Yellowjackets season 3 started strong with episodes 1 and 2, setting the stage for a fresh take on the survival drama by shedding some of the narrative clutter from the previous season. Unfortunately, episode 3, titled “Them’s The Brakes,” feels like a step back. Despite introducing some intriguing elements and hints at deeper mysteries, the episode struggles to maintain the momentum built up so far.
While there are flashes of brilliance—like the potential introduction of Hilary Swank as adult Melissa—this episode’s pacing issues and scattered focus highlight larger problems that could undermine the season’s overall payoff.
The Adult Yellowjackets Lack Purpose & Connection
One of the biggest problems with Yellowjackets season 3 so far is the disconnection between the adult characters. In season 1, the slow but steady reunion of the survivors created a sense of anticipation and dread that built toward explosive confrontations. Now, with no looming murder mystery or shared threat, their separation feels aimless.
- Tai and Van quickly resolve their tension by confiding in each other too soon, killing the suspense that had been building around their shared connection to the wilderness.
- Lottie’s attempts to bring Callie into her cult-like worldview seem forced, lacking the psychological manipulation that made her character compelling in previous seasons.
- Shauna unravels Lottie and Callie’s conversations too easily, missing the chance to dive deeper into her fractured relationships.
This lack of simmering tension weakens the emotional stakes. Without a unifying force pulling them together, the inevitable reunion of the survivors risks feeling hollow and unearned.
Hilary Swank’s Possible Role as Adult Melissa Sparks Curiosity
The biggest tease in the episode is the potential introduction of Hilary Swank as adult Melissa—a fan theory that’s been gaining traction since episode 2’s final moments. The dynamic between Shauna and Melissa in the past has all the makings of a compelling rivalry-turned-betrayal storyline.
If Swank’s character turns out to be the mysterious figure who sabotages Shauna, it could ignite the dormant rage Shauna has been suppressing since their time in the wilderness. This could be the catalyst for:
- Young Shauna’s evolution into an antihero, fueled by rage and guilt.
- A complex confrontation between the adult women, with decades of unresolved trauma finally boiling over.
This relationship has the potential to be a game-changer, but the show will need to take its time to develop it meaningfully across both timelines.
Misty Could Become Season 3’s Perfect Villain
Another bright spot in this uneven episode is Misty’s slow-burn descent into isolation and frustration. Despite being a key player in the group’s survival, her socially abrasive nature has left her alienated from the others.
Here’s why Misty could be the villain season 3 desperately needs:
- Smart but unhinged: Misty’s intelligence and manipulative tendencies have always made her dangerous.
- Revenge potential: If the other survivors continue to dismiss or belittle her, she could easily shift from outcast to antagonist.
- Personal stakes: Misty’s desire for recognition and fear of being irrelevant could drive her to sabotage the fragile connections within the group.
A Misty-centered conflict would raise the emotional stakes and provide a satisfying payoff to her long-standing feelings of rejection.
The Younger Yellowjackets Deserve More Focus
While the adult characters dominate the screen time, the younger Yellowjackets have been relegated to the background—an unfortunate misstep given their potential to anchor some of the series’ most gripping storylines.
In “Them’s The Brakes,” the younger group faces a new ethical dilemma, but the urgency of their survival struggles is overshadowed by the adult timeline’s lack of narrative tension. The show needs to:
- Reconnect the past and present: Earlier seasons thrived on the way actions in the wilderness echoed into the present. That connection is growing weaker.
- Develop meaningful arcs for the teens: Characters like young Shauna and Melissa have the potential for deeply emotional, character-driven stories that deserve the spotlight.
- Reignite the survival stakes: The show’s strength lies in its exploration of trauma and morality under life-or-death circumstances—this needs to be front and center again.
The Mysteries Are Getting Murky
One of the episode’s biggest weaknesses is how it handles the overarching mysteries. Elements like:
- The One-Eyed Man’s purpose
- Taissa’s increasingly cryptic visions
- The wilderness’s supposed supernatural influence
…are teased without providing new information or tying them to the main narrative in a meaningful way. While ambiguity can be powerful, the show risks alienating viewers if these storylines remain vague without proper buildup or payoff.
Our Take: A Promising Season at Risk of Losing Focus
Yellowjackets season 3 started with promise, but episode 3 reveals some cracks in the storytelling structure. The lack of a clear, unifying thread for the adult survivors—and the sidelining of the younger group’s arcs—makes this episode feel like filler rather than progression.
What Needs to Happen Next:
- Stronger ties between past and present – The survival narrative needs to directly influence the modern-day struggles again.
- A clear antagonist – Whether it’s Misty, Melissa, or someone new, the show needs a central villain to create tension.
- More focus on younger characters – Their storylines are too compelling to be treated as secondary.
While Yellowjackets hasn’t lost its edge entirely, the show’s intricate balance of mystery, character drama, and survival horror needs to be recalibrated if it’s going to maintain its momentum for the rest of the season.
