Queer fans of hit TV series Killing Eve are raging about the show’s “heartless”, “cruel” and “unsatisfying” series finale.
The Emmy-winning spy thriller series, streaming in Australia on ABC iview, has wrapped up after four seasons.
Spoiler alert!
Actresses Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer played federal agent Eve Polastri and deadly assassin-for-hire Villanelle (pictured).
And over four seasons, the two women’s cat and mouse, will-they-or-won’t-they relationship made the show a major smash among queer fans.
In the series finale, the two women finally share a kiss before joining forces to take down the shadowy cabal “The Twelve” together.
But after their embrace, in the closing minutes of the episode, Villanelle is shot by a sniper.
She and Eve dive into the water to get away from the gunfire. Villanelle’s lifeless body then floats away as Eve screams in horror.
Villanelle is seemingly dead, text on the screen flashes “The End” and the credits on the finale roll.
But many heartbroken fans were furious, with some blasting the shock twist as a “betrayal” of the two characters.
Some viewers are pretending the final two minutes just didn’t happen. Others raged that another TV show has killed off a queer character just as they get a happy ending.
Killing Eve head writer defends shock ending
However head Killing Eve writer Laura Neal told Salon the team discussed many possible endings for the pair.
“I think the reason we went with this one is because it just felt like the most truthful end to both of these characters’ stories. Especially with Villanelle,” she said.
“This is a character who has doled out so much violence herself in her life, and so much pain and destruction.
“She is steeped in killing. It felt appropriate that her end would be bloody in some way.
Neal added, “We liked the idea of her finally achieving something that she wanted to achieve, which is an act of goodness.
“She pushes Eve off of the boat and she saves Eve in that moment.
“She does this selfless thing that I think she talks about wanting to do in Episodes 1 and 2. [But] she can never quite find the right way to do it.
“So, even though her ending in some ways is tragic, I also think in some ways it’s triumphant. Because she proves to herself and to Eve – and to the audience almost – that she can change.”
Read some of the reactions to the Killing Eve finale below:
killing eve has overthrown game of thrones for having the worst ending of any show ever made in the history of television
— alex | killing eve spoilers (@sithoksana) April 10, 2022
me @ killing eve writers pic.twitter.com/9gBJG3lnJo
— лена (@killinglena) April 10, 2022
the way it took 2 minutes, a hundred and twenty seconds, for the killing eve writers to ruin everything they’ve built up for 4 years
— g | ke spoilers (@shivdeckers) April 10, 2022
jodie comer was trying to warn us all along and we should’ve listened #KillingEve pic.twitter.com/yld6lhHEli
— ivy | in laura neal’s walls (@sithgaryen) April 10, 2022
it’s alarming how often this happens in queer media. straight characters/couples get their happy endings while we have to beg for something. no one would’ve complained if the hug was the last thing. but no, you, of course, need to see queer characters suffer for your shock value.
— k is mourning (@myvillaneve) April 10, 2022
SPOILERS BELOW
•
•
•
The last minute of #KillingEve’s finale is void of heart & uses a tired trope carelessly. It feels like a slap in the face & discards V & Eve’s journey like it meant nothing. I’m disappointed, angry, & it hurts to know a show I loved is tainted for me now.— Sara Clements 💙💛 (@mildredsfierce) April 10, 2022
Some are adamant the final two minutes just didn’t even happen
it ended here idk what you’re all talking about #killingeve pic.twitter.com/bLv4Vbzb0J
— the chanel boots is mourning (@bibIicalfantasy) April 10, 2022
wow i love THIS ending of killing eve, when it ended with eve and villanelle hugging pic.twitter.com/nvHmCxPy2R
— aaliyah | ke spoilers (@viilaneille) April 10, 2022
Others are upset the TV series didn’t follow the book
a genuinely friendly reminder that this is how the books end: them together, living their lives happily. 💞 villanelle doesn’t die and gets a linguistics degree. #killingeve #villaneve pic.twitter.com/eDAAs31jUS
— em / ke spoilers (@nbvillanelle) April 10, 2022
Killing Eve’s final season is streaming in Australia on ABC iview. Earlier seasons are also available to watch on Stan.
For the latest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) news in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
No Comment