Killing Eve season 3 episode 7, BBC review ★★★★★

It’s a strange irony that Killing Eve bathes in such a pulpy genre, yet manages to trip in its own plot. Season three has found the benefits in this approach, like in episode five when writer/showrunner Suzanne Heathcote poked into Villanelle’s past. However, now that we’ve reached the penultimate episode (yes, time flies), there’s a hurried effort to kick the plot forward and twist too many knives at once. But even the twists feel limp, barely breaking the skin.

This critic expected more from writer Laura Neal, who wrote the funniest episode of the season so far and is taking over as show-runner for season four. She writes a few funny lines, mostly via Carolyn (Fiona Shaw) as she refuses omelettes to her incompetent subordinates. But many scenes in episode seven droop with peculiar awkwardness.

Carolyn (Fiona Shaw) is the only saviour of episode seven

During a meeting between Villanelle (Jodie Comer) and the Twelve boss Helene (Camille Cotton), the latter maternally embraces the assassin to her chest, reciting a monologue that sounds like Heath Ledger’s Joker. She calls Villanelle an ‘agent of chaos’ and a ‘beautiful monster’, encouraging her to continue killing despite her desire to retire.

Konstantin’s feeling stressed, which he releases with defensive chuckles. His daughter Irina (Yuli Lagodinsky) has been admitted into a detention centre after crushing and killing her mother’s boyfriend, thwarting their holiday plans. Lagodinsky is as funny and furious as ever, even more watchable with Irina’s honest embrace of her own psychopathy. But there's not nearly enough time spent with her. Did she have to be locked away? Is this the last we'll see of her?

The peculiar awkwardness rears its unwanted head again as Konstantin and Geraldine (Gemma Whelan) get together, revealing more about their strange, hushed relationship. It’s a cringey scene, barely comprehensible, shortchanging any hinted depth to Geraldine’s character, even with Whelan’s vivid performance.

Villanelle (Jodie Comer) travels to Aberdeen for her latest kill

Eve (Sandra Oh) catches up with Villanelle, leading her to a golf club in Aberdeen. As Carolyn alludes (‘Heroes only get the girl in Hollywood’), Eve is caught between her desire to catch Villanelle and her desire for Villanelle (again).

A glimpse of her more vengeful and violent side returns – last seen at the end of season two – as she corners another enemy. Her hidden capability of harsh violence has been left mostly unexplored this season, so thankfully Neal examines it here (albeit briefly). It’s a regrettable reminder that, in this season, Eve does very little of interest up to this point.

The only saviour in this episode is, of course, Carolyn. And similar to Eve and Irina, she also lets out some long-repressed rage, after some encouragement from her exceedingly irritating daughter. If there’s one unforgettable highlight to this whole season, it’s Fiona Shaw’s magnificent performance.

Killing Eve season 3 continues on BBC iPlayer on Mondays from 6am.