Ep 1. Slowly Slowly Catchy Monkey

In the opening episode of season 3 of the hit show Killing Eve, we find both Eve and Villanelle in very different places compared to the last time we saw them. Eve is living in obscurity in a small apartment in London, while Villanelle is enjoying a lavish lifestyle in Barcelona. The episode is titled "Slowly Slowly Catchy Monkey," and it sets the scene for what's to come in the season.

Eve is struggling to come to terms with what happened in the season 2 finale, where she stabbed Villanelle and left her for dead. She is haunted by the memory of what she did, and spends most of her days drinking alone in her apartment. However, her isolation is disrupted when her former boss Carolyn shows up at her door with a new assignment.

Meanwhile, Villanelle is still in recovery mode after being stabbed by Eve. However, she has a new mentor figure in her life, Dasha, who is training her to become a higher up in the secret organization, The Twelve. Dasha is ruthless and challenging towards Villanelle, pushing her to become even more lethal than she already is. In this episode, we see Villanelle struggle with her past and grapple with the idea of becoming a full-fledged assassin.

The episode is masterfully directed, with each scene expertly building upon the last. The opening sequence sets an eerie tone, with Villanelle donning a clown costume and attending a birthday party for a young boy. It's a scene that will make your skin crawl, with Villanelle's unnerving smile and disregard for the child's safety.

As the episode progresses, we see Eve reluctantly taking on a new mission from Carolyn, investigating the murder of an accountant. Similarly, Villanelle is given a task from Dasha, which she completes with her signature flair. The two storylines are neatly woven together, with the plotlines intersecting in the final scenes.

The acting in "Slowly Slowly Catchy Monkey" is top-notch, with both Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh delivering nuanced performances that highlight the complexities of their characters. Comer, in particular, shines as she navigates the minefield that is Villanelle's psyche. She's both frightening and vulnerable all at once, a true testament to her skill as an actress.

Most importantly, the first episode of season 3 does an excellent job of setting up the tone and themes for the rest of the season. We see both Eve and Villanelle wrestling with their demons in different ways, with the promise of more conflict to come. The episode doesn't feel like a standalone piece, but rather, like the first act of a larger narrative.

In conclusion, "Slowly Slowly Catchy Monkey" is a strong opening to season 3 of Killing Eve. It sets the stage for what's to come, while also delivering a satisfying standalone story. Fans of the show will no doubt be eager to see where the plotlines go from here, and the first episode gives us plenty of reasons to stay tuned.