Content Warning: The following article contains spoilers for the Showtime series Yellowjackets, as well as discussions of drugs, suicide, and abuse.
Despite the horrific situations the characters on Showtime’s Yellowjackets often find themselves in, they still manage to form meaningful relationships. The best friendships and romantic relationships in the show often help the titular Yellowjackets cope in the wilderness and in their adult lives.
From Van and Taissa’s complicated romance to Nat and Misty’s low-key friendship, there’s no shortage of fascinating relationships in the series. While they may not always be healthy, they do highlight the characters’ personalities and motivations in unique ways. With the recent conclusion of the first season of the show, it’s the perfect time to look back at some of the best relationships featured so far.
Travis Martinez & Javi Martinez
Travis and Javi may not be among the most likable characters on Yellowjackets, but their relationship is undeniably one of the more genuine and unbreakable ones on the show. After suffering through their father’s death in different ways, the two have become closer and more understanding of each other.
Fans may recall how Travis’ outburst almost pushed his brother away completely. It’s a good thing Nat helped him recover their father’s ring to give to Javi. With the younger brother now missing and possibly dead, there’s no telling how it will affect Travis in the future.
Kevyn Tan & Natalie Scatorccio
Unlike her kindhearted and compassionate teen counterpart, the adult version of Nat seems to have no problem using and manipulating people. Kevyn is one of her unfortunate victims. She knows that Kevyn has been in love with her since they were kids, so she uses this attraction to trick him into getting information about Travis’ death.
Their relationship underscores how different Nat’s life could have looked like if she hadn’t been on that plane. Kevyn was her best friend and he outgrew most of the teenage angst they once shared. They can only support and love each other from a distance after the way Nat treated him, though.
Simone & Taissa Turner
Like Kevyn, Simone is a sad reminder of the normal life Taissa could have if she had never gone through the traumatic experiences in the forest. Their relationship is initially portrayed as a healthy one, but the cracks begin to show when Tai can’t devote time to parenting Sammy with Simone.
Instead of letting Simone in when she’s struggling, Taissa pushes her and Sammy away. It’s looking like she made the right decision based on the finale, as the creepy shrine Tai has hidden away in the basement likely won’t do their already struggling relationship any favors.
Adam Martin & Shauna Sadecki
For a while, Adam seemed to be the perfect partner for Shauna. He was a romantic “starving artist” who reinvigorated Shauna’s adventurous side and made her truly happy. No one could have imagined he would be at the center of one of the worst things to happen on Yellowjackets.
Shauna’s insecurities and paranoia got the best of her and it’s hard to blame her for being suspicious. Adam’s overenthusiasm and sudden appearance in her life may have sparked a fun fling for a short time, but he could have had some dark intentions based on the book Shauna found and his cryptic tattoo.
Vanessa Palmer & Taissa Turner
Viewers likely found themselves cheering for Van and Tai when they officially made their romantic relationship public in the wilderness. Van has been Tai’s biggest supporter from the start, going as far as to follow her south despite being worried by Lottie’s warnings.
Taissa, for her part, finds ways to comfort Van and reassure her that despite her scars, she’s still beautiful – she even makes them matching masks for Doomcoming. Only time will tell if Van’s belief in Lottie’s predictions will further affect their relationship, as Tai doesn’t seem to be buying into the paranormal explanations of the events in the forest.
Shauna Sadecki & Taissa Turner
Two of the best characters in Yellowjackets – Shauna and Taissa – also happen to be close friends both as teens and adults. Fans may remember how Shauna is the only one who is brave enough to go to the attic to accompany Tai, who was trying to prove that there’s nothing scary up there.
When they're adults, Tai turns to Shauna after she pushes away Simone. Shauna doesn’t hesitate to help her friend deal with her fear of sleepwalking and they have a brutally honest conversation about what it’s like to survive what they did and carry on living. It’s a friendship full of genuine compassion and concern for each other, rooted in their experiences after the plane crash.
Misty Quigley & Natalie Scatorccio
Although Nat would never admit it, the smartest character on Yellowjackets, Misty, is one of her only friends. She’s the person Nat turns to when the group needs help to dispose of Adam’s body and all Misty asks for in return is for her to attend the reunion.
Although they don’t interact much as teens, they’ve obviously grown closer as adults. Misty can be just as wild and unpredictable as Nat, which is probably why Nat isn’t surprised to find a hidden camera planted by Misty in her hotel room. Their friendship is just as twisted as their personalities, which makes it even more special somehow.
Jackie Taylor & Shauna Sadecki
Shauna and Jackie have one of the strongest bonds on the show, with their friendship going way back before the crash even happens. Shauna has always been supportive of Jackie, as even in the wilderness she pulls her aside to warn her that the other girls are turning on her.
Despite the jarring confrontation between the two in the finale, it can’t be denied that they share a unique bond. Shauna’s immense guilt likely makes sense to viewers now, as the traumatic way she loses Jackie likely still replays in her mind years after she’s rescued.
Travis Martinez & Natalie Scatorccio
While Travis and Nat’s relationship starts out complicated, it’s looking more like they’re heading in the right direction after Travis finally opens up in the finale. Nat is obviously more mature and serves as the voice of reason between the two – it’s impressive how much of his nonsense she tolerates in the forest.
Although not much is known about their relationship as adults, Nat does mention that Travis serves as his rock after they’re rescued. There are flashbacks that show them as a happy couple, but it’s unclear what happened between that time and Travis’ suicide. He was aware of Nat’s drug problem and could have even been a part of it, but it’s heartbreaking to know that one of his most significant statements to Nat was to make her promise that she would never die by suicide.
Jeff Sadecki & Shauna Sadecki
Jeff may have seemed like a typical passive, cheating husband, but he has proven over the course of the season that he can be just as wild as Shauna. The married couple has gone through a lot in a short span of time, unintentionally reenergizing their relationship in the process.
Jeff is surprisingly fiercely loyal and protective of Shauna, which is best seen when he defends her in front of Jackie’s parents. Shauna, on the other hand, has become more understanding of and open with Jeff, even if it is about Adam’s murder.