The central dynamic of Killing Eve is the will-they-won't-they between Eve and Villanelle, a detective and an assassin, respectively. The pull between these two women has led to moments that range from volatile to tender, and neither audiences nor the characters themselves can predict what will happen when the two come together.
Each season has brought the two together in different ways, which always raises the question of whether the feelings between them will ever amount to anything beyond infatuation. Here are five reasons Eve and Villanelle are perfect for one another, and five reasons they shouldn't be together.
Are Perfect: They Compliment One Another
Killing Eve tells the story of two women who enjoy the thrill of the chase. For Eve, that thrill comes from doing the chasing, while for Villanelle, the real thrill is in being pursued. This makes them perfect for one another, as their game of cat-and-mouse gets old to everyone but them.
Aren't Perfect: Villanelle Killed Bill
Knowing that Villanelle had killed many people wasn't enough to turn off Eve's fascination with the assassin; instead, the knowledge of Villanelle's profession is what drew Eve in to begin with. When Villanelle killed Bill, Eve's coworker, and one of her closest friends, it shocked Eve to remember exactly what she was dealing with: a killer who killed indiscriminately.
Although Eve seemed to have swept her anger over Bill's death under the rug by season 2 (perhaps stabbing Villanelle got some of it out of her system), any future the two of them might have would need to involve addressing the dead elephant in the room.
Are Perfect: They're Obsessed With Each Other
Eve and Villanelle share a level of obsession with one another that the people around them don't really understand. For Eve, Villanelle represents a lack of passion and excitement in her life, as well as the ultimate mystery to unravel.
For Villanelle, her intense attraction to Eve becomes all-consuming and brings out an oddly romantic side of her. No matter how messed up the dynamic between the two may get, they just can't let one another go.
Aren't Perfect: Villanelle Is Manipulative
Any relationship needs trust to last. Villanelle has shown time and time again that she can't be trusted. She is extremely manipulative and rarely feels remorse for her actions. Eve clearly wants to trust Villanelle and is able to see through her lies most of the time, but this doesn't make entering a relationship with Villanelle a safe choice.
Are Perfect: They Have Intense Chemistry
One of the reasons fans have got on board with the Eve-and-Villanelle relationship is due to the intense chemistry between Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer. Without the heat between the two characters in their scenes bringing audiences to the edge of their seats, the dynamic just wouldn't be as compelling. The pull between the two women is so strong that despite every reason you know they shouldn't, you want to see them get closer with every interaction.
Aren't Perfect: Villanelle Encourages The Worst In Eve
Since meeting Villanelle, one could argue that Eve's life got worse in many respects. She was fired from her job, two of her friends wound up dead, her marriage fell apart, and she got shot. But perhaps more frightening than that list is the change within Eve herself. Her more macabre tendencies became increasingly pronounced. Daydreams about the perfect murder became more real, with Eve having her own body count (though, nothing to rival Villanelle's).
Are Perfect: Eve Makes Villanelle Feel Things
As dangerous as it may be, there's something irresistible about fictional romances wherein one half of the duo is portrayed as monstrous and whose feelings lie far beneath the surface. It's a story that's been done in a million different ways, but rarely (if ever) with two women.
Villanelle is a fascinating character because though she is monstrous, she is just beautiful and human enough to draw you in. And because of her redeeming qualities, when we see her experience real feelings of love and pain with Eve, we want that relationship to continue, as long as it means teasing out more of the character's vulnerabilities.
Aren't Perfect: Villanelle Tried To Kill Eve
Here's one that isn't so easy to blow past. Sleeping next to someone who once wished you dead is understandably something of a deal-breaker for many (not Eve, apparently). Villanelle's love is intense and destructive, and when Eve refuses to run away with her after being manipulated yet again, Villanelle shoots Eve in the back and leaves her for dead. Eve survives, but whether she'll ever feel safe with Villanelle is another question (as is whether she really wants to feel safe).
Are Perfect: They Accept Each Other
What's become a running joke among audiences and supporting characters is the relentless intensity of Eve and Villanelle's mutual infatuation. Eve may not understand why Villanelle is the way that she is, but she accepts her, whether in spite of or because of it. Villanelle sees Eve's destructive tendencies as something normal, and tries to help her with them in her own way. They don't seem to be able to have any kind of intimacy with anyone else.
Aren't Perfect: Their Future Is Uncertain
When it comes to Eve and Villanelle, there's no question of whether they have feelings for one another. Neither is there really a question of whether they want to be together, as they can't stay apart no matter how hard they try. The question then becomes a more practical one of "what, then?" What happens when the chase is over, and they've caught one another?
It's unclear whether Eve would still find Villanelle interesting if she were to give up her assassin lifestyle. It's also not clear how long Villanelle can go without killing even if that's what Eve wanted. "Who is Villanelle if she isn't a killer?" is a question that season 3 began to explore, and it's a question that may need answering if the two are ever going to have a future together.