[This article contains significant spoilers for the penultimate episode of Yellowjackets Season 3, titled “How the Story Ends.” ]
In a poignant moment for fans, the Yellowjackets face the loss of another cherished member of their group.
Lauren Ambrose, discussing her character’s tragic fate in “How the Story Ends,”mentions the “last-in-first-out”dynamic with the passing of Lottie and Adult Van’s departure. This installment signifies the end of Adult Van’s journey, a development that carries substantial emotional weight for viewers who admired her innate kindness and her ultimate act of love—sacrificing herself for Taissa, portrayed by Tawny Cypress in the present and Jasmin Savoy Brown in flashbacks.
The episode kicks off with a touching vision where a younger Van visits her older self, who is dying from cancer in the hospital. Teen Van channels the adventurous spirit of The Goonies to inspire Adult Van not to give up, a scene that emerged from the deep discussions between the two actors.
Liv Hewson, reflecting on this emotional hospital scene, reveals, “We thought it would be meaningful for Van, and selfishly, we just wanted to work together.” The duo pitched their idea to the showrunners, leading to another poignant scene where the two versions of Van interact at the episode’s conclusion. “Saying goodbye to Van in the present felt like personal grief,” expresses Hewson.
As the narrative unfolds, Adult Van musters the courage to reconnect with her fellow Yellowjackets amidst a life-threatening confrontation with Adult Melissa, played by guest star Hilary Swank. In a harrowing encounter, Melissa and Adult Shauna (Melanie Lynskey) face off, leading to a series of intense revelations. Van discovers her friends unconscious after a carbon monoxide incident, successfully rescuing them, but she ultimately hesitates when confronted with the urge to kill Melissa. This moment defines her character’s goodness, as she refrains from acting out of vengeance, resulting in her tragic death at Melissa’s hands.
The episode’s portrayal of Van’s demise changes the narrative landscape, merging past and present as older and younger Van metaphorically examine the significance of life and death. Hewson captures this thematic ambiguity: “There’s a real intentional ambiguity in the final exchange we have. It refrains from dictating what happens next, but assures that neither of them will face it alone.”
In a profound conversation, Hewson and Ambrose delve into their collective process of portraying Van, framing their roles as guardians of a character who has profoundly impacted the show’s audience. “We did our utmost to ensure her farewell felt truly earned,”Ambrose remarks, highlighting the emotional complexity of Van’s narrative arc.
The actors reflect on their personal connections to the character, with Ambrose stating how the portrayal of Van allowed them to explore deeper themes of trauma, love, and survival amidst adversity. “Though we have little control over the broader narrative, we poured our hearts into telling Van’s story faithfully,”she emphasizes.
“This is such a special character that Liv created. I got to come on and continue good old Van into her adult years and her eventual end.”
– Lauren Ambrose
As the conversation shifts, the duo addresses the emotional impact of their final scenes together, with Ambrose expressing how working alongside Liv and shared character portrayal brought a unique bonding experience. “It was special to be able to explore that dynamic as we faced the duality of Van’s existence,”she explains.
Reflecting on the challenges they faced in portraying such an emotionally charged narrative, Ambrose and Hewson agree that there are many layers in Van’s character that resonate with the audience. “She embodies a light that dark experiences have tried to dim,”says Ambrose.
As they reminisce about the shooting of their climactic scenes, the sense of closure for their characters becomes evident. Ambrose notes the bittersweet feeling after filming their final moments, signifying a profound connection that will endure even after the story unfolds.
The conversation also touches on future possibilities, especially the notion of returning to the Yellowjackets universe. While Ambrose remains noncommital about her character’s potential return, both actors reaffirm their commitment to the heart of Van’s story and the emotional depth it carries.
“I have no specific expectations,”Ambrose admits. “But my work with Liv has solidified a legacy for this character that I cherish deeply.”
Yellowjackets Season 3 wraps up its finale on April 11, and viewers can tune in on Paramount+ or catch it on Showtime later this month.