The Intriguing Temporal Journey: Unraveling the Passage of Time in Yellowjackets

CAUTION: The following article contains SPOILERS for Yellowjackets season 2.

While the timeline of Yellowjackets remains unclear, it becomes challenging for viewers to determine the duration of the girls' lost period. Nonetheless, the show drops a few hints along the way, shedding more light on the matter. Yellowjackets revolves around the struggles of a high school girls' soccer team as they fight for survival following the crash of their plane en route to nationals in the Canadian wilderness. The series alternates between depicting the girls as teenagers lost in the woods in 1996 and as adults in the present day. It eventually reveals that the Yellowjackets were stranded for a staggering 19 months. However, only a small portion of this time is actually shown, leaving the audience with unanswered inquiries.

Described as a darker, all-female twist on Lord of The Flies, the opening scene of Yellowjackets unveils the girls eventually stooping to cannibalism. This disturbing survival tactic reaches its grim climax in season 2 when both Jackie and Javi fall victim to their peers' insatiable hunger. Initially appearing far off in the future, this gruesome act is prompted by an unforgiving winter that forces their hands during the two-month gap between seasons. While the exact duration of their time in the woods remains uncertain without explicit dates, various contextual clues can be pieced together to loosely establish the past timeline of Yellowjackets.

Yellowjackets Season 1 Timeline: 5 - 6 Months

Throughout the entire first season of Yellowjackets, there are hints and Easter eggs that help fans develop theories and provide context clues for the Yellowjackets timeline. It is widely known that the Yellowjackets miss their prom to attend Nationals, suggesting that the plane crash occurred in May of 1996. Another significant indicator of the passage of time is Shauna's (Sophie Nélisse) pregnancy, as the show strongly implies that she conceived the night before the crash. In the finale, her baby bump becomes more pronounced, making it a challenge for her to fit into her "doomcoming" dress.

It is challenging to determine the exact stage of her pregnancy, but it is likely that she is in her second trimester. This suggests that the events of the finale occur at least three months after the plane crash. Other indicators in the Yellowjackets timeline include changes in weather and casual remarks made by the characters. Following the crash, the Yellowjackets are able to sleep outdoors safely. However, Jackie's attempt to do so in the finale has fatal consequences. The characters frequently acknowledge that survival will become increasingly difficult as the weather gets colder. The sudden snowfall in the finale indicates that winter is approaching.

In place of the traditional homecoming event, the girls hold a "doomcoming" party, typically held in September or October. Jackie mentions that they would have been getting ready for "rush week" if the plane hadn't crashed. Prior to the crash, the senior students were preparing for college, and freshman player Allie expresses disappointment at missing prom, which typically takes place in May. Taking all these clues into consideration, it can be inferred that the crash occurred in May or early June, while the events of the finale take place in late October or early November. This means that the Yellowjackets have been stranded for approximately 5 to 6 months.

Yellowjackets Season 2 Timeline: 4 - 5 Months

Season 2 of Yellowjackets is shorter in duration but packed with more action compared to the first season. The season starts with a two-month time jump from the season 1 finale. This suggests that the events of the second season take place over a span of 4 to 5 months, ending anywhere between February and April. Throughout the season, the wilderness is covered in snow, including a heavy snowstorm before Shauna goes into labor. The snow begins to melt in March or April, depending on the location.

There are four key indicators of the passage of time in the Yellowjackets timeline: the weather, the food supply, Shauna's pregnancy, and the dialogue. The two-month time jump is established when Taissa mentions that Shauna has been talking to Jackie's body for that duration, with her ear falling off due to the cold slowing down decomposition. At the beginning of the season, the meat from the bear that Lottie killed in season 1 is running low, leading them to rely on human meat instead until episode 3, "Digestif," when dead birds fall onto the cabin.

Shauna gave birth to her wilderness baby in episode 6, "Qui," but surprisingly, no one mentioned that the baby arrived earlier than expected. The team had been preparing for the birth all along, thanks to Lottie's morning meditations. This suggests that by the mid-season break in the Yellowjackets timeline, the team has been stranded for a total of nine months. After Shauna is forced to bury her baby, many things unfold, including the establishment of a ritual and the transition of leadership from Lottie to Natalie. Despite these events, there is still snow on the ground, indicating that the final batch of episodes in Yellowjackets season 2 takes place over a period of about a month.

The Yellowjackets Girls Are Stranded For 19 Months In Total

Although the exact timeframe in which the Yellowjackets events occur is not explicitly stated to be 1996, one thing that is definitely known is the duration of their harrowing ordeal. The Yellowjackets were marooned for a staggering 19 months, equivalent to approximately a year and a half. Considering the estimated timeframe presented, it can be concluded that the series has currently covered a span of around 9 to 11 months. This implies that there remains a considerable duration of 8 to 10 months until the gripping rescue of the girls is depicted. Nevertheless, the creators of the show have intriguingly hinted at the introduction of a third timeline. Only time will unveil the truth as Yellowjackets progresses into season 3.