Coach Ben’s Shocking Fate in Yellowjackets Season Three’s ‘Thanksgiving (Canada)’

Vancouver, Canada – The hit Showtime series Yellowjackets reached a tragic turning point in its third season with the shocking death of Coach Ben Scott, portrayed by Steven Krueger, during the latest episode titled “Thanksgiving (Canada).” The episode aired on March 14 and left fans reeling as Ben, an adult survivor of the plane crash, faced the dire consequences of his decisions in the wilderness.

This season, Ben’s character has been embroiled in turmoil, struggling with despair after leading the teens through their survival challenges. The latest episode saw him accused of burning down their cabin and being subjected to a trial by the teenage survivors. Natalie Scatorccio, keenly aware of his suffering, ultimately made the agonizing decision to end his life with a knife, which she did out of mercy rather than malice.

“I think that Coach Ben recognized he wasn’t going to survive much longer in the wilderness,” Krueger said in an interview. “That’s why his purpose shifted from survival to leaving something behind for the girls.” His demise was a pivotal moment in the narrative, igniting changes among the teens as they prepared to feast on his remains.

Following the mercy killing, the Yellowjackets conducted a ritual celebration, featuring Coach Ben’s decapitated head as a centerpiece. When outside characters stumbled upon this grim scene, the moment highlighted the show’s eerie exploration of humanity’s darker side in extreme situations. “Every time they’ve eaten someone before, it was situational,” Krueger explained. “But here, they intentionally killed him, marking a terrifying progression into violence that viewers have been anticipating since the pilot episode.”

Reflecting on the experience, Krueger noted that he was aware of the character’s fate from early on in the season’s development. “Our showrunners were generous enough to be transparent from the beginning about Coach Ben’s arc; they felt it was important for the cast to know the character’s ending,” he stated.

As the season progresses, Krueger emphasized the importance of the character’s death in shaping the storyline. “This event triggers a series of reactions that are crucial for the overarching plot. Without Coach Ben’s death, none of this happens,” he remarked, hinting at future developments in the series.

The emotional toll of his character arc resonated with both Krueger and the audience, as Ben’s gradual deterioration throughout the season serves as a poignant commentary on humanity, survival, and the psychological effects of isolation.