The Yellowjackets Season 2 Finale Solidifies Shauna As The Group's Second Banana
The season 2 finale of "Yellowjackets" made a stunning turn when Lottie passed the baton to Nat as the new queen of their tribe (whether or not this is the ubiquitous Antler Queen is still up for discussion). She considered it an honor for Nat's contributions as a hunter, and for the wilderness "sparing her" and taking Javi instead. Afterward, we see Shauna writing in her journal: "How could it not have been me? After everything? When I was the only one willing to do what it took to keep us all fed. I used to think it was Jackie who made me feel invisible but —."
Like most teenagers, Shauna craves attention. She's tired of being sidelined for pretty and popular girls. Sophie Nélisse's perceptive performance captures Shauna's meekness.
Shauna holds herself like a wilting flower — keeping quiet and observing others from an emotional distance. Her wounded expressions mask the internal rage that she bottles up. She rarely feels secure enough to express her true feelings and follows what Jackie tells her — everything from the clothes she wears to attending Rutgers together to playing soccer despite hating it.
Last season, Shauna accused Jackie of acting like a movie star and treating everyone else like a background player. Jackie's retort cuts deep into Shauna's teenage insecurities; she calls her a cliché and a sidekick who resents living in her shadow. Even in the wilderness, Shauna cannot let go of her self-esteem issues.
Jackie's death doesn't cure Shauna's narcissistic desire for popularity. She secretly yearns for the adoration Nat will have as queen, especially after getting a taste of it when she was pregnant. She still longs to be someone like her former best friend who made "people feel like things are gonna be okay just by showing up and being your dumb, hot, awesome self."
Will Shauna fight back?
Does Shauna deserve to be the leader of their cannibalistic cult? She has certainly endured enough pain to deserve the reward. After the devastating loss of her child, Shauna continued to bear the burden of carving up the bodies. It's a highly traumatizing task that is essential for their survival. On the other hand, the team may not want a leader who is as emotionally volatile as Shauna, since she took her rage out on Lottie in such a savage way and showed little remorse.
Shauna's journal entry is petty and immature but it's also a testament to the series' groundbreaking portrayal of women. "Yellowjackets" boasts fascinating female characters that are morally ambiguous and raise complex audience questions. They willingly commit vile acts but they are also starving children. We sympathize with Shauna for the loss of her baby and her guilt and grief over Jackie, but she is also a selfish character whose casual cruelty and lies are chilling. Both of these things can be true at the same time for these kinds of "unlikeable" women who are rarely seen on screen.
The brief shot of Shauna's journal conveys the universal teenage experience of wanting to be secure with yourself and recognized by others. In this minor but crucial scene, Shauna reveals her true feelings which may foreshadow a conflict between her and Nat next season. Will Shauna and Nat vie for the role of the queen? Will Shauna become the leader of a rival group? Hopefully, season 3 will build on this heated dynamic.