Killing Eve; Villanelle's Goodness and Eve's Shadow Self

Killing Eve is a delightful obsession; full of artistic murders, beautiful cinematography and ridiculous humour. The season 3 debut pulled in a total of 1.1 million viewers across America and a total of 3.7 million viewers in the UK tuned in last year to watch the start of the second season, with 18,000 bingeing the whole second season on BBC iPlayer.

Killing Eve focuses on the story of Villanelle (Jodie Comer), who is a highly-trained, extravagantly dressed, Russian assassin who works for a mysterious network of people known as, 'The 12.' Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh), was a MI6 Agent who investigated Villanelle and the organization that she worked for. Over the seasons, Eve and Villanelle develop a mutual obsession for the other; something that has left both women in a critical condition over the years.

The relationship between the two intelligent and strong women is one of obsession, their relationship consisting of a relatively 'cat and mouse chase,' that has developed across the three seasons to one of deeper meaning and connection. The two women and their intertwining bonds, have left the audience captivated - with many shipping them as a romantic couple.

However, Eve and Villanelle's relationship has grown over the season; developing into a deeper connection between the two women that is more than just a romantic endeavour. Although there is an undeniable, romantic element between the two, there is also, very much, a psychological thread that keeps them tethered together and makes way for an obsession that develops into a 'need' for the other. The relationship gives Eve the ability to explore her dark side via Villanelle and for Villanelle to recognize the ability of what it's like to do some good; like when Eve and Villanelle worked on an operation together in season 2.

Villanelle has a curiosity towards Eve; especially when it comes to the woman's moral compass and her morbid fascination surrounding murder. The assassin tries to corrupt Eve in season 2, by encouraging the Agent to use an axe on Villanelle's former handler, Raymond. Although Villanelle was armed with a gun and capable of defending herself, Villanelle's experiment to see how far Eve was willing to go, left Raymond in 'chunks.' This gory scene potentially had Eve display a darker self that she battled to hide all season; it was in season 2 that Eve had fantasized about pushing an innocent man in front of a train and in the current season, Eve cracked the ribs of Villanelle's mentor, Dasha, with her boot.

Eve, somewhat has a fascination with killing and a dark side that Villanelle seemingly feeds. Villanelle is a woman who comes to represent Eve's darkest desires; and as she announced in the finale of the third season; "I think my monster encourages your monster."

According to psychoanalyst, Carl Jung, we all have a 'shadow self,' which is the unknown dark side of the personality. The shadow self is prone to psychological projection and moral deficiency - a person who is teetering on the edge of committing a crime. Eve could be projecting her darkest desires onto Villanelle, who is already a killer.

Villanelle, however, spoke her desires to Dasha about no longer wanting to kill for a living. The talented assassin also voiced her opinion to head of MI6, Carolyn, who failed to hire her on the basis that she wanted a killer and not just a spy. Villanelle's eagerness to leave the killing behind, has been an interesting element to her development.

Both Villanelle and Eve have fantasies; Eve craves the darkness that Villanelle possesses and Villanelle desires that little bit of goodness from Eve. It is a part of themselves that they see within each other, and they can't let go of that need. During the season 3 finale, both women had the chance to walk away from the other but both turned back around and failed to fulfill the deal to walk away and never look back.

They can't lose the parts of themselves that they desire and they seem to live out their fantasies through the actions of the other - seeing a part of themselves in the opposing woman. It's an addiction that neither women are willing to part from; it's a battle between who they are and who they see themselves being, and its a component of their relationship that makes them so fascinating to each other and to us.

Juxtaposition shows Villanelle (a dark soul) wearing the embodiment of light and Eve shrouding herself in darkness. 

*The Killing Eve boxset is available on BBC iPlayer *