I started this series (Mama’s Movietime) to complain about how many films and TV shows don’t give the proper car to a character (particularly the female ones) and how that can ruin the entire entertainment experience. Maybe some people feel this way about clothes, makeup, or music. But for me, what a character drives can enhance or implode a character’s development. But Showtime and Paramount+ have done the opposite with Yellowjackets, which is currently in its third season. If you’re not watching, shame on you.
Let’s Start With The Yellowjackets Fateful Accident
This is Motorhead Mama, people, not Planecrash Mama. Thus, we will focus on the car accident. So, in the pilot (warning: there will be spoilers), the main character, Shauna, played perfectly by Melanie Lynskey, is living her worst life. Married to her high school sweetheart (or booty call/dead best friend’s ex-boyfriend, take your pick), Melanie’s life is dull when it’s not disturbing. Thus, of course, she drives an old, crappy minivan.
I could identify it, but that would be equally boring. Anyway, in this pilot, she rear-ends this guy:
After which, she promptly berates him for being adorable. Instantly, we love Shauna for this because every woman knows that the only thing more irritating than a car accident is having the object of your rage being so attractive you can’t unleash your rage–especially if, as adorable Adam points out, it’s your fault. Even worse, Adam drives an equally adorable Bronco. I mean, check out this smoke show:
Note: If you like Hollywood rabbit holes, don’t miss this subReddit about someone noticing Misty and Adam have the same license plate.
But what’s unique about Yellowjackets is that we know their backstories. We know that while current-day Shauna looks like an average bake sale mom with an odd penchant for rabbit slaughtering, we know all about what she got up to as a teen:
Above is a screenshot of Shauna’s reaction in high school when someone told her she’d grow up to drive a minivan. But don’t worry, Shauna’s rough and tumble past quickly comes back to the surface:
Of Course, Her P.O.S. Husband Drives A Nissan Versa
No one blames Shauna for cheating on her husband, Jeff, with adorable Adam. Not only is Jeff a furniture salesman who thinks riveting dinner conversation rotates around inventory, but he also has hideous taste in cars:
The worst part? We saw Jeff when he was young, dumb, and sexy, driving a Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
Speaking Of P.O.S., Misty’s Fiat Is Perfect
The series’ most lovable yet deplorable character, Misty (shown above judging Shauna’s ride when hers is even worse), drives a Fiat 500. As any car person knows, the modern Fiat, particularly early in its relaunch, was a definite P.O.S. that only a horny, elder-abusing psychopath would drive.
Yellowjackets Fave Hot Mess Drives A 911
As far as I can tell, the series never explains how or why Natalie has a 911 sitting in a storage unit. If you disagree, let me know in the comments or on social media. But it doesn’t matter because it fits her like a glove:
When she pulled that sheet up and unveiled it, many of us felt that perfect car casting in our bones. Of course! She’s impulsive, she’s an addict, and she’s got the emotional stability of the San Andreas fault. What else would she drive? The Porsche is so perfect that we are even more Team Natalie!
Taissa’s Ride Is The Only Miss
What about the politician whose son unveils her darkest secrets while her darker alter ego is slowly but surely taking over her life? Man, that’s a rough one.
Or is it? Right before the crash scene in Season 2, Episode 2, you see the moment of impact. The minute the black pickup t-bones Tai’s (or Other Tai’s) SUV. At that moment, we see, just for a second, that Taissa’s ride of choice is, a Range Rover.
Now, typically, I would support the decision to put a person whose life is overleveraged and about to crumble in nothing but an overpriced English sport utility vehicle. Duh. But because Taissa is a politician, I don’t buy it. The optics are just too bad. She can drive a luxury SUV, even European, but it has to be at least assembled in the US! BMW X5, Mercedes GLS, or even the Cadillac Escalade or Lyriq would have been a better choice. This woman cares too much about electability to drive an unpatriotic vehicle.
What Do You Think?
Do you agree with my takes on the Yellowjackets characters and their cars? Is this a show whose automotive choices you’d like me to unpack? Hit me up below or on social.