This feature contains major spoilers for the Yellowjackets Season 1 finale. Read our Yellowjackets premiere review if you're not current!
Survival stories typically showcase the lengths people will go to in order to make it home alive. The first season of Showtime’s Yellowjackets has crafted an intriguing mystery centering on that extreme scenario. The pilot opened with a terrifying sequence that gave new meaning to hunting for your dinner and instantly raised questions about the identities of the victim and the masked figures perpetrating this act of violence. A twisty narrative that combines elements of Lost, Lord of the Flies, and the real-life rugby team who resorted to cannibalism has led to fervent theorizing about what really happened to the high school soccer team out in the wilderness. After the Season 1 finale, it is safe to say there are more unresolved matters than ever before.
Toggling between the four present-day survivors, and the 1996 timeline when the Yellowjackets’ plane crash occurred allows creators Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson an opportunity to slowly tease what exactly went down when matters got desperate. Of the many questions raised before the finale, the biggest centers on the bloody ritual and the identity of the victim and the person wearing the ornate antler crown (know as the “Antler Queen” among fans). Another major factor is whether the events are being guided by a supernatural force or if there is a logical explanation for the creepy goings-on.
In the present, the jam-packed final chapter of the Season 1 includes some expert body disposal courtesy of “Citizen Detective” Misty (Christina Ricci), a high school reunion that does not shed light on any other possible survivors, the result of Taissa’s (Tawny Cypress) political race, and the name of the person who emptied Travis’ bank account. Back in 1996, food that isn’t human is consumed, but a missing Javi (Luciano Leroux), and a surprise snowstorm are a cause for concern.
Thankfully, the series has already been renewed, and so this is far from the end for our favorite soccer team. While we wait for Yellowjackets to return it is time to ruminate on the events of “Sic Transit Gloria Mundi,” the two pivotal mysteries that could provide the key to unlocking the truth of what happened 25 years ago in the wilderness, and the impact it is having on the present.
On the surface, it seems pretty conclusive that after having a big blowout argument with former bestie Shauna (Sophie Nélisse) Jackie (Ella Purnell) froze to death when she chose to sleep outside. Jackie’s lack of survival skills has been well documented, and it didn’t seem likely that she would manage by herself for long. Sure, she was only sleeping mere feet from the cabin door, however, she is ill-equipped for the great outdoors and there are predators lurking. When the group wakes up the following morning they discover a surprise blizzard has hit their area and a frozen Jackie is buried under a fresh layer of snow.
Since Yellowjackets premiered it has been debated whether Jackie is the victim we saw in the opening scene. The finale seems to give a definitive answer to that question, but does it really? Jackie might still end up as the main course further down the line thanks to nature’s freezer preserving the meat, but is another surprise survival twist coming? Van (Liv Hewson) was considered to be a goner and yet she survived a savage wolf attack followed by the makeshift funeral pyre. If the series fully tips into the paranormal it wouldn’t be outside the realm of reason for Jackie to make a surprise return, either. This might be one fake-out death too far, but don’t count the Queen Bee out yet.
Jackie’s diary lists movies that came out after they went missing, which suggests a post-wilderness role for the teen within the series. Of course, this could be a production error, and every theory centering on this might be the result of not double-checking specific release dates. But it seems out of character given how meticulously the series has handled its mystery so far.
A nice steaming cup of hot chocolate and everyone looking at the soccer team captain with a look of love immediately highlights the fantasy of Jackie’s death (or near death, if our theories are correct) sequence. It’s only when she sees the deceased Laura Lee (Jane Widdop) that alarm bells ring. Then a mysterious man (there is a flash of him in the opening credits) ominously says “So glad you’re joining us. We’ve been waiting for you.” If he had a French-Canadian accent then we could chalk this up to the previous cabin resident but this isn’t the case. Who is he? Is he related to the man with no eyes? The way it cuts from this chilling moment to Shauna waking up implies that it is maybe Shauna’s dream (or even a vision), however, it looks like Jackie is no longer in the land of the living.
Narratively, this would be clear-cut if it wasn’t for Van’s conversation with Tai earlier in the episode when she describes what she saw after the wolf attack, “I don’t think I was dead, but I wasn’t really alive either. I think I was like, in-between or something.” Tai reasons it was a side effect from the shock to her system but Van cannot be swayed. “I know what I saw. I don’t know what it meant, but I know I saw something,” she explains. “Something was out there with us.” Tai is rather dismissive of her girlfriend asking in jest whether she believes in ghosts, tree demons, or wood sprites. Van’s belief and Tai’s insistence there is nothing unearthly occurring is the first crack in their relationship, and the end of the finale makes it clear that Van is an early acolyte of Lottie (Courtney Eaton).
