Writer Clarifies the Hallucinatory Dream Sequence in ‘Yellowjackets’

[This article contains spoilers for the third episode of Yellowjackets, titled “Them’s the Brakes.”]

Yellowjackets has taken audiences on a compelling journey. But what does this mean for the characters as they navigate their tumultuous path?

The third episode of season three, titled “Them’s the Brakes,” concluded with a haunting sequence of hallucinations experienced by three pivotal characters in the wilderness timeline from 1996: Shauna (Sophie Nélisse), Van (Liv Hewson), and Akilah (Keeya King). Their visions were filled with deeply personal nightmares, including Shauna’s desperate attempts to reach the child she lost, Van’s near-fatal encounter with a burning cabin, Akilah’s surreal experience with a mystical llama voiced by Vincent Pastore, and all three perceiving the spectral presence of Jackie (Ella Purnell), their deceased teammate, whom they resorted to cannibalism to survive.

Co-showrunner Jonathan Lisco, who directed and co-wrote “Them’s the Brakes,” elaborates on the episode, delving into the intricacies of each character’s nightmare, the cultural implications of collective dreaming, and the neuroscience involved in how these moments might resonate with the adult characters in the present timeline.

“It’s not merely sensationalism or horror; everything we do is rooted in character,” Lisco emphasizes to The Hollywood Reporter. “If a scene does not feel genuine to the characters, we won’t pursue it. We strive to weave multiple narrative strands together to create something that resonates deeply.”

As the current season of the acclaimed Showtime series unfolds, join us as Lisco unpacks the significance of what viewers witnessed and how it connects to the show’s core themes. “The boundary between objective and subjective experiences is beginning to blur,” he hints at what lies ahead.

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Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson revealed that while this season will delve into darker themes, the writers had more creative freedom compared to seasons past. With the immense success of season one behind you, how did this contribute to your storytelling approach for season three?

That’s an insightful question. Creating a show involves a constant feedback loop, receiving audience reactions almost immediately, which can complicate the creative process. While we deeply value our audience’s opinions, we understand that the show cannot cater to everyone. We must make decisive choices.

In season two, we felt the lingering effects of the first season’s success, attempting to balance audience expectations with our artistic vision, which proved challenging. For this new season, we affirmed that as a writing team, we must trust our instincts. Although we acknowledge audience feedback, we can’t shape the show to appease everyone; we must ensure it aligns with our vision. Otherwise, it risks becoming a disjointed collection of ideas.

So, as Ashley aptly stated, we opened the floodgates and allowed our imaginations to flourish without self-censorship. We ensured every idea was examined not only for its plot significance but also for its emotional and psychological depth.

How much of the overall Yellowjackets narrative had you plotted before entering the writer’s room for season three?

You would be surprised. While we have certain key plot points planned for upcoming seasons, much deconstruction occurs once we delve into the room, resulting in many ideas falling by the wayside as we refine our core narratives. Our goal is not shock value for its own sake; instead, we aim for a cohesive story that resonates long after viewers finish an episode.

Gertrude Stein once remarked, “A sentence is not emotional; a paragraph is.” We embrace this concept, aiming to evoke emotional response not just on an episode basis, but across entire seasons. We seek to provide viewers with a sense of journey and connection.

You previously mentioned that if done correctly, cannibalism wouldn’t be the most shocking aspect of this series. Given that the topic was addressed in season two, how are you reprising it in season three?

When writing the episode in season two that depicted the characters consuming young Jackie, I wanted to ensure it would serve a character-driven narrative. It became clear that this was a pivotal Shauna-centric moment about power, consumption, and honoring her best friend, which ultimately made it the right moment for that storyline.

The anticipation surrounding this plot is substantial, and if it served solely as a shocking twist, the narrative would struggle to maintain tension. The real question now is whether, after experiencing such trauma for survival, they might establish new rituals tied to cannibalism as their societal norms disintegrate.

Bart Nickerson was hesitant to provide spoilers, but Ashley Lyle did share that this season addresses at least two significant questions. In this episode, we uncover the origins of Tai’s haunting “no-eyed man” and explore how Adult Tai and Van (Tawny Cypress and Lauren Ambrose) delve into the wilderness’s spirituality. What is your approach to what you choose to reveal about the show’s mysteries?

