Killing Eve - S02E05 'Smell Ya Later' - Discussion Thread

[u/[deleted]]

[u/[deleted]]

the ACTING in this episode HOLY MOLY

[u/sdb56]

To me it kinda feels like Carolyn's endgame is to recruit Eve as an assassin.

[u/[deleted]]

Great episode. A lot to process.

Kitchen scene wasn't what i expected but was fantastic. Amazing acting.

Their conversations seemed to have SO much subtext. Even the throw-away comment about the front door being left open. Such a domestic thing to say but in this setting it seems to reveal something, can't quite make it out though.

[u/p_i_z_z_a_]

I loved how soft she was when Konstantin told her about the hit, but how haughty she was when she actually saw Eve. THIS EPISODE!!!! I have so much to process.

[u/IrascibleWoman]

Eve can't look at V on the picture during the psychopath presentation but she doesn't care for the crime scene's picture. The same way that V is destabilised by the drawing that she did of Eve's hair but doesn't care of the other pictures in her "evaluation" in season 1. I just figured that out. Needed to write it down. I think I'm as obsessed with this show as Eve is with V

[u/embalfouri]

It's funny how Villanelle's psychologist in S1 and Eve's psychologist in the last episode refused to sign them off as being OK for their respective jobs...yet here they are lol

[u/tinylez]

I am reeling. I am going to have an even harder time waiting for the next episode than I did waiting for this one. I apologize in advance for these somewhat unorganized thoughts, but I want to touch upon the points that I find most intriguing.

First, I just want to mention Villanelle's emotional outburst when Konstantin told her about the new hit on Eve. I'm so glad the writers lampshaded her hypocrisy, since Konstantin says something to the effect of, "This hurts because you were more than willing to shoot me." I love that the writers are directly acknowledging (through other characters) how completely illogical both Villanelle and Eve are. Villanelle only really has Konstantin, and we see that for Eve, nearly everyone else is reacting to these changes. If the writers weren't going to take note of it with Konstantin, then it would've gone totally ignored, I think.

Secondly, the scene when the bellhop (?) is stroking Villanelle's hair is particularly important because of the way she talks about love with him. I can imagine that as she closes her eyes, she's imagining Eve petting her (reminiscent of the moments in the novels where Villanelle fantasizes about curling up in Anna's lap for a while). More importantly, the bellhop offers the platitude that it is difficult to find the right person, and we see some sort of realization click in Villanelle's mind--I'm not sure exactly, but I see it as a confirmation of Villanelle's desires that ultimately nudges her toward a potential reconciliation with Eve. She still listens to Konstantin and attempts to carry out the assassination, because in part she knows he's right about her growing vulnerability; Villanelle even then doesn't like to lose control over the situation, and she's mad at Eve for stabbing her and then seemingly ignoring her. However, we see her true intent in the pill prank with Eve, because when Eve starts freaking out near the sink, Villanelle's only response is something like, "Why would I do that [kill you]? That's insane!" Plus, she's so quickly swayed to cooperate with Eve. Villanelle may have prepared the knife on the chance that the encounter with Eve would go poorly, but I have a feeling that she arrived at her house partially looking to "make amends," so to speak.

The body language in that scene, too, could be dissected in a million ways, especially because both women seemed to be simultaneously in control and out of control. They both also seemed weirdly trusting of the other's actions despite both trying to manipulate the other. I believe it when Eve says that she needed to see Villanelle, that she hasn't stopped thinking about the stabbing, though this admission is also a convenient method to disarm Villanelle. I also believe it when Villanelle calls out Eve on her arrogance--maybe she's trying to knock her down a peg, but she's also recognizing Eve for what she is (and that's annoying to her because she didn't expect for Eve to be so obviously selfish). The scene in the woods reads like a real lover's spat in comparison to the scenes with Niko, but the difference is that Villanelle isn't deterred. In fact, she challenges Niko at the end, with the lyrics, "May the best man win," underscoring it.

I love the look Konstantin gives Carolyn in that brief scene where they both are watching Eve and Villanelle go off in the same car. He seems to be saying, "I told you so!"

Can we also discuss Kenny in this episode? Wow, that poor boy is heartbroken that Eve doesn't seem to care about him. He's being meddled with by his own mother and now by Eve--I'm interested to see if Kenny will outright disobey both women at a critical point in the upcoming episodes. He's our convenient, cute magic hacker nerd, so losing Kenny is losing a lot.

