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I used to think all the drugs and the drinking and the sex. I used to think I did those things because of what happened out there. What I... saw. What I... did. But the real reason is much simpler. After they rescued us, I... I lost my purpose.
Natalie to her therapy group, "Pilot"
Natalie "Nat" Scatorccio is a character on the Showtime original series Yellowjackets. She is portrayed by Sophie Thatcher as a teenager and Juliette Lewis as an adult.
Profile[]
The past[]
A troubled childhood[]
Natalie with Kevyn together in her room
25 years ago, Natalie was a player on the WHS Yellowjackets, a talented group of teen girls headed for the Nationals. She didn't fit in well with her teammates. She had an edgier look, drank alcohol and occasionally did drugs, leading others to call her a burn out or criticize her for smelling like booze telling her to get her shit together. When some of the other girls on the team plotted to 'freeze out' a freshman player who they didn't think was good enough, Natalie was the only one to object, saying that it was wrong and they should play as a team and win as a team. She was best friends with Kevyn Tan, who was a "goth" type, and the two of them bonded over music, particularly the band Nirvana, though Kevyn claimed to like the band better before they went mainstream- when it was just "theirs".
The night before they left for nationals, the team attended a party. Though out of place, Nat's friends accompanied her, one of them providing her with acid. When some of the girls got into an argument, the team captain, Jackie Taylor, demands they line up and say something nice to each of their teammates. Jackie tells Nat that she loves how she is always herself and doesn't care what people think. The acid sets in as Nat tells Lottie Matthews she likes that Lottie "doesn't talk shit about anyone unless they really deserve it", and that she "likes her pilgrim hat". Lottie, not wearing a hat (of the pilgrim variety or otherwise), was confused and amused.
Nat had a difficult home life and lived in a small, run down trailer. Once, Natalie's Dad came home and discovered her and Kevyn Tan together in her bedroom. Though they were talking, he immediately jumped to the worst conclusion, calling Natalie a slut and trying to attack Kevyn. Natalie urged Kevyn to go and her father turned his anger on Natalie instead. When, Natalie's mother tried to intervene he began to beat her, blaming her for the situation. As he was beating on her, Natalie got a gun and pointed it at him. He taunted her that she cried when she had killed a turkey and asked if she was going to "shoot her daddy in the face". When she tried to fire, however, it didn't go off and he snatched it from her, mocking her for leaving the safety on. He stated that he didn't think anyone could be more useless than her mother, but she had just won that. As he stepped outside, she shouted that he was the useless one. He turned on her, only to end up accidentally firing the gun and blowing his own head off, killing himself instantly. Natalie watched, numb, as her mother sobbed over his dead body. Natalie would continue to be haunted by visions of her father with his head blown off, a part of her seemingly blaming herself for his death and having internalized his assertions of her worthlessness.
The crash[]
Natalie demonstrates her skill with a rifle
Natalie's life took a dramatic turn when the plane carrying the team crashed in the wilderness, forcing them to desperate measures for survival.
After the plane crash, Natalie finds Travis Martinez, son of head coach Bill Martinez, who fell out of the plane trying to save one of the girls. When Travis tells her as much, she reminds him that his brother, Javi, is still alive. She suggests he go help him, but he tells her to mind her own business.
As the days in the woods drag, the girls begin to realize that the rescue is not coming. Though they discover a cabin by a lake, their food supply begins to dwindle. They discover a gun within the cabin and Coach Ben Scott declares that one of them will need to learn to use it if they hope to have food. He can't, due to having lost his leg in the crash. He holds trials to determine who is best at using the gun and it comes down between Natalie and Travis. Though the two of them are still at odds with each other, Scott tells them that they must work together as a team.
A budding relationship[]
Natalie and Travis make out
Rather than working together with Natalie, however, the first time they go off to hunt Travis simply races off. Natalie follows, wondering what's going on with him, and discovers that he has led the two of them back to the crash-site. She is shocked when he starts digging and he explains that his father was wearing his grandfather's ring, which he wants to give to Javi. He, however, stops, saying that he can't do it, so Natalie takes up the shovel and does so instead, cutting the ring off of the dead coach's finger. She hands it to Travis and he tells her that he was an awful father anyway, but she says that no matter how bad parents are, it still messes you up when you're gone. As they make their way back to the cabin, they spot a deer in a clearing. Natalie takes aim, but is haunted by a hallucination of her father with half his head blown off. She masters her demons and makes the shot. The two are heroes back at camp, but Travis gives all the credit to Natalie. That evening, the group feasts on deer meat.
As the two continue to hunt together, their relationship blossoms. They spend a lot of time making out and the other girls note the romance in the air between them. Jackie chastises them for wasting time that could be spent on hunting, as they are all beginning to feel the effects of limited food. Coach Scott, meanwhile, provides Travis with condoms, warning him that the last thing that any of them need to deal with out there is a baby. The two advance to the point where they are ready to have sex, but the mood cools when Travis asks Natalie how many guys she's had sex with before. Greatly offended, Natalie tells him that the 60s want his attitude back and that she doesn't understand why guys get to ask that question. She asks him how many girls that he's had sex with and, cowed and embarrassed, he admits that it's none. The admission takes the edge off Natalie's anger and she admits that she's had sex with two other boys, both of them extremely brief affairs. However, before they can move forward, Travis spots a deer. They successfully kill it and return to camp, but when Shauna cuts it to bleed it out, its insides turn out to be crawling with maggots. Seeing this, Taissa declares her intention to leave the camp and look for help.
Travis decides to join Taissa's group, claiming that he feels like they need a guy with them. Natalie begs him not to go, saying that she knows it's selfish, but she just wants him to stay. He agrees and they kiss. Later, with everyone away from the cabin from the moment, the two make out and prepare to have sex. Unfortunately, however, Travis can't get it up. Disgusted with himself, he stands up and prepares to walk off. Natalie asks him where he's going and he just tells her that he's sorry, saying he has to go. Later on, she asks him if he wants to go hunting together with her, but he tells her to just go by herself, that she's better at it anyway. She finds Coach Scott and sits and talks with him, joking that he was "dumped by Misty Quigley," who had joined Taissa's group. She then comments that she's pretty sure Misty wasn't his type anyway, since he likes guys. Startled, he asks her what this is all about. She explains that she's noticed he never looks at any of the girls' boobs, saying that it's cool with her and asking if he has a boyfriend. He tells her that he did, Paul, a writer. She then asks if he thinks Travis is gay, explaining what happened when the two of them tried to have sex. He tells her that he probably just got nervous, but he's seen the way that he looks at her and he's into her deep. He tells her that the best thing is to just not make too big a deal out of it and to give him another chance when the time is right. He also asks her not to reveal his secret and she agrees.
