Warning: Spoilers are ahead for the Yellowjackets season 3 finale, episode 10, titled “Full Circle.”The complex dynamics between Callie Sadecki (Sarah Desjardins) and Lottie Matthews (Simone Kessell) have sparked numerous theories about the wilderness’s influence in the show’s universe. The tension escalated after Lottie’s chilling gaze toward Callie at the end of season 2 and was further amplified when Lottie unexpectedly died in episode 4 of season 3, leading to serious implications for Callie’s journey.
Misty Quigley (Christina Ricci) has taken it upon herself to uncover the truth surrounding Lottie’s demise, firmly believing it was no mere accident. The investigation, dotted with various red herrings, initially points toward Callie’s mother, Shauna (Melanie Lynskey), as a suspect. However, a shocking revelation unveils that Callie was involved in Lottie’s death by accident, driven by her emotional turmoil and the weight of her family’s legacy, culminating in a shocking twist for the series. Lottie’s final words add yet another layer of complexity, hinting at significant developments to come in the series.
Unpacking Callie’s Identity as the “Child”of the Wilderness
Lottie’s Distinct Viewpoint
In their poignant exchange, Callie confronts Lottie after stealing a significant recording meant for Shauna. Lottie perceives Callie’s presence as more than just about the tape; she believes Callie is seeking insight into her mother’s world. In this moment, Lottie articulates how the wilderness deeply imbues both Shauna and Callie, declaring that Callie is indeed a child of the wilderness. She references Callie’s actions, such as shooting the gun and drugging Misty, as manifestations of this primal connection.
Through Lottie’s lens, Callie embodies the essence of all that transpired in the wilderness post the infamous plane crash. When Lottie describes Shauna’s lost child as “our baby,”she implies a twisted familial bond, suggesting that the wilderness sent Callie as a replacement. Lottie sees in Callie not only the fury and desire for domination that once resided in Shauna but also an evolution of those traits—a replacement that potentially surpasses what Shauna represented during her time in the wild.
The Wilderness’s Obsession with Shauna’s Offspring
The Demanding Nature of the Wilderness
From Lottie’s perspective, the wilderness exhibits a formidable fixation on Shauna’s offspring, demanding considerable sacrifices in return. It previously claimed Shauna’s firstborn, and Lottie now perceives Callie as a manifestation of the wilderness itself. The correlation draws on the notion that the power residing in Shauna spills over into her children. Lottie is firmly convinced that sacrifice is a solution to every conflict, reflecting back to the loss of Shauna’s first child. Therefore, she sees Callie as having the obligation to adopt a more predatory role rather than be the vulnerable prey.
Shauna’s first child was lost in season 2, episode 6 (“Qui”), and following their rescue, it is highlighted that most survivors, apart from Lottie, have distanced themselves from the wilderness’s influence, including Shauna. This detachment led to a diminishment of the wild instincts within Shauna, which seem to have been passed down to Callie. Lottie’s perception is shaped by her warped beliefs about the wilderness, creating a psychological angle that blurs the line between possible mystical influences and unresolved trauma from their harrowing past.
Did Wilderness Influence Callie’s Actions Toward Lottie?
Callie’s Autonomous Decision-Making
Callie’s volatile emotions—stemming from fear and anger towards Lottie’s observation—prime her for a tragic response. Under the influence of her mother’s troubling legacy, Callie’s instincts kick in, leading her to instinctively repel Lottie. This reaction echoes the cycles of violence perpetuated by Shauna, who frequently resolves her dilemmas through drastic measures. Although Shauna desires better for her daughter, Callie ironically mirrors these inherited behaviors.
|
Deaths in Yellowjackets Season 3 |
|
|---|---|
| Character | Episode of Death |
| Van & Taissa’s waiter | 1 |
| Lottie | 4 |
| Coach Ben | 6 |
| Edwin | 7 |
| Kodiak | 9 |
| Van | 9 |
| Mari | 10 |
Lottie’s expression at the moment of her injury indicates surprise but also hints at a recognition of Callie’s emergence. She perhaps views Callie’s actions as the wilderness compelling her to take over—a narrative that undermines Callie’s significant agency in the act of pushing Lottie away. It’s essential to note that Callie’s decision in that moment is shaped by her autonomy rather than some mystical wilderness force.
Implications of Callie Being “More”Than Shauna for Season 4
Callie as the Evolution of Shauna
One striking observation Lottie shares in her final moments with Callie is that Callie is “just like [Shauna], only more.”This comment carries profound implications; Lottie perceives Callie as not just a descendant but as a better version of Shauna, who gained considerable influence in her own way yet ultimately faltered in controlling the group dynamics while isolated. Lottie appears to hope that Callie could bring the other survivors back to their roots in the wilderness, fulfilling a vision left uncompleted by Shauna.
Envisioning Callie as a potential modern-day Antler Queen, she could harness this newfound power in ways her mother could not. However, without Lottie’s guidance, Callie’s path remains uncertain, especially considering that many remaining survivors lack the same attachment to the wilderness. A possible mentor for Callie could emerge in Melissa (Hilary Swank), who exhibits signs of loyalty to the wilderness in her actions. Such a relationship might guide Callie to become “more”than Shauna.
| Characters Confirmed to Survive the Wilderness | Teenage Actors | Adult Actors |
|---|---|---|
| Shauna | Sophie Nélisse | Melanie Lynskey |
| Natalie | Sophie Thatcher | Juliette Lewis |
| Taissa | Jasmin Savoy Brown | Tawny Cypress |
| Misty | Samantha Hanratty | Christina Ricci |
| Lottie | Courtney Eaton | Simone Kessell |
| Van | Liv Hewson | Lauren Ambrose |
| Travis | Kevin Alves | Andrés Soto |
| Melissa | Jenna Burgess | Hilary Swank |
As we anticipate season 4 of Yellowjackets, the narrative’s focus on whether the wilderness possesses real power, especially following Lottie’s exit, becomes crucial. Callie’s journey is deeply intertwined with her unresolved issues stemming from her mother’s influence rather than the wilderness itself. If these issues remain unaddressed, the path ahead could lead her to become an even more formidable force to reckon with.