‘Killing Eve’ Recap: ‘Making Dead Things Look Nice’ & ‘Hello, Losers’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series finale of ‘Killing Eve’. To revisit the penultimate episode, click here.
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Something that is truly fascinating about spy stories, is how cold they often turn out to be. For these particular tales focus on people that operate outside of the rules of the everyday world and because of that… they must be emotionless and robotic in nature, so that they can serve the greater good and keep the peace in a manner so silent that no one will ever know that trouble lurked behind the scenes. Which also means that these stories, tend to be devoid of deeper meaning. Because if the spy in question feels nothing but a desire to complete the mission, social commentary and observations regarding mortality, are a forced waste of time and well… that is precisely why the BBC America series Killing Eve, was a smash hit from day one.
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Because it defied that convention and plunged us into a spy drama where the characters had depth and were searching for more than the mission and that allowed for this series to establish itself to be the quirkiest and most delightful spy drama to ever hit the airwaves. Plus, in its later seasons, it also took the time to really dig deep into some powerful philosophical concepts, especially in this final season. Since year four has focused heavily on the nature of revenge and how it consumes and how it can destroy us and well… the how is something that loomed large over the series finale. Because after the previous episode, where ugly acts took place, we were left wondering if this story was going to end in a sour and bleak manner… where revenge consumed everyone… or if we would be treated a happier ending. Where these characters escaped their vengeful fates or found a future that was at the least… bittersweet.

Well as it turns out, the series finale of this storied and refreshing spy drama, ended in the former realm. A feat that ‘Making Dead Things Look Nice’ and ‘Hello, Losers’ accomplished… by having these incredible characters… let loose after outright giving into the darkness. Because at this point in the story, it became inherently clear that we weren’t watching a finale grounded in notions of reaching the apex of revenge… this was the post revenge burn. Where the characters had indeed fully committed to revenge in the prior tale and with it flowing through their veins and having taken inventory… they decided the time had come to finish what they started and find some kind of closure. Because what exactly did they have to lose in doing so at this point? And that led to some supremely fascinating moments and that aforementioned release.

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Because by acknowledging the fact they had given themselves completely to vendetta’s power, they all felt free at last and that allowed for Carolyn to return home to London and face the music and figure out her next moves in this mess, while Villanelle and Eve finally decided… to quit fighting the powerful attraction they’d been denying themselves for years on end. Which allowed for a burgeoning and long overdue relationship to grow between the two of them at last, giving rise to a touch of hope that maybe they would find beauty in this final push to end the Twelve and a happy ending. Where they would find peace and enduring love. But before these nouveau lovebirds could ponder on that kind of future, they needed to handle a little final business, the kind that involved visiting the Twelve's meeting place and dealing with them at last, and closing that chapter.
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Which allowed for a satisfying and long overdue moment to take place, wherein Villanelle and Eve’s mission was completed and the Twelve were laid to waste in a brutal and violent manner and with the win firmly in their column… the price of revenge came into play. For Carolyn came to realize during the hunt… that she could use their bloodlust to her advantage, and find peace in doing so. Which is why she offered up news about Konstantin's death to the brass and Villanelle on a silver platter. So she could look the hero and wipe everyone out in the process and her desire to take part in that kind of backwards quest for peace... brought about a government sanctioned sniper attack on the last surviving member of this mysterious organization. One that cost Villanelle her life but saved Eve’s. A reality that served as a pyrrhic victory at best since Eve lost everything in her quest to unleash revenge upon the Twelve but was spared her destitute life and well… that’s how this saga ends, in a sour and bleak… and unique manner.

A word used here simply because… bleak endings still aren’t the norm in spy dramas, or the industry. Much less a story where its two leads finally found happiness through love. For that could have given this duo redemption in a different manner. But alas, unconventional and shocking is where Killing Eve operated from the get-go and that makes this the proper ending when all is said and done. One that is bittersweet and painful. Because… a show that kept us buzzing through social media, has come to its end and not being able to look forward to a new season full of surprises and conjecture, is going to be strange. But the good news is we can revisit this series whenever we like and see it as the complete piece of art that it is now, and relish in the fact, that we were privy to something fresh and original and engaging and moving… for four glorious years.    

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