Breaking Down That Papa Roach Needle Drop On Yellowjackets

Then Shauna confronted Jeff, and the truth came out: he wasn’t cheating on her, just indebted to loan sharks after trying to keep his business afloat. His dorky dad/milquetoast wife guy persona isn’t cover for a dark side — it’s just who he is. While he’s charmingly oblivious (“there’s no book club?!”), he’s also dependable — he volunteered to fall on the sword for Shauna and take the wrap for Adam’s murder. It doesn’t come to that, however, thanks to some fast crime scene clean-up (courtesy Christina Ricci’s strangely relatable character, Misty.).

However, in the angrier, more unhinged season 2 premiere, Shauna discovers Adam had an art studio. She and Jeff go there to destroy any evidence of Shauna’s relationship with the deceased; there’s a lot of it in the form of portraits. Jeff isn’t happy about coming face-to-face with proof of his wife’s adultery, but Shauna flips his feelings with some dirty talk — crime and honesty have put the passion back into their relationship — and they do the deed right there.

Still, the following scene indicates Jeff isn’t totally over his sadness. Still alone in his car and remembering what just happened, he starts rocking out to Papa Roach’s “Last Resort.” I burst out laughing at how perfect a needle drop this was.

The Yellowjackets soundtrack

Showtime
It’d be a mistake to call “Yellowjackets” a nostalgic story, but the shadow of the 1990s does loom over it. The flashback storylines take place in 1996, meaning the pop culture references are tied to that era. This is also why the series cast ’90s starlets Juliette Lewis (Natalie) and Christina Ricci in the present-day segments. The show’s soundtrack reflects this era too. The pilot featured “Today” by Smashing Pumpkins, and the season carried on with more ’90s top 40 hits, from “Dreams” by The Cranberries to “Kiss From A Rose” by Seal.

Papa Roach formed in 1993 as part of the nascent nu-metal movement. “Last Resort” was part of their second studio album, “Infest,” released in 2000. It has become their signature song (and most listened to on Spotify) and a hallmark of musical angst. “Cut my life into pieces,” the song opens, “this is my last resort.” The opening is the only part we see Jeff listen to, but from there, the song trudges into darker territory.

Why ‘Last Resort’?

Universal Music Group
“Would it be wrong would it be right, if I took my life tonight, chances are that I might,” “Last Resort” continues. And then there’s the chorus: