Episode 2 of Yellowjackets' third season unfolds with Mira's piercing scream for assistance echoing through the air. Coach, upon arriving, is astounded by her conviction that he intends to harm her. He promptly clarifies that her bone isn't fractured but merely dislocated, guiding her through the process of relocating it. Mira, with steely determination, manages to realign her limb under his guidance.
Intriguingly, we are also enlightened in this scene that Coach is innocent of the cabin arson. He has been distancing himself from everyone, seeking solitude.
Shauna, meantime, continues her downward spiral and ventures to the gravesite, where she unearths the baby's corpse and transfers it to a new location. Upon her return to camp, conversations about Mari's whereabouts dominate. Although urged to venture out in search of her, Shauna refuses categorically, hindered by their strained relationship.
Elsewhere, Lottie and Travis remain intent on pursuing their high, with Lottie firmly believing that this altered state is crucial for comprehending their plight.
In his quest to find Mari, Misty narrowly avoids Coach's trap. However, the real cliffhanger involves Travis, who stumbles again while accompanying Lottie. Believing she is aiding him in achieving clarity, Lottie persists in urging him to continue ingesting mushrooms.
When sober and composed, Travis confronts Lottie, revealing that "It" doesn't desire him because someone else is already closer to it.
Meanwhile, Coach lends Van a helping hand, but this gesture soon turns into binding her completely. His trust in her and the others is shattered, particularly after witnessing their cannibalistic act with Javi. Convinced that he will be next, Coach has no alternative but to hold her captive.
Reasoning with the girls proves futile, but Coach must devise a strategy while keeping her restrained. He brings Mari to his hideout and offers her a steaming cup of hot chocolate, clearly scavenged from the supplies discovered in the previous episode. The scene is imbued with an eerie sense of normalcy amidst the chaos.
As Mari indulges in her drink, Coach appears slightly delirious, finding himself embroiled in an inexplicable argument… with whom, or what, one might wonder?In the morning, Shauna engages in a heartfelt conversation with Jeff, resolving to mend their fractured family. With a significant work dinner looming on the horizon and Jeff on the brink of securing a monumental contract, his success hinges on Shauna's unwavering support. However, her newly forged determination is abruptly derailed by an unexpected visitor: Lottie, freshly discharged from psychiatric care, whose arrival at her doorstep stirs a maelstrom of emotions in Shauna and leaves Jeff distinctly disconcerted.
Callie, perceiving a lack of compassion in her parents' initial reactions, calls attention to their hypocrisy, reminding them of Shauna's own dark past as a murderer and arguing for Lottie to be given a chance. Reluctantly, they relent and grant Lottie temporary refuge for a single night, with Shauna sternly cautioning, "Don't mess this up."
Elsewhere, Van and Taissa's burgeoning relationship seems harmonious, though Van is consumed by guilt over their restaurant dine-and-dash escapade. Intent on settling the tab, she ventures out but missteps onto a shard of glass, entrusting Taissa with the task instead. Van proceeds to a doctor's appointment, while Taissa takes her place at the eatery, only to discover a waiter collapsing from a heart attack outside. Without a second thought and characteristically discreet, Taissa flees the scene, unpaid once again.
The following morning, Misty awakens with a throbbing hangover, only to find solace in Walter's caring presence—until Shauna's call summons her to her place at 6 PM. Walter, resentment brewing, criticizes her "friends'" lack of concern, but Misty brushes it aside, prioritizing their needs over his objections. She chalks it up to an unbreakable bond of survival that Walter could never fathom, praising Shauna as "one of the most extraordinary women she's ever encountered."
Upon arriving at Shauna's, Misty's suspicions that this gathering was not about her drinking prove true; instead, she finds herself tasked with babysitting Lottie while Shauna attends the crucial dinner. A reluctant babysitter, Misty attempts to assert a semblance of authority but soon succumbs to peer pressure, joining Lottie in a cabinet-raiding spree and indulging in alcohol. As the evening progresses, the trio finds themselves inebriated and bonding, if somewhat uneasily.
As Callie and her companions settle into their seats for a chat, curiosity gnaws at her, demanding to know the identity of this enigmatic entity, or "It," as it's been collectively referred to. It's undoubtedly not Pennywise, that much is clear; instead, Lottie reveals that her actions were a sacrifice unto "It." The conversation takes a darker turn when Misty slumps into unconsciousness, prompting Lottie to almost confess that they resorted to the grisly practice of cannibalism amidst the forest's depths.
Later, during the meal, Shauna encounters a series of bizarre occurrences in the bathroom, leaving her thoroughly unnerved. The sudden blackout, coupled with a phone mysteriously perched on the toilet's backrest, fuels her suspicion that she's being stalked. Her paranoia casts a shadow over the evening, culminating in her abrupt departure that dampens Jeff's spirits.
Upon arriving home, Shauna discovers Misty sprawled across the table, vomiting uncontrollably. The evidence of Misty's alcoholism is undeniable, yet Shauna allows her to drive away alone, a decision that irritates Walter to no end. In a fit of frustration, Misty dismisses Walter, ending their relationship on the grounds of his overbearing nature.
Meanwhile, Jeff confronts Shauna, demanding answers for her actions. Her apologies ring hollow, lacking sincerity. As Jeff storms out, Shauna places a call, seeking clarity about the bathroom incident. Flashbacks intertwine with present reality, revealing Melissa's discovery of Shauna's baby in the woods, followed by an unexpected kiss. While suspicion falls heavily on Melissa, the truth remains shrouded in mystery, awaiting further revelation.
