Yellowjackets Season 3: Can the Wilderness Still Keep Us Hooked?

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Despite Yellowjackets Season 2 receiving a high critics’ score of 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, its audience score dropped significantly to 44%. The show became infamous for its persistent depiction of cannibalism, which was both hard for the average TV viewer to stomach and unrealistic for the stranded characters. Fortunately, there’s no Jackie-style roast in the first four episodes of Season 3. However, with the series’ reputation shifting from a feminist cannibalism word-of-mouth hit to a feminist cannibalism show that doesn’t feature much cannibalism, it raises the question: Can it break free from its sophomore slump and regain its momentum?

Trying to Pick Up the Pieces of Season 2 with Renewed Perspective(s)

Showtime’s unique survival thriller series, Yellowjackets, unfolds the hardships faced by a girls’ soccer team from Wiskayok High School in New Jersey, whose plane crash in the remote Ontario woods in 1996 sets the stage for their harrowing ordeal. As the mysteries surrounding the Yellowjackets’ forest ordeal deepened in Season 2, viewers were treated to grisly scenes of botched cannibalism, teammate hunting practices, suspected arson, and the chilling death of Shauna’s newborn son. In essence, the writers of this genre-blending Showtime series have effectively served up a generous portion of trauma for those craving it.

The blending of the ’90s atmosphere with modern chaos in the series resulted in a complex and confusing set of episodes. Rather than a cult, it’s an “intentional community” that Lottie leads. Elijah Wood’s presence was noticeable, but it seems they postponed the Man With No Eyes storyline. The overall feeling was one of sadness and frustration due to poorly structured subplots, much like those you might find in a Ryan Murphy production. To put it simply, Yellowjackets Season 2 fought harder for survival than its wilderness-bound soccer team from Canada, suggesting that it wasn’t without its challenges.

In Season 3 of Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson’s “Yellowjackets”, the arrival of spring in the ’90s wilderness setting carries significant symbolism for both the narrative and the show’s future. Themes of regeneration and rejuvenation are evident from the start, with Episode 1’s opening scene bathed in gentle yellow tones and accompanied by Cat Stevens’ 1971 rendition of the nature-loving anthem “Morning Has Broken.” After the tragic cabin fire, the girls have constructed a new living space. They’ve taken up farming, raising rabbits and ducks for sustenance, and they’ve found comfort, camaraderie, and resilience through games, communal activities, and teamwork.

In the Yellowjackets universe, there’s often a significant difference in viewpoints among characters. For instance, one character might interpret their actions as determination and spiritual growth, whereas another might view them as delusional attempts to cope with extreme trauma. As we look forward to the future of the series, this could be another subjective matter. Could focusing on karmic consequences, the intricacies of justice and sacrifice, and a hint of queer representation help Yellowjackets stay relevant? In Season 3, perhaps by keeping “the Wilderness” (and viewers) engaged with these elements, it might continue to thrive.

A Barbaric Past Eats Away at the Girls in ‘Yellowjackets’ Season 3

As the tagline “the past will haunt you” sets the stage for Season 3, it’s clear that Shauna (Melanie Lynskey), Van (Lauren Ambrose), Misty (Christina Ricci), Tai (Tawny Cypress), and Lottie (Simone Kessell) – the surviving adult Yellowjackets – will never truly escape the guilt, sorrow, and trauma they endured during their survival in the wilderness 25 years ago. In the present day, the main characters grapple with accepting Natalie’s (Juliette Lewis) tragic death at the end of Season 2, a loss that Misty believes she bears some responsibility for. However, there appears to be an odd sense of tranquility in believing this was exactly what the Wilderness – or “It” – had wanted all along. After all, Natalie did draw the deadly Queen of Hearts card many years ago; it seems she was chosen.

These women often find themselves yielding to destiny, developing a pattern of sorts that seems to relieve them from accountability and moral duty. Notably, Lottie, who created the spiritual system centered on the Wilderness, shows the most signs of this mindset, influencing even Shauna, a skeptic. Despite her disbelief in the sanctity of the Wilderness, Shauna’s weakening sense of responsibility might be connected to her powerful, no-mercy survival instincts.

In the trailer for Season 3, Shauna (an adult character) declares that the only real safety comes from being the last one standing. Jeff’s (Warren Kole) efforts to inspire his wife to donate to charity and volunteer meet with little enthusiasm from Shauna. As Jeff grapples with feelings of guilt over his past actions involving blackmail and covering up Adam’s (Peter Gadiot) murder, he hopes to counteract what he sees as karmic retribution by performing acts of goodwill.