But this leads us to another potential connection: both Laura Lee and Lottie get flashback scenes revealing near death experiences earlier in the season. Laura Lee’s is an unfortunate diving accident, while Lottie manages to save her parents with her abilities before they drive into a fatal car crash. Van’s brush with death came via the wolves, while Jackie’s (likely) close call is experienced in the first frost of the season.
This takes us to two potential outcomes. The first is a gimme: Jackie’s likely to join Lottie’s crew after her supernatural survival. The second, though, is one that’s only hinted at via all these other threads: Laura Lee isn’t dead either, and we’ll see her return in Season 2.
Misty is, of course, the outlier in all of the theories above. She didn't experience any of the things that connect Lottie and her acolytes, but we see her with them as the bear heart is offered to the altar. What she does experience is a desperate need for connection, so it's not surprising to see her go to whatever faction makes her feel most welcomed. Or, perhaps more on the nose, whatever group doesn't include her "ex," Ben.
Another popular theory that has dominated Yellowjackets conversation is that Lottie is the Antler Queen. “Doomcoming” alluded to this, not only with her choice of delicate crown made from twigs as her outfit accessory but also how she led the frenzied group hunt — which almost ended with the sacrifice of Travis (Kevin Alves). The title of the finale “Sic Transit Gloria Mundi” translates from Latin as “Thus passes the glory of the world,” and is used during the coronation of the new Pope. In this remote spot, it isn’t Catholicism the group is turning to and grace has been replaced by something more carnal. Before they consume the much-needed meal, Lottie gives thanks to “the ancient gods of the sky and dirt” and she has shed her brief foray into Christianity. While we don’t see Lottie sporting the larger antlers again, it does appear as if she is the one being crowned.
Lottie is joined by Van and Misty (Samantha Hanratty) in the closing moments when she shares the bloody offering to the unknown entity, and in the present, it is confirmed that Lottie is the one who emptied Travis’ bank account. The tense final moments of the finale show Natalie (Juliette Lewis) on the brink of suicide and rather than Misty (Christina Ricci) bursting through her motel door, she is kidnapped by a previously unseen cult. The symbol on the necklace worn by one of this group is the familiar stick figure that has been spotted on trees and where Travis died.
This double whammy infers Lottie continued her religious calling when she made it back to civilization. The major question that stems from this is which other survivors drank this figurative Kool-Aid? Is Van still knocking around and if so, can Julia Stiles be cast as the adult version?
Taissa’s wife stumbles upon the secret altar in their basement, which includes Sammy’s (Aiden Stoxx) creepy doll, the missing family dog Biscuit’s head (and heart), and the symbol is painted on the wall in red. When Tai wins her senate race (despite what every poll showed) the disquieting smile that spreads across her face raises more questions. Is her tree climbing and dirt-eating persona in control? What does this have to do with the man with no eyes?
Other potential cult figures include Adam, as it’s still unclear who he is. His body is successfully dismembered and disposed of in the finale, but he’s already been reported missing by concerned friends and family. Of course, he might be a regular guy who found out the woman he was sleeping with had an interesting past and simply wanted to read more about her survival story. While it is possible Adam is a red herring, we still can’t rule out his wider role within the whole conspiracy. The initial fender bender meet-cute with Shauna was awfully convenient and he was caught in several lies during their short affair. If Lottie is the cult leader then it is conceivable she would send spies to keep tabs on her former teammates, which includes Adam.
The line of cult questioning also applies to Jessica (Rekha Sharma) who was freed from the Caligula Inn (Misty’s basement) only to smoke a fentanyl-laced cigarette and pass out in her car. Jessica is a fixer hired by Taissa (because of her campaign) who has been involved in a string of dangerous situations so it is surprising she fell for Misty’s trick. Is this a warning shot or is she dead? Plus, Misty always wore gloves around Jessica but she can’t be sure there is no physical evidence that will tie the women together. Perhaps the Citizen Detective is banking on sloppy police work when it comes to processing the scene of Jessica’s possible demise, but it seems out of character. How Misty will respond to Natalie’s kidnapping is another matter. While her younger version is Team Lottie (and the only known member of the Cannibal Crew), Yellowjackets could be setting up a showdown for the ages.
