Her paying isn’t a form of thanking him, she doesn’t even look at him, she just puts the money there as she walks away without stopping. She also doesn’t stop to knock the icecream down. Imagine if she stopped to pay but not stopped to knock the icecream or viceversa? What would the viewer understand? 1. She stopped to pay, she didn’t stop to knock the icecream. It would look like she is running away from knocking the icecream snce she took care to slowdown to pay. 2. She didn’t stop to pay she did for the icecream. She was in a hurry to take revenge on the girl. The got got under her skin. 3. She stopped for both, paying and icecream. It would probably still give psychopath pettiness, but it doesn’t fit her personality. Maybe an slower killer more controlled dense, but she is reckless and energetic. 4. She doesn’t stop, as in the video shows that she cares about nothing else but herself she is done she is over and she is quick to leave without care, she got served and she leaves instantly. The same she will forget about this icecream she will forget the little girl. She just got her moment at the moment and she moved on without missing her step not even a second.
I don't think she was paying for the icecream; she probably did that before she sat down. She was doing something nice, voluntarily tipping the vendor, before doing something cruel, dump ice cream on the girls lap. This establishes that her cruelty is intentional not habitual @@Lppt87
She casually bought off the barista's good will, manipulating him into believing the lady is nice, and that the ice cream spilling must have been the little girl's fault. Even if the girl cries out that the mean lady did it on purpose, the barista will tend to think the little girl was just clumsy and making up lies. Villanelle created a situation where the barista and the little girl might go at it against each other, regarding the "terrible lies" the little girl would be crying about.
This show used to be so phenomenal and unique, can't believe the trainwreck it became after Phoebe Waller-Bridge left. One of the best character intros of all time for sure.
Also this scene is key to showing Villanelle's character as a psychopath. Psychopaths are said to be unable to understand human emotions, therefore they learn them from others in order to display them at the most opportune moments. Villanelle shows a response to the girl but realises its wrong and reworks it after studying a non psychopath.
That's what I was thinking when I first watched it. She's mimicking human emotion from the vendor because she doesn't feel any herself. Narcissists do that too, that's why they get so successful at interacting with people, but it's not genuine.
That was also shown l@ter oon when she’s listening to the radio on the treadmill and mimics the girls laugh and carry’s on using it through the episode
I honestly think that she portrays plenty of emotion throughout the seasons (even empathy at times.) Masking and learning to mirror behavior doesn't always equal a lack of emotion altogether.
Minor correction: Phoebe Waller Bridge is great but she didn't write every episode of Killing Eve 5:22 she wrote the majority of the episodes of the first season, aka the best episodes. Also, this scene introduces another key characteristic of Vilanelle, her greatest weakness. Yes, pushing ice cream on a child's lap is certainly petty, but it is also reckless. Vilanelle is right about to kill a high profile target and she just drew attention to herself. Plus there is the risk that either the vendor or the girl's mother would confront her. Both of those things could easily jeopardize her job but she doesn't care.
Yeah, someone in another comment mentioned her "poor impulse control." I think that's an important element to this scene. Even if she was angry at the girl for not smiling at her at first, the rational thing to do would have been to just ignore it. But her anger and need to "teach the girl a lesson" cause her to do something that's not in her own best interest.
@@familycorvette I mean, what makes you conclude that this is bad writing? The rest of the scene is well planned and executed, why would that one aspect randomly be poorly written out of nowhere? Especially when it makes perfect sense with what was already established?
This intro is even deaper. The girls first reaction shows a little fear - a little distrust. Villanelle is not just coaxing a smile, she is gaining enough trust so that she can get close enough to knock the ice cream into the little girls lap. In the first 2 minutes of the show, she gains the trust of a complete stranger, then violates that trust for her own ammusement. It introduces the viewer to her complete MO.
