I’m wary to say it because I thought the same at the end of season 1 but there is surely enough new plot threads created at the end of this season to course correct and have a more compelling season 3.
Yellowjackets (Showtime)
- Thread starter 4Roses
- Start date
I’m not mad at what actually transpired this season, but the story machinations to make it all happen, especially in the present day, were quite juvenile. Time will tell if season 3 can fix things where the pacing is concerned, but I do think the creators are listening, so they might take note of what the masses are saying. I’m still excited for where this story goes next, even if that excitement is dimmed somewhat compared to how I felt post season one.
One thing that’s remained stellar regardless of story quality are the performances - they’ve been absolutely incredible throughout.
One thing that’s remained stellar regardless of story quality are the performances - they’ve been absolutely incredible throughout.
She/her
Hmm, inchresting article...
I will say, I was quite taken aback by the obvious shift in Lottie's portrayal from the back half of the first season to (basically) the entirety of season two. In season one, we see Lottie's character rise in influence amongst the group (just as we progressively see Jackie fall from the top), and it almost makes her a little... dry and assertive? She snaps at people, seems to be able to control them, to shut them down if needed, people don't fight her back, etc. A bit of a sharp contrast to how soft she usually was portrayed before that, but it did somehow mesh with the increasingly noticeable attempt (within the back end narrative of season one) to portray her as the series' "big villain" moving forward and one to drag the crew to the "dark side" so to speak.
Except season two completely flips that on its head? It would be one thing if it was some sort of "slow reverting to how she was at the beginning of the first season" or some sort of "actually, you guys were fooled all along"-gotcha-moment... but it's not? Her portrayal is just suddenly very passive again, very soft, very submissive and subdued as if she's just going through the motions. She doesn't come across as a villain at all, doesn't have any ill intent or even selfish goals, if anything she seems like the biggest victim of them all. The girl is basically off her meds, quietly mumbling about whatever is on her mind and it's the other girls of the group constantly glorifying her delusions and presenting her as their messiah because they need something to believe in. In season one, it almost looks like a role she takes for herself, and that would be okay too if that's where the writers went, but in season two, it's very obvious in the story-telling that this is something imposed on her that she doesn't even seem entirely confortable with.
Look, it's okay if the writers eventually wanted her to hand the reins over to Natalie by episode 9 (as I wouldn't be surprised if it was a bit of a common theme across seasons where we see leadership of the group being relinquished from one girl to another - clearly we've seen in the last episode that Shauna didn't take it well that "the Wilderness chose Nat over her") - but the issue is... Lottie basically already didn't want the reins anymore by the start of season two's first episode. She does... nothing? Instigates...nothing. She's so... passive. When the girls basically gaz her up to go against Nat in that hunt for food to decide who should be the leader (or whatever), it's not even her idea, she almpst does not say a word in those scenes, she doesn't even show any resolve at all to win, she's just going through the motions. It's not even one of those "I'm so confident in my faith and what I believe, I know nothing bad will happen to me because it will protect me for simply believing" bravado, she just... goes with it, blankly. (Just to be clear, I actually prefer the portrayal of Lottie in season two, I find her more likeable and vulnerable, so that's not a critique per say for me. I just think the shift in portrayal is interesting because it's very obvious that they evidently changed their mind)
And so we're left in season two with basically... no real arching villain like that article implies. And, just to be clear, there doesn't need to be one per say. Like the poor girls had to survive a plane crash - they're basically (almost) all victims of their circumstances to some degree. But narratively, it seems like the writers do want one ... So it feels clumsy. And so now that Lottie is reverted to basically being a poor victim turned passive messiah seemingly against her will, it seems like the writers are putting a lot on Misty's back... but that too feels clumsy with the way and tone they're portraying her this season and the way the other characters interact with her. There's a scene at the end of the season that (almost) reads: "Oh my god, Miiiiiiiisty! What did we say about killing people uwu? Not good! Come on now Miiiiisty....... Sigh...." so it's like... that doesn't work either.
Honestly, as the show progresses, the more I feel like the show relies maybe a little too much on the present timeline for its own good? Don't get me wrong, some of the biggest acting chops (and names) are definitely on the present ladies' side... so I get it, but narratively, sometimes it feels like the present times does a disservice to the show and actually takes away from the mystique and intrigue from what happened in the past...rather than doing the opposite (which is obviously the actual goal).
