Warning: Spoilers follow for Yellowjackets Season 3, Episode 9, titled “How the Story Ends.”
In a shocking turn of events during Yellowjackets Season 3, Episode 9, Hannah (Ashley Sutton) makes a fateful decision regarding Kodiak (Joel McHale). Once drawn to Kodiak’s experience while guiding the survivors through the wilderness, Hannah finds herself at odds with Edwin (Nelson Franklin) after a major tragedy. Following Lottie’s (Courtney Eaton) killing of Edwin, the dynamic between her and Kodiak shifts dramatically as survival becomes their only focus.
Initially, Hannah and Kodiak were to lead their group out of the wilderness. However, this plan crumbles in the aftermath of the events at the end of Episode 8, where Lottie, Shauna (Sophie Nélisse), and Taissa (Jasmin Savoy Brown) choose to remain deeper in the wilderness. Natalie (Sophie Thatcher) proposes a desperate escape plan, providing Hannah with a knife and advising her to free both herself and Kodiak during the night, with hopes of safely guiding them all home. Yet, the situation takes a dark turn—the night ends with Hannah committing murder, as she kills Kodiak, marking yet another casualty in the harrowing 1990s timeline of Yellowjackets.
Hannah Killed Kodiak for Self-Preservation and Acceptance
Driven by a Mother’s Love
Hannah’s choice to kill Kodiak stems from a desperate instinct to survive and her longing to reunite with her daughter, Alex. Facing down Shauna, who demands accountability for the knife, Hannah quickly pivots the blame to Kodiak. In a shocking twist, she thrusts the weapon into his eye, leaving even the steely Shauna momentarily stunned. This brutal act serves a dual purpose: not only does it secure Hannah’s safety, but it also positions her as a trustworthy member among the Yellowjackets.
By embracing the harsh realities of life in the wilderness, Hannah proves her allegiance to the group. If they ultimately escape back to civilization, Hannah’s own skeletons may prevent her from betraying the Yellowjackets, as she now shares their secrets. The stakes are high; revealing the truth could sever her chances of being with her daughter. Thus, her declarations of loyalty resonate with newfound sincerity, particularly with Shauna’s acceptance.
Doubts Surrounding Kodiak
The Mystery of Erik Cheong’s Backpack
From the onset of new characters introduced in Yellowjackets, it was clear that both Edwin and Hannah eyed Kodiak with suspicion. A notable point of concern stems from the name “Erik Cheong”sewn into his backpack, raising questions about whether Kodiak might have been involved in the death of its original owner. In Episode 9, when Hannah directly questions him about Erik, Kodiak feigns innocence, claiming he purchased the backpack from a thrift store. This secrecy only heightens Hannah’s reluctance to place her life—and trust—in Kodiak’s hands.
With Kodiak’s demise now sealed, the mystery surrounding the backpack may forever remain unsolved. His death marks him as the latest victim in the ruthless reality faced by the Yellowjackets, forcing Hannah into a corner where she had to make an unimaginable choice in her pursuit of survival. Joel McHale’s guest arc in Yellowjackets thus concludes, adding one of the series’ most harrowing deaths to its history.