That’s a thought-provoking question. Regarding the present-day storyline, many neuroscientists propose that our memories are not fixed; we only remember our last recall of an event. This suggests an erosion of memory where adult characters may look back on their past but do so with unclear recollections, heavily influenced by repression or suppression. Therefore, memories of their time in the wilderness may blend into a chaotic amalgam.

Taissa, for instance, recalls a forgotten childhood event that gives her a new perspective on her ongoing fear of the no-eyed man, launching her into greater confusion. The cascading effects of their memories could lead to what I call “false pattern recognition” in their adult lives, making them believe they are reenacting past traumas. We intend to explore these elements thoroughly while also providing audiences with some answers about the mysteries presented in the show.

Speaking of neuroscience, you’ve delved into how it plays a role within Yellowjackets.

The show fundamentally examines the tension between objective and subjective experiences. The realities we perceive can vary significantly from those of others. As we navigate this season, we will aim to address questions surrounding supernatural versus psychological interpretations while avoiding definitive answers that might oversimplify these complex narratives.

The episode concludes with a striking 10-minute hallucination sequence featuring Shauna, Van, and Akilah. How did you choose these three characters for this shared vision?

With so many compelling characters available, we felt that each could have contributed richly to this hallucinatory experience. However, ultimately, we viewed Akilah, as an embodiment of nature, as a character primed for a revelation about the wilderness’s darker sides.

In tandem, Van’s past trauma from her initial near-death experience in the series sets her up for a horrific vision where she’s trapped in a burning cabin as echoes of her past resurface.

With Shauna, her tragic wound regarding the loss of her child provides a backdrop for her anguished swimming attempt after the ghostly figure of her son, reinforcing her personal torment and unresolved guilt.

This episode highlights Adult Shauna’s (Melanie Lynskey) emotional outburst when she confronts her daughter Callie (Sarah Desjardins) about wearing Jackie’s heart necklace. Is this indicative of her unresolved trauma surfacing?

The necklace represents a deep-seated connection to their traumatic past, and when she sees it on Callie, it triggers an overwhelming response from her. While some viewers perceive a stark contrast between the Shauna they met and the adult version, I believe the seeds of her current state were always present, reflecting themes of villainy and empathy that we’ll explore this season.

Returning to the hallucination, the merging of their dreams suggests a collective experience. What is the significance of this shared vision?

Many cultures, including Indigenous cultures, hold that collective dreaming serves a crucial role in shaping societal norms and values. This idea resonates throughout the episode as the characters begin to form new societal constructs amidst the collapse of their former lives. The concept of their dreams collectively synchronizing provides insight into their emotional and psychological states as they grapple with their evolving identities.

However, their shared experiences may also lead to toxic dynamics that they must navigate. Introducing Tai’s no-eyed man into the dream sequence illustrates how subjective experiences can distort shared realities.

Does Lottie (Courtney Eaton) awaken with memories of the dream?

No, Lottie’s journey involves struggling to reconnect with her previous instincts in the wilderness, hence why she seeks the help of others to find her path.

What explains the screeching sound heard in the cave by the group?

We aim to illustrate the fine line between individual perceptions and shared experiences. While that sound might be profoundly resonant for one character, another may perceive it differently, revealing the subjectivity of their realities shaped by their intense shared experiences.

You and your fellow showrunners have indicated a desire to bridge understanding between the characters’ teenage and adult selves. How are you achieving this?

As the audience follows the season, they will gain insights into the traumas that shaped our adult characters in their time in the wilderness. We will reveal more about the dynamics and alliances formed during their ordeal.

Coach Ben (Steven Krueger) becomes a significant figure in this episode as he confronts the team about their actions. What role does he serve this season?

Steve is doing a remarkable job portraying Coach as a complex figure carrying both humanity and moral clarity. He acts as a moral compass for the group, bearing witness to their transgressions, especially since he abstained from cannibalism. This creates tension since they might perceive him as judgmental, while his primary motive is simply survival, leading to complex dynamics as the narrative progresses.

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Yellowjackets streams new episodes every Friday on Paramount+, followed by Sunday night showings at 9 p.m. on Showtime. Stay tuned for further coverage and interviews on the series by following THR.