Yellowjackets Director Reveals the Secrets Behind The Pit and THAT Lottie Moment

by

Warning: If you haven’t seen the third season’s second-to-last episode of ‘Yellowjackets’, which is now streaming on Paramount+ with a Showtime subscription, avoid reading below to avoid spoilers!

In the penultimate episode of Season 3 titled “How the Story Ends,” it’s clear that the Wilderness wasn’t the most deadly force compared to humans, as they demonstrated their lethality without needing supernatural assistance. Hilary Swank’s character Melissa committed a shocking act by secretly killing Van in the present, while the new recruit Hannah brutally stabbed Kodiak (portrayed by Joel McHale) in the past. Additionally, the introduction of The Pit suggests that more information about the mystery surrounding the Pit Girl will be revealed.

Check Out How My Predictions Have Gone So Far

The 7 Yellowjackets Characters I Think Are Most Likely To Be Killed Off By The Time Season 3 Ends

In an interview with TopMob, director Ben Semanoff of the series Yellowjackets shared insights on filming the most significant scenes throughout the episode. Given that The Pit was first introduced in the opening scene of the very first episode, even before viewers knew any characters, I couldn’t help but ask about the discussions and preparations involved in revealing the lethal trap to fans. What unfolded exceeded my expectations.

Yellowjackets Director Lays Out How Complicated It Was To Introduce The Pit As A Physical Location

As I excitedly placed the Pit in plain sight, Ben Semanoff couldn’t help but wonder if I had anticipated the irony of the spikes landing in the very same dugout where Coach discovered the supply trunk, and where Mari suffered her injury. It was a relief to confirm that yes, I had indeed suspected as much from the get-go. And then, with a chuckle, he pointed out how this seemingly straightforward and swift reveal demanded careful planning and preparation.

In other words, there are specific scenes, visuals, or narrative elements that we often devote excessive thought to during numerous discussions in 85 separate meetings. We debate various ways to execute these ideas, and that particular instance was among them.

Given its significant role as a landmark in the Showtime series, numerous creative minds pondered over the optimal approach for every stage of production, and these stages were numerous indeed. Semanoff went on to add:

Speaking of challenges, we encountered quite a predicament as it proved difficult to maneuver a camera that far below ground level, about eight feet. We pondered over various solutions such as having someone crawl down with the camera or lowering a dolly. However, each idea seemed more complicated than the last. After multiple discussions, we considered giving up, but in the end, it was worth it. It turned out to be a successful endeavor. [Laughs.]

It’s hard to say how upset fans might have been if a significant scene from the show was removed due to disagreements about filming it. Fortunately, less cautious minds prevailed, and Ben Semanoff eagerly took on the task of creating a spine-tingling moment with his flawless display of spikes in that crucial reveal.

In my opinion, Travis’ move was nothing short of brave. I suppose I’ve managed to cash in on some memorable scenes over the years, and this one certainly ranks high among them. Remember Season 2 when we finally got our first taste of that grand feast? And here we are, on the edge of our seats, wondering what lies ahead – ‘What’s coming? What’s coming?!’ Only to discover the pit just as the snow begins to fall. At this point, it’s hard not to think, ‘It’s going to snow, there’s a pit with spikes, someone is bound to meet their end.’

It was truly thrilling to catch a glimpse of Travis from that unique perspective, and when I shared my joy at seeing The Pit transformed into a functional area, the director explained that decision was part of the broader planning process which involved numerous smaller discussions and considerations. In his own words:

There were discussions about constructing it overhead for camera placement below, along with various other aspects. However, when you delve into such projects and are confined by a TV schedule, logistics can sometimes overshadow the story. So, it’s essential to keep reminding oneself, ‘What is crucial? What must we convey?’

1. We talked about creating it up top for easy camera access, but with a TV schedule, practicalities can take over the narrative. So, it’s important to remember, ‘What matters most? What do we need to share?’