Agreed. I always thought that Sandra Oh's Eve was actually the weakest character on the show, she was simply the 'name' that got the US funding to kick the series off but once Jodie Comers sheer talent leapt of the screen at everyone I thought that Oh's character was holding the show back. Frankly it would have been nice if they had actually Killed Eve in Killing Eve
Pheobe was the showrunner only for season 1 not the entire show. That's why there's such a drop off in quality with the writing, particularly after season 2.
true. I only watch a couple or one video of S3 and haven't found the motivation to finish it. The season 1 is stellar honestly such a shame, I'm waiting for whatever crumbs phoebe throw at us
@@wenik_2332 Good to know lol. I remember hearing about this show when it came out so this video didn't spoil anything for me, but it very much did make me want to actually watch Killing Eve. Glad I read these comments to know that the quality drops off before getting too invested in it lol
I found "Killing Eve" right after having finished "Hannibal", so I was very in tune with the whole people hiding their monstrosity ordeal. That's what this scene told me (mind you, I only knew V was a killer but not what type). How Villanelle carefully crafted her person suit, how she was very detached from the world around her so she needed something to imitate to seem normal. And finally that she was an asshole. Man she's such great character.
This really is perhaps the most surprising and memorable character introductions I've ever seen. What made this even better for me, is I didn't know what I was going to watch - I didn't even know who would play the main character, and I didn't know who Comer was. The way that scene plays out, the outrageous outcome of that seemingly harmless interaction - truly priceless stuff! 😄❤️
The Cafe Scene did a great job in showcasing the strength of Villanelle's psychopathy and how she ain't down with the kids but for me, the Tuscany Hairpin Hit was the true to Villanelle the Assassin of pride, arrogance, showmanship, theatricality and depravity beyond human recognition. Which made her a breath of fresh air to the usual schtick of Fictional Assassin's who hate their job. Ps. The spot of blood on her watch was a nice little touch.
I actually think Villainelle’s introduction in the show is perfect. She is a heartless shell of a human masquerading her own humanity. The child doesn’t fall for her fake smile. Not always, but some kids are good at feeling that a person is fake, in the least. She sees the vendor as having a genuine smile. Then, Villainelle perfectly impersonates the vendor’s genuine smile. She learned to fool an intuitive child very quickly. Then, because it’s fun, she knocks the child’s ice cream onto her lap as she leaves. Because she enjoys causing pain, even in children. This implies she’s fine with assassinating even children. But, the show doesn’t have the need to be so dark. It’d affect their ratings.
She also wipes what might be a drop of blood off of the face of her watch. And even if it's not a drop of blood, the audience can certainly take the hint that it might be, and that this character is not only manipulative but dangerous, or at least involved in dangerous activities. So there's that too. Just watched for the first time.
This scene hooked me straight into the whole series. I can't ever remember an opening couple of minutes in any made for TV series ever having done that to me before.
Technically, the denouement is Villanelle smiling after she has walked out of the ice cream parlor. Act 1 - eating ice cream. Inciting incident - locking eyes with the girl. Act 2 - smiling at the girl (we now know what Villanelle wants. She wants a smile from the child.) 1st pinch point - the girl does not return the smile. Midpoint - the audience registers Villanelle's annoyance at being ignored and her continued focus on the child. 2nd pinch point - Villanelle notices the girl smile at the vendor, who gives a big smile. Act 3 - The Dark Night - Villanelle now smiles a big smile at the girl, and the girl returns the smile. (This is where the author tricks us - a normal person would end the story with the returned smile) The scene's climax is when, after getting what she wants, Villanelle still knocks the ice cream into the girl's lap. The final outcome or the denouement is Villanelle's true smile as we hear the child wail as Villanelle walks out into the street.
This is a much better breakdown, and now I’m annoyed that I watched most of a 14-minute video by someone who couldn’t identify the pushing of the ice cream as the climax of that story. Or worse, someone who could, but wanted to be corrected for engagement (which is why I suspect he claimed Waller-Bridge wrote “all” the episodes of Villanelle, which is an awkwardly specific thing to say, and easily fact-checked). In short, I’m getting really tired of video essays. But I appreciate this comment.
@@lineettasame here. I also simply cannot abide 1) those who can’t or won’t pronounce “denouement” and 2) those who can’t or won’t understand denouement. It’s such an elegant word and concept!