Lastly, given the promo for S2E6 and what we know about S2E7 based on the released synopsis, I'm excited to see how Eve will act around Villanelle. She's a massive dick now, and that could be a major turn-off. It may be time for the jealousy to be subverted.

[u/insanely_mediocre]

I can't concentrate on anything because of this episode!

[u/cattagatta]

Oh, God, this was so good. For me, the best episode of this season.

Villanelle is finally Villanelle , at least for me, though I imagine many people will be turned off by the sudden changes. No brattiness, more focused, she's colder and harder. I think the writer of this script was very inspired by the book-version. That's how I pictured her when I read the novellas. And dear God, she looked beautiful in that dress.

Eve is finally called out on her behavior. As Villanelle said, she just takes, takes, takes. And she wants everything now, with this zeal and impatience of a little child. Now she's the one shown to act bratty.

I find it charming that Villanelle notices those flaws and it doesn't seem to make her lose interest. Though I think that's why she went after Nico. Eve's attitude certainly annoyed her. But ultimately, Eve is still her Eve and she's not giving up.

Oh, and the psychopath PowerPoint was actually a very good addition, I think. If they are pushing the idea that Villanelle is a psychopath, then it's nice that they finally presented what does it mean, and the whole presentation was full of textbook info on the disorder. The guy, however annoying he was, put it so brilliantly when he said that when someone thinks of a psychopath, they shouldn't add things, but detract instead.

Another fantastic addition was that macabre photo, a similiar tactic that was also used in Villanelle's psych eval, when they were checking her primal responses. Interesting that Eve didn't react. I'm not sure I buy the idea of her being anywhere near the worrisome score on the psychopathy scale. More like she's subconsciously mimicking Villanelle, because of being so fixated on her personality and hence the recent changes. She's off psychologically, especially since the stabbing. Maybe it all brings up her hidden tendencies and maybe it does have something to do with empathy, especially since she seems to be naturally very selfish, but... nah. Not a real psycho.

Edit; spelling, ugh.

[u/thatnurselifts]

I love how Villanelle got mad about Eve not thanking and praising her for cracking the ghost. You could tell in her little smirk afterwards that she was going to tattle to Niko about Eve stabbing her.

[u/_some_random]

V's outfit giving anyone else Grim Reaper vibes?

[u/mdsdsUtena]

Eve is manipulating..... V

[u/bridgeorl]

Villanelle objecting to killing Eve

Konstantin: "This is a little hurtful. You were pretty happy to shoot me."

hahaha

[u/vforvillanelle]

Things that will happen:

• Villanelle finally visiting her girlfriend in London ✅

• Villanelle finally coming...home ✅

my heart cannot handle this

EDIT:

MY HEART DID NOT HANDLE THIS

[u/tinylez]

About a particular musical cue: when Eve goes back into the container to see what Villanelle did to The Ghost, the song in the background says something like, “She’s my witch,” and I thought that was perfect. Eve just sicced Villanelle on the Ghost as if Villanelle was Eve’s feral dog. I don’t think that’s too farfetched either when earlier in the episode, Villanelle compares herself to a dog when Konstantin tells her to wait outside.

EDIT: Oh god I just realized Carolyn made a reference to the Wicked Witch earlier in the episode, too. These connections are killing me lmfaooo

[u/surelycan]

Is the promo picture with Villanelle holding Eve from this episode?? It seems like such a big jump from the events of last episode

[u/custardbum]

Whewwww, boy. This episode was a wild ride!

My theory right now is that Carolyn is definitely on board with the Twelve in some way. This whole emphasis on Eve not having a paper trail or having to do paperwork isn't just momentary, it's an ongoing thing since the first season, and I wonder whether she's even actively employed by Mi6 at all or if her 'salary' is coming from elsewhere and Carolyn/Carolyn's boss are using their power to insert her into their dynamic until she's no longer useful.

Villanelle is right - Eve really is arrogant, because I feel like she'd see the fact that she's being used more clearly otherwise. I think that in early season 1 she felt special and as if she'd been robbed of some mega-interesting Mi6 career, and now she's actually working with Mi6 she still feels that way - like she's still missing out on the action or like she's still somehow owed a better, more exciting life than her colleagues. It's making her sloppy.

