KILLING EVE Season Finale Recap: (S03E08) Are You Leading or Am I?

Melody McCune

Still of Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer in Killing Eve.

DISCLAIMER: This Killing Eve recap of “Are You Leading or Am I?” contains more spoilers than the number of victims Villanelle has mercilessly slaughtered in her storied career as a hitwoman. You know that list is at least a few miles long. You’ve been warned. Proceed with caution. 

Welcome back, Killing Eve lovers! Our favorite cat-and-mouse thriller aired its season finale this week! Be still my VillanEve heart! So many wonderful moments for Villanelle and Eve fans in this episode. Not to mention, that scene wherein Carolyn almost shot Konstantin had me in a tizzy. Seriously, I think my blood pressure catapulted to new heights after watching that. However, I’m glad our morally grey double agent will live to see another day. I think Villanelle’s desire to fully break from the Twelve will lead to some interesting stories for Season 4, but let’s get to that Season 3 finale first. 

Alright, ready to delve into “Are You Leading or Am I?” Let’s get to it. 

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Now, we open with Carolyn (Fiona Shaw) meeting with Villanelle (Jodie Comer). Villanelle wants to work for MI6. Carolyn urges her to elaborate on how she sees herself within MI6’s framework. Villanelle claims she’ll do anything – be a spy, fetch intelligence, murder people. You name it, Villanelle can do it! What a glowing personal endorsement. Unfortunately, Carolyn turns her down, because she can’t see how she’ll benefit from Villanelle’s services. 

Still of Fiona Shaw and Jodie Comer in Killing Eve.
Fiona Shaw as Carolyn Martens, Jodie Comer as Villanelle- Killing Eve _ Season 3, Episode 8 – Photo Credit: Laura Radford/BBCAmerica/Sid Gentle

Meanwhile, Konstantin (Kim Bodnia) is getting the hell out of dodge. He’s leaving the hospital against the doctor’s wishes because, you know, he just had a heart attack. But phooey all that! However, before he peaces out, he leaves some parting words for Dasha (Harriet Walter). Dasha beseeches with him to stay by her side. Konstantin refuses and as he’s leaving we see Dasha is in the throes of pain. She’s clearly on death’s door. Dosvedanya, Dasha!

Later, we see Villanelle is in Cuba. She’s at a dance hall, observing couples twirling and whirling on the floor. Eve (Sandra Oh) takes a seat next to her. She urges Villanelle to dance with her, although the latter claims she’s got two left feet. I feel that, Villanelle. On a profound level. Anyway, they engage in some slow dancing and my VillanEve heart is officially fit to burst. We see Villanelle burying her face in Eve’s luscious locks. Eve doesn’t flinch or move away. In fact, she appears to be enjoying their dance. That is, until Rhian shows up and ruins the love fest. Villanelle gives Eve a meeting place and urges her to run. She’ll handle Rhian. Eve does as she’s bid. 

Still of Jodie Comer in Killing Eve.
Jodie Comer as Villanelle – Killing Eve _ Season 3, Episode 8 – Photo Credit: Laura Radford/BBCAmerica/Sid Gentle

Next, Rhian reveals that Helene wants to see Villanelle. No doubt it’s about the disastrous incident in Scotland. Suddenly, the pair are embroiled in a full-out fist fight, throwing punches left and right. Villanelle gets the upper hand and proceeds to beat the snot out of Rhian. Rhian begins to plead for her life. Villanelle notices Rhian is close to falling onto the train tracks, so she gives the Twelve’s new favorite a push. Suddenly, an oncoming train runs over Rhian. Dosvedanya, Rhian!

Meanwhile, Geraldine (Gemma Whelan) is reading a heartfelt letter to Carolyn. It consists of every feeling she’s ever suppressed regarding her mother. Every lie, every immoral act – everything. When it’s Carolyn’s turn to switch on the honesty filter, she recites one line. That line demands Geraldine move out of Carolyn’s house. Geraldine is not a fan of this, but mother knows best. Carolyn convinces Geraldine that it’s for her own good. In a way, Carolyn is protecting her. 

Still of Sandra Oh in Killing Eve.
Sandra Oh as Eve Polastri – Killing Eve _ Season 3, Episode 8 – Photo Credit: Laura Radford/BBCAmerica/Sid Gentle

Then, we see Eve return to London. She reads a note that Villanelle gave her. It leads to a small establishment that’s meant for betting on horse races. Eve approaches the front desk and gives herself a fake name. She asks to speak with the proprietor. Said proprietor is a portly man that’s no stranger to Russian dealings. In fact, he’s the one housing Konstantin’s money. Eve claims that Konstantin sent her to grab it for him. Ah! So Villanelle wants Konstantin’s money for her and Eve’s romantic getaway. How sweet! The horse racing dude gives it to her. 