Falling apart and coming back together[]
Natalie and Travis following Javi's disappearance
Around the same time that Natalie is talking with Ben, Jackie finds Travis by the lake checking the fishing net. She asks him why he isn't out hunting, and he tells her that he messed things up with Natalie. In response, she says that relationships are bullshit and calls Natalie's standards low. She adds that Natalie once missed a week of practice hooking up with "Bobby". Shocked by what he's hearing, Travis asks her "Bobby who?", to which she replies "Bobby Farleigh." Travis had previously disclosed to Nat that Bobby gave him his nickname to taunt and humiliate him and she had withheld his name when she told him who she had slept with. Travis angrily confronts her. She says that she didn't want to tell him because she knew he would react this way. She says she made a mistake. "So did I," he replies and she asks him if he's really going to ruin what they have over something so stupid. She snaps at him that it's a good thing he couldn't get it up because this would be a lot harder if they'd actually had sex. He walks off, slamming the cabin door. Seeing Jackie, Natalie asks if she was the one who told him, then curses her. Later, Natalie joins the others in helping Laura Lee to clear a runway for her attempt to fly a Cessna plane found in the woods to find help. She watches along with the others as the plane explodes in midair and collapses to the ground in shock.
In the aftermath of losing Laura Lee, the girls decide to host a "Doom coming" party to liven things up, wanting to have one final celebration before what they now feel is their inevitable death from starvation. During the Doomcoming, Natalie compliments Travis on his outfit, but Travis is easily distracted by Jackie who leads him away. Natalie decides to escape from the event with Coach Scott, sharing a bottle of real alcohol she secretly found with him. They talk in a secluded area, but then start to feel funny, and realize that the party's food was poisoned by Misty with magic mushrooms. As they start experiencing strange visions, Coach Scott tells Natalie that love is the whole reason they're in the woods. He tells her to go find Travis, saying that it could save them all. Natalie does so and to her horror, finds Travis has been hunted down by some of the girls after he and Jackie had sex in the cabin. Nat watches as Shauna puts a knife to his throat as visions of him as a steer fade in and out. She grabs the knife and pushes Shauna away, asking Travis if he's okay. "It's in all of us," you know, comments Lottie Matthews, but Natalie shoves her to the ground, saying that it's enough of her "weird bullshit." In response, Lottie just chuckles madly.
The next morning, Natalie finds Travis in the woods, cleaning his neck. She asks him if he's alright, saying that she's been looking everywhere for him. He replies that he just got laid and he's great. She tells him it doesn't matter, that she just needs to know he's okay after having had a knife to his throat. Insisting that he's fine, he states that he's going to go look for his brother Javi, who went missing during the Doomcoming. She asks him if he wants help, but he refuses her. He takes off, but Natalie pursues. She eventually catches up to him, calling out to Javi. He tells her he can't find him and she suggests that he might have gone back to the cabin. He says that he isn't, that something happened the night before. She again offers to help look. When he says he doesn't want it, she tells him she knows but she stays anyway. Travis apologizes to Nat for hooking up with Jackie.
Missing brother[]
Approximately two months later, winter has set deeply into the Canadian wilderness. Despite this, Natalie continues to join Travis on daily searches for Javi, who remains missing. Searching in all directions, they slowly begin to build up a map of the area. Secretly, Natalie fears Javi to be dead, but does not voice this in front of Travis for fear of how it might affect him. One day, when they discover the skeleton of a dead fox that Travis at first believes to be Javi, she even agrees to start searching each day another hour before sunup in order to expand their radius.
Back at the cabin, Natalie shows her maps to Coach Scott, who is impressed, noting that they've covered approximately seven miles in each direction. Natalie notes that despite this, they've seen zero sign of either game or Javi. She and Scott both agree that at this point there's just no conceivable way that Javi could still be alive. Later, Natalie and Travis sit together watching a fire in the fireplace. Travis tells Natalie that he knows that she thinks that Javi is dead and she tells him that it has been two months in the cold.
At this point, Travis starts hyperventilating, apparently having a panic attack. Lottie comes over and leads him in a breathing exercise to calm him down. As she does, she seems to have a vision of a tree stump surrounded by candles like the ones she saw during her baptism. She tells Travis that she knows his brother is alive and that he should get some rest. Afterward, Natalie takes her aside, angry, asking her what her deal is and telling her not to give Travis false hope. She, however, tells Natalie that there is no false hope, only hope. Natalie asks her if she read this in a fortune cookie. Lottie asks what she wants from her and she tells her that she wants her to say a lot less. Later, Natalie is back out searching again with Travis and discovers a strange clearing with a footprint, but the two do not linger.
Convinced that Javi is dead and tired of the constant search, Natalie comes up with a plan. One day, when Travis expresses a desire to search a different area than what she wants, she agrees to split up. She then takes a shirt from Javi's luggage and covers it her own blood. When they reunite, she shows it to him, using it convince him that Javi is dead. Her ruse works, though back at the cabin, she is annoyed when Lottie continues to insist that Javi is alive. She and Travis have sex, but Travis has strange visions of Lottie, including at one point imagining Natalie to be Lottie.
The food situation[]
The group ends up cannibalizing the body of Jackie, who died with the on-set of winter, but whom Shauna had been keeping in the meat-shed up until then. In the aftermath, they are left to decide what to do with the remains. When it is pointed out that they still can't bury her because of the ground being frozen, Natalie suggests bringing her back to the crash-site, as that way they can bury her when the ground thaws and make it seem as if she died in the crash. Coach Scott agrees that this is a good idea. As Natalie sets off to the crash-site, she refuses Lottie's blessing drink and Travis's offer to come with her. At the crash-site, she tells Jackie that she's lucky, that she thinks things are likely going to get a whole lot worse for them, but she doesn't have to deal with it because she's already dead. Just then, spots a huge, white moose, which charges the plane. She tries to shoot at it, but it gets away.
Back at the cabin, the group has a baby shower for Shauna, who is now very pregnant. Things become heated when Lottie presents Shauna with a baby blanket that has stitched upon it the strange symbol that they have all seen in the wilderness, including underneath the skeleton of a dead hunter in the attic. Natalie asks Lottie why she would put the symbol on the blanket when they don't even know yet what it means, but Lottie insists that she thinks the hunter was using it for protection. Natalie points out that he died and Lottie argues that just because they don't know what it means does not mean that it's evil. As Shauna clutches the blanket, a group of starlings fly straight at the cabin, seemingly committing suicide. Natalie warns everyone not to touch them, saying that they could be diseased, but Lottie states "We should gather its blessings." They therefore gather up the starlings, later using them to make starling soup.
An argument erupts when Shauna enters the cabin, revealing that somebody has been stealing bear meat from the shed. Mari at first tries to blame Coach Scott before turning her anger on Natalie, saying that this is all her fault for not having gotten them any meat for so long. She claims that it's because Natalie's been holding up her nose, too good to allow Lottie to bless her for the hunt. Highly aggravated, Natalie points that she and Travis are the only ones who have even been trying to hunt anything, but there just isn't any game. Mari asks it is that Lottie got them the birds if there is no game, claiming that Lottie told them to fly into the cabin. Natalie says that it was a coincidence or that the birds had a disease, but Van says that there's no way the bear could have been a coincidence. Mari says that it proves that the only food they've had in months has been because of Lottie.
