Killing Eve Review – Series 3, Episode 1, BBC

By
Jennifer Rose
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Image Source: The Dots

Killing Eve

Format: BBC iPlayer Show
Genre: Black Comedy/Drama/Spy Thriller
Writer: Based On The Novels By Luke Jennings
Cast: Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer, Fiona Shaw, Kim Bodnia, Owen McDonnell, Sean Delaney, Steve Pemberton & Harriet Walker
Directors: Shannon Murphy, Miranda Bowen & Terry McDonough
Producers: BBC & BBC America
Duration: Eight Episodes (Approx. 45 Minutes Long)
Age Rating: 18+ (Violent Scenes & Mild Language)

Who knew the adventures of a female assassin and a female MI5 worker would be the thing that might just get us through lockdown? In case you missed it, Killing Eve returned to BBC iPlayer yesterday for its third series, and it’s as exciting and exhilarating as before.

Synopsis

The show, based on the series of novels by Luke Jennings and written by Suzanne Heathcote (the previous series were directed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Emerald Fennell), focuses on two women who are equally obsessed with each other, and they go head-to-head in an epic game of cat and mouse.

The third series picks up ever so slightly where the second left off, with Villanelle now moving on in Barcelona and Eve (who, spoiler alert, isn’t dead) attempting to rebuild her life after the events in Rome.

Analysis

Jodie Comer’s Villanelle is as ruthless as ever, demonstrated a few moments in when she starts – and finishes – a fight with an old foe. She’s also as stylish and as funny as ever (I mean, only she could bring up how happy she is about her ex being dead at her own wedding!). Sandra Oh’s Eve is shaken (understandable given what she’s been through), and her performance is so deadpan you’re almost fooled she might actually be dead after all.

We are also reunited with several other characters, including Fiona Shaw’s Carolyn, Kim Bodnia’s Konstantin, Owen McDonnell’s Niko and Sean Delaney’s Kenny. Though the series does primarily focus on the two women, it’s interesting to see how their actions have affected these characters as well. Two new characters – Paul (Steve Pemberton) and Dasha (Harriet Walter) – are introduced and, whilst they added a hint of excitement to the episode, I think we’ll have to wait and see what they offer to the series as a whole.

Summary

I think the first episode set up the series well, as it’s still as sassy and as fierce as ever, but I felt the usual humour was lacking, so I hope it picks back up as the series progresses. The only thing I wasn’t happy with, and several Twitter users seemed to agree with me, was the decision to kill off one character (no spoilers, just that they were a favourite of mine).

Regardless, I’d definitely encourage people to watch Killing Eve (and, if you haven’t already, binge-watch the first and second series on BBC iPlayer), and I’m looking forward to seeing where series three goes from here.

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