The article contains spoilers for the Yellowjackets season 3 finale, “Full Circle.”
Yellowjacketsco-creator talks about Pit Girl’s identity and other candidates. Initially teased in the pilot, Pit Girl refers to the unidentified girl who was seen running for her life through the woods in the harsh winter season barefoot, died, and then was eaten after she fell into the pit.Her identity was revealed to be Mari(Alexa Barajas) in theYellowjacketsseason 3 finale, “Full Circle,” who had fallen into the pit earlier in the season but was saved by Coach Ben.
In an interview withThe Hollywood Reporter, co-creator Ashley Lyle talked about how they decided on Mari being the Pit Girl instead of any other girl. She revealed that, like the Yellowjackets, they had grown attached to Mari and wanted to explore other options, but eventually realizedthe fact that they “didn’t want it to be Mari” is why it was “exactly the right decision.“Read her comment below:
We knew, and yet still, over the course of three seasons, you kick around other ideas occasionally. Strangely, it was in season three when we were doing the work that we always knew we needed to do to build her character up to that point, we almost fell pity to ourselves because we’re like, “But we love Alexa, and we love Mari now.” You start to go, “Is there any way we could not have it be Mari?” But the fact that we didn’t want it to be Mari is what let us know that was exactly the right decision, and that we had at least for ourselves, done the job well. There was no looking back at a certain point. Alexa did an incredible job this season. I think she has a really big career ahead of her. It’s hard to say goodbye. It really is. Especially when you not only start to love the character, but you love the actor as much as we do.
What The Creator’s Comment Means For Mari In Yellowjackets
Mari Was Always Going To Be The Pit Girl
Mari took a more central role in season 3 when the show revealed what happened after she was saved by Coach Ben. Lyle’s comment indicates thatMari’s season 3 arc was building up for her to be the Pit Girlthrough foreshadowing and how she betrayed Coach Ben’s trust, which led to his death. In the same interview, the show’s co-creator also highlighted how “deeply affecting” Mari’s tragic fate was on both the viewers and the Yellowjackets, especially the scene when she was seen being dragged through the snow.
The Wilderness' Plans For Callie Explained: What Lottie’s Scene Means In Yellowjackets' Season 3 Finale
In their final scene together, Lottie makes some intriguing comments about the wilderness and the unique connection that Callie has to it.
In the same interview, writer-director Jonathan Lisco explained thatMari’s fate did have a connection with the controversial choice she madewhen she led the girls to Coach Ben’s hiding place. While Lisco stressed that it wasn’t so much “divine retribution,” the choice “complicates” Mari and her death was, in a way, “inevitable” fromthe perspective of the wildernessbeing the one who saw it all and took dramatic measures with giving and taking.
Mari Is The Last Straw That Splits The Yellowjackets
Image via Paramount+
Mari’s death markeda pivotal moment in the past timeline. TheYellowjacketsseason 3 endingrevealed that while Shauna was crowned the Antler Queen, Natalie made contact with the outside world to get them home, splitting the girls into two groups. Those who want to stay in the wilderness are embracing their bloodthirst, and those who are sick of killing their friends decide to find a way home.
The present timeline revealed thatmuch of the past continues to haunt the presentwhen Shauna’s ex-girlfriend, Melissa, killed adult Van, which caused Taissa to conspire with Misty, turning the remaining Yellowjackets against each other. The hunting game continues, and it’s unknown who will be the last standing. Lyle teased that they were on track withYellowjackets' five-season plan, but Paramount+ has yet to renew the survival series.