Annoyed, Natalie proposes a contest. She suggests that both she and Lottie go out for the day and hunt and whichever of them comes back with the most food for the day is the winner. Travis argues that this isn't fair, that Lottie isn't a hunter, but Natalie points out that according to Mari and Van, she's better than a hunter. They therefore agree to the competition, the rules being set that they each can have no help and any kill that they make, they send someone out to verify it. The hunt begins and Natalie finds herself at the frozen lake. There, she discovers trapped underneath the ice the white moose that she saw back at the crash-site. She returns to the others and asks for their help in pulling it out of there, knowing that this could feed them for months. Mari points out the "no help" rule, but Misty overrides her, pointing out that this is serious food. Ultimately, however, despite their best efforts, the sheer size of the moose proves to be too much the group and they watch in horror as it floats away from them, out of reach. Natalie makes one last-ditch effort, sobbing, but only ends up very nearly drowning.
Back at the cabin, the group pours a warm bath to help Natalie recover. She is soon joined by Lottie, whose efforts did not prove fruitful either and who very nearly died, collapsing in the snow. "Good game," comments Lottie, calling her a loser. Natalie giggles, pointing out that she didn't get anything either, but agrees that it was a good game, shaking on it. Not long after this, Taissa and Van unexpectedly arrive at the cabin with Javi, whom they have miraculously found. Upon seeing Javi, Natalie tries her best to make herself scarce, knowing what Travis's reaction is likely to be.
Getting desperate[]
Natalie asks Travis to come with her to check the gill net at the stream, but he refuses. Later, when Javi refuses to speak about his time missing, Natalie comments that he just needs time. At this, Travis becomes angry, shouting at her to admit that she had planted the bloody clothes. She shouts that she didn't think that he was alive, that it doesn't make any sense. He, however, says that he might not be so messed up now if he had found him sooner and that this on her.
Not long after this, Shauna starts delivering the baby that she and Jackie's boyfriend, Jeff, conceived before the plane crash. Though not knowing much about childbirth, Natalie suggests that they should be timing the contractions. Later, when Misty, who knows the most of any of them, flakes out, Natalie goes to Coach Scott, pleading with him to help. She has good reason to believe that he might be able to help them, as he gave them a class in childbirth in high school. He, however, argues that he only pushed play on a video and can't really be of any help. Realizing that this is true, Natalie goes to Shauna, telling him to ignore Coach Scott and that women have been having babies for millions of years, that she'll be fine. Ultimately, however, the baby is stillborn.
Shauna's upset at the loss of her baby turns to rage. When Lottie urges her to let it all out on her, she delivers her a savage beating, one which leaves her on the edge of death. As the group's food situation grows increasingly desperate, Natalie comments to Coach Scott that her dying might not be the worst thing. Coach Scott agrees that it's for the best if she's in pain, but Natalie says it's as if she has some sort of weird control over everyone. Coach Scott suggests that she might be jealous, but she says that even Javi has gone over to the dark side, that she saw him bowing to one of the trees with the symbol on it. This seems to mean something to Coach Scott. Meanwhile, after Travis discovers Natalie giving Javi a pair of gloves she knitted for Javi, he tells her that she is a good person, apologizing for having made her feel as if she wasn't.
The sacrifice and the new leader[]
With Lottie seemingly no closer to recovery, the girls realize that they can no longer rely on her for leadership. They come up with a ritual, setting up an altar with a candle. Van presents them all with a deck of cards, holding a Queen of Hearts with her eyes blacked out. After she places it back in the deck and shuffles, the girls each begin drawing cards. This continues until finally Natalie draws a card which she stares at in shock - the Queen of Hearts. She presents it to the others. Shauna steps forward, telling her to turn around. She does and Shauna places upon her the heart-pendant necklace originally given to her by Jackie. She grabs a knife and places it upon her neck. Natalie, however, tells her to wait. She turns, telling her that she's going to have to look her in the eye. Shauna again takes the knife to her neck and presses down. Just then, however, Travis leaps forward. He shouts at Natalie, telling her to run.
Natalie does so, bolting for the door and Misty shouting that she is getting away. Some remain behind to hold back Travis, while the others pursue. Meanwhile, Javi takes the opportunity to slip out as well. When Natalie bolts from a tree that she was hiding behind, he shouts for her to stop. He tells her that he knows where they can go, that there's a place the others don't know about. She's reluctant, but he tells her that she can trust him and she nods, agreeing. The two of them race across the frozen lake, the others once again having picked up the trail. As Javi leads the way, the ice underneath him cracks and he falls in. Natalie races over to him and behind them, the girls form a ring so that the ice beneath them doesn't crack as well. Natalie tries to pull Javi out, shouting for the others to com and help. Only Misty comes, however, and she tells Natalie to stop, that the others will get her if she saves Javi. As the others approach, Akilah shouts that they can still save Javi, but Shauna tells her to wait. Javi stares at Natalie, pleading for her to help him, but she watches as he goes under. As he resurfaces once more, Taissa shouts for them to grab him. They pull him out, but he has no pulse. Van declares that the wilderness has chosen.
The group returns to the cabin, Natalie included. Travis is thrilled to see Natalie alive, but she can barely make eye contact with him, and the reason becomes clear to him when he sees the others with Javi's body. Natalie tells him that it happened so fast, that the wilderness chose, but he shouts in despair, sobbing over the body of his dead little brother. After some time, the girls head outside, intending to cut up Javi's body as food. As they remove his clothing, only Natalie thinks to provide a small cloth to give him a bit of modesty.
Coach Ben Scott returns to the group and is horrified to discover Shauna at work on Javi's body. Natalie comes up behind him, asking where he's been. At first, he asks her what happened, but then stops himself, explaining that he found the place where Javi was hiding. He suggests that the two of them could survive the winter there. She does not answer him and he asks if he heard her. He tells her that she's not like the others, to which she replies that she's worse. He asks how she could say this and she explains that it was supposed to have been her, that she had let him die in her place. She tells him that he's a good person and that he really doesn't belong there.
The group consumes Javi's body. With the strength gained from the meat, Lottie finally is able to get up and walk again. She heads downstairs, where she tells everyone that she never wanted to be in charge, that the wilderness chose her because she knew how to listen, but that she can't hear it anymore. She continues that it doesn't need her anymore, that the rest of them all learned to listen. She says that it has already chosen somebody new and declares this to be Natalie, that there's no other way to explain the fact that they tried to kill Natalie, but that it wouldn't let them. She bows and kisses Natalie's hand. Outside, Coach Scott stares as the others all pay their respects to Natalie in their own ways.
That evening, the cabin catches fire. The girls manage to escape, even managing to salvage some of their supplies. They, including Natalie, can only watch in horror and shock, however, as it burns to the ground. It is strongly implied that Coach Scott is the one responsible.
The present[]
An old friend[]
Natalie confronts Misty with the postcard
25 years later, Natalie still struggles with the aftermath of the plane crash and finds herself in and out of rehab. Following her latest stint, Natalie picks up her car and gun from a storage facility and decides to visit an "old friend." Nat sits in the darkness with her loaded rifle as her "friend" walks in with her date. "Hello Misty, you crazy fucking bitch." she greets her. Misty seems more excited that Nat is there than anything and says she must be there because of the post card. She reveals her postcard which matched Nat's, depicting a scenic Mountain landscape with the phrase "Wish You Were Here!" On the back along with the strange symbol that the girls saw during their time lost in the wilderness. Misty insists that she did not send it and received one herself. She then explains that she's been looking into who the sender could be using her "citizen detective" skills. Also, that she discovered Travis's new identity. They head to a local bar to discuss the matter and Misty presents her with a large folder full of information she has collected on people involved in the crash. They have an unexpected encounter with Kevyn Tan, who recognizes Nat and is excited to see her. Natalie is surprised to discover that he is now a detective. She decides to go on a road trip to seek out Travis, only to find that her car won't start. Just then, Misty pulls up, offering a ride. Natalie reluctantly agrees but takes the driver's seat.
