so the phone that is left in the bathroom - presumably by the stalker, has this song as a ringtone. Queen of Hearts by Juice Newton. the identity of the stalker has two possibilities: the writers are trying to throw us off by making us think its Melissa, or it actually is Melissa.
This seems a little obvious because Shauna and Melissa's make out scene is intertwined with the scene Shauna making the call about the phone and asking for the description of the person who picked it up. the writers were clearly trying to tell us something there. but there are some more clues that make this theory stronger, and could also provide a lot of insight into Melissa as a character, Shauna's role in the wilderness, and their relationship. I think this song is very significant and has some really interesting symbolism.
first of all, the name. Queen of Hearts, the card that chooses the victim for the hunt. there isn't much to say about that connection.
Playin' with the Queen of Hearts
Knowin' it ain't really smart
The Joker ain't the only fool
Who'll do anythin' for you
so it seems like the story this song is telling is that The Joker, someone lowly or foolish or naïve, is enchanted with The Queen of Hearts- someone with authority or prowess. this isn't a smart path for The Joker to take, because she's the Queen. She'll break your heart.
these lyrics also tell us the The Joker will do anything for the Queen,
Layin' out another lie
Thinkin' 'bout a life of crime
'Cause that's what I'll have to do
To keep me away from you
including committing crimes. these lines are implying that The Joker will never leave their Queen, they would have to be literally locked up for that to happen.
I think this dynamic will be Shauna and Melissa's dynamic in the coming episodes. in the trailer, there's a brief clip where Melissa tells Shauna "that's what power feels like". she wants Shauna to be their leader- to be the Antler Queen. we already know she's enraptured with her, and this only makes that more clear. Melissa is The Joker. Shauna will inevitably hurt her, which is why Melissa is foolish for seeking her out. she's "playin' with The Queen of Hearts", which, just like their rituals, will only end in death, whether in the teen timeline or adult timeline.
even though we barely have any scenes of them together so far, or much information about Melissa's character, we can make some deductions from what we have already seen. I think Melissa will do anything for Shauna. she stomps on the crown that offended Shauna. Shauna holds a knife to her throat and she's into it. she wants Shauna to have power over her and Shauna wants to have power. as said in interviews with the actors, Shauna and Melissa's relationship is going to be a role-reversal of Shauna and Jackie's. while Jackie had power over Shauna (and didn't really want it), and Shauna felt controlled by Jackie (and didn't want to be); now Shauna is the one in power, and she fully wants to be. Shauna will be the next Antler Queen, and Melissa will help her get there, through whatever means necessary, by her side like the queen's joker.
Won't you keep my heart from breakin'
If it's only for a very short time?
this lyric could also imply the nature of their situationship. they are seeking comfort in each other. in the words of some post I read somewhere, this isn't romance like Tia and Van have, or homoerotic friendship like jackieshauna, this is a secret third evil thing (lol). Melissa is and will be a stand-in for Jackie, and she will keep Shauna from breaking only for a short time.
so some miscellaneous clues about Melissa being the stalker:
most damning: Shauna literally calls Melissa a stalker in the teen timeline. Melissa is apparently really good at following Shauna around.
we see the stalker from behind (though extremely out of focus so take this with a grain of salt) and it appears they have blonde hair.
this is someone with deep knowledge of what went on in the wilderness. I don't think this could just be someone whose done research.
now, HOW could there be an eighth survivor if there is no mention of them in the future timeline? my leading theory is that Melissa faked her death, possibly very soon after the rescue. there's no mention of her because she's been "dead" for twenty five years.
i definitely have more ideas for this theory, but I just wanted to focus on the ringtone for now because it really stuck out to me.










