Yellowjackets’ Lottie Murder Mystery: Unraveling the Killer’s Identity

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In the series Yellowjackets, it’s been confirmed that Lottie (Simone Kessell) has met a tragic end. Now, an investigation is underway to determine who was responsible for her death. It’s hard to believe she fell down the stairs accidentally. Suspicions are mounting towards Tai (Tawny Cypress), as even the title of Episode 5 hints at her potential involvement: “Did Tai Have a Hand in This?

However, as the women, guided by Misty (Christina Ricci), delve further into the enigma, they discover there’s much more to Lottie than they initially realized. Her demise might not have been the work of one person, and it could be connected to various motives.

Misty Jumps Full Force Into an Investigation

The story opens as Misty, a standout character from “Yellowjackets”, employs her detective talents and network to gather intel. She pays a visit to the coroner, who is acquainted with her through their shared online citizen detective association. Leveraging incriminating details she holds on him, she coerces him into handing over Lottie’s personal belongings for examination. As he leaves to fetch the bag, she secretly takes a strand of hair discovered beneath Lottie’s fingernails, intending to reach out to another contact for DNA analysis.

In the heart of this gripping thriller, I found myself taken aback as the other women were left stunned upon hearing about Lottie’s demise. It didn’t take long for them to flip the script on poor Misty, casting suspicion her way. Now, here’s where things get interesting – Shauna, a character brilliantly portrayed by Melanie Lynskey, knew that on the day in question, Misty had skipped work without a trace. Her furious reaction to this accusation doesn’t exactly scream guilty, but it does raise questions. You see, Misty has a history of peculiar behavior, both in the present and in flashbacks, which makes one wonder if she could have been capable of such a crime. It’s a long shot, but stranger things have happened in this genre!

While examining Lottie’s belongings, Misty decides to contact the medical examiner about her missing phone. Upon confirmation that Lottie had no phone on her, Misty finds herself perplexed. She hops in her car, only to find Shauna close by, intending to trail her. However, when Shauna halts her vehicle to investigate a follower, it turns out to be Walter (Elijah Wood). Despite their initial reservations, they join forces and make their way towards the hotel where Lottie passed away. This is a place that Walter believes Misty might head due to Lottie’s death occurring there.

As Misty delves into the matter, she uncovers noticeable scrapes on the stairwell walls where Lottie tumbled (or was shoved), hinting at one of two possibilities: perhaps Lottie was attempting to lessen the impact of her fall, or there was a fight taking place. However, what she unearths next is downright astounding.

Lottie Was Hiding Details of Her Family

In the episode’s climactic moment, it’s disclosed that Lottie wasn’t actually homeless following the shutdown of her compound, contrary to what she told Shauna when seeking refuge at her home. Instead, as a surprising twist, her father, who owned the high-rise where she perished, continued to reside in its penthouse. It also emerged that Lottie had been secretly staying with him for quite some time prior. This revelation casts doubt on her reasons for approaching Shauna’s house and her intentions towards Callie (Sarah Desjardins), leaving many unanswered questions about Lottie’s true nature.

In the current situation, I find myself caring for my dementia-stricken father who resides with me. Given his condition, it’s highly improbable that he could have committed the act himself or had any motivation to do so, as he poses no threat to me. However, due to his limited mobility and restricted movements within our penthouse suite, it seems unlikely that he would be found in a dimly lit stairwell without anyone noticing. Consequently, I believe it’s safe to assume that my father is not the one responsible for this incident.

Upon receiving the details from the bellman, Misty presents herself at the penthouse entrance, feigning as a neighbor dropping by with treats and sympathies. She further convinces her father that Lottie had been holding a parcel for her, thereby gaining access to the apartment to search for it. After rummaging through Lottie’s coat, she discreetly lifts a receipt which she later peruses to disclose that Lottie had withdrawn $50,000 from her bank account just prior to her demise.

