Welcome to this week’s installment of Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week, wherein we shine a spotlight on strong women who inspire us. This not only includes fictional female characters in geeky media, but creators as well. These ladies are a prime example of female empowerment and how crucial it is for young girls to have said example to follow.
DISCLAIMER: The following contains spoilers galore for Killing Eve. If you’re not already caught up on BBC America’s cat-and-mouse thriller, you should remedy that pronto. You won’t be disappointed.
Eve Polastri
Fast Facts:
Eve Polastri (portrayed by Sandra Oh) was born and raised in Connecticut prior to her move to the UK. She was always fascinated with the serial killer psyche from a young age. Eve graduated college with a degree in criminal psychology with dreams of working for MI5. Eventually she snagged a job with the famous organization as a security officer. Eve served as an assistant to Bill Pargraves (David Haig), who also wound up morphing into a close confidante. She became obsessive over a string of high-profile assassinations spanning continental Europe. Longing to pinpoint the culprit, she took matters into her own hands and circumvented her superiors by tracking down the assassin herself. Unfortunately, she lost her job at MI5 because of her insubordination.
However, not all is lost. Carolyn Martens (Fiona Shaw) took Eve under her wing at MI6, hiring the latter to work exclusively on the assassin case. She learned that the killer is a highly skilled assassin named Villanelle (Jodie Comer), and the two developed an inexplicable obsession with each other. A game of cat-and-mouse ensued between the pair. Season 1 ended with Eve stabbing Villanelle at the latter’s Paris home. But Villanelle surreptitiously escaped from under Eve’s nose, and thus the game continues.
The Real Deal:
Now, Eve is the real deal. At face value, Villanelle most certainly appears to have the upper hand. She has an immense knack for covering her tracks. However, Eve is grossly underestimated. She is vastly intelligent, utilizing her common sense to thwart Villanelle’s every move. Not to mention, she’s spent nearly a lifetime studying the minds of serial killers. She knows a thing or two about a thing or two. Eve is resourceful and resilient. Despite her fear of Villanelle, she surges forward in her quest to bring the latter to justice. To me, that’s the definition of courage. We’re also privy to Eve’s flaws and her tempestuous marriage, which humanizes her. She’s relatable. She is every one of us “normies” thrust into a high-stakes, high-pressure situation.
Why She Matters:
Alright, why does she matter? Eve has a strong moral compass. Although she does harbor dreams of being the “hero,” she’s really working toward the greater good. Who doesn’t want to save the day? She attempts to overcome her romantic obsession with Villanelle in the name of doing what’s right. Eve stabs Villanelle under the guise of friendship – if that’s not sacrificing for justice, I don’t know what is.
Now, Eve is also a flawed, conflicted person. One could easily put themselves in her shoes. We’ve all had thoughts of dallying with the dark side, and she’s no exception. She discovers that everyone has the capacity to do evil – Villanelle merely embraces that darkness within herself. However, Eve chooses the path of light, and that’s something to be admired.
Of course, Eve’s immovable resilience is why she matters to me. She trusts her gut, and we could all stand to rely more on our internal instincts. Eve chose to break the rules in the name of justice, and sometimes one has to crack a few eggs to make a righteous omelette. Good girls rarely make history, and they rarely follow rules to achieve success. Eve, normally a do-gooder, breaks those eggs to do what’s right. Her resilience in the face of resistance is crush worthy in and of itself.
So, be like Eve. Be resilient. Break the rules when necessary. Never forget who you are. Forge ahead despite your fears. Learn to overcome your insecurities, and trust your gut to do the right thing. Your trusty gut will never allow you to falter. Oh, and never have dinner with an assassin – you may wind up being the main course.
RELATED: KILLING EVE – Season 1 Review
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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