Yellowjackets Season 3 Episode 2 review – “Dislocation” – The past follows

After a chilling season opener, Yellowjackets continues its descent into psychological horror and moral decay with “Dislocation.” The episode expertly balances raw human emotion, eerie supernatural undertones, and the inescapable weight of past trauma.

The title itself speaks volumes—not just about Mari’s gruesome injury but about the fractured state of each character’s mind and relationships.

Wilderness Timeline (1996): The Breaking Point

Survival takes an even darker turn when Mari falls into a concealed pit, dislocating her knee. The injury is severe, forcing Coach Ben, who has been clinging to the sidelines, to step up and reset the joint.

The scene is excruciating, highlighting both Mari’s agony and Ben’s increasing discomfort with his dwindling role in the group. He may be an adult, but in the brutal hierarchy of the wilderness, he’s becoming more of an outsider.

Shauna, still lost in grief, isolates herself in ways that disturb the others. Her emotional breakdown takes an unexpected turn when Melissa finds her in a moment of vulnerability, leading to a tense and deeply charged kiss. Whether this is a moment of genuine connection or just another act of desperation remains unclear, but it reinforces Yellowjackets’ central theme—boundaries blur when survival is at stake.

In other scenes, Travis continues to struggle with the aftereffects of his hallucinations. Aakilah tries to help by bringing him a duck to take care of, believing it will give him something to hold onto. She sees it as a sign of hope, a small act to ground him.

It’s an unsettling moment, as it suggests a deeper connection between Aakilah and the wilderness. Lottie interprets it as proof that Aakilah has a special link to their surroundings—perhaps even a supernatural one. If Aakilah has been "chosen" by the wilderness, what does that mean for the rest of them?

Meanwhile, shadowy dogs continue attacking the group. When Travis struggles to fend off one of the creatures, Aakilah panics, grabs a gun, and shoots it to protect him. This moment of intense action raises concerns—did Aakilah act out of sheer instinct, or is something deeper at play?

Shadows of the Present-Day Timeline

Lottie’s Return Knocks Everything Silly

The sudden appearance of Lottie at Shauna and Jeff’s place has an unexpected and quite jarring impact. The reality of it is very different from the idea of her being "better" after psychiatric hospitalization. Lottie is an uneasy character because, in addition to the quality that made her such a strong leader while in the wild, she appears to remain exactly the same as before.

Her connection with Callie also complicates the situation—Callie is naturally attached to her, but at the same time, she might be bringing danger. Would it be reasonable to assume that Lottie is trying to deceive her, or might she simply wish to establish an emotional connection with Callie, something the latter has been missing from her mother?

Shauna’s Self-Destructive Spiral

In her invariable Shauna style, she cannot help but fall to pieces at precisely the wrong time. What started as a relatively decent relationship with investors turns into a disaster when Shauna, hard-pressed in her mental sphere with all the self-repression she is doing, rudely assaults the potential financiers.

Shauna’s fury and ill feelings toward ordinary, happy people escalate the situation, costing Jeff the most important contract. In this instance, Shauna is once again made aware that no matter how much she attempts to live a normal life, her past will always haunt her.

She is not only one of the worst players at making the role of suburban wife and mother feel real, but is also overly dissatisfied by the mere thought of it.

Tai and Van Pretend to Be Brave for the Happy Reunion

Tai and Van are trying to fix their past relationship, but their new beginning becomes the cause of new problems. What begins as a fun, rebellious stunt—negotiating at a diner—turns into a tragedy for the youth when it is discovered that the server they had fled from has died of a heart attack.

The argument they then face is an unpleasant truth: their deeds, however tiny, have implications. Their past actions won’t allow them to forget what they have been and who they are.

Misty Sees the Hard Reality

This TV show has graphically depicted Misty's character transformation and emotional development. Still saddened by Natalie's death, she finds consolation in Walter, who gently confronts her about her attachment to relationships that are not fully reciprocated with her passion.

It is a rare moment of self-searching for Misty, known for her control issues. The main question now is: will she be changed by it, or will she continue living the life she has long since adopted?

Themes

The Real and Emotional Import of "Dislocation"

Mari's dislocated knee is not only a painful survival barrier but also signifies the fractures in the characters' minds and bodies. Whether it’s Shauna being unable to deal with grief or Tai being out of touch with the reality of the day, everyone’s loss of self-identity has inevitably driven them mad.

The Ever-Present Question: Supernatural or Psychological?

The fact that Travis is seeing things, Akilah is supposedly talking to animals, and Lottie is playing mysterious roles might be a strong hint that they are still under the influence of the wilderness.

Is there really something supernatural happening, or is this simply the trauma of the characters and the hysteria of the group resurfacing? The show remains on the edge, and there will likely be no definitive answer, which is also its strength. The audience is just as confused as the characters.

No Escaping the Past

In this particular episode, the theme of irresistible consequences is portrayed most clearly. Tai and Van are joking, but they then cause an unforeseeable accident. Shauna is on the verge of a meltdown when the situation is at its worst.

Misty's revelation that her relationships are more personal than she allows herself to believe is a turning point in her life, forcing her to realize that her past choices are still affecting her present.

Final Verdict

I'll give this episode a 9/10⭐

"Dislocation" is a clear sign that the TV series Yellowjackets is not only continuing but also delving deeper into the darkness. At the same time, the wilderness storyline remains a grim study of survival and morality. However, it is the present-day storyline that serves as the driving factor, forcing the characters to confront the decisions they previously made and consider the future of their lives.

This one is intense and a tad creepy, as per usual, but it shapes into a mind game run rather impressively—another top contender in an already well-tooled season.

The remaining questions are tantalizing:

1. Is Lottie really “better,” or is she in it for the long haul?
2. Will she be able to get Callie under her thumb?
3. What will it take for Shauna to really reckon with the full extent of her trauma?
4. And is the wilderness finished with them — or does something yet linger?

With every episode that passes, Yellowjackets further reinforces why it’s one of the most haunting, compelling shows on the air.

How did you feel about this episode? Are the supernatural elements real, or is it all in their heads? Let’s discuss!