Unraveling Van's Heartbreaking Demise in Yellowjackets Season 3
Before diving into the third season of Yellowjackets, the official trailer sent shivers down the spines of the audience with the notorious “Bodies” by Drowning Pool playing, implying forthcoming chaos. The phrase “let the bodies hit the floor” ominously hinted at the bloodshed ahead, foretelling the end for several beloved characters, including Adult Lottie (Simone Kessell) and Coach Ben (Steven Krueger). However, the most heartbreaking moment transpired in the penultimate episode, “How the Story Ends,” when Adult Van (Lauren Ambrose) meets her tragic end at the hands of Melissa (guest star Hilary Swank).
The gripping episode sees Van, along with Taissa (Tawny Cypress) and Shauna (Melanie Lynskey), confronting Melissa in the peace of her suburban North Carolina home. This confrontation arises from a video tape sent to Shauna’s residence in New Jersey. The scenario escalates as a scuffle leads to Shauna biting a section of her ex-girlfriend’s arm. In retaliation, Melissa locks the chimney vent, cutting off the oxygen supply and causing Shauna and Taissa to fall unconscious. Despite Van’s intrinsic kindness, which Ambrose describes as having “inherent goodness,” she hesitates over whether to rescue Melissa, who is now estranged.
In “How the Story Ends,” Van faces a poignant tussle between reason and faith as her battle with cancer reaches a climax. Throughout the season, she has played along with Tai’s conviction that a human sacrifice will keep “It”—the wilderness—on their side, much like they used to believe as teens. However, Van’s hesitation in her final moments suggests her wavering faith in this belief. When she drops the knife, Melissa turns their past beliefs against her, questioning, “Isn’t this what ‘It’ wants?” before driving the blade into Van. Tai and Shauna arrive to find Van lying in a pool of her own blood.
In a conversation with ELLE.com via Zoom, Ambrose reflects on Van’s shocking demise, discussing why Van hesitated in killing Melissa, the experience of sharing the screen with her character’s younger version, and speculating on Taissa’s future.
Van’s passing was poignant—even if somewhat expected. How did you prepare for her death scene, and what was your response upon learning of her fate? The decision to end Van’s storyline this way was made early in the season by the writers. They hadn’t nailed down specifics but warned of a heavy body count. Knowing this, I became fiercely protective of Van’s ending. I’ve never portrayed a character’s death on screen before, and I realized that people would be deeply affected, which meant we had to deliver her story with care.
How was it working with Hilary Swank, especially in such an intense scene where Melissa kills Van? Filming that scene was intense. The day was surreal, packed with intricate elements like oxygen tanks, carbon monoxide, and physical brutality. Swank is a seasoned talent whose work inspired me to become an actor, so having her as my scene partner elevated the experience. As the one representing Van, I wanted to ensure authenticity and raw emotion were captured. Being part of a character’s final moments is intimate and profound, and I believe that intensity showed in our performances.
The episode’s bookends feature Van’s younger self advising her to heed Taissa’s advice, indicating that survival was never the prize. How did you interpret these complex themes, and what was it like having both versions of Van on set? It seems love is portrayed as the real reward—saving your true love. Tai and Van’s bond transcends time and circumstance, having fully explored their identities in the wilderness as teens. There are hints of Tai’s dual personality, with Van helping her find balance. Liv Hewson, who portrays Teen Van, and I collaborated extensively on our character, lamenting not working together sooner. Sharing a role is uniquely intimate, and we eventually managed to be on set together, creating a synergy for this beautiful, enduring character.
Although Van adhered to Tai’s sacrificial beliefs for survival, she ultimately cannot bring herself to sacrifice Melissa. What does this reveal about Van’s character? Van’s defining trait is her innate goodness. In the present timeline, she grapples with their past actions—how they turned on each other for survival. Her goodness, vividly emanated by Liv as Teen Van, couldn’t be compromised. Melissa’s decision to kill Van was perplexing, but perhaps something in their shared past drove her actions.
Some fans speculated Van had ulterior motives. Now that her fate is revealed, what message do you have for them? I didn’t see her as deceitful. I trusted the narrative, which depicts limited time with each character as being truthful. Hers was a story of a woman battling cancer, wrestling with the belief in a force that might have saved her. It’s a relatable journey of dealing with illness, ultimately concluded by her inherent goodness.
Tawny Cypress suggested Van should’ve distanced herself from Tai. Do you think Tai is to blame for Van’s fate? Perhaps. [Laughs.] Van might have been better off staying in her comforting video store, surrounded by her devoted college staff, rather than returning to these deadly dynamics. Her reality would have likely been more positive with treatment.
With Van gone, a part of Tai’s stability disappears. How do you see her character developing? I’m unsure. The writers sidestepped Tai’s earlier political narrative and her family life to focus on her and Van. Maybe now they can shift back to explore her original story arc.
Do you expect Tai’s other persona to surface more prominently post-Van? Tawny affectionately calls her alter “Felicia”; she could certainly go off course without Van’s grounding presence.
Finally, could you eulogize Van and reflect on what this role meant for you? I admire Van’s humility. Despite her scars, she bore them proudly. Her inherent goodness and absence of vanity were laudable traits. Playing her allowed me to build a complex adult version given her history and current struggles. This role reminded me of my days as Juliet—Tai and Van were akin to star-crossed lovers, at home only in the wilderness. Van’s journey had its limits, and I was honored to impart life to such a character. Having a structured narrative end for her is a rare gift on TV and brought me a sense of closure.