The premiere of Yellowjackets is stronger than ever as the narrative concocts even more bizarre scenarios for their characters. They experience visions and potentially reach their breaking points, illustrating how vulnerable their futures are.

Yellowjackets season 3's first two episodes contain many revelations as things become darker in both the past and present. One of these revelations solves a long-time mystery between Taissa Turner and Van Palmer. Tai and Van begin dating shortly after the plane crash in Yellowjackets, but the present quickly establishes that they are not together—Tai is married to someone else and has a child. Thankfully, Yellowjackets season 3 finally confirms why Tai and Van break up and even provides a vague timeline for when it happened.

Yellowjackets Confirms Tai Broke Up With Van Because She Thought Their Romance Would Jeopardize Her Career

Van Criticizes Tai For Breaking Up With Her

About halfway through Yellowjackets season 3, episode 1, "It Girl," Taissa checks in on Van and her health because she is not doing well due to her terminal cancer. Taissa asks Van why they cannot be together, while insisting that Van should just stay in the same room as her. However, Van quickly rebuffs Tai, expressing a simmering resentment for how Taissa ended their relationship. Van shouts at Taissa, saying she broke up with her for "the veneer of respectability" and a "high-powered law degree."

Van's statement finally confirms why Taissa and Van are no longer together as adults—Taissa broke up with Van because she chose her career over her girlfriend. Taissa thought that their relationship would potentially jeopardize her career because she was gay. However, Van points out Taissa's hypocrisy—Taissa broke up with Van because she was afraid being gay would hurt her career, only for Taissa to marry a woman and have a kid with her anyway. Van's resentment against Taissa years later makes sense, given why Taissa broke up with her.

Van Being Angry With Tai About Their Breakup Is Completely Justified In Yellowjackets

Van Should Not Have To Accept A Relationship Where She Is Second Place

Now that Yellowjackets season 3 has explained why Taissa and Van break up, Van's long-time resentment is entirely justified. Van would still feel hurt—Taissa was the love of her life, and Taissa chose her career over Van. Furthermore, now that Taissa's political career has taken off, Van is subjected to seeing Taissa and her picture-perfect happy family, reminding her that Taissa did not find Van worth it. However, Van has unresolved feelings for Taissa, given their heated kiss toward the end of the episode. Only time will tell how their complicated dynamic will unfold in Yellowjackets season 3.