#even jarah has made me !!!

[alphinias]

I have to go to work so won’t finish until tonight but this season is SO GOOD so far (as of the first three episodes). It feels so much slower paced and I’m eating it up.

[paceypeternathanslawyer]

The buzz that John B and Sarah give me is insane!!! The way that the show all but confirms that they had feelings for each other before the show began. Like these two have been longingly staring at each other in a crowd for years!! And yet they couldn't act upon for their feelings because of the social status differences. She's a girl from a rich and respected family in town and he is a boy who lives on the wrong side of the tracks. Someone who is looked down upon because he's poor/practically homeless and also viewed as a troublemaker. There's also the whole layer of the "pogues vs kooks" which is the terms for the rich people in town vs the poor people... Or in the words of John B "the people who have everything vs the people who have nothing". And this isn't just a minor pretentious looking down of each other. The pogues and the kooks hate each other and constantly get in verbal and physical fights and this hatred is deeply rooted. Like I was surprised to hear older people and parents calling each other pogues or kooks. These are terms that are deeply ingrained in this town's history and culture. It's all very Romeo and Juliet-esque. John B and Sarah had an uphill battle when getting together with each other. Everyone was against them. Her boyfriend Topper was unsurprisingly intimidated by John B's presence. I'm sure he sensed their deep connection and attraction. Plus Topper is about as prejudice as kooks come so he was against John B from the jump for largely that reason. Her father has a vendetta against John B's family that becomes apparent as the show goes on but early on Sarah's father views John B as a thief because he borrowed scuba gear that he did return but Topper reported him and made it sound like he was a horrible thief. Even John B's friends are against their relationship at first. One of my favorite lines though is early when John B is trying to cover up his feelings for Sarah and he says "Do I look like the type to fall for Sarah Cameron?" and Pope says "Do you want us to answer that?" It's so clear to everyone that they have a thing for each other. Like there's a flashback scene where John B is next to his friends and they are talking and John B and Sarah are just staring at each other from across the way. So that line from Pope is further proof that John B and Sarah have held a torch for each for quite some time and everyone fuckin knows it lmao

S1 Jarah is very Romeo and Juliet-esque without the suicide aspect. S2 gets into the realm of Bonnie and Clyde. S3 is very Naley (From One Tree Hill) but like S2/angsty Naley. S4 Jarah is very much like late S4 Naley. They're in their sweet, domesticated, pregnant phase and I fuckin love it 💗🧡💗🧡

[hardlypartying]

S4E6 spoilers (in pretty much chronological order)

Okay right off the bat— I’m not loving this rando potentially being JJs real dad. If they wanted to do this storyline I feel like it would’ve been way more fucked up if it were Luke manipulating him/maybe telling the truth about him being a kook. And to make it hurt more he could’ve played into JJs obvious guilt and made him an accomplice in this by telling him about an “inheritance”. We see how loyal JJ is to any family he forges so it would’ve been a cool thing to see how far he’s willing to go. Just don’t understand why they brought Ward 2.0 to maybe be his real dad, it’s way too convoluted. Maybe it’ll make sense later (doubt it).

Sarah walking John B through her theory so he can reach the same conclusion as her… I love them sm <3 This was very early Jarah of them, the mysteries and uncovering it :))

Happy that JJ is finally opening up to Kie! Progress!! Hate how he’s not sharing it with the rest of the group and now looks like he’s been slacking 😭 they need to give him a break, he’s been going through ittt

🔊🔊🔊

Kiara saying Rafe’s name was a jumpscare—I really did not expect that! She never acknowledges him lmao I was so shocked that scene actually exists for her haha, part of me thought she’d just ignore that whole thing but let’s fucking goooooooooo.

So funny to me that for someone who pulled out the knife and was all >:( at him… she’s still relaying the message hehehehe. Is that a little crack I see in her hmmm 🤨 she’s soft launching a potential alliance hmmm 🤔

“Rafe Cameron, CEO” PLEASEEE HES SO PRECIOUS. BUSINESS CARD AND EVERYTHING HES TRYING SO HARD TO BE A SERIOUS GUY LIKE YOUR LINKEDIN IS ENOUGH KING

Sofia side plot with Hollis 😎 love to see it!! Idec if they’re scamming, let them!

RAFE WITH SARAH 😭 MY HEART. He’s so broken he has no idea how to apologize to her. This is such a mess. His love language is so acts of service, he’s trying to bury his guilt by bringing Sarah into this deal as a show of his trust. Maybe that’s mutually exclusive to him, trust being an act of apology. But Sarah is so scared of being there, the part where she flinches when he hits the desk :(( she really just wants an apology. Rafe’s coming at it from a Ward angle and she just wants her brother.

Stop the music. The gold cross was gold plated?! I’m pretty sure they said it was solid gold in s2. PLEASE WHY ARE THEY ALL SO FUCKING BROKE AFTER ALL THE SHIT THEY DID. Rose was the real mvp in all this wow.

Love to see the Pogues getting together and spreading the word abt this bullshit zoning. Super important to mobilize their community for this, and it’ll get them the pay off they want— more voices and support = less the “officials” can do whatever the fuck they want shrouded behind laws that protect them. Love how Kie and Pope’s parents sat with them; but at the same time it breaks my heart to see this— how distant they are from them. At least there’s some effort being put now.

Anyway that riot was necessary. Also JJ is so goneeee, the way the camera keeps lingering on him and his relationship with everyone is shown 😬 It’s giving season 3 of the OC when that happened. But maybe it’s a misdirect 🤞 everyone helping JJ get away was so :’) <3 Anyway Rudy’s acting was amazing here! He’s such a full body actor, always using up the space he’s in— super compelling to watch!

Pls he’s in goblin mode and it’s sending me. Talking to himself. Tearing shit up. Welcome back JJ Maybank but also, it’s so heartbreaking to see him deal with this identity crisis that he might be a full kook when being a pogue is all he’s ever had. Idk I think he needs to pick up meditation or smth his mind is a wicked place for him to be in 24/7. He’s so hard on himself. Doesn’t help that he’s villainized by everyone and if they’re not making him the bad guy, they’re pitying him.

If he actually dies this season I’m gonna be pissed actually. Like this is no way to go 😭 I’m gonna be even more pissed off at Rudy for not being able to handle a fan-serviced ship to do this to JJ. If he’s alive and well by the end of the season I’m gonna be annoyed that I spent so much time stressing out.

Come on, the utinsels in the microwave?? He’s a pogue through and through 🫡

Pope taking the bullet (so to speak) for JJ 😭 brooooo it’s literally them in season one with JJ taking the fall for Pope after sinking Topper’s boat. I’m sick. This is sick.

Rafe is so smart but he’s gotten so bad at trusting his instincts now— I think he’s too nervous about trusting any part of himself that gets a little too crazy after his s1&2 arc. Maybe he’s taken up meditation.

“If you’re screwing me, I’ll come after you” 😎 tell himmmm 🗣️ the best part is that this guy has no idea how fr Rafe is. He’s such a vengeful person, no way he’s gonna screw him over and get away with it. Ugh love this bc it’s really setting up the Pogues + Rafe arc I know is coming. Foaming at the mouth for it. They need someone like him in their group to be the #realist and play bad cop bc they’re all WAYYY too loosey goosey. The pogues have a pocket full of dreams while Rafe’s got a pocket full of cash.

Also where tf is Barry?! Is he not a part of this season at all? I swear to god I feel his absence so bad it’s giving me war flashbacks to watching succession and lighting a weekly candle to see stewy on my screen :’( maybe it’s just the silver spoons story in me and I want to see more of them being crafty little cockroaches

Rafe waving at JJ is so…. More of that pls. I want him to be a little cocky and a dickhead to the Pogues 😋

TLDR; This got away from me and became more of a JJ review than a riara review, sorry! I hope this crumb of riara wasn’t what everyone was going crazy for!! If it is, I’m going to keep thinking about how she’s lowkey encouraging Sarah to reunite with Rafe (kinda just for money) but still, a win is a win. She wouldn’t send Sarah to see Rafe if she didn’t think he was a safe person to be around. That says more to me than the little knife scene earlier hehe. She acts like she’s terrified but then tells her best friend btw your brother came around, yeah the one we all hate and I pulled a knife on him you should go see him to check if he can help us out. Careful Kie :) you’re getting soft for Rafe

Either way I’m livingggg bc she acknowledged him 🥰 without as much venom as she usually has 🥰 #progress

I’m gonna watch the next two episodes tomorrow! It’s going slow because I’m watching it with someone and have to wait for them 👹👹👺

[kierreras]

KIARA AS CANCER IS A YES FOR ME, YOU'RE SO RIGHT What do you think of other pogues zodiac signs? I have my vision here too but I want to hear yours And I love meeting people who are into astrology, they have special energy

oh, i am so sorry in advance cause i’m a bitch for astrology and i will not shut up about it if you ask me. so, yeah, i have a huge zodiac obsession and i have made natal charts for all my friends, so yeah i’m pretty fluid in zodiac lol we’re talking about their sun signs here, right? let’s assume so. 

okay, so john b is leo. actually, it also fits in the show’s timeline cause we know that he had a birthday somewhat between season one and two, so it’s pretty accurate to assume that john b is leo (july 23 - august 22). leos are leaders by nature, they are loyal and fierce. they have big heart, but also they are kind of self-centered and that’s exactly what i see in john b. i’m not calling him selfish, i’m just saying that he can prioritise his own problems and his own vision. so yeah, that’s what helped me identify him as a leo. leo is a fire sign, let’s keep that in mind also. sarah is a gemini. geminis are curious, enthusiastic, and friendly. they bring excitement, animated conversation, and fun-loving, lively energy to the table. sarah as a gemini is an easy-going, life of a party type of person. however, as gemini sarah always needs a companion, she can’t be left alone and she’s kind of co-dependent. show portrays it pretty well with her, you must agree. gemini is an air sign. jj is an aries in my mind. I’m not biased [i’m an aries too], but i see so much of aries in him. the trait that identifies him as aries the most is of course his impulsiveness. aries men are very impulsive and they can be obstinate too. jj as an aries is very independent and spontaneous to an extent. aries are all giving, warm and generous people. they love making others smile by joking around and they are pretty much the life of a party whenever they arrive. aries is a fire sign as well. kiara is a cancer. cancer women are all about emotions and feelings which definitely identifies kiara. she is oftenly ruled by deep feelings and intuitions, dependent on emotions and seeking for those emotions. she has a lot of feelings and she’s ruled by those feelings. season three has convinced me even more that kie is really a cancer, you know. emotions usually cloud cancer’s judgment and they can do some stupid things [like scream murderer], also they are sensitive and can hold a grudge for a really long time. cancer is a water sign. 

i see pope as strong capricorn. capricorns are practical, determined, diligent, focused. pope as capricorn is determined and has a big picture, long-term goals. capricorns enjoy making things work harder, better, bigger. they like to deliver over and above expectations. also, capricorns often hold grudges on people and can’t easily forgive an forget, so it’s also something that pope has in him. capricorn is an earth sign. cleo in my mind is libra. libras are diplomatic, hate rush and oftenly weight their decisions. cleo as a libra thinks, analyses. with pogues she usually takes an objective viewpoint, find the fairest solution to any issue. libras hate mess, chaos, disorder and conflict. and i think that’s what we can see in cleo as well, she never had a real family and she really relies on the found one. she’s the one who grounds pogues in their chaos. so for me she’s libra hundred percent. libra is an air sign. 

also, i want to talk about pogues compatibility as couples here too jarah // leo & gemini // fire & air leo and Gemini operate effortlessly as a duo on a day-to-day basis. the only major obstacle that this pair has to face is jealousy. leo can be incredibly independent, but they are also known to have bouts of possessiveness whereas gemini being a very easy-going person can provoke the jealousy from leos with an ease. john b being a fire sign and sarah being an air sign are very compatible by nature. jiara // aries & cancer // fire & water the aries/cancer love match is one of the most intense and endearing of the zodiac sign combos. aries is always protective of their cancer partner, while cancer provides aries with gentle affection. sounds familiar for jiara, don’t you think? this love match can definitely be hard to navigate at times, for both parties, but if they are willing to navigate together through the issues that arise, this bond has the potential to last a lifetime. 

cleope // capricorn & gemini // earth & air libra enjoys the extras of romance, whereas capricorn is more practical-minded. capricorn is drawn to libra's social artistry. libra brings simplicity to discussions, allowing the more reserved capricorn to open up freely. pope and cleo ground each other and they add to one things that the other doesn’t have. there were several moments in show where it was specifically shown how cleo as libra can ground pope and provide an ease for his mind. sorry, it’s so many words, but as i said in the beginning, i love astrology, so i’m unstoppable when someone asks me about it

[bookishtheaterlover7]

If you pay attention to the trash that is US weekly, even tho their articles are mostly fluff and recycled bs, even they know to word things strategically so they can avoid getting sued.

For every other guy on that list:

“Milo made sure to let US weekly know first” with exclusives of his wedding

“Jack gave us plenty of time to adjust to the news when Margaret flashed her engagement ring”

“Dylan has been open about his love for Barbara and the two announced their engagement earlier in the year.”

Chris: “we heard he tied the knot” - meaning they never got confirmation so they can’t really say yeah we confirm it. It’s all through a page six grapevine anonymous leak.

See the difference? I know trash articles are trash articles but wording is key.

Lastly: Milo and Jarah also never confirmed their relationship but they gave US weekly their exclusive wedding photos and news. Jarah doesn’t have any posts of her and Milo up on her socials either. They don’t really have any other public sightings but they straight up took photos by the beach together and confirmed it that way. That’s true privacy, IMO.

