Alex Vause, portrayed by Laura Prepon, is undeniably a central figure in the acclaimed series Orange Is the New Black. Her tumultuous journey as an inmate has kept viewers hooked throughout the show’s run. As the seventh and final season approached, fans were on edge, particularly regarding the fate of their favorite characters. A burning question emerged: Does Alex Vause Die In Season 7?
For those anxious about Alex’s survival, the answer is a resounding no. Alex Vause does not die in season 7 of Orange Is the New Black. Instead, her storyline in the final season revolves around navigating the complexities of her prison sentence, her marriage to Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling), and the ever-present drama within Litchfield Penitentiary.
Season 7 picks up with Alex deeply entrenched in prison life, as Piper struggles to adjust to freedom on the outside. Alex immediately faces conflict with Badison, a recurring antagonist from the previous season, who is determined to make Alex’s life miserable. This rivalry leads to Alex reluctantly becoming involved in an illegal drug operation within the prison, orchestrated by CO Greg Hellman.
Image: Laura Prepon expertly portrays Alex Vause in Orange Is the New Black season 7, navigating complex relationships and prison dynamics.
Salvation for Alex comes unexpectedly in the form of officer Artesian McCullough. McCullough intervenes, preventing Alex from dealing heroin for Hellman, but not without her own agenda. McCullough enlists Alex in a new contraband scheme involving portable phone chargers. This partnership evolves into a romantic entanglement, further complicating Alex’s already strained marriage with Piper, who was released at the end of the previous season.
The distance and the temptations of prison life put immense pressure on Piper and Alex’s relationship. They attempt to navigate an open marriage, which leads Alex into a physical relationship with McCullough. However, guilt and the underlying issues in her marriage with Piper lead Alex to end things with McCullough and cease their charger business.
Image: Piper Chapman and Alex Vause grapple with the strains of prison marriage and external pressures in Orange Is the New Black season 7.
McCullough, scorned by Alex’s rejection, retaliates by confessing her romantic feelings for Alex to the warden. To avoid scandal, the decision is made to transfer Alex to Max, a higher security prison in Ohio. This transfer appears to be a devastating blow to Alex and Piper’s already fragile marriage. In a poignant moment, Alex seems to accept the end of their relationship, stating, “We’re prison married. You’re not in prison anymore,” suggesting an annulment of their prison vows.
Alex bids farewell to her Litchfield family, sharing a heartfelt goodbye with Nicky Nichols, hinting at a future reunion. However, the final episodes offer a glimmer of hope. In a concluding scene showcasing Piper’s life post-prison, we see her visiting Alex in the Ohio correctional facility. This visitation suggests that despite the challenges and distance, Piper and Alex’s relationship might still have a future. The series finale leaves the possibility open for a renewed, perhaps even non-prison, commitment for the couple, implying that their story is not entirely over.
In conclusion, while season 7 of Orange Is the New Black throws numerous obstacles in Alex Vause’s path, death is not one of them. She survives the final season, albeit facing significant relationship hurdles and a prison transfer. The ending provides a hopeful, albeit ambiguous, outlook on her future with Piper, assuring fans that Alex Vause’s story concludes with her still very much alive and potentially looking towards a brighter future.