When the two stop for gas and snacks, Natalie uses the moment to confirm a suspicion. She checks the glove compartment and discovers wiring from her car, which Misty sabotaged. The two proceed to the cabin where Travis has been living. When they find it locked, Misty suggests going into town to scope things out, but Natalie simply busts a door's window and unlocks it. They then search the place and discover that Travis has been working for minimum wage at a place called Willow Brook Ranch. Before they can discover much more, however, a local cop finds and arrests them. At the jail, they are each given a phone call. Natalie calls Taissa Turner, a fellow survivor of the crash, who it turns out has been paying for her rehab. She asks Taissa for her help, but Taissa tells her that this time she's on her own. Misty, however, contacts Kevyn Tan, who she has been texting since the night before pretending to be Natalie. He bails them out and afterwards, Natalie asks Misty why she sabotaged her car. Misty says that she wanted to come along and she didn't think Natalie would agree if she simply asked. She says she'll take them home, but Natalie tells her they're not going home. They head instead to Willow Brook Ranch, where they discover Travis's dead body hanging from the rafters. Misty tries to stop Natalie from seeing it, but she does and drops to her knees, sobbing. They take off before they can be discovered by the cops again and Misty shows Natalie a note she discovered at Travis's - "Tell Nat she was right." Misty asks if she knows what she was right about. Natalie says that she doesn't, but she does know that Travis didn't kill himself.
Investigations[]
Natalie presents an old mixtape to Kevyn
Natalie arranges a meeting with Kevyn Tan, using his romantic feelings for her to exploit him. She feigns a lingering romantic interest in him, while convincing him to check into Travis's autopsy results to find out whether or not Kevyn was clean at the time of his death. Meanwhile, Misty watches the two of them from the patio of the restaurant where they're meeting. She then spots Jessica Roberts, an alleged reporter who has been prying into the history of the Yellowjackets. When she warns Natalie of this, however, Natalie tells her to go away, and she doesn't want her help. Later, however, when Travis's autopsy results come back clean, Natalie calls Misty (listed in her caller ID as "Don't Pick Up"), reminded of the fact that Misty told her she has a contact who is able to hack into people's e-mails. She asks Misty to get him to hack into Kevyn's e-mail in order to get the full file on Travis.
Misty later contacts Natalie, telling her that her contact is able to hack the e-mail, but is being uptight about it because she didn't tell him that he was hacking a police officer. Natalie tells her it's not a problem and to arrange a meeting with her contact, who goes by the handle Stallion99. She does so and the two of them meet him in a seedy restaurant. There, Natalie asks him what he wants and he tells the two of them that in exchange for the file, he wants in on whatever it is that they're investigating. In response, Misty tosses gasoline on him and Nat pulls out and lights a lighter, warning him that she'll light his penis on fire if he doesn't give them the file. She asks if it's worth it for him because she's not afraid of going to jail. Stunned, he hands over the file and leaves as quickly as he can.
Misty and Natalie review the photos of Travis's death and discover something extremely disturbing - that candles were placed around Travis's body in a way that forms an image: the same strange symbol from the postcards and that they all saw in the woods. Natalie says that it's so wrong, that Travis didn't believe in any of it. Later, Natalie meets with Taissa, the two of them being spied on by Misty without either of them knowing it. Natalie reveals the photos to Taissa, but before they can discuss the matter further, both of them receive a text message on their phones which reads "Unknown - Gather 50K cash and await further instructions. Do NOT discuss with your teammates--I WILL KNOW." along with a text-depiction of the strange symbol. Taissa then reveals to Natalie that Shauna already knows about Travis being dead, that Misty called her. Natalie shouts "That conniving, poodle-haired, little fucking freak! Shauna, get here now! We've got a big problem!"
The blackmail plan[]
Natalie, Shauna and Taissa concoct a plan to catch the blackmailer
Natalie, Taissa and Shauna get together to decide what to do about the blackmail. They concoct a plan involving turning over the money but placing a tracker to try to catch the blackmailer. They decide to leave Misty out of the plan, feeling that they can't trust her. The initial plan calls for Taissa to withdraw $50,000 from her bank account for the blackmail money. This, however, is derailed when it turns out that Taissa's bank won't allow her to make a withdraw of that amount from her and her wife Simone's bank account without Simone's consent. Natalie tells Taissa that it's not a problem. As she gets into her car to go take care of it, Kevyn Tan pulls out beside her, holding a bag and saying that he thought she might be hungry. She tells him she has stuff to do and he says he has the time, so she tells him to follow her. He then serves as witness as she sells her fancy sports car for the blackmail money. She then gets into Kevyn's car and he asks her why she sold it. She tells him that she was a different person when she bought it.
The two then pay a visit to a soccer field, where Natalie gives a winning soccer tip to Kevyn's son Mason. She and Kevyn then begin sleeping with each other, Kevyn currently in the middle of a messy divorce. Eventually, Natalie receives another text at 11:45 P.M. at night from the blackmailer, instructing the Yellowjackets to drop the $50,000 in a donation box the next morning. She then texts Taissa, telling her "It's go time." The two then meet up with Shauna to put together their game plan. Shauna has brought a large bag she hopes to use to conceal the tracker, but is surprised by just how small $50,000 in $100 bills is. They end up stuffing the bag with debris to make it lighter. Natalie, as the one who raised the blackmail money, insists on being the one to make the drop. She does so, but the girls wait well past 2 A.M., only for their to be no action on the tracker.
Ultimately, the mission to take down the blackmailer is an utter failure. Though they manage to track him and even chase him down, he gets the jump on them and escapes. As he is doing so, Natalie attempts to shoot him in the leg, only for the shot to go wild when Taissa intervenes. Although Natalie did not intend to kill him, Taissa felt that it was too great a risk. Afterwards, on the way back, Taissa laments that the blackmailer has the 50 grand and could still spill all their secrets just to spite them. Natalie replies that she won't let it happen, but Taissa asks how she can prevent it, if she's going to get a flamethrower and go knocking on doors. At this, Natalie demands that Shauna pull the car over. She tells them that this isn't for them, but for Travis, and that the two of them are just as messed up as she is, just better at hiding it. She gets out of the car crying, saying that she'll just continue on with the plan herself if they won't help. Back at the motel where she's staying, she gets back into bed with Kevyn. The next morning, however, when Kevyn goes to get his gun, he discovers a bullet missing, the one that Natalie fired. When he confronts her about it, she claims that she was playing with the gun at a park. He tells her that he's required to account for every bullet and demands he take her to where the bullet was shot, but she claims not to remember. He says he thought they had something, but she tells him they were only having sex, saying that his high school crush on her once was cute, but is now pathetic. He curses her and leaves.