It doesn't help that they seem to be struggling (this season at least) to have all the girls in one setting together in a way that still makes sense. So now we have Misty and Taissa completely abandoning their jobs and lives so they can fit in whatever narrative the writers want. Misty I could somehow get behind... just because... Misty thingz... but Taissa is a bit mind-boggling. Even if we somehow forget for a second that she is basically a senator and we excuse her absence from her work duties with the fact that she was involved in a car accident, let's all (and by that I mean the writers) please remember that this car accident also involved Taissa's dear wife (who is in a literal coma now - which, yknow...I feel like is worrying) and she has also basically left her actual children to, I assume, relatives, but who knows. And I know people have expressed some fatigue regarding her sleepwalking storyline, but it also can't be dropped conveniently as they see fit. And to think this season basically ends with Taissa sending Lottie off to be instituted.............Girl.... Is the head of your dog still in your basement or nawt.....
I think my biggest disappointment this season is honestly... present!Van? Was I the only one a little...underwhelmed with the way she was portrayed in the present timeline? I don't know she just doesn't have... the bite that Liv Hewson seems to bring to the character. In fact, from the flashbacks, I personally got the vibes that Van instigated a lot of "shit", for a lack of better word, in the wild and the second a decision is made by anyone in power, she seems very assertive, agressive, brash and honestly a little savage/feral at times ddd (now obviously I know some of the circumstances explain that...) to make sure it's followed and upheld, but to see that part of her missing almost entirely from her portrayal in the present timeline, and to also see that none of the main girls seem to hold any sort of grudge or ressentment at all against her for what she has done (and could potentially do in future scenes of the past timeline).... just doesn't get me excited at all about what she could bring to the future seasons moving forward.
The writers have talked about how they've always had a five-seasons plan for this show, but sometimes I do wonder how much of this has actually been planned out for real...
It doesn't help that they seem to be struggling (this season at least) to have all the girls in one setting together in a way that still makes sense. So now we have Misty and Taissa completely abandoning their jobs and lives so they can fit in whatever narrative the writers want. Misty I could somehow get behind... just because... Misty thingz... but Taissa is a bit mind-boggling. Even if we somehow forget for a second that she is basically a senator and we excuse her absence from her work duties with the fact that she was involved in a car accident, let's all (and by that I mean the writers) please remember that this car accident also involved Taissa's dear wife (who is in a literal coma now - which, yknow...I feel like is worrying) and she has also basically left her actual children to, I assume, relatives, but who knows. And I know people have expressed some fatigue regarding her sleepwalking storyline, but it also can't be dropped conveniently as they see fit. And to think this season basically ends with Taissa sending Lottie off to be instituted.............Girl.... Is the head of your dog still in your basement or nawt.....
I think my biggest disappointment this season is honestly... present!Van? Was I the only one a little...underwhelmed with the way she was portrayed in the present timeline? I don't know she just doesn't have... the bite that Liv Hewson seems to bring to the character. In fact, from the flashbacks, I personally got the vibes that Van instigated a lot of "shit", for a lack of better word, in the wild and the second a decision is made by anyone in power, she seems very assertive, agressive, brash and honestly a little savage/feral at times ddd (now obviously I know some of the circumstances explain that...) to make sure it's followed and upheld, but to see that part of her missing almost entirely from her portrayal in the present timeline, and to also see that none of the main girls seem to hold any sort of grudge or ressentment at all against her for what she has done (and could potentially do in future scenes of the past timeline).... just doesn't get me excited at all about what she could bring to the future seasons moving forward.
The writers have talked about how they've always had a five-seasons plan for this show, but sometimes I do wonder how much of this has actually been planned out for real...
Interview with the director on the season 2 finale in spoiler tags cause URL itself has a spoiler:
Above interview states that the season was cut from ten to nine episodes when it got its third season renewal, so there is footage filmed for the finale that might end up used in season three. That would also track with how fast everything has gotten over the last few hours, stuff has clearly been edited out to get the show to where it needs to be to squeeze everything in and dialogue has done a lot of heavy lifting in the narrative. Also would explain Lottie last week.
