Warning: Spoilers for Yellowjackets Season 3, Episode 10, “Full Circle.”
The thrilling conclusion of Yellowjackets Season 3 presents Natalie Scattorcio (portrayed by Sophie Thatcher) making a pivotal choice that promises significant implications for Season 4. Following the events of Episode 9, Natalie learns that Misty Quigley (Samantha Hanratty) has had possession of the plane’s black box transponder during the group’s ordeal in the wilderness. To her teammates’ surprise, Natalie opts not to disclose this critical information. Instead, she collaborates with Misty and Van Palmer (Liv Hewson) to repair the scientists’ malfunctioning satellite phone.
In the present timeline of Yellowjackets, Misty (Christina Ricci) has unraveled the mystery behind Lottie Matthews’ (Simone Kessell) murder and confronts the perpetrator. Meanwhile, Taissa Turner (Tawny Cypress) is devastated by the death of her partner, Van (Lauren Ambrose), at the hands of Melissa (Hilary Swank). Taissa honors Van’s memory through burial while fixating on seeking revenge against the individual she holds responsible. These intertwining narratives set the stage for potential developments in Season 4.
Natalie’s Phone Call: Are the Yellowjackets Finally Getting Rescued?
Making Contact with the Outside World
Image via Paramount+
While the Yellowjackets prepare Mari’s body for consumption, Natalie ascends a nearby height, hoping to enhance the satellite phone’s functionality. Although Shauna Shipman (Sophie Nélisse) believes Natalie remains nearby, unbeknownst to her, Hannah Finch (Ashley Sutton) has stealthily taken over Natalie’s position. At a sufficient altitude, Natalie successfully initiates a call through the satellite phone, initially met with silence as she desperately pleads for assistance. Eventually, a voice answers, assuring, “I can hear you.”
This critical moment sets the stage for the potential rescue of the Yellowjackets in Season 4, despite the show’s creators intending a five-season arc. With Natalie’s breakthrough in communication, she is poised to guide authorities to their location, suggesting rescue is imminent. However, numerous storylines are still ripe for exploration within the 1990s framework previously hinted at in the Season 2 opening and comments from adult Melissa to Shauna (Melanie Lynskey).
Deciphering Adult Shauna’s Letter About “Taking It Back”
Lessons Mislearned
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After a breakdown in response to Melissa’s note, Shauna pens a letter declaring, “It’s time to start taking it back,” symbolizing her resolve to reclaim control over her fractured life. With her husband Jeff Sadecki (Warren Kole) and their daughter Callie (Sarah Desjardins) absent, along with Van deceased and Melissa on the loose, her descent into chaos starkly contrasts the power she felt during her wilderness saga as a warrior and Antler Queen.
Despite the grotesque acts of her past, Shauna yearns to reconnect with that version of herself, mistakenly believing this nostalgia will facilitate the control she seeks. Her romanticized recollection of wilderness experiences, highlighted in her letter, illustrates her longing for the thrill of survival, suggesting she could become even more formidable in Season 4 if she continues down this path.
Understanding the Alliance Between Taissa and Misty Against Shauna
United by a Common Adversary
Post-Van’s death, Taissa has fixated her blame on Shauna for the series of misfortunes, perceiving her as the root cause of the survivors’ troubles. They once promised to forget their shared past and maintain secrecy for mutual protection, but Taissa views Shauna’s decision to keep journals—which Jeff discovered—as a breach of trust. Additionally, she attributes the brutal endings surrounding Natalie and Adam Martin (Peter Gadiot) to Shauna’s reckless behavior.
| Characters Confirmed to Survive the Wilderness | Teenage Actor | Adult Actor |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Taissa’s overwhelming sense of betrayal stems from memories of Shauna’s role in their darkest moments. Coupling with Misty emerges as a strategy for self-preservation due to her mistrust of Shauna, intensified by past transgressions that remain unaddressed. Misty’s alliance with Taissa is both a logical and emotional gamble.
The Transformation of Mari into the Pit Girl and Shauna into the Antler Queen
Full Circle: From Pilot to Finale
The Season 3 finale brings answers to two long-standing enigmas: Mari has assumed the role of the Pit Girl, while Shauna emerges as the Antler Queen. In a twist of fate, Van ensures Hannah is marked for the hunt, yet Shauna, sensing a discrepancy, rightfully switches the drawing order. Consequently, Mari draws the queen of hearts card and is subsequently hunted. After Mari’s selection, Shauna adorns herself with Jackie’s (Ella Purnell) gold heart necklace, clarifying its presence in the pilot episode.
