Surviving Chaos: What Yellowjackets Teaches Us About Nature and Community

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Life on Earth has always been a struggle for survival due to the inherent competition brought about by the need for survival within the natural world. Over time, as chaos prevails, it is intelligent life that adapts and finds ways to navigate through the dangers posed by unpredictable events and predators. Whether through physical action or intellectual discussions, we learn to deal with forces beyond our control. What other choice do we have but to find order amidst the chaos?

In this present-day dystopia we find ourselves, everyday life is marked by a tumultuous mix of personal, political, and primarily ecological upheaval. This underlying sad reality surfaces between each natural calamity and temperature increase. The climate predicament has become the defining sorrow of our era, a relentless countdown echoing from the far corners of the cosmos. For those who are attuned to its rhythm, it seeps into every thought we ponder and media we engage with, even permeating popular culture – whether or not this culture addresses it explicitly or indirectly.

The show “Yellowjackets” encourages a more profound environmental interpretation due to its strong connection to the wilderness. As it prepares for its third season, this survivalist horror-drama follows a girls’ soccer team from New Jersey who crash land in an unknown location en route to a championship. Without any means of contacting the outside world and possessing minimal outdoors skills, they must rely on their instincts to survive. Despite their lack of experience, they learn to be resourceful, discovering weapons for hunting, a cabin for shelter, locating water and food sources that sustain them just enough to continue living day by day.

Since it’s a cable drama, there are undoubtedly multiple layers at play here. Similar to the series Lost, the narrative weaves between the past (the crash) and the present, focusing on how the survivors have been grappling with their experiences in the wilderness for years. The setting includes a mysterious cult established by some of the female survivors, as well as other events hinting at supernatural elements. As they struggled to make sense of the chaos they encountered, these young women formed a troop and created their own meanings from the survival situation. Over time, cults and factions emerged, interpersonal conflicts unfolded, and relationships were forged whose influence persists even today, two decades later.

Beneath the surface of the genre in Yellowjackets lies a significant reflection on mankind’s connection with the environment. In this series, the wilderness serves as both a sustainer and a devastator, echoing real-world ecological struggles. The characters’ battles for existence offer insights into sustainability, collective action, and the hazards of disregarding nature’s true intent. They grapple with starvation, harsh winters that never seem to end, and disputes over depleting resources—much like how our real-world climate crisis poses threats to food security, natural calamities, and social and political discord. The series offers a glimpse into the consequences of giving in to the same impulses as these young women: we become desperate, divided, and subjected to nature’s control.

Yellowjackets and the Wilderness as Provider and Destroyer

At the start of the series, we witness the fundamental events unfold. The girls, wounded and petrified, experience the urgency brought about by their situation, yet gradually transition into a mindset of determination to survive. Unexpected leaders arise, and Jackie Taylor, the team captain, is less effective in this predicament, lacking the established hierarchy from her high school days. Her best friend Shauna, however, reveals an inner rage that surfaces powerfully and aptly in the wilderness, where she assumes leadership roles such as skinning their food and making tough decisions. The other girls – Taissa, Natalie, Lottie, Van, and Misty – assume their respective positions, each possessing unique talents that collectively form a resilient survival team.

For a while, the girls somehow manage to sustain themselves in their new abode. They hunt deer, gather berries, and utilize nearby nature for warmth and sheltering needs. During these peaceful instances, nature seems bountiful, almost as if it’s providing them with the tools they need to live. This situation mirrors a common reality we encounter in the real world – our survival as a species heavily relies on our skills of exploiting and utilizing natural resources effectively.

Despite providing them with sustenance, the very wilderness these animals inhabit poses the greatest danger to them. As they’re assaulted by aggressive creatures, they seek refuge in a cabin frozen solid near the lake. Their supplies dwindle, and the specter of starvation looms large. This serves as a stark reminder that although nature offers abundance, it remains an indifferent force. A meeting with a bear late in the first season symbolizes this, appearing as a harbinger of doom initially, but later becoming their primary food source upon its demise.

Our actions must align with the dire situation we all find ourselves in due to climate breakdown. Events such as the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, which left parts of the city in mourning, or the growing number of catastrophic floods, highlight the instability of our world and compel us to acknowledge the results of our species’ inaction. Much like the Yellowjackets, we are at the mercy of nature—relying on it while experiencing its extremes.

Survival, Scarcity, and Social Order

In the harsh wilderness of Yellowjackets, the constant struggle for food poses a daily challenge. As regular meals are hard to come by, social dynamics remain in flux. Power struggles flare up over meager leftovers, worth fighting for. Shauna assumes the role of the team’s butcher, a position of importance – whoever handles the knife holds sway. It mirrors our world, where control of resources and the skill to acquire them determine power.

In simpler terms, “Yellowjackets” may be recognized by outsiders as “the cannibal show.” However, this term is not entirely accurate, as cannibalism is introduced in the second season through Jackie’s tragic fate. After stubbornly refusing to accept her powerlessness, she freezes to death. The girls intend to cremate her, but a sudden snowdrift causes Jackie’s frozen body to resemble a roast. This shocking incident leads the girls to consume her flesh, but it’s not just a horrifying moment; it serves a deeper purpose in the storyline.

