Yellowjackets Season 3 Review: TV’s Best Survival Thriller Returns Weirder And Wilder

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Yellowjackets” captivates audiences initially through its intriguing plot, enigmatic elements, striking visuals, and aptly chosen soundtrack. However, what truly hooks us is the complexity of the characters. While viewers are engrossed in deciphering each hint about the missing girls’ fate in the wilderness and anticipating future events, it’s the strong-willed female characters that keep us invested. We wouldn’t continue watching if not for these women and their struggles with the show’s dark, chilling undertones.

In the initial four episodes of its third season, before its premiere on February 14th, “Yellowjackets” emphasizes once more that it is fundamentally about characters, using the peculiarity of its premise to allow its talented cast to portray a wide range of feelings, idiosyncrasies, and inner struggles. Additionally, these early episodes remind us that it should not shy away from being genuinely unusual. This approach promises one of the most unpredictable, bizarre “Yellowjackets” seasons yet, although the show still grapples with some storylines that may be starting to feel repetitive.

A new chapter

At the culmination of “Yellowjackets” second season, the characters found themselves precariously perched in both their past and present scenarios. In the wilderness timeline, following their descent into cannibalism and a cabin fire, the girls were forced to escape. Meanwhile, in the current day, Misty’s (Christina Ricci) unwitting injection of fentanyl into Nat (Juliette Lewis) at Lottie’s (Simone Kessell) retreat resulted in Nat’s near-instant death, causing chaos and turmoil. Now, we get to witness the aftermath as everyone grapples with their new realities.

Initially, things appear to be alright; however, it’s now clear that the girls surviving in the wilderness are faring better since the weather has improved, allowing them to regain a sense of clarity and comfort. Meanwhile, the women who have survived up to the present day – among them Lottie, Misty, Shauna (Melanie Lynskey), Taissa (Tawny Cypress), and Van (Lauren Ambrose) – are grieving for Nat and trying to find a way to move forward. Despite their best efforts to establish a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos in both past and present, this is “Yellowjackets,” so it’s only a matter of time before things take a turn for the worse.

In the heart of the wilderness, I find myself questioning my leadership role among our group, as the other girls voice their doubts about the circumstances surrounding Coach Scott’s disappearance. They delve deeper into the enigma that the woods seem to present, trying to understand what it is they want from us. As for today, with Nat’s recent demise still heavy on our minds, we begin to sense a new, ominous presence stalking us – another mystery waiting to be unraveled.

Regardless of the shift in tone at the onset of Season 3, “Yellowjackets” remains a series that leaps into action with sharp-edged intrigue. The creative minds behind the show, Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson, have skillfully maintained their fast-paced, unpredictable pace over the break. In no time at all, we’re once again confronted with the reality that the story remains terrifying and filled with tantalizing subplots. For instance, Walter (Elijah Wood) becomes entwined in the Yellowjackets’ lives, Tai grapples with his mental health struggles, and Callie (Sarah Desjardins) continues her quest to uncover secrets about her mother and her mother’s companions. With all our favorite aspects of “Yellowjackets” returning promptly from the start, the question now is: what fresh challenges await us?

Yellowjackets gets weirder

At times, the response slightly resembles previous instances, potentially losing some freshness. For instance, when “Yellowjackets” Season 3 seems less compelling, it tends to delve into areas already extensively covered, such as cryptic instructions from enigmatic hidden entities or the girls in the wilderness arguing about their society’s future direction. While some repetition is inevitable due to the nature of the plot, it never feels like the show is simply rehashing old material. However, it’s worth noting that this could be a factor to monitor as the season unfolds.

Despite some minor flaws, the core essence of “Yellowjackets” – its darkly humorous storytelling and compelling characters – remains unyielding. This series has consistently been a mystery unfolding, but the true allure lies in dissecting how these experiences have shaped the protagonists’ emotional landscapes. Season 3 delves back into this exploration. Notably, Christina Ricci’s portrayal of Nat’s aftermath is captivating, while Melanie Lynskey continues to lead as Shauna grapples with her daughter uncovering truths that might mirror Shauna’s own brutal nature. The actors portraying the young characters – Sophie Nelisse as young Shauna, Eve Hewson as young Van, and Sophie Thatcher as young Nat – are equally captivating. “Yellowjackets” often employs past sequences as metaphors for teenage turmoil, and in Season 3, it delves into the feelings of transitioning from high school friendships in a thoughtful, self-referential manner. The young cast responds to this emotional juncture with the intensity that fans have come to expect from this show.

One intriguing aspect of the new season is the peculiar ways the intensity unfolds. Characters delve into strange territories, such as investigating hallucinogens from the past, concealing crimes in the present, and contemplating the shadows in their lives. The women on this series are immersed in surreal scenarios and dreamlike logic that even the initial seasons didn’t quite achieve.

The wilderness mysteries continue to encroach, while Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson skillfully weave clues with portraying the emotional depths of the characters’ experiences. At times, this takes the form of a mysterious parcel arriving through the mail, and at other times, the trees seem to scream. On “Yellowjackets,” both scenarios are equally valid explorations.

In its third season, “Yellowjackets” hasn’t shed any of its raw appeal. The characters, the gripping narrative, the violence, and the dark humor are all still present, as captivating as newly spilled blood, eager to draw us in once more. One of TV’s finest series has returned, and it remains a thrilling, bloody experience.

“Yellowjackets” returns to Paramount+ with Showtime on February 14.

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2025-02-14 11:30