Yellowjackets Season 3, Episode 7, titled “Croak,” delivers a mix of shocking moments and much-needed answers. The episode picks up after a jaw-dropping cliffhanger, showing the team making desperate decisions about their unexpected visitors.
At the same time, the adult timeline becomes more intense, revealing secrets and new leads. Van’s condition worsens, and a possible breakthrough in Lottie’s murder case comes to light. This episode proves that the second half of the season is moving forward at full speed, making up for the slow beginning.
Also Read: ‘Yellowjackets’ Season 3 Episode 5 Recap: A Farewell, A Reckoning, and A Descent into Darkness
Joel McHale Makes His Long-Awaited Entrance
Fans have been waiting to see Joel McHale in Yellowjackets, and this episode finally introduces his character, Kodi. The previous episode ended with the team’s feast in honor of Coach Scott getting interrupted by a group of hikers.
Episode 7 starts by revealing that these people are not just hikers but researchers. Kodi, played by McHale, is their wilderness guide, and he accompanies Edwin (Nelson Franklin) and Hannah (Ashley Sutton) as they study frog mating habits in the area.
The episode flashes back to show what Edwin and Hannah were doing before they met the Yellowjackets. While waiting out a rainstorm, they smoke one of Kodi’s homemade joints, and Hannah jokes about calling Miss Cleo on their SAT phone to predict when the rain will stop.
This leads to a playful struggle over the phone, causing Hannah to accidentally break it. Edwin panics, calling the phone their lifeline, but Kodi confidently reminds them that he is their real lifeline.
The next day, Edwin starts to suspect that Kodi broke the phone on purpose. He also notices that Hannah seems drawn to Kodi, making him uneasy. Later that night, Edwin finds Kodi’s jacket with someone else’s name on it, but Hannah dismisses it, saying he probably got it from a thrift store.
As they sit by their campsite, Edwin catches the scent of something that smells like barbecue. He decides to investigate, believing it means people are nearby. Kodi warns him that approaching strangers this deep in the wilderness is a bad idea. Ignoring the warning, Edwin follows the scent, with Hannah and Kodi trailing behind. When they finally reach the source, they come face-to-face with the Yellowjackets.
The Yellowjackets Show No Mercy
The scene shifts to the same moment from the last episode’s cliffhanger, but now with more details. The Yellowjackets stare in shock at the newcomers, and Van whispers, “We’re going home.” Edwin reacts as if he recognizes them, but before he can finish his thought, Lottie suddenly stabs him. He falls to the ground with an ax in his head.
Panic erupts immediately. Shauna laughs, while Nat looks horrified. Lottie claims, “They don’t belong. It doesn’t want them here.” Kodi urges Hannah to run, causing the team to give chase. Nat shouts for them to capture the newcomers instead of killing them, believing they might be their way home.
In the chaos, Kodi fires an arrow that hits Melissa in the shoulder. She screams, begging Shauna not to leave her behind. Shauna orders Mari to take care of Melissa, warning her, “If she dies, you die.” Gen rushes to help but turns on Lottie, blaming her for this disaster. Meanwhile, Lottie kneels over Edwin’s body, smearing his blood on her face and whispering, “You’ll see. I promise you’ll see.”
Hannah and Kodi split up while running away. Hannah wants to return to their camp, while Kodi believes they should go deeper into the woods. As Hannah flees, her hair gets caught on a branch, leaving behind a piece of evidence. She hides in a hollow log while Tai and Van pass by. Once they are gone, she records a message for her daughter, Alex, just in case she doesn’t survive.
Tai and Van later discover the researchers’ campsite. They find supplies labeled “KUH,” the same acronym from the stash Coach Scott once found. They also find the broken SAT phone. Van desperately tries to call her mother, but it does not work. Tai tries to stay optimistic, but Van insists that getting home is more important than gathering supplies.
Shauna finds the strand of Hannah’s hair and realizes she must be close. She and Nat approach Hannah’s hiding spot. Hannah steps out with her hands up, pleading for her life. Nat tries to calm the situation, but Shauna holds her at knifepoint, blaming her for Melissa’s injury.
Hannah insists she was not responsible and offers to share first aid supplies to help. The team brings Hannah back to camp, where Lottie is still covered in Edwin’s blood. The others stare at Hannah, uncertain about what to do next.
