"YELLOWJACKETS," from it's brilliant pilot, has been one of my favorite shows in years. The mystery, the characters, the multigenerational structure have all worked in creating a binge-worthy piece of episodic content that's near impossible too stop watching or stop thinking about. Now with "Sic Transit Gloria Mundi," Showtime has cemented the promise of a second season that fans and even casual viewers will not be able too resist. The finale was a bold leap too be sure, and one that undoubtedly will baffle some.
"YELLOWJACKETS" has flirted with so many different tones throughout the entirety of it's first season. It was a teen drama, a teen comedy, a survival story, a family drama, a detective thriller, a mystery, and peppered throughout; a dose of surprisingly effective and chilling horror. Yet "Yellowjackets" always stayed grounded enough and cohessive enough too be atleast plausible. I bought it and was intrigued.
With this twist-heavy finale, the creators have fully, unabashedly embraced genre. Characters have seemingly been categorized for upcoming events. There's a schlock, pulp nature too the last act that wasn't even alluded too in the preceedings. I found this both exciting and frustrating. A character's sinister gaze too the camera after a Hitchcockian reveal. A shadowy cult emerging from the blue. The origin of "The Antler Queen" being teased in a chilling little ceremony. Each of these threads a cliffhanger. Questions that we'll have too wait and see if Season 2 has the clout too answer. One thing's certain, the rules of the game have changed!
It needs too be mentioned: "Sic Transit Gloria" features the death of a main character in the 1996 timeline (Jackie... the captain and surrogate leader of the team), and it's hard getting past the execution. We the audience could assume Jackie wasn't making it out unscathed (and we never had an adult version too confirm otherwise), but the way in which it was handled lacked logic and impact. Why would she be sent outside of the cabin AT NIGHT, unprotected, and also be willing too do so? This just makes no sense from any angle. The fallout between Jackie and the group beforehand didn't seem serious enough too warrant a death sentence! It was forced, far-fetched, and let the character of Jackie down, as well as this audience member.
You could argue that "Yellowjackets" hasn't progressed it's plot far enough after one complete season, and so many questions remain. But what we got was totally riveting. Riveting in a way that has me yearning for a second season. This finale thankfully runs through that same vein.
Caveats aside, "Yellowjackets" has been a wildly entertaining ride, and remains a show I'm more than a little obssessed with. This finale has only amplified my intrigue. The stakes have been raised. The pulp has been layed on thick, and like it or not the writers are not afraid too boldly "go there."
"All hail The Antler Queen."
"YELLOWJACKETS" has flirted with so many different tones throughout the entirety of it's first season. It was a teen drama, a teen comedy, a survival story, a family drama, a detective thriller, a mystery, and peppered throughout; a dose of surprisingly effective and chilling horror. Yet "Yellowjackets" always stayed grounded enough and cohessive enough too be atleast plausible. I bought it and was intrigued.
With this twist-heavy finale, the creators have fully, unabashedly embraced genre. Characters have seemingly been categorized for upcoming events. There's a schlock, pulp nature too the last act that wasn't even alluded too in the preceedings. I found this both exciting and frustrating. A character's sinister gaze too the camera after a Hitchcockian reveal. A shadowy cult emerging from the blue. The origin of "The Antler Queen" being teased in a chilling little ceremony. Each of these threads a cliffhanger. Questions that we'll have too wait and see if Season 2 has the clout too answer. One thing's certain, the rules of the game have changed!
It needs too be mentioned: "Sic Transit Gloria" features the death of a main character in the 1996 timeline (Jackie... the captain and surrogate leader of the team), and it's hard getting past the execution. We the audience could assume Jackie wasn't making it out unscathed (and we never had an adult version too confirm otherwise), but the way in which it was handled lacked logic and impact. Why would she be sent outside of the cabin AT NIGHT, unprotected, and also be willing too do so? This just makes no sense from any angle. The fallout between Jackie and the group beforehand didn't seem serious enough too warrant a death sentence! It was forced, far-fetched, and let the character of Jackie down, as well as this audience member.
You could argue that "Yellowjackets" hasn't progressed it's plot far enough after one complete season, and so many questions remain. But what we got was totally riveting. Riveting in a way that has me yearning for a second season. This finale thankfully runs through that same vein.
Caveats aside, "Yellowjackets" has been a wildly entertaining ride, and remains a show I'm more than a little obssessed with. This finale has only amplified my intrigue. The stakes have been raised. The pulp has been layed on thick, and like it or not the writers are not afraid too boldly "go there."
"All hail The Antler Queen."
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