Yellowjackets Review: It Girl / Dislocation (Season 3 Episodes 1 and 2)

Yellowjackets Season 3 Episodes 1 and 2, “It Girl” and “Dislocation,” are a solid start to the season, complete with compelling performances and new mysteries in both timelines. It’s also a fascinating meditation on character dynamics, trauma, grief, and giving women freedom to express their rage. “It Girl” seemingly confirms Mari is Pit Girl, while “Dislocation” alludes to Melissa having survived the Wilderness (to become Hilary Swank). 

It Girl / Dislocation 

The first episode, “It Girl,” kicks off with an easier, more lighthearted energy — a nice palate cleanser from Season 2’s devastating finale. The series has always had innate comedic elements, and it isn’t afraid to lean into that dark comedy, but these two episodes go for it in that regard. We already have iconic quotes from characters like Shauna, Misty, and Jeff. It’s so much fun. 

Additionally, the show balances levity and drama well while giving those burgeoning new mysteries and overarching narrative threads room to breathe. Particularly, Taissa and Misty sow seeds of doubt among the survivors regarding Natalie’s reign as Antler Queen. 

Dynamics in the Wilderness 

Beyond that, Yellowjackets delves deeper into the aforementioned character dynamics, specifically Travis and Lottie. Admittedly, there was trepidation on my end that this could go down the romantic route, but what we’ve seen between them thus far is significantly more interesting. Initially, Lottie believes that because she can no longer “hear” the Wilderness, what she experienced isn’t real.

However, once Travis keys into the Wilderness while on shrooms, Lottie does anything and everything to train him to go deeper. It’s her hyperfixation, and she’s desperate to fill the void instead of addressing what’s lacking. Lottie and Travis have a mentor/mentee relationship. Kevin Alves, in particular, delivers a vulnerable, nuanced performance as Travis. 

New Feuds and Friendships 

Then, we have Shauna, whose animosity with Mari is intriguing. Alexa Barajas plays the perfect ’90s mean girl, even down to the insults. She also walks that fine line between submitting to the Wilderness and clinging steadfastly to civilization. When Ben inadvertently captures Mari (in the, ahem, pit), you feel for her. You remember she’s just a kid. 

Shauna and Melissa inexplicably join forces in “It Girl” and “Dislocation.” Melissa seems to harbor a genuine crush on Shauna but also recognizes her as the big fish in the pond. As Melissa tells Shauna in episode two, everyone’s afraid of her. There’s a bit of a fawning nature to Melissa’s treatment of her that feels equal parts trauma and admiration-fueled.

As for Shauna, while I do think she’s queer, this isn’t an exploration of sexuality for her. She’s so steeped in guilt that she’s seeking — albeit unintentionally — affection and validation to alleviate that remorse. Regardless, it’ll be interesting to see how this relationship develops from here on out. Will Shauna employ a power dynamic to keep Melissa on her side? Or will she soften her edges and embrace something new and potentially wonderful? 

What Is the Truth?

Yellowjackets asks multiple questions in its double-episode premiere. Did Ben burn down the cabin? While he claims innocence in that regard, and it’s plausible he didn’t hear or smell the cabin burning in his cave, he could’ve said that to save his skin.

However, Taissa and Van are also cabin-burning candidates. There are hints: Van’s “flamethrower” comment in the restaurant, Tai burning the matches as an offering, and Teen Van acting awfully suspicious while they search for Mari. It’s possible Other Tai helped Van do the deed. 

In the present timeline, Callie searches for the truth. She orchestrates a “sleepover” with Misty and Lottie to learn not only what transpired at Lottie’s compound but also whether the Yellowjackets resorted to cannibalism in the Wilderness. Of course, Lottie and Misty lie to shield her from the truth. 

Yellowjackets also continues to cleverly explore what’s real and what’s not. Are there supernatural elements at play, or is it all trauma-based for our survivors? What even is the Wilderness? Lottie calls it her “religion,” which is the first time this series has categorized it as such. 

“Stop Air Quoting My Friendships!” 

In addition to Alves and Barajas, Christina Ricci and Sophie Nélisse are my MVPs for “It Girl and “Dislocation.” Ricci mines the depths of Misty’s grief as she moves through the grief cycle, oftentimes exhibiting multiple stages at once. Grief is never linear.

There’s hilarity and heartbreak when Misty tries to be like Natalie. She’s trying so hard to become Nat because she’s grieving the loss of her friend. Ricci’s comedic timing is impeccable, and she can seamlessly pivot to gut-wrenching drama like the pro she is. 

Meanwhile, Nélisse deftly embodies Shauna’s visceral — and understandable — rage. Yellowjackets lets women be angry, and Nélisse doesn’t pull any punches (literally) in her portrayal of this complex, messy character. She’s lost so much, from her best friend to her baby, and Season 3 sees an uninhibited Shauna who refuses to kowtow to anyone. It’s beautiful and feral. 

Like Adult Misty, there’s a guilt component for Shauna. She feels bottomless remorse for her actions — even the things she couldn’t control. While Van regales the survivors with a sympathetic, heroic story of the Yellowjackets, Shauna writes in her journal that they enjoyed their foray into cannibalism. They relished in the darkness.

Perhaps that’s where the guilt truly lies; Shauna feels remorse for succumbing to her primal instincts. 

Who are we when the stakes are life or death? Can we forgive ourselves for what we had to do in survival mode? Few shows like Yellowjackets can successfully tackle these questions while offering a thought-provoking yet respectful deep dive into what trauma does to us. 

Stray Observations: 

• Where’s my emotional support duck? I need a Mortimer.
• “You painful little boner” is my new favorite insult. Shauna is an icon.
• Jeff calling weed “chronic” is such a Jeff thing to do, and I love it. 
• I’m shocked it took three seasons for us to get a Bush song as a needle drop. 
• I want that actor who played the chop shop owner Shauna threatens in Season 2 and the bartender this season to continue popping up in minor roles throughout the series. He’s a jack of all trades! 
• Could the server’s death be a “sacrifice” resulting in Van’s cancer going into remission? Like Van’s reward for giving the Wilderness what It wants? This particular story beat might have more mileage beyond him dying while pursuing Tai and Van on foot. 
• Um, if Ben gave me hot chocolate after a year of eating wild animals, human meat, belt soup, and who knows what else, I’d become his bestie. Screw the others. 
• Misty’s little bee pajamas are the cutest. 

What did you think of these episodes of Yellowjackets? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Yellowjackets drops new episodes every Friday on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME and airs on the network on Sundays at 8 pm EST/PST. 

Follow us on X and Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!