Bear Down

I like the premise. I really like some the characters, but I feel like the content/story isn't enough for 10 episodes. It feels like it's being stretched to serve the time. Perhaps a 6 or 7 episode series would have been better.

Sophie Thatchers voice, its uncanny how similar it is to Juliet Lewis'. Was great to get some backstory on Natalie.

Again, a middling episode, character and world building. Reminiscent of something like a team building exercise. It was honestly a bit corny, but whatever, not a bad episode. Shauna is really, really into roll play now, thanks Jeff. Misty is a citizen detective and she has your back. Liked seeing Tiassa stand up for herself.

The fourth episode of Yellowjackets, titled "Bear Down," directed by Deepa Mehta and written by co-executive producer Liz Phang, represents a continuation of the series' complex interplay between survival horror, psychological trauma, and the fractured identities of its characters across dual timelines. Airing on Showtime, this episode further explores the physical and emotional strains experienced by the stranded soccer team and deepens the adult survivors' ongoing struggles with their haunted pasts. While maintaining the signature atmospheric dread and character-driven drama of the series, "Bear Down" has drawn mixed reactions for its pacing and subplot management, marking it as a somewhat divisive but still crucial installment in the unfolding narrative.

The episode's 1996 timeline focuses primarily on the girls' increasing desperation as they forage for food and confront their mortality in the harsh wilderness. A particularly memorable and pivotal plot development occurs when the survivors discover a second, abandoned airplane in the woods. This unsettling find introduces an additional layer of mystery and heightens the tension, suggesting unknown forces or dangers at play beyond their immediate survival struggles. The discovery of the derelict plane also metaphorically underscores themes of isolation and abandonment, serving as a haunting reminder of lost hope and potentially signaling the presence of other unseen parties or darker secrets within the forest. This plot element heightens suspense while reinforcing the series' recurring motif of hidden dangers lurking beneath the surface.

Character dynamics among the young survivors continue to unravel and evolve, with trust becoming an increasingly scarce commodity. The episode's title, "Bear Down," resonates both literally and figuratively as the girls confront not only the physical dangers symbolized by a menacing bear but also the psychological pressures that compel them to harden themselves emotionally. Tensions escalate with risky decisions, power struggles, and moments of vulnerability that reveal the girls' shifting alliances. Notably, the character of Shauna (Sophie Nélisse) exhibits a more assertive and decisive side, juxtaposed against the trauma and fragility still haunting others like Natalie and Misty. The interplay of fear, control, and survival instinct is captured in scenes where the girls practice using rifles, marking a grim turning point in their attendance to violent means for protection and sustenance.

In the 2021 timeline, the adult survivors grapple with their present-day crises rooted firmly in past traumas. The episode largely centers on Natalie (Juliette Lewis) confronting unresolved elements of her abusive upbringing and fragmented family history. Flashbacks to her father's violent death and her complicated relationship with Kevyn (Alex Wyndham) interweave with scenes of adult Natalie seeking emotional closure and truth. These narrative threads humanize her character beyond the often prickly exterior previously portrayed, adding necessary depth and eliciting viewer empathy. Meanwhile, Shauna (Melanie Lynskey) navigates an illicit affair with her husband Adam, a subplot that adds complexity and tension to her present storyline but received mixed critical responses for distracting from the central themes of survival and trauma. Taissa's political ambitions and struggles also emerge as thematic counterpoints, highlighting the way external success may mask lingering inner turmoil.

Deepa Mehta's direction emphasizes atmosphere and mood, bringing a contemplative tone through restrained pacing and deliberate framing. Her visual style employs the muted, cold color palette established in earlier episodes, effectively contrasting the raw wilderness with clinical modernity. Cinematographer C. Kim Miles captures the oppressive isolation of the forest alongside intimate close-ups that accentuate characters' emotional states. Editing by Kevin D. Ross supports this rhythm, allowing moments of quiet reflection to punctuate the episode's more tense or action-driven beats. However, this measured pace has been criticized by some viewers and critics as slowing momentum, particularly in relation to the multiple subplots that compete for attention, resulting in a narrative that can feel disjointed or diluted.

Performance-wise, the cast continues to excel in delivering nuanced portrayals of complex, psychologically scarred characters. Sophie Thatcher as the young Natalie brings haunting vulnerability and emotional rawness to the role, while Juliette Lewis's adult Natalie reveals layers of regret and resilience. Sophie Nélisse and Melanie Lynskey embody the tensions of their character effectively, even as the writing occasionally strains to balance their divergent arcs. The ensemble's chemistry and the interplay of their performances are key strengths, sustaining viewer investment amidst the episode's slower pacing and dense thematic material.

