Editor’s be aware: The next comprises spoilers for Yellowjackets Season 2, Episode 8.

To say Yellowjackets is a masterclass of foreshadowing can be an understatement. The present is crammed with small particulars that get casually launched, solely to grow to be an important a part of the story just a few episodes later and even in a special season. That’s the case with the Queen of Hearts card, which appeared on the opening of the present’s first season earlier than making changing into a major plot level. And whereas many people suspected the cardboard was in some way related to the cannibalistic rituals the Yellowjackets survivors created within the wilderness, it’s not till Season 2, Episode 8 that we totally perceive its function. Nonetheless, Yellowjackets showrunners Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson are effectively conscious the sequence thrives in surprising twists, which is why they pull the rug beneath our toes proper after explaining the that means of the Queen of Hearts card.

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What Is the That means of the Queen of Hearts Card?

Whereas the Queen of Hearts first appeared within the sequence opening in Season 1, the cardboard gained extra significance because the story developed. First, we discovered that the survivors used enjoying playing cards to resolve who can be chargeable for every process, from cooking to cleansing the pee bucket. As quickly as we realized how the cardboard deck was getting used, we instinctively requested ourselves if the selection of victims for every cannibalistic ritual can be in some way related to it. The very fact grownup Lottie (Simone Kessell) nonetheless retains the Queen of Hearts card she had within the wilderness was one other clue concerning the grotesque use of the article.

Nonetheless, whereas we may marvel what the cardboard was for, it wasn’t till this week’s episode that we witnessed the primary draw of the Queen of Hearts. In Episode 8, the survivors are nonetheless ravenous, fearing they gained’t final lengthy with out meals. To make issues extra urgent, Lottie (Courtney Eaton) is getting ready to loss of life after being overwhelmed up by Shauna (Sophie Nélisse). So, the group is aware of they need to discover one thing to eat to avoid wasting Lottie’s life, which is a excessive precedence for everybody who nonetheless believes the lady has a particular reference to the wilderness.

The one resolution the survivors can consider is sacrificing somebody and utilizing their physique as meals. And, to make the choice course of as honest as attainable, all of the survivors agree to select up playing cards randomly from a deck. The one who finally ends up with the Queen of Hearts should give away their life so everybody else can dwell on. It feels like a easy course of, however we quickly understand there’s one thing bizarre occurring. That’s as a result of the primary individual to select up the Queen of Hearts card is Nat (Sophie Thatcher), who we all know continues to be alive within the grownup timeline.

‘Yellowjackets’ Season 2 Provides a Mindblowing Twist to That Card Reveal

If there’s one thing we will at all times anticipate from Yellowjackets it is for the sequence to maintain shocking us. That’s exactly what occurs when Nat picks up the Queen of Hearts card. We all know Nat survives, so she will’t settle for her sacrifice. Nonetheless, we don’t know what’s going to occur subsequent, even when we had found out the significance of the Queen of Hearts card for ourselves.

On account of this shocking card drawn, Travis (Kevin Alves) snaps and tries to guard Nat, serving to her to flee the hungry mob aiming for her tasty flesh. Nat runs via the snowy wilderness whereas the remaining survivors arm themselves with no matter they’ll discover and chase their prey. In just some seconds, Nat’s supposed sacrifice turns right into a hunt whereas the youngsters scream in anger and despair. So, whereas Episode 8 explains how the Queen of Hearts card performs into the survivors’ cannibalistic rituals, it additionally introduces the looking a part of the ritual.

Within the Yellowjackets sequence premiere, we watch a lady run away from an unknown hazard till falling right into a pit crammed with sharp stakes. The lady’s physique is recovered by hunters clothed in animal fur, hung from a tree, and chopped down as an animal. We nonetheless have time till the survivors grow to be completely feral, however Nat’s escape makes the hunt a part of their cannibalistic ritual. Moreover feeding their our bodies, working after their prey helps to create an atmosphere that dehumanizes the human victims the survivors try to cook dinner. So, it’s solely honest to imagine they’ll use this expertise for instance when setting the foundations for the subsequent hunt, each time that may occur.

Whereas we didn’t anticipate the survivors to go attempting to find human flesh so quickly within the sequence, that’s not the largest shock Episode 8 has in retailer for followers. Whereas attempting to cover from her hunters, Nat stumbles throughout Javi (Luciano Leroux). Javi reveals he is aware of a hiding place the place folks can’t discover Nat and gives to take the lady there. At first, Nat is suspicious, however she chooses to belief Nat. To get to Javi’s hideout, the 2 have to cross the frozen lake close by the cabin within the woods. Quickly, the looking celebration finds them, wailing to the skies whereas closing the gap to Nat and Javi. All of the sudden, the bottom cracks beneath Javi’s toes and the chilly water engulfs the boy. At first, Nat needs to avoid wasting Javi in some way. However when the looking celebration arrives, they inform Nat if Javi lives, she’ll grow to be the meal.

Javi’s loss of life finally ends up saving Nat because the survivors see the boy’s demise because the wilderness manifesting its will. Javi was chosen to be sacrificed in Nat’s place, which implies she will get to dwell one other day. Yellowjackets have taught us to anticipate the surprising, however Javi’s loss of life was not one thing we may anticipate. Javi disappeared for a number of weeks, surviving alone within the woods. So, when he got here again, all of us anticipated him to stay round and inform us what occurred throughout his time alone. It feels bizarre to deliver a personality again simply to eliminate him rapidly, however now we have to admire this present’s dedication to shock the viewers. Javi’s loss of life is the type of twist that made us fall in love with Yellowjackets within the first place, and we will’t wait to see what different surprises the sequence has in retailer for us within the subsequent episodes.

New episodes of Yellowjackets Season 2 premiere each Friday on the Showtime streaming app and each Sunday on-air.