Yellowjackets Season-Finale Recap: Livin’ on the Edge

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* “You can watch ‘Full Circle’ right now on Paramount+, or tune in to Showtime this Sunday, April 13th at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Beginning at the climactic point, where Yellowjackets has arguably never given more of an adrenaline surge, we find Natalie precariously positioned atop a cliff. The panorama around her is breathtakingly snow-covered, her tiny, anxious figure standing out amidst it all. With the antenna from the transponder, she manages to power on the damaged satellite phone. Desperate for any contact with the world beyond, Natalie screams into the device, “Please help us! Send help! We’re in dire need! Can you hear me?!” Incredulously, it seems someone can. “I can hear you,” a voice replies. Living life on the brink, it appears our rescue is at hand!

The last part of Season 3 offers a burst of excitement, optimism, and anticipation that has left me utterly thrilled. Admit it, I’ve rewatched this particular scene at least five times, and it never fails to exhilarate me. If the series Yellowjackets has shown us anything, it’s that it’s high time for the story to move towards a conclusive end, and Natalie’s contact with the outside world appears to signal the start of the final act. Truth be told, certain sections of Season 2 and most of Season 3 seemed like the writers were stretching the narrative unnecessarily, prolonging it solely for the purpose of keeping the show on air for what creators Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson had envisioned as a five-season storyline.

As expected, we found out that Pit Girl is Mari and that Shauna was the Antler Queen during the hunt in this episode. However, despite the show’s prolonged hints and VHS-style flashbacks throughout, these revelations seemed a bit anticlimactic. After all, it was pretty obvious from the beginning that Mari would be Pit Girl, wasn’t it? Similarly, we already knew Shauna would become the Antler Queen given her role in the violence. Unfortunately, it took three full seasons to reach this point. Nevertheless, the season finale offers several reasons to look forward to a potential fourth (and hopefully concluding) season.

In the wilderness storyline, the enigma of Pit Girl is resolved and leaves a suspenseful climax hinting at possible rescue. Meanwhile, the mature narrative establishes a confrontation that breathes fresh life into the plot and gives it a distinct goal while linking it to the wilderness in a tangible manner. At the onset of the episode, teen Lottie discovers her adult body in the morgue. The adult Lottie awakens in alarm, fearing she’s missed something crucial, but the younger version urges her to recall their agreement and introduces the idea that they must meet “her.” It’s ambiguous whether this is a dream, vision, or supernatural event, but it seems more like a hallucination experienced by adult Lottie before reuniting with Callie in Callie’s apartment building basement.

Via diligent investigations conducted by Misty, it’s discovered that Callie was responsible for Lottie’s death. It was an unintentional act, yet Lottie had been acting quite suspiciously and creepily, which eventually led to the confrontation with Shauna’s daughter. Flashbacks reveal that Callie pursued Lottie because she had stolen a DAT tape. Lottie had anticipated Callie’s arrival and prepared a chilling concrete staircase adorned with flickering candles for this encounter. It’s important to recall that Callie sought answers about her mother, but Lottie was an inappropriate source of information.

Initially, Lottie disclosed to Callie that the group not only consumed each other in the wilderness, but they also hunted one another as a twisted sport. This revelation is what Callie had been searching for, although it was far from the answer she desired or perhaps even anticipated. Later, Lottie forcefully asserted that Shauna was possessed by some malevolent entity and that Shauna has always kept her distance from Callie because they share a similar nature, but to a greater extent.

It’s important to note that Callie, as we understand her, appears to be an ordinary girl with a normal father and no indications of a desire to destroy her life. Unlike Shauna, there’s no clear evidence suggesting she battles mental health issues or hides a dark force within her. However, when considering Lottie’s assertions from a more progressive perspective, they do align with a developing narrative.

Shauna envies Callie, not just because she was chosen by the mysterious force, but primarily because her daughter experiences a typical teenage life while she did not. It’s evident that Shauna has failed to deal with the psychological scars accumulated during her wilderness ordeal. When Callie reached an age similar to when the Yellowjackets crashed, it rekindled old wounds which Shauna then unintentionally transferred onto her daughter. Additionally, Shauna may have struggled to connect with Callie due to the unresolved loss of a child in the wilderness. It appears that Callie has carried this emotional burden throughout her life. The entity within Callie is not what Lottie believes; it’s the trauma passed down through generations.

For Callie, this information serves as a tragic validation of her deepest fears concerning her bond with her mother. When Lottie invades her personal boundaries with the fervor of a thousand blazing candles, Callie pushes her back, leading to Lottie’s fatal tumble down the stairs. After discovering Callie’s photo on Lottie’s phone, Misty later confronts her about the unintended homicide. Interestingly, she’s the most suitable person for this task since she too has a history of pushing someone to their demise.

Shauna is puzzled about her mistakes. After assisting Tai in burying Van, she finds out Jeff and Callie have broken up at home. Their belongings are gone, and Callie’s phone is disconnected. Instead of seeking answers from the obvious sources, Shauna questions Misty about the situation. Christina Ricci delivers an excellent performance as Misty gleefully unravels the mystery. Since this is the season finale, let me add that Natalie’s leather jacket really boosted Misty’s tough image. As Misty talks to Callie and later to Shauna, she seems pleased with her newfound control and power, hinting that she won’t reveal their secrets. Throughout her life, Shauna has been a poor friend, but now she has what she’s always desired: the upper hand.

