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In the aftermath of Lottie’s (Simone Kessell) confirmed death in Yellowjackets, a thorough investigation is underway to uncover the circumstances surrounding her demise. The suddenness of her fall, which occurred on a staircase, raises suspicions given the chaotic state of events. With Episode 5 aptly titled “Did Tai Do That?”, the narrative’s focus turns toward Tai (Tawny Cypress), who emerges as the primary suspect.
As Misty (Christina Ricci) and the other women delve deeper into the investigation, they realize that Lottie’s life was filled with complexities, painting a picture where various motives and potential culprits emerge.
Misty Jumps Full Force Into an Investigation
The episode opens with Misty utilizing her skills as an amateur sleuth to obtain pertinent information. She blackmails the coroner, whom she knows from her online detective group, to gain access to Lottie’s belongings. In an audacious move, she discreetly steals a hair sample found under Lottie’s fingernail, intending to have it analyzed for DNA.
The death of Lottie shocks the group, and accusations swiftly turn toward Misty. Shauna (Melanie Lynskey) recalls that Misty left work early without revealing her whereabouts, prompting notable tension. While Misty’s fury suggests her innocence, her past behaviors raise concerns about her stability. Despite the unlikelihood of her being the murderer, the possibility isn’t entirely dismissed.
As Misty sorts through Lottie’s possessions, she discovers that Lottie was without her cellphone, which adds another layer of confusion. Following a hunch, Misty decides to investigate further, unaware that Shauna is trailing her. When Shauna stops unexpectedly, she encounters Walter (Elijah Wood) instead. The two reluctantly team up to unravel the mystery at the hotel where Lottie met her end.
Upon arrival at the hotel, Misty uncovers something alarming—a series of scratch marks on the walls of the stairwell where Lottie fell, hinting at the possibility of a struggle.
Lottie Was Hiding Details of Her Family
A pivotal discovery unfolds as it’s revealed that Lottie was not homeless following the closure of her compound, but had instead been residing with her affluent father in his penthouse. This revelation raises immediate questions regarding the true reason behind Lottie’s visit to Shauna and her intentions towards Callie (Sarah Desjardins).
With her father suffering from dementia and under the care of a nurse, it’s unlikely he played a role in her death. His limited mobility and awareness make it improbable that he could have emerged unnoticed from his penthouse to commit a crime in the dark stairwell.
Misty’s encounter with the bellman leads her to the penthouse, where she tactfully poses as a neighbor offering condolences. Through clever deception, she gains access to the apartment and uncovers a receipt indicating that Lottie withdrew a staggering $50,000 shortly before her death.
Shauna Remains Suspicious
Meanwhile, Walter has arrived at the penthouse ahead of Misty, collaborating with Shauna while posing as a technician. Their mission: to discover Lottie’s phone and scrutinize her computer for any clues leading up to her untimely passing.
Amidst their investigation, suspicion lingers between Walter and Shauna. Shauna begins to question whether Walter could be involved in Lottie’s death, particularly after his cryptic remarks about knowing what “curls her toes.” In a moment of tension, Walter offers to provide a hair sample for DNA comparison, which Shauna declines—leaving it ambiguous if her refusal stems from guilt or mere discomfort.
Shauna’s own past behaviors and her fraught encounters with Lottie continue to paint her as a potential suspect. Her trip to New York the night Lottie died and the conflict they had before her death intensify the narrative’s tension, leading Shauna to suspect someone is targeting the Yellowjackets.
So, Did Tai Do That?
The narrative heavily implies Tai as the most apparent suspect, especially considering her seemingly indifferent reaction to Lottie’s death. Van (Lauren Ambrose) questions Tai’s composure and seeks clarity on the unexplained duration of time on the night of their New York outing. Tai attributes her absence to necessary preparations, but the unexplained timeframe invites skepticism.
Adding to the intrigue is the possibility that Tai could have entered one of her fugue states—acting autonomously while lacking memory of her actions. This is paralleled with a flashback to her teenage days when she faced a pivotal moral dilemma, suggesting that a darker facet of her personality may still linger.
In a poignant moment, Tai’s interaction with her son Sammy (Aiden Stoxx) raises further questions. His instinctive fear towards her hints at an unsettling transformation, provoking thoughts on whether she may indeed embody a more sinister presence.
Could It Be Someone Else Entirely?
If not Tai, Shauna, or even Walter, the question lingers: who else could be behind Lottie’s death? It’s plausible that someone unrelated to the core group is targeting the Yellowjackets. Given the complexities surrounding Lottie’s family, the potential for external motivations surfaces.
Lottie’s father appears to have leveraged his influence to sway the police towards labeling her death as an accident, casting doubt on any further investigations. This raises significant implications for the Yellowjackets, suggesting they might have to uncover the truth of Lottie’s demise on their own and confronting whatever lay beneath the surface.
The pursuit of answers might lead them to revelations that could reshape their understanding of their shared past, and possibly expose truths that none of them are prepared to face.
Source
movieweb.com