Juliette Lewis is at her best as Nat Scatorccio on Yellowjackets, fulfilling an important TV archetype.
The second one shows what the trauma survivors are up to 25 years later.
As anyone would expect, these middle-aged women are really going through it.
There are four main adult characters that the audience gets to immerse themselves in when watching the 2021 timeline.
Shauna and Taissas turmoil focuses mainly on domestic issues; Mistys problems surround self-esteem.
Natalie is the wild card and the true game-changer inYellowjackets, though.
When the world turned to shit, Natalie found herself.
With excesses like substances and a dearth of friends to turn to, Nat loses all semblance of identity.
Lewis understands her characters archetype from the jump.
TV fans are familiar with the addicted, yet resourceful sidekick, right?
Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli) onThe Sopranospioneered the template in the 2000s.
Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) onBreaking Badcemented it in legend.
Theres a palpable pain curdling under Nats psyche that Lewis depicts with haunting accuracy.
The characters past is her biggest boon and grandest demon.
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Nats life is a whirlwind of dependence in the present.
In the teen timeline, others look to her for resilience and guidance through the darkness.
In the present, shes lost in the face of light.
Jesse and Christopher are exactly like this in their respective shows.
Jesses vocational skills and positive traits are always easily manipulated.
For much of the series, his purpose lies in Walter Whites (Bryan Cranston) egotistical hands.
In a detour during season 4, he switches allegiance to Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito).
Its two different sides of the same meth lab, though.
Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) does the same thing with Chris.
Lewis is no stranger to complexity.
SPOILER ALERT:The rest of this article contains spoilers forYellowjacketsseason 2.
Nats demise is resulting from yet again serving others and ignoring her value.
Whether this can be quantified as redemption is really up to the viewer.
Yellowjacketswill miss Lewis dearly.
It would be likeremoving Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, or Sophia fromThe Golden Girls.
Yellowjackets season 1 is available to stream on Netflix now.
Seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on Paramount+.
