Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Yellowjackets season 3, episode 8, “A Normal, Boring Life.”
Yellowjacketsseason 3, episode 8 finally reveals the identity of Hilary Swank’s character, and althoughMelissa’s return doubles down on a season 2 complaint, it also brings back one of Shauna’s worst villain stories. Shauna gets a surprise when she seeks out Hannah’s daughter inYellowjacketsseason 3, episode 8, learning that Melissa is still alive — despite faking her own death — and is now married to Alex. The introduction of aneighth survivor inYellowjacketsseason 3opens up all kinds of storytelling possibilities, but it also brings up past subplots.
Melissa and Shauna have a heated confrontation at the end of “A Normal, Boring Life,” andMelissa brings up one of Shauna’s worst moments in the show— one that’s largely been ignored by the viewers and the writers after season 1. Looking back, it’s obvious that Shauna’s villain arc was foreshadowed from the very beginning. And Melissa’s observations about Shauna’s life and choices are astute. It’s nice to seesomeonefinally call her out on her affair with Jeff in season 1.
Shauna’s Questionable Choices Start In The Pilot Episode
Image via Paramount+
Shauna has an affair with Jeff behind Jackie’s back inYellowjacketsseason 1, and it plays a prominent role in the first outing’s story. But after the fallout of that decision contributes to Jackie’s death at theend ofYellowjacketsseason 1, the show barely brings it up again. Shauna and Jeff never talk about it during the show’s adult timeline, and none of the teen survivors ever bring up how wrong it was. The latter is somewhat surprising, as it’s one of the earliest signs that Shauna is incredibly flawed. And it feeds her guilt in both of the show’s narratives.
Callie Just Said What We’ve All Been Thinking About Shauna Since Yellowjackets Season 1
Yellowjackets season 3, episode 7 sees Callie questioning her mother, and she finally says what we’ve all been thinking about Shauna since season 1.
That’s why it’s satisfying thatMelissa finally calls Shauna out for betraying Jackie and highlights why she did it. Melissa understands that Shauna is self-conscious and doesn’t like herself, and she tells her, “This is what you do, Shauna. You create your own problems. You stir the pot just to feel alive. I mean, even before the plane crash, weren’t you f***ing your best friend’s boyfriend behind her back?” Her words may seem harsh, but they strike a nerve. And given Shauna’s dark turn inYellowjacketsseason 3, it’s worth revisiting her affair in season 1.
Shauna Sleeping With Jeff In Yellowjackets' Pilot Foreshadowed Her Big Villain Turn
It Was One Of Her First Truly Villainous Actions
Having an affair with Jeff foreshadows Shauna’s villain story inYellowjacketsseason 3, as it shows she’s capable of being selfish and cruel, even before the plane crash. While it’s easy to empathize with Shauna’s feelings of inferiority and jealousy as a teen, her actions in the pilot episode are pretty hard to forgive. Of all the ways to handle her issues with Jackie, sleeping with her best friend’s boyfriend feels like a low blow. And it directly leads to bigger problems in the teen timeline, including Jackie’s death.
This is the first big example of Shauna’s antagonism in the show, and that aspect of her character is ballooning inYellowjacketsseason 3.
Sadly, Shauna’s desire to get back at Jackie is hardly explored after the other girl’s end. That’s a shame, as this is the first big example of Shauna’s antagonism in the show, and that aspect of her character is ballooning inYellowjacketsseason 3. This makes it a fitting time for one of the survivors to finally shine a spotlight on it. Melissa’s words prove the series hasn’t totally forgotten Shauna’s mistake, and with any luck, it’ll dig deeper into it after episode 8’s confrontation.
