Yellowjackets, the Showtime thriller series, has never shied away from the dark and disturbing, but the second episode of Season 2 takes it to a whole new level. In this episode, the soccer team stranded in the Canadian wilderness finally succumbs to cannibalism. The scene isn’t suited for the easily unsettled, and both the cast and crew can confirm the intense discomfort during filming.
Soggy Rice Paper and Jackfruit “Meat”
To create the effect of human flesh, the production team used rice paper and jackfruit, but the results were less than appetizing. Sophie Nélisse, who plays Shauna, described the experience as “the grossest thing ever.” The smell was rubbery and slimy, and the cast struggled to stomach the fake human meat. Courtney Eaton, who plays young Lottie, even gagged a few times, and Samantha Hanratty, who plays young Misty Quigley, threw up.
“It just tasted disgusting,” Nélisse added.
Dream Feast Inspired by Henry VIII
In contrast to the cannibalistic feast, the episode also features a lush and opulent medieval fantasy feast. The show’s production designer, Margot Ready, drew inspiration from documentaries on the extravagant dining habits of the former English king, Henry VIII, known for his lavish and meat-filled feasts.
“Those dining scenes had a somewhat wild element, a decadence that lent itself beautifully to crafting this sumptuous banquet, while maintaining that tactile, almost primal connection to the food,” Ready explained.
Despite the fancy setting, the cast struggled with this scene as well. They were stuffing their faces and accidentally ingesting spit-out food. It’s safe to say that they were over food by the end of it.
Animalistic Tendencies
The cannibalism scene raises several questions about the soccer team’s future. It’s not like they were faring well before they dipped into eating their own. The show’s production designer, Margot Ready, drew inspiration from documentaries on the extravagant dining habits of the former English king, Henry VIII, known for his lavish and meat-filled feasts.
“Those dining scenes had a somewhat wild element, a decadence that lent itself beautifully to crafting this sumptuous banquet, while maintaining that tactile, almost primal connection to the food,” Ready explained.
Final Thoughts
Yellowjackets Season 2 Episode 2 is not for the faint-hearted, but it’s a testament to the show’s commitment to pushing boundaries and exploring the darkest depths of human nature. The cast and crew’s experiences filming the cannibalism and dream feast scenes are a testament to the challenging nature of the show, and their dedication to bringing it to life. The question now is, where does the soccer team go from here?
