Contains spoilers from Yellowjackets season 3 episode 1-2.
In simple terms, Season 3 of the survival drama Yellowjackets picks up where we left off at the end of Season 2. The girls’ cabin was destroyed in the past timeline, while in the present, the characters are dealing with the aftermath of Natalie’s (Juliette Lewis) accidental death during a hunting incident.
Can any hunting game ever go right when it’s about sacrificing someone to a supernatural entity?
However, unlike other episodes, this one airing on Valentine’s Day, sets a noticeably cheerful tone. The plot has advanced to springtime, where the women’s football team is flourishing following their creation of a picturesque haven for themselves.
As a teenager, Natalie (Sophie Thatcher) finds herself unwillingly adapting to her responsibilities as the Antler Queen, while Shauna (Sophie Nélisse) expresses her disapproval towards the power dynamics developing amongst the group.
In her state of isolation and lack, she unexpectedly teams up with Melissa (Jenna Burgess). They connect through their shared discontent towards the others, and in the second episode titled “Dislocation,” they passionately kiss under the threat of a knife.
As a dedicated fan, it’s no surprise to me that Shauna finds herself drawn to women. Her romantic inclinations had always been hinted at subtly, mostly through the complex dynamics of her close friendship with Jackie (Ella Purnell), which often felt more than just platonic.
As I step into the limelight following Jackie’s departure, I’m not merely standing in as Melissa in the Yellowjacket crew. There’s a certain solitary spirit in Shauna that I find myself drawn towards, and her grief seems to hold a profound respect within me.
Moreover, it’s worth mentioning that she confronts Shauna when she tells her she isn’t intimidated by her, unlike other girls do. This encounter sets the stage for a noticeable sexual tension between them, escalating to a point where it becomes tangible. The peak of this tension occurs when Shauna catches Melissa observing her at her baby’s newly excavated grave.
In a surprising turn of events, Shauna, who was threatening Melissa with a hunting knife to her throat, was caught off guard when her teammate kissed her assertively. This action prompted Shauna to respond passionately, leading to an intense kissing spell. However, Shauna maintained her grip on the knife throughout this moment of affection.
2022 saw Sophie Nélisse, who plays Shauna in the show “Yellowjackets,” openly identify her character as part of the LGBTQ+ community during an interview with Teen Vogue. While there wasn’t much direct discussion about her bisexuality afterwards, viewers weren’t worried that the show was using queer themes for dramatic effect (queerbaiting) due to “Yellowjackets” being one of the most openly queer mainstream TV series currently airing.
The narrative candidly explores the captivating love stories of Taissa (Jasmin Savoy Brown/Tawny Cypress) and Van (Liv Hewson/Lauren Ambrose), spanning across different time periods. Additionally, it delves into Taissa’s challenging marital relationship with Simone (Rukiya Bernard), as well as Coach Ben’s (Steven Kreuger) homosexuality.
Beyond these plots, the show is filled with subtle hints of romantic tension, from energetic games of chase to an undercurrent of attraction between the young women surviving in the Canadian wild.
As a member of the Yellowjackets, I can attest that our bond goes beyond the shared passion for team sports such as football. It’s deeply rooted in the unique circumstance we find ourselves in – the close proximity we’ve been forced into following the unfortunate plane crash.
In the wilderness, the lack of societal norms and expectations can serve as an accelerator for self-discovery, particularly among these adolescents who might otherwise feel inhibited. Over time, this prolonged stay in the woods may lead to an unusual revelation or transformation within some of them, allowing them to embrace their true selves more freely.
Shauna stood out as one of the strongest contenders for a character experiencing a queer growth journey. Indeed, her intense affection for team captain Jackie, marked by small jealousies, tactile interactions, and lingering gazes, hinted at this possibility.
Through her diary entries, Shauna expressed that her friend made her feel as if she wasn’t noticed. On the other hand, Jackie countered this by suggesting that Shauna slept with her boyfriend (who later became her husband) as a means to no longer feel insignificant, but rather seen, admired, and even popular among their circle of friends.
In her anger, Jackie appeared unaware that Shauna’s betrayal was actually a misguided effort to get closer to Jackie. The surprising and distorted end to their friendship, where they both consumed each other emotionally, symbolically represented this assimilation in a very literal and twisted way.
However, during season 3, Shauna’s bisexuality is officially established – and watching the kiss scene accompanied by Bikini Kill’s empowering lesbian anthem, Rebel Girl, will certainly put any lingering uncertainties to rest.
In the third chapter, I find myself delving into Shauna’s unique persona as she confidently strides away from Jackie’s limelight. Her decisions, far from mirroring her friend’s, are distinct and independent – particularly her relationship with Melissa. It promises to be an intriguing exploration of Shauna’s individuality.
Just as Jackie’s presence continued to affect Shauna throughout her adulthood, so too will Melissa’s brief encounter in the wilderness leave its mark on the events of the 2020s.
At the closing scene of episode 2, the series’ clever cutting between scenes hints that Melissa may have made it through the wilderness and returned with plans to extort her former partner, a role rumored to be portrayed by Hilary Swank.
Although the specific role of the Academy Award-winning actor remains undisclosed, the teaser offers a glimpse of Swank, who appears to be suffering from a nosebleed and expressing disbelief to an off-screen adversary, saying, “You indeed are mad.
The statement might indeed be intended for Shauna, adding fuel to the fans’ theories that Shauna and Melissa could potentially reunite.
It’s clear that Shauna deeply cares for her daughter Callie (Sarah Desjardins), who turns out to have many similarities with her mother that weren’t apparent at first. In contrast, her husband Jeff (Warren Kole) offers a soothing sense of routine and normalcy, quite different from Shauna’s adventures in the wilderness. However, Shauna finds her domestic life and duties less thrilling than the high-stakes scenarios Melissa might present, or the extraordinary bond they once had.
If the two exes do come face to face though, it won’t be a purely romantic rendezvous, if at all.
In a more relaxed rephrasing, we could say: Though Lynskey’s character seems less fierce than her forest days suggest, she remains capable of brutally killing her lover in cold blood and meticulously dismembering his body. What retaliation might she take against an ex who threatens to reveal her secrets?
This upcoming season is certain to unveil both its courageous moments and hidden truths, living up to its motto, and it seems that Shauna and Melissa, or perhaps we might refer to them as Shaulissa, will play significant roles in the storyline.
And honestly, we’re buzzing.
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2025-02-14 20:39