Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Yellowjackets season 3, episode 10, “Full Circle.”
The season 3 finale of Yellowjackets shifts its focus predominantly to the teenage narrative arc, while the adult timeline elaborates on the consequences following Van’s demise. Following the heart-wrenching events of episode 9, where Van tragically passes away, Taissa, or Tai, reacts in an emotionally charged manner. She initially falls apart upon discovering Van’s lifeless body, creating a poignant reversal of a moment from season 1 that involved Shauna and Tai after Jackie’s death. However, tensions escalate as Tai directs her fury towards Shauna, culminating in a strained relationship between them.
In a profound act of grief, Tai ventures into the woods with Van’s body to give her a proper farewell. Here, she makes a shocking decision, one that fits into a disturbing pattern seen in previous finales: prior to burying Van, Tai performs a ritualistic act by cutting open her body and consuming her heart. This gruesome act is not entirely out of the blue, as it echoes earlier series themes, particularly the moments when Lottie offers a bear’s heart to the Wilderness in season 1, alongside Travis’s consumption of Javi’s heart in season 2. Such actions prompt a questioning of Tai’s motivations as she is now outside the ominous Wilderness environment.
Motivation Behind Tai’s Heart-Eating Ritual
A Complex Gesture of Love, Gratitude, and Commitment
Tai’s act of consuming Van’s heart is sure to invoke a visceral reaction from audiences. However, it likely represents her final expression of love and gratitude towards Van. TheGamer highlights how the survivors have historically viewed cannibalism as a form of honoring lost ones during their time in the Wilderness. This theme of sacrificial love is recognizable in previous instances, where the loss is marked by giving heartfelt tokens like Jackie’s heart necklace, or engaging in communal feasting to commemorate sacrifices made for the group’s cohesion.
The heart-eating sequences resonate deeply with prior cliffhangers in Yellowjackets. In earlier finales, Lottie offers the bear’s heart in gratitude to their provider, while Travis consumes Javi’s heart as an ultimate tribute to kinship. Tai’s action in the finale serves as a stark parallel, embodying her respect for Van and their connection through this disturbing ritual.
Moreover, Tai’s act carries a deeper symbolism; it reflects her journey towards integrating all facets of her identity. She articulates the need to embrace both her current self and her other self engaged with the Wilderness. In essence, this act of cannibalism is a transcendent promise to acknowledge her past experiences and maintain a connection to her true self.
The Significance of Burying Van in the Woods
A Private Farewell: Avoiding Legal Complications
While surprising, Tai’s decision to consume Van’s heart is just one element of her actions in the finale; the decision to bury Van in the woods is equally significant. The rationale is straightforward: Tai wishes to avoid the involvement of authorities that would arise from a public acknowledgment of Van’s death. Given that Van lacks significant adult relationships, Tai can give her a more intimate and personal send-off, one that metaphorically aligns with their shared experiences in the Wilderness.
A public funeral would undoubtedly expose the dark secrets surrounding Van’s death and the controversies involving other members such as Melissa and Shauna. Tai is determined to protect the remnants of their group as she plots to confront Shauna with Misty’s assistance, making it clear that revealing the details of this week’s harrowing events risks unearthing a history steeped in trauma and dark decisions that might lead to their demise.
For further insights, refer to TheGamer.