Qui

## Episode guide

**"Qui"** is the sixth episode of the second season of *Yellowjackets*. It premiered on May 5, 2023 on streaming and demand and on May 7 on Showtime.

## Synopsis

Trapped inside on a snow day, the Yellowjackets revisit the highlights, humiliations and traumas of “Health Class.” Tai and Van help each other kindly rewind, Misty explores joining a classic Cosmic American tribute band, Lisa helps Natalie carp the day, and Shauna gets a pop-quiz on her cookie-reading assignment.

## Plot

### Labor

The Yellowjackets and their classmates sit watching a video about childbirth being played by Coach Ben Scott. As the students whisper and crack jokes, it quickly becomes clear that Misty Quigley is one of the few paying attention. She tells them to shush, that it is important. A note is passed around, eventually reaching Shauna. It is from Jeff, saying that he can't stop thinking about how she nailed the tutoring session earlier. He says he should teach her again sometime. She goes up to him, telling him that Jackie likes poppies and leaves the room. Coach Scott stops the video, asking if anyone has any questions. "How much blood is there on average?" asks Misty.

In the wilderness, Shauna screams, clearly in labor. They lay her down and Taissa turns to Misty, asking what they do. Shauna stares, shouting for someone to just get it out of her. In the present day, Misty is at Lottie's compound, checking in her possessions. Her phone dings and the acolyte asks her if she isn't forgetting something. The phone shows two messages from Walter Tattersall and Misty asks about emergencies. He tells her that there's a landline in the kitchen but that it isn't for social calls. He tells her that he's been where she is and that our phones keep us captive to other people's priorities. Just then, Lottie appears. Seeing Misty, she tells the acolyte to leave them.

Misty comments that she thought Lottie would be more excited to see her. Lottie asks what she's doing there and she tells her that she's there to retrieve Natalie from a kidnapping that's looking more like a brainwashing. She asks Lottie what *she* is doing there and what this is and Lottie tells her that they are a community of love and spiritual growth. She says she helps people heal from past trauma. Misty tells her that she doesn't care if she's running a cult, to just give Natalie back and she won't call the IRS about what she assumes to be her routine tax evasion. Lottie tells Misty that they saved Natalie, that she tried to kill herself. Misty tells Lottie that she doesn't believe this, that she and Natalie aren't even friends. Hearing this, Lottie covers her face, seemingly pained. She asks Misty if she can stay a while, saying it could be helpful for Natalie, and for her too.

### Pressed play

"Maybe later this week?" Shauna tells someone on the phone. She then tells whoever it is that they'll be right down, ending the call. She informs Callie and Jeff that it was Kevyn Tan and he wants her and Callie to come into the police station. Jeff shouts that it's exactly what he was afraid of, that she dragged into it. Shauna points out that she didn't drag Callie into anything, that Callie dated a cop. Shauna grumbles that it would have been better if Callie had sex with him, then nothing would be admissible. As they stare at her, stunned, she suggests they just go and get it over with. In the woods, Shauna wonders just what is taking so long. Mari suggests that they boil water and Akilah agrees that it's a good idea, that they need to keep things clean. Natalie asks if they shouldn't be timing the contractions, but Misty seems totally out of it. She mutters that she doesn't know and Akilah says that when they're this regular and intense, it's really labor. "It should be over soon?" asks Taissa and she tells her that her sister's labor lasted a day and a half. Shauna tells Taissa that there's no way she can take this for a day and a half. Taissa tells her that she can and Akilah agrees they're there to help. She asks Misty what she needs from her.

Lottie gathers up a prayer circle and they begin sending their wishes. Mari shouts to the wilderness that she hopes Shauna doesn't die. Taissa asks why she would say "die," telling Shauna that she's not going to die. Lottie tells her to let the pain open her to the moment and Taissa curses, asking what she's going on about. She tells her that Shauna could use some space, that it's hard enough already. In the present day, Lisa goes to Natalie's room, only to hear a gunshot outside. Natalie is trying to shoot targets on a fence, but failing badly. Lisa asks to talk with her, but Natalie tells her that she should get away. She tells her that she's poison, that she ruins people and killed her best friend. "Was that Travis?" she asks and she tells her that she was saying it was Lottie the whole time but it was her fault, that she made him believe. Lisa tells her it's never anyone else's fault, that she knows that. She tells her that it was something already in Travis. Natalie counters that whatever it was inside Travis is inside her too. She tells her that they saw and did so much in the wilderness, that maybe it was to survive, but that she doesn't think they deserved to.

