Yellowjackets’ first season officially aired in 2022 (same year Peacemaker streamed on HBO Max) on Showtime. It earned positive reviews from critics and viewers alike. Season 2 is airing new episodes from March-June 2023. I wanna share my thoughts on Season 1.
This review contains no SPOILERS. I’m giving some of you a chance to see Yellowjackets’ first season.
Positive & Negative Aspects
Positive: Melanie Lynskey, Juliette Lewis, Christina Ricci & Tawny Cypress all did an excellent job for their respective performances as the adult versions of The Girls.
Sophie Nelisse, Sophie Thatcher, Sammi Hanratty & Jasmin Savoy Brown all did an excellent job for their respective performances as The Girls.
Ashley Lyle & Bart Nickerson both did a solid job as showrunners.
Nat is my favorite character. Her younger version has her hair dyed blonde. Which reminds me of Mallory Knox from “Natural Born Killers.” Gotta love in-jokes. Juliette is an underrated actress. Don’t forget she leads a rock band.
Soundtrack features tunes from the ’90s.
Chemistry between The Girls serve as the main highlight. Their interactions shape the story forward.
The show’s title has zero connection to Ant-Man’s foe Yellowjacket. It’s actually named after The Girls’ soccer team.
Pacing for each episode didn’t take too long. Kept me invested without looking at the clock.
First Season often shifts between 1996 and 2021 in non-linear format. As if Christopher Nolan wrote each episode. Heck, even an episode often has a flashback within a flashback. “We’re going deeper Leo!”
Primary Themes are Survival, Friendship & Trauma. Each one’s handled carefully.
Negative: Not to sound gross, but how come none of The Girls had their periods due to a lack of tampons? If this were real life, they would’ve suffered miserably without a single one. Episode 5 addresses the suffering. I find it unrealistic for a girl capable of living without a tampon. Just, a scientific fact.
Cinematography can be a bit shaky at times.
Season Finale abruptly ends without a proper conclusion. Can you imagine if The Mandalorian’s Season 1 finale ended during Mando’s fight with Moff Gideon?
Episode 1 – Pilot
Opening Scene shows a mysterious character dressed like a member in some sort of cult. Moments Later, it all makes sense.
In 1996, The Girls participate in a soccer match. In the evening Shauna has a secret. One day, The Girls, their assistant coach and three boys board a plane.
In 2021, The Girls move on to their daily lives. Shauna encounters a journalist. Tai is campaigning for state senator. Natalie attends a group therapy session. Misty works as a nurse in an old folks’ home.
Episode 2 – F Sharp
Back in 1996, all heck breaks loose. The Girls crash land in the middle of the woods. And you thought the pilot episode from “Lost” was intense? Get a load of this. Afterwards, The Girls search for medical supplies. Near the end, Misty acts crazy.
Flashforward to 2021, Shauna meets a stranger. She and her husband see a marriage counselor. Misty & Nat are reacquainted. Taissa sees a drawling.
Episode 3 – The Dollhouse
Rewinding to the year “Independence Day” came out, The Girls pay their respects to the people they lost. They explore the woods searching for provisions.
Fastforward to the year “No Time to Die” came out, Shauna spies on her husband. Misty & Nat embark on a road trip.
Episode 4 – Bear Down
Going back to the year “Super Mario 64” opened worldwide, The Girls learn to hunt so they can (you guessed it) obtain food. They discover something huge.
Cut to the year “Death Stranding” re-released on PS5, Shauna hangs out with a “buddy.” She has a personal keepsake.
Episode 5 – Blood Hive
Back to the past when the Spice Girls became the biggest pop sensation, The Girls suffer from a bad episode of “womanhood. Plus, they recreate a scene from “The Exorcist.” Lottie begins to lose her sanity.
Skip to the year Billie Eilish’s second album, “Happier Than Ever” earned the top charts, Shauna attends a nightclub. Nat deciphers a clue. Tai finds something on her front door.
Episode 6 – Saints
Moving back to the year Zendaya was born, Tai has a chat with Shauna. Somebody paraphrases a famous line from “The Terminator” series. “Come with me if you want to live.”
Moving forward to the year Zack Snyder’s “Justice League” streamed on HBO Max, Shauna visits Jackie’s parents. Shauna learns the truth about Travis.
Episode 7 – No Compass
Rewind to the year “Kenan and Kel” aired on Nickelodeon, a wild animal stumbles across a survivor. Tai experiences a strange “symptom.”
Fastforward to the year “Loki” streamed on Disney Plus, a blackmailer’s identity is revealed.
Episode 8 – Flight of the Bumblebee
Rewind to the year “Macarena” became a dance craze, something unexpected happened. The Girls attempt find a way to go home.
Flashforward to the year “Spider-Man: No Way Home” became the highest-grossing film,
Episode 9 – Doomcoming
Going back to the year “Scream” opened in theaters, The Girls starve to death. Misty concocts a meal with “side effects.”
Moving forward to the year “Licorice Pizza” opened in theaters, somebody meets his/her end.
Episode 10 – Sic Transit Gloria Mundi
Well: Episode 10’s title is Latin for “Thus Passes the Glory of the World.”
In 1996, a shocking moment occurred.
In 2021, The Girls attend their high school reunion. They also encounter a mysterious group.
Sick: As I mentioned earlier, the Season Finale abruptly ends without a proper conclusion.
The Final Verdict: B, FOR BIGGER AND BETTER!
Yellowjackets’ first season is a solid start. Hopefully, Season 2 gets better. If you’re interested in watching Yellowjackets, watch Season 1.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 