Welcome back to Show Down, The column where I break down a new show or season and discuss whether it’s worth watching or likely to get cancelled. This week, we’ll be talking about all things, “Yellowjackets”, the show that will (figuratively speaking) “eat your heart out”.
I have been trying to come up with criteria to go through that helps me determine if a show will get canceled or not, and I have yet to settle on a specific one; but for this issue, let’s focus on the basics: premise, cast, promotion and fan response.
By looking at the things I listed above, especially the fan reactions and how the show was promoted, I can gauge if a show will get renewed. The thing is that extreme promos and love from fans arenot always a guarantee we’ll see more of the show.
A show like “Heartstopper,” which has been a fan favorite since its release and has received countless promotion, high ratings and praise by critics still does not have a fourth season in the bag. The truth is, a show is never promised another season, but hopefully with some analysis we can guesstimate. Let’s begin!
What’s the premise of “Yellowjackets,” exactly? A high school girls soccer team flies out to the national championships, but their trip gets cut short when the plane crashes into the wilderness.
A part of the charm of the show is the dual timeline: The plot jumps between the team’s time in the wilderness and their lives as adults years after they are rescued, where we see who survived and what they’re currently going through.
From the first moment of episode one, we explode into a show that hooks you with the unknown: a girl running barefoot in the snow. Bloody footprints, a trap and even cannibalism and violence. Who is pit girl? What is the deal with the wilderness? How on earth did they survive 19 months and, if you made it to the end of season one: Who the hell is Lottie Matthews?
I’m assuming you did make it, since you’re reading an article about this show’s potential cancellation (or renewal!) but still, I won’t spoil much.
Having watched all seasons of the show and the first two episodes of season three, I’m curious as to how far the plot can be stretched. They spend a long time in the wilderness, but we also spend a lot of time with the adult timeline. Personally, I am a little more interested in the wilderness and the character’s experience there.
In terms of premise, I think they have what it takes. This is a refreshing show that doesn’t shy away from violence and gore but does not overuse it either. Everything that occurs feels fitting, and I can’t wait to see how far they’re willing to go.
Now let’s talk cast, since this one is stacked. Ella Purnell as Jackie Taylor, captain of the soccer team and a true snack — they eat her. Melanie Lynskey as adult Shauna Shipman and Sophie Nélisse as teen Shipman. Tawny Cypress, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Lauren Ambrose and Liv Hewson also star.
With many more great actors unmentioned here, the full cast is impeccable. I don’t know what sacrifices the casting team made and who they made them to, but the accuracy of the teen and adult cast? Beautifully done.
The way the adult cast members (thinking specifically of Ambrose as Van) are able to pick up on the mannerisms of the younger cast and implement those into their portrayal is masterful. Genuinely, if not for the premise, watch for a premiere acting masterclass from everyone involved.
And now, promotion time. I have personally seen many ads throughout the years that the show has been running. There are cast interviews, quizzes, posts from cast members, influencer events and more that convinces me money is being poured into this show. This season, the promotion has been focused on the fact that season 3 premiered on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day.
There was a feast of the wild event hosted for the cast, with beautiful food and wilderness decor. the official Instagram account of the show shared themed Valentine’s Day cards with puns centered around the show. They also had a gorgeous season three premiere, an MTV interview, an appearance with InStyle magazine of the cast reading fan mail and so much more. It seems like they went all out with their promotion, and fans are, no pun intended, eating it up.
“Single for Valentine’s Day but at least yellowjackets season 3 is coming out,” shared one X, formerly known as Twitter, user. Their posts are gathering thousands of likes, and they still provide more for fans to engage with. I forgot to mention the “behind the buzz” video on the official ‘YellowJackets’ YouTube channel where they share a behind the scenes look in to the season.
Now that we went through the basics, I have to say that I am confident in this show’s ability to be renewed for another season and not become a show down. I genuinely hope, in my heart of hearts, that we get even one more season. Not only because I enjoy the show, but because it’s clear it has an established and loyal fan base, a talented cast and a skilled promotional team.