Yellowjackets Recap: Serious Karma Deficit

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Stream now on Paramount+ the show titled “12 Girls with Strong Opinions” and “One Tipsy Travis”, set to air for the first time on Showtime this coming Sunday.

In the world of Yellowjackets, it seems that karma may not play a significant role in the trial of Coach Ben Scott, as demonstrated by the girls’ decision to accuse him of arson – a crime he apparently did not commit. It is essential to recall that without Ben, this group may not have survived at all. He was instrumental in teaching them crucial skills such as shooting guns, setting traps for animals, and even how to butcher and field dress animals, skills which were vital for their survival (including Shauna). If not for Ben’s guidance, it is likely that these girls – along with Travis – would have perished long ago.

The concept of karmic retribution has shaped the narrative of this series throughout its duration. However, it appears that the wilderness demands offerings, indifferent to how they’re obtained. So far, we can see that “It” is a whimsical deity, taking whatever It desires without regard for the consequences. In essence, “It” resembles a vengeful adolescent girl. Teenagers are infamous for struggling with feelings of guilt and shame, and when they don’t know how to cope, they often take out their frustration on others. Similarly, the wilderness, and those who can’t handle their own problems, may never find an external sacrifice, be it good or bad, sufficient.

It’s unfortunate for Jeff, who is trying to make amends for his past actions by helping find a lost cat, donating old DVDs, and spending an afternoon volunteering at a nursing home. I might tease him about his meager efforts to compensate for being an accomplice in both Adam and Kevin’s murders, but he’s so sincere and kind that it feels unfair. Moreover, if nature is truly sentient, then everything Jeff is doing may ultimately be meaningless anyway.

In the end, Shauna and Jeff wind up serving at the retirement home where Misty is employed. Despite the fact that Misty is still quite angry with Shauna for accusing her of tampering with her brakes when she wasn’t responsible, she requests an apology from Shauna. However, Shauna doesn’t apologize; instead, she fulfills Misty’s task of preparing food in the kitchen. Misty believes that this will serve as punishment for Shauna, but Shauna actually finds solace and productivity when given the opportunity to be alone with her thoughts and engage in manual labor. As a result, Misty was wrong on this occasion. Annoyed, Misty fantasizes about backstabbing Shauna, which provided an unexpected thrill as a viewer for a brief moment until I realized it was just a daydream. Oh well, there’s always next week.

Later on, Shauna finds herself stuck inside a freezer, pondering her life’s circumstances. The situation reminds one of Carmy Berzatto, until Jackie’s spirit suddenly appears. As always, Jackie’s ghost serves as Shauna’s conscience, reminding her that she wouldn’t be intriguing without Shauna, and suggesting that Shauna deserves to suffer the consequences of her actions in a karmic twist. Eventually, Randy discovers Shauna trapped inside the freezer, and Shauna becomes convinced that Misty was responsible for locking her in, leading her to search for Misty afterwards.

In the wilderness, Misty and Shauna confront each other during Ben’s trial, representing polar opposite views. Natalie assigns Misty to defend Ben, who wholeheartedly embraces her role in the case. On the other hand, Shauna, filled with anger and fury, remains unconvinced of Ben’s innocence. At one instance, when Shauna is under examination by Misty, she asks if Shauna set fire to the cabin. Shauna finds this question ludicrous, as the cabin was also her home, mirroring adult Misty’s argument that she wouldn’t have tampered with the van brakes because she could have perished too. During her careful interrogation of Mari, Shauna, and Lottie, Misty presents a compelling argument for doubt in Ben’s guilt. On the other hand, Tai, who later becomes a skilled lawyer, tends to win over witnesses by flattery and using dramatic courtroom tactics to convey her arguments. If this isn’t an illustration of logic versus emotion, I’m not sure what is.

When Lottie testifies, Misty employs her as a historical authority, given that she excelled in history class, and debates the longstanding practice of individuals who opposed specific belief systems destroying sacred structures – in this case, symbolically referring to the cabin, which served as the Yellowjackets’ only constructed dwelling and potentially their spiritual gathering place during their struggle for survival.

However, I’d like to steer the conversation elsewhere. Lottie eventually acknowledges that any of them could have been responsible for burning down the cabin, and there isn’t enough proof to convict Coach Scott with the current knowledge. This revelation seems to influence a segment of the audience. Tai and Shauna appear surprised, but then Tai summons Natalie to testify. Under pressure, Natalie confesses that she knew where Ben was all along and purposely discouraged the group from searching for him. Once more, Tai skillfully diverts attention from the main issue: Natalie’s choice to conceal Ben’s location doesn’t prove he set the cabin on fire — in fact, it contradicts the accusation. Nevertheless, this information stirs the jury, and matters become increasingly challenging for Ben.

Let’s discuss the unusual behavior of Tai and adult Van this week. They decided to leave a queen of hearts card on a New York City sidewalk, and whomever picks it up could potentially be targeted. This man, who appears to have a young child, was the unlucky one. The plan seems to involve following him and then committing a cold-blooded murder in his apartment, but when they arrive at the man’s door, Van expresses hesitation, stating that she can’t continue living this way. Tai quickly accepts this decision and promises to meet Van an hour later at Columbus Circle. The question is, what did Tai do during that hour before meeting Van for their soft pretzel and carriage ride? It remains a puzzle.