As we approach the final episode of Season 3, I’m not entirely confident that we’ll receive definitive answers on who the initial Pit Girl was before Season 4 kicks off. Given our lack of knowledge about whether she was the first to meet such a fate, it’s plausible that Hannah could be pursued into the pit without resolving anything regarding the show’s very first scene. Don’t count on Lottie tumbling into it though, especially after the wild encounter with Travis in the previous episode.

Did Lottie Miraculously Walk On Top Of The Pit? Yellowjackets’ Director Shares His Thoughts On That Scene

In a humorous twist, “How the Tale Concluded” saw Travis adopt an unofficial apprenticeship role reminiscent of Wile E. Coyote. This wasn’t only because he employed similar tactics like using sticks as trap triggers and testing them in a similar manner, but also due to the fact that his plan, just like Wile E., didn’t succeed when it was supposed to. (If Lottie had stuck out her tongue before dashing off, I would have realized it was all a dream.)

As a passionate cinema-goer, I found myself revisiting the pivotal moment when Travis led Lottie to that fateful location, giving the impression it was a lethal drop for her. He voiced his skepticism about everything she’d shared with him and Anikah, effectively confessing his actions were hollow and misguided. However, when Lottie stepped onto the camouflaged layer of branches concealing the Pit’s treacherous spokes, miraculously, she didn’t plummet through.

When I inquired from Ben Semanoff regarding the unexpected twist, he hinted at a cut scene that might provide insight into that segment, stating: “When I asked Ben Semanoff about this puzzling development, he suggested a deleted scene could offer clarification on that event, mentioning:

In the editing process, there are often moments when scenes need to be trimmed or eliminated, even ones we’ve discussed with the writers. For instance, there was a scene that didn’t make the final cut, where someone stood by a pit and another character walked on it without the pit breaking. It’s intriguing, right? You’d think, ‘I wonder if I should test that myself.’ In other words, wouldn’t you naturally want to check if the pit would hold up under pressure? After all, such a test could challenge our beliefs about what we trust or believe in, like the concept of faith.

Following Lottie’s branch crossing that left Travis as baffled as he’d been following his accident, we didn’t witness what his subsequent actions were. It appears there were discussions among the filmmakers about illuminating how the character might have responded once Lottie departed.

Perhaps it’s for the better that we didn’t witness the event ourselves, as it might have given us the idea that Travis perceived Lottie as almost walking on water, and this belief-strengthening moment led him to become more convinced. Semanoff added:

It seems Lottie is indeed what one might assume – a mystic. There’s this belief system centered around the woods that we’re expected to adopt, suggesting she somehow influences Travis and Akilah to try to establish a connection. If they wholeheartedly embrace this woodland faith, then one doesn’t question it; instead, one exclaims, ‘[Gasp] She’s a divine being.’ However, I choose not to accept it blindly. [Laughs.]

I completely agree that testing the branches right away would be the most accurate way to determine if it was truly eerie that Lottie didn’t fall to her death. However, I can also sympathize with Travis, given his distressed and drug-influenced state of mind, as he might find more comfort than anticipated in observing Lottie’s seemingly miraculous survival.

In the current timeframe, both Lottie and Travis have already passed away, and it was never intended for Lottie to be unveiled as the Pit Girl. However, that particular scene seems to have left a strong impression on both their lives, given that Lottie appeared to be aware she was walking into danger, yet chose to do so nonetheless.

How many revelations can we expect when the Season 3 finale, titled “Full Circle,” airs? Will the connection between No-Face Man’s ice cream parlor and Taissa’s dirt-eating past, stemming from her tragic breakup with Van, finally be unveiled? Will Shauna and her group manage to locate Melissa and seek retribution for Van’s demise? Will Walter ultimately discover someone who truly values him?

Let’s delve into unraveling together what the climax of this year’s chaotic occurrences holds as we eagerly anticipate “Full Circle” to unfold on Paramount+, April 11th, and on Showtime, April 13th.

Read More

2025-04-07 04:38