Yellowjackets S3: Ignoring Natalie & Travis was a Big Mistake

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Season 3 presented fans with an unusually gradual narrative progression, unlike anything they had seen before. Following the bleak finale of Season 2, which hinted at Natalie guiding the group towards unforgiving cannibalism, the opposite transpired in the initial episodes. The Yellowjackets managed to endure the winter and established a semblance of paradise, complete with games and midsummer festivities. However, despite Natalie overseeing this ideal situation for the team, she failed to exert significant influence. Swiftly losing her command, Natalie faded into the background, working covertly but not alone. Others also found themselves in similar obscurity.

This season, I found myself yearning for more screen time from characters who used to be at the epicenter of the narrative, including Travis. Regrettably, his most significant action this season revolved around an unsuccessful attempt on Lottie’s life. Instead, the spotlight shifted towards Shauna’s ascension and her growing thirst for power, which seemed to escalate into a bloodlust. Although I appreciated the evolution of the new series antagonist and her crowning as Antler Queen, it felt like the true soul of the show took a backseat.

Natalie and Travis’ Relationship Was the Center of Season 1

Looking back now, Season 1 feels like a distant era. Jackie was alive, Shauna was acting sensibly, and most significantly, the core romance of the show, between Natalie and Travis, was just beginning. Given his circumstances, it made sense that Travis would develop feelings for one of the soccer team members. In the end, it turned out to be Natalie, whose relationship with the coach’s son wasn’t as unlikely as it initially appeared. They both shared a common bond – the loss of their fathers, though in Natalie’s case, it was a much more unique tragedy.

In their shared passion for marksmanship, Natalie and Travis grew closer as they hunted together for the group’s sustenance. Their bond deepened over these outings, eventually leading them to become an official couple.

The first season showcased the common challenges of adolescent love, with Travis grappling with self-doubt about his sexuality and Natalie dealing with Jackie’s growing hostility. Despite these obstacles, their connection appeared genuine until the shocking events of Season 2 tore them apart. Tragically, Travis learned that Natalie had fabricated Javi’s demise, leading to his own brother’s accidental death when he fell through the ice.

In the third season of “Yellowjackets,” the couple found themselves overwhelmed by Natalie’s leadership role and various group events. Their interaction was minimal, reducing them to strangers rather than lovers who had shared intense experiences just three months prior. Despite being preoccupied with their individual struggles – Travis entangled in Lottie’s cult and Natalie battling Shauna’s dangerous impulses – the diminished romantic dynamic is one factor that some viewers feel doesn’t measure up to the earlier seasons’ appeal.

In contrast to the initial seasons, Season 3 was heavily centered around the plot rather than character relationships. Most notably, Shauna’s character experienced significant growth, while others appeared to take a backseat and watch the events unfold. This shift in focus somewhat overshadowed the personal journeys that each character was on.

The chemistry between Travis and Natalie was undeniable, yet their potential for a fulfilling relationship never seemed plausible because they seldom spent significant time with each other in the series. However, this dynamic between them is crucial to the narrative, as fans are well aware that their characters will play pivotal roles. It’s no secret that they aren’t destined for a fairytale ending; instead, they embody the tragic souls of ‘Yellowjackets’. The heart-wrenching twist would be if the series allowed them to find solace in each other, only to cruelly take it away once more.

Travis and Natalie Need to Reconcile For the Rest of the Series to Make Sense

In Yellowjackets, no characters are as central to the show’s core theme as Natalie and Travis. These characters intertwine flawlessly with the present-day narrative when Natalie is discharged from rehab. Her immediate action upon release was seeking out Travis, someone with whom she shared a deep history. As viewers watched their relationship develop during their time stranded in the wilderness, the details of Natalie and Travis’s adult relationship became more evident. The pain they experienced after the plane crash created an indestructible bond between them. While their romantic connection wasn’t constant, they were each other’s guiding lights.

In their harrowing experiences in the wilderness, they both faced addiction and made a pact – a vow to never give up on life, no matter how grim the circumstances. This decision raised concerns for Natalie when she couldn’t locate Travis. Upon discovering his demise, she found it hard to accept that it was suicide. Instead, she suspected foul play, as any other explanation seemed implausible. Throughout her life, Travis had been the unique individual who comprehended her deepest shadows without condemnation.

Natalie’s persistent quest for the truth about Travis served as the driving force behind the story. However, there were those who questioned whether Travis had truly met his end, often challenging Natalie’s primary objective. Despite not immediately discovering what became of her past love, Natalie remained steadfast in her dedication to him throughout the ordeal.

Currently, there’s a significant journey ahead for these characters to reach such an emotionally impactful point. Over the span of two decades, Natalie and Travis might reconnect, as their story once held great significance to the plot. However, it appears that this relationship has been overlooked lately. Since both Natalie and Travis are deceased in the present narrative, their relationship now carries even more weight. It’s crucial for viewers to witness their bond before they meet their tragic fate, providing fans with a satisfying conclusion to their story.

Romance Is In Short Supply On Yellowjackets

Not just Natalie and Travis suffered the harshness of the wilderness; it implied that Sheila and Taissa’s romantic journey would also not reach its desired conclusion. However, to prevent fans from losing hope in a show as grim as Yellowjackets, there should be some interwoven threads of romance.

In a shift from the grim narrative, Tai and Van once seemed like an exception, but now their storyline has been set aside. The alternative path is to reemphasize Tavis and Natalie, exploring their complex emotions that could illuminate an increasingly somber series. Despite limited screen time in Season 3, there’s potential for more focus on their relationship in the future. The third season seemed to sideline many characters, but it might be a growing phase for the show, not necessarily hindering its progression.

The current season appears uncertain about its next steps, yet hinted at an impending shift. At most, Yellowjackets Season 3 served as a transition period, setting up the characters for a more captivating arc. The duo of Tai and Misty united strategically to counteract Shauna’s growing antagonistic role in contemporary times. In the past, Natalie emerged as the narrative’s protagonist when she successfully reactivated the SAT phone and summoned assistance.

1. In Season 4, Natalie’s action might pave the way for her to take center stage.

2. Among the characters, Travis was one of the few who seemed eager for rescue, despite the camp’s lack of interest.

3. By putting herself in danger once more, Natalie attempted to steer the camp back on track, which could draw her closer to Travis.

4. Given his growing disenchantment with Lottie’s escalating devotion to the wilderness entity, Travis might find Natalie an appealing ally.

In Season 3, we saw the characters grapple with substance abuse issues. Regularly having homemade alcohol due to learning fermentation techniques, the group found themselves using it often. Travis, however, was disheartened when the girls brought Coach Ben back, accusing him of arson and then witnessed his misuse of moonshine.

A potential fourth season of Yellowjackets might revisit the elements that initially captured audiences’ attention. Moreover, Natalie’s past battles with demons and alcohol may lead to a duo dynamic, where she and another character face challenges together, as the narrative demands. As the story unfolds, all Yellowjackets might find themselves in a symbolic airplane, but along the way, viewers should appreciate the authentic relationships between characters.

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2025-05-05 00:39