Yellowjackets (Showtime)

[VicePresidentJocasta]

Yeah, it wasn't a secret as early as when season 1 was airing that Juliette had difficulty playing the role. She said it was incredibly tough and depressing. I remember discussing it in this thread? She said something along the lines of not realizing when she signed on how dark Natalie's story would be. She likely asked the producers after filming season 1 to be let go from her contract. I don't think there's any ill will, she seemed to love the actresses, showrunners, etc. – I honestly think she just didn't want to keep playing the role.

I just did a catch-up and the season was pretty much everything you've all said. I really, really struggled with the present-day storyline basically digressing into later-season Weeds quality, with a bunch of boring, slapstick subplots that felt like filler. The actresses all deserved better, frankly. All it did was take away screentime from the far more interesting wildness scenes, which could have used more development to make some of the big moments feel more earned. Can we fucking scrub Shauna's husband & daughter from getting any more screentime? And ditch Elijah Wood, too.

Things did get a lot more intense in the second half of the season, but the final 2 episodes felt so rushed, that it was more puzzling than exciting at times. The entire hunt sequence in the finale was honestly baffling, it just didn't ring true that any of them would be willing to do that again, except for maybe Van (because we know nothing about current-day Van, really) and Taissa (because she is fucking crazy, but she is free).

I'm glad that fucking cottage burned down. The wilderness scenes are due for a new setting. I'm not sure where I stand with season 3 - shows have certainly recovered from worse, but a big part of me has lost confidence that the writers are capable of giving us worthy answers or earned pay-off to all the questions they raised and stories they introduced. I'll be tuning in, for sure, but my expectations are definitely diminished.

 

[minorkey]

Also I know this is not the point but it’s such a drab-looking show. No memorable set pieces, no gifable scenes, no aesthetic and the most obvious budget compilation choices of ‘90s cuts. This cast deserves more than a Freeform
budget.

 

[AussiePopstar]

I think there are a lot of Juliet's fans that are obviously disappointed but this show in particular was never going to give everyone a happy ending.
As for the criticism of Lottie's character development I think a lot of people need to think about Van's quote of "We did this to her".
The forest dwellers NEEDED something to believe in and they all clung to the ravings of a mentally ill young woman.
They created the "evil" themselves and everything that was to come was a direct result.

I'm expecting a lot more of a "Lord of the Flies", jungle warfare vibe in Season 3 as desperation REALLY kicks in with no shelter and a flesh and blood enemy working against them as well as whatever "the wilderness" cooks up.

For me the last 2 episodes pointed the finger squarely at Van as someone to watch out for in both the past and present and we will see what her circumstances and devotion to Lottie bring about in both time lines.

Callie's rather strange reaction, the half smile, at the end was also something to look out for.

Could "the wilderness" be starting to gather new disciples to hunt the others into extinction.

I think if you were disappointed you have to trust that this is all part of the ride and we really know very little about what's to come.

I'm excited to see the twists and turns of season 3.

 

[P'NutButter]

Callie's rather strange reaction, the half smile, at the end was also something to look out for.

Yeah I noticed this and also Lottie's reaction to her when she appeared, also Callie was limping when she shot Lottie so could she have been attacked by something before reaching the women that we didn't see?

The show frustrates the hell out of me because it has so much promise and so much going for it in general. The first season was so strong, the writers need to collect their shit together and structure this next season right else I can't see the 5 year plan coming to fruition.

 

[itylts]

I feel like with Callie it links back to the conversation she had with her dad about being too like Shauna. Then Lottie said something about her being powerful and the lingering shot of Shauna and Callie together feels like they’re putting something out there too.

 

[Mike]

Also I know this is not the point but it’s such a drab-looking show. No memorable set pieces, no gifable scenes, no aesthetic and the most obvious budget compilation choices of ‘90s cuts. This cast deserves more than a Freeform
budget.

I think some of the music choices have worked really well - Tori Amos' Bells For Her in particular springs to mind - but they have often gone for the obvious, as with Natalie's death scene.

It's been a really uneven season with some of the plotlines feeling rushed. Thinking back to some of the shows that never really got their mojo back after the last writers' strike, I really hope they can course correct.

 

[JamieHT]

Just started Season 2. Episode 1 was a chore. Does it get better?

 

[johnoclock]

Honestly? Not really dd

 

[CIOB]

It was a messy season, but it has enough of the bigger moments to keep you invested.

 

[huntypoo]

It wasn't a good season necessarily, but it was committed enough to the throughline for me to keep up with it. I don't know if I feel particularly optimistic about season 3 but i'm staying tuned regardless.