Yellowjackets season 3: All our burning questions and theories following season 2’s finale

**Warning: this article contains major spoilers for season 2 of “Yellowjackets,” especially the finale. Consider reading this only after finishing season 2.**

“Storytelling,” the season 2 finale of Showtime’s “Yellowjackets,” was a jaw-dropping conclusion to a season that wasn’t afraid to kill off characters. It ends with the Yellowjackets looking on, narrowly escaping a fire that devours their cabin, their shelter against snowy wilderness.

We know a group of the girls survive, but how they’re going to do it now that their cabin burned down is a major mystery and quite a cliffhanger. Come next season, they’ll likely seek revenge against the one responsible for torching their home.

Meanwhile, season 2’s conclusion, directed by Karyn Kusama (Jennifer’s Body, The Invitation), entailed Juliette Lewis’ exit from the show after adult Natalie’s gut-wrenching death. That said, the episode’s powerful ending leaves a few major loose ends and plenty of questions for season 3. Here’s what we’d like to see answered and resolved.

What will happen to Coach Scott next season?

Assistant Coach Ben Scott (Steven Krueger) had one of the most intriguing storylines of Yellowjackets season 2. Flashbacks explored his relationship with his boyfriend Paul (Francois Arnaud). Keep in mind that their relationship occurred in the mid-90s, long before gay marriage and a broader acceptance of LGBTQ rights. The writers handled this arc particularly well and the challenge of being an out and proud gay man at the time.

Further, Coach Scott has served as the moral backbone in the most reason season of Yellowjackets shocked and dismayed that the girls turned to cannibalism, and boy did they ever this season. In the finale, he lights the cabin on fire as retribution for the girls’ heinous acts. He’d apparently rather them freeze to death than continue their warped version of Lord of the Flies.

It’s likely the girls will come after Coach Scott in season 3 for what he did. He’s already injured, and it’s questionable how he’s going to survive the rest of the winter hobbling around on crutches. Still, there’s also the possibility he somehow survived that brutal winter and was rescued, along with the remaining girls. Maybe we just haven’t seen him in the present yet. Maybe his older self wants absolutely nothing to do with the cannibals, thus he hasn’t reached out to them.

Will Shauna still get away with murder in Yellowjackets season 3?

One plot point that occupies both seasons is adult Shauna’s (Melanie Lynskey) murder of Adam (Peter Gadiot). In season 1, she has an affair with him but then suspects he’s blackmailing the Yellowjackets. She murders him in that first finale and then spends a fair amount of time in season 2 evading the police.

Storytelling ends with Shauna, daughter Callie (Sarah Desjardins), and hubby Jeff (Warren Kole), seemingly getting away with the crime. Yet, it seems unlikely they’re going to skirt truth and justice for the entirety of season 3. Even worse, Shauna has now involved her entire family in the coverup. It can’t be too long until the long arm of the law snags them.

What kind of leader will teen Natalie be?

All hail the new wilderness teen queen Natalie (Sophie Thatcher), but what kind of leader will she be? How will she ensure the remaining girls survive? Season 2 had several moving scenes, including the moment a young Lotti (Courtney Eaton), a mystic of sorts who communes with the wilderness, cedes the leadership role to Nat. One by one, the remaining girls hug, kiss, and embrace Nat in her new position.

Yet, adult Natalie (Lewis) is a very damaged person, to the point she nearly commits suicide and ultimately dies when adult Misty (Christina Ricci) accidentally stabs her. It’s unclear yet what decisions Nat made as leader, but it’s likely those choices had serious repercussions that tormented her later. We’ll see exactly what kind of leader she was when the show resumes. Did anyone else die on her watch? It seems likely.

How will Javi’s death affect teen Travis?

Poor, sweet Javi (Luciano Leroux). Initially, the girls planned to hunt and kill Nat, but instead, they consume Javi after he falls through the ice and dies. It’s a tear-jerking scene, especially as the girls stand by and let him drown, including Nat, because they believe the wilderness “chose” Javi instead of her.

What’s unclear is how his death will affect his older brother Travis (Kevin Alves). Throughout the first season, Travis comes across as a dude who doesn’t want to show his emotions. It’s likely, however, the repercussions of his brother’s death, and the fact he also ate him, will play out in season 3. This seems likely because the adult Travis (Andres Soto) killed himself in season 2, plagued by memories of the wilderness and everything they did out there to survive.

Will Misty and Walter finally make it official in Yellowjackets season 3?

Despite all the cannibalism and frenzied, hormonal teenagers, Yellowjackets isn’t without its humor, especially in season 2. This is thanks in part to Ricci’s performance as adult Misty and Elijah Wood’s role as Walter Tattersall. The 90s icons have great on-screen chemistry together, after their characters meet on a citizen detective website.

Season 3 needs more of these two as a counterweight to the show’s many horrors. While so many relationships throughout Yellowjackets have been doomed, here’s hoping Misty and Walter can go the distance, even if it’s in jail for helping to cover up Adam’s death. Oh, and there’s the bit where Walter kills one of the police officers and apparently gets away with it, for now anyways. Ah, what we do for those we love!

What other 90s needle drops will Yellowjackets use in future episodes?

Yellowjackets contains so many great needle drops of classic 90s tracks. The season 2 premiere ends with a creative and poignant use of Tori Amos’ Cornflake Girl. The finale makes stellar use of Radiohead’s Street Spirit (Fade Out) during adult Natalie’s last breaths.

Showtime isn’t afraid to spend whatever it costs on Yellowjackets to incorporate these 90s bangers. What other alternative rock songs will they use in season 3? How will the 90s soundtrack continue to underscore the series’ most potent moments moving forward?

There’s no word yet on when Yellowjackets season 3 will debut. With the Writers Guild of America officially on strike, it’ll likely be a while. Still, season 2 offered a momentous finale that resolved some loose ends, while raising the stakes and sparking more questions.