Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Yellowjackets season 3, episode 7, titled “Croak.”

The escalating tension between Callie and Shauna reaches a boiling point in Yellowjackets season 3. In episode 7, Callie articulates the thoughts of many regarding her mother. The episode, “Croak,” takes the adult survivors on a critical road trip to locate Hannah’s daughter, whom they suspect is blackmailing them with a recording of Edwin’s death. Although Shauna assures the other women that she plans to “have a gentle, reasonable conversation” with Hannah’s daughter, Van rightfully questions Shauna’s history of questionable decisions. The other survivors share similar doubts about Shauna’s intentions.

In Yellowjackets season 3, episode 7, the absence of adult Shauna provides Jeff and Callie an opportunity to deepen their bond, but it also raises significant concerns for Callie regarding her mother. Callie’s curiosity goes beyond mere interest in Shauna’s past; she starts to realize that the Yellowjackets are concealing dark secrets from their time in the Wilderness. Callie expresses her fears to Jeff, who tries to calm her worries, yet it’s evident that he understands the darker side of Shauna, and Callie’s admissions echo the suspicions many viewers have harbored since season 1.

Unraveling Shauna’s Dark Side: A Journey Through Yellowjackets Season 1

Shauna’s Unethical Choices: Cheating and Murder in Yellowjackets

By the climax of Yellowjackets season 3, episode 7, Callie inches closer to unveiling the disturbing truth, referencing the mysterious disappearance of three frog scientists near the site where the soccer team’s plane crashed long ago. Although Jeff attempts to dismiss any potential link, Callie poses a chilling question about Shauna that echoes a sentiment already explored in Yellowjackets season 1: “What if she’s actually a bad person?” Callie suspects that Shauna and her fellow survivors might have been involved in the disappearance of those scientists, and intriguingly, her instincts may be more accurate than anyone realizes.

Indeed, suspicions surrounding Shauna have been prevalent since the inception of Yellowjackets, as her actions often tread into morally ambiguous territory. Notably, she betrays her best friend by cheating with Jackie Taylor’s boyfriend in the series’ premiere episode, a betrayal that suggests a troubling lack of respect for her friend. While some may attribute this to typical teenage folly, Shauna’s character further complicates matters when she engages in a romantic affair with Adam during the adult narrative, culminating in his tragic death at her hands due to a critical misunderstanding, highlighting her propensity for violence.

Shauna’s involvement in Jackie’s death is complex; while she isn’t entirely to blame, her actions undeniably contribute to the tragic outcome. The weight of her guilt concerning Jackie is substantial, as the choices Shauna makes during the teen timeline lead to the catastrophic events that unfold in Yellowjackets season 1. Shauna allows Jackie to leave the safety of the cabin and fails to intervene or persuade Jackie to return. However, despite her faults, Shauna’s character is portrayed with a level of trauma that offers redeeming qualities, complicating the narrative. Yellowjackets season 3 increasingly emphasizes her character flaws, painting her in a more villainous light.

The Transformation of Shauna: How Yellowjackets Builds Her Into a True Antagonist

While audiences could empathize with Shauna’s decisions in Yellowjackets season 1 — recognizing her actions as misguided yet understandable — season 3 complicates this perspective by stripping away any remnants of sympathy for her character. Yellowjackets season 3 accentuates Callie’s assertion that her mother embodies a negative persona, utilizing both timelines to support this claim. In the teenage narrative, Shauna appears to have lost her sense of humanity altogether. Although it is tempting to feel compassion for her due to her grief and trauma stemming from her baby’s loss, her willingness to harm Ben, her treatment of Natalie, and her enthusiasm regarding Edwin’s death all illustrate a significant moral decline.

Furthermore, Shauna’s destructive behavior carries over into her adult timeline, signifying her failure to learn from her past experiences. Despite the traumatic events surrounding Adam, she seems eager to confront a blackmailer, fully aware that the situation could spiral into violence. Additionally, her treatment of adult Misty throughout season 3 displays her disregard for their friendship, and her relationships with Jeff and Callie are strained, even as they strive to support her. Should Yellowjackets reveal Shauna’s involvement in Lottie’s death, it would solidify her character’s descent into irredeemable villainy.