A Dangerous Game of Survival
Meanwhile, Travis and Akilah work together to track Kodi. Akilah wonders why Lottie killed Edwin, trying to justify it as an instinct. Travis does not have an answer. Misty comes up with a plan to corner Kodi near a cliff, and they split up to execute it.
Misty finds Kodi first and chases him through the forest. He shoots at her with his crossbow but misses. In the chase, she loses her glasses. Kodi runs straight toward Travis and Akilah, who warn him about the cliff. Despite their warning, he stumbles and nearly falls over the edge, barely holding onto a tree root.
Travis aims his gun at Kodi, but Kodi tells him not to waste a bullet. Instead of finishing him off, Travis surprises everyone by offering him a deal. He asks Kodi to take them back to civilization. He then pulls Kodi back up, saving his life. The episode leaves their fate uncertain, as none of them are seen again for the rest of the episode.
The Investigation Takes a Turn
In the present timeline, Tai sleeps in a hotel room while Van watches her closely. Tai has been waking up screaming at night, and Van becomes even more suspicious. The tension rises when Misty suddenly bursts into their room, confronting Tai about her secret meeting with Lottie.
Tai admits she met with Lottie, but she denies having anything to do with her murder. Misty doubts her, pointing out Tai’s history of blackouts. She then questions Van, asking if she believes Tai could have done it. Van hesitates but eventually says no, though she does not seem entirely sure.
Shauna, meanwhile, listens to more of the mysterious tape she received. She hears Hannah say, “I wanted you to be proud of me. Not just a mom who had a teenage pregnancy.” The message clearly affects Shauna. She searches for information about Hannah and finds her obituary, but before she can read further, Jeff interrupts her.
Later, Shauna tells Tai, Van, and Misty about her findings. She believes Hannah’s daughter sent the tape. They decide to track her down, leading to an unexpected road trip.
A Tense Confrontation and A Shocking Discovery
As they drive to Richmond, Virginia, Misty questions why Hannah’s daughter was never mentioned in her obituary. Shauna explains that she found records proving Hannah had a child, which helped her track down an address. Van points out that someone must have smuggled the tape out of the wilderness. When Tai mentions Gen and Melissa, Van coldly reminds her that both are dead.
During a stop, Van confronts Tai about her meeting with Lottie. Their argument gets interrupted when Misty receives a call from Walter. He tells her that DNA evidence under Lottie’s nails matches a hair sample from Shauna, making her the prime suspect. Misty keeps this information secret for now but texts Tai and Van to inform them.
Shauna notices their odd behavior and demands answers. Before they can respond, Van suddenly starts coughing up blood. Shauna rushes her to the hospital, where only Tai is allowed to stay with her. Van’s condition worsens, and she has a vision of her younger self, reminding her that they never truly escaped death.
Meanwhile, Misty confronts Shauna about the DNA evidence, but Shauna refuses to admit guilt. Instead, she leaves the hospital and drives to Virginia. She arrives at a house and watches as a woman closes the blinds. Reaching into her bag, she pulls out a brand-new hunting knife, hinting that she is ready to do whatever it takes to get answers.
Conclusion
Yellowjackets Season 3, Episode 7 delivers intense action, shocking betrayals, and gripping new mysteries. The episode introduces Joel McHale’s character, Kodi, whose arrival adds tension to both past and present timelines.
The brutal confrontation with the researchers shows how far the Yellowjackets have fallen, while Travis’ unexpected choice to spare Kodi’s life hints at possible consequences.
Meanwhile, the present-day storyline raises more questions, especially with the revelation of Shauna’s connection to Hannah’s daughter and the DNA evidence linking her to Lottie’s murder.
As Van’s health deteriorates and Shauna sets out on a dangerous path, the stakes have never been higher. With only a few episodes left in the season, every character faces major turning points.
The suspense builds as past secrets collide with the present investigation, setting the stage for an explosive climax. Episode 7 proves that Yellowjackets continues to master psychological tension, leaving fans eager for what comes next.
Also Read: ‘Yellowjackets’ Season 3 Episode 6 Recap: Episode 6 Brings Shocking Twists and Big Revelations