Then TMZ: https://www.tmz.com/2023/10/30/this-is-us-milo-ventimiglia-wearing-wedding-ring-married-model-jarah-mariano/

TMZ made sure to include a line where Milo’s rep confirmed with TMZ, therefore TMZ can confirm the marriage on their post.

Simple as that.

There is a reason why all the tabloids trashy or not have to meander around how they report on this whole CE wedding thing. They know something the public doesn’t and even if they keep writing fluff articles it’s intentional why they’re being excluded from a larger list.

No other additional thoughts... It's basically like the wedding articles all over again...

And I'm actually laughing. Because this reminded me that none of the articles can agree on the location of the "wedding" 🤭🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

"Cape Cod" or "his Massachusetts home" 🤔🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Even then, the narrative was pathetic and weak...👀☕

[rudystree]

Ok, I've always liked the idea of Jiara but I wasn't too sure if I wanted it to happen because I didn't really trust the writers (seeing how they've handled other ships) hooowever after the trailer and specially the interviews and how Maddie, Rudy and the Pates have talked about their storyline I think it might actually be really good? Like I'm waaay more excited about it than I expected and can't wait to see how it plays out

And I am so happy we are apparently going to get some insight into their mental health and their feelings and is not just going to be one explosion after another

S A M E ‼️

Let me use this ask to scream about Jiara because I’ve been having feelings 🫣

If you’ve followed me for a while you’ll know that I was never a fan of this pairing. I liked JJ with both Kiara and Pope platonically but not much more than that. I didn’t like that Kiara had to be the love interest of all three boys or that moving on to JJ would create tension with him and Pope. I just didn’t see the point — besides, JJ’s individual arc was so much more interesting than any love story / drama to me. Why make it all messy?

HOWEVER— after season 2, I started to see the vision. I saw the light. The slow burn, the long-arc, the endgame. And now the lead up to season 3 has completely sold me. They’re actually gonna do it well. It’s giving “third times the charm”, it’s giving “all these failed flirts with the other boys was to make her see that what she needed was right in front of her all along”. Unlike John B and Pope, JJ never made a move or expressed his feelings, not because he didn’t want to but… BECAUSE HE DIDN’T FEEL WORTHY 😭😭😭

He wanted Kie to be loved and happy, he just never thought he was capable of giving this to her. Or deserving it himself. And oh my god, how this shatters my heart. But it’s there, his dream. The surf trip. And she’s down, because she wants him, and the freedom that he embodies. JJ is so traumatised and self-destructive but she was always fighting to pull him out of it. Taking away his alcohol, comforting him, punching Luke in the face; she’s literally and figuratively saving him from drowning.

In season 3 JJ is gonna LEARN THAT HE DESERVES TO BE LOVED AND CARED FOR okay 😭

I love that they explored Kie’s relationship with both JB and Pope to show that both of them didn’t work out for good. And if Jarah and Cleope are happening, Jiara have the perfect opportunity to get closer too. I also love the idea of them starting off stranded on Poguelandia, because FOR THE FIRST TIME they’re all on equal terms! JJ doesn’t have to look at Kiara as the Kook living in a nice house with a stable family and pretty clothes. They’re equal in this little bubble and he can even teach her things, like fishing. And it will be SO interesting to watch them get back to the OBX and work through their differences. Finally their complex individual characters will get the attention they deserve. Not to mention the CHEMISTRY 💥

THEY’RE GONNA BE SO EXCELLENT

[blues-valentine]

what type of angst do you think they will use on jiara for season 4? the writers are incapable of letting their couples be for more than one season. I fear they'll end up being like a jarah 2.0 with a break up and a third person causing trouble every season

Jiara is actually the couple that I'd expect to get a lot of internal issues from especially with JJ’s upbringing so the time jump bothered me because I think a lot of ground work could have been done with just JJ navigating what it means to be in a romantic relationship because as Rudy said in one of the interviews, JJ doesn’t know what it means to be a boyfriend since he is never been taught the way to do it. Plus, this is also Kiara’s first ever relationship.

Regardless, I think there’s still a lot of ground issues that could affect Jiara’s relationship internally while also working towards that character development. Their parents being a big one. A huge source of angst could be Luke being back knowing JJ has money now and demanding part of that income. We know Luke, once physical abuse stopped working he started being extremely emotionally abusive so if he doesn’t get what he wants he will dig into JJ’s insecurities and this might result in him second guessing his relationship with Kiara and wondering if he is enough for her future. JJ’s mom is something that they haven’t go deeper into. If she did abandoned him, then it makes sense that fear will manifest in the form of Kie.

Another plot with JJ is Barracuda Mike and if all those debts will have an impact on JJ’s plot for season 4. It seems like it. If he does end up being too caught up on all the ‘favors’ he has been accumulating then it can led to JJ’s fears and wondering if he is eventually going to end up like his father. It will be painful to see but this is something he needs to fully overcome.

Let’s continue with Kiara's parents. That time jump made it seem like they are somehow on speaking terms but I would hope her relationship with her parents isn’t as nice as it meets the eye, what they did to her was truly mess up and I would expect them to be in their best behavior to earn that forgiveness. I would want Kie to struggle with her parents. Now that she seems financially okay, will her parents be still trying to control her future? I also want her to wonder what to do for her future. She’s 19 post time jump so enough to start wondering if she’ll want to do something outside of OBX.

If Jiara is truly broken up post time jump, which I don’t think so. It’s enough to guess the reasons might be from the ones mentioned above and this could also provide enough angsty material. They’ve broken up and still love each other but are in that period where they’ll need to overcome some personal issues. I live for reunions so I wouldn’t be too mad.

Point is, there’s enough of material for jiara angst without having to involve a third person. For Jarah, Topper made sense on season 1. The next season was pushing it but it made sense. Now on season 3? It was unnecessary and boring. I hope the writers realize that they don’t need a third person for Jiara conflict. Although, jealous JJ for one episode because of a person he knows doesn’t even presume a real threat for him but he can’t help throw eyes across the room would be great for my shipping heart.

[kiekiecarrera]

Can you comment on all the 3 main ships storylines/arcs in season 3 if you haven’t already? What’s your ranking? What would you have changed? What do you want to see in the end for each of them?

Jiara - fav ship hands down. They were already my fav to begin with, and this season just further established that. I love how they developed their storyline, it was so well done and straight out of a fanfic. If I had to change anything, I would've made them a little more playful, bc my fav aspect of jiara has always been that they're little shits/besties first, and I love the playful dynamic we saw in bits of 3x01 and 3x03 and 3x05, and def would've loved to see them being a lil bit more couply in 3x10. I want more of them next season. Ultimately I want them to stay together and please just whatever drama they throw at them, I need there to not be a third party involved.

Cleope - I loved them, which was a shock to me bc i was very much rooting for the wlwmlm solidarity for them. I still maintain cleo gives big wlw energy so it's not too late to make her bi or pan, but cleope were super cute tbh. They weren't exactly what I expected, and I thought they would get together faster tbh, but I love their scenes and the sides they brought out in eachother. One thing I didn't like was Cleo not having a storyline outside of Pope. For next season, I want her to have her own thing going and I want more of Cleo with all the Pogues and not just Pope.

