‘Yellowjackets’ Bosses on the Parallels Between Pit Girl and [SPOILER], Hitting Reset With Season 3 and That Major Time Jump

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⚠️ Caution: The narrative that follows reveals key plot points from the initial two episodes of “Yellowjackets” Season 3, currently available to stream on Paramount+ in conjunction with Showtime.

I’ve rephrased it for you:

Warning: This account includes significant revelations from the first two episodes of “Yellowjackets” Season 3, now streaming simultaneously on Paramount+ and Showtime.

Previously, the viewers caught a glimpse of the teenage Yellowjackets, with their cabin enveloped in fire, rendering them exposed and homeless amidst the unforgiving Canadian wilderness.

Instead of moving forward from the cabin fire’s aftermath in the 1990s as initially depicted, “Yellowjackets” Season 3 takes us to the summer season, where the survivors of the plane crash have constructed a primitive settlement complete with wooden houses, a vegetable garden, and even livestock like rabbits and ducks.

Or simply:

Season 3 of “Yellowjackets” doesn’t follow the timeline after the cabin fire in the 1990s, but instead focuses on summer where the plane crash survivors have built a settlement with houses, gardens, and farms.

Or more casually:

Instead of picking up after the cabin burns down in the ’90s, Season 3 of “Yellowjackets” shows us what happens in the summer when the survivors create a village from the wreckage.

Ashley Lyle, one of the co-creators, together with Jonathan Lisco and Bart Nickerson (the other showrunners), deliberated extensively over whether the new season would unfold during winter or skip ahead through a time leap.

In essence, Lyle explained to EbMaster, we found ourselves yearning for a fresh start, and it seemed to us that leaping forward in time was the most effective way to achieve this clean break. We had considered incorporating flashbacks during Van’s storytelling segment, but in the end, we believed this approach would lessen the impact of the reset and the break itself. From a practical standpoint as producers, recreating winter during summer is quite challenging. We wished to have maximum resources available for various upcoming projects, and maintaining snowy conditions wasn’t worth the effort compared to jumping straight in. It felt more enjoyable to dive headfirst into the new situation.

Lisco comments: “Not reminiscing about everything only makes these young women appear even more impressive, as if to say, ‘Wow, naturally, they’re so adaptable and determined that they accomplished this feat.’ Then, they proceed with a fresh storyline.

Samantha Hanratty, who plays young Misty, admitted she felt a bit let down when she found out that Season 3 wouldn’t show what happened after the cabin was burned down. “At first, I can’t deny it, I felt a little disappointed because I thought, ‘That’s too bad, I wanted to see the challenges,'” she explained. “However, I’m truly thankful we didn’t do that. And I believe it’s nice that we pick up the story on a hopeful note.

Sophie Nélisse, who portrays teenager Shauna, expressed a similar surprise about the show not delving into how the Yellowjackets managed to survive winter outdoors. Yet, she found it intriguing to observe the group flourishing and enjoying a semblance of normalcy under the given circumstances. As she puts it, “It’s actually more unsettling because you think, there must be some flaws somewhere. It can’t just be a fairy tale.” She continues, “So I believe it makes the situation even more chilling, as you know that what lurks beneath is even more complex and troubling.

The third season starts off with Mari (Alexa Barajas) dashing through the forest, hearing distant howls and cries that seem eerily familiar. Towards the end of the first episode, Coach Scott (Steven Krueger) stumbles upon Mari, who had left the village after an intense argument with Shauna, stuck in the infamous pit. These scenes bring to mind the beginning of Season 1, where we’re introduced to Pit Girl, whose identity continues to be a puzzle.

Lyle chuckles as he points out that the opening scene was deliberate, hinting at the character ‘Pit Girl,’ and Lisco asks, somewhat rhetorically, ‘If you didn’t get that, then why not?’

Lyle adds: “We enjoy the concept of bait and switch, and we aimed for this new season to offer a fresh start. Last season, they were confined, secluded, and it felt suffocating. This time around, we wanted to reintroduce some raw excitement, and initiate an adventure that appears like a hunt, only to discover they’re actually enjoying themselves immensely amidst their survival struggles and the terrible events unfolding.

This current season delves into fresh advancements and relationships among the adolescent Yellowjackets, with a particular focus on Natalie (Sophie Thatcher). She has taken up the mantle as the group’s leader following her coronation as the Antler Queen in Season 2.

Thatcher says to EbMaster, “She seems much more serious this time around, and it seems like she’s had no choice but to mature quickly.” He continues, “I believe there were times when we saw a more playful side of Travis in the initial season, but this year, Natalie lacks any such moments. I think in a way, she’s less of an outsider because she’s making efforts to unite everyone.

Though Season 3 hasn’t added any adult Yellowjackets (if there are any), it gives more focus to supporting characters in the 1990s storyline. Characters like Melissa (played by Jenna Burgess) try to connect with Shauna, and Mari ends up being captured by Coach Scott.

Nickerson remarks, “We’re fully committed to the notion that the show has its own identity and perspectives, and we’re aiming to explore that. I believe these characters have a strong will and decide to play more significant roles in the narrative.”

Or

Nickerson explains, “The show should be seen as having a life of its own with unique thoughts, and it’s our goal to delve into this aspect. I feel that the characters have a powerful drive and choose to take on larger roles within the storyline.

Lisco remarks: “You frequently find yourself wondering about the lives of supporting characters, questioning their thoughts and perceptions of events, since they seldom speak up. Yet, these individuals might be having just as rich an experience as our primary characters, although they may not often express it. I’m keen on delving into this unexplored aspect.

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2025-02-15 05:47