Killing Eve

What genre does Killing Eve primarily belong to?

A blackly comical spy thriller that subverts traditional masculine genre conventions.

When was the first episode of Killing Eve broadcast in the USA?

April 2018.

Who produced Killing Eve?

Sid Gentle Films for BBC America and BBC Three.

How many seasons did Killing Eve run?

Four seasons from 2018 to 2022.

What record did Killing Eve break in the USA?

It broke records for weekly ratings and became the second most-watched show on BBC iPlayer in 2018.

What is a key characteristic of Killing Eve's narrative style?

It features an obsessive agent pursuing a criminal nemesis, similar to James Bond films and shows like 24.

What is the term used to describe Killing Eve's combination of genres?

Dramedy, which fuses serious drama and black comedy.

Who was the lead writer for the first series of Killing Eve?

Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

What is the source material for Killing Eve?

The 'Villanelle' series of short novels by Luke Jennings.

What sub-genre does Killing Eve fit into regarding its female lead?

Female-led 'cat and mouse' thrillers.

Who are the two main characters in Killing Eve?

Villanelle, a ruthless female assassin, and Eve Polastri, a female MI5 agent.

How does Killing Eve subvert typical spy thriller conventions?

By replacing male characters with women and surprising audience expectations with twists and character behavior.

What character archetype does Eve Polastri represent in Killing Eve?

A government agent who breaks the rules but gets results, starting as a desk-bound functionary.

What happens at the end of episode 1 of Killing Eve?

Carolyn recruits Eve, setting up the hunt for Villanelle.

What is the nature of the relationship between Eve and Villanelle?

It involves admiration, envy, and sexual desire, complicating the hero-villain dynamic.

What narrative technique is commonly used in long form TV dramas like Killing Eve?

Cliff-hangers or major plot developments at the end of each episode.

How does Killing Eve portray its female characters?

It is praised for depicting strong, complex, and dangerous women.

What is a common structural element of spy thrillers that Killing Eve employs?

The climax often involves a reveal of the killer's identity and a confrontation between hero and villain.

What is the significance of the character dynamics in Killing Eve?

Eve and Villanelle are portrayed as binary opposites who share complex feelings towards each other.

What does the term 'codes and conventions' refer to in media studies?

The established norms and practices that define a genre and shape audience expectations.

How does Killing Eve challenge traditional gender roles in its genre?

By featuring female characters in roles typically reserved for men in spy thrillers.

What is the impact of genre on audience engagement according to the notes?

Genres provide specific audience pleasures and are favored by producers for being a risk-free investment.

What is the role of 'showrunners' in the context of Killing Eve?

They are responsible for the creative direction of the series, with all four being female writers and directors.

How does Killing Eve differ from conventional narratives in its portrayal of characters?

It balances screen time between Eve and Villanelle, prompting empathy for both the hero and the antagonist.

What is the main narrative thrust of Killing Eve?

The focus is on the relationship and confrontation between Eve and Villanelle, rather than the identity of the killer.

What traditional representation of female antagonists does Villanelle break?

She defies the stock female antagonist trope of the seductive femme fatale or sleek killer, instead being depicted as an amoral psychopath.

How does Villanelle's character differ from typical femme fatale portrayals?

She does not use her sexuality to entice victims and is not sexualized or objectified in her presentation.

What familiar tropes from espionage thrillers are inverted in Killing Eve?

The show includes nods to classics like Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, and Bond stories, often through naturalistic dialogue and behavior.

Which characters in Killing Eve encourage Eve in her pursuit?

Bill and Carolyn actively support Eve, contrasting with the typical 'Spymaster' character who delivers exposition.

How is Carolyn characterized in Killing Eve?

She is portrayed as a witty, powerful key player who may have her own agenda for recruiting Eve.

What narrative style does Eve's character reflect in Killing Eve?

Eve's scruffy image conceals her sharp mind, reminiscent of 'shabby' detectives like Columbo.

How is Konstantin's character portrayed in Killing Eve?

He is depicted as a jovial, almost cuddly father figure rather than a cold-blooded taskmaster.

What typical narrative structure does Killing Eve follow according to Todorov?

It fits into Todorov's five-step narrative structure while also playing with it.

How does Killing Eve's script contribute to the spy thriller genre?

The witty, wry script undermines machismo, allowing the show to satirize the spy genre while providing emotional depth.

What is the equilibrium established for Villanelle in the series?

The first scene shows her normal life, with a hint of her violent persona, until her life is disrupted by Eve tracking her.

What is Eve's equilibrium before the disruption in her narrative arc?

She is comfortably married with a boring desk job until she witnesses a murder that compels her to investigate.

What does Steve Neale suggest about genres like crime/spy thrillers?

