“Attracted To The Light”: Exploring Shauna’s Vision of Giant Yellowjackets in Season 3

Warning: Spoilers are included for Yellowjackets Season 3, Episode 8, titled “A Normal, Boring Life.”

This episode of Yellowjackets literally draws upon its title, introducing ominous visions of yellowjackets. These hallucinations have been integral to the narrative since the show’s inception, particularly focusing on the character of Lottie (portrayed by Courtney Eaton). As the series progresses, visions have expanded beyond Lottie, with several characters experiencing them. Notably, in the prior episode, teenage Shauna (Sophie Nélisse), Van (Liv Hewson), and Akilah (Nia Sondaya) collectively see a vision of their fallen teammate, Jackie (Ella Purnell), marking a significant moment in the storyline.

In the contemporary timeline, the adult version of Shauna (played by Melanie Lynskey) encounters Jackie’s apparition while confined in a freezer during Episode 4. The shadow of Jackie’s death and the complexities surrounding Shauna’s involvement continue to haunt her across both timelines. Particularly as more characters meet their end, it’s clear that Jackie’s memory profoundly impacts Shauna. However, Shauna’s visions in Episode 8 take a surprising turn with the emergence of giant yellowjackets.

Shauna Encounters Giant Yellowjackets Twice in Episode 8

Teenage and Adult Shauna Experience Yellowjackets

In a dream sequence, Shauna envisions her younger self as a grocery store cashier. During this vivid dream, a swarm of giant yellowjackets becomes ensnared in a store light. Their frantic fluttering culminates in a shattering of glass, jolting Shauna awake. Later in the episode, the teenage Shauna again glimpses a giant yellowjacket hovering ominously over Melissa (Jenna Burgess), reinforcing the thematic presence of these insects.

As Season 3 unfolds, the seemingly disparate timelines of the teenage and adult Shauna appear increasingly interconnected. The mirroring visions of yellowjackets effectively blur the lines between the past and the present, merging their identities into a singular, cohesive character. This development enhances the emotional weight of both timelines, illustrating their shared struggles and identities.

Decoding Jackie’s “They’re Attracted to the Light”Line in Shauna’s Vision

The Symbolism of Yellowjackets in Shauna’s Journey

In one of the episode’s pivotal visions, Jackie accompanies Shauna in the grocery store, gazing upward at a flickering light infested with yellowjackets. Jackie’s line, “They’re drawn to the light. Should’ve known better, don’t you think?”serves as a poignant metaphor for Shauna’s self-destructive tendencies. Just as the yellowjackets impulsively pursue the light—often with fatal consequences—Shauna is drawn to destructive choices that endanger her and those around her.

Teen Shauna’s choice to remain in the wilderness jeopardizes a potential rescue, while the adult Shauna brutally confronts Melissa, portrayed by Hilary Swank, inflicting harm and forcing her to consume her own flesh. The choices made across both timelines are fraught with peril, as Shauna’s inability to escape her cycles of pain and harm poses ongoing threats to herself and others within Yellowjackets.

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