Jarah - I'm so tired of their seasonal divorce, but it was not unexpected unfortunately. My biggest problem with them is there are so many more logical problems to throw their way than Topper, but that's the hill the writers are dying on it seems. Like honestly, Sarah doesn't even like Topper most of the time, so it feels a little self-loathing of her to go back to him every season for the stupidest of reasons. Unforch I see more of the same for them in the future, unless the Chateau burning sticks in Sarah's mind and she actually stops turning to Topper for comfort every time she and JB have a fight.

[lovelessapathy]

Dhaka Without Dhrubo

Wokeup feeling blank, without any desire to dress myself up for the day. Looked at the clock and I'm already late for the metro. So I donne yesterdays garb, open snapchat to be pleasantly surprised with my lover's image. With a smile on my lips I apply lipstick, gobble up a dim bhaji, grab a taxi, and call him.

Day 1 without Dhrubo started with videocalls amidst the busy, noisy streets of Dhaka. With my dopamine hit for the day, I go on determined more than ever to find a way to meet him halfway, which vaporized within an hour with me staring blankly at a tenured professor's profile. Called his madre to feel closer to him, melted hearing her sweet voice talking about his softness and how loved he is, leading to crossed boundaries and awkward silences.

I told my mum, I wouldn't be late home no more because my lover is gone, for whom would i be late? I'll be a good little girl and be home by 6... But misery loves company...misery loves to run. So I hopped on a Rickshaw with Suru , made some wrong turns and poor financial decisions and ended up at Eve's. I was determined to dressup for myself. I had shocked myself with how much,everything i did..i do involved Dhrubo; how much he had taken up the space in my heart and mind (conscious and subconscious), surprised and scares me.

On my way home, behind the familiar barricades separating the taxi wala and I, my mind wanders to what would happen if he took a wrong turn or a hijacker appears or I am stranded, who would I call now? I had realized all over again, how even when we are not walking together, I rely on Dhrubo; how Dhrubo being in Dhaka gave me strength, how even if I have a thousand other people to call in danger, including my abba, I would rather SOS Dhrubo. So I realize all over again this goes beyond basic dependence.

If he was in Dhaka right now, I would call him and tell him that I'm goint to the salon, that I'm returning home in a CNG. He would do the same, the wireless signals would keep us connected through the polluted air of Dhaka.

If navigating Dhaka without Dhrubo is this difficult, how am I supposed to walk on earth for the rest of my life without him? If being in my own city without him is this difficult, how is it going to be like for him in stranger land? How will he fare? Will he walk around with a Jarah shaped hole inside of him? I'm missing him, but he is missing home. He has crossed over the comfort line, I'm still behind him. With the chaos of the new world devoid of comfort, will he seek me? I miss him even in comfort... I can't fathom how I would fare without him outside of it. But what about him? What am I to him? Solace or torture or background noise?

[ghostiewriter]

This is so specific but what kind of wedding rings do you think each of the couples/especially the girls would have?

(In my mind jiara doesn’t get legally married but might wear rings?)

Okay I’m probably the last person to ask cause I feel like I’m so shit at these kinda things but I’ll try and this will probably be very random but HEY HO😂

Jarah B: I can’t explain why they would have these rings but I just think they do. I was originally gonna pick something more traditional for Sarah before remembering that her whole character arc is that she doesn’t fit that traditional view the kook life would pressure her into. She’s a pogue at heart, that’s what attracted her to John B in the first place because he’s so different from the traditional guys she was with beforehand. And I think her ring really mixes those two lifestyles together, because she’s a mix of both. A bit of her kook life and that dream ring she would’ve wanted, and the more subtlety and humbling lifestyle of the pogue life. Also the wee diamonds along the band remind me of stars and that’s just their wee thing, and I totally imagine John B saying some cheesy line about how the diamond in the middle is the North Star because she’s the North Star of his life and because she’s his home or something! Plus John B’s kinda just matches, I don’t think he’s be quite fussy on his ring, but he puts a lot of detail into Sarah’s when he’s choosing it.

Cleope: LOOK I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE THINKING BUT HEAR ME OUT👀I’m still a very firm advocate of Cleo proposing to Pope first because I think it just fits their dynamic better. However, I still believe Pope would put a lot of effort into finding the perfect ring for her. And I know Cleo seems like a more lowkey kinda gal but let me just explain why I chose a more “out there” kinda ring. She clearly has a rough background, even if we don’t know much about it. But I imagine her opening up to Pope about it, saying how she’s always had hand-me-downs or whatever she could get, whether it be clothes or food or just a place to sleep at night. She’s used to just surviving life, but not actually enjoying it. That is why Pope picks this ring because his girl deserves something damn precious in her life that is just hers and only hers. She deserves to have something that other people look at and are envious. She deserves to have that something nice she always dreamed of as a child but never got. And when he says that in his speech after giving her it, when he tells her that he wants to spend the rest of his life giving her the world like she deserves, I truly do imagine her tearing up and kissing him before making some sort of comment that makes them both laugh but it just hits her how perfect this man is for her. And she adores her ring, cherishes it like nothing else in her life because it is her most prized possession!

Jiara: Tbh I really struggled with Jiara because I totally agree with you! Even if they don’t legally get married, I think JJ would still wanna give her a ring as a token of his love. Going in to the ring shopping, I think JJ would be pretty adamant to get her this massive diamond ring because let’s be real—this boy has never had much money in his life and thought he’d never be good enough for Kiara. And now that he has the money and the whole world at his disposal? He wants to give her everything and anything he can, he just wants to spoil her rotten. But then he’s scrolling through his phone and sees a post pop up and it hits him that even if he wants to spoil Kie, it’s not what she would want. That’s how he manages to get in contact with this lady from the mainland that designs and makes engagement rings which are ethical and eco-friendly, because he knows that is what Kiara would truly want. It’s a simple design but it means so much to Kie when she hears why he picked it. It reminds him of the sun, and in his life he didn’t have much light except when it came to her. She was the light at the end of the tunnel, the one to remind him that things would get better. He’s the one that made him feel worth something and just like the whole solar system would be useless and nothing without the sun, he too would be without Kiara. And it just means so much more to her that he made sure both of their rings were ethically purchased and made. And yes, I really went out of my way to find ethically made engagement rings so can we just applaud my dedication there for a moment because it took a while to find some nice ones. Also the second, slimmer band in the other photo would be another ring for Kiara, one she could wear when she wants to be more subtle or lowkey and it warms her heart that he gave her options.

[alphinias]

i think the reason why the pates were so ready to abandon their other ships its coz even they realized that apart from jarah they hadnt put much effort into them. popekie and jjcleo would've been doa coz they're too compatible it becomes boring. just look at jiara and how it organically enriches both of their characters which makes for a better ship the audience want to root for. it also forces them to think about the kook/pogue dynamic which they dont with jarah much.

