KILLING EVE 2.2: Thoughts on “Nice and Neat” [Roundtable]

If you haven’t heard the good news, Killing Eve has been renewed for a third season! Jeff Melvoin (Designated Survivor, Alias) will join  as executive producer. Phoebe Waller-Bridge handed lead writing to Emerald Fennell for season 2, and it looks like British writer Suzanne Heathcote (Fear the Walking Dead) will  come aboard as lead writer and executive producer for season 3.

This week in “Nice and Neat” Villanelle is still struggling to find her feet, but Eve is back to work at Carolyn’s side.

Carolyn introduces Eve to her new team before Eve briefs them on the Villanelle case. Villanelle, needing to lie low while she recovers, find a Good Samaritan to take her in and care for her. Eve finds out a secret that Carolyn has been hiding from her.

Let’s see what Christie and I thought about “Nice and Neat.”

Beware: *SPOILERS* ahead.

Sandra Oh as Eve Polastri, Fiona Shaw as Carolyn Martens – Photo Credit: Nick Wall/BBCAmerica

THE GOOD

Cara: I loved seeing Eve get back on her game this week. She told Kenny that she’s not ok, and I’m sure that’s true, but she seemed sure footed and clear-headed this week. Her motivations may be muddled, but she is a woman on a mission. I also really hope we see a lot more of her messing with Hugo, who is so obliviously terrible. I suspect we’ll come to appreciate him, but right now I just love watching Eve shut him up. When Hugo questions her assertion that the Ghost would be a woman of color and she responds with “You interrupted me, that’s how I know.” Is this the first time Eve has really addressed being a woman of color? I can’t recall. But, I freaking loved that response. She doesn’t clarify, she doesn’t soften it, she just checks him and moves on. Freakin’ Eve.

Christie: I enjoyed seeing Villanelle a little vulnerable this week. It was odd that she was fooled so completely, but I suspect she is not used to not being in control and knowing every angle. Also, I loved Eve’s power in this episode. Her confidence. Enjoy it, I’m betting we won’t see it forever.

Jodie Comer as Villanelle – Photo Credit: Parisa Taghizadeh/BBCAmerica

THE BAD

Cara: Villanelle was down on her luck this week, poor girl. She just can’t catch a break right now. I find it hard to believe that she would feel quite as trapped and desperate as she seemed though. I get that she’s injured, but it seemed so out of character. Maybe it’s meant to show us how much Eve has gotten into her head or to give her a low point to spring back from. My guess is it was primarily a way to get her desperate enough to reach out to her old employer, and therefore partnered with this new gem of a human. And, I suppose additional handlers means additional assassins…which could bring the Ghost to her attention. It was probably necessary, but I don’t like to see our favorite flamboyant psychopath so uncharacteristically pitiful.

Christie: Not really anything I can think of anything that really bothered me about this episode.

Sandra Oh as Eve Polastri – Photo Credit: Aimee Spinks/BBCAmerica

THE OMG MOMENT:

Cara: OMG, that surprise at the end. Holy crap! How? What does it mean? OMG!

Christie: I concur with Cara, though I suspect I know what happened there.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Cara: It looks like we’ve got the story arc set up for season 2 now, so I suppose it’s just watching to see what happens from here. I’m intrigued by this new assassin, and I can’t wait to see how Villanelle responds to the competition for Eve’s attention.

Christie: Agree with Cara. This episode was a wild ride for Villanelle especially, and I hope this means she’ll soon be back in a big way.

Killing Eve airs Sunday 8/7c on BBC America and AMC.