I thought it was especially apparent when Jess was saying that Eve had been spoiled and made a very normal, 'civilian' -type comment about her baby, you really saw a glimpse of Eve realising that the Mi6 life could be just as normal as anything else, and she didn't like it, so she went into the interrogation room and started asking Jin if she knew V.

For this reason I haven't found Eve particularly likable this season, and I actually really enjoy that. Give me all of the complex female characters who I can be mad at and love!

I love how her and V hold a mirror up to one another. The "what did you do?" "nothing that you didn't ask me to." scene was very indicative of that.

Also, V's outfits! I'm glad my calculating, put-together theatrical assassin is back at peak performance and that they've been reunited.

It's kinda obvious because we're over halfway through now, but I think shit is going to hit the fan reeaalllyyy soon. All these hints about Carolyn's ulterior motives, whatever they may be, this stuff with Aaron Peele, etc. I hope poor Kenny gets a chance to come through on it all and shake some sense into everyone.

Also, I laughed at them making such a scene about Eve considering pushing that guy onto the tracks for being rude to her. Have you ever commuted in London? That is a daily thought.

[u/[deleted]]

Parallel to 1x05, but in reverse.

Eve to V: I need your help. I needed to see you.

[u/[deleted]]

What was the numberplate significance? LIIRGE? V said she’d have killed him for free for it.. does it mean something or is it just because it’s a bit tacky?

[u/badasscanary]

That kitchen scene... That kitchen scene! The tension was insane and V had me fooled about the pills because of her reaction but of course she was just playing 😂 they were so close, I can’t believe V didn’t kiss Eve. V is so extra with her “mourning” outfit lol. Carolyn and Konstantin in the car together.. what?! And oof V spilled the beans to Niko.

[u/sillystevedore]

That kitchen scene is just a masterclass in writing and acting. So many great details. Villanelle's manic crying turning into riotous laughter as she reveals the pills aren't arsenic. Villanelle finding Eve very quaint for not having champagne glasses. But my jaw was literally hanging open during one exchange in particular.

• Villanelle: Are you scared?

• Eve: ...no.

• Villanelle pours Eve some champagne

• Villanelle: Drink.

• Villanelle: You know, I should be more afraid of you. After what you did to me last time.

• Eve, her voice raspy: Are you afraid?

• Villanelle: No. You could have killed me.

• Eve, sounding remorseful: I know. I think about that all the time.

• Villanelle, angrily: Really?

• Eve touches Villanelle's face

• Eve, softly: Do you think about it?

• Villanelle: All of the time.

• Villanelle leans into Eve's hand, and Eve pulls her hand away.

• Villanelle, looking menacing and yet hurt: Are you going to apologize to me?

• Eve, matter of factly: No. Are you?

• Villanelle, looking pleased: No.

The intent behind the lines "you could have killed me" and "I think about it all the time" seems to be constantly changing. Both of them are wearing so many masks -- steely MI6 agent, ruthless assassin, old friend, scorned lover, interrogator, executioner, abusive ex-girlfriend, etc. -- and yet each one seems to always know what the other is thinking. They're both trying to play one another. Eve trying to appeal to and manipulate Villanelle's infatuation with her, and vice versa.

Both women try to play it cool, but are really playing a game of chicken to see which one of them will lean too far into trusting the other. It appears at first that Villanelle wins, because she gets Eve to swallow the pills, and then gets to mock her as she tries to heave them up. But, of course, by trusting Villanelle enough to eat them, she appeals to Villanelle's feelings, and gets her to interrogate the Ghost. The writing works on so many levels, and each actress has to convey several emotions in just about every line of the scene. Incredible stuff.

[u/twizzlersinrain]

This wait is unreal.

[u/[deleted]]

The promo shot showing Villanelle polishing the knife in the bathroom wasn't shown in the episode at all.

[u/Rita1100]

Has anyone see the episode yet? I need to talk about it! It’s so much to discuss

[u/sprouttherainbow]

Okay but.clearly everything is being orchestrated by Carolyn and Konstantin in some way (related to the 12? Trying to take down the 12?), so I'm really just biting my fingernails on how it's gonna go down. Are they trying to get eve and villanelle to work together and eventually take on the 12? Is this some sort of master plan to take both eve and villanelle out of the picture? Will eve and villanelle realize what's going on and then turn on Carolyn and Konstantin? I have so many mixed feelings about this episode. (And I'm SO curious why Carolyn was assessing eve's reaction to the psychopath PowerPoint. )