How the ‘Yellowjackets’ Production Designer Built Lottie’s Wellness Center With [SPOILER] in Mind
SPOILER ALERT: This story contains spoilers from Qui, the sixth episode of Yellowjackets Season 2, now streaming on Showtime.
This weeks episode of Showtimes Yellowjackets answers one of the shows biggest questions, which is: What happened to Teen Shaunas (Sophie Nlisse) baby? Unfortunately, as we learn, it died in childbirth.
Meanwhile, in the adult Yellowjackets world, Shauna (Melanie Lynskey), Van (Lauren Ambrose), Tai (Tawny Cypress) and Misty (Christina Ricci) converge on Lotties (Simone Kessell) wellness compound in their efforts to rescue Nat (Juliette Lewis). Toward the end of the episode, a drone shot pulls up to reveal the layout of Lotties compound is the mysterious stick-figure symbol.
Director Liz Garbus, who helmed the episode, told Variety that she has no idea what the figure means, which viewers have seen in the wilderness throughout the series. I have some thoughts, Garbus said. Its nothing that I could explain. Even if I was allowed to explain it as something, I dont think I could even explain enough to make sense to myself.
According to Kessell, I think were all meant to be confused by it.
While audiences remain mystified, Yellowjackets production designer Margot Ready planned the layout with the symbol reveal in mind. In an interview with Variety, Ready says knowing the stick-figure symbol was going to be a big part of Lotties wellness center drove her design.
Juliette Lewis as Natalie, Melanie Lynskey as Shauna, Tawny Cypress as Taissa, Lauren Ambrose as Van and Christina Ricci as Misty. Courtesy of Colin Bentley/SHOWTIME I believe she thinks that shes doing good for people. But is she? Thats the question, Ready says of Lotties motivations.
Ready found a location in North Vancouver, where the series shoots, with a large lawn that overlooked the water. Its a big green open space, and we wanted to make it a gathering courtyard with an amphitheater for a stage.
She put the symbol on a plan, and began to build.
We put the stage against the cliff so Lottie could stand with this beautiful scenery behind her, and we built the amphitheater from chunky wood pieces, which in my mind, were leftover from the previous camp.
And that was the round part of the symbol.
Courtesy of Showtime/Margot Ready Ready also needed a reason to place things where they were, so she plays with the idea of putting in a chicken coop and the walkway that would show the daily life of how this cult works.
Says Ready, The long slash worked perfectly to walk from the main building to where Nats cabin was, and on the little arms were the planters for their planting.
Courtesy of Showtime/Margot Ready And as the drone shot reveals, the walkways form the triangle of the symbol. You dont notice it at all until you do, says Ready.
Courtesy of Showtime