Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Yellowjackets season 3, episode 9, “How the Story Ends.”
In the penultimate episode of Yellowjackets, we witness another adult survivor’s tragic fate as Van returns to the plane during her final moments. The episode titled “How the Story Ends”delves into her complex psyche. This marks a continuation of her mystical visions in season 3, reflecting her encounters with childhood memories, particularly her teenage self while in the hospital. These encounters are rich with symbolism and foreshadowing, hinting at Van’s impending demise. The earlier vision in episode 7 hinted at the Wilderness punishing her for suppressing her primal instincts, yet the plane scene leaves viewers with even more lingering questions.
Van’s return to the aircraft signals a deliberate callback to the culmination of season 2, beckoning viewers to reconsider their understanding of her narrative. The appearance of her teenage self in this climactic scene prompts speculation regarding the underlying implications. This complexity may suggest the series is orchestrating a profound twist, or perhaps cryptically referencing Van’s integrated role in the shared narrative. It certainly serves as a compelling prelude to the upcoming finale of season 3.
Adult Van Encounters Her Teenage Self In The Yellowjackets’ Plane During Her Death
Exploring the Carryover of Teen Trauma in the Yellowjackets
Following the critical moment where Melissa stabs Van, the adult Van’s journey brings her back to the plane—a poignant flashback to her younger self, who confronts her during this transcendental phase. Throughout season 3, glimpses of teen Van intertwine with adult Van’s experiences, establishing a visual and thematic connection between the two timelines and underscoring the show’s exploration of how trauma from adolescence deeply influences adulthood. The consistent manifestation of these memories reveals that Yellowjackets poignantly addresses the long-lasting impact of trauma.
Given the profound ways in which the Wilderness experience haunts the adult survivors, it’s appropriate that they revisit their younger selves at such critical junctures. This further emphasizes how their youthful innocence remains integral to their adult identities. The exchange between the two Vans during these final moments hints at greater nuances yet to be explored in the unfolding storyline.
Decoding Teen Van’s Remark: “This Isn’t The Ending”
Unpacking the Implications of Teen Van’s Line
The dialogue shared between adult Van and her teen self transpires as a reflection on mortality and its existential significance. Adult Van grapples with the meaning of her life’s events, questioning the purpose if death awaits her. Teen Van’s reassuring comment—”It wasn’t my call. This is just how our story goes”—implies a predestined narrative, suggesting an enigmatic force that shapes their fate. This brings into focus the Wilderness’ role in articulating their collective journey, hinting at a greater narrative framework that dictates their destinies.
As the younger Van contemplates their survival and its implications, she emphasizes that “surviving this was never the reward,”which leaves adult Van searching for clarity. The absence of explicit resolution invites speculation about what follows this moment. This idea stretches beyond the confines of a simple conclusion, prompting the audience to consider what it might mean for the narrative to continue without one of its central figures.
The supernatural elements already established in the series might imply a twist reminiscent of beloved narratives like Lost. Teen Van could be alluding to what lies beyond life, echoing her belief in the Wilderness’s power. Alternatively, she could be referencing how her own journey, and the trials faced by the remaining characters, persists without her physical presence.
Echoes of Natalie’s Season 2 Demise in Season 3’s Plane Scene
Natalie’s Journey Mirrors Van’s: A Return to the Plane
The interplay of visions and traumas further emphasizes the interconnected experiences of the characters. The flight scene featuring adult Van subtly echoes Natalie’s similar return to the plane in season 2’s explosive conclusion. Like Van, Natalie’s character experiences sudden death tied to the Wilderness, and she also faces her teenage self during a pivotal moment. Their exchange highlights a shared understanding, as young Nat reassures adult Natalie that their presence on the plane is where they are meant to be, reiterating the ingrained trauma that continues to resonate.
These layered interactions between the younger and older iterations of the characters underscore the overarching theme of the show—how the past weaves into the present and shapes future outcomes. As the narrative progresses, the potential for further revelations looms, especially with anticipation building towards Lottie’s possible death in the upcoming finale. Her return to the plane could provide critical insight into the rich tapestry of meanings associated with these haunting visions.