No because the ones they picked are so much better even just from a writing standpoint, chemistry aside. You’re exactly right about the organically enriching; I don’t want to watch ships that are practically the same person? Kie and Pope not so much, but JJ and Cleo would’ve easily fallen into that.

Kie and JJ are so alike in the important ways of what they want. And I love the pattern of JJ worrying about their differences but Kie constantly seeing their similarities. “Your parents hate me.” “Well they feel the same about me.” They just provide so much of what the other needs? JJ is that adventure and free spirit that Kie has always wanted, and Kie is so capable of providing JJ with the emotional intimacy he’s always struggled with. She’s his safe haven. And you’re 100% right about the pogue kook dynamic. We got to explore how Kie is both and neither, which I’m not at all convinced would have happened with pokie. Pope is a “respectable” pogue that wouldn’t have fired up her parents the same way. So what it led to is a more complex and nuanced version of the pogue/kook dynamic in comparison to Jarah’s pretty black and white one.

And with Pope and Cleo I love the direction it took both their characters as well. Cleo helps Pope relax and I love the fact that it showed him that the plan he’s always had for things like his love life might not always be the best one. You have to see what’s in front of you sometimes. And with Cleo they got to lean into Pope providing the stability Cleo had never had. They both want that and it just wouldn’t have made sense with JJ.

I’m just so happy to see how much the writers learned from S1. They definitely didn’t realize how much work it takes to get an audience to like a ship when they started off, but now they all have storylines that feel respectable and real.

[paceypeternathanslawyer]

How many new TV shows did you start/watch this year? 6

Favorite TV show you’ve watched/discovered this year. Outer Banks

Least favorite TV show you’ve watched this year. Dr Odyssey. I really wanted to like it because it has Joshua Jackson but the dialogue is so stupid and most of the acting is atrocious with the exception of the core 3, but even they have a hard with the terrible dialogue.

Longest and shortest TV shows you’ve watched this year. Dr Odyssey is the shortest in terms of seasons and Scandal and The Mary Tyler Moore Show are tied for the longest.

Favorite ship you discovered this year. Why John B and Sarah of course 😍

Favorite platonic relationship you discovered this year. John B and JJ

A ship that broke up this year. None. Aside from Doctor Odyssey I haven't watched any ongoing shows.

A ship that finally got (back) together this year. None. Same reason as above

A ship you’d like to finally see get together next year. It's a total pipe dream but Steve and Nancy from Stranger Things

Favorite series finale that came out this year. None that I can think of

Most promising pilot that came out this year. None that I've seen

A TV show that came out this year you can’t wait to see more of. None that I've seen

A TV show that ended this year you’ll miss watching in the future. None that I've seen

A TV show you didn’t plan to watch this year but ended up watching (and loving) (or not). I never really anticipated watching Outer Banks and Scandal

A TV show that’s been on your “to watch later” list forever and you’ve finally watched this year. Happy Endings and The Mary Tyler Moore Show

A TV show you wanted to watch this year but didn’t get the chance to. So many. I have a big watchlist

A TV show you’re looking forward to watching next year. Stranger Things season 5

Favorite new character you met this year. John B Routledge, Brad Williams, and Sarah Cameron

A TV show that shouldn’t have been cancelled this year. None that I can think of

A TV show you’ve stopped watching this year. Dr Odyssey. I might start it up again but I'm not anticipating doing so.

Favorite song you heard in a TV show this year. I can't choose just one. "Where'd All The Time Go" by Dr Dog from Outer Banks, "Face Your Fears" from Crazy Ex Girlfriend, "The Sexy Getting Ready Song" from Crazy Ex Girlfriend, "Babe I Know" by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats from Outer Banks, "It's Never Enough" by Audiodub from Outer Banks, "Left With A Gun" by Skinshape from Outer Banks, "Never In My Wildest Dreams" by Dan Auerbach from Outer Banks, "When The Lights Are Low" by The Paragons from Outer Banks, "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" by Stevie Wonder from Scandal, "Respect Yourself" by The Staple Singers from Scandal

Favorite scene/quote from a TV show this year. So many from Outer Banks but the ones that immediately come to mind is the scene in 2x01 when John B and Sarah dance. Most of the memorable scenes are John B and Sarah scenes for me. Also all of John B and Sarah's scenes in "Spy Games". In Scandal, the scene where Stephen saves Olivia in season 4. Also the "Sit down and watch me choose you" scene with Fitz and Olivia. The first one when Fitz says it.

Favorite episode you’ve watched this year. "Spy Games" from Outer Banks it was giving me major "Castaways" vibes. Dawson's Creek fans know what I'm talking about but I dare say it's better than "Castaways"? I know that sounds blasphemous but it's just how I'm feeling right now. Please don't let my words turn you off from watching Outer Banks. It's so worth it for Jarah alone.

Any event/news/etc. about a TV show you love that made you happy this year? There hasn't been too much developments but any news about Stranger Things lowkey got me hyped

Shows you've rewatched this year. One Tree Hill, Gilmore Girls, The Office, Community, and Psych

Rec me a TV show I should watch next year! Outer Banks! Please watch it! Jacey and Naley fans should watch it for the sweet sweet beauty that is Jarah!

[bellylivesthepoguelife]

i need you. [part 2]

Note: I can’t say “THANK YOU” enough to @mbabystein​ for beta-ing this! I sent it when I was *thought* I was done, and she said, “hang on a sec.” After discussing, I added 1,000+ words to it, and it is SO much better than what I initially wrote! I can’t WAIT to hear what y’all think of this one! ;)

Also! I got this request a few days ago and it fit SO perfect that i HAD to use it for part2!

Request: Hey can I request "I just want you to hold me." with jarah b??!💗

Word Count: 2.8K

(Part 1)

It's an hour later when their tears stop, and a numb, tingling sensation creeps into their bones. They don't speak for the longest time, each unable to escape the funnel of thoughts ringing too loud in their heads. Sarah is the first to break the silence. Sitting up straighter from where she was slouched against John B's chest. She doesn't look at him as she speaks.

"How mad are you." It's not phrased like a question even though it is.

She feels him swallow and clear his throat. "I'm not mad, Sarah."

Her eyes almost roll, and she's thankful that they're not looking at each other. "What are you then?" Silence. "I know you're feeling something."

His head makes a soft thud as he rests it against the wall he's leaning against. She'd bet a good amount of money that his eyes are closed as well.

"So many things."

She tries to ignore the thumping of her heart, tries to even out the quickening of her breaths. "Please tell me." She whispers. "I need to know what you're thinking."

There's more silence as he forms his thoughts. "I'm scared." He confesses.

She wraps her arms around him, hoping she can make him feel some of the comfort he'd been providing her. "Me too."

"How are you feeling?" His hands run up and down her arms, his unconscious way of comforting her.

"I'm terrified." A kiss is pressed to her hair, and the tenderness of it catches her off guard. The tears come before she even realizes, and she sits up straight, wiping at her eyes. "And I want to stop crying!"

