Each week, Jenn and Joe discuss the latest episode of Showtime’s Yellowjackets S03.
Missed a review? Check out our coverage on Murder Made Fiction Patreon for individual episode discussions. Here’s a free taster (heh) of the pilot and episode 1.02
Episode 3.01 “It Girl”: Summer inspires the Yellowjackets to ditch soccer for a more contact-intensive sport, revive an old pagan tradition and thrift-shop the wreckage for a new team look. In the present, a cringe-worthy funeral flows organically into a bar therapy session. Misty dives into a new personality, because apparently the old one wasn’t dramatic enough. Tai and Van devote time to blurring the lines between ex and girlfriend.
JOE
Alright Jenn, we’re back discussing Yellowjackets, but after doing a deep dive on the first two seasons in podcast form, we’re switching to written form for S03.
We speculated about where things could go and you correctly guessed that the premiere would feature a time jump. Lo and behold, writers Jonathan Lisco, Ashley Lyle & Bart Nickerson (who also directs for the first time on the show) shift the action ahead six months after Natalie (Juliette Lewis)’ death.
In the 2021 timeline, plenty has happened: Walter (Elijah Wood) is taking care of a despondent Misty (Christina Ricci), who hasn’t really processed her guilt. Van (Lauren Ambrose) is living with impeached senator Tai (Tawny Cypress), but hasn’t fully forgiven her for abandoning her as a teen. Lottie is referenced to be in an institution, but goes unseen.
And then there’s Shauna (Melanie Lynskey) who is stealing daughter Callie (Sarah Desjardins)’ pot and disagreeing with husband Jeff (Warren Kole) about parenting techniques. Callie and Shauna are definitely acting more like sisters after the events of last season, just as Tai and Van act like teenagers when they dine and dash at an expensive restaurant (to the tune of Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now” – a perfect, albeit on the nose, needle drop).
Still, in both instances, there are repercussions for acting out. Callie gets suspended for pranking the Mean Girl at school with animal parts, while Tai and Van’s ode to teenage irresponsibility has its own body count when the server suffers from an apparent heart attack. It’s shades of Shauna’s S01 affair with Adam: attempts to recoup teenage experiences come at a cost in Yellowjackets.
The same can be said for the 1996 timeline (or maybe it’s 1997 now since it’s clearly Spring?) Nat (Sophie Thatcher) is firmly established as leader, albeit one who is hesitant to use her authority to deal with “dumb girl shit” like the escalating feud between Shauna (Sophie Nélisse) and Mari (Alexa Bajaras).
The simmering tension is masked by “fun” events like the Summer Solstice, which comes complete with a memorial ceremony, a venison soup and a game of capture the flag wherein the losers are uncomfortably made to wait on the winners. As Shauna furiously writes in her journal, it’s not unlike high school…only in her diatribes, the Yellowjackets are not the perfect she-roes of Taissa (Jasmin Savoy-Brown)’s stories.
Obviously both timelines are powderkegs, with plenty of conflict being set up to explode as the season progresses. In some cases, like Shauna beating up Mari, Callie’s prank, or adult Misty threatening to light dicks on fire in a bar, there’s already been a violent outburst. In the case of someone like “homicidal” Coach Scott (Steven Krueger), the future is less certain: that look he gives Mari when he finds her in the bottom of a familiar looking trap in the ground looks a few degrees light of sane.
But Jenn, I’m curious about your thoughts on the premiere: how is the mythology of girlhood/society/hierarchy functioning in the 1996 timeline? Is Adult Tai making the same mistakes as S01 Shauna? What the hell was with Travis (Kevin Alves)’ shroom-induced conversation with Lottie (Courtney Eaton) about the screaming trees, which we heard during the memorial? And which other needle drop did you prefer: Bush’s “Glycerine” or Cake’s “I Will Survive”?
JENN
Well Joe, my high school band, Fuzz, was famous for covering Cake’s version of “I Will Survive.” It was our big finale when we opened for a magician. I will also admit that ever since watching the premiere episode of season three, I’ve been shouting “I light dicks on fire!” at anyone who crosses my path. Just one more reason to love Ricci’s Misty.
As a life-long Tiffany fan, I did swoon at Tai and Van’s romantic escape, but I’m also a former server and cannot abide a dine and dash. While I’m also enjoying repeated use of the word “chronic” and Randy’s ongoing ridiculousness, my attention is firmly set in the 1997 timeline.
In earlier episodes, we’d discussed whether their monster is real or imagined. While there’s definitely something mysterious lurking in these Canadian woods, I’m beginning to believe that the girls have created a tulpa. For those not obsessed with the occult like me, this is a fantastical entity created by intense visualization and collective thought—just like Lottie’s series of “listening” sessions. This wilderness beast seems to revolve around hunger and sacrifice, mirroring the survivors’ evolving challenges. It’s likely that through Lottie’s guidance, the surviving Yellowjackets have found a way to harness the forest’s power and created a manifestation of their survival instincts and a permission structure for ritualistic murder. Could this be the mythology of girlhood come to life or is something darker exploiting their fear?
