Yellowjackets’s ‘Pit Girl’ Always Thought It Would Be Her

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Spoilers follow for “Full Circle,” the season-three finale of Yellowjackets.

From the very first episode of Yellowjackets, viewers have been intrigued by the mystery surrounding “Pit Girl,” a nickname for a character who first appeared in the show’s opening scene. This woman, with her dark hair and bare feet, is seen running through snowy woods wearing a white nightgown, a heart-shaped pendant, and trying to escape her ruthless teammates in the Canadian wilderness. However, she ends up falling into a concealed pit filled with sharp stakes, and later, the team consumes her flesh. This character remains an enigma and is at the center of one of the show’s most significant mysteries.

Previously in the third season, the series introduced me, Hannah (Ashley Sutton), who seemed like a strong contender for the role of Pit Girl. However, it turned out that she was just a decoy, paving the way for the real revelation in this week’s finale: It was Mari Ibarra (Alexa Barajas) all along. She is the latest sacrifice, selected by the team after they drew the unfortunate Queen of Hearts card before the hunt. Many viewers have suspected Mari from the start – there aren’t many characters with dark hair – but watching her run towards her inevitable fate feels like a particularly heart-wrenching circle in a season that allowed us to see a previously immature and unkind character in a new, compassionate light. “For a long time, many fans were hoping for Mari to simply disappear,” Barajas says. “Becoming Pit Girl.” “Seeing such a vulnerable side of Mari this season makes you want her to survive, hopefully.

When did you find out you would be portraying Pit Girl? That’s when I got cast, and I recall seeing the pilot since it was filmed prior to my involvement in the series. Upon viewing it, I thought to myself, “Wow, that looks like me!” I had a feeling it might be me all along. Once it was officially confirmed, I had a discussion with the writers and producers of the show.

Was that conversation before this season?
It was during this season.

It’s fascinating to discover that you had your doubts for the majority of your time on the show. We spectators were speculating and guessing who it might be. Some theories were just too elaborate for me to delve into, but they were so imaginative, and they’ve been accurate quite a few times.

In the first episode of the new season, Mari tumbles into Ben’s pit, which could have been a hint or just a subtle nod to the popular theory about her character. At that moment, I didn’t realize it. For a while, we had been discussing the possibility that Mari is ‘Pit Girl’, but I thought having one scene might be too hasty, so I wanted the scene to last longer to give a satisfying confirmation of her being in the pit. That was my thinking.

Regarding shooting the hunt sequence, there were specific moments we needed to recreate from the flash-forward. I remember thinking, “There’s the card selection, then the chase, and finally Mari falling into the pit.” I collaborated with the hair and wardrobe teams. I suggested that we make it a gradual reveal, even though the audience had been waiting for so long. Slowly, we hinted at Mari being ‘Pit Girl’ by keeping her windbreaker zipped up during the card selection scene, and my hair tied up as well. As the climax approached, you could see the windbreaker was open, and the hair was coming down to reveal the dress underneath, fully transforming Mari into ‘Pit Girl’.

It was incredibly enjoyable filming each scene where she ran, attempting to mimic her arm movements, the apparent fear, and finally her last run before falling down. Despite being on a real location, the snow was not real; it was just a set-up.

1. Regarding Mari’s storyline this season, I thought it was fascinating to delve deeper into her character and observe various aspects of her personality unfold. It was like peeling back the layers of an onion, taking longer than anticipated for her true self to emerge. Her transformation was captivating, as she had to face near-death experiences to finally reveal who she truly is.

2. After Mari returns to the group, she tries to blend in and avoid drawing attention to herself because she feels guilty about leading them to Ben and causing him all the trouble that followed. Her guilt is what prevents her from standing out, as she feels responsible for his suffering.

3. In the scene where Mari privately reprimands Nat after killing Ben during the feast, I interpreted it as a subtle form of gratitude towards Natalie for putting an end to Ben’s misery. However, Mari is still terrified of the group and doesn’t want to openly express her approval for what Natalie did. Instead, she finds a way to express her thanks while remaining cautious about potential repercussions from the group.

4. Initially, Mari could be seen as one of the most unlikable characters due to her mean and off-putting behavior. This season, though, we get a glimpse into a more tender side of her, while Shauna takes on a more villainous role. In past seasons, viewers might have cheered for Shauna to bring Mari down a notch. However, this time around, Mari’s vulnerability makes it possible to empathize with her and root for her character. Previously, fans may have wished for Mari to be eliminated, but this season provides an opportunity to connect with her on a deeper level, even if she continues to push back against Shauna due to fear and a desire for acceptance.

From my perspective, it seems she’s the one who isn’t afraid to challenge her. To start with, she was the bold one, stating, “I don’t mind what transpired. We’re all facing challenges. She doesn’t get a free pass now.” Admittedly, it might have been slightly insensitive, but she wasn’t shy about expressing her thoughts as long as there were others around to ensure her safety.

It seems appropriate that Shauna’s involvement during the card-drawing ultimately leads to Mari’s demise, even though Shauna isn’t aware of Tai and Van’s intended target. In essence, Shauna’s actions at the start of the season have a significant impact, culminating in my death.

Let’s discuss Mari’s connection with Lottie. Initially in season two, when the harsh winter and loss of hope were prevalent, she found solace in clinging to Lottie and any remaining hope. However, as we move into season three and things begin to improve, her sense of hopefulness grows and she doesn’t need to hold onto Lottie as tightly because she feels more optimistic. Yet, Lottie exerts immense pressure, which initially made Mari rely on her for rescue. But once Lottie withdrew that support, we see a shift in Mari’s stance, deciding not to align with her anymore.

Prior to her fall into the pit, Mari’s final encounter was with Lottie. In a quintessentially Mari fashion, she exclaimed, “Oh my God, go away!” and hastily departed. If one were to choose Mari’s most characteristic parting words, this would be it. A fitting conclusion for the unique character that is Mari.

Have you imagined what might have transpired with the character Mari if she had managed to escape the wilderness in that alternate timeline? Given your mischievous nature, it’s likely that some trouble-making would still be part of her future. Personally, while I would have enjoyed having a counterpart like Mari on the show perpetually, I secretly appreciate not having to share her, as I got to keep her entirely to myself.

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2025-04-11 23:54