Warning: This post contains spoilers for Yellowjackets season 5, episode 5
Yellowjacketsseason 3, episode 5, “Did Tai Do That?” picks up in the wake of Lottie’s (Simone Kessell) anti-climactic death at the end ofYellowjacketsseason 3, episode 4. A large part of me still doesn’t believe that Lottie, the spiritual guide of the group and the character we were so certain would be the antler queen, is gone. Based on the reactions of the characters, they feel it’s just as unprecedented and shocking, especially sinceso many people’s whereabouts were unknown when Lottie was pushed down the stairs.As far as we know, it could’ve been any of them.
If I had to guess, I would say the signs point to Tai (Jasmin Savoy Brown & Tawny Cypress), as “Did Tai Do That?” reminds us thatTai’s inner demonsare still hiding below the surface and that she would do anything for Van (Liv Hewson & Lauren Ambrose). Though the reveal about the Man With No Eyes' origins was disappointing,Yellowjacketsis dropping hints that the wilderness is controlling the adults' actions more than they know.There’s something inside the characters and the show that’s desperate to come out.
Yellowjackets Season 3, Episode 5 Is A Strong Episode, But Not The Show’s Best Mid-Season “Finale”
Halfway Through The Season, I’m Still Waiting For Yellowjackets To Show Its Hand
A few of my complaints about the season’s early episodes were resolved here. I do thinkYellowjacketsseason 3 is attempting to narrow its scope to the story’s benefit. However, I’d be sincerely disappointed if we saw the last of adult Lottie, as her character had a lot of potential and was one of the present timeline’s strongest connections to the past.I hope Lottie wasn’t brought into the fold only to be the catalyst for Nat’s death and another mysteryfor the characters to investigate. IfYellowjacketsisn’t careful, it could devolve into a murder-of-the-week show.
While I’m always glad to see more of Christina Ricci and Elijah Wood onscreen, as they’re the funniest parts ofYellowjackets,the difference in their performances versus the other adult cast members makes me feel like I’m watching two different shows.There are some big emotional moments in “Did Tai Do That?” but few of them are given the space and time required to hit home before we’ve moved on to another piece of the ever-growing puzzle. I almost wish that Lottie’s death had come earlier in the season if that’s going to be the thrust behind the remaining episodes.
Melanie Lynskey effectively reminds us that, at least as an adult, Shauna does have a lot of humanity.
As Ben, Steven Kruger struggles to be believably terrified or defeated in episode 5,but facing down a group of deranged teenage girls can be difficult to act. It seemed as if the wilderness wanted to get rid of him because he was practically immune from its pull, but I doubt his new fate will involve getting home safely to his boyfriend.Melanie Lynskeyeffectively reminds us that, at least as an adult, Shauna does have a lot of humanity. She wants to give love to her husband and daughter, but the intensity of her trauma makes it almost impossible.
In the woods, Melissa (Jenna Burgess) and Shauna’s relationship is heating up. I like thatYellowjacketsshows it’s as much about attraction as it is about power. As much as Shauna’s exploring a new side of her sexuality, she’s also drunk on the feeling of being in control and exalted by someone.As Melissa points out, Shauna has always played second fiddle to the people closest to her,and now that she’s being rewarded for her ruthlessness, Shauna is going down a dark path in the wild. I only wishYellowjacketswasn’t saving whatever it’s building to with teen Shauna.
“Did Tai Do That?” Remind Us The Yellowjackets Are Still Human
Even When They’re About To Commit Horrible Acts, The Characters Haven’t Lost Their Empathy
Though young Shauna is doing her best to crush her empathy in the wake of so much loss, even she isn’t immune to human connection and emotion in “Did Tai Do That?.” None of them want to be in the wilderness and be forced to be judges, jury, and executioners, butthey’ll play the wild’s game if it means they can get out.The Yellowjackets likely have another good 9-10 months left in the woods, but the series keeps dangling the carrot in front of them that, with the right ritual, they’ll find a way out.
It feels as if every week, I complainYellowjacketshas the right ideas but can’t pull off the execution. With five episodes left in the season, I’m still wondering when Hilary Swank will appear and wake adult Shauna up from her stupor. As far as the adults have come since season 1, they’re all largely in the same place, especially Shauna. The surviving Yellowjackets share her discontentment, which feels like it’s been building since the pilot. I’m ready forYellowjacketsto let its characters loose in ways that really change them, not just in the safety of Lottie’s compound.
Yellowjacketsairs weekly each Friday at 3 AM EST/12 AM PST on Paramount+ and on Sundays at 8 PM EST/5 PM PST on Showtime.
Yellowjackets Season 3, Episode 5, “Did Tai Do That?”
Yellowjackets is a television series exploring the survival ordeal of a high school girls' soccer team stranded in the remote wilderness after a plane crash. It interweaves psychological horror and coming-of-age themes, simultaneously depicting their harrowing transformation and its lasting impact on their lives 25 years later.