At While You Were Streaming, Taissa goes to Van, asking her why she didn't wake her up. Van is cold and Taissa asks if something happened. She tells her that something always does. "What did she say... I mean, what did I say?" asks Taissa. Van tells her that she told her "this isn't where we're supposed to be" and that she tried to kiss her. Taissa apologizes, asking who "we" is. Van tells her she has no idea, and Taissa asks if it could be the two of them. Van curses, saying there's no chance. She says it's as far as it can go, that she has to take care of herself. She tells her that she's married, that there is no "us." Taissa tells her she should go and Van suggests that she make herself useful by reshelving some of the tapes. Taissa grabs some tapes, spotting the overdue bills in the trash.

In the cabin, Misty tells herself that she can do this, telling Shauna the same, that she just needs to keep breathing. Misty sees blood on her hands and Shauna asks what's happening, that something feels weird. Misty sobs, having a flashback of Crystal's dead body and her telling her that she's not her best friend. She says she can't do it, apologizing and going over to the window. Natalie goes to Coach Scott, telling him that they need his help. As Natalie brings him over, he closes his eyes in horror. He tells Shauna he's sorry, but he doesn't think he can help, that he just pressed play on a video. Natalie goes to Shauna, telling her to ignore Coach Scott, that women have been having babies for millions of years. "I guess I have to, right, Nugget?" comments Akilah, petting the mouse in her pocket. Shauna asks who she's talking to, but she says it's nobody. Shauna asks where Misty is and she tells her she's just grabbing more rags. Travis grabs a bone mask and places it before the fire. Lottie declares that they need offerings. Travis takes a knife and cuts his hand, as Taissa tells Shauna to keep her attention on her. Lottie tells Travis that the wilderness recognizes his sacrifice and so does she.

### Just push

Lottie is in her psychologist's office, still with the substitute. She thanks her for seeing her on short notice, saying that it's still happening, the visions. She tells her that there's more, that she has a feeling about things she knows are right in front of her, but that it's pointing her toward the past. The psychologist tells her it's not uncommon for people whose psychoses are controlled to feel anxiety about symptoms returning. She asks if the fear of the past might be a fear of her illness, but Lottie tells her that this is the problem. She says she's not worried that she's ill, but that she *never* has been, that it's why all of this is happening. She says it's like something sent the others there to show her. The psychologist asks to show her what and she replies that it was real, that she wasn't the only one who felt it in the woods. It was all of them, a part of them. The psychologist asks what her what "it" is. "The power of that place, the god of that place," replies Lottie. She tells her that they did terrible things in its name and she thought they left it when they were rescued, but she realizes now they brought it back with them.

Meanwhile, at the compound, Misty is in a drum circle. A woman there with them cries, telling them that she misses someone. The acolyte who screened Misty asks her if she'd like a turn, but she tells him no. He tells her that just about everyone there got dumped in some way or another, that he checked in after dissolving a subscription horse feed business he started with his brother. Misty tells him she's never been through a breakup. He asks her about Walter's texts and she tells him she's going through the motions until she can talk to Natalie. He seems pleasantly surprised that she knows Natalie. The drumming stops and everyone seems interested. She says if the woman is done crying, she could tell them some stories.

In the wilderness, Coach Scott stands against the wall panting and covers his ears against Shauna's screams. He goes into a flashback in which he is playing charades with Paul and his friends. Paul congratulates him on doing a great job, but the flashback goes stale when one of Paul's friends comes up and the charade is the movie *Airplane!* Shauna screams again and Akilah says that she thinks the baby is coming. Taissa says that it looks purple and Akilah tells her she thinks it's the placenta. Taissa points out this should come after and Shauna asks if she should keep pushing. Akilah tells her it's no big deal, that it's just coming out a little backwards. She removes the placenta. At the window, Misty cries to herself, calling herself a freak, saying that she always does this. Lottie grabs her, asking where she is and telling her that they need her there. She tells her that she was supposed to do this with Crystal, that they had a plan. Lottie tells her she's still there with them and can save Shauna. "You're right," agrees Misty, and she returns to the group. Akilah tells her that the placenta is out, but the baby still hasn't come. "Please don't let my baby die," Shauna tells her and Misty tells her to just push.

