When we last saw the 1990s era of the Yellowjackets they were fleeing their cabin sanctuary in the snow as it burned down around them. While in the present we saw poor, troubled Natalie (Juliette Lewis) meet an unfortunate end in the woods as forces of darkness converged on the remaining few women. Now, after a long delay thanks to the SAG-AFTRA strikes we get the return with the third season of the ever enigmatic show.

Season three picks up some time after season two, continuing the split timeline narrative. In the 90s we discover that the girls have taken to a small camp in the woods as spring begins, food becomes more plentiful and a working democracy has begun while they hunt for their former coach who they blame for the cabin fire. In the present we find our core women struggling with a feeling that a supernatural force is at work.

What has made Yellowjackets so compelling is the complicated relationships between the central characters. Teen dramas are a dime a dozen but it's not entirely often we see a group of middled aged women grappling with those issues – wants, desires, lust, fear, betrayal – and done in such a mature way. The show remains an impressive showcase for Melanie Lynskey, allowing her to show the ever fraying psych of Shauna, compounded by Sophie Nélisse's growing rage in the flashbacks. While the re-ignition of romance between the adult Taissa (Tawny Cypress) and Van (Lauren Ambrose) proves to be the emotional anchor of the season so far.

For some the enigmatic nature of the growing story might prove frustrating, at times there is more than a little of the Lost about it. Refusing to show it's hand as it continues to cast doubt on theories and ideas, as poor Lottie (Simone Kessell and Courtney Eaton) grapple with their grasp of the world around them. It's here as the darker, potentially supernatural elements come into play, that the show finds it's strongest elements, allowing horror to seep through. A reality blurring freak out, the concept of trees screaming, blood sacrifices all tease a gnarly horror show that occasionally halts to keep those mysteries going.

But, this isn't a problem when the cast is this game. Christina Ricci remains wonderfully nutty as bird loving weirdo Misty, and her younger counterpart Samantha Hanratty plunders new depth. It's true that the real stand out remains Sophie Thatcher as the young Natalie, showing both a cracked strength and a growing unease. However, the biggest surprise is just how well the male characters – though few – pay out. Warren Kole, Steven Krueger and Kevin Alves all get much more interesting stuff to in this season, allowing them to be more than just “oh and those guys” as the narrative looks to how men bend to the whims of women who are much stronger than them.

There is a promise of answers, but even as it withholds it's revelations there is a feeling that it's all in the nature of the story. There are big things coming and the show is enjoying keeping you on the hook as it weaves it's darkly comedic, but ever blackening spell.

Yellowjackets: Season Three is airing on Paramount+ from February 14th