The last episodes of Killing Eve aired in April of 2022, about a year ago. I loved every minute of the series and dreaded the coming of the end. Mostly, I was dreading what would happen to Eve (Sandra Oh) and Villanelle (Jodie Comer) because I thought the season 4 writers were going to do something horrible. And they did.
I thought I’d take a second look at Killing Eve now that my temper had cooled down about the ending. I spent a few days binge watching all four seasons. I find I still have more to say about the series.
At the end of season 1, I was quite unhappy that Phoebe Waller Bridge turned over the writing job to another writer. Season 1 was so outstanding, and Phoebe Waller Bridge is so brilliant, I wanted it to stay that way, guaranteed. In rewatching season 1, I realized that Phoebe Waller Bridge laid it all out in season 1. All the foreshadowing, all the personal stakes of the characters, all the hints about what was to come in terms of both story and character.
The writers of the next three seasons followed her blueprint quite well. They followed her lead (except for the ending).
Sandra Oh was a known commodity to me then. But Jodie Comer was not. It was my first exposure to her and she was dazzling. Talent just dripped off her. Even now that I’ve watched Jodie Comer in a number of other things, I continue to be amazed by her acting ability.
I loved the character Villanelle. I know she was a cold-blooded killer, but she was so charming and likeable. I didn’t want to see her killed off – I was rooting for her all the way.
On rewatching, now that the Jodie Comer amazement has broadened a bit, I realized I had completely ignored how good Sandra Oh was in this. When I turned my attention to Sandra Oh I was delighted and impressed with her talent and skill in this role. I was distracted by the shiny new girl, but watching it again I was able to give Sandra Oh the credit she deserved. She was both intense and nuanced. She showed Eve’s journey of self-discovery expertly.
Fiona Shaw as Carolyn and Kim Bodnia as Konstantin had tough parts. They had to play it really close to the chest in every season. They never knew what big revelation about their role in the political intrigues and assassinations would be. They were both superb. It was easy to see and appreciate what they did in retrospect when I wasn’t so impatient to learn what the next plot twist was going to be.
I have a page turner mentality. I’m in a hurry to see what happens next. Going back when it’s all over and taking another look is always revealing. I do that with books, and with movies and television. I’m glad I did it with Killing Eve. I gained a whole new appreciation for this outstanding series.
Killing Eve remains one of my all time favorite television shows. But I’m still not happy with the ending.
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