As we see in the deliciously meta opening scene, “Previously, on The Yellowjackets,” Van has been amplifying this belief by creating a matriarchal mythology. Delivering a clever bit of exposition, she tells us how the remaining teammates survived the fire, extols the virtues of their new queen Nat, and creates a unifying villain out of Coach Scott (Steven Krueger). They’ve also concocted an approximation of patron saints in Jackie, Javi, and Shauna’s unnamed baby whom they honor after the ceremonial feast.
Shauna is refusing to play her role in this narrative and seems incensed that the group has appropriated the memory of the child she’s still grieving. In a rage-filled journal entry, she explains her own version of Van’s sunny story. Far from a happy female-led commune, she sees her teammates as killer cannibals who’ve spun a wholesome tale to alleviate their guilt. Add this to her palpable rage at being passed over by the wilderness as the team’s new leader and Shauna seems poised for a violent explosion. While it’s satisfying to watch her vent her anger on perpetual brat Mari, she’s creating dangerous rifts in this fragile community.
All this drama unfolds at the Summer Solstice, also known as Midsommar. While unlikely that the girls have an exact calendar date for their observance, this places us on or around June 21st. After praying to the dead, the girls—and Travis—take a page from pagan celebrations by releasing paper lanterns into the sky. Where did they get this Pier-1-style decor? Who knows, but it looks cool!
Folklore warns of evil spirits that emerge on the shortest night of the year, which could account for those screaming trees. Solstice celebrations also serve to honor the sun and secure a bountiful harvest in colder months. Given the disastrous conclusion to this celebratory event and the fact the forest seems displeased, I’m worried the girls will soon be looking for another sacrifice. With Mari now on the outs and the girl’s aggression in full force, it seems we may be in for a cruel—and violent—summer.
JOE
Ok, I’m so glad that you asked where they got the paper lanterns because that was also my first thought upon seeing the memorial sequence. Looks pretty, but defies belief.
Moving onto…
Episode 3.02 “Dislocation”: The Yellowjackets are stuck deciding whether to track down a missing teammate or just trip out on mushrooms; Shauna secures a spot on the world’s most unsupportive partner list; Misty finds herself tangled in the intimate chaos of sleepover parties.
This one really gets us into the thick of it. This was my preferred episode of the two that we watched for this premiere weekend, in part because it’s just…funnier?
- Like Adult Lottie (Simone Kessell) swishing her way into Shauna’s house like an uninvited house guest, much to Callie’s delight? Fantastic!
- Or what about the perfection that was Van singing the most “Van” song ever – Jamiroquai’s “Virtual Insanity” – in Tai’s at-home-karaoke machine? (Sidebar: Tai has a karaoke machine? Wouldn’t have called that).
- Misty spewing grenadine milk rum punch after being forced to play “Truth or Dare” (instead of “Light as a Feather”) at the impromptu girls ‘sleepover’ when she was meant to be keeping Callie and Lottie apart? Amazing.
- Shauna calling out the Joels (not their real names) at Jeff’s work dinner and describing one of them as a “painful little boner”? Classic Shauna, even if it did earn her the ire of her husband and a slammed door after the deal went sour.
Note that all of these storylines are in the present day timeline, which definitely captured my attention more. It’s not to say that Natalie’s attempt to keep Coach Scott’s location hidden or his interactions with Mari and her dislocated knee aren’t interesting, but 1997 feels like it’s still playing catch-up with the relationships.
Take Lottie’s continued drugging of Travis in an effort to get him to commune with “It”, which results in him nearly strangling her and then being so upset that he lies about Akilah (Nia Sondaya)’s closer connection to the animals to get Lottie off his back. This is intriguing, sure, but I’m less emotionally invested in this storyline in part because I a) don’t know what Lottie is trying to achieve and b) don’t know these characters as much outside of their relationship to others (Travis is aligned with Natalie, so this is all new territory).
Add to this the fact that Shauna’s grief is still isolating her, Tai and Van are working up to a potential leadership coup but it’s on simmer, and…Misty (Samantha Hanratty) is just gonna Misty? Again – it’s not bad, but it seems less eventful.
At least until that ending, which all of the sudden (re)introduces Melissa (Jenna Burgess) in a big way riiiight at the last minute. After Shauna has spent the last two episodes seething at her fellow survivors and grieving the loss of her child, it’s hardly surprising that Melissa is an unwelcome presence when Shauna moves the baby’s gravesite. But I was not expecting her to pull a knife on Melissa…or for them to start macking!
Look, I love me some queerness on the show, so I’m definitely intrigued. Whether this is just a temporary coping mechanism for Shauna remains to be seen, but considering how these 1997 scenes are intercut with Shauna following up on the mysterious cell phone she discovered in the toilet…suddenly it seems more likely that Hilary Swank isn’t playing Mari (as we speculated in our Yellowjackets coverage on Patreon), but that she’s playing Adult Melissa!