Continue reading...
Survival stories typically showcase the lengths people will go to in order to make it home alive. The first season of Showtime’s Yellowjackets has crafted an intriguing mystery centering on that extreme scenario. The pilot opened with a terrifying sequence that gave new meaning to hunting for your dinner and instantly raised questions about the identities of the victim and the masked figures perpetrating this act of violence. A twisty narrative that combines elements of Lost, Lord of the Flies, and the real-life rugby team who resorted to cannibalism has led to fervent theorizing about what really happened to the high school soccer team out in the wilderness. After the Season 1 finale, it is safe to say there are more unresolved matters than ever before.
Toggling between the four present-day survivors, and the 1996 timeline when the Yellowjackets’ plane crash occurred allows creators Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson an opportunity to slowly tease what exactly went down when matters got desperate. Of the many questions raised before the finale, the biggest centers on the bloody ritual and the identity of the victim and the person wearing the ornate antler crown (know as the “Antler Queen” among fans). Another major factor is whether the events are being guided by a supernatural force or if there is a logical explanation for the creepy goings-on.
In the present, the jam-packed final chapter of the Season 1 includes some expert body disposal courtesy of “Citizen Detective” Misty (Christina Ricci), a high school reunion that does not shed light on any other possible survivors, the result of Taissa’s (Tawny Cypress) political race, and the name of the person who emptied Travis’ bank account. Back in 1996, food that isn’t human is consumed, but a missing Javi (Luciano Leroux), and a surprise snowstorm are a cause for concern.
Thankfully, the series has already been renewed, and so this is far from the end for our favorite soccer team. While we wait for Yellowjackets to return it is time to ruminate on the events of “Sic Transit Gloria Mundi,” the two pivotal mysteries that could provide the key to unlocking the truth of what happened 25 years ago in the wilderness, and the impact it is having on the present.
Jackie’s Death
On the surface, it seems pretty conclusive that after having a big blowout argument with former bestie Shauna (Sophie Nélisse) Jackie (Ella Purnell) froze to death when she chose to sleep outside. Jackie’s lack of survival skills has been well documented, and it didn’t seem likely that she would manage by herself for long. Sure, she was only sleeping mere feet from the cabin door, however, she is ill-equipped for the great outdoors and there are predators lurking. When the group wakes up the following morning they discover a surprise blizzard has hit their area and a frozen Jackie is buried under a fresh layer of snow.
Since Yellowjackets premiered it has been debated whether Jackie is the victim we saw in the opening scene. The finale seems to give a definitive answer to that question, but does it really? Jackie might still end up as the main course further down the line thanks to nature’s freezer preserving the meat, but is another surprise survival twist coming? Van (Liv Hewson) was considered to be a goner and yet she survived a savage wolf attack followed by the makeshift funeral pyre. If the series fully tips into the paranormal it wouldn’t be outside the realm of reason for Jackie to make a surprise return, either. This might be one fake-out death too far, but don’t count the Queen Bee out yet.
Jackie’s diary lists movies that came out after they went missing, which suggests a post-wilderness role for the teen within the series. Of course, this could be a production error, and every theory centering on this might be the result of not double-checking specific release dates. But it seems out of character given how meticulously the series has handled its mystery so far.
A nice steaming cup of hot chocolate and everyone looking at the soccer team captain with a look of love immediately highlights the fantasy of Jackie’s death (or near death, if our theories are correct) sequence. It’s only when she sees the deceased Laura Lee (Jane Widdop) that alarm bells ring. Then a mysterious man (there is a flash of him in the opening credits) ominously says “So glad you’re joining us. We’ve been waiting for you.” If he had a French-Canadian accent then we could chalk this up to the previous cabin resident but this isn’t the case. Who is he? Is he related to the man with no eyes? The way it cuts from this chilling moment to Shauna waking up implies that it is maybe Shauna’s dream (or even a vision), however, it looks like Jackie is no longer in the land of the living.
Narratively, this would be clear-cut if it wasn’t for Van’s conversation with Tai earlier in the episode when she describes what she saw after the wolf attack, “I don’t think I was dead, but I wasn’t really alive either. I think I was like, in-between or something.” Tai reasons it was a side effect from the shock to her system but Van cannot be swayed. “I know what I saw. I don’t know what it meant, but I know I saw something,” she explains. “Something was out there with us.” Tai is rather dismissive of her girlfriend asking in jest whether she believes in ghosts, tree demons, or wood sprites. Van’s belief and Tai’s insistence there is nothing unearthly occurring is the first crack in their relationship, and the end of the finale makes it clear that Van is an early acolyte of Lottie (Courtney Eaton).
