Yellowjackets Theory: The Wilderness Is Purgatory & Dead Characters Will Reunite!

Warning: There are spoilers ahead for Yellowjackets season 3.

A theory in the TV series “Yellowjackets” proposes that the wilderness serves as a type of purgatory, where deceased characters might find reunification. The first season of “Yellowjackets” reveals the deaths of several plane crash survivors, including adult Travis Martinez (Andrés Soto) and Jackie Taylor (Ella Purnell). In the wilderness timeline, Laura Lee (Jane Widdop) attempts to fly a plane for rescue, but it explodes shortly after takeoff. The season 1 finale of “Yellowjackets” is marked by one of its most striking deaths, as Jackie Taylor succumbs to freezing temperatures.

In the third season of ‘Yellowjackets’, deaths among the survivors are particularly gruesome, with Coach Ben Scott (Steven Krueger) and Mari Ibarra (Alexa Barajas) perishing in the wilderness, while Lottie Matthews (Simone Kessell) and Van Palmer (Lauren Ambrose) meet their end in the present. Yet, the purgatory theory suggests that all these Yellowjackets characters may eventually reunite.

The Wilderness Is A Form Of Purgatory In Yellowjackets – Theory Explained

The Yellowjackets’ Real-Life Experiences Shape Their Time In The Afterlife

A theory circulating on Reddit suggests that every Yellowjacket character finds themselves in a wilderness-like purgatory after death, as a continuation of their 19-month ordeal. The experiences and visions of Jackie, Natalie, Van, and Lottie seem to imply a posthumous existence, with young Van (Liv Hewson) telling her older self that “Surviving this was never the reward,” possibly hinting at the afterlife. This afterlife could be set in purgatory initially, before transitioning to a more favorable destination.

The occurrence of Jackie’s vision of death in both the wilderness and the cabin suggests that for the survivors, purgatory might manifest itself as this very environment. The events happening to the characters during their 19-month ordeal in the wilderness are authentic and unfold while they are still alive. This harrowing experience continues to impact them even within their conception of purgatory, which they perceive as a reflection of the wilderness itself. It appears that Jackie, Natalie, Van, Lottie, and the other deceased Yellowjackets are awaiting their remaining teammates’ deaths in this limbo-like state before they can reunite with them.

Yellowjackets’ Purgatory Theory Means Dead Characters Can Reunite In The Wilderness

Jackie, Laura Lee, Mari & Other Dead Characters Can Return

If this hypothesis proves accurate, Yellowjackets season 4 and potential subsequent seasons might depict deceased characters meeting up in a wilderness purgatory setting. Notably, Jackie has already made appearances during seasons 2 and 3, but only as visions experienced by teenage Shauna Shipman (Sophie Nélisse) and her adult counterpart (Melanie Lynskey). This purgatory theory implies that the genuine Jackie could make a comeback since her demise, along with other characters who perished in the wilderness, such as Laura Lee, Javi, Coach Ben, and Mari.

Characters Confirmed To Survive The Wilderness Teenage Actor Adult Actor
Shauna Sophie Nélisse Melanie Lynskey
Natalie Sophie Thatcher Juliette Lewis
Taissa Jasmin Savoy Brown Tawny Cypress
Misty Samantha Hanratty Christina Ricci
Lottie Courtney Eaton Simone Kessell
Van Liv Hewson Lauren Ambrose
Travis Kevin Alves Andrés Soto
Melissa Jenna Burgess Hilary Swank

In addition to the deceased adults – Travis, Natalie, Lottie, and Van – being able to manifest there, this situation offers a chance for both the teenage and adult versions of the departed characters to converse, which has been limited thus far, primarily occurring during a few characters’ visions. Although some encounters might be emotional, others could become complicated due to the past events these individuals have experienced, especially when the living adults reach purgatory. The connections between Shauna and Jackie, Natalie and Javi, as well as Melissa and Van will make these meetings particularly captivating, given their roles in each other’s demise.

How The Plane Scenes Fit Into Yellowjackets’ Purgatory Theory

They Are An Important Transition

In this scenario, the theory suggests that Natalie and Van perish while flying, symbolizing their souls being transported to a sort of wilderness purgatory. This concept mirrors Greek mythology where souls are rowed across the River Styx to the underworld by a boat. So instead, we can say that the Yellowjackets are being escorted to their wilderness purgatory via a plane crash, which is fitting given they were originally stranded in the wilderness due to a plane mishap.

In contrast to Charon’s role in Greek mythology as the ferryman, it seems that the teenage versions of the survivors are responsible for guiding the transition in the story of Yellowjackets. When Jackie passes away, her vision doesn’t unfold on an aircraft. Instead, the adults might encounter the plane, while the teenagers are transported directly to a wilderness purgatory. If Shauna, Misty, Taissa Turner (Tawny Cypress), or Melissa (Hilary Swank) perish during season 4 of Yellowjackets, they could also undergo the plane visions, and upon landing, they would reunite with all their deceased teammates.

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2025-04-25 13:39