(*2*)
Spoilers for “Yellowjackets” to observe.
The “Yellowjackets” Season 2 finale “Storytelling” acquired some combined responses, and it left the sequence in some awkward locations for the now-underway third season. Within the present’s current-day timeline, the dying of Natalie (Juliette Lewis) was panned as untimely and in poor health-conceived. In the meantime, as standard, the ’90s storyline concluded with a a lot better hook: the survivors’ cabin caught fireplace in the midst of the evening, leaving them with no shelter.
The apparent arson suspect was Coach Ben Scott (Steven Krueger). He’d spent all of Season 2 in a spiral, refusing to partake within the cannibalism as he tried and didn’t bury himself in a dream world. His abdication of accountability for the youngsters solely made the women extra unbiased (and terrifying). After discovering an underground cave to cover in, Ben determined he wasn’t going to attend round to develop into the subsequent meal. When he returned to the cabin to steal some matches, he noticed the women crowning Natalie (Sophie Thatcher) — the one lady he thought of higher/extra ethical than others — because the (antler) queen of their cult.
The apparent conclusion for the viewer, and the Yellowjackets too it appears, is that Ben was so disgusted by their devolution that he set fireplace to their cabin to kill all of them. It was a logical leap however simply open-ended sufficient for doubt. It is doable the “Yellowjackets” writers themselves hadn’t dedicated a technique or one other, wanting to go away the probabilities open for Season 3.
Based mostly on the “Yellowjackets” Season 3 two-episode premiere (“It Woman” and “Dislocation”), it seems the writers have chosen to make Ben harmless. When he runs into Mari (Alexa Barajas), who has fallen right into a pit and sprained her leg, he seems genuinely shocked when she tells him the cabin burned down. He may very well be mendacity, in fact, however then he takes Mari hostage as an alternative of simply killing her. If he had already determined to homicide the women, why would he hesitate to kill Mari now?
Barring a plot u-flip, “Yellowjackets” is zagging when the zig was so apparent. However is it choosing the proper path?
Yellowjackets has apparently confirmed that Coach Ben did not burn the cabin
I am a bit disillusioned with the present’s option to let Ben off the hook. He is been one of the crucial sympathetic characters thus far, sure, however the entire theme of “Yellowjackets” is how excessive situations will value you your civilized humanity. Him lastly turning on the youngsters appeared just like the logical endpoint of his story as much as that time. Earlier than “Yellowjackets” Season 2 completed airing, Krueger teased (to TV Insider) that Ben’s arc was all about isolation and desperation:
“[Ben] seems like there are some factors of commonality with Natalie […] however on the finish of the day, Ben remains to be on an island and I believe he spends a variety of this season beginning to come to the belief that he can’t belief any of those ladies.”
Turning Ben from the present’s coronary heart right into a compromised villain could be utterly comprehensible, and the way in which “Storytelling” seemingly selected to do it was darkish. Him torching the Cabin was half self-protection, half a deluded mercy-killing that the women had develop into too dehumanized to maintain on residing.
If Ben just isn’t actively attempting to harm the women, simply to keep away from them, then that robs this season of an opportunity to shift away from acquainted character conflicts right into a cat-and-mouse sport. (The unique “Yellowjackets” synopsis teased that the survivors would develop into “warring clans” out within the wilderness, some extent which we nonetheless have not reached.)
Furthermore, by skipping the final weeks of winter, “Yellowjackets” Season 3 begins with the women readjusted to a spot of relative consolation. Van (Liv Hewson) recollects the women stored the cabin fireplace going for 12 days, utilizing it for heat, however we do not see that. The leap I made after “Storytelling” was that the lack of the cabin and wrestle to outlive in winter would push the Yellowjackets even additional into savagery. As a substitute, it looks as if they’ve returned to a extra humane place. They’ve constructed a civilization with its personal customs and rituals, but it surely nonetheless feels just like the present is holding again the brutality.
Granted, there’s eight episodes of this season to go, so perhaps I will be singing a unique tune by its finish.
“Yellowjackets” airs on Showtime and is streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime.
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