Let’s tally the storylines of “Yellowjackets” season 2, episodes 1-6. Shauna (Melanie Lynskey) is coping with the fallout of Adam’s homicide and it begins affecting her household. Taissa (Tawny Cypress) is struggling along with her psychological well being/darkish visions and this finally leads her again to Van (Lauren Ambrose). After being kidnapped, Natalie hangs across the self-care compound run by her previous “buddy” Lottie (Simone Kessell). Misty, the citizen detective that she is, investigates Natalie’s disappearance alongside Walter (Elijah Wooden).
Every girl has not solely their very own storyline however their very own supporting solid. That is to not say these supporting casts are dangerous — I am all the time down for extra of Shauna and her dopey however well-meaning husband Jeff (Warren Kole). Nevertheless, this leads to a much less cohesive collection — no story takes primacy over the others and so the episodes mix collectively. The explanation “Yellowjackets” season 2 took some time to get going is that I could not discern its vacation spot.
Fortunately, episode 6 ended with the grownup survivors all reunited at Lottie’s compound and the season discovered its footing; episodes 7, 8, and 9 are the strongest of this batch. There was only one story to observe and people devilishly enjoyable character interactions got here again. My private favourite, episode 8 “It Chooses,” was even concerning the Yellowjackets getting one another on top of things on what’s occurred of their corners of the story. As an alternative of simply exposition, this felt like a end result and the threads lastly wove collectively.
When the “Yellowjackets” writers’ room reassembles to plot out season 3, I hope they preserve their chess items nearer collectively on the board. This won’t solely give their lead solid extra alternatives to bounce off one another like everyone knows they will but in addition lead to a extra compact, satisfying story.
“Yellowjackets” is streaming on Paramount+ and Showtime.