Blog Posting- Representation

October 18th, 2024 Blog posting - representation

The show I decided to analyze is Outer Banks. The show takes place in South Carolina and a couple of teens go on many adventures together and they treasure hunt. The names of these teens are John B, also known as the main character and the narrator throughout the show, Kiara, Pope, and JJ Maybank. These four are characterized as mischievous, school dropouts and not the wealthiest people around. Additionally, they are called the "Pogues". On the other hand, you have the "Kooks" which are completely different. The names of these teens are Sarah Cameron, Rafe Cameron, Topper, and way more side characters. They Golf, have yacht parties, and are very wealthy. The paragraph below will illustrate how the use of representation is used to represent each character. The difference in groups is a representation of othering. 

   The Pogues are often viewed by Kooks as lower class, and they do not have an equivalent social status or any respect from them. This battle between the two groups did not start with them, it arose when their parents were teens, and the traditional ways never stopped. The Pogues are constructed with baggy pants and tank tops or shorts, and Kiara is dressed in shorts and with a bikini top layering and short shirt and very beach vibe, summer jewelry stack. In contrast, kooks are dressed in polo shirts, linen pants or shorts and nice watches on, and Sarah Cameron is dressed in denim shorts and a cropped shirt. The stereotypical groups are brought apart by social and economic differences. During shots of each group's houses there is a clear distinction between them. Except for Kiara, in the show it mentions she had history with Kooks, but she changed to hanging out with the Pogues.  

The main characters I would like to analyze are Sarah Cameron and John B. John B worked on Sarah Camerons' fathers' boat, Ward Cameron, he is often viewed as the antagonist in the entire show. One day John B was caught stealing scuba gear and the Camerons hated him all except for Sarah. The selection was used to paint that picture as if Pogues were bad and Kooks were good. Sarah fell in love with John B, but her father despised him. The Pogues go on a treasure hunting adventure with gold and Sarah tagged along with the Pogues instead of the Kooks. John B and Sarah's relationship status broke an unwanted barrier to be broken. While it is nice for the Pogues to go on an independent treasure hunt, Ward Cameron also wanted to find the same treasure as them, then the plot thickens. 

From the description above, we know the Pogues are adventurous and have free spirits, but Kiara is an important aspect of the analysis. When treasure hunting, they are tasked with doing a bunch of "not women like" things. For instance, messing with guns, digging, diving, fighting, and stealing. She is not afraid of getting her hands dirty. My favorite part of Kiara is she completely disregards the fact that she is a Kook. She puts differences aside.