Does Shauna deserve to be the leader of their cannibalistic cult? She certainly endured enough pain to deserve the award. After the devastating loss of her child, Shauna continued to carry the burden of dismembering the bodies. It is a very traumatic task which is essential to their survival. On the other hand, the team may not want a leader as emotionally unstable as Shauna, as she raged against Lottie in such a savage manner and showed little remorse.
Shauna’s diary entry is petty and immature, but it’s also a testament to the groundbreaking portrayal of women in the show. “Yellowjackets” features compelling female characters who are morally ambiguous and raise complex questions from the audience. They willfully commit despicable acts but they are also starving children. We sympathize with Shauna over the loss of her baby and her guilt and grief over Jackie, but she’s also a selfish character whose cruelty and flippant lies are chilling. Both of these things can be true at the same time for the kind of “hateful” women you rarely see on screen.
Shauna’s brief diary outline conveys the universal teenage experience of wanting to be safe with oneself and recognized by others. In this minor but pivotal scene, Shauna reveals her true feelings that could portend conflict between her and Nat next season. Will Shauna and Nat compete for the role of queen? Will Shauna become the leader of a rival group? Hopefully Season 3 builds on that passionate dynamic.