**The Pit Makes a Comeback in *Yellowjackets* Season 3 Premiere**

The pit is back in action! *Yellowjackets* has officially made its return for Season 3, and right from the very first episode, we once again confront the notorious pit—the scene of the chilling fate of the mysterious Pit Girl.

### What Does the Pit Represent in *Yellowjackets*?

The opening sequence of *Yellowjackets* Season 1 introduces us to a frightened girl racing through the snowy wilderness, hunted by unseen pursuers. She tumbles into a deep pit spiked with stakes and gets impaled. Crucially, she dons a heart-shaped necklace that was originally Jackie’s (Ella Purnell). Jackie had given this necklace to Shauna (Sophie Nélisse), who later designates it as a ritualistic item in Season 2—worn by the individual who picks the Queen of Hearts card, signifying them as a target for sacrifice and consumption. Although the identity of the Pit Girl remains shrouded in mystery, it’s evident she was selected by this lethal lottery.

### In What Context Does the Pit Appear in Season 3?

The premiere of Season 3 kicks off with Mari (Alexa Barajas) desperately sprinting through the forest—until the scene unveils itself as a playful round of “Capture the Flag.” This cleverly echoes the Season 1 opening while hinting at the grim events ahead. Numerous fan theories have speculated that Mari might be the Pit Girl, particularly since her destiny in the wild is still uncertain.

Approximately 25 minutes into the episode, we reunite with Coach Ben (Steven Krueger), who has been surviving on his own after fleeing from the group in horror at their slide into cannibalism. While exploring, he stumbles upon a pit masked with wooden planks. Within, he discovers a cargo container stocked with survival gear—likely abandoned by the hunter who previously owned the now-ruined cabin.

After clearing out the pit, Ben re-covers it with dirt and foliage, setting bait in hopes of catching a deer. However, later in the episode, following a heated dispute with Shauna, Mari heads off in frustration and unwittingly tumbles into the hidden pit, injuring her leg.

### What Are Coach Ben’s Plans?

Coach Ben has endured a traumatic journey—losing his leg, facing hallucinations from starvation, and nearly ending his own life. In Season 2, he escaped the cabin, appalled by the group’s cannibalistic practices. Now, he has been surviving alone for several months, through the winter, spring, and summer.

The Yellowjackets, however, suspect Ben of having set the fire that led to the destruction of their cabin in the Season 2 finale. While they continue their search for him, they largely believe he is dead. Meanwhile, Ben has been keeping himself alive by setting small traps for animals in the woods.

When he unexpectedly finds Mari in the pit instead of a deer, his reaction is one of disbelief. But what will his next move be? Will he hand her over to the group? Will he exploit her as a bargaining chip? Or will he, like the others, resort to desperate actions?

One thing is for sure: based on what we’ve witnessed in Season 1, the Yellowjackets will ultimately discover the pit—and they’ll transform it into something even more lethal.

***Yellowjackets* Season 3 is available for streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime beginning Feb. 14, with new episodes launching weekly.**