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Fans of Yellowjackets were already aware of Joel McHale joining the ensemble for Season 3, but details regarding his character have just come to light. In a surprising twist in Episode 6, a man and woman join the female survivors in the wilderness. The plot thickens in Episode 7 when it becomes clear that a third individual, portrayed by McHale, was present all along.
How did they appear so casually in the forest? This unexpected moment raises questions and adds layers to the story, hinting at the deteriorating mental state of the women, who seem to be unraveling more than previously thought.
Who Are the Three People in the Wilderness?
Reflecting on the shocking twist from Episode 6, titled “Thanksgiving (Canada),” two characters approach a bonfire where the group, including Travis, is horrifically consuming Ben’s cooked remains—one of the most gruesome acts committed by the cast so far. The male character, upon spotting Ben’s decapitated head, reacts in shock and exclaims, “What the f**k?” The ensuing chaos is unpredictable.
Lottie (Courtney Eaton) suddenly attacks him from behind with an axe, delivering a fatal blow as he collapses. A terrified woman witnesses the scene, and another man, McHale’s character, retaliates by shooting an arrow at Melissa (Jenna Burgess), hitting her in the chest. A tense chase ensues, leaving the audience to wonder who these newcomers are. Episode 7, “Croak,” provides context as it takes viewers back three days, offering explanations for their presence.
What Was the Trio Doing in the Wilderness?
The initial characters introduced are Edwin (Nelson Franklin) and Hannah, who are engaged in research on frogs and their mating rituals. They have been sent to the wilderness for a six-month study. Kodi (McHale) accompanies them as a wilderness guide. Equipped with tents, supplies, food, and a satellite phone for emergencies, they aim to study and document their findings, capturing frogs in mason jars.
Hannah mentions that the previous research team left behind a stash of protein bars, which explains how the food found by Ben came to be in the pit, clarifying the significance of “KUH” marked on the case as the initials of their university.
The dynamics among the trio is intriguing; Edwin and Hannah are a couple, while Kodi finds himself as the third wheel, a position he is not accustomed to. He becomes aware of Hannah’s subtle attraction to him, contrasting sharply with her earnest boyfriend. Kodi exudes a rugged charm, embodied by a rebellious spirit, unlike Edwin’s more stable presence.
After Kodi introduces them to cannabis, they share a lighthearted moment that culminates in playful tussling in the tent. During a scuffle for the receiver of the satellite phone, their connection to the outside world is inadvertently severed. Kodi, unconcerned, dismisses the need for help but both Hannah and Edwin express anxiety over being marooned in the wilderness without communication.
This development leads them to track down the source of the ominous singing and chanting from the women, a move that ultimately proves ill-fated. The newcomers mistakenly believe the women could offer them a means of escape, forgetting that survival instincts have dominated the group since the crash.
What Happens to Hannah and Kodi?
While Episode 7 does not explicitly confirm the fates of Hannah and Kodi, it strongly implies their demise. In present-day scenes, Shauna (Melanie Lynskey) has taken her family to a motel, gripped by the fear that she and her friends are being hunted. Her daughter, Callie (Sarah Desjardin), discovers a tape that had been left on their doorstep, which adds another layer of mystery.
Upon watching the tape with Van (Lauren Ambrose), Shauna hears Hannah’s terrified scream immediately following Lottie’s lethal attack on Edwin. Further listening reveals a heartfelt message Hannah recorded for her daughter, suggesting that this child may be intertwined with the mystery of what transpired in the wilderness.
Van points out that the only individuals who are aware of the events recorded on that tape are either dead or part of their group, implying that both Hannah and Kodi likely did not survive. The unanswered questions linger: how did these events unfold, and who managed to get the tape to Hannah’s daughter?
In the wilderness, Hannah’s instincts tell her to return to camp for safety while Kodi advocates for fleeing. They separate, leaving Hannah to hide. It is during this time that she records her message, terrified for her life.
Stream Yellowjackets on Paramount+ with Showtime.
Source
movieweb.com