This situation demonstrates how the need to survive can push aside moral considerations, much like deforestation, overfishing, and other actions we take that have a high cost. Unknowingly or not, we are helping bring about our own downfall by letting desperation shape our understanding of humanity.

The Rise of Ritualism

The series titled “Yellowjackets” isn’t merely known as “the cannibalism show,” but it’s also referred to as “the cult show.” This dual nature of the program is hinted at in the initial episode, where we observe what seems like a ritualistic event. The survivors, clad in animal skins and masks, gather together. One girl, barefoot, dashes through the forest only to be ensnared by a trap fashioned from sharpened twigs. The identity of this girl is shrouded in mystery, serving as a significant enigma, although the puzzle pieces are gradually fitting into place as the story unfolds.

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In the second season, Lottie, a secretive survivor who is both a young woman from an affluent family and a schizophrenic patient, plays a significant role even leading the cult. This role becomes so substantial that she manages to transition the cult from the wilderness into contemporary society. However, the concept of ritual, which Lottie seems to encourage through their repeated encounters with seemingly fated events, quickly becomes unsettling. It’s as though they are unconsciously accessing a power source they cannot comprehend. They employ this divine mindset to justify their circumstances, including why they found themselves there initially.

This mirrors how humans often react when faced with natural disasters – by attributing the event to divine intervention or a higher power’s plan, much like how religion is used to explain away suffering. Similarly, when confronted with complex issues such as our ecological crisis, it can be easier for people to cling to conspiracy theories and their denial rather than facing the harsh reality head-on. This isn’t just a modern approach to coping; even ancient civilizations resorted to human sacrifices in an attempt to please gods and ensure prosperity.

Yellowjackets” illustrates how belief systems can offer a sense of order amidst a chaotic wilderness. It serves as a comfort for the characters who seek something to trust in. However, it also introduces its own form of hardship, as they begin to confront and attack each other. Their fanatical loyalty gradually hinders their logical reactions to their predicament. Does this scenario strike a chord with you?

The ritualistic practices create an environment where authority is heavily enforced. Certain members of the group start relying on Lottie for direction. However, it’s just as probable that Lottie, like many of us, struggles with mental health issues rather than receiving supernatural guidance. She may appear to lead confidently, but in reality, she’s unsure. This scenario reminds us of certain politicians seen in the news who take advantage of crises for personal gain, ignoring pressing environmental issues. We find ourselves living in a cult-like society, with a personality-driven culture much like Lottie’s, which could lead to a similar collapse.

Yellowjackets Gives Us Lessons for Survival 

While these comparisons might stir feelings of anxiety, they should also offer a sense of comfort. Entertainment can serve more than just passing the time; it can help us navigate and comprehend the world we inhabit. There’s valuable insight to be found in Yellowjackets, such as learning what strategies to employ and what pitfalls to avoid as we confront our own ecological challenges.

One key aspect is mastering the art of preserving nature’s equilibrium. The characters in Yellowjackets falter when it comes to this, due to their inadequate resource management and challenges in rationing the supplies they acquire. Sustainability becomes more than just a thought—it becomes an essential strategy for survival in their dire circumstances. Disregarding nature’s boundaries leads to social stratification and ideological conflicts that ultimately inflict long-term damage.

The show Yellowjackets underscores the importance of unity and teamwork for survival. When they work together, the characters effectively construct irrigation systems, manage laundry, prepare meals that ensure everyone is fed equally. However, their division leads to chaos and violence. If humanity could grasp this same concept – that we are all interconnected – our issues would lessen significantly. No single nation or person can tackle climate catastrophe on their own. But unity can spark a process of mutual preservation. Avarice may extinguish many chances for change. Yet, advocating for environmental justice and investing in community are methods to resist the impact that our leaders have on us.

In these challenging times, it’s by supporting each other and working together as a global community that we can persevere. Although this may seem obvious, it’s a concept we need to embrace now more than ever. In the face of recent catastrophes, one shining beacon of hope lies in the swiftness with which people have extended their help to one another. For instance, during the L.A. wildfires, communities rallied together to offer free food, organize clothing drives, and provide shelter for those who had lost their homes. Online platforms like GoFundMe and grassroots crowdfunding initiatives offered small comforts to those who had lost everything.

People desire to assist and rescue one another. They yearn for unity and cooperation. However, we must steer clear of the traps that may lead us astray. We need to unequivocally, forcefully shun distractions: false information about climate change, superstitions that could divert us towards mystical remedies rather than practical actions, focusing on personal introspection instead of engaging with reality, and immersing ourselves in the messiness of the situation. Relying on unscientific methods such as religious dogma or capitalist deceptions will only exacerbate our hardships and make our losses immediate.

In essence, “Yellowjackets” serves as a warning story, reflecting contemporary challenges we face. The characters’ fight for survival mirrors our own struggles against nature’s harshness and the search for meaning in its disorder. The series showcases the repercussions of such actions, demonstrating how our lack of knowledge can steer us towards dangerous situations, like traps or predator groups. It’s striking to observe this, as it underscores that without a strong, rational community—not cult-like but scientifically inclined and grounded in reality—we are merely prey waiting to be consumed.

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2025-02-18 18:04