A new angle[]
Natalie smashes a vending machine in frustration
At a low point, Natalie hits up a contact and scores cocaine. Her activities are witnessed by Misty Quigley, who sneaked a camera into her room. As Natalie prepares to snort the cocaine, Misty comes busting in, pushing her aside and doing the cocaine herself to prevent her from relapsing. Natalie is angered that Misty has been spying on her, but Misty feels that she should be grateful for stopping her from making a big mistake. She tells her that she's still been working on Travis's case and learned that somebody emptied Travis's bank account after he had died. Natalie asks her how she can possibly trust her, to which Misty replies that next time she'll just let her knock her brains out and leaves. Later on, Natalie calls up Travis's bank and tries to get the info out of them about who emptied Travis's account, only for them to tell her that they can't release the information to anyone who isn't family. Enraged beyond reason, she shouts at them, tosses the phone and then sobs for them to just help her. She then discovers some cocaine on the floor that Misty missed and starts doing lines. Afterwards, she pays a visit to a Narcotics Anonymous Meeting, where she finds her old sponsor, a woman named Suzie. Suzie is not thrilled to see her, but Natalie asks for a bit of her time, saying that nobody could understand things like her.
The two go to an outdoor cafe to meet. There, Natalie asks Suzie if she remembers the guy that she always used to talk about that was with her in the plane crash. She explains that the police think that he committed suicide, but she knows that he didn't because the two of them made a pact to never do so. She says that she knows her word isn't worth anything, but she knew Travis and that he always kept his word. Hearing her, Suzie comments that for the first time in her life, she thinks she's actually telling the truth. Natalie then asks for the info on who emptied Travis's bank account, as she works at a bank and recently got a promotion. Suzie, however, tells her that she can't release the information to anyone who isn't family. Hearing this, Natalie blackmails her, reminding her of how the two of them once had a scheme going in which they sold customer information to identity thieves in order to fund their cocaine habits. She threatens to go to the bank with this information unless Suzie gets the info. Backed into a corner, Suzie agrees, but curses the day she ever met Natalie.
Natalie settles in to wait for Suzie to get back with her, but is not patient. Suzie eventually sends her a text message telling her to chill, that she's still working on it. Natalie then becomes even more frustrated when, at the same time, a vending machine won't dispense her snack, ending up returning with a fire extinguisher and smashing the glass in order to get what she paid for. She later receives a phone call from Taissa: "She found him, Nat." The two of them proceed to the place that Shauna has called them to. It is the flat of a man named Adam Martin and they are shocked when Shauna leads them inside where Adam's dead body is on the floor, bleeding out. Shauna tells them that this man is the blackmailer, that she had been having an affair with him. She then found evidence that he was the blackmailer, confronted him, and ended up stabbing him in self-defense. This, however, is a lie, as it was actually Shauna's husband, Jeff, who was the blackmailer, and Shauna stabbed Adam by mistake. Natalie is shocked and disgusted with Shauna, as her killing Adam means that they can't get any information out of him regarding Travis. Furthermore, Shauna didn't find the money, so now Natalie is simply out. They wonder what they're all going to do and Natalie, despite her disdain of the situation, says that she has an idea. She then pays a visit to Misty's place. Misty is still mad at Natalie for giving her the cold-shoulder, but Natalie tells her that she's sorry and that she needs her. She tells her that she's been there a way nobody else has, a real friend, and that she's good at things. Misty replies that it's kind of her to say, asking what she needs her help with. "Well, Citizen Detective, we need you to get rid of a body," Natalie tells her. Her face lights up in delight.
Kidnapped[]
Natalie is kidnapped by a group of mysterious individuals
Misty quickly takes charge, stealing cleaning supplies from the nursing home where she works, and then proceeding with Shauna to Adam's flat. She sets everyone to work, putting Natalie and Shauna on the duty of cutting up Adam's body, while she and Taissa clean. As Natalie and Shauna get to work, Natalie asks Shauna if she didn't notice her boyfriend acting weird after he killed Travis. Shauna tells her to stop it, that she was with Adam the day Travis was killed. Natalie replies that it's obvious he was working with somebody else. Shauna, however, tells her that maybe it's a coincidence and that Travis really did kill himself. She asks if it's occurred to her that she's just looking for some big conspiracy and that they're all just messed up from the crash and she's searching for answers that don't exist. Natalie replies that it hadn't occurred to her. Shauna tells her that she knows what it's like, the numbness and the paranoia, and that perhaps Travis just couldn't stand to live like that. She tells Natalie that maybe she needs to start trying to forgive him.
That evening, Natalie attends the 25th anniversary reunion of the Wiskayok High School class of 1996, Misty's condition for agreeing to help with hiding the evidence. Shauna's words seem to have gotten to her, as she stares at an image of Travis in a photo of those from the crash. She is approached by Kevyn Tan, who is attending with a new girlfriend. She comments that the two of them were a lot alike, and he asks if this is because they both once loved her. She then says that he really did kill himself. He tells her that he knows, saying to take care of herself and that he hopes she finds what she really needs. That evening, she shares shooters with the other surviving Yellowjackets and watches as Shauna and her husband Jeff dance together.
The next day, Natalie sits sullenly in her motel room. She takes her rifle and points it at her head, seemingly about to kill herself, but can't bring herself to pull the trigger. Suddenly, a group of four individuals burst into the room, one of them wearing a pendant with the strange symbol. Natalie begins struggling, but they grab her and spirit her away. Meanwhile, Natalie's phone rings, the call going to voicemail. It's Suzie, who leaves the following message: "Natalie, fucking call me, goddammit. What the hell have you gotten into? Look, I did what you asked. I dug into Travis's bank account and found out who emptied it. I think someone's following me. Who the fuck is Lottie Matthews?"
Discovering Lottie[]
Natalie wakes up to find herself chained up in a bed in a small cabin. She curses and shouts for somebody to let her out. A woman with a nose-ring then opens the door, carrying a tray with food and drink. Natalie asks her, cursing, who she is, and the woman calls her rude. Natalie asks her how she is the one who is rude when they were the ones who kidnapped her and strapped her to a bed. She tells her they were afraid she was going to hurt herself and Natalie asks who "they" is. The woman comments that she's not supposed to talk to her and Natalie quips that she's doing a great job of it so far. She tells the woman that the "thing" around her neck, another pendant bearing the strange symbol, tells her all that she needs to know. She points out that she's not going to be able to eat or drink without use of her hands and the kidnapper releases one of her handcuffs.
The kidnapper later returns and Natalie tells her that she could just leave her as she is, that she can't exactly go anywhere. The kidnapper asks if she's really going to give her a hard time about it and she tells her that she won't, asking if she's deciding whether or not to call somebody for help. The woman says that she thinks they can handle it themselves, but as she reaches to reapply Natalie's other cuff, Natalie uses one of the tools from the tray to attack her, rendering her unconscious and freeing herself from the other cuff.
Natalie escapes outside, stumbling over some loose chickens and seeing a group sitting around in the distance. She takes off running and is quickly spotted by two people underneath a sign that reads "Camp Green Pine," one of whom tells her that she's not supposed to be out there. Ignoring him, she takes off running. She leads him and the others on a desperate chase through the woods, hiding behind trees at times, until she discovers a group wearing animal masks and drumming, engaged in a strange ritual. At the head of the ritual is Lottie Matthews. She walks up to her, shouting her name and threatening her with a wooden stake. One of the followers engages with her, but Lottie tells them to back off, that Natalie is her friend. Natalie asks her if this is really what they are and also why she shouldn't cave in her head. "Because I have a message for you. From Travis," Lottie tells her.
