Tai’s relationship with her family is more strained than ever in Yellowjackets season 3, and episode 6 reveals the real reason Sammy doesn’t want to see her. Despite Simone saying that Sammy “has been asking for” her, Tai’s visit with their son in Yellowjackets season 3, episode 5 doesn’t go according to plan. When she meets up with Simone and Sammy at a playground, the latter asks an odd question before walking away: “Are you not my mommy anymore?” While Sammy’s words initially seem like hurt that Tai is no longer around, there’s likely a deeper meaning to them.

Yellowjackets season 3, episode 6 confirms what many viewers expected after Sammy’s strange reaction to his mother: that there’s more going on with Tai than meets the eye. Tai’s behavior in Yellowjackets’ adult timeline has gotten increasingly bizarre — and not just because she’s trying to make sacrifices to the Wilderness to save Van. She’s been eating meat, despite being a vegetarian in season 1, and her reaction to Lottie’s death is incredibly callous. Van picks up on some of the oddities, but it’s now apparent that Sammy knows what’s going on.

Sammy Wouldn’t See Tai Because He Knew She Was Being Controlled By “Other” Tai

Yellowjackets Season 1 Confirmed He Can Tell The Difference

When Sammy asks Tai if she’s not his mommy anymore, it’s not because she hasn’t seen or spoken to him; it’s because Other Tai has seemingly taken over in Yellowjackets’ adult timeline. We know from Yellowjackets season 1 that Sammy can tell the difference between Tai and her sleep-walking persona. He would see her come out at nighttime, and he seemed to be afraid of her. When Sammy sees Tai on the playground, he realizes that she’s no longer the one in control. And Yellowjackets season 3, episode 6 basically confirms it.

It appears that Other Tai is running the show, while regular Tai is trying to escape.

Van gets a phone call from Tai in “Thanksgiving (Canada),” and while it’s hard to make out what she’s saying, it seems to be a cry for help. Of course, Tai walks into the room shortly after, so it appears that Other Tai is running the show, while regular Tai is trying to escape the recesses of her mind. This is further fueled by Tai waking up in the middle of the night and asking Van to help her. She quickly resets and goes back to sleep — likely because Other Tai regained control — but Van is starting to realize something’s up. And Sammy has clearly already noticed.

Can Sammy Help Get The Real Tai Back In Yellowjackets?

He Could Be The Key To Reaching Her

With Sammy knowing that Other Tai is present in Yellowjackets’ season 3’s adult story, it’s possible he could be the key to getting the real version of his mother back. He and Simone have been absent from recent episodes, but there has to be a reason for returning to Tai’s family. And season 1 hints that Sammy could have some connection to the supernatural, as he draws things he shouldn’t know about and can tell the difference between the two versions of Tai.

Yellowjackets season 3 has revealed that Ben didn’t burn down the cabin, but there’s plenty of evidence to suggest another character is to blame.

If the Yellowjackets theory that Sammy has supernatural abilities comes true, it’s possible he could use them to reach the real Tai, wherever she is. There’s also the potential for Tai to retake control if Other Tai puts Sammy in danger. It’s not clear what the limits for her other persona are, but if anyone can help Tai, it’s probably her son. The alternative is Van, but she seems at a loss regarding Tai’s personality shifts in Yellowjackets season 3.