Genres are marked by both familiar tropes and differences, allowing for variation and change.

What audience pleasures are produced by crime/spy thrillers according to Neale?

They include narrative ingredients like cat-and-mouse pursuits and aesthetic pleasures like glamorous locations and costumes.

What is the significance of the character Villanelle's opening scene with ice cream?

It establishes her normal life while hinting at her violent nature through a cutaway to blood on her watch.

How does Killing Eve challenge the male fantasy of the femme fatale?

It shows women with dark aspects of their psyche, independent of male characters.

What role does humor play in Killing Eve?

It serves to satirize the ridiculous elements of the spy genre while adding emotional weight to the story.

How does Villanelle's lifestyle contribute to her character development?

Her glamorous lifestyle contrasts with her psychopathic behavior, enhancing her complexity.

What does the series suggest about the nature of female characters in thrillers?

It presents them as multifaceted individuals with their own agendas and complexities.

How does the narrative structure of Killing Eve enhance audience engagement?

By playing with familiar tropes, it keeps the audience invested in both character arcs and plot developments.

What themes are explored through the relationship between Eve and Villanelle?

Themes of obsession, power dynamics, and the blurred lines between hero and villain are central to their interactions.

What unique perspective does Killing Eve provide on traditional plots?

A unique female perspective.

How does Killing Eve challenge audience expectations?

By constantly subverting where the plot is heading.

What narrative device is typically used in the spy/crime/thriller genre but is not used in Killing Eve?

Enigma codes that drive the narrative, such as the identity of the killer.

What character relationships are emphasized in Killing Eve instead of traditional enigma codes?

The relationships and backgrounds of characters like Villanelle and Konstantin.

What does Waller-Bridge criticize about the portrayal of women in crime genres?

The exhaustion of seeing women brutalized and primarily featured as corpses.

What do the costumes of Eve and Villanelle signify in Killing Eve?

They reflect their personalities and interests, particularly in the context of a scene where Villanelle steals Eve's suitcase.

How does Killing Eve reflect social change regarding women's roles?

By placing women in key roles that lead and define the narrative, highlighting their power in the workplace.

What naturalistic behaviors are observed in the characters Eve, Bill, and Carolyn?

Their workplace behavior subverts the melodramatic elements typical of the spy thriller genre.

How does Villanelle's character complexity challenge traditional villain roles?

Comer adds layers to Villanelle, making her more than just a one-dimensional 'evil' character.

What role does music play in Killing Eve?

The songs by Unloved provide a feminine yet threatening tone that reflects the darker sides of Villanelle and Eve.

How do the set designs of Eve and Villanelle's homes contrast?

Eve's home suggests comfy domesticity that can also feel constricting, while Villanelle's Paris apartment suggests wealth and freedom but also emptiness.

What camera techniques are used to evoke empathy for Villanelle?

Close-ups, POV shots, and shot reverse-shot techniques.

What effort did the creators of Killing Eve make regarding female stereotypes?

They deliberately challenged stereotypes by showcasing complex female characters not typically seen on TV.

How does the editing in Villanelle's scenes affect audience perception?

It encourages empathy and admiration for her character, despite her being a psychopath.

What traditional male roles are replaced by women in Killing Eve?

Rogue hero, vicious villain, and spy team roles.

What is the significance of the opening scene in the café?

It immediately places the audience in Villanelle's point of view, creating empathy.

How does Killing Eve utilize genre conventions in a hybrid way?

By blending traditional elements with new perspectives and character dynamics.

What does the phrase 'warped' refer to in the context of Waller-Bridge's characters?

It refers to the traditional portrayals of women that Killing Eve seeks to avoid.

What themes are explored through the character dynamics in Killing Eve?

The conflict between career success and personal fulfillment for women.

How does the show subvert the machismo of the spy genre?

By replacing male-centric roles with strong female characters.

What does the scene where Eve tries on the dress symbolize?

It reflects the complex relationship and dynamics between Eve and Villanelle.

What is the overall impact of Killing Eve on the portrayal of women in media?

It challenges stereotypes and presents multifaceted female characters.

How do the visual codes in Killing Eve influence meaning?

They reflect the social and historical context of gender representation.

What is the significance of the music supervisor's choice for the show?

It enhances the thematic elements and emotional depth of the characters.

How do the male characters in Killing Eve relate to the female characters?

The male characters, such as Bill and Niko, are supportive of Eve and do not attempt to dominate the narrative.

What is notable about the portrayal of female characters in Killing Eve?

The female characters are depicted as complex, three-dimensional individuals who are brilliant, imaginative, and daring, yet also possess contradictory and dangerous impulses.

What is the significance of Villanelle's character in Killing Eve?