John B smooths her hair back a couple times. "It's okay, you can cry."

"I don't want to cry. I want to talk."

He pulls his knee up to rest his arm it so he can still play with Sarah's hair or rub her back. "So let's talk."

She's quiet for a long time, staring straight ahead. John B stays silent, allowing her the time to think and gather her thoughts but he's still the first to break the silence. "You know if you want to talk about things, you have to actually say the words you're thinking?" He smiles and plays with a piece of hair before tucking it behind her ear. "Don't shut me out, Val. Please. Let me into that pretty head of yours. Let me help you carry some of this." Sarah turns to look at the man sitting on the floor with her, the only thing he wants is to help her. "You can start from anywhere, and we'll work our way through it."

Nodding, she takes a breath and allows him into the hurricane of her thoughts "Okay, well obviously I'm going to get fat--bye-bye bikinis..." She rolls her eyes and John B has to focus on not letting a smile break out on his face; because of course that would be the first thing out of Sarah Cameron's mouth. "...and I'm going to get sick all the time, which is obviously no fun." John B echoes something that sounds like "definitely no fun" and the commentary makes her smile. "Then there's telling everyone, and--fuck--what is everyone going to think." She runs a hand through her hair. "Who even is everyone? I don't exactly have the best parental figures in the world. My dad and my brother are in prison. How am I going to be able to even look at Wheezie." John B nods. "We obviously have to tell JJ, Pope, and Kie, and they're just gonna give us even more shit for being irresponsible."

"I think they may surprise you."

"Really?" She deadpans. "You really think they're going to be excited about this and not give us any shit?"

He sits up straighter. "I don't know about any shit, especially knowing JJ, but he'll just give it to me. I think they'll be nicer than you think."

"They're gonna be weird about it I know it." John B doesn't comment, and she shakes her head to herself. "Can you get me a drink?"

"Of course." He knew better than to push. Especially given the current high-stress environment, he decides changing the topic might be a better route. "When did you find out?" He stands up to stretch before walking over to the mini fridge in the corner to grab a couple waters that he knew would be stashed inside.

She pulls her knees to her chest, and rests her chin on top. Her arms come to hold each other in the pyramid of space her legs make. "This morning."

"Before you called me?" He clarifies, walking back over and handing her a water before moving to sit on her bed.

She nods in agreement as she takes a sip of water, standing up and stretching before moving to sit next to him.

They sit side by side, against the wall that the dorm-standard twin bed was pushed up against, legs extended out, Sarah's head on his shoulder, while John B's arm rest across her thigh. Sarah rubbed his arm, giving him time to process.

"We should probably get you to a doctor," is the first thing to come out.

Her body tightens when she realizes what he might be insinuating. She tries to seem nonchalant, aloof, as she gauges him warily. "Why?"

"I mean, isn't that what you're supposed to do?"

"I guess..." The impulse to narrow her eyes at him is intense.

"Well, I'm assuming there's some medicine, or something that you have to take, right?" His eyebrows furrow together, and he looks at where his hand rubs circles into her thigh. "Or something to help you with getting sick all the time?"

Sarah looks up at him as he continues, but she's more comforted knowing that his only concern is her.

"There's tests you have to get too, right? Like--I don't know blood tests or something? I don't really know a lot about this." He looks down at the water bottle he's playing with in his right hand.

"Neither do I." She admits. Sarah Cameron knew how babies were made, obviously, and even had thought about having them with John B one day. One day that was years down the road, not when they were only 19. She didn't even know if John B even wanted kids. Sure, they had talked about it in passing but never with any serious intent. He and JJ were the free spirit, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, don't-make-plans-more-than-a-year-in-advance kind of people. She wasn't expecting him to be excited by the news by any means. Hell, she's not even thrilled with the idea right now. But he's still here, with her. She knows he loves her. Has to keep reminding herself so the fears of "he's going to be so pissed" and "he's going to leave you" stay far away. Having him here helps reinforce it.

His breath hitches, and breaks her train of thought. "I mean, they have to make sure you're okay, right?" His words are coming a bit quicker now. "That you're okay. That you and- and..."

She meets his eyes, and sees nothing but fear and concern there. Her hand rubs against his on her leg. "You can say it, John B, it's okay."

His eyes close, and he clears his throat. "That you... and the baby... are okay." He whispers. His breath jerks again just before she sees the first tear slide down his cheek.

"John B." She has to wonder if this is how he felt this morning, when he was still unaware of the situation. Only knowing that she was hurting. She straddles his legs, gently pulling his shoulders from the wall and into her embrace. "It's okay. We're going to be okay."

"I know." It comes out sharper than he probably intends, but he's quick to cover it up. "Sorry." He pulls back, running a hand over his face. "Anyway, what else did you want to talk about."

"I want to talk about you."

He gives a humorless laugh. "We're not talking about me, Sarah."

"You're a part of this situation, too." She gives him a look that dares him to defy her. "So, yes, we're talking about you."

"I'm not the one going through this."

He's deflecting and she knows it. "Maybe not, but you're involved just as much as I am. This is half of you, too."

"Dammit, Sarah!" His outburst startles both of them. She sits back on her heels, legs still on either side of him. "I'm trying to help you! Trying to--be strong for you because I know how scared you are. I don't care about how I feel--I don't want to talk about me because I'm the one that put you in this situation in the first place! So just--just let me take care of you! Please!"

As painful as it is to watch him break, she knows that this is what he needs. Sarah immediately pulls him into her, again. This time his hands wrap around her back, squeezing lighter than usual. She holds his head to her and plays with the hair at the nape of his neck, taking on the supportive role, and allowing him to be the one to break down for once. "I'm so sorry."

She pulls back enough to place a kiss to the side of his head. "It's not your fault. Vlad, we're going to be okay, I promise. It'll be okay." She's not sure if she's trying to convince herself or him, and she doesn't know who needs to hear it more.

It's as if the tears shed stimulate the need to make the fear known because he's pulling away to put his hand on either side of her face. "Sarah," there are still tears falling, and Sarah thinks there's no way she deserves the man sitting in front of her. "You're already getting sick. You're probably only going to get worse! And you're here, and I'm in the OBX, and I don't know the first thing about any of this! I don't know how to take care of a baby! I know they're expensive, so how the hell am I going to be able to support one when I've never even held one! And now there's one inside of you, and..." the thought seems to remind him of something else, because all of a sudden he's frantic. "And you're going to have to go through labor to get it out--oh god. Oh god--"

"John B." He's going to have a panic attack if she doesn't interrupt his spiraling thought process. "John B, look at me." His hands have moved to his head. She's pulling at them, hoping that looking at her while she speaks will ground him.

"You didn't ask for this, Sarah!" He pulls his hands away, and the anguish in his eyes brings tears to her own.

"You didn't either!" The short laugh that leaves her throat is unexpected even to her. "Babe, I love you, but you are completely freaking out. You make it sound like I just told you I only have 6 months to live."

He doesn't respond, and she feels a tug in her chest.