Time and again, the TV series “Yellowjackets” has underscored the various methods these grown women have used to cope with their adolescent wilderness trauma, some of which have had positive or negative outcomes. They’ve resorted to escaping physically through substance abuse, found solace in the monotonous peace of suburban life, and yet, avoiding the mistakes of the past hasn’t seemed to work for these adult Yellowjackets. It appears that letting go of all regret and giving in to whatever “It” demands might be their way forward (should they choose to). And if this means an increase in casualties, so be it. In Season 2, viewers got a glimpse of this dynamic, but in Season 3, the Yellowjackets seem to continue down this path, making for compelling viewing.

‘Yellowjackets’ Season 3 Is Still Confused About Its Supernatural Elements

At first glance, what made Yellowjackets particularly captivating was its reluctance to immerse fully into the realm of the supernatural. Instead, many seemingly unexplainable plot points and themes are given rational explanations, suggesting that they may be rooted in natural causes rather than something otherworldly. This leaves viewers questioning whether certain visions or strange noises are paranormal occurrences or merely hallucinations triggered by factors like hunger, thirst, stress, or delirium.

In 2021, Ashley Lyle, one of the creators, talked about the show’s supernatural aspects on The Hollywood Reporter’s TV’s Top 5 podcast. She expressed their fascination with the boundary between genuine supernatural occurrences and madness that might ensue. This statement, while seemingly vague, actually provides a space for creativity and potential changes in the show’s narrative.

Season 3 reintroduces the Man Without Eyes, a character who’s rumored to be like a grim reaper, implying that death may be imminent. However, whether Tai’s encounters with this shadowy figure resembling the Slender Man are real or not remains unclear. The inclusion of “screaming trees” and navigating enigmatic caves in Season 3 only serves to deepen the mystery surrounding the supernatural. With numerous doubts about the wilderness, its insatiable appetite for human sacrifices, and the authenticity of these supernatural occurrences, it seems as though the writers are exploring uncharted territory, making up new elements as they progress through the story. It feels like they’re throwing ideas such as “screaming trees” against the wall to see if they will stick, so to speak.

Strong Women Make the Wilderness a Scary Place

Typically speaking, the ’90s-themed narrative stands out as captivatingly intriguing. In its third season, it delivers mesmerizing surrealist scenes, thought-provoking existential discussions, and exceptional acting, notably from Sophie Nélisse portraying young Shauna and Steven Krueger playing Coach Ben.

In a slightly less obvious manner, it could be said that Shauna’s romantic inclinations might seem contrived – as if she’s giving subtle hints to the devoted lesbian fans of “Yellowjackets” on Twitter – but given her increasing authority over the group through instilling fear, having a loyal supporter with a backwards cap becomes quite logical. The escalating anger and underlying hostility within Shauna make her an intimidating figure in the wilderness; someone you wouldn’t want to cross paths with.

As a movie critic, I can’t help but be captivated by Nélisse’s relentless portrayal of Shauna’s reserved demeanor and somber facial expressions, subtly revealing her inner turmoil without resorting to over-the-top dramatic displays. While drawing parallels between Yellowjackets and Lord of the Flies might seem like old hat, Shauna’s evolution into a complex character mirrors that of Jack from the woods. In an interview with Deadline in 2022, Lyle revealed that at its heart, Yellowjackets is indeed “a tale about troubled women,” and it has consistently delivered on this premise. Indeed, it does so with great conviction.

Season 3 of ‘Yellowjackets’ Is Building Momentum

In Season 3, Steven Krueger portrays Coach Ben exceptionally well, bringing authenticity and raw feelings into a character grappling with his own guilt and remorse. There are subtle references to Coach Ben’s past experiences with personal stories in adulthood, as well as a touching monologue that could melt the coldest heart, demonstrating significant growth for this character.

In a more simplified and conversational manner: Coach Ben’s survival strategy is based on logic while also being fueled by a fear of being devoured by ravenous teenagers. If Shauna fights, Coach Ben flees. The series “Yellowjackets” stands out for its deep exploration of how various minds cope with trauma, pain, and the will to survive, using horror elements and sharp dialogue. This alone makes it compelling viewing. Moreover, the show offers a chilling portrayal of justice in the wilderness and has recruited Oscar winner Hilary Swank to its cast, adding even more intrigue and anticipation.

Starting from February 14, 2025, at 3:00 a.m. EST/12:00 a.m. PST, two initial episodes of Yellowjackets Season 3 can be streamed on Paramount+ and Showtime. Meanwhile, these episodes will have their official premiere on Showtime at 8:00 p.m. EST/5:00 p.m. PST on February 16, 2025. Click the link below to catch it!

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2025-02-14 11:33