Yellowjackets Season 3 Episode 1 & 2 recap: A haunting return with more questions than answers

Disclaimer: Yellowjackets Season 3 Episodes 1 & 2 spoilers ahead!

Yellowjackets Season 3 is finally here, and it keeps fans on their toes with its blend of psychological horror, mystery, and dark humor. The first episode tricks viewers with what looks like the reveal of Pit Girl, but it turns out to be a different, equally intense outcome for Mari.

The show takes a time jump, placing the characters in a seemingly perfect survival setting with new buildings and thriving gardens, which gives the illusion of peace.

However, things are not as they seem, as tensions brew beneath the surface. Van leads a summer solstice event, while Shauna is torn apart by unresolved grief. The adult Yellowjackets experience a lack of repercussions for their past actions. This could lead to a slow buildup or a potential misstep. The initial episodes are intriguing but some feel they lack the punch of previous seasons.

So, does Season 3 live up to the hype? It starts strong but might leave fans wanting more substantial developments. Let's explore!

---

After a fake-out & a time jump, where in the Yellowjackets universe are we now?

The opening of the premiere fools the audience into believing Mari is the "Pit Girl". However, she's just a girl stuck in a pit. This sets the tone for a season that plays with our expectations.

The visuals are like a known scene from Season 1, but there's no scary finale with cannibalism. The show speeds ahead about three months after the cabin fire.

Surprisingly, the survivors are doing well in the wild, building solid A-frame shelters, growing food, and even taming animals.

But, the good life doesn't erase their troubles. In fact, their relationships are still messy. Shauna, dealing with the loss of her baby, argues with Mari. Van takes charge in a showy way, while Lottie and Travis go into their weird spiritual path.

With only six months until help arrives, the show is moving faster and every choice feels really important.

---

Are the present-day Yellowjackets too neat?

The adult Yellowjackets in the show face different challenges compared to the teenagers. After the intense events of Season 2, they seem to deal with lower stakes, despite facing serious issues.

For instance, Natalie's death doesn't get much attention from the group except for Misty, who handles her grief in a peculiar way. This is something that Screen Rant has pointed out: that adults rarely face the consequences of their actions.

The show's funeral scene highlights their detachment. Instead of reflecting deeply, Shauna, Tai, and Van share dark humor with each other. New romantic relationships also feel too neat and tidy. However, long-term fans of Yellowjackets are aware that calm often comes before trouble.

A mysterious envelope with the cult symbol and a cassette tape inside suggests a new problem is on the horizon. It raises questions about who sent it and why it arrived now.

---

How far will Yellowjackets Season 3 go?

The supernatural aspect of the show is quite controversial. In one scene, there's a weird ceremony happening on the solstice, and some of the characters, including Lottie, hear strange noises like babies crying, chittering, and shrieking.

This makes people wonder if the forest is really haunted or if everyone's just freaking out together. The Man With No Eyes, who shows up in Taissa's vision, adds to the mystery. Yellowjackets is good at creating a weird and scary vibe, but sometimes it takes too long to explain what's actually happening.

Some viewers might get bored if the show keeps dropping hints without giving answers in Season 3. But the last part of Episode 2 makes it seem like the show might finally go all-in on its wildest ideas.

---

You can catch new episodes of Season 3 every Friday on Paramount+, or Sunday on Showtime. Catch up with a Season 2 recap before you begin!