Shauna and Callie enter the police station. Shauna tells her that she doesn't have to talk, that she hasn't committed any crime. "Isn't lying to the cops a crime?" asks Callie. They find themselves before Matt Saracusa, or "Jay," as Callie knows him. Shauna tells him he'd better not be planning to interview her daughter alone. "Please, right this way," he tells her, leaving Callie to be greeted by Kevyn, who asks her to come with him. At Van's place, Taissa asks Van if *Miss Congeniality* goes in "Sandy Good" or "Sandy Bad." As Van expresses disgust, she smiles at her to indicate she's joking. Van admits that she has her and she says that she missed her lectures. Van tells her that they're for paying customers only now. Taissa asks her how business is and she quips that she can hardly keep up. She tells her that she's serious, that the place can't be paying the bills, and Van tells her she has savings. Taissa asks her what her long-term plan is, saying she saw the bills in the trash. Van tells her it's none of her business, that she came for help with her life and she'll let her know if she needs any help. She asks if she has any bright ideas as to where she's supposed to be if this isn't it.

### Granola losers

Taissa's phone buzzes. She takes it, thinking it could be the hospital about Simone, but it turns out to be Misty. She tells her she's going to want to hear this. Taissa tells her she doesn't have time for her, but she replies that she's at residential wellness center. Taissa asks her if she's getting help there and she replies that *everyone* there is getting help, from Lottie. "I thought she was..." comments Taissa and Misty tells her that Natalie is there too. She tells her she has to see it for herself, that it's a bunch of granola losers, but the food is great. Van asks Taissa what's going on and she asks Misty to tell her again where this is. Meanwhile, in the wilderness, Lottie and the others have set up a chant of "We hear the Wilderness and It hears us." Even Taissa joins the chant, telling Shauna to just breathe and push. "Good," Misty tells her, saying that she's palming the head. She tells her it's almost over and to keep going. The scene goes dark as the chant grows louder. Misty calls to Shauna, who comes to. Everyone smiles at her and Taissa tells her she knew she could do it. The baby cries and Misty hands it to her, telling her that it's a boy. Shauna smiles, taking the baby.

Taissa and Van are on the road, Taissa telling her that she appreciates the ride. Van points out that she didn't give her much choice. Taissa asks if she won't even come in, if she isn't even curious. She agrees that she is, but says that she wants to keep the past in the past. "Van, you run a video store," points out Taissa. She tells her she practically lives in the past and she replies that it was a past where they actually thought being happy was possible. Taissa tells her that she knows she has no right to ask her, but she wants to know what is going on with her. She asks if she's even trying to be happy, if she's dating. Van tells her that she gets her needs met. "Ew," replies Taissa and she clarifies that she's on some "casual" apps. She tells her not to judge her, that she knows she's too evolved for online dating. She says she wants to know that she hasn't given up on love and she tells her that this might be so, but if it is, it's not because of her.

Lisa knocks on the door of Natalie's cabin at the compound. She enters with her fish, the 14th Gilly, telling her she wants her to have him. Natalie says she doesn't want him, that she shouldn't be responsible, but Lisa tells her that for today she should be responsible for something other than herself, something innocent. She sits with her and Natalie tells her that she doesn't deserve her friendship, that she just hurts people. Lisa asks her who doesn't and she asks why she forgave her, if it's because she thought Lottie wanted it. She tells her that suffering is inevitable and we can only truly begin to grow by meeting it with compassion. Natalie considers this and nods.

In the wilderness, Shauna holds her crying baby. She rocks him, sitting by Natalie, and pleading with him to at least try to nurse. Natalie points out that she's been starving, but she insists that she's going to, that she has to. The baby's cries grow stronger. In the present day, Jeff sits outside the police station, bumping to "Fuck tha Police." Shauna's phone buzzes with a call from Taissa and he pulls it out of her purse and takes it. When Taissa asks if Shauna is there, he lies that she's in the bathroom. She tells him she'll call back, but he tells her it could take a while. She tells him to tell her that Lottie is no longer in a mental institution, but is running a wellness center upstate, that Misty and Natalie are already there and she's on the way there with Van. Jeff agrees to give her the message.

### A need to feed

At the compound, Natalie is getting a meal when she discovers Misty with the other acolytes sharing stories. Misty waves, inviting her over, and the others make their exit. "Finally," comments Misty and Natalie asks her pointedly why she came. She tells her that she didn't seem like herself the day before and she wanted to find out what was going on. She says that she and Lottie both seem a little weird, but having been there she gets why she's into the place, that knowing Lottie makes them like celebrities. She tells her to look how happy everyone is and Natalie sighs, asking what happened to the guy she was with. Misty tells her that he went home, apparently not yet willing to tell more than this. Natalie just stares at her and she asks her what. "We're all like this, aren't we?" replies Natalie.

