'Yellowjackets' Episode 4 Review: Slow chapter explores Natalie's traumatic past
Contains spoilers for 'Yellowjackets' Episode 4 'Bear Down'
Natalie (Sophie Thatcher and Juliette Lewis) is the main subject of 'Yellowjackets' Episode 4 titled 'Bear Down'. Although the episode is a tad dry, it delves into the traumatic past Natalie has suffered while he attempts to figure out the reason behind her friend, Travis' death. The rest of the characters are moved around in the episode as fillers but have starts to equally stirring storylines. Misty (Samantha Hanratty/Christina Ricci) is still an enigma of sorts. Her behavior just puts her in the gray as to whether she can be trusted or not.
Taissa (Tawny Cypress) realizes that people are more interested in her survival story rather than the changes she intends to bring in, and that forms her story for the remainder of the season. Shauna (Melanie Lynskey) is still busy with her fling, Adam (Peter Gadiot), while Natalie dates her friend, Kevyn (Alex Wyndham) to find more information on Travis' death. The episode takes the usual route of toggling between the past and the present and Natalie's relationship with her father and Travis is explored further.
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A drunk father and a perpetually ill mother meant the teen had to look at music and drugs to keep herself occupied and in the clear. However, her abusive father accidentally shooting himself with the same weapon she used to threaten him has left its mark. Natalie's survival in the jungle and her use of firearms expertly can be attributed to the fact that she was actually surviving day-to-day hell. It was a classic frying pan to the fire scenario, but she seems to be the only one with gumption and guts among the survivors.
Lewis showcases her acting chops as the pained adult Natalie who still has that great bond with Travis which will be explored over the course of the series. Eva Sorhaug's chapter also has the subtle point that the 90s still had sexist men making remarks in a bink-and-miss moment.
There's a lot that 'Yellowjackets' still needs to explain, but the pace after the first couple of episodes has considerably reduced and that may have a few bored faces in the audience. Nonetheless, the series does continue to impress and does a good job at keeping the horror and suspense elements intact. For now, we recommend continuing with the psychological thriller.
'Yellowjackets' airs Sunday nights at 10 pm ET on Showtime.