Storytelling with Lottie[]
Natalie asks Lottie what the deal with her is, that the last she knew of her she was fingerpainting in the loony bin and now she's running a cult. Lottie objects to the characterization of it as being a cult, using the term "intentional community" instead. She also points out that Natalie has just gotten out of rehab for the fifth time, asking her how her recovery is going. She also objects to Natalie's statement of being kidnapped, telling her that she sent her people to watch her because she was afraid that she might do something stupid and they saved her life.
Lottie meets with Natalie in a room reserved for private sharing sessions. She tells her that Travis called her on the night that he died, that he was in a terrible state, telling her that the wilderness had come back to haunt him. He was terrified and paranoid, but when she asked him what he meant, he just hung up. She drove for hours and found him talking about the darkness and that he wanted to get to close to death like she and Vanessa Palmer did, that it was the only to find out what "it" wanted.
Lottie tells Natalie that she fell asleep, and when she woke up, Travis was gone, having left instructions on how to get into his bank account and the note reading "Tell Nat she was right." She immediately drove to his workplace, the Willow Brook Ranch and discovered him having rigged his neck to a crane. He told her that he was going to use it to choke himself until he passed out. When she tried to stop him, he told he was just going to do it anyway and she could either help him or not. She therefore took the remote control, telling him that she would lower him the minute he passed out. The remote control malfunctioned, however, resulting in his death - a tragic accident.
Natalie is disbelieving. She tells her that she knows that there's something she's not telling her. Lottie tells her that she didn't kill him, that she was trying to save him. A flashback, however, reveals that as the remote was seemingly malfunctioning, Lottie was in the grip of a vision. She saw a flashback of Laura Lee, her baptism with her, and her telling her "Put your faith in him, your guiding light." However, as she came closer, her form became ghastly and terrible. Natalie tells Lottie that it's funny, that every time she tries to save someone a lot of bad things happen and now 25 years later, it's all happening again, except that she's wearing a Rolex and she has broken toys around her who think that she walks on water. She tells her that she's going to put a stop to all of it, but Lottie tells her that she'll have to wait, that the next train out doesn't arrive until tomorrow.
Compound life[]
Rather than leaving on the train, however, Natalie chooses to remain at Camp Green Pine with the apparent intention of finding information she can use to expose Lottie. She begins mingling with the other members of the group while also eyeing Lottie's private cabin where she suspects that she is hiding her secrets. One evening, during a group sharing session, Lottie invites Natalie up to share. When Natalie refuses, she tells her that it's important that everyone make an effort to be present. Natalie reluctantly gets up and Lottie tells her to close her eyes and focus inward, asking if there's anything she'd like to share with the group. At this, Natalie balks, so Lottie calls up Lisa, the woman whom Natalie stabbed when trying to escape, instead. She points out that Natalie hurt her and asks how it made her feel. Natalie comments that it seems gratuitous, but Lottie shushes her. She encourages Lisa to express her feelings, as she's had trouble expressing anger in the past. Lisa tells Natalie that she felt fear and disappointment, that she thought they knew they were trying to hurt her. Lottie hands Lisa a fork, urging her to explore her anger and to hurt Natalie if she feels the need to. Lisa, however, hugs Natalie, telling her that she forgives her.
The next day, Natalie visits Lottie and tells her that she'd like to join Lisa in running the Farmer's Market booth where they sell honey. Lottie points out that Lisa normally does this with Todd, commenting that Natalie doesn't strike her as someone with enthusiastic honey-selling skills. Natalie tells Lottie that she thought it would be a good time for them to bond, given that Lisa forgave her for stabbing her in the face. Lottie agrees, but asks that Natalie let Lisa drive, as she never gets to and needs the practice.
Rules, or lack thereof[]
The two head out, Lisa expressing her surprise at Natalie wanting to do this with her. Natalie tells her that she needed a break from the compound and also that she felt that she owed her. She asks Lisa about the rules of the compound, if Lottie only lets them leave once a week for the market. Lisa tells her that they're actually free to leave as much as they want, it's just that Lottie needs her to lead a lot of workshops. Natalie asks if it isn't weird for there to even be a rule about this, that it's almost like Lottie wants to give them the illusion of freedom. Lisa claims that there are no rules at the compound and Natalie points out how they all wear purple. Lisa tells her this because Lottie wanted everyone there to be equal, that some there come from money and some don't. Natalie asks if she didn't ask them to give up anything and she replies "only the bad parts."
The two pull up in front of a house. Natalie comments on it not being much of a Farmer's Market and Lisa tells her that it's actually her mother's house, that she wanted to see her fish, the 14th Gilly. She asks that Natalie not tell Lottie that she came and Natalie again points out the supposed lack of rules. Lisa tells her it's not that it's not allowed, it's just that Lottie feels that their anchors should be at the compound. The two enter, but things do not go well. Lisa's mother is controlling and dismissive of Lisa's claims of being able to handle her depression and having been weaned off her medication. When Natalie tries to speak up on her behalf, however, she tells her that she isn't helping.
While Natalie ducks out, Lisa is laid into by her mother, who expresses her belief that she will likely attempt to commit suicide again and isn't fit to care for anyone, even a fish. She returns to the car, apologizing to Natalie for snapping at her. Natalie, however, spits the fish out of her mouth, revealing that she smuggled it out. The two of them later sit together at a bar, where Lisa asks Natalie if she thinks that she'll kill the fish. Natalie, however, tells her that it doesn't matter what her mother says and that she doesn't seem like someone at the moment who wants to kill herself. Lisa asks her if she still want to kill herself and she tells her "not today." Later, back at the compound, Natalie fingers a key to Lottie's cabin.
The darkness[]
Natalie tries to sneak into Lottie's cabin, but is interrupted by a group of Lottie's followers. Later, she joins Lisa and Lottie in an exercise. Lisa tells her to focus her deepest, darkest thoughts onto her, like a mirror. Lottie tells Natalie that it works, that she can go deeper. Natalie, however, says that she needs a minute before they go into the black recesses of her soul. As she steps outside, an acolyte tells her that someone is there to see her.
The acolyte leads Natalie to the entrance of the compound, where the visitor turns out to be Misty Quigley, along with a fellow citizen detective named Walter Tattersall. Natalie asks Misty what the hell she's doing there and she tells her that she's there to rescue her from being kidnapped. Natalie, however, protests the idea of having been kidnapped, saying that this may have been true at first, but that she's dealing with it. She tells Misty to take her "Hardy Boy" and go home.
Natalie returns to the compound, finally gaining access to Lottie's cabin. There, she discovers a cabinet with a gun and boxes containing the personal and financial documents and cell phones of the compound's acolytes. She goes to the group and shouts at them about what she found, telling them that Lottie is manipulating and taking advantage of them. Lottie, however, holds out her hands, telling Natalie that they already know. The others agree that this is so, that they give up all of this willingly when they join. Enraged, Natalie screams that Lottie is clinically insane and has hurt people in the past. Lisa, however, tells her that she of all people should know that you can't define someone based on their past. Lottie then tells everyone else to leave.