In the wilderness, Shauna continues to hold the crying baby. She pleads with him to stop crying, that she's trying. She places him again against her breast, closing her eyes and asking why it's not working. In the present day, at the police station, Matt Saracusa comments to Shauna that her kid doesn't like her too much. She agrees this is the case if Callie was dating him to get under her skin. Meanwhile, Kevyn tells Callie that he and Shauna go way back and that he's not happy either of them are there. He tells her she doesn't have to go down with her mother. Shauna asks Matt if she's being accused of a crime and he ask her why a bored housewife would fake-hookup with her husband's best friend after asking her only daughter to lie to law enforcement. Shauna tells him that Callie does what she wants. He tells her she did a number on her. Meanwhile, Kevyn tells Callie that he knows she cares about her mom, but that she's using her. He tells her that she's her own person.

Shauna asks Matt just what he's accusing her of, if it's being a bad mom. She calls him a genius, saying that she never wanted to be a mom. She tells him that she didn't start out a bad person, but that life doesn't turn out how think it will. She continues that you have a kid you don't want to save a marriage you got into out of guilt and shame. You can't really let yourself love either of them, but do despite yourself, but you're incredibly bad at it. Matt asks if they're talking an affair and Shauna agrees that they of course are, that it's basically what he said. She got into a fender bender and had an affair that made her feel young again. She's now left sitting there defending himself to a jerk her daughter hit on to get back at her. She tells him to arrest her already if this is what he has, but leave her kid out of it. "Well done," he replies, showing her a picture of Adam Martin and asking when the last time she saw him was. Meanwhile, Callie sobs, telling Kevyn she feels stupid. She says she was a virgin and "Jay" told her he leaved her, but he only wanted to get at her mom. He replies that Officer Saracusa knows the rules and that making false statements to the police is chargeable. She replies to charge her and they'll see who a jury believes, especially when they ask her to describe his balls.

In the wilderness, Shauna awakes to find Lottie with the baby, singing "*Frere Jacques*" to him. She curses, asking what she's doing. "The baby's hungry," Lottie tells her. She says that Shauna isn't producing milk and they need to feed. Shauna asks what she just said and she replies she said "he needs to feed." Shauna takes back the baby, shouting that he's hers. "You'll understand soon enough," Lottie tells her. Shauna settles him down and lies next to him. Back in the present, Shauna returns to the minivan. Jeff asks her how it went and she replies that she told them she was sleeping with Adam. He does a spit-take, asking why, and she says it came out. He then spots the gun she took from the thief in the glove compartment, asking why she's driving around with it. He asks what would have happened if they searched their car, saying that he's really worried about her, that she's out of control. "Yeah, you think?!" she agrees. He tells her about Taissa's call. Seeing his expression, she asks why he's telling her this and he tells her that he thinks she should go. She tells him it's ridiculous, but he says that she needs to leave, that she's screwing any chance they have to get out of this by staying. Callie returns, telling Shauna that she used her idea and the police are scared. They stare at her and she asks what happened, if they're going to jail. They tell her that they aren't, but that Shauna is taking a trip.

### Shock and heartbreak

At the compound, Natalie considers the fish. She pulls him out, saying that he'll thank her later, that it's all a prison anyway. She curses, then tosses him back in the water and feeds him. She picks up the purple clothing that had been laid out for her. In the wilderness, Shauna sits in a chair with the baby. She tells him she's sorry she didn't think that she wanted him, that he probably knew him, but it was complicated and she'll tell him about it someday. She says that she was wrong and she loves him so much, that she can't wait to see who he becomes, where he goes and what he'll do. She tells him it depends on them, that they have to figure it out. "It's you and me kid, against the whole world," she tells him. She puts him up to her breast, pleading. "Come on, please," she continues and to her delight, he finally starts drinking. She tells him that she loves him so much, smiling. The door opens and Natalie asks if she's okay, telling her she brought her some more tea. She sees the baby drinking and calls it a miracle, saying she'll tell the others. Shauna, however, tells her to wait, that she just wants the moment for herself. "Yeah, but..." starts Natalie, but Shauna stares and she agrees. She leaves the room and Shauna again tells the baby "It's you and me, kid," kissing him.