Villanelle is seen as an empowered anti-hero and fashion icon, with a fan following that overlooks her sociopathic violence.

How does Killing Eve handle violent scenes compared to typical representations in media?

Despite being a violent show, it has surprisingly little blood due to BBC America's limitations, focusing instead on how violence is shot and edited for impact.

What themes does Killing Eve explore regarding female desire and relationships?

The show boldly addresses the darker sides of female desire, sexuality, and relationships, challenging traditional narratives.

How does the dialogue in Killing Eve differ from other spy thrillers?

The dialogue is witty and sharp, subverting the serious, jargon-heavy language typical in other spy thrillers like those by John Le Carré.

What does the relationship between Eve and Niko reveal?

Their discussions are amusingly unsentimental, indicating a close and easy relationship that contrasts with Eve's obsession with Villanelle.

What is unique about Eve's character in terms of ethnicity and age?

Eve is a child-free, middle-aged professional woman of Asian heritage, which is unusual in TV drama, especially in the spy/crime genres.

What does bell hooks say about patriarchal power?

bell hooks identifies patriarchal power as a societal problem that victimizes both men and women, forcing them into stereotypical roles.

How do the characters in Killing Eve challenge traditional gender roles?

The male and female characters directly challenge stereotypes, with Carolyn holding genuine authority over her disapproving boss, Frank.

What criticism is directed at the portrayal of women in traditional Bond films?

Women are often sexualized and objectified, which has been criticized, contrasting with the strong, capable female characters in Killing Eve.

What is the impact of the #MeToo movement on representations in media?

The #MeToo movement aims to expose sexual harassment and misogyny in the entertainment industry, challenging patriarchal structures in film, TV, and music.

How does Killing Eve depict violence in relation to gender?

The victims of violence are mostly men, many killed by Villanelle, who has a penchant for castrating her male victims, symbolically removing their phallic power.

What roles do Niko and Bill play in relation to traditional masculinity?

Both characters are nurturing and compassionate, avoiding dominating or traditionally masculine roles, and support the women in charge.

How does Killing Eve's portrayal of female characters differ from other media?

The show presents women as strong and capable of great violence, deliberately challenging traditional representations of women in media.

What is the effect of social and cultural context on representations in Killing Eve?

The show reflects and critiques societal norms regarding gender, sexuality, and power dynamics.

How does the relationship between Eve and Villanelle evolve throughout the series?

Eve's relationship with Villanelle becomes increasingly passionate and obsessive, contrasting with her more comfortable relationship with Niko.

What is the role of humor in the interactions between Eve and Niko?

Their humor is unsentimental and indicative of a close bond, contrasting with the tension in Eve's relationship with Villanelle.

What does the character of Carolyn represent in the workplace?

Carolyn represents genuine authority and status, challenging the notion that men must hold power in professional settings.

How is Villanelle's violence portrayed in a feminist context?

Villanelle's violence is depicted as a means of subverting traditional gender roles and challenging male dominance.

What is the significance of the dialogue style in Killing Eve?

The naturalistic and understated dialogue style contrasts with the serious tone of other spy thrillers, enhancing character development.

How does Killing Eve address the theme of empowerment?

The show portrays female characters as empowered individuals who assert themselves without needing to struggle against male authority.

What are the implications of the show's title, Killing Eve?

The title suggests a complex interplay of violence and femininity, highlighting the show's exploration of female agency and desire.

What does Judith Butler assert about gender?

Gender is not a fixed biologically determined characteristic, but rather a fluid social construct that people perform through various roles and behaviors.

How does Liesbet Van Zoonen suggest media representation of women could improve?

By increasing diversity in production teams, leading to more positive and authentic representations of women and minority groups.

What is the significance of Villanelle's fashion choices in Killing Eve?

Villanelle's use of extremely feminine designer fashion alongside masculine attire illustrates her fluid approach to gender.

How do male characters in Killing Eve challenge traditional masculine stereotypes?

Bill is gentle and unbossy, Niko takes on domestic responsibilities, and Konstantin acts as a caring figure rather than a dominating authority.

What does Eve's clothing style in Killing Eve signify?

Eve wears baggy, unglamorous clothes, with her unruly hair hinting at her wild femininity, contrasting with more traditional feminine portrayals.

What was Killing Eve's viewership achievement in 2018?

The first episode was the second most-streamed TV show on BBC iPlayer, narrowly beaten by The Bodyguard.

What feminist layer is added when Villanelle dresses Eve in designer clothes?

The act of dressing Eve for another woman's pleasure, rather than a man's, adds a feminist perspective to the portrayal of gender.

What role do international co-productions play in the television industry?

They are becoming common as television becomes more global, with platforms like Netflix providing financial support for struggling productions.