Each character in Yellowjackets has unique facets to their personalities that are either challenged or strengthened by their time stranded in the Canadian wilderness. As the events of their 1996 crash are slowly revealed over the course of the season, audiences are able to piece together the reasons behind many of the modern-day characters’ choices.
The various backgrounds and personal histories of these characters contribute to their individual attributes. In a short amount of time, Yellowjackets builds distinct qualities for each character that either lead to their downfall or aid in their success.
Simone (Protective Nature)
Although not much is shown of Simone’s life outside of her marriage and home, her decisions make it clear that her strongest trait is her protective nature. Simone’s relationship with Taissa and their son, Sammy, gives a look into her personality and the passionate way in which she looks after her family.
Simone is a loving wife who supports Taissa’s campaign and helps her prepare for various events. When Taissa’s behavior begins to negatively affect Sammy, Simone’s protective instincts as a mother take over and she insists that they get him help from a psychologist.
Jeff (Devotion)
At the start of the season, Jeff appears to be repeating old habits by having an affair behind Shauna’s back. Jeff’s trustworthiness as a character is redeemed by his deep love of Shauna and desperation to keep their family and the business afloat. Jeff’s devotion to Shauna is his best trait and while his actions may be reckless, it’s evident that his intentions are pure. By defending Shauna from the barrage of insults from Jackie’s parents and volunteering to take the fall for Adam’s murder, Jeff proves that he will do anything for Shauna.
Travis (Vulnerability)
While Natalie internalizes her pain, Travis repeatedly lashes out as a result of his own problems with his father and the resentment he feels after his death. As Natalie gradually breaks down the walls he built up over the years, she brings out Travis’ best quality: his vulnerability.
Underneath the tough exterior, it becomes apparent that Travis is trying to reconcile his feelings in an attempt to be the person Natalie sees in him. When Travis finally stops trying to push Natalie away, the audience gets the first real glimpse of Travis’ helplessness.
Coach Scott (Patience)
If there was any doubt that Ben Scott was meant to be a coach before, his handling of his team following the crash solidifies the fact. Despite being understandably shaken by the amputation of his leg, Coach Scott teaches the team how to properly use the shotgun and ensures that Natalie and Travis are prepared to hunt for food. Ben’s best trait is his patience which comes in handy while fending off Misty’s advances and navigating awkward discussions with Travis. As the tensions rise among the team, Coach Scott’s ability to lead them dwindles until he has no influence on their decisions at all.
Laura Lee (Compassion)
Laura Lee’s faith may be the obvious choice for her best trait, but her compassion stands out as her most important quality. Laura Lee treats her teammates with warmth and always looks for the best in people as well as in tough situations. When Lottie turns to her for guidance, she takes her concerns seriously and tries her best to help Lottie accept her visions. After they discover the abandoned plane, Laura Lee studies the manual and prepares to fly the plane to find help and rescue her teammates.
Van (Resilience)
After several near-death experiences, it’s evident that Van’s resilience is her best trait. Van’s sense of humor and ability to take things in stride allows her to recover quickly from both the tragedy of the plane crash and the betrayal from Jackie. Although Van doesn’t let Jackie off the hook, she also doesn’t dwell on the incident and joins the effort to find shelter and water. Following the wolf attack, Van is noticeably changed as a person, relying on Lottie’s premonitions for a sense of security. When her beliefs are challenged by Taissa, Van remains unwavering.
Jackie (Confidence)
The “it” girl of their high school, Jackie is used to being the center of attention and wears her popularity like a badge. Jackie’s confidence is her best trait as it allows her to move among different types of people and unite them under a common goal. As Coach Martinez explains to her, she was given the position of captain because of her social skills rather than her soccer talent. After the crash, Jackie’s authority is challenged as the survival of high school is no longer a priority among the team and she is forced to find a new way to be useful to the group.
Lottie (Open-mindedness)
Lottie’s best trait before and after the crash is her open-mindedness. During the party, Natalie mentions that Lottie’s most admirable quality is that she never “talks s—” unless someone really deserves it. While Lottie’s grasp on reality wanes as she runs out of her medication, her openness to the unknown supernatural forces around them grows. With the help of Laura Lee, Lottie begins sharing her visions with her teammates in the hopes that it protects them. Although her concerns are brushed off, each vision comes true, including her promise that they wouldn’t be hungry much longer.
Misty (Loyalty)
While her actions and unique sense of morality make her a wild card, Misty’s loyalty is her best trait. The dedication Misty feels toward her team is obvious from her very first scene in Yellowjackets. Misty loyalty stems from her desire to be accepted and loved by the people she admires, a desire that is only strengthened through their shared trauma in the wilderness. Though Misty is a dangerous person to mess with, being her friend is the safest position to be in.
Taissa (Bravery)
Taissa’s greatest strength is her bravery and her ability to set aside her personal fears for the good of the group. As Jackie loses her standing among the Yellowjackets, Taissa rises to the top and begins calling the shots. Even as they are faced with the inexplicable occurrences of the surrounding wilderness, Taissa remains resolute and assures her teammates that they are safe. By taking on the pressure of being the brave face of the group, Taissa’s subconscious draws out unusual reactions to the stress such as her dirt eating and sleepwalking.
Natalie (Selflessness)
Undeterred by the abuse of her home life, Natalie remains a kind and selfless person. Although Natalie has her own demons that she struggles with both as a teenager and as an adult, she never hesitates to show up when her friends need help. While many people would have lashed out after Jackie told Travis about Natalie’s past and slept with her during Doomcoming, Nat doesn’t hold a grudge and still comes to her aid when Jackie is locked in the cabin. Natalie’s tendency to shove her own feelings aside in favor of others is also a weakness, contributing to her self-destructive behavior.
Shauna (Ferocity)
Shauna’s best trait is her ferocity which allows her to navigate tricky situations and take on the dirty tasks that no one else is willing to do. Shauna is the dark horse of the Yellowjackets members, seemingly shy and unassuming until pushed to the edge. Shauna lives two very different lives at the same time: the even-tempered stay-at-home mom with a porcelain bunny collection and the jaded woman struggling to shed the ruthless identity she took on after the crash in order to survive.