"What do you need, JB." Her voice is soft as she brushes a thumb under his eye. "What can I do to help you?"

There's a ragged breath, another couple moments of no one speaking. "Can you... I just want you to hold me. Please." Sarah's arms are locked around him in an instant, and the confession brings both of them to tears. Just like earlier, they allow themselves to feel the push and pull of the emotions that come in waves.

"This isn't a death sentence." She breaks the silence thinking maybe he needs the clarification. He said he doesn't know anything, but she hopes he at least knows this much. "I'm pregnant. Not dying." She kisses his shoulder to reiterate. "Yeah, you live in the OBX, but I can take a break from classes--"

"I don't want you to have to do that." He interrupts.

"It wouldn't be forever." She concedes. "And if I didn't want to do that, I could always switch to online. Point is: there's ways around that." She runs her hands through his hair, giving him another grounding technique. "Babies are expensive, yeah, but we've got some of the gold money to hold us over, and that's more than enough to support us and a baby." There's a pause, and he nods, rubbing a hand across his face to wipe his cheeks. The tears have subsided for the most part now, and Sarah's hoping that her words are getting through to him. "And yes, I will have to go through labor. But that's way down the road, and we will be able to talk through all of this so we will know what to expect, and make plans so we're prepared."

His eyes slide closed, and he mentally prepares to be his most vulnerable. "Sarah, I can't lose you."

"And you won't." A kiss to his forehead brings a smile to his lips. "You're not."

His arms wrap around her torso again, holding her like his only lifeline. "I'm just--I guess I'm scared that you're going to be upset with how this is going to change everything... you'll blame me... resent me..."

Sarah presses her forehead to his. Looking in his eyes so he knows she's serious. "That's how I felt this morning. I thought you wouldn't want it... wouldn't want me. I mean it's not like this is something we planned on." He starts to explain himself, most likely in disbelief that she would think that of him, but she cuts him off. "But now you're here. Holding me... and we're talking... and now that I know you're not angry and resentful... I don't know. There's a part of me that might be a little excited." His face softens then, her confession easing the tension that had taken a permanent hold on his body. "Do you think that maybe... maybe at some point down the line you might be excited, too?"

He kisses her then, hard and long, like there's a time limit. "I can be excited." He breathes. "I just can't handle the thought of you suffering, or hurting."

She kisses him this time. "I'm pregnant." She repeats. "I'm not dying. There's going to be some hard things, sure, but there's going to be some really beautiful things, too." He smiles then, and she thinks they might be okay.

"Do you think..." He starts, but then thinks better of it.

"Do I think what?"

He shakes his head and looks a bit embarrassed. "No, it's dumb."

She smiles at the change in their conversation, wondering how they both aren't suffering from emotional whiplash. "No it's not. Please ask me. What do you want to know?"

John B plays with his signature bandana and takes a minute to gather his courage, though it comes at the price of making sure there is no chance of eye contact when he asks. "Do you think... that maybe... I might be able to see the test?"

Whatever it was that she thought her boyfriend was going to ask, it sure as hell wasn't that. She just stares at him while her brain takes a minute to process the request. "You..." When she realizes what he's asking, she immediately jumps up to retrieve the piece of plastic from her desk drawer. "yeah. yeah, of course." She scrambles back on the bed, and sits on the edge of where he now had his legs folded underneath him. She hands over the test, and watches warily.

His hands are on both sides of it as he studies the two lines that shifted their whole lives. "Wow." He breathes, glancing up to see her smiling back at him. "Wow."

"Yeah." She agrees. "It's kind of crazy, huh."

"Crazy..." It's as if he can't stop looking at it. "So there really is a baby inside of you."

She nods, though he can't see it because he's still staring at the test in his hands. "There is. A baby that is half of you and half of me." He looks embarrassed again, and she can't help but wonder what's going through his head. "Penny for your thoughts?"

"Can I..." He doesn't elaborate and doesn't look at her.

Here eyebrows furrow. "Can you what, John B?"

He doesn't answer, but moves to sit beside her, even though they're facing each other. His hand reaches out hesitantly, and her throat tightens with emotions that she refuses to let show. "Can I?"

She closes her eyes to stop the tears from falling, and nods silently. She can sense his presence close to her, and the feather-light pressure of his hand on the stomach forces a whimper to escape her throat. She feels his other hand brush the side of her face, and leans into the touch.

"I love you, Sarah Cameron." is the whisper that leaves his mouth before he presses it to hers.

[kiara-carrera]

okay so. max. I gotta know more about her. like I need to. *slides you a dollar* I am prepared to use bribery

i'm putting this under the cut because ✨rambling✨

okay okay i wanna preface by saying she's kind of a mess rn

bc it took forever to pick a love interest

and the sarah/john b relationship is a thorn in my side bc how the fuck do you write around it

literally pls spare me some tips miss sarah cameron fic writer extrordinare

ANYWAYS

max zhu (short for maxine) is played by natasha liu bordizzo

she is the hot girl of the cut tbh

like if sarah's the kook princess, max is the pogue princess

party girl, wild child, always down for a good time, always down for a hook up or a fling

her aesthetic is like a slightly modern y2k beachy laid back cool girl aesthetic idk if that makes any sense but that's her pinterest board in a nutshell

she's bi

she's kind of a meanie sometimes

has a very flirty personality

(originally she was a john b and sarah poly ship so there was gonna be a scene where she was flirting with sarah pre show and it was like true bi panic for sarah but that's prob gonna get scrapped bc she's now just a john b oc but we'll see lmao)

(she'd still 100% flirt with sarah tho before the whole jarah thing happens)

she's been besties with john b for as long as she can remember, like she's the original best friend, sorry jj

lost both of her parents (her dad when she was a child and her mom around the time of kie's kook year)

doesn't cope well with it at all, kind of just sweeps everything on the rug and puts up a front that she's fine

her older brother has custody of her, but he's an absolute asshole so she mostly spends time at the chateau and really only goes home if she knows her brother won't be there (idk where he works yet, but dude's off the island on occasion)

drives her mom's old beat up car and it's arguably in worse condition than the twinkie

has a job ... somewhere idk yet

started a fwb relationship with john b somewhere before the start of s1

it was meant to be no strings attached, just a way for them to cope with their lives poorly and have fun

john b falls a little too hard (honestly, he kind of had feelings for her before and this just made it worse)

max is terrible with feelings, refuses to define the relationship, and tries to ignore all conversations about it

john b is like i just wanna love you and she's no thank you

to be fair she does care about him (especially in that kind of capacity) but she has trouble admitting it to herself

she also tends to keep people at arm's length sometimes because of what happenedd with her family, like she's afraid to get close and then lose people

is absolute bookworm, which surprises most people

loves the classics, but also newer fiction

her and kiara kind of have unsolved beef that neither address head on

they do love each other but there's definitely things they need to hash out because they butt heads a lot

most like the john b/sarah thing will happen, even if just for an episode or two and that's kind of the point where max is like wait wait no no no what the fuck is this

kind of acts like she's the one being wronged when she pretty much shot him down

she sometimes plays the victim in situations like that but like she's a 16 year old girl so

i have absolutely no fucking clue how this story plays out and that itself deserves it's own bullet point like why the fuck must john b's journey be so heavily tied to sarah

like what is the solution here pls lmao

[gaylecleven]

Hello! This will probably be very long so I apologize in advance but I just needed to say this somewhere but wanted to stay anonymous, and I really do appreciate your takes. Feel free to not post this if you don't want to, I just wanted to get this out!

