Saints

Every time we think there's some action going to happen the next episode comes and nothing happens. That's upsetting when there's actually 40-45 minutes episode with a non so relevant events to the story happens and the writers keep us hanging for the next episode and yet nothing happen in it either.

I feel like in lieu of having a truly compelling story line to pull you through, the episodes often resort to shock value for the sake of shock value. But I really want more story. Love the premise, like the characters, but finding the storytelling to be lacking so far.

Episode 6: Couldn't be any worse with total nonsense after total nonsense. Utterly uninteresting in the past and present time. Whoever chose those writers must be plain ... Now, prep'ing for episode 7!

The show started off with an ok first episode, really good 2nd and 3rd episodes, now it's started tailing off badly in the 5th and 6th.

It's becoming really repetitive with not a lot going on.

I think I've got 1 more episode in me and if it doesn't pick up it's time to throw the towel in.

The sixth episode of Yellowjackets, titled "Saints," directed by Bille Woodruff and written by Chantelle M. Wells, stands out as a richly layered and deeply atmospheric chapter in the series' intricate weaving of psychological horror, survival trauma, and enduring personal ramifications. This episode deftly balances the harrowing 1996 survival timeline with the haunting present-day realities of the characters, while pushing forward the series' blend of supernatural unease, raw human emotion, and fractured female identities. Through its focused narrative, evocative performances, and immersive direction, "Saints" exemplifies the show's ability to sustain tension and expand thematic complexity without resorting to gratuitous spectacle.

The narrative in the 1996 timeline advances with the girls further entrenched in their desperate fight for survival, as the physical toll on their bodies and minds becomes increasingly apparent. A notable plotline centers on Lottie, who begins to grapple with her disturbing premonitions and apparent psychic abilities, a thread that enriches the series' supernatural undertones while grounding them in character psychology. The episode explores her isolation and fear with a sensitive touch, using muted color palettes and tight framing to convey the claustrophobia and growing dread she experiences. This mystical element contrasts with the gritty survival reality around her, amplifying the episode's eerie mood.

Simultaneously, "Saints" features some of the most emotionally charged scenes involving Shauna, whose storyline explores her fraught pregnancy and the dangerous, near-fatal attempt at a DIY abortion in the wilderness. The tension and rawness of this sequence are heightened by Sophie Nélisse's evocative performance, supported by Taissa's efforts to help, which establish an intense sisterhood dynamic amid chaos. The scene is a brutal confrontation with the intersection of bodily autonomy, trauma, and survival, eschewing sensationalism for harrowing authenticity. This moment is underscored visually and tonally with unflinching realism, a testament to the show's commitment to portraying the darkest facets of the characters' ordeal.

In the present-day storyline, the episode dives deeper into complex adult interactions, focusing heavily on Natalie and Taissa. Natalie's determination to secure money to pay off a blackmailer introduces an escalating tension around secrets and power dynamics, while Taissa's ongoing Senate campaign poses new public and private challenges. The icy reunion and confrontations among the survivors reveal layers of resentment and unresolved trauma, and Misty's manipulative actions loom ominously. The adult arcs are characterized by tight dialogue, discomforting silences, and charged performances, particularly from Juliette Lewis and Tawny Cypress, who convey the weight of past horrors subtly manifested in their fractured lives.

Director Bille Woodruff's style in "Saints" stands out for its careful pacing and atmospheric control, crafting a claustrophobic mood that amplifies character-driven drama over action. The cinematography by C. Kim Miles continues to impress with its haunting interplay of shadow and light, contrasting the bleak wilderness with the cold sterility of modern interiors. These visual juxtapositions underscore the dichotomy between past trauma and present repression. The editing rhythm, handled by Jeff Israel, allows moments to breathe and characters to reveal themselves in nuanced ways, building suspense through anticipation rather than overt shocks.

Performance is a core strength of this episode, with the cast delivering some of the season's most empathetic and haunting work. Courtney Eaton's portrayal of Lottie's vulnerability and fear adds a poignant supernatural dimension, while Sophie Nélisse and the younger cast convey the desperation and resilience of youth under siege. On the adult side, Juliette Lewis and Tawny Cypress bring layered textures to their characters' conflicting motivations and emotional scars. Christina Ricci's Misty continues to exude manipulative menace, her presence a pervasive thread of tension binding the timelines.

"Saints" also explores themes of trust, betrayal, survival ethics, and the lingering impact of past traumas on identity and relationships. The episode's title hints at the contradictory nature of sainthood and sin, juxtaposing moments of hope, sacrifice, and solidarity with deeds borne out of desperation and cruelty. Psychological and supernatural motifs interlace, especially through Lottie's visions and the mystical overtones that question the boundaries between reality and perception. This thematic interplay enriches the narrative landscape, inviting viewers to contemplate the ways trauma distorts time, memory, and self.

The episode's most striking scenes include the harrowing wilderness abortion attempt, where the visceral immediacy evokes both horror and empathy; Lottie's increasingly vivid and troubling premonitions, which deepen suspense; and the modern-day confrontations fraught with duplicity and power plays, revealing the corrosive effects of secrets unspoken. These moments highlight the series' distinctive blend of visceral drama and psychological complexity, steering clear of simplistic genre tropes.

In a broader cultural and cinematic context, "Saints" situates Yellowjackets firmly within a lineage of survival narratives and psychological thrillers that emphasize female experience and trauma. The episode calls to mind elements from works like Lord of the Flies and Carrie but reframes them through a feminist and contemporary lens, exploring adolescence, bodily autonomy, and power structures with nuance and boldness. Its use of supernatural and mystical motifs aligns it with shows layering reality and myth, such as The X-Files and True Detective, yet it maintains a distinctive emotional core focused on human fragility.

While the episode's deliberate pacing and atmospheric density will likely appeal to viewers who appreciate slow-burn tension and character introspection, some may find the narrative progression less immediate compared to earlier, more action-driven installments. However, this restraint contributes to a richer, more immersive storytelling experience that rewards patience with layered revelations and emotional depth.

"Saints" is a compelling and thematically rich episode that contributes significantly to Yellowjackets' evolving exploration of survival, trauma, and identity. Its unflinching portrayal of human suffering, interwoven with spectral mystery and psychological nuance, reinforces the series' status as a provocative and original entry in contemporary television drama. The episode challenges viewers to reckon with the lasting effects of trauma not just as physical survival, but as an ongoing negotiation of power, memory, and redemption within fractured souls.