WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for Yellowjackets Season 3, Episode 9! In a gripping turn of events, Yellowjackets Season 3 revisits one of Misty’s most pivotal mistakes from Season 1, a secret that could have had fatal consequences for the entire group. Had the rest of the surviving characters uncovered her actions at that time, Misty might have faced a dire fate herself. Interestingly, with tensions escalating and some characters unwilling to return home, the repercussions of her actions could be even more alarming now.
From the outset, Misty’s character has been difficult to decipher. Her choices often lead to her further alienation from her peers, whether it’s witnessing a rat drown, amputating Coach’s leg (which, to her credit, extended his life), or her chilling act of murdering Crystal in Season 2. Misty’s dark tendencies starkly contrast with those of her companions in the wilderness. As some of her more shocking deeds remain concealed, Misty’s past misstep is coming back to confront her in Season 3.
Yellowjackets Season 3 Revisits the Black Box Misty Destroyed in Season 1
Misty Destroyed the Plane’s Recorder Soon After the Crash
Season 3 marks the return of the plane’s black box that Misty had destroyed, an essential element since its inception in Season 1. In Episode 2, Misty found herself isolated when she came across the black box, which contains crucial data such as the Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder. While the black box itself lacks a GPS tracker, Season 3 reinterprets it as a transponder device which could have significantly shortened the rescue operation following their crash—had Misty not covertly sabotaged it.
In reality, black boxes are equipped with locator beacons that emit signals for 30 days post-crash, primarily activated underwater. However, such signals would not have aided the Yellowjackets’ unique predicament in the wilderness.
The rationale behind Misty’s destruction of the black box stemmed from her newfound sense of purpose in the wilderness. For the first time, she felt a sense of belonging and validation due to her survival skills and did not want to relinquish that by going back home. In Season 2, she revealed this dark secret to Crystal, whose horrified reaction led to a tragic turn of events. Now, in Season 3, Episode 9, Misty returns to reclaim the transponder to repair Hannah’s phone, aiming to facilitate their escape.
Consequences: Natalie’s Reaction to Misty’s Actions
Natalie’s Urgent Desire to Return Home
As Misty attempts to retrieve the black box, she does not anticipate encountering Natalie, who witnesses her actions. Mirroring Crystal’s reaction from Season 2, Natalie is horrified to learn that Misty had knowledge of the transponder’s location all along. With a strong desire to return home, Natalie has taken the lead in attempting to escape alongside Kodi and Hannah in the finale of Episode 8. However, with half the group opting to remain behind and Shauna’s manipulation of the situation, Natalie’s hope for a quick exit is dwindling.
Had Natalie been as morally ambiguous as Shauna, she might have resorted to violence against Misty following this revelation. While she realizes that Misty possesses a vital tool for improving their communication with the outside world, her emotions will be conflicted. Natalie will likely confront her peers about Misty’s deception, exposing how this unfortunate choice led them down paths filled with violence, cannibalism, and psychological decay. Nonetheless, her primary focus remains clear: finding a way back home.