What do you think, Jenn: am I on the right track or are episode writers Ameni Rozsa and Rich Monahan deliberately trying to mislead us with this edit? Were you feeling the comedy the way that I was? Do you believe Coach Scott is telling the truth when he told Mari he didn’t burn down the cabin, especially considering we hear him talking to himself (ie: presumably Paul) later in the cave? And does Adult Tai have a responsibility to tell Van about the man they accidentally killed in the dine and dash?
JENN
Joe, I don’t think I’ve seen the word “macking” in a sentence since 1997! Are you sure you’re not vibing with the earlier timeline? I’m glad you’re enjoying these present day developments because I’m still enjoying my time in the forest. Mortimer the duck sealed the deal and I’m fully ready to get my utopia on and move into one of those impeccable huts!
This episode presents more questions than answers for our fearless survivors, setting up some potential season-long arcs. Could Tai challenge Nat for leadership of the group and would Van break ranks to support her girlfriend? I’d assumed that Nat had been the unrivaled leader since drawing the Queen, but it’s possible the wilderness will choose someone else.
I’m also dying to know who burned down the cabin since it seems pretty clear that Coach Scott’s hands are clean. Natalie seems like the most obvious suspect right now, unless there are a few more tailies we’ve yet to meet. Or perhaps it was the Other Taissa hoping to drive the girls into a closer connection with nature.
Through Misty’s blatant fawning we also learn that Travis and Natalie have broken up, which is a shame. I was hoping Natalie’s crown would come with private love shack privileges and there’s no doubt Travis could use some love. But I guess inadvertently causing the death and cannibalism of your boyfriend’s little brother would put a damper on any budding relationship.
Lottie is growing more predatory by the day and I’m enjoying her emergence as a potential villain. By forcing Travis to eat a seemingly endless amount of magic mushrooms, she’s using his trips to reclaim her lost power. In a community where everyone pitches in, maybe she’s feeling worthless now that she no longer knows what the wilderness wants. After all, what good is a spiritual leader who can’t access her spirituality?
And that brings us to Mari and Coach Scott. I’ve always wondered if I’d be able to pop my own bones back into place should they be dislocated, so I have to give it up to Mari for this painful act of bravery. That said, I don’t know where this unlikely partnership is going or who Coach Scott is talking to in the depths of the cave. Hopefully he’s still hallucinating an idyllic game of pop culture charades and we’ll get another appearance by the always delightful François Arnaud as his boyfriend Paul.
As a backyard karaoke veteran, I can say that Van’s flawless performance probably comes not from a formal karaoke machine, but a combination of cheap kid’s microphone and Youtube Karaoke tracks. I think I’m more surprised that Tai—who is still married by the way—has moved her wife and son out of her house so that Van can move in. While this seems like a suspiciously speedy romantic entanglement I’m happy to see Tai’s story take a more entertaining turn.
Also frustrating is Misty’s treatment of Walter who seems to grow more perfect by the day. (I’ll eat that breakfast if Misty wont!) Faced with a mirror of her own suffocating love, Misty is poised to choose the women she believes are her friends over a man who could turn out to be her perfect match. I also think she may be underestimating her new suitor. Walter has literally killed to protect her and anyone who’ll gleefully poison a cop is someone you want to keep on your side.
This episode also furthers my theory that the only people who drink milk, especially milk mixed with rum, are villains and psychopaths. A few days removed from attacking bullies with entrails, Callie looks to be one step away from boiling someone’s bunny. Setting the scene to Fiona Apple’s “Criminal” is just the icing on the cake.
I do love seeing Shauna put these slimy hotel bros in their place, but I’m frustrated by more trouble in the Sadecki household. (Also, shoutout to Jesse Moss of Ginger Snaps fame as the insufferable Joel #1.) It’s always fun to see exactly why everyone’s so afraid of Shauna, but I’m tired of watching these two sabotage their relationship. This also feels like a rehash of the blackmail/glitter bandit storyline from season 1.
Finally, my money is still on Hilary Swank playing adult Mari, perhaps nursing a twenty-five year grudge against the woman who spit in her food. But maybe that’s just because I don’t want Shauna to have another affair, no matter how hot it promises to be.
JOE
Oh wow, I didn’t even consider the idea that we might explore Shauna’s potential bisexuality in the present day timeline. I do agree, however, that the Sadecki household could use some unification – at least among its three core members (because who knows how long Lottie is going to be camped out there?!)
We’ll find out next week when Yellowjackets resumes its usual 1-episode per week structure. But until then: I drink milk, Jenn…am I a psychopath or a villain? (Maybe don’t answer that)
Yellowjackets airs Fridays on Paramount+ on Showtime (and/or Sundays depending on where you’re watching)
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