Outer Banks season 4 part 1 parents guide: How violent is the action?

Welcome back, Pogues! If you have missed Outer Banks since the previous season released in February 2023, then you will be rushing to binge-watch all five episodes of season 4 part 1 when they hit Netflix on Oct. 10. This season, John B and his friends find themselves back in the "G game" after a bit of financial trouble lands them in dire need of some money.

Thus begins their next wild adventure on the hunt for Blackbeard's treasure. As usual, the Pogues will brush up against danger and formidable opponents every step of the way. But does the action-packed new season get more violent than usual? We're sharing a close but spoiler-free look into what to anticipate from the action, language, violence, and more!

Outer Banks is rated TV-MA for language and violence

According to the show's official page on Netflix, Outer Banks has earned a maturity rating of TV-MA, which denotes that the series isn't appropriate for younger audiences. Most often, the series has language and violence listed as reasons for the "for mature audiences" warning.

For a closer look at what to expect from Outer Banks season 4 part 1, we're sharing a spoiler-free parents guide to the major maturity rating categories. Check out any content and potential trigger warnings in the list featured below and stay prepared before tuning in.

Sex and nudity

Outer Banks season 4 part 1 doesn't feature any sex scenes, though it's implied that some couples will be hooking up in certain scenes. There's nothing shown beyond kissing. As for nudity, there's no explicit or graphic nudity. Throughout the season, there are shirtless male characters and female characters wearing revealing bathing suits. In one scene, there's a brief instance of female rear nudity, though she's wearing a bikini.

Language and violence

Nothing much has changed with the language in the series. It's still a bit heightened with profanities used here and there, though nothing excessive or egregious. Still, watch out for little ears. As for the violence in the first half of the season, it's a bit less than in previous seasons, but violence is still prevalent in episodes 1 through 5 of season 4.

During a motocross race, there's a crash with no injuries, though it could still get your adrenaline pumping. Oddly enough, there are no physical fights in these episodes and no punches thrown, but there are physical struggles at various points of part 1. There are also instances of knife and gun violence and at least one character dying from a gunshot. If you're afraid of deep sea diving, watch out for episode 3!

Drugs and drinking

As always, the Pogues like to partake in a bit of underage drinking and enjoy having some beers at their house. There are quite a few scenes that feature drinking, though not all of them are underage (assuming Rafe has gotten closer to 21 years old). It's implied the characters smoke weed, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-it scene shows Sarah holding a joint between her fingers, though not smoking.

Content and trigger warnings

In episode 5, two characters climb down into an underground tunnel where they soon became trapped by a locked door, the only other exit being through a sealed crypt. If you're claustrophobic, this scene will likely make you feel something quite close to panicked. While searching through the tunnel, they are swarmed by rats. Viewers with a fear of rats, beware of squeaking and lots of rats running around on screen!

Watch Outer Banks only on Netflix.