Yellowjackets Season3: Is It the New Riverdale? Fans Spot the Similarities

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Individuals who have ever tuned into the show Riverdale might remember its wildly unpredictable turns: from aliens, alternate dimensions, gargoyle rulers, to characters peddling “tickle” videos as side jobs, just to mention a few. The series spanned seven seasons and initially presented itself as a light-hearted teen soap, but it didn’t take long for it to plunge into utter madness. From start to finish, it was an uproarious journey filled with storylines like “dark Betty” and Archie’s bear encounter, providing ample material for internet memes that have kept us entertained for close to a decade.

Recently, I’ve been experiencing a comforting, somewhat nostalgic sensation while catching up on the third season of Showtime’s Yellowjackets, available on Paramount+. This teenage thriller chronicles a soccer team (and their future selves) who are stranded in a dense forest after a plane crash, and it’s now in its third series. The response from viewers hasn’t been overwhelmingly positive so far. However, some fans found Episode 7 promising that things might get better, but this season has taken on an over-the-top vibe. In fact, the current season of Yellowjackets is reminiscent of Riverdale, even sharing similarities such as lesbian characters, cannibalism, and blue and yellow uniforms.

Boring Yet Wild

Unlike Riverdale, it appears unlikely that Yellowjackets will extend beyond its current three seasons. Frankly, I’d be taken aback if there’s a fourth season renewal. From a creative standpoint, the show seems to be veering towards the absurd. Initially, the creators had a five-season plan for the series, but it’s challenging to envision what they could come up with for another two seasons of content. The episodes seem somewhat stretched, a trait that recalls Riverdale. Additionally, the plot can be complex and hard to follow at times.

Initially, the first two seasons of “Yellowjackets” were shrouded in mystery and had an alluring quality that left us eagerly anticipating events unfolding within the forest. We found ourselves deeply curious about what led the girls to resort to cannibalism, who survived, and what their ultimate fate would be. However, as episodes progressed, the unexpected twists grew less captivating, and it seemed possible that the story might follow a predictable path: The girls may have slipped into cult-like behavior, resorting to cannibalism as a last-resort food source, and eventually being rescued. (Although it’s a grim notion, this could well be the reality.)

The exciting events are sparse and far apart, making them seem less impactful when they occur. Additionally, these events are interspersed with unwelcome glances into the adult/present timeline, which can feel tedious at times (with a few exceptions, such as Christina Ricci’s performance). Moreover, it seems like a different character is introduced each time they return to the woods (I swear it’s a trick, I don’t recognize these girls).

The third season of Yellowjackets manages an impressive balancing act between dullness and chaos, creating a sensation of descent into madness. One could contend that this is intentional, given the characters’ own mental deterioration. However, the narrative twists and turns in Yellowjackets become so bizarre and disjointed that they fail to be fulfilling or enjoyable, resembling the unconventional storylines of Riverdale in this aspect. The cult-themed plot points, while fitting with the series’ early themes, become rather absurd if pondered for even a moment.

Many memorable instances in the series Yellowjackets include: Laura Lee’s shocking demise on the plane, Tai’s chilling alter ego, and numerous unsolved mysteries about who did what. Occasionally, character deaths can seem arbitrary, not in the thrilling manner of Game of Thrones, but more like a hint that an actor decided to leave the show. The third season is as unpredictable as Yellowjackets has ever been, yet the initial excitement is starting to diminish slightly.

Is There Hope?

Previously noted, Episode 7 was considerably more engaging than any other episode this season thus far. This could be due to its focus on fresh characters, played by Joel McHale from “Community” and Nelson Franklin from “New Girl”. However, I believe they may be setting up something truly captivating. Nonetheless, it cannot be denied that this season of “Yellowjackets” has been downright peculiar.

Initially captivating, it’s been turning into something less enjoyable to watch, resembling more of a task than pleasure – much like the series Riverdale that witnessed a drop in viewers as the seasons progressed. Surprisingly though, Yellowjackets has experienced an uptick in ratings recently, boasting a 39% rise since Season 2. Go figure!

As we approach the final three episodes, will “Yellowjackets” manage to pull off a compelling conclusion, or will it join the ranks of shows that squandered their potential? It’s possible that the series had an intricate design all along, unlike “Riverdale.

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2025-03-28 05:02