Later, Carolyn arrives at Bitter Pill headquarters at Jamie’s (Danny Sapani) behest. Bear (Turlough Convery) is present as well. They’ve made a breakthrough in Kenny’s murder case. They show Carolyn footage of Kenny meeting with Konstantin prior to his untimely demise. Uh oh. This doesn’t bode well for Konstantin now that Carolyn will be on the war path. 

Meanwhile, Konstantin runs into Eve as she’s leaving the horse racing establishment. He demands she hand over his money. It’s his anyway. Eve opens the bag to find Russian nesting dolls. Konstantin claims they’re for Irina as a gift. However, after Eve threatens to toss them in a nearby fountain, Konstantin reveals more key information. The dolls contain a code which leads to his actual money. Suddenly, Konstantin feels he’s about to have another heart attack. Eve urges him to take it easy and assists him. 

Still of Sandra Oh in Killing Eve
Sandra Oh as Eve Polastri – Killing Eve _ Season 3, Episode 8 – Photo Credit: Laura Radford/BBCAmerica/Sid Gentle

Next, Villanelle shows up at Bitter Pill headquarters, expecting to find Eve. Jamie and Bear are bewildered to find the Villanelle on their doorstep. They wonder aloud what exactly Villanelle does with her victims. Does she keep the genitalia from her male victims? Prior to Villanelle fleeing the scene, she plays around with the pair a little. Good ol’ Villanelle. Always up for a laugh, even when it’s about murder!

Later, everyone is called over to where Carolyn’s at. She currently has Paul (Steve Pemberton) held at gunpoint. Not only that, but she forces Konstantin to sit beside him. Eve and Villanelle sit on the adjacent couch to watch the scene unfold. Carolyn demands to know why Konstantin was meeting with Kenny and if Paul was aware of the whole thing. Paul feigns ignorance. Konstantin initially refrains from telling Carolyn the truth. Finally, he reveals that he was trying to save Kenny. Kenny was getting too close to the truth and Konstantin knew the Twelve would be after him. In addition, Konstantin informs the class that the pair were on the rooftop. Kenny was frightened and he kept backing toward the ledge. Before Konstantin could move to save him, Kenny jumped. 

Still of Kim Bodnia in Killing Eve.
Kim Bodnia as Konstantin Vasiliev- Killing Eve _ Season 3, Episode 8 – Photo Credit: Laura Radford/BBCAmerica/Sid Gentle

However, Carolyn isn’t convinced. She refuses to believe that Kenny purposefully made the decision to jump. Carolyn demands Konstantin to get on his knees. She brandishes her gun and points it at his head. Konstantin cries out for Villanelle, but the latter remains silent throughout this display. Will Carolyn pull the trigger? Can she kill a former lover? Konstantin reminds her that she once loved him. Finally, as the tension mounts to a boiling point, Carolyn pulls the trigger…on Paul. She shoots him cleanly in the head. Then, she urges Konstantin to leave. As he frantically picks up his things, he inquires whether Villanelle is coming with him. But she’s with Eve now. Carolyn calls her people to clean up the mess. Technically Paul was a spy for the Twelve, so Carolyn did the right thing. 

Next, Eve follows Villanelle to a brige. The pair look out over the Thames together. They envision their future. Villanelle reveals she wants to quit the Twelve. Eve reveals that Dasha actually pitchforked Niko and tried to pin the blame on Villanelle. Oh, and they’re aware that Dasha is dead and that they both contributed to her death. Aw, I love it when couples kill together! Eve muses that Villanelle stirred something sinister within her – a side that until recently lay dormant. In turn, Villanelle believes that Eve brought out a lighter side in her. Eve reveals that she wants it all to stop. Villanelle has a solution to that. She urges Eve to turn around and face the direction opposing Villanelle. Villanelle faces the other direction. 

Then, the pair walk away from each other. Both going their separate ways. That is…until Eve turns around. Villanelle stops in her tracks and whirls around as well. Now, they’re both facing each other. Something tells me they’re not about to stop seeing each other anytime soon. 

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Holy Moses! Killing Eve has always had banging season finales and this one is no exception. I’m glad Konstantin survived death yet again. Here’s hoping he gets some juicy story lines in Season 4, especially since he’ll be on the lam from the Twelve and MI6. My hat goes off to Harriet Walter for making Dasha one of my favorite supporting characters ever. Walter is such a force of nature and she knocked it out of the park this season. Now, I’m curious to see what Season 4 will hold in store for Villanelle and Eve. It appears the pair are choosing to stick together. Will we see the fallout from Villanelle willfully abandoning the Twelve? Will the Twelve hunt down the duo in tandem? I have all the faith in the world in our writing Powers That Be. 

Well, that’s all I wrote for Season 3. Don’t forget to watch this space for all your Killing Eve Season 4 news! 

Killing Eve has been renewed for Season 4, which will air on your BBC America affiliate.

 

 

Melody McCune
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