Shauna Remains Suspicious

However, someone else has already arrived at Misty’s location. Meanwhile, Walter is posing as a tech working on the Wi-Fi with Shauna, creating a ruse that there’s an issue requiring an upgrade. Simultaneously, he aims to access Lottie’s computer, not only copying data from her phone for later examination but also attempting to delve into her computer activities around the time of her death and the days preceding it.

As Walter and Shauna collaborate, there remains a hint of mutual suspicion between them. This doubt deepens for Shauna when Walter mentions knowing something that “curls her toes,” which seems to imply he has knowledge about Lottie’s death related to Misty. When confronted, Walter proposes comparing their DNA with the hair found under Lottie’s fingers, but Shauna turns down the offer. It’s uncertain if she declines because of guilt or simply finds him distasteful.

Shauna continues to be a possible suspect due to her history of instability, both as a teenager and currently, which fuels suspicions. It’s also important to note that Shauna had visited New York the night Lottie died, intending to buy a cat similar to one lost by Jeff (Warren Kole) as part of his plan for good karma. Furthermore, it was the last time Shauna saw Lottie alive, they had a major disagreement and Lottie was forced to leave her home. Despite these concerns, Shauna appears convinced that someone is targeting the Yellowjackets, given the unusual occurrences around her. From malfunctioning brakes to being trapped in a freezer, she fears she might be the next victim.

So, Did Tai Do That?

As a movie reviewer, I found myself intrigued by the character of Tai in this film, particularly after the tragic demise of Lottie. It’s unsettling to see Tai carry on as if nothing had happened, showing no signs of grief or remorse over the loss of their friend. Even Van, who is equally distraught, expresses concern about Tai’s nonchalance.

The plot thickens when it becomes evident that there’s a 45-minute gap in Tai’s whereabouts on the day they had their date in New York. Tai insisted that she needed the entire hour to prepare for their rendezvous, despite it being just a short train ride away. This unexplained time gap has left many viewers, including myself, questioning Tai’s innocence in Lottie’s death.

Despite Tai’s assertions of innocence and her elaborate explanations about preparing for their date, the mystery surrounding her actions that fateful day only deepens. It’s a testament to the intricate web of suspense and suspicion that the film weaves, leaving us all in anticipation of the truth behind Lottie’s death.

Could it be that during one of her fugue episodes, Tai (Jasmin Savoy Brown) went to Lottie, committed the act, and now has no recollection of it? This is suggested in the series, as we see young Tai struggle with carrying out a task, which she eventually does by summoning her sleepwalking personality. If this mechanism still operates today, then it’s possible that she might be the culprit without realizing it.

In my humble opinion as a film critic, there’s an intriguing moment in the narrative when the character portraying Tai encounters her son Sammy. Despite being informed that he had been inquiring about her, it’s peculiar how he swiftly averts his gaze upon her approach to converse with him. He seems frightened, and I can’t help but wonder if this fear stems from something she subtly communicated to him or perhaps because he perceives this woman as someone other than his mother – someone far more menacing.

Could It Be Someone Else Entirely?

Could it be that Shauna is correct and a different individual not part of Tai, Misty, Van, Walter, or the main group is responsible for Lottie’s death? If this is the case, identifying the culprit might involve considering those who survived among the women from the wilderness, or someone connected to them in some way.

It seems clear that Lottie’s father has ordered the police to classify her death as an accident. If they don’t comply, he warns Misty, their foundation won’t provide any more funds. (It’s uncertain if this former Wall Street magnate is still capable of making such threats due to his current health status, or if he simply believes he can.) In other words, there appears to be no motivation or inclination for the police to delve deeper, and so nothing will change regarding Lottie’s death until a group like the Yellowjackets intervenes.

Should they persist on this course, they may stumble upon information that isn’t pleasant to hear, and it might affect everyone involved. However, similar consequences could arise if they refrain from seeking the truth, particularly if the perpetrator originates from beyond their circle.

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2025-03-07 11:02