Season 3 of "Killing Eve" Takes a Familiar Path, But With New Dangers
Season 3 of "Killing Eve" has high expectations (opens in new tab). The show gained a strong fan base in the highly controversial Season 1 and successfully avoided a sophomore slump (opens in new tab). Unfortunately, however, Season 3 has been a bit all over the place. The premise of a cat-and-mouse, spy-and-assassin game has been skewed from its original form in order to accommodate a constantly fluctuating premise. But on the other hand, Season 3 also offers some of the show's most creative, frightening, and exciting moments to date. Some of the moments fans have been waiting for, others they have been dreading all along. From the very beginning, you will be saying to the screen, "Oh my God. ' and you'll be screaming at the screen.
Not exactly a spoiler alert (it's in the trailer): despite a rather fatal gunshot wound, Eve is still alive. Season 2 ended with the metaphor of the MI6 agent back in the closet, rejecting the electrifying chemistry between her and her assassin nemesis. And we learned what Villanelle does to those who reject her (and those who love her, and even strangers). Season 3 begins with Eve in a rough spot. She is in pain, folding dumplings (open in new tab) in the back of a restaurant, drinking daytime booze alone (open in new tab). She is miserable. She longs to return to a normal life, but then she realizes how empty it is. The anger she feels is palpable, but much of it is directed at herself, at the fact that she has become a complete wreck. She is alive, but not particularly happy.
Meanwhile, Villanelle is strutting her usual stuff (Jodi Comer (open in new tab) is particularly good this season.) The symbolism of "Wealth as Women's Freedom (open in new tab)" is as outstanding as ever: European real estate porn has always been one of the funniest aspects of this show, and it's a great new closet for us to gawk at. Villanelle has recovered from her "breakup" with flying colors. Until she finds out that her ex-lover is still alive. Again, no spoilers: with a stylish killer, creative revenge and a cool death await.
This season had to come back slowly and gently from the cliffhanger of Season 2: not killing off the main characters, not breaking the dynamic, and somehow keeping things interesting. The Season 2 finale seemed to promise that the show would radically change its structure. The two leads almost became the couple we always wanted, but were cruelly torn apart. They seemed destined to reunite while on the run from the series' big bad (The Twelve). The show's return to the familiar dynamic of season one is a bit confusing, not to mention disappointing.
The creators know that we just want to see Eve and Villanelle go around each other, fighting and flirting. In trying to maintain that energy, I feel like the show has gotten bent out of shape. It is also worth noting that each season has a new person at the helm. In Season 3, the show is being written and executive produced by Suzanne Heathcote, the writer of Fear the Walking Dead. Like "The Dead," it runs around, has insane moments, and runs around again. But there are hints toward an epic conclusion, and this old structure may be a vehicle for change. I am not sure, but I am hopeful that there is a comprehensive plan for this program.
The big question that lingers in my mind only gets bigger with each season. No, seriously. Eve and Villanelle have encountered dangerous enemies on multiple occasions and have tried to kill each other. At this point, it feels like plot armor - they survive because it's important to the story. At one point, you might ask, "Why don't you just shoot this guy? "Someone to the effect of: 'It's too complicated. It's as if the scriptwriters argued with each other and made it into a script. Of course, the script only made it to the fifth episode, and the show always has a way of making things fall into place beautifully. But if you want that particular problem solved right away, you'll have to wait.
Another remaining hesitation is the overarching villain. For me, The Twelve didn't feel historically realistic or scary, except for one or two employees (RIP Raymond) and a hint of a huge network. Contrast this with Luke Jennings' original story (open in new tab). To her credit, Villanelle, played by Comer, does an excellent job of playing both anti-hero and villain. She is an assassin for others, but she has brains. She commits murder without hesitation all over the world, except when her quasi-conscience flickers. Here, especially this season, we get more information about why Villanelle is the way she is. And the "solution" can only come from her twisted mind.
Despite its challenges, its complexity makes "Killing Eve" a delicious watch. The show does not treat its viewers like idiots. It doesn't hold the viewer's hand in even the most trivial matters or show its hand before it's ready. This season, several plot points are not explained at all because of the "just keep going and see what happens." attitude. Therefore, unraveling the shifting loyalties and twists in the show seems exhausting at this point. Instead, just sit back and let the experience take over.
After all, watching "Killing Eve" Season 3 is like trying to get a date with Villanelle. It's sexy, confusing, and at times infuriating. And in an instant, it becomes the most twisted, devastating, and compelling piece of work you've ever seen.
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