. JJ and Luke get away in JJ's boat, and they go to the big lighthouse. When they have a few minutes, Luke finally reveals to JJ that he's not his real dad. Then, he reveals that JJ's mom is not actually his biological mother.

Instead, Larissa Genrette and Chandler Groff (J. Anthony Crane) are JJ's real parents.

It's a huge shock, honestly! Does it totally make sense? Not quite yet, but for some reason, Larissa wanted to get rid of the baby to keep the baby safe. She gave JJ to Luke, who then abused him for years. Like I said, I don't know how it all lines up, but it's not a great look for Luke by any means.

It also suggests that Larissa, who Luke said was a good woman, wanted to keep JJ safe from Chandler. There's something very bad going on in the Outer Banks, and I don't like it.

Other notes:

• Sarah and John B are as happy as ever. They're going to be moving in together and buying a house when this all ends.
• Rafe has made a huge mistake investing in Hollis Robinson's deal to buy and develop land on Goat Island. I have high hopes for Rafe's redemption story, and I think Sofia is the one to lead him there.
• Topper still sucks so bad.
• Sheriff Shoupe definitely thinks the Pogues killed the mystery man who washed up on the beach and Wes Genrette, so we'll be waiting for that shoe to drop in Outer Banks season 4 part 2!

Outer Banks season 4 part 2 premieres on Nov. 7 only on Netflix! There will be another five episodes in the second half of the season.

Stay tuned for more information about Outer Banks season 4 part 2!