With a possible escape from their nightmares, the Yellowjackets learn not everyone may be in a rush to leave. In the present, the unexpected return of an old teammate sends Shauna spiraling in ways that should probably concern everyone. Meanwhile, Jeff catches the faintest scent of freedom... but let's be honest, that door only swings one way.
The surviving Yellowjackets are all quick to believe in conspiracy theories. As such, it's jarring to hear that they just accepted Melissa died even though a body was never found. They all just took the police at their word. That's precisely what Melissa wanted. She needed a clean break from her former teammates. She couldn't be consumed by their darkness any longer. Of course, she's forever tied to that tragedy. She wound up marrying Hannah's daughter Alex. She changed her name to Kelly. She has created a perfectly normal life for herself. This is precisely what she wanted. When the Yellowjackets had the promise of freedom, Melissa dreamed about a normal life. She wanted to attend college and work a job. These aren't big aspirations. However, they provide a sense of stability. She doesn't yearn for more. Shauna tried to convince her not to be afraid of her dark impulses. Melissa acted out on them. She maimed Coach Scott to prevent him from leaving. She participated in the cannibalism. She also serves as evidence that the Yellowjackets don't need to be defined by their trauma. They don't have to be waiting to be the last remaining survivor. Shauna fears that's the only way to prevent her dark secrets from being shared with the world. She convinces herself of that. She also creates plenty of the drama herself.
Shauna didn't travel to Virginia with a plan. She was reluctant to bring Misty, Taissa and Van along. She was happy to abandon them at the hospital. She doesn't feel the need to check in on Jeff and Callie. They provide no answers when Misty calls. Shauna forges her own path. That's the way she has always operated. She also hates being alone. She can't sit in her own thoughts. She must take action. That plagued the Yellowjackets in the wilderness. Lottie declared Shauna the new leader. Shauna seeks to exert her influence to prevent anyone from leaving. It's all because she has a troubling feeling. She can't embrace the joy of going home. She has to continue suffering. That's especially true given she has actual power now. She gets to do whatever she wants. She can't overcome her basic instincts. This is how she is programmed. She is drawn to the chaos and darkness just like moths to a light. She can't help it. This is who she has always been. She doesn't appreciate being called out for it either. Melissa makes a lot of sense when she breaks down Shauna's fears. Shauna has created a story in her mind about someone targeting her. Everything that has happened this season can have a rational explanation. Melissa hasn't been stalking her. She isn't still in love with her. She never was. And yet, her story holds one key discrepancy. She claims she left a note. Callie never offered that alongside the tape.
Melissa can shift to violence when necessary too. She confronts the person who has broken into her home. She's stunned upon seeing Shauna. She wants to know what she wants. She believes the darkness has been lifted from within her. She no longer is carrying around the tape. It carries all the secrets from the past. Of course, that isn't true. Plenty of horrifying things happened that remain unknown. Kodi and Hannah are still alive despite knowing what the Yellowjackets did to survive. They stumbled upon a feast. Lottie killed Edwin. She jeopardized all of their futures. Kodi has the skills to lead them home. Travis pushes to go immediately. Nothing in the wilderness is real. Travis and Akilah weren't receiving important messages. They were just getting high. Their thoughts were being disrupted. Now, they have the potential to act sensibly. It doesn't work out. One could theorize Akilah doesn't want to abandon the rest of the team. But then, she has a vision without being provoked by the gases from the cave. That could suggest some kind of permanent damage to her brain. She suddenly sees all of the animals dead. That's horrifying. That reaffirms Lottie's standing. She feels more herself in the wilderness than ever before. She doesn't have a happy home to return to. She can't leave. Shauna and Taissa join her because they doubt the real world will accept what they've become. They don't feel like offering that explanation or lying.
The audience knows that eventually occurs. In fact, many of the Yellowjackets survive the wilderness. One more can be added to that list now in Melissa. She struggled upon returning home. She has convinced herself she has built a normal life. Shauna doesn't believe it. Shauna is more than comfortable lying to herself. She is mentally unwell in more ways than anyone realized. In fact, all of the Yellowjackets are. Van is actively dying. However, Taissa is fighting for control of her own body. Shauna convinces herself the world is conspiring against her. Life doesn't have to be so hard. That's the lesson Jeff and Callie take. They aren't being targeted. Shauna claims she wants to keep them safe. In reality, she is the greatest danger to them. Nothing will happen if they return home. They can enjoy pleasant interactions with other people. Callie was intrigued by the Yellowjackets. She sought greater understanding of their story. She's still horrified. She wants answers. She may not be able to handle what she uncovers. Shauna still bullies others just as fiercely now as she did back then. She assaults Melissa. She forces her to eat her own skin. She wants a confrontation with that ugly reality. It can't be ignored. If Melissa has found peace, then the others will have to question what they've done to survive. They would have to acknowledge how broken they are. Natalie and Lottie are dead. They need outside answers to pursue. The world must be crazy. It can't be them. And yet, that's the precise explanation Melissa offers. Right now, Shauna traumatizes her without any real sense of what she wants to do next. It's just the way to maintain power over the situation. She needs that. She's losing a grip on everything she claims is important to her.