I love this series and Villanelle, she is easily one of my favorite characters of all time. But this video is great, I mean, for me this intro is iconic but I never stopped to think and analyze everything you mention here, what a job! It makes me admire Phoebe Waller Bridge even more, if that's possible. Amazing, thanks 👏
When the audience gets to have their "aha" moment, the scene becomes so much more powerful. It feels like we're in on the story that the movie is telling, like we're part of it too.
Absolutely... I actually re=watched the intro 3 or 4 times before continuing the story because I was in awe of the craft that it displayed... script direction acting... flawless
One thing to add- another part of what makes this intro great is that the situation is so specific. I've never seen a scene much like this in anything else. So, it sticks in your head.
Thank you for this, well done! I could truly feel at the moment of watching this scene how vital every glance and moment was; I felt it encapsulated her character perfectly looking back as well, while still leaving room to continue learning about her character. BUT, this video put into words and concrete reasons all the things I was feeling/sensing intuitively. Great job
This probably came up on my feed because of how often I tote this as the greatest cold open of a series ever!! 💗 So great to see it getting the appreciation it deserves.
Awesome video, glad I came across it. I watched this series without reading anything about the story, and from this very first scene, was hooked and impressed. I could tell she was off from the beginning too lol, and that immediately caught my attention, also since it was so original for a female character to be introduced like this.
Thank you for making this video. I watched this intro of Villanelle, was floored, and instantly forgot it. You broke down her introduction in such a compelling way that even an 11 year old could understand the magic that happened in just this one conceit. Great work here.
I was watching somebody react to "The Silence of the Lambs", there was a comment thread about "strong female characters", and so I was thinking about the Mount Rushmore of Sci Fi ladies in cinema... SO, of course when I then see "greatest character intro ever", I of course think of Trinity from "The Matrix". You get the "I think we can handle one little girl" with Agent Smith's "your men are already dead" rejoinder to *tell* us, THEN we get the iconic fight, with the iconic double-kick, from Trinity as the opening. I mean, c'mon.
What is interesting is Villanelle is biblical. She's teaching the little girl the way of the world. Why is an adult man catching the attention and smiling at a young girl. Whatever thoughts you have, at the very basis of everyone being strangers an adult man smiling at a woman, his smile even lingers. Villanelle then overrides the girl's caution through societal niceties. Then once the little girl is fooled she shows her how people lie. Villanelle is both honest and maternal and yet in only the most chilling capacity. It's quite well done.
I think you might be projecting broski. I'm a service worker and I smile like the man did at kids all the time because their cute and it's fun, not because I'm a creep.
@@lucydonohue4919 perhaps! But then again this is after all a show about murder and the nature of strangers... maybe you only see it as projection broheme but I see this show written as a story, a fairytale. A real writer came up with this plot. Villanelle is larger than life! Villanelle watches a young girl have a nice interaction with a stranger, Villanelle then demonstrates the duality to the girl, and the viewer. Bork Bork bork indeed ;)
@dianafrank1567 exactly, the point of the sence is to further demonstrate who Villanelle is- the worker is not a fleshed out character, he is a npc being used to further flesh out Villanelle's character. If the writers really wanted to depict what you read into that scene, I think they would have been more deliberate at showing that he has ill intent. But I think it's pretty clear to most people watching that the show is trying to demonstrate Villanelle's inherent lack of empathy. She has to look to someone else (the icecream guy) who does possess normal human empathy in order to replicate it. Do you really think that she cares enough about this little girl to try to teach her some sort of maternal lesson? That just doesn't really fit in with her pattern of behavior, nor do we have any evidence in that scene to justify that interpretation. Tbh honest, I think the character Villanelle would love your take not because it's accurate, but because she loves manipulating people into thinking she cares before murdering them. But in a similar vain to Eve... ima have to call bullshit.
