Christina Ricci And Elijah Wood On Yellowjackets Are Your New Favorite Detective Duo
This article contains spoilers for "Yellowjackets" season 2 episode 3.
If Misty is as intelligent and clever as Sherlock Holmes, she needs her own Moriarity. This is how the new character Walter presents himself in "Digestif," the third episode of "Yellowjackets" season 2 — although we still have much to learn about him. Elijah Wood made a stealthy appearance as Walter in the first episode, narrating a post as PuttingTheSickInForensics on the online citizen detective community that Misty frequents. PuttingTheSickInForensics shatters Misty's confidence that the murder cover-up of Adam Martin went smoothly when he asks citizen detective users to consider Adam's "mystery lady friend."
During Misty's pursuit of Natalie, Walter promises to help her with the motel's old security camera if she stops downvoting his comments about Adam's disappearance. "Yellowjackets" makes it clear in the second episode that Walter has just as great investigative skills as Misty. He tracks Misty down at the nursing home and passes on a secret note that can only be read by blacklight. Misty has truly met her match. The first two episodes of season 2 tease their impending relationship, but the latest episode expands on what may be one of the most fun parts of the second season.
The mysterious Walter reveals more of himself during "Digestif," and his character is an absolute delight. He clearly respects Misty's detective skills, telling her that he is honored to meet the fabled citizen detective user AfricanGrey — a fellow agent. It's inevitable that Misty and Walter will team up to dig further into Natalie's disappearance. Walter helps Misty discover an important clue about Natalie's whereabouts through someone who lived at the motel where she disappeared, who turns out to be Randy. What follows is one of the wackiest interrogation scenes that take place on Walter's boat.
Good cop, bad cop
Walter is just as weird as Misty — distrusting of authority, theatrical, and excited by the thrill of sneaky detective work. The scene where Misty has to feed Walter questions in an earpiece is one of the most humorous moments of the season thus far. It showcases Christina Ricci and Elijah Wood's impeccable comic timing as they talk over one another in seething whispers and frantically prepare for Randy's arrival.
The juxtaposition of their interrogation methods is hilarious: Misty hisses at Walter to slap Randy and "go for the kill," but he is more steady and gentle-voiced, and would rather use kindness and patience to draw information out of Randy. The difference between their investigative styles will inevitably add tension to any future mystery-solving journeys they go on.
Another reason their relationship is so compelling is that it confronts Misty's feelings as an outsider. Misty longs for acceptance from others, but when she finally meets someone who genuinely likes her, she feels awkward and uncertain. Christina Ricci makes her insecurity around Walter feel authentic in her stilted gestures and expressions. The only thing that Misty is confident about is her sleuthing and survival skills, and it's fascinating to see that self-assurance being challenged by someone else.
Misty's fussy demeanor opposes Walter's relaxed, seemingly warm qualities, and this difference makes their partnership engaging. Elijah Wood has such an amiable presence that works well against the hard shell that Christina Ricci builds around Misty. It will be fascinating to see if Walter can break it. By giving Misty someone new to bounce off of during her investigation, "Yellowjackets" creates a storyline with greater suspense and excitement — especially if Walter discovers the truth about Adam. Their buddy-detective dynamic deepens Misty's search for acceptance and accentuates her weirdness.
Chemistry decades in the making
Will Walter be a friend, foe, or love interest? The answers are still unclear. But a possible romance was not something Christina Ricci predicted for her character. "I don't think she cares about her sexuality. I don't think she genuinely cares about men," she told AwardsDaily in 2022.
Misty is an intense person devoted to her (one-sided) friendships, pet bird Caligula, and citizen detective research. She never seems concerned about a lack of intimacy because she has better things to do. The addition of Walter is a narrative curveball, which Ricci addresses Rolling Stone:
"I did all this press talking about how I thought she was not interested in men and would never have had a relationship, and then they're like, 'Bam! Season Two, love interest!' I was thrown off by the idea, and whether the characters do become romantically involved or not is something to be discovered as people watch this. But if I had to have any love interest as this character, I'm so happy it's Elijah, because he's just so wonderful to work with."
Yellowjackets season 2 is actually a reunion for Elijah Wood and Christina Ricci. They starred together in Ang Lee's 1997 film "The Ice Storm" as teenagers exploring their sexuality for the first time. It was intense work that required a mature connection and comfortability with one another. This past experience helped develop the electric chemistry they share today as Walter and Misty.
Elijah Wood and Christina Ricci have both built careers by playing offbeat characters with a dangerous twist. Their familiarity with one another and inherent quirkiness make them a brilliant duo. They are such a perfect pair that any hesitations about giving Misty a potential love interest completely fall away.