Vee, the ruthless drug kingpin of Litchfield Penitentiary, does not die in Season 2 of Orange is the New Black. While Season 2 features a brutal climax with Vee’s storyline reaching a violent conclusion, she survives the season, albeit in a severely injured state.
The Misconception: Vee’s Supposed Death in Season 2
The confusion surrounding Vee’s fate is understandable. Season 2 builds to a crescendo of violence, culminating in a dramatic confrontation that appears to be fatal. However, a closer examination of the events reveals a more complex narrative.
The Prison Riot and Vee’s Escape Attempt
The second season of Orange is the New Black showcases Vee’s growing power and influence within Litchfield. She manipulates inmates, establishes a drug operation, and creates a volatile atmosphere fueled by racial tensions. As her schemes unravel and she faces mounting opposition, Vee attempts to escape during a prison riot. This escape attempt is the catalyst for the climactic events that lead viewers to believe she has died.
The Confrontation with Rosa Cisneros
During her escape, Vee is confronted by Rosa Cisneros, played by Barbara Rosenblat, another inmate dying of cancer who has also seized an opportunity to escape. Rosa, filled with resentment for the life she was denied and enraged by Vee’s actions, deliberately drives a prison van directly into Vee, seemingly killing her. This scene is highly impactful and deliberately ambiguous.
The Ambiguity and the Reveal
The final moments of Season 2 leave Vee’s fate unresolved. The crash is violent, and the visual cues suggest her demise. However, the show never definitively confirms her death on screen at the end of Season 2. It is only later, through news reports visible in Season 3, that viewers are explicitly informed that Vee indeed died as a result of the injuries sustained in the collision. This ambiguity has contributed to the ongoing confusion about when exactly she died.
Clarifying Vee’s Fate: The FAQs
To further clarify the facts surrounding Vee’s fate in Orange is the New Black, let’s address some frequently asked questions:
FAQ 1: Did Vee die immediately after the crash?
It’s highly likely. While the show doesn’t depict it directly, the speed of the van and the force of the impact suggest that Vee suffered fatal injuries at the moment of impact. The subsequent news report confirms her death.
FAQ 2: Why did Rosa Cisneros kill Vee?
Rosa acted out of a combination of factors. She was dying of cancer and had nothing left to lose. She resented Vee’s cruelty and manipulation of others. Perhaps most significantly, she saw Vee as a representation of all the opportunities that cancer had stolen from her, fueling a vengeful rage.
FAQ 3: How was Vee able to escape in the first place?
Vee exploited the chaos of the prison riot to make her escape. The guards were overwhelmed, and security was lax. This created an opportunity for Vee to slip through the cracks and attempt to flee.
FAQ 4: Did the other inmates know of Vee’s escape plan?
Only a select few knew details of Vee’s escape plan. She generally acted alone, relying on her manipulation skills and ruthlessness to achieve her goals.
FAQ 5: Why wasn’t Vee’s death shown explicitly on screen?
The show’s writers likely opted for ambiguity to create suspense and intrigue. Leaving Vee’s fate uncertain added to the dramatic impact of the season finale. The off-screen confirmation through news reports is a common storytelling device used to avoid graphic depictions and maintain a specific narrative tone.
FAQ 6: What impact did Vee’s death have on the other inmates?
Vee’s death had a profound impact on the dynamics within Litchfield. It disrupted the power structure she had established and led to a period of instability and uncertainty as other inmates vied for control. Red’s return to power was partly made possible by Vee’s demise.
FAQ 7: Was Vee’s character based on a real person?
While Vee’s character is fictional, she embodies traits and behaviors common among individuals involved in criminal activity and manipulation within correctional facilities. Her story reflects real-world issues of power dynamics, drug trafficking, and violence in prisons.
FAQ 8: What season does Vee first appear in?
Vee first appears in Season 2 of Orange is the New Black.
FAQ 9: Did Vee have any redeemable qualities?
Arguably, Vee had no truly redeemable qualities. Her character was primarily depicted as a ruthless manipulator and abuser, prioritizing her own self-interest above all else. Any moments that might appear sympathetic were generally revealed to be further manipulative tactics.
FAQ 10: What were Vee’s motivations for her actions in Litchfield?
Vee’s primary motivation was to regain power and control. She saw Litchfield as an opportunity to re-establish her drug operation and exploit vulnerable inmates for her own gain. Her actions were driven by a desire for dominance and a lack of empathy for others.
FAQ 11: How does Vee’s storyline impact the overall narrative of Orange is the New Black?
Vee’s storyline serves as a powerful commentary on the complexities of the prison system, highlighting issues of race, power, and manipulation. Her actions expose the vulnerabilities of the inmates and the challenges faced by correctional staff in maintaining order and security. Her story is a microcosm of wider societal issues.
FAQ 12: Are there any flashbacks that provide insight into Vee’s past?
Season 2 provides flashbacks into Vee’s past, revealing her troubled childhood, her involvement in criminal activity, and her manipulative relationships with others, particularly Taystee. These flashbacks help to contextualize her behavior in Litchfield and shed light on the experiences that shaped her character.