Shocking Death in 'Yellowjackets': Fans React to Van's Heartbreaking Fate!

Attention! Warning for Major Spoilers: The story you’re about to read has significant plot twists revealed in “Yellowjackets” Season 3, Episode 9, titled “The Story’s Conclusion”, currently streaming on Paramount+ and Showtime.

In Season 2, Lauren Ambrose, a new addition to the “Yellowjackets” cast, refers to her character, Van, as a tenacious individual, implying she has the ability to endure hardships.

In the heart-stopping penultimate episode of Season 3, I found myself facing an unimaginable fate – being stabbed to death by Melissa (Hilary Swank). Throughout my journey as a Yellowjacket, I’ve experienced more than my fair share of brushes with death.

The very first season saw me in a precarious position – trapped aboard a burning plane when all hope seemed lost. Somehow, miraculously, I managed to pull through, much to the collective sigh of relief from my fellow Yellowjackets.

The following season brought new trials, as I was viciously attacked by a wolf. My friends mourned me, even preparing my funeral pyre. But in an unexpected twist, I showed signs of life, leaving them both shocked and relieved.

By the time Season 2 rolled around, it was revealed that my character, Van, had been battling Stage 4 cancer as an adult. The journey has been tough, but I’ve always found a way to fight another day.

Currently, Episode 9 unfolds with Van lying in a hospital bed and Taissa being informed that hospice care may be necessary for Van. In a dreamlike state, Van encounters her younger self discussing “The Goonies” and their adventure. Subsequently, a frail Van, accompanied by Tai and Misty, venture out to locate Shauna, ultimately discovering Melissa, who they believed was deceased, on the roadside. Assembling at Melissa’s house, which remains a gory reminder of Shauna’s cannibalistic act, the adults exchange accusations as they squabble over who among them is truly a psychopath. The question arises: Is it Shauna? Did she kill Lottie? Matters escalate when the room becomes filled with carbon monoxide and Tai succumbs. However, this is not the end of the story. In a tense moment, Van forces Melissa to the floor and brandishes a knife against her. Declaring that she has nothing left to lose due to her cancer diagnosis, Van states, “I have cancer.” Melissa proposes herself as a sacrifice if Van feels compelled by the wilderness to plunge the knife into her heart to overcome her cancer. Fortunately, Van refrains from killing Melissa because she isn’t that kind of person.

However, Melissa acts out by taking a knife and plunging it into Van’s heart, resulting in her death. The scene then shifts to an adult Van on what is known as the “death plane,” where she confronts her teenage self. Teen Van tells her, “This is simply how our story unfolds.”

Or:

Melissa brutally stabs Van with a knife, leading to her death. The scene changes to adult Van on the “death plane” alongside her younger self. Teen Van explains, “This is just what happens in our tale.

At the start of the season, Ambrose knew how her character’s story would conclude, which involved Van’s death. However, she had no control over this outcome. Ambrose shared with showrunners Jonathan Lisco, Bart Nickerson, and Ashley Lyle that if they were to have her character meet such a fate due to mortality, it should be a result of something significant or earned.

Apart from merely collaborating with Hewson, she expressed a desire to jointly appear on-screen. In this regard, their collaboration indeed fulfilled her expectations.

Ambrose held a meeting via Zoom with EbMaster to brainstorm ideas for how they envisioned Van’s character arc. They collaborated with Hewson and Swank, presenting their ideas on-screen.

When did you find out that this would be Van’s fate?

At the start of the series, the plan was set: the storyline would lead to Van’s demise by the season finale. As protectors of the character, Liv Hewson and I had this responsibility. The details were vague—when, how, or why—but we knew it was coming. So, I thought, “If this is the route we’re taking, we need to ensure it’s justified and has meaning.

In my perspective as a movie reviewer, “Van” presents an unyielding survivor who defies the odds time and time again. Raised amidst the tumultuous backdrop of an alcoholic parent and an abusive household, she displays an indomitable spirit that shines through in every harrowing escape from death’s grasp.

From a near-fatal plane explosion to a close encounter with a ravenous wolf, her journey is one fraught with danger. Yet, against all odds, she emerges unscathed each time – a testament to her resilience and will to live. Her tale of survival serves as an inspiring reminder of the human spirit’s ability to endure even the most challenging circumstances.

As a cinephile, I firmly believe that when a character reaches the end of their journey, it should be a poignant and well-deserved moment. This film, in my opinion, attempted to address this delicate subject, albeit not without some debate about the execution.

In the script I’m working on, there are scenes that make me wince – they’re quite graphic and disturbing, especially the actions of the female characters, whether set in the past or present. However, Tawny and I transformed this narrative into a heartwarming love story. Despite the violence and cannibalism, there’s a timeless tale of two souls deeply connected since their high school days. What captivates me about this story is that these characters couldn’t openly express their sexuality in the ’90s. When they reconnected as adults, the world had evolved dramatically from their childhood. It would have been intriguing to delve into how their relationship evolved over time with these LGBTQ+ characters, but we didn’t quite manage that. However, I find it incredibly poignant that they could embrace their true selves in the wilderness and navigate reuniting in this new era.