Noteworthy scenes that underscore the episode's thematic weight include the discovery of the abandoned plane, which works as a chilling visual metaphor and narrative catalyst; the tense rifle training session, symbolizing the loss of innocence and the necessity ofThe fourth episode of Yellowjackets, titled "Bear Down" and directed by Deepa Mehta, continues the series' exploration of survival trauma and fractured identities across dual timelines, weaving tension and psychological depth into its narrative fabric. This episode delves deeper into the physical and emotional struggles faced by the soccer team stranded in the wilderness in 1996, while simultaneously expanding on the adult survivors' present-day challenges. Though it maintains the show's signature suspenseful atmosphere and complex character dynamics, "Bear Down" has earned mixed critical responses, particularly regarding its pacing and subplot distribution, highlighting it as a divisive yet important installment in the series.

In the 1996 timeline, the core of the episode follows the girls as they grapple with increasing desperation and danger in their fight for survival. A major plot development unfolds with the discovery of a second, deserted airplane hidden deep in the forest-an eerie and foreboding symbol of mystery and lost hope. This find not only amplifies the sense of isolation but also raises questions about other forces at work in the wilderness, hinting at dark secrets existing beyond the immediate survival story and adding suspenseful complexity. The juxtaposition of the two wrecked planes metaphorically echoes themes of abandonment and hidden threats lurking beneath the surface.

Meanwhile, the 2021 storyline highlights adult Natalie's attempts to reconcile with her painful past, focusing on her abusive family history and complex relationship with Kevyn. The intercutting of flashbacks with present interactions humanizes her character, revealing vulnerability beneath her often defensive demeanor and eliciting deeper empathy. The subplot involving Shauna's affair with her husband Adam adds tension but has been criticized for diluting the episode's core thematic focus, seen by some as a distracting narrative thread amid the central motifs of trauma and survival. Taissa's political struggles also appear, reflecting how external success contrasts with ongoing emotional scars.

Director Deepa Mehta's stylistic choices emphasize mood and introspection, utilizing a muted color palette and deliberate pacing that underscore the series' haunting atmosphere. Cinematography captures both the oppressive vastness of the wilderness and intimate character moments, enhancing the emotional resonance of key scenes. The editing rhythm intersperses quiet, contemplative beats with moments of high tension, though the overall slower tempo has divided critics, some noting that the multiple storylines occasionally fragment narrative momentum and clarity.

Performance-wise, the episode benefits from the compelling portrayals of its principal cast. Sophie Thatcher's young Natalie conveys raw emotional depth and trauma, while Juliette Lewis adds nuance to the adult Natalie's quest for healing. Sophie Nélisse as young Shauna and Melanie Lynskey as her adult counterpart continue to effectively embody their characters' psychological tensions. The ensemble's chemistry and layered performances sustain engagement despite the episode's uneven pacing and sprawling subplot threads.

Key moments such as the discovery of the abandoned plane serve as powerful symbols of lost hope and mystery, while scenes like the rifle training illustrate the brutal transformation of the group. The palpable tension between innocence and survival instinct courses through the episode, advancing the complex psychological and thematic layers that define Yellowjackets.

"Bear Down" is a nuanced yet uneven chapter in Yellowjackets that pushes forward the psychological and survival drama threads with notable symbolic weight and strong performances. Its deliberate pacing and narrative breadth challenge viewers to engage deeply with the scars of trauma and survival's brutal demands. Though its diffuse focus and slower tempo may test some audiences, the episode ultimately contributes essential layers to the series' exploration of identity, memory, and resilience under extreme duress, inviting reflection on how past horrors continue to shape present realities and human connections.

This show so far is ok I guess. My wife and I are on the fence about moving forward with it. Speaking of moving forward, this episode went no where. Some incidents happened that went towards character development but nothing really groundbreaking. I am asking myself one question. What does the auto dude see in what's her name? I think he's a reporter or cop or something. Probably just me.

Some of acting is atrocious. Courtney Eaton's Australian accent is so obvious. When she wakes at 3 minutes into the episode she says "bad things happened here" in a super Aussie accent. Not to mention she's 26 in real life yet playing a 16 year old - same with most of the cast. Just NO.