Shauna is devastated after losing everything, Melissa is nowhere to be found, Misty seems to be thriving, and Tai is mourning. The episode starts with Tai burying Van’s body in an isolated wooded area, which isn’t the typical way to pay tribute to a loved one. However, Tai takes things a step further by exhuming Van’s heart and consuming it. This act, while shocking, signifies her determination to press on and seek vengeance. This is reminiscent of Travis’s actions in the season finale of the second year, but his consumption of Javi’s heart was more about necessity rather than choice. Here, Tai is fully embracing all aspects of herself, including the “Other,” as she feeds on Van’s blood-filled ventricles to embody her resolve to move forward and exact revenge.

Deep within the wilderness, Van and Tai’s close relationship becomes evident as they plan a deception for the hunt, choosing to target Hannah. It turns out that Lottie and Akilah had plotted to exterminate all the game that Akilah had been rearing, compelling the girls to embark on a hunt. This sequence feels empty because it’s hard to imagine Akilah, whom we know, would kill her own nurtured animals. Later, Akilah confronts Lottie about her suspicion that what she refers to as “It” isn’t genuine. Despite this, Lottie remains committed.

When the team plays a card game, Shauna notices an unusual vibe from Tai and Van, so she decides to leave the group, altering the number of players. In a humorous reference to their teenage status, Tai sarcastically remarks that Shauna using AP Stats doesn’t affect the probabilities, as if moving locations could change the odds. (She’s technically correct.) To Shauna’s pleasure, it’s Mari who draws the queen of hearts, and they all hastily organize for the chase while Lottie cheerfully counts to 30 and Mari takes off running in panic.

Mari continues to act foolishly as she removes her windbreaker, pants, and shoes in a strange attempt to create a distraction, leading herself right back into the pit she had previously fallen into. En route, she crosses paths with Lottie who mysteriously advises her, “Are you aware of our surroundings, Mari? You’ve been here before. You have the chance to change things.” It seems possible that Lottie is referring to their proximity to the pit or perhaps simply expressing a cryptic thought. Regardless, Mari heeds neither the warning nor her own past experiences, ultimately resulting in another fall into the pit, effectively ending the hunt.

Let’s rewind to the first episode, where we see Van’s pink sneakers hanging over the edge of a pit, and Mari’s trembling form beneath it. It’s fortunate she met an instant demise in that fall, as prolonging her life would have been unbearably painful. Travis seems adept at laying traps for people, doesn’t he? Following their meal, everyone returns to their huts, and Shauna rushes towards Natalie with the intention of humiliating her. It turns out Hannah had been impersonating Natalie, and the real Natalie has fled to the snow-capped mountains in search of rescue – which she eventually finds. This infuriates Shauna beyond belief.

Towards the end of the episode, Tai is seen discussing strategies with Misty at a diner, and they’re planning to confront Shauna. This scheme has an enticing edge of wickedness, serving as a catalyst for the plot in the adult timeline to become more defined. As we progress, we hope for fulfilling resolutions in both the wilderness and current timeframe. Essentially, a present-day pursuit is imminent, not due to “It,” but for revenge.

In simpler terms, Shauna is preparing for a confrontation ahead. It’s unclear what her younger self might have done during the wilderness group rescue – likely something questionable – but I’m eager to see how she and the other girls (including Travis) adapt when they come back from the wilderness in the ’90s. Apparently, no one received therapy after their return, and even if they did, there was no processing of events, as history seems to be repeating itself. After losing Jeff and Callie – her connections to reality – Shauna decides to fully embrace the role of the Antler Queen.

At home, I stumble upon an inexplicable note from Melissa, merely saying “I’m sorry” and “Forgive yourself.” I crumple it up and then resolve to pick up my neglected journaling habit once more. I pour all the thoughts I’ve been concealing for so long onto paper. In reflection, I realize that I was most authentic when out there, and I penned, “I was a warrior. I was a queen. I let it all slip through my fingers. It’s high time to reclaim it.

The prospect of a rescue in the wilderness and the ongoing struggle among the survivors today is intriguing. I sincerely hope that Showtime renews Yellowjackets for its fourth (and, again, potentially final) season, as I believe the series might have saved the most delicious twists for the end.

Buzz, Buzz, Buzz

I’ve got a soft spot for ’90s girl culture, but “Livin’ on the Edge” by Aerosmith could arguably be the most electrifying musical moment this series has ever employed. This particular song choice resonates deeply with where Natalie’s character is positioned – both physically and metaphorically – in the scene, as well as representing the way these women are shaping their lives. With season four promising to keep everyone on tenterhooks, I can’t wait!

Jackie’s thoughts, along with memories of shared kisses with Shauna during sleepovers, were Travis’s favorites, as confirmed by JackieShauna. This revelation from Travis leaves Shauna’s response speaking volumes about her feelings.

Prior to the hunting expedition, Hannah mentions that she has consumed human flesh, leaving one to wonder if, despite an abundance of wild game, the Yellowjackets fed her remnants from a Ben-B-Q meal instead? Such a thought is downright horrifying.

I’m puzzled about Walter’s current situation. He seems to be observing Tai and Misty from a distance in the diner, yet none of my theories can explain what’s going on coherently. The theory that I’ve been fond of for some time no longer feels plausible, as if the narrative is clinging too tightly to him for this particular storyline to unfold. Any ideas or interpretations about his role in the story?

Could it be that whenever you recall Pit Girl, “The Pit” theme song from Parks and Recreation gets stuck in your mind? It seems we might all have unknowingly taken a metaphorical dive into the pit ourselves! (A sad farewell to Mari.)

• WHO BURNED DOWN THE CABIN IF IT WASN’T BEN?! Curious minds (me) need to know.

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2025-04-11 13:55