Lottie tells Natalie that she's not going to find what she's looking for in her office, that it's in her head. She reminds her that Travis had said she was right about something, saying that she'd like to know just what that is. Natalie tells her that she already knows what was in Travis's head, that she started it, but Lottie replies that she knows how they can figure it out together. She sits with Natalie, candles lit, telling her that she's doing a technique she learned during her time away. She clicks a light in Natalie's face, telling her to watch no matter how difficult it might be. She tells her to go back to the last time that she saw Travis alive. Natalie goes back, recalling being together with Travis at a beach. She tells Lottie that Travis had a new girlfriend and part of her wanted to ruin it, but that part of her just missed him. Lottie asks her what happened next and she tells her it's what always happened.
Natalie explains that she had an overdose and the paramedics came. Lottie asks her what she sees and she tells her that it's the crash-site, but that it's different. None of them made it. She envisions them all as burned out skeleton husks and tells Lottie that weren't alone out there. She has a vision of the Antler Queen stalking the aisles. In the flashback, the medics inject Natalie with Narcan and she tells Travis "I saw it. I felt it. We brought it back." She explains to Lottie that this was what Travis had said she was right about, that there was some darkness either with them or in them and that it still is.
Caring for something[]
Lisa tries to pay Natalie a visit in her room at the compound, only to hear gunshots coming from outside. She discovers Natalie shooting targets on a fence, but her aim way off, not hitting any of them. Lisa asks her to talk, but Natalie tells her to stay away, that she's poison. She says that she ruins people and that she killed her best friend, that she had thought it was Lottie, but it was her fault for making him believe. Lisa protests this, saying that it's never anybody else's fault, that there was something in Travis that made him do it. Natalie, however, says that whatever this might be is within her as well. She tells her that they did so much in the wilderness and that while it may have been to survive, she doesn't think they deserved to.
Lisa later visits Natalie in her room, bringing her fish, the 14th Gilly with her. She tells her that she wants her to have him for the day, that she needs to be responsible for something other than herself, something innocent. She sits with Natalie, who tells her that she doesn't deserve her friendship, that she just hurts people. Lisa replies that everyone does and Natalie asks her why she forgave her, if she thought that Lottie wanted her to. Lisa, however, tells her that suffering is inevitable and that they can only grow by meeting it with compassion. Natalie nods at this.
Meanwhile, Misty has infiltrated the compound, convinced that Natalie was not telling her the full truth and still needs her help. She is at a table in the compound's cafe, sharing stories, when she spots Natalie. She waves her over and the others take their leave. Natalie asks her why she came and Misty replies that she didn't seem like herself and she wanted to see what was going on. She tells her that she gets why she's into the place, that knowing Lottie makes them celebrities. Natalie asks her what happened to the guy she was with, and Misty is evasive, stating simply that he went home. "We're all like this, aren't we?" comments Natalie. Later, back in her room, Natalie pulls the fish out of the fishbowl. She tells him that he'll thank her later, that it's all a prison. She finds, however, that she is unable to go through with it and tosses him back into the fishbowl, feeding him.
Sharing[]
Natalie picks up the purple clothing that's been laid out for her, considering it. That evening, she is finally dressed in it, just like the other acolytes of the compound. Noticing a commotion, she emerges out onto the beach, where Shauna, Taissa and Van are all arriving. She gives Shauna a hug and the five of them gather before a stunned Lottie. The group heads inside the main compound, where the new arrivals are made to surrender to their possessions. Taissa asks Misty and Natalie if they've joined a cult, to which Lottie replies that it is an "intentional community." When Van asks her just what the intention is, Natalie tells her that she was on the verge of suicide when Lottie's people found her. She continues that she had put walls up which are finally coming down because of her time there and that she's come to understand that it's what she needs, that they all do, given what they brought back from the wilderness.
Lottie then asks each of the new arrivals, including Misty, to pick a treatment based on only a name - either Self Care, Guidance, Forage or Renewal. Van immediately states that it's not for her, but Natalie tells her that she had thought the same thing at first and to just give it a chance. Ultimately, all of them choose their treatments, some of them completing them to a greater degree than others. That evening, Natalie gathers them all, telling them that she wants to talk about what they learned and that she hopes that they got something unexpected out of the day. She asks who wants to get started. When nobody volunteers, she calls out Shauna, who holds up a bottle of booze, stating that she already has. Natalie calls them out for missing the point of their therapies, but Shauna notes the irony of her telling them not to mess around. She suggests that they all just hang out for a bit, saying that she actually learned a lot.
The group then falls to sitting and chatting, Shauna explaining how during her therapy she lost the goat she was tasked with looking after, but then found him again. This continues until Lottie arrives, telling them that she thinks that they should all go home. They, however, encourage her to sit with them and think of it as group therapy. When Lottie continues to protest, Natalie tells her to come on, that they're all there and that she thinks it might be time for her to stop resisting. Thus, despite her fears about the darkness from the wilderness having gathered them, Lottie joins the group.
Natalie asks Misty what the deal is with Walter, the guy who initially accompanied her to the compound. Misty tells her and the others that they met online and that it's pretty new. She says that they haven't yet totally defined the relationship but that "when you know, you know." "Does he know?" quips Van, but Natalie tells her that she's happy for her. Misty reveals to the group that Natalie had slept with Kevyn Tan, but Shauna complains about this being old gossip. Lottie, however, is interested, this all being new to her and Natalie tells her that Misty can tell her all about, that she watched on her hidden camera. Misty, however, protests that she didn't watch those parts. Natalie then tells the group that she has a weird question, something that she's been thinking about a lot. She wants to know just how much they remember about their time in the wilderness. She tells them that she remembers it all, but that some parts are hazier than others. Lottie describes this as being a familiar cognitive response, that the human body has trouble holding onto memories well in an ecstatic state. To this, Shauna states that if there are things she's repressing, she's okay with never remembering, but Lottie points out that it always come out somehow.
A song begins playing, "Lightning Crashes," and the group dances along happily as it begins to snow outside. Their happy revelry is interrupted when one of the compound's acolytes appears, telling Shauna that she has an important phone call from her husband, Jeff. Shauna returns soon after, telling them that the police have found the body of Adam Martin buried at a local park. The significance of the news is immediately recognized by everyone except for Lottie and Van, who were not part of the coverup of Adam Martin's death. Shauna informs Lottie that she intends to leave and return to her husband, but Natalie follows her, asking her if it might not be a better plan for her to remain there. Meanwhile, Misty pesters Natalie, asking her if she measured the grave to the standard six feet. Annoyed, Natalie tells her that she didn't exactly have a tape measure and Misty grumbles that she should have just done it herself. Before Shauna can leave, Van grabs her keys and tosses them away, insisting that nobody is going anywhere until they explain to her and Lottie what's going on. As they all continue arguing, Lottie declares that they shouldn't be doing this in public where the other acolytes can all hear. She asks that they all meet in the Sharing Shack. Shauna asks if they have to. "You should," replies Natalie.
