Yellowjackets season three is underway, diving back into the twisted lives of survivors navigating both the wilderness and their own haunted pasts. The show continues to captivate audiences with its gripping blend of psychological horror and dark humor.
The new season kicks off with the protagonists struggling with past traumas while symbolisms of their horrific experiences manifest in the wilderness. Shauna is particularly struggling as she grapples with the emotional wreckage from her child’s death and the increasing tensions among her fellow survivors.
In the realm of cannibalistic curiosities, episodes one and two of the season start on a lighter note. Interestingly, the characters exhibited restraint regarding human flesh. A slight nibble from Shauna on Mari's arm was a pivotal moment, but fellow survivors merely relied on the more conventional diet of bunny rabbits and deer. Mari’s comment to Coach Ben, “We don’t do that anymore,” signals a glimmer of hope, but as history hints, such proclamations may not hold.
However, by episode three, the team shows a willingness to consume bats, suggesting desperation in their circumstances, but there hasn’t been a return to cannibalistic tendencies thus far. The avoidant behavior prompts curious viewers to wonder how long that will last.
The storyline takes a dark turn in episode four, where Coach Ben faces a grim fate orchestrated by the survival group's treatment of him, underscoring a pivotal moment of accusations and judgments within the group. As attendees grapple with Ben’s past actions, there are murmurs of spiritual cannibalism, a testament to their mental state.
The tension escalates in episode five when Ben is sentenced to death, but in a last-minute reprieve, he survives through intervention from Lottie. The dynamic among survivors becomes increasingly complex and fraught with anger and betrayal.
Episode six finally sees the dreadful act materializing—as Nat succumbs to the pressures of survival and ultimately kills Coach Ben. Subsequently, guests at the “dinner” reflect the return of cannibalistic rituals, where Shauna initiates a feast of their fallen comrade. “In the Wilderness if someone dies, they are honored,” she declares, reaffirming their descent into brutality.
The tension spills over into episode seven, interrupted by the arrival of outsiders: biologists and a wilderness guide. For them, it doesn't end well—Lottie’s visceral reaction culminates in violence; however, the question of whether they will be consumed remains as the survivors maintain a frightful hold over morality.
Meanwhile, the contemporary narrative unfolds, showcasing a stark contrast to the grim wilderness past. The mystery enveloping Shauna intensifies with the discovery of a cryptic envelope containing an audio tape marked distinctly with the wilderness symbol. The envelope, mysteriously delivered to Shauna's doorstep, is discovered by Callie, who keeps the contents secret.
As this intriguing subplot develops, it intertwines with the greater narrative, revealing complexities about Shauna’s relationship with her daughter and her haunting past. The DAT tape contains chilling recordings, culminating in a woman's terror as she records, “Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3, Oh my god, what is this,” leading listeners to speculate about its significance. Shauna, Tai, and Van listen to the tape, realizing its importance.
The foreboding sense of danger elevates when in episode seven, Shauna finally listens alone in a hotel bathroom, unveiling layers of trauma when she hears a woman named Hannah detailing harrowing occurrences from the wilderness, suggesting deeper conflicts from their past.
The return of Hilary Swank raises more questions, particularly with her hinted ties to Melissa and the cryptic phone calls which place suspicion among the survivors. Each episode leaves viewers on the edge as they unravel who might have survived and what secrets lie ahead.
As the story progresses, the specter of cannibalism looms ever larger, encouraging speculation about the dynamics of survival and the lengths to which they might go under duress. The haunting and visceral storytelling marries the raw turbulence of survival and the moral dilemmas confronting the characters.
Only time will tell where the journey leads for the Yellowjackets. Can they escape the gnawing fate of their past, or will they succumb to it? The anticipation of what lies ahead in this season is palpable, with each twist compelling audiences to tune in for more.
