“When I read it, it did not feel earned, quite honestly and I didn’t really understand it”
BY YASMIN VINCE, IMAGE BY SHOWTIME
There have been a lot of deaths in Yellowjackets. It’s hardly surprising, given it’s a show that kicks off with a plane crash and ultimately involves cannibalism. But in and amongst all the death, terror and trauma, the show has been unapologetically and joyfully sapphic. That is, until the most recent episode, when fans and the cast alike were shocked by the death of one of its lesbian characters.
As we’re about to dive into what happened, this is your spoiler warning! Turn back now, or forever hold your peace.
In the ninth episode of season three, the adult version of Van Palmer (Lauren Ambrose) was murdered. Van had always been a survivor – she grew up with an abusive mother, almost got blown up by a plane and was mauled by wolves. So when the adult version was encouraged to move into a hospice following her cancer diagnosis, fans were sure she would still survive. In fact, her story seemed to focus more on if she would rebuild her relationship with ex-girlfriend Taissa Turner (Tawny Cypress).
But her story came to an abrupt end when she came face-to-face with fellow plane crash survivor and sapphic Melissa (Hilary Swank). Having run away from the other survivors, Melissa murdered Van to continue her escape. Speaking to Vanity Fair, Lauren Ambrose said she thought Van would be in the show longer and that “was how it seemed from being lured onto the show and getting the job”.
“Reading it was really shocking,” she added. “All of a sudden, Hilary Swank is murdering me.”
Tawny Cypress, who plays the adult version of Taissa, seemed equally upset by adult Van’s death. “When I read it, it did not feel earned, quite honestly and I didn’t really understand it.” She added that she now understands why they did it – it is the most “gruesome” way to kick start Melissa’s storyline – but as a fan, she wanted something different. And as the person who plays Taissa, she was sad that her character was not there to say goodbye. Putting it plainly, the actor said: “It sucks so bad.”
This does not mark an end to the sapphic stories of the show. Of course, Van will still be around in the teen timeline of the show. Fans will be able to continue watching how the romance between teenage versions of her and Taissa, as played by Liv Hewson and Jasmin Savoy Brown, continues to bloom. Equally, teen Melissa (Jenna Burgess) and teen Shauna (Sophie Nelisse) have developed a relationship, confirming both are sapphic. As such, the return of Melissa in adult form does open the door for both her character and adult Shauna (Melanie Lynskey) to have another sapphic storyline.
Still, fans have flocked to social media to express their sadness and shock at the death. On X, one said: “Teen Van crying over her own death, what if I actually k*** myself”.
Another said: “Van Palmer dead, nothing to smile about anymore”.
A third said: “Waking to Van being dead???? Yellowjackets I thought you were different that’s not fair”
teen van crying over her own death what if i actually k***** myself pic.twitter.com/8vVw6ka5Ec
— Hollyミ☆ YELLOWJACKETS SPOILERS (@Lexatargaryen) April 4, 2025
van palmer dead nothing to smile about anymore #yellowjackets pic.twitter.com/Foa9DzsruQ
— ash | yj spoilers (@fcbashh) April 4, 2025
Waking to Van being dead ???? Yellowjackets I thought you were different that’s not fair😭🤧
— L✨ (@atwellsfarmiga) April 4, 2025
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