Lottie's proposal[]
At the Sharing Shack, a number of key points are revealed. While all of it is new information to Van and Lottie, a couple of other facts come out into the open as well. The first of these is that it was Taissa who hired Jessica Roberts to look into the other Yellowjackets and that Misty killed her. Upon this reveal, Taissa tries to excuse it by stating that she had to know that they weren't going to talk if offered the right amount, that she could trust them. "The irony," Natalie comments drily upon hearing this. The other big reveal is that it was actually Shauna's husband Jeff who was the blackmailer, something that both Misty and Natalie piece together as the facts are laid out. Shauna admits that she kept it from them because she feared that that they might kill him if they knew, but that more than this she knew that she would do the same if it had been one of their loved ones. At this, Natalie thanks her for her honesty, saying that they're all pretty messed up and that it's time that they talked about it. Lottie, however, says that they can't solve this with talking, that it isn't something that therapies can fix. She tells them that something greater guided them there and that they have to give it what it wants.
Lottie explains just what she has in mind. She presents them with a set of six cups of tea, explaining that one of them is laced with a solution of phenobarbital, which they use at the compound to euthanize suffering animals. "One of us," she explains. Shauna protests that their lives aren't that bad, but Lottie points out the various things they have done, including Natalie trying to kill herself. She says that this is how they've always given back, that it helped them before and can now.
When the others are less-than-enthusiastic about her proposal, Lottie reaches for the poisoned cup, prepared to drink. Shauna, however, shouts for her to stop. She tells her that if they're going to do this, they have to do it they way they did before, to give it a hunt. As Lottie hugs her, she makes faces at the others, clearly indicating that they are supposed to play along. After Lottie has left to go prepare things, Natalie asks Shauna why she's humoring Lottie. She tells her that she just bought them all time.
Exactly where she belongs[]
Misty suggests that given Lottie's history, they could have her committed again. Taissa agrees that this is a good plan, but Natalie argues that they can't just hospitalize her and call it a day. Van agrees and, when asked why, she states that they are partly responsible for her current state as they put her in the position of spiritual leader to help them deal with the wilderness and that this isn't just about Lottie and her mental illness, that whatever she went through in the woods, they went through it too. At this, Natalie says that they got over it, but Lottie thinks that it's talking to her again and that they all know where this leads.
Despite this, the group decides to go ahead with their plan of putting on a show for Lottie. Natalie gets a deck of cards and burns the Queen cards other than that of the Queen of Hearts, the eyes of which she blacks out. She then goes to meet with Lisa. She tells her that something is happening that night and that she needs her to leave while she still can. Confused, Lisa asks her what she's talking about. Not explaining, Natalie tells her to just go, to find some other clothes and to have a life. She tells her that she appreciates her trying to teach her forgiveness, that it's a nice idea.
The group gathers in the wilderness, Lottie holding up the Queen of Hearts card and declaring that it's time. Unknown to Natalie, Van and Taissa have called off the psych team at Van's urging, Van convinced that sending them right away is the wrong thing to do. Shauna tries to stall further by shuffling the cards more, but eventually Van tells her that it's enough. They each draw, until finally, Shauna draws the Queen of Hearts. At this, the others all don masks and take up knives. Seeing this, Shauna asks if they've actually all gone crazy. Lottie tells her that she has a choice like before, that she can submit or run. Shauna tells Lottie that there never was any "it," that it was just them all along, but Lottie asks if there's really any difference. Shauna turns and starts to walk away, Lottie asking if she's choosing to run. They all begin chasing after her.
The chase continues until a gunshot rings out. Lottie's arm is grazed by the shot, which has come from Shauna's daughter, Callie. Callie shouts at them all to get away from Shauna. Lottie declares that "it" is with them and Shauna asks where the psych team is, Van and Taissa informing her that they aren't coming. Lottie asks what they all hear, if they believe her now that it is still with them. She asks how they couldn't think it was there, given all the things they've done and everything that's happened. She ends by saying that it was in Natalie even when she denied it, that she was always its favorite. Natalie shouts at her, asking why she can never stop, when suddenly Lisa appears, holding a rifle.
Lisa shouts at them not to move. She asks Natalie what she did to Lottie, and if she killed people. She asks if she's just been lying to her this whole time. "No," pleads Natalie. She asks her to go, but Lisa shouts at her to drop her knife. As she does, Misty pulls out a syringe. She moves to inject it into Lisa, but Natalie jumps in front of her, taking it instead. She goes into a vision in which she finds herself back on Flight 2525. Javi sits next to her, telling her that there's nothing to be afraid of. She replies that this isn't where she's supposed to be, but her younger self appears next to her. She tells her that they both know this isn't true, that it's exactly where they're supposed to be and have been for years. Finally, the young Lottie appears. She tells Natalie that it's not evil, just hungry. She says that it's like them and to let it in. At Camp Green Pine, as Natalie passes away, Misty sobs, telling the others that it's too late, that there's nothing that they can do. The paramedics come, but by the time they get there, Natalie is too far gone. She is reported as having died of an apparent drug overdose. As Lottie is taken away by the psych team, she states that the wilderness got what it wanted and that it is pleased with them.
Gallery[]
Quotes[]
- "No. You do not get to judge me, dude. The '50s called, they want your dumbass attitude back. Welcome to 1996. Our vaginas have, like, monologues now. And newsflash: girls like to do stuff too." - Natalie to Travis in "Saints"
- "You guys don't know Travis like I do. He wouldn't kill himself! Do you understand that? And I know you think I'm crazy, but you know what I see? You guys are just as fucked-up as I am. You're just better at lying to yourselves. You're not healthy. You're not stable. You're living on the brink, just like me." - Natalie to Shauna and Taissa in "No Compass"
- "Well, that's funny. Because every time you try to save someone, a lot of bad shit happens. And look at you now, 25 years later, and the same shit is happening again. Only this time, you're wearing a Rolex. And you have all the broken toys around here who think you walk on water." - Natalie to Lottie Matthews in "Edible Complex"
- "The whole time, there was something, some darkness, out there... with us. Or in us. It still is. That's what I was right about." - Natalie to Lottie after being hypnotized, "Two Truths and a Lie"
- "Actually, I'm worse. ... I let him die in my place. It was supposed to be me. You're a good person, Coach. You really don't belong in this place." - Natalie to Coach Ben Scott, regarding Javi Martinez, "Storytelling"
- "I'm not supposed to be here."
"We both know that's not true. This is exactly where we belong. We've been here for years." - Natalie and her teenage self in a vision of Flight 2525 as she is dying, "Storytelling"
Trivia[]
- "Scatorccio" may derive from the Italian word "catorcio," which means "wreck."[2]
- Given Natalie was a part of the 1996 graduating class, she would likely have been born around 1978 or 1979, given seniors are typically 17 to 18-years-old. This would also make her around 42 to 43-years-old at the time of her death in 2021.
- During the second season finale it was revealed that despite being the biggest questioner and opponent of the groups ritualistic religious practices, the Antler Queen was none other than her. This puts both her extreme self-destructive actions and the groups continued support of her through rehab and more in a new perspective.
References[]
- ↑ The events of the adult timeline are stated to take place over a period of only a couple weeks and happen in the aftermath of an election, thus taking place in November.
- ↑ Cambridge Dictionary - "Catorcio"