Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Yellowjackets Season 3, Episode 10, “Full Circle.” In a pivotal finale of Yellowjackets, actress Melanie Lynskey opens up about the emotional turmoil faced by her character, Shauna. The concluding episode of season 3 finds Shauna isolated in the adult narrative, abandoned by her husband, Jeff (Warren Kole), and daughter, Callie (Sarah Desjardins). Additionally, her friends Tai (Tawny Cypress) and Misty (Christina Ricci) also distance themselves, holding her accountable for the deaths of Van (Lauren Ambrose) and Lottie (Simone Kessel). In stark contrast, the flashback sequences portray Shauna’s rise as the “Antler Queen,”where she dons a ceremonial headdress and exerts her authority over her peers during a brutal feast involving Mari (Alexa Barajas).
In a recent interview with Variety, Lynskey explored Shauna’s psyche following the abandonment. She candidly discussed the aftermath of her family’s departure, which left Shauna’s home devoid of their presence and belongings. The actress reflected on the complexities of her character’s emotional landscape:
It almost felt like a relief to me because she’s been repressing. To have been playing for almost three full seasons somebody who’s trying to repress the most powerful part of themselves, it felt exciting and like a relief. To see her own up to the fact that this is not necessarily where she’s the happiest, but definitely feels most like herself and feels the most powerful. It also made me very curious for what is going to come next if we get another season.
When asked whether Shauna desired her family’s return, Lynskey expressed that this moment was “quite exhilarating for her.”Yet, she stressed that it marked a crucial juncture in Shauna’s narrative, emphasizing the necessity for her character to determine her path moving forward:
At this particular moment, the panic of them leaving has kind of worn off. When she had a moment to just be back in the house and look around and be like, “It’s so quiet now in this house that I can hear myself think, and this is what I’m thinking” — that feeling is quite exhilarating for her.
Sometimes it’s like that; there’s a huge change in your life and you don’t want it to happen, but the moment you stop and take a breath, you go, “Oh, actually this is what I want to happen.” It’s not like she wants them to have left her, but I think she does need a moment to figure out what she’s doing. I don’t think she’s going to make any good choices, but I think she does need a minute.
Lynskey also discussed Shauna’s complex identity as both a “warrior”and “f–king queen,”contrasting her existence in the wilderness with her roles as a wife and mother. Here’s what she shared:
It’s difficult for her. In my mind, she loves Jeff and she loves Callie; I don’t ever doubt that she loves them to the best of her ability. But there is something within herself that doesn’t trust that she’s lovable. She’s not allowing herself to really be loved, and she does not trust herself to love anybody.
And she does not like household duties. She’s not a person who can make herself happy busying herself around the house. I really do love at the beginning of that scene where she realizes she’s alone in the house, and she looks around and she sees they’ve left a fucking mess for her to clean up. Part of her is like, “You know what, you guys? Thanks. You abandoned me, and now I have to clean up whatever you decided to make for lunch.” It’s very rude. She’s still a little resentful about it, even as she’s sort of reclaiming her power. It’s not that she would not have made the choice. I think she wants to be a mother to Callie; I think she really does love Jeff. She just does not know how to do it.
Significance of the Season 3 Finale
Shauna’s Journey: A Dual Transformation
In the adult timeline of Yellowjackets, the dynamics within the family remain strained, with Shauna’s relationships with Jeff and Callie suffering significantly. Following the revelation that Callie played a part in Lottie’s demise earlier in the season, her sudden departure alongside Jeff leaves Shauna in a void of isolation. Surprisingly, this solitude offers an opportunity for Shauna to reclaim her life after years of struggling for control and acceptance.
In her newfound solitude, Shauna finds herself in a state of contemplation. This moment away from her maternal and spousal responsibilities allows her to breathe, revealing her desire for empowerment. Her longing for autonomy has become increasingly evident throughout the series, as her identity has often felt stifled by her familial roles. Though Shauna harbors love for her family, she grapples with feelings of unworthiness and a reluctance to take on traditional homemaking tasks, further complicating her relationships.
Reflections on the Season 3 Conclusion
A Start from Scratch
The finale juxtaposes the triumph of teenage Shauna, who achieves the powerful title of Antler Queen by overthrowing Natalie (Sophie Thatcher). Conversely, adult Shauna faces the stark reality of her alienation from both friends and family—an outcome that underscores the thematic depth of her character’s arc. With the absence of her loved ones, Shauna is left to navigate the consequences of her actions alone, marking a dramatic turning point.
This abandonment propels Shauna’s evolution forward, presenting the pressing question: will she embrace her solitude or seek to mend broken ties with those she has alienated? Given the tumultuous history of conflict and betrayal, it remains uncertain whether characters like Tai, Misty, Jeff, and Callie will offer forgiveness in potential future storylines.
Source: Variety