As a film enthusiast, let me rephrase the given text from my perspective: In the wilderness narrative, Van and Tai stand out as formidable characters. They are the only couple among the group, and their combined influence is quite potent, especially when they act in unity. The duo seems convinced that Ben has committed a crime, with Van being particularly determined to accuse him. Now, considering another angle, could it be possible that Van is pointing fingers at Ben because she suspects Bad Tai started the fire? If true, this would parallel the notion of Tai attempting to sacrifice an innocent man to protect Van in the current timeline, wouldn’t it? Let’s delve deeper into this intriguing theory!

In the final round of testimonies, Misty brings Ben up to the stand. Steven Krueger’s acting is exceptional as he testifies, skillfully navigating a range of intense feelings. Hollywood take note: If the Yellowjackets were to eventually kill and consume (?) Ben in future episodes, consider casting Krueger for additional roles. As a man living in a developing female-led community, Krueger has crafted an incredibly captivating and lovable character in Ben Scott, especially during this court trial. Previously, I pondered how Ben managed to become one of the most relatable characters in the series, and it’s Krueger’s dedication to portraying Ben’s multidimensional emotions that achieves this effect.

When Misty probes Ben with questions, he transforms into a wellspring of sincerity and introspection. At first, he admits that he didn’t have a strong affection for teaching children and that his role as a substitute teacher was merely a temporary stop following his ACL injury. However, as the conversation unfolds, he begins to grasp some profound truths about his life. It becomes apparent that Ben lacked direction. Previous episodes have shown us that Ben is gay but kept his sexuality hidden from many people, even after finding true love in his partner, Paul. The rejection and lack of support from his family left him with deep emotional scars. As he testifies, he suddenly recognizes that he treated the girls he was entrusted to guide and protect in much the same way as his family treated him. These girls were underdogs, just like him. Eventually, they flourished under his guidance, becoming exceptional. They served as a reflection of who Ben could be, but then a tragic event occurred and disrupted his life. It’s amazing how far some people will go before seeking therapy, such as reluctantly coaching a high-school girls’ soccer team.

In simpler terms, Ben specifically acknowledges and apologizes to Shauna for leaving her during labor, understanding fully that his actions were inappropriate given the delicate situation. However, it’s also important to note that Ben has done many commendable things since then. He avoids discussing events after their accident – as previously mentioned; but he recalls instances where he could have caused social trouble for them back home, such as discovering Tai and Van fooling around, or when they all got drunk before a big game and he covered up for them. To clarify, Ben did not intend to harm these girls. I stand by this assertion, and at present, most of them share my belief as well.

Except for one individual, Shauna refuses to accept his innocence. The pain from his abandonment still lingers too heavily, and the humiliation of contemplating him passing judgment on the group for consuming Jackie and Javi is still too fresh. For her, it’s unacceptable to consider him innocent at this moment. Instead, she persuades the rest of the group to vote for his conviction. Initially, only Van and Melissa support her, while Travis, Akilah, Lottie, Mari, Brittney, and Robin vote “not guilty.” Gen chooses not to participate, while Tai, Misty, and Natalie abstain due to their involvement in the trial. Gradually, as they vote again and again, Shauna manages to sway more individuals to her side. At a certain point, a gust of wind seems to indicate the wilderness’s desire for Lottie to vote with Shauna, and the group begins to change its mind. In the end, Natalie declares Ben guilty. The outcome leaves everyone distraught and shaken, except for Melissa, who appears to have struck gold with a wide grin on her face, saying, “That’s power.

Yet, Lottie seems to have been instrumental in changing the course of events in this scenario, which makes it peculiar that so much focus is given to her power in the wilderness, as she appears infrequently in the adult storyline. Then, there’s the surprising revelation – she’s no longer alive.

Prior to the startling discovery of Lottie’s lifeless body at the foot of a haunting staircase adorned with unlit candles, we’ve only caught glimpses of her on two occasions. Initially, she is spotted exiting a bank, and later, we see her rehearsing an apology in front of a mirror. These seemingly innocent details raise intrigue, and the events leading up to her death (possibly murder?) signify the first compelling development in the adult storyline this season. Here’s hoping the excitement continues.

Buzz, Buzz, Buzz

1990s Track Highlight: At last, “Linger” by the Cranberries was included, and it was incredibly endearing. Additionally, one of my favorites, The Eels graced our ears as their song “Fresh Blood” accompanied Van and Tai’s search for cards.

Jeff’s impersonation of Christopher Walken isn’t too shabby! I’d love to see him recite lines from Severance, especially “Fields is taking care of the ham.

Throughout this episode, various scenes triggered memories from the TV show “Arrested Development.” For instance, when Ben talked about a mock trial, I was reminded of the fictional reality-show-within-the-show called “Mock Trial with Judge Reinhold“. Later, Lottie and Misty’s conversation made me recall George Bluth’s humorous blunder where he said “faith is a fact,” which was misconstrued by one of his followers. While Lottie seems to believe faith is a fact, it’s actually not so. Unfortunately, this misunderstanding doesn’t affect the court in the wilderness for Ben.

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2025-02-28 19:58