As the chase unfolds, Mari desperately discards her jacket and shoes to throw off her pursuers—this explains the attire of the Pit Girl in the series opener whose horrific end serves as a grim reminder of their past. Just as she transitions into the Antler Queen, Shauna’s authoritarian spirit flourished, further fueled by Lottie’s wilderness ideology.
The Reasons Behind Callie’s Actions and the Wilderness’s Plan
A Fateful Accident
Callie’s panic and rage culminate in a tragic accident resulting in Lottie’s death. They initially meet to discuss her relationship with Shauna, but things take a dark turn when Lottie suggests that Shauna’s jealousy prevents her from exhibiting maternal affection. In a fit of emotion, Callie shoves Lottie away, leading to her fateful fall.
If the wilderness holds true power, it may now choose Callie as its vessel instead of Lottie. The wilderness’s discontent with Lottie’s actions may have prompted this tragic fate, potentially positioning Callie as an instrument to eliminate both Shauna and the rest of the Yellowjackets.
The Departure of Jeff and Callie: Their Escape from Shauna
Jeff’s Concerns Drive Their Departure
Jeff and Callie’s decision to distance themselves from Shauna stems from her increasingly threatening influence post-Lottie’s death. While Jeff absolves Callie of responsibility for Lottie’s death, he holds Shauna accountable. Understanding the potential chaos Shauna could unleash, Callie feels overwhelmed and ashamed, exacerbated by Shauna’s likely focus on shielding her rather than offering support.
Both aware of Shauna’s past with Adam Martin’s murder cover-up, Jeff and Callie’s current location remains ambiguous. They could have sought refuge with Jeff’s friend, Randy Walsh (Jeff Holman). However, Jeff’s intentions to keep his distance from Shauna suggest they may be somewhere less traceable. Future episodes may clarify their whereabouts as the tension escalates.
Akilah’s Motivations Behind Animal Deaths
Strategic Sacrifices
In Season 3, Akilah (Nia Sondaya) experiences visions that culminate in a dramatic revelation about the demise of local wildlife. Initially perceived as mere coincidence when the remaining survivors discover dead animals, it later unfolds that Akilah intentionally poisoned them to catalyze another hunting event, framing their deaths as an indicator of the wilderness’s wrath.
While the outcome aligns with Lottie’s expectations, Akilah grapples with feelings of betrayal, realizing her visions have been manipulated. Lottie defends the authenticity of Akilah’s foresight, but Akilah accuses her of instigating the ensuing chaos. Consequently, Akilah’s prospects for Season 4 appear bleak as she defies Lottie’s influences.
Taissa’s Ritual: Eating Van’s Heart
A Heartfelt Tribute
Consuming a heart is depicted as an act of reverence in the wilderness, a tradition suggesting sacrifice and honoring the deceased’s memory. Following this tradition, Taissa consumes Van’s heart to pay homage to the loss and sacrifice, illustrating her commitment to cherishing Van’s legacy.
The Significance of Yellowjackets Season 3’s Conclusion and its Hints for Season 4
Consequences of Choices
Throughout both timelines, Yellowjackets intricately weaves a narrative stressing the repercussions of each character’s choices. Teen Shauna’s authoritarian rule and mistreatment of Natalie reach a tipping point with Natalie’s daring escape to contact the outside world. Callie’s tragic decision to kill Lottie, alongside her estrangement from Jeff, highlights the fallout of adult Shauna’s prior actions. The consequences also catch up with Lottie, leading to her demise—a result of the perilous power plays made in the wilderness.
With her allies dwindling and isolation looming, Shauna could potentially transform into a far more dangerous figure. Her circumstances may push her into unforeseen alliances, such as with her nemesis, Melissa, as Yellowjackets Season 4 approaches.
Natalie’s successful call marks the inception of a chain reaction directing towards rescue, with Season 4 poised to reveal more about the post-rescue experiences of the characters in the 1990s timeline. The knowledge of her contact will undoubtedly exacerbate existing tensions among the group. Expect potential casualties among Hannah, Akilah, and Gen (Vanessa Prasad) once help finally arrives. In the current narrative, expect cooperation between Taissa and Misty as they strategize against Shauna. With external support scarce, Shauna will likely grow more dangerous, leading to a dynamic shift as the story progresses in Season 4.