Episode Recap
Outer Banks Episode 8 Season 2 begins with Sarah coming to see the Pogues. Specifically, he talks to the Pope and confirms that he has found the Island Room.
As the group packs up and prepares to leave, Papa continues to read the diary. This confirms that the cross is the most sacred relic in all of Christendom, called the “Clothing of the Savior”. This garment is believed to be able to heal people – which explains why Limbrei wanted it. He’s obviously dying and he assumes it might cure him.
Sara brings the kids to Ward’s office, showing off this Island Room. Interestingly, the drawings in Denmark’s diary match those in the room. So how does the main play into this?
Well, Wheezie shows up and confirms that Limbrey was there the night before. He was listening in from the other room and heard everyone talking about the angel peeling back the wallpaper. Now this could be the location of the treasure. JJ is the one who picks up on the clues though.
It turned out that there is a big tree in the place called Goat Island. It’s called Angel Oak, and the keyhole in the painting shows the exact place where all our puzzle pieces come together.
The group leaves, but they are too late; Limbrey and the gang are now at Angel Oak. Limbrey and the others find a coffin, but there isn’t much inside. The only thing of note happens with the skeletal remains of Denmark.
Without further ado, the gang decides to pack up and head back to the island.
By doing this, it leaves the kids free reign to look around and try to hide possible clues.
JJ opens a hole in the tree and inside it is a twisted spyglass. Another clue leads them to Freedman’s altar. Realizing this has something to do with the church, the gang pack up and move on to the next clue.
Arrogance gets the better of the teenagers as the group heads straight into the swamp. They misjudge depth and find themselves stuck. Forced to walk, Kiara runs to her parents, steals their car and drives off. However, the couple face another challenge in the form of JJ’s Father.
JJ reluctantly agrees to help her, offering a lift to the marina at the Island Club. There is a boat there that he can take. If JJ does this, he can wipe his Dad’s hands off – but it’s also a dangerous situation considering the flood is coming and the van could be submerged by then.
JJ and Kie head down to the harbor where the pair say goodbye to JJ’s Father. He also sadly hands over some cash and prepares to leave.
Right before Luke, he tells JJ that he has a good heart and hugs his son lovingly. It’s actually a surprisingly touching moment, at least for a second, because Luke acts like a real Dad. It’s not enough to forgive him for all his misdeeds, but as the boat leaves port, JJ drops the pill bottles.
Not wanting to just sit around and do nothing, Papa and the boys decide to find something to help lift them up. Well, John B gets bitten by a crocodile in the ensuing shootout and starts bleeding. While the guys try to deal with it, Rafe figures out where the gang is.
The Pope looks through the spyglass and sees that part of the church is actually empty. Using the wheel, the Pope manages to punch a hole in the tree to find the cross hidden in the wood. Unfortunately, they are not alone, as someone with a crossbow is waiting in the shadows.
Despite finding a cross, the Pope is repeatedly stung by mischievous bees from a high nest and falls to the ground. The golden cross also loosens and begins to fall.
Episode Review
The Outer Banks returns with a solid episode, finally returning to the treasure hunt and feel-good adventures that made the first season so endearing.
In a way, this second season has been a tale of two parts, the first doubling down on high-octane action and adrenaline-soaked set-pieces, and the second returning to familiar territory from season one.
The result is a show that, thankfully, doesn’t lose sight of what makes it so enjoyable, leaning toward counterintuitive moments, providing a solid mystery and some good clues to follow.
The conclusion of this episode definitely serves up a pretty big cliffhanger that leaves things on a dangerous knife edge for the next chapter.