Taissa and Van are outside the gate to Lottie's compound. Van tells her that it's the last chance, that they could turn around and go to IHOP, but Taissa tells her she has to go in, that she can't keep doing what she's doing. "Alright," agrees Van, but tells her to consider her on call for an extraction if she sees any barrels of Kool-Aid powder. A minivan pulls beside them and goes in and Taissa realizes it was Shauna. Van drives forward. Inside, Natalie asks what's happening. "Looks like we have visitors" comments one of the acolytes and Misty goes to join her. Shauna and Natalie hug, as Misty notices Taissa and Van emerging behind them. She asks if they're back together and Taissa replies that they're not, that Van isn't even staying. "Right, Van?" asks Taissa, but Van's expression, standing next to Taissa, is one of stunned shock. They all turn to stare at Lottie, who turns to see them. As she walks forward to meet the five of them, her expression seems to mirror that of Van, stunned as what she told the psychologist seeming to take shape before her eyes. From above, the symbol can be seen writ large upon the sand of the beach.

In the wilderness, Shauna awakes to hear the other girls humming. She rises, finding to her horror that the baby is not with her. She calls out for Taissa and Van, asking where her baby is. In the living room, she stares in horror. The others are there eating, blood all over their mouths. Nobody has abstained this time, not even Coach Scott. Shauna races to the bloody baby blanket, screaming in horror. Suddenly, she wakes up. The others are there, but they are not eating the baby. She cries out, asking what they did. "Where is he? What did you do?" she asks. Taissa tells her that she lost a lot of blood and they thought they lost her. "Where is he?" she asks, asking why Taissa is lying. Misty tells her that she's sorry, holding a bundle, which she hands to Taissa. "He didn't make it, Shauna," she tells her. "No," protests Shauna, saying that he was alive and that she held him. She tells him that he was alive and she tried to feed him and that she finally did, that he was crying. "I'm sorry..." Taissa tells her. She sobs. She tells them that she can still hear him crying. "Don't you hear him crying?" she asks. "Why can't you hear him crying!? Why can't you hear him?"

## Cast

### Starring

* Melanie Lynskey as Adult Shauna
* Tawny Cypress as Adult Taissa
* Sophie Nélisse as Teen Shauna
* Jasmin Savoy Brown as Teen Taissa
* Sophie Thatcher as Teen Natalie
* Sammi Hanratty as Teen Misty
* Steven Krueger as Ben Scott
* Warren Kole as Adult Jeff
* Courtney Eaton as Teen Lottie
* Liv Hewson as Teen Van
* Kevin Alves as Teen Travis
* Simone Kessell as Adult Lottie
* Lauren Ambrose as Adult Van

with

* Christina Ricci as Adult Misty

and

* Juliette Lewis as Adult Natalie

### Guest starring

* Nicole Maines as Lisa
* Nia Sondaya as Akilah
* Alex Wyndham as Adult Kevyn Tan
* John Reynolds as Matt
* Francois Arnaud as Paul
* Sarah Desjardins as Callie Sadecki
* Nuha Jes Izman as Crystal
* Alexa Barajas as Mari

### Co-starring

* Mya Lowe as Teen Gen
* Jenna Burgess as Teen Melissa
* Luciano Leroux as Javi Martinez
* Jennifer Lines as Psychiatrist
* Owen Gates as Teen Jeff Sadecki
* Jack DePew as Teen Jeff Sadecki (voice)
* Riley Baron as Teen Randy Walsh
* Jocelyn Kim as Girl (1995 classmate)
* Shishy Gebru as Sam
* Aqqualu Meekis as David
* Erik Gow as Acolyte Rob
* Alexandra Voicu as Acolyte Darlyne
* Derek Kwan as Acolyte Frank
* JP Padda as Friend #1
* Alex Pychtin as Friend #2
* Caroline Shaw as Featured vocalist

## Trivia

* There was a hiatus of two weeks between the release of this episode and that of the previous, "Two Truths and a Lie." The reason for the break is unclear, as the episodes were originally announced to air weekly with no break.
* There is no promo included for the next episode included with the credits, as has been the case for all previous installments of the season. Instead, the scene goes to black over Shauna's cries asking why they can't hear the baby cry, followed by a vocalization of women humming.
* Songs featured in this episode include "Sorted for E's and Wizz" by Pulp, "Cinematic Drone" by Alan Fillip, "Pitseleh" by Elliott Smith, "Rescue Me" by Madonna, "Earth Canticle" by Wendy Smith Howard, "Deep Forest Chant" by Gene Katsuro, "Song 2" by Blur, "Your Woman" by White Town and "Fuck tha Police" by N.W.A.

## Videos

Yellowjackets Season 2 Episode 6 Promo - SHOWTIMEReunited at Lottie's Compound - Yellowjackets Season 2 Episode 6 - SHOWTIMEYellowjackets Season 2 Episode 6 - Behind the Buzz - SHOWTIME