Speaking about that cosmic connection with Tawny, how do you feel that storyline played out? Tawny said she thought it was terrible relationship.

The narrative seems incomplete or unsettled, as if there are still threads left untied. In the heart-wrenching portrayal of the cancer journey – a character grappling with illness, daily trauma, past scars, life’s uncertainties, an unusual relationship, and an enigmatic future – there lies a profound realism amidst the fantastical backdrop. This raw reality that people face was deeply moving to me. In this heightened context, one would go to great lengths to save a loved one, even if it means placing faith in something questionable. She helps Taissa, drawing her out of her fragmented self and providing support.

Liv Hewson and you are the perfect example of casting. What was it like working with them?

Liv’s performance was truly captivating. What struck me most about it was its openness, brilliance, and lightness. This made it enjoyable for me to contrast her character with the question, “What impact have the years had on Van, bearing the weight of the trauma from the wilderness?” I aimed to portray a more seasoned version of that. It was also wonderful that Liv and I got to collaborate for the first time, which was something we had hoped for. We proposed the idea that perhaps we could share a character, and while it was mostly self-serving, it was also something we were eager to achieve. I suggested, “Wouldn’t it be great if we found a way to appear in scenes together?” Working alongside another actor to share a character is a rare and special experience. Whenever Liv is on screen, my character is present as well, making the whole process feel incredibly intimate.

In a caring manner, we both felt the need to shield and guide Van, wondering how we could influence this circumstance more. Although the actor has minimal control, we appreciate their willingness to perform those scenes with us, and they listened to our suggestions.

Can you talk about filming that “death plane” scene and what that was like?

The final scene on the airplane was truly captivating. This was our last day of filming, and we had already completed all the dangerous scenes with Hilary – the chaotic house and the carbon monoxide incidents among other things. It was just my last day working with Liv. These scenes are challenging because they’re impressionistic in nature. I haven’t seen the final edit yet, so I can’t say for certain how it turned out. But on that particular day, our aim was to create something authentic and meaningful to us. This youthful, radiant light that pervades the entire episode grates on older Van, with her stories and references to “The Goonies.” We aimed to emphasize this contrast, leading up to a significant shift in the final scene. It’s about acceptance and learning from the wisdom of our younger selves, rather than rejecting or ignoring them as older Van does. This role was an intriguing, meta, strange, yet fascinating acting assignment for me.

The team was incredibly kindhearted. Together with Liv, we gracefully bowed, an experience I’ll cherish for having shared the role and those special moments with Liv.

As someone deeply involved in the world of theater, I understand the structure of a well-crafted tale – the rise and fall of characters within a set timeframe. In contrast, television narratives often leave us guessing about the final outcome. However, contributing to the conclusion of Van’s storyline in this particular series was incredibly fulfilling, as it allowed me to play a role in deciding the fate of such an intriguing character.

What was it like working with Hilary?

She’s simply exceptional. As I examined the sequences in that house, they were nothing short of extraordinary, even bizarre at times. One moment I was on the verge of collapse, and the next, I was extracting bodies from a house, dealing with carbon monoxide poisoning, using an oxygen tank. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I was attacked with a knife. The whole situation seemed absurd. I expressed my deep gratitude to her for being there to help us tackle this together and make sense of it all. She was a remarkable partner in acting through that chaotic scenario.

On that particular day, Liv was present, stationed near Video Village. In a casual manner, I invited her, saying, “Let’s go inside together.” This moment was quite significant and carried a strong sense of importance.

It seems we delved into something deeply peculiar yet profoundly real and personal that afternoon. There was an unusual intimacy about it, reminiscent of Shakespeare’s contemplations on death, as in death, one shares the final moments with another if you take a life. The experience we had together was intense, and I am truly thankful that Hillary was willing to explore these depths with me.

Going back to something you said at the beginning, your Van has been a fan favorite ever since you joined in Season 2. People really latched on to her. Queer people always have a fear with gay characters that they’ll be killed, because for decades that’s been a trope. Fans have been nervous about Van dying, because she’s got Stage 4 cancer. Was there ever a conversation about not killing her at all?

The original story told is precisely what the writers intended to convey, which was a source of worry for me given the portrayal of queer characters being eliminated. I believe there could have been intriguing aspects exploring how a gay or queer woman, burdened by past wilderness trauma, navigates illness and daily life. Additionally, the potential development of a real-world relationship with someone from that time period would add depth to the narrative. However, for some reason, these writers chose to tell a different story altogether.

What would you say to your fans who will watch this episode and feel saddened by Van’s storyline and how it ends?

It wasn’t entirely within my power to shape things. The narrative evolved as it did for this performance, and the nature of the job shifted along with it. We often believe we’re in control, but in reality, we may not be. Learning this has been an insightful experience.

Initially, Liv created this character, and I stepped in to develop the later stages of Van’s life. Now, it’s essentially being passed back to Liv to carry on the narrative of what we haven’t shown yet. Essentially, Van continues to exist. Without a doubt, Van continues to exist. We know that Van endures, and Van will continue to live on in every episode of “Yellowjackets.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

2025-04-04 16:19

Shocking Death in ‘Yellowjackets’: Fans React to Van’s Heartbreaking Fate!