DISCLAIMER: This Killing Eve recap of “Slowly Slowly Catchy Monkey” contains more spoilers than the number of disguises Villanelle has donned over the years. It’s all a part of that hit-woman lifestyle. You’ve been warned. Proceed with caution.
Welcome back, Killing Eve lovers! Our favorite cat-and-mouse thriller has finally returned to us – just when we need it most! What better way to spend quarantine than delving back into the world of Killing Eve? A salve for the soul, to be sure. And the Season 3 premiere was a doozy. As per usual, this show concocts a jaw-dropping cliffhanger that leaves you salivating for the next episode.
Now, I hate to quote South Park at a time like this, but: oh my God they killed Kenny! This one stung, folks. Kenny was such a cherubic, pure, unsullied soul. He only wanted to do the right thing. However, his death was the catalyst for Eve falling headfirst back into the world of MI6. Villanelle is planning to skyrocket up the Twelve career ladder. We love an ambitious, psychopathic career woman! Konstantin is being lured out of his London hiding place…to go fishing? Carolyn is facing lawsuits aplenty regarding her failed Rome mission. Eve is working at a restaurant. Niko is in a hospital, because waking up to your coworker’s suffocation by plastic bag can be pretty mentally disarming.
Alright, ready to delve into “Slowly Slowly Catchy Monkey?” Let’s get to it.
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Now, we open on Moscow in 1974, wherein a young woman is practicing her gymnast routine. Her coach is incessantly plastering her with insults. This girl’s presumed beau leaves the room, which irritates her. Later, we see he merely left to buy her flowers. He showers her with affection and the two lock lips. Well, until she kills him. Brutally. Then, she dumps the white powder utilized on gymnast bars all over his lifeless body. Holy guacamole. We’re off with a bang.
Later, we’re in the present. A woman in, presumably, Spain is speaking at her wedding reception. She looks adoringly upon her new partner…and it’s none other than Villanelle (Jodie Comer)! And she’s sporting a very dapper black suit. Villanelle delivers her wedding speech, and even brings up Eve. She reveals that she’s glad that Eve’s dead. During some requisite dancing, we see Villanelle is distracted. It’s as if she’s waiting for Eve to reappear, although we know Villanelle believes the latter is deceased. Suddenly, a woman named Dasha (Harriet Walter) appears. Villanelle is irate, exclaiming that it’s her wedding day and Dasha won’t ruin it. The pair begin fighting, and everyone else at the reception follows suit. Villanelle’s new wife is sobbing amid the melee.
Next, Villanelle and Dasha are sitting in a cab and fleeing the reception. It would appear Villanelle and her wife are getting divorced. Well, that escalated quickly!
Then, Carolyn (Fiona Shaw) is chatting away with a new team member at MI6. She’s undergoing a series of lawsuits revolving around her operation in Rome. Hugo is suing her. The Crown is none too pleased with how everything regarding Villanelle was not above board. Not to mention, Eve’s status is still unknown. Speaking of which…
Meanwhile, Eve (Sandra Oh) is alive! Well, we already knew that, but it’s great to see it on screen. She’s working in a restaurant in New Malden, England. Remaining incognito and completely awash of all things MI6. Now, we’re back in Barcelona with Villanelle and Dasha. Dasha works with the Twelve, hence their familiar relationship. Dasha convinces Villanelle to rejoin the gang. Nobody kills like Villanelle! In return for Villanelle’s acquiescence, Dasha will get to go home to Russia. Villanelle claims she’ll return, but she wants to be a keeper. That’s even above Konstantin’s pay grade! However, after another physical altercation between the pair, Dasha agrees to Villanelle’s demand. I love Dasha already. Plus, Comer and Walter are excellent together,
Now, we’re back in England with Kenny (Sean Delaney). He’s working at an online publication. He appears to be writing an environmentally conscious piece, but really he’s still researching the Twelve. After a shift at work, Eve gets wine drunk and texts someone she’s not supposed to be texting. Been there, done that. It turns out to be Kenny, who comes over the next day to visit.
Then, we see Dasha is also a gymnast coach in Barcelona. She’s just as rigid as her former coach. She offers Villanelle a hit in Girona, which the latter is reticent to accept. But, the Twelve needs proof before promoting Villanelle to keeper, and another hit will do just that. She accepts it.
Later, Konstantin (Kim Bodnia) is inundated with phone calls from his multiple cellphones. One of someone demanding in Russian that he hurry up and show the Twelve results. Another of his daughter lamenting of her mother’s boyfriend and how she can’t tolerate them. Suddenly, Konstantin has food delivered to his flat. Scrawled inside a menu, we see the words “Time to go fishing” in Russian. Who is this message from? Where is this “fishing” taking place? So many questions!
Now, Kenny asks Eve about her life. If she’s still in contact with Villanelle and Niko. He also mentions how he’s still researching the Twelve. Eve breaks down and reveals that she must wash her hands clean of MI6, the Twelve, Villanelle – all of it. Especially since it almost killed her. Kenny comforts his friend. He also invites her out for drinks with his new work pals. Such a sweet summer child!
Next, Villanelle is disguised as a delivery worker in Girona. She kills a shop owner, who is the target. She even pours paprika all over the target’s corpse, emulating Dasha’s own kill from the beginning of the episode. It’s evident that Villanelle missed carrying out hits.
Then, we see Kenny bickering with Carolyn as the two prepare to move houses. Carolyn stands up for her past decisions, citing that life is full of “trade-offs.” Kenny storms off to his office. We see him steeped in research. Suddenly, he hears a noise. Get out of there, Kenny! This is how every horror movie starts!
Meanwhile, Eve is paying Niko (Owen McDonnell) a visit at a mental hospital. He spiraled after witnessing Gemma’s suffocation last season. I would too. She gives him documents to sign regarding their flat. Eve vows that they’ll weather this storm together.
Later, Eve becomes fed up with her restaurant job and calls Kenny regarding the drink offer. She pops in at his office. However, Kenny is nowhere to be found. We see a body falling outside the window. Eve is bewildered and, like me, hopes it wasn’t Kenny falling to his death. She flies outside like a bat out of hell. Unfortunately, Kenny is on the ground, utterly lifeless. No! Why did they have to kill dear Kenny?
RELATED: Read all KILLING EVE recaps here!
And, just like that, Killing Eve is off to a cracking start. Full throttle. No holds barred. We’re firing on all cylinders, baby! As per usual, we’re also left with more questions than answers. But, everyone was in top form tonight. Everything is set up for a solid season, and now we wait with bated breath to watch the dominoes fall. I’m excited to see where this journey takes us.
Who do you think wanted to permanently silence Kenny? Will the Twelve grant Villanelle’s wish? Who wants to “go fishing” with Konstantin? Join me next week as I recap Killing Eve, here on Geek Girl Authority.
Killing Eve airs Sundays at 9pm on your BBC America affiliate.
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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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