Episode 1 of Killing Eve's fourth season bursts onto the screen with the foreboding wail of sirens, casting a chilling ambiance as we find ourselves amidst the bustle of Russian elections, where Konstantin is immersed in preparations. Eve, a steely resolve etched across her face, materializes before him, a gun trained and a demand echoing through the air: where is Helene? Without hesitation, she fires a warning shot, piercing through Konstantin's hand, forcing him to scribble down the crucial information she seeks. Eve's obsession is palpable, her singular focus on dismantling The Twelve propelling her forward, with Helene but a pawn in her intricate game.
Meanwhile, Villanelle has embarked on a path of redemption, lending a helping hand at a church and penning letters to Eve, each one torn apart in frustration as they fail to reach their intended recipient. Desperate for intel to unravel the mystery of The Twelve, she turns to Yusuf, their investigation leading them to the somber confines of Rhian Beven's funeral home—a haunting reminder of Villanelle's past deeds, where she pushed the woman to her tragic demise. Yet, Eve's pursuit remains thwarted.
In Mallorca, Carolyn maintains a charade of mundane theatrical performances and meetings, her eyes and ears ever-alert for whispers of The Twelve. It's not long before a piece of the puzzle falls into place—news of Jakub Novotny, discovered in a Prague warehouse, his brutal torture a chilling testament to the ruthless pursuit of those within the shadowy organization.
Hugo's unexpected arrival interrupts the calm, his promotion a hollow victory as he warns Carolyn against crossing lines and even threatens to pin Paul's murder on her if she's not careful. With a flick of her wrist, Carolyn has him escorted out, her composure unbroken.
Villanelle's transformation into a "good person" takes a bizarre turn as she undergoes baptism, praying fervently for a fresh start. But fate has other plans, as she inadvertently ends the life of her roommate's beloved cat, a tragic misstep that shakes the very foundations of her newfound resolve.
Villanelle feigns innocence, crafting a tale as if the feline met its fate by the roadside, her tale a mere veil over the CCTV footage that reveals her digging its grave in the solemn cemetery with a shovel in hand. Undeterred, she presses on with preparations for her baptism, meticulously reserving a seat for Eve amidst the vicar's skeptical gaze, wondering if this ritual is genuine or merely a performance for the stage. The answer, I surmise, lies in the latter.
With vital information on the murders clutched tightly, Carolyn jets into London, her path intersecting with Eve's. The landscape is littered with fallen members of The Twelve, three down already, and Carolyn offers her intelligence in exchange for access to Eve's discoveries, money no object.
Eve perceives Carolyn's moves as a meticulous chess game, and she retaliates, her voice laced with defiance, declaring her intention to upend the board and incinerate the pieces. Carolyn, sensing the futileness of the confrontation, gracefully withdraws.
Post-baptism, Villanelle appears, her forgiveness for Eve's absence as profound as her subsequent act of kneeling and offering up prayers for her. Eve's response is swift and harsh, a slap across Villanelle's cheek before she strides away, leaving the assassin stunned.
But Eve's focus remains fixed on a larger prey, her trail leading her to Pam, the enigmatic woman who tends to the dead at the funeral home. Suspicions burgeoning, Eve soon discovers that Pam's ties to The Twelve run deep. The revelation stuns her, yet she remains vigilant as a car flees the scene, Helene a captive within.
In a separate tableau, Villanelle encounters May within the hallowed confines of the church. As their lips seem poised for a kiss, Villanelle's actions take a sudden turn, plunging May into the sacred waters of the font. But at the eleventh hour, she relents, saving May from drowning. Returning home, Villanelle is haunted by a vision of herself, bearded and Christ-like, a haunting reminder of her own mortality and divinity intertwined.