But this leads us to another potential connection: both Laura Lee and Lottie get flashback scenes revealing near death experiences earlier in the season. Laura Lee’s is an unfortunate diving accident, while Lottie manages to save her parents with her abilities before they drive into a fatal car crash. Van’s brush with death came via the wolves, while Jackie’s (likely) close call is experienced in the first frost of the season.
This takes us to two potential outcomes. The first is a gimme: Jackie’s likely to join Lottie’s crew after her supernatural survival. The second, though, is one that’s only hinted at via all these other threads: Laura Lee isn’t dead either, and we’ll see her return in Season 2.
Misty is, of course, the outlier in all of the theories above. She didn't experience any of the things that connect Lottie and her acolytes, but we see her with them as the bear heart is offered to the altar. What she does experience is a desperate need for connection, so it's not surprising to see her go to whatever faction makes her feel most welcomed. Or, perhaps more on the nose, whatever group doesn't include her "ex," Ben.
The Cult
Another popular theory that has dominated Yellowjackets conversation is that Lottie is the Antler Queen. “Doomcoming” alluded to this, not only with her choice of delicate crown made from twigs as her outfit accessory but also how she led the frenzied group hunt — which almost ended with the sacrifice of Travis (Kevin Alves). The title of the finale “Sic Transit Gloria Mundi” translates from Latin as “Thus passes the glory of the world,” and is used during the coronation of the new Pope. In this remote spot, it isn’t Catholicism the group is turning to and grace has been replaced by something more carnal. Before they consume the much-needed meal, Lottie gives thanks to “the ancient gods of the sky and dirt” and she has shed her brief foray into Christianity. While we don’t see Lottie sporting the larger antlers again, it does appear as if she is the one being crowned.
Lottie is joined by Van and Misty (Samantha Hanratty) in the closing moments when she shares the bloody offering to the unknown entity, and in the present, it is confirmed that Lottie is the one who emptied Travis’ bank account. The tense final moments of the finale show Natalie (Juliette Lewis) on the brink of suicide and rather than Misty (Christina Ricci) bursting through her motel door, she is kidnapped by a previously unseen cult. The symbol on the necklace worn by one of this group is the familiar stick figure that has been spotted on trees and where Travis died.
This double whammy infers Lottie continued her religious calling when she made it back to civilization. The major question that stems from this is which other survivors drank this figurative Kool-Aid? Is Van still knocking around and if so, can Julia Stiles be cast as the adult version?
Taissa’s wife stumbles upon the secret altar in their basement, which includes Sammy’s (Aiden Stoxx) creepy doll, the missing family dog Biscuit’s head (and heart), and the symbol is painted on the wall in red. When Tai wins her senate race (despite what every poll showed) the disquieting smile that spreads across her face raises more questions. Is her tree climbing and dirt-eating persona in control? What does this have to do with the man with no eyes?
Other potential cult figures include Adam, as it’s still unclear who he is. His body is successfully dismembered and disposed of in the finale, but he’s already been reported missing by concerned friends and family. Of course, he might be a regular guy who found out the woman he was sleeping with had an interesting past and simply wanted to read more about her survival story. While it is possible Adam is a red herring, we still can’t rule out his wider role within the whole conspiracy. The initial fender bender meet-cute with Shauna was awfully convenient and he was caught in several lies during their short affair. If Lottie is the cult leader then it is conceivable she would send spies to keep tabs on her former teammates, which includes Adam.
The line of cult questioning also applies to Jessica (Rekha Sharma) who was freed from the Caligula Inn (Misty’s basement) only to smoke a fentanyl-laced cigarette and pass out in her car. Jessica is a fixer hired by Taissa (because of her campaign) who has been involved in a string of dangerous situations so it is surprising she fell for Misty’s trick. Is this a warning shot or is she dead? Plus, Misty always wore gloves around Jessica but she can’t be sure there is no physical evidence that will tie the women together. Perhaps the Citizen Detective is banking on sloppy police work when it comes to processing the scene of Jessica’s possible demise, but it seems out of character. How Misty will respond to Natalie’s kidnapping is another matter. While her younger version is Team Lottie (and the only known member of the Cannibal Crew), Yellowjackets could be setting up a showdown for the ages.
Continue reading...