Killing Eve Review: Wide Awake (Season 2 Episode 7)
If things were complicated between Eve and Villanelle, they’re about to get even more complicated. Killing Eve Season 2 Episode 7, “Wide Awake,” is the penultimate episode of Season 2 and with it comes the promise of an even more enthralling relationship between the psychopath and the MI-6 officer.
It was interesting seeing Villanelle attempt to work undercover in Killing Eve Season 2 Episode 6, “I Hope You Like Missionary!” and I am a little surprised that it continued into this episode. It felt a little bit like we’d missed something vital to the plot, but “Wide Awake” does pick up the next morning.
The setup between Aaron and Billie in this episode is what steals the show. Until now, we’ve only had a few glimpses of how controlling Aaron could really be, but this took it to a new level.
Given that we had no idea how Aaron operates, “Wide Awake” is key to getting a look into his psyche. Throughout the episode, we see Aaron for the voyeuristic person that he is. He’s obsessed with getting all the information he can about someone while simultaneously not revealing anything about himself.
The way that he watched Villanelle handle her new wardrobe and the way she takes pleasure in nice things serves to highlight a fundamental difference between them. Villanelle is capable of feeling pleasure and she revels in it. Aaron, however, seems to get off on depriving himself of pleasure and an intense need for control.
The purchase of Villanelle’s new clothes is a prime example. The fact that he wouldn’t even let her have her own bag tells you just how much he needs to control this situation. We saw it a little bit more last week in “I Hope You Like Missionary!” too with his sister Amber when he attempts to control who she associates with.
While Aaron’s deal is interesting, it can’t hold the season on its own. Killing Eve has always been about Eve Polastri and Villanelle’s obsession with each other. While the world has to grow, Aaron’s tight control is more restrictive than anything else and would essentially hinder any end goal the writers have.
Fortunately, there is a balance in this episode with lots of Eve and Villanelle in the same room. I am starting to see how they can gel as partners and I am really liking their dynamic.
It’s also the first time that Eve sits down and takes stock of her feelings towards Villanelle.
There is something gratifying about seeing Eve acknowledge her feelings, but at the same time not freak out about them. If Eve can decide what she wants she’s closer to getting it than ever before.
The moment with the earpiece at the very end is definitely an interesting way to start taking their relationship to the next level and I can’t wait to see where they take it next.
Now that we’re coming closer to the end of Killing Eve Season 2, I think that they’re building up the story so that ultimately Eve and Villanelle run off together. There is a lot of foreshadowing about something going wrong, and how if anything happened Eve and Villanelle would be on their own.
But I am starting to think that maybe Villanelle’s final kill in London might have planted a seed so that there is no going back.
The scene between Villanelle, Niko, and Gemma in the storage unit feels a little bit like the scene with Frank in Season 1. There’s an enclosed space, and Villanelle is toying with them. Their reaction when she announces that she had intended to let them both go had he chosen Eve is also very relatable.
The final scene when we see Niko wake up with Gemma’s body feels like a setup though. Villanelle says that Eve would never forgive her if she hurt Niko, but what if she just framed Niko for murder?
It’s going to be a wild ride going into the end of Season 2, and there is also so much hope for Season 3.
Stray Thoughts:
- Hugo’s reaction to seeing Eve take out the earpiece feels on-brand for him.
- The fact that Aaron deals in information is something that I have been wanting to see more of, but honestly, unless there is some grand partnership coming I think Villanelle can kill him in the next episode. (Yes, I know Carolyn said no killing Aaron, but when does Villanelle play by the rules?)
- Kenny’s line that was interrupted by his mom has me curious now. What is he working on and what does it have to do with Villanelle and Eve? Is he somehow in on Aaron’s plan?
What did you think of this episode of Killing Eve? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Killing Eve airs Sundays at 8/7c on AMC and BBC America.
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Lauren Busser
Lauren Busser is an Associate Editor at Tell-Tale TV. She is a writer of fiction and nonfiction whose work has appeared in Bitch Media, Popshot Quarterly, Brain Mill Press Voices, and The Hartford Courant.