The third episode of Yellowjackets' second season kicks off with a poignant flashback, showcasing Ben's tender moments with Paul, his beloved partner, in their final nights before separation. Frail from past adversities, he had steadfastly refused to partake in the girls' grim act of cannibalism from the previous chapter. Meanwhile, Tai's world shatters when she stumbles upon Jackie's ravaged body, the horror striking her while she was lost in a macabre daze. Natalie and her companions gently break the devastating news, eliciting an immediate and visceral reaction from Tai – disgust mingles with nausea, choking her very breath. Unflinching, Natalie takes charge, suggesting they return Jackie's remains to the plane, pledging to inter her with the rest when the frozen ground thaws.
In the present day's eerie tapestry, Natalie finds herself once again drawn to Lottie's mystical realm, her curiosity piqued as she observes the enigmatic figure wandering the campus, their paths inevitably crossing with Lisa's – the girl who bore the brunt of her fork-wielding wrath. Lisa, in a menacing display, dispatches a chicken's head before Natalie's unperturbed gaze, yet the latter remains unperturbed.
As Tai awakens in the hospital's hushed confines, she discovers Simone hovering on the precipice of recovery, though not fully emerged from the abyss. A chilling realization dawns: Tai herself, in a trancelike state, had etched the cult's sinister symbol onto Simone's palm.
Misty, with a mix of trepidation and intrigue, accepts Walter's invitation to interrogate a shadowy suspect. Her sharp eye for unraveling mysteries is applauded as she steps into the fray. But her composure is shattered when she recognizes the target as Randy Marsh, Jeff's once-inseparable high school chum. Their cover story hangs precariously by a thread, for a single glimpse of Misty could unravel everything.
Equipped with an earpiece, Misty becomes Walter's silent partner, eavesdropping on the interrogation while stealthily guiding his inquiries. Jeff, his tone laced with suspicion, dredges up a painful past, probing when Shauna's affections for him waned. She attempts to soothe his frayed nerves, painting their affair with Adam as a fleeting escape for Shauna from the monotony of their former life together.
As Jeff embarked on his impulsive journey back home, an unplanned detour to Virginia seized his fancy. Mere moments into their reckless drive, they narrowly missed colliding with a man, who swiftly revealed himself to be a conniving charlatan, holding them at bay with a gun. Jeff, in a panic, surrendered the car keys, but Shauna, quick on her feet, wrestled the weapon from his grasp. Before she could retaliate, Jeff intervened, and the con man fled with their ride, leaving them stunned.
Elsewhere, Lottie cunningly tempted Natalie with the prospect of joining their cultish communion, yet Natalie remained hesitant, her mind in turmoil. Flashing back, we witnessed Natalie laboriously wrapping up Jackie's lifeless form, with Lottie's relentless persuasion hovering in the background. Natalie, determined to handle it alone, dismissed Lottie and Travis' offers of help. Meanwhile, Lottie sought to ease Shauna's worries about her unborn child by hosting a celebratory baby shower.
The interrogation room held its own drama as Misty egged Walter on to be ruthless with Randy, seeking answers about Natalie. Fueled by Misty's encouragement, Walter delivered two sharp slaps, leaving Randy shaken.
Revisiting the past, Akilah's longing to return and reunite with her infant nephew, now grown, lingered in her heart. Mari's eerie discovery of dripping sounds added a layer of unease, while Crystal confided in Misty, revealing a shocking secret: she had absorbed her twin sibling within her mother's womb.
Relationships tested, Ben and Paul's bond frayed over Ben's lack of commitment. He had pledged to move in with Paul post-holidays, yet his indecisiveness prolonged their separation. Natalie, meanwhile, found solace at the airport, placing Jackie's body in the aircraft and offering a heartfelt farewell—a fusion of apologies and gratitude. Her solitude was shattered by a beastly attack, but the assailant eluded capture.
Walter's interrogation tactics escalated, forcing Randy to divulge the truth about the purple-robed group lurking outside Natalie's apartment. Meanwhile, Crystal and Misty's bond deepened, their friendship blossoming amidst the chaos.
Van, a vigilant observer, stayed awake, witnessing Tai's somnambulant wanderings. She followed Tai outside, listening intently as she spoke in a dreamlike state, muttering about a man devoid of eyes. Tai led Van to a tree, its trunk branded with a mysterious symbol, before suddenly awaking, unable to recall the shadowy figure she had pursued.
Jeff, bruised by the encounter with the con man, vented his emasculation on Officer Kevyn, mistakenly blaming him for Shauna's distress. Despite knowing the full truth, Jeff maintained his facade, while Shauna, armed with a chilling anecdote about peeling human skin, terrified the man who had stolen her minivan into handing it back, her trembling hands now a tool of manipulation.
In bygone days, the eve of Shauna's shower was marked by the girls' heartfelt gift-giving, each token imbued with sentiment. Amidst the festivities, Misty's theatrical performance captivated the audience, a stunning display that left everyone breathless. Solitude found Tai in the bathroom's mirror, her reflection mimicking her lips' movements, grasping her own visage, a chilling sight that prompted her to frantically summon Jessica. Desperate for escape, she borrowed her lawyer's sleek automobile.
Walter, captivated by Misty's essence, found their bond deepening. His curiosity led him to propose delving into credit card transactions from the vending machine at Natalie's motel, a trail Misty hesitantly pursued, weaving a tale to protect Shauna's name when questioned about her downvotes on Adam-related posts. Walter, unaware of the subterfuge, was swayed. To Misty's surprise, Walter confessed his sole purpose in visiting the nursing home was to encounter her. A text from him revealed the receipt's origin: Cherry Corners, New York, and an impulsive invitation to embark on a road trip together filled her with excitement.
At a public gathering shrouded in purple robes, Lottie summoned Natalie to the forefront of the communion. Her words pierced Natalie's soul, urging her to delve into her unexamined emotions. As Natalie's discomfort grew palpable, Lottie summoned Lisa, inviting her to reveal the pain Natalie's aggression had inflicted. Lisa's heart-wrenching confession echoed through the chamber, leaving her emotionally scarred. Lottie offered a knife and the choice of retribution, but Lisa chose mercy over malice.
Flashing back, Natalie confronted Lottie over the blanket adorned with the ominous symbol, bestowed upon Shauna. Suddenly, Shauna's nose bled profusely, a grotesque omen. To their horror, a flock of birds plummeted lifeless around their cottage, their bodies laid out on the porch, awaiting Lottie's benediction before their consumption. As the camera pans out, the symbol looms large on a cottage windowpane, a haunting reminder.
Lottie ventured to her beehives, only to discover a grim scene: the bees, lifeless, and their hives marred by blood. A fleeting hallucination had her believing an acolyte whispered, "il veut du sang," the chilling words echoing through her mind. Yet, reality dawned, revealing the encounter as but a fleeting nightmare.