Interview with director https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t...ath-juliette-lewis-exit-interview-1235501213/
Above interview states that the season was cut from ten to nine episodes when it got its third season renewal, so there is footage filmed for the finale that might end up used in season three. That would also track with how fast everything has gotten over the last few hours, stuff has clearly been edited out to get the show to where it needs to be to squeeze everything in and dialogue has done a lot of heavy lifting in the narrative. Also would explain Lottie last week.
I feel like Van bought into the wilderness stuff and the cult more than anybody else, I also feel she believed in the present timeline that if they played the cards again the wilderness may cure her cancer?
and I've also thought the same about Taissa but then I think realistically how much time has passed and it's only been a few days...
It's just a shame after having such a triumph of an opening season to have such a blah second one.
I'm kind of in the middle, ultimately. While the past timeline still feels foreboding and tense, the present timeline just became really silly and goofy. That forest hunt with the needle ending felt like slapstick.
That said, even the past timeline needed some more room to breathe and develop. Getting to the hunt was way too quick (which is weird to say after a season of buildup) and Travis being super ok with eating his brother after he spent literal months looking for him was out of character.
That said, even the past timeline needed some more room to breathe and develop. Getting to the hunt was way too quick (which is weird to say after a season of buildup) and Travis being super ok with eating his brother after he spent literal months looking for him was out of character.
The adult hunt was hilarious, Shauna's reluctance to run and then she skipped a little before they all stopped.
he/him
Weirdly enough, I actually enjoyed the last 2-3 episodes considering I thought this whole season was a poorly written snooze fest. Things happened way too quickly towards the end, but I do think the present day, (as silly as the story was) worked better when the entire cast was together.
RIP Kevyn. You were real fine.
Yeah she was such a pillar of the show, I don't know how you move forward without her. They keep saying it was foreshadowed in the pilot or whatever but I maintain something else happened. Who will Misty even play off now?
She/her
I mean, I could see how the showrunners might not have intended for Nat's character to survive their 5-seasons-plan, but I also don't really buy into season two's finale being her original intended send-off moment. It did feel like she was preemptively written off.
A few months ago, I remember seeing tweets and posts about how Juliette Lewis seemed uninterested in interviews or was hinting at being unsatisfied with the material she was getting.
I buy into the theory that she wanted off more than I do that it was planned all along for her to exit when she did.
A few months ago, I remember seeing tweets and posts about how Juliette Lewis seemed uninterested in interviews or was hinting at being unsatisfied with the material she was getting.
I buy into the theory that she wanted off more than I do that it was planned all along for her to exit when she did.
Don't blame her, she saw the downturn in quality and dipped.
The worst thing is that her character didn't get any real closure. I would have loved to have seen her in a place where she came to terms with her guilt about what happened back then and was a bit more content. Alas, they sent her off via drug overdose even though she was clean. A shame.
he/him
I don’t know if I’m watching a different show than everyone else because that finale was Pretty Little Liars-level of trite. Just awful. I’m not surprised Juliette wanted out.
Wouldn't this be more cruel? Like "Coach Ben we're gonna need an arm from you this month and your other arm in June." A gaggle of amputees.
Juliette probably didn't expect the show to be a moderate hit and just didn't want to be stuck with another 3-4 years of this ddd.
Last edited:
She / Her
I think they did a fine job of working Juliette's exit into the plot with her being the first chosen and being spared making her fully buy into "the wilderness", but I imagine it probably was not the first choice for their five year plan so they had to basically structure this season around it while still moving forward other plot elements.
A slightly optimistic take but I think they did a decent job of keeping the plates spinning and trying new things, even though they definitely did not nail it. I've made it this far so I'll definitely see what season three has to offer.
A slightly optimistic take but I think they did a decent job of keeping the plates spinning and trying new things, even though they definitely did not nail it. I've made it this far so I'll definitely see what season three has to offer.
he/him
… nearly every comment about the finale (and the season as a whole) has been pretty negative. So I think you are watching the exact same show as everyone else dddd.
Last edited:
Jullette said in an interview (in wich she looked really off and disinterested) that it was depressing play Natalie. So I'm sure she wanted out. After this season finale I keep asking myself if there's is another adult survivor outhere. The actress who plays Melissa (the blonde one with a pink hat) says in her IG bio that she is "YOUNG Melissa", so maybe she survived? I don't know.