Also I would just like to preface this by saying that it is my personal opinion and experience, and may not be everybody's.

First off, I absolutely love OBX. It's one of my favorite shows and Jiara is one of my favorite ships maybe of all time, and I think the writers and show runners absolutely hit it out of the park with S2.

With that being said, I have purposefully kept myself at arm's length from the fandom since the show came out. I know that no fandom is perfect, but seeing how this fandom in particular became so toxic so quickly with shipping, interfering with the actors personal lives, and with not being able to separate the characters and actors really turned me off, which is just really upsetting, especially because I know that that is not the majority of the fandom, it just so happens to be, in my opinion, the loudest part of it.

When OBX first came out, I did not have a tumblr, but for the first time ever I debated getting one just to become more involved with the show. As I lurked in the OBX and Jiara tags for a few days, I started to see more and more of the toxicity appear, and I realized that I did not want to be a part of a fandom like that. (Obviously I have a tumblr now, because I found a fandom that I truly enjoy that has been a wonderful experience.) Basically what I'm getting at is that people in this fandom are SINGLEHANDEDLY turning people like me off of becoming more involved, and then are wondering why there is a lack of content on tumblr and AO3, which is just really depressing.

Fandom is supposed to be a fun experience. Ship who you want, headcanon whatever you want, interpret things or dialogue in your own ways, but DO NOT go after people who do not feel the same way as you. DO NOT talk shit about a ship, whether that be Jiara, J*Pope, Jarah, etc. and put it in that ship's tags and ABSOLUTELY DO NOT attack people with different opinions than you. Find the people who think like you and ignore the rest.

At the end of the day, we all have a deep love for the same show. And we should want everyone with that love to have a positive fandom experience, whether or not you agree with their opinions, because that's what keeps the fandom alive.

I truly hope I can get more involved in the OBX fandom, because S2 was so amazing. I'm positive that there are lovely people here whom I've missed out on in the past year because of the toxicity. (I've just found you in the last few days from lurking in the Jiara tags because I was so excited with how well FED we were this season.) I know much more about fandom than I did last year, with how to block, filter tags, curate my own experience, etc. But I also hope that we see a change within this fandom, because if it's not a more positive experience overall, I don't see it growing.

Again, I'm so sorry for how long this is, and no pressure to respond. I'm not even sure how much sense this makes, I just had to get this out haha.

I hope you have a great day!

Like you said no fandom is perfect and obx is not the exception. It did get very toxic very quickly but I was not at all surprised by that considering all the circumstances around OBX.

All I can say is the fandom is what you make it and your experience is tailored completely by you. Filtering tags, blocking people are the best ways to make sure you don’t see all the toxic bullshit - or even jsut things you don’t want to see.

Personally I’m so lucky to have made a great group of friends through obx and we have our own little fandom of people who love this shitty show and all it characters. It makes it a lot easier to deal with the hate when you can just send it to the group chat and laugh.

I hope you can love this fandom as I do! But if you don’t I hope you find one that makes you happy and safe x

[rudystree]

Okay so I am going defend jarah B even though ... I pretty agree with everything everyone’s saying about it being too rush... the cheating was not it and the only thing that made it really work was the fact that Chase and Maddie were literally made for each other. BUT I think it’s implied that they’ve known each for a while, small island and all. I kind of think they were it was being implied that they had been having this sort of bantery argumentative type relationship for however long he was working on the boat. It was also implied that John B had a bit of a subconscious crush on “so ya know, I’ve seen her around” *he says starring longingly at her while she stands pointing at the sea in a flowery sundress, honey colored hair flowing in the wind*.... etc etc you know get the picture. And then you can tell by the way sarah interacts with him that she’s definitely intrigued by him, she wants him to know it wasn’t her who ratted him out, she insists on helping him on his “mission” ( my PLTC brain cites part of this interest as her wanting to know what the big deal was about kiara’s best friends, also explains why she feels so comfortable around him to start with, if he was kiaras friend he has to be at least somewhat trustworthy) now I hate the cheating and I have no excuse for that. She should have broken with topper as soon as she got with John B but the start of their relationship definitely comes down to their two sappy personalities being in an obnoxious honey moon phase. But once everything starts to go to shit I think really latch onto each other because John B just discovered the truth abt his dad and literally almost got murdered. These are traumatic things for anyone let alone a sixteen year old and for Sarah, her whole WORLD crumbled. She had to choose between her family and the truth/“right thing” which was not making John b go to jail for a murder he didn’t commit. The way ward was grabbing her in the plane scene was pretty shocking, especially since she had such a close relationship with him and trusted him so much. I’m pretty sure he slammed her head against the wall one point even, he wasn’t really trying to hurt her but I did think he did accidentally hurt her. And then her brother literally murders someone in front of her and she clearly wasn’t close with rose. As much as I HATE the “I’d rather die than be without you” line cuz it was cringe AF but I understand why she felt like John B was her only lifeline and she was willing to die to keep from being forced back under her fathers roof.

Anyways a lot of things could have been better with their relationship and I really wish they’d stretched the whole plot of obx out for long but 🤷🏻‍♀️ that’s my take Jarah b

Okay I absolutely love this take and I very much appreciated being challenged on this 😅

I totally agree with all points made here. There’s a reason why Jarah are such a successful pairing and I’m not at all denying that they’ve had brilliant chemistry and beautiful moments together. The ‘rush’ of their relationship can definitely be explained by their collective trauma and the fact that they are rebellious teenagers who fall hard and easily for each other.

I suppose I struggle to find their relationship appealing because a) I don’t relate to either of their lives/situations, b) I’m not a teen anymore and don’t look back at that naivety fondly, and c) I’m not a fan of cheesy romance. I watch OBX for the adventure, the thrill, the vibes, the suspense, and most of all the friendships. And I felt like a lot of Jarah scenes were unnecessarily dramatic, cringey, and drowned out those elements that I love about the show. The cheating was ugly and their scenes were timed badly in overlapping with the Pogues being in trouble, so that stressed me out too. It also felt unrealistic that John B would just leave behind his childhood friends and Sarah her whole family within one day of (understandably, crazy) chaos. That’s why I usually skip their scenes when I rewatch the season.

That being said - absolutely ALL the power to anyone who ships them! I think most people do, actually! I would love for season 2 to change my thoughts on their relationship and individual characters. And I’d love to hear other people’s perspective on them, because it’s an interesting aspect of the show how much the opinion on them seems to differ. 💛