@@lucydonohue4919 well to be honest originally it was a joke and I thought it was hilarious however I stand behind what I say not because of Villanelle's intent but because of the intent of the writers! Killing Eve is a tongue in cheek exploration of morality and the connection between strangers. Although I can see your point I think you're failing the grasp the outer reaches of the show... I don't think it's an accident this is the first scene. Yes, you're clearly correct in your interpretation of her inability to empathize to a comedic effect however there's more than one way to look at a scene ... it can be interpreted that we are first meeting Villanelle, we like the innocent child are not sure what to expect and much like the ice cream scene we are continually being seduced and potentially betrayed the manipulation of the show and Villanelle and Eve...just like all the people we know in real life. I don't think it's random Phoebe Waller Bridge wrote this and Fleabag both are pithy takes on relating to strangers. G'day mate!
I didn't expect this intro AT ALL, and I ended up rewinding it several times to rewatch. Because it's just so good. And Jodie Comer is just so good. Perfection.
FINALLY someone recognizes how incredible the opening scene is in Killing Eve.... i went into that show completely blind... no idea what it was about or who the characters were.... that first scene absolutely hooked me in straight away
Vince Gilligan always does something interesting with a character introduction. Even if they’ll be gone in 5 minutes, you get a real idea of what the character is about.
@@davescripted3796 hmm maybe you should watch it and create your own analysis as to how the story progressed. There are several pinpoints to recall such as their politics of changing showrunners per season and everything about why they messed up so hard at the end :/
Great video essay and loved ur analysis! Wanted to add that another reason why the intro is so well done -is the decision to make the antagonist a Child within the contained story. Having Vilanelle, mimic and deceive to get what she wants yet act out in pettiness because she "should have" gotten it in the first place, precisely demonstrates the childishness of her behaviour. Choosing a Child to provoke this reaction out of Vilanelle, ultimately emphaises this trait of Immaturity. There's also a shot, where the girls reflection in the fridge door, is positioned alongside Vilanelle (who is mirroring her) which further cements this motif of childishness. This intro foreshadows this impulsive, unserious, petty and shortsided side to Oksana, traits of Psychopaths that are not stereotypically depicted on screen. As you might have alluded to in your comparison of Vilanelle and Hannibal Lecter ficitonal psychopaths; are usually either villains serving a larger narrative or extremely dehumanised & caricatured versions of themselves. While Vilanelle is cold, cruel, & manipulative, she is not precise, calculated and rational. She is risk seeeking, easily distracted, bored, materialistic and her fast working brain needs constant stimulation: which is why she loves challenges! (Only to the extent that they result in a prize she wants or don't trigger any vulnerabilities.) Which brings me to the point that, grounding a Psychopathic Assasin in reality, requires a lot of fucking research & consideration. The BIBLE for Vilanelle must be massive!! I think it's what makes the character writing of this show so compelling and outstanding. The level of research the writers did really shows!
The first season was exceptional and unique I loved everything about it. The second season was more than fine for me even though it a bit started going down from there and by season 3 the disaster is born.....
The best part is the very last second where she smiles to her self. Not for anyone else, just because she's content with herself. That shows something as well.
One more thing that makes this introduction great: hope. This introduction is designed to make us think that Villanelle might be a good person -- might become a good person -- and then shatter that hope in a hilarious way. In about 30 seconds. It's the same ride that Eve is going to be on for most of the rest of the show. It's all about our expectation. We probably saw a preview for the show. We know that Villanelle is probably the villain. But when a show starts with a main character interacting with a child, we expect things. Maybe the child will be a big part of this episode. The child doesn't trust Villanelle and it's troubling when Villanelle fakes two smiles to get her to finally smile back. But I had an emotional response to seeing them smile at each other. Even though I knew Villanelle was faking it, emotionally I believed anyway -- briefly -- that the child and Villanelle had formed a connection. Just a few moments into the show, and I am already making elaborate excuses for Villanelle. Yes, she is a liar and a manipulator, but she can feel, deep down. The only reason she bothers to manipulate the child is because she cares, right? Then Villanelle dumps the child's ice cream off the table, into her lap. It's hysterically petty. It's hilarious. It's the whole show in 30 seconds. Why don't I hate Villanelle for being so pointlessly cruel? There is a kind of release as Villanelle confronts how hard it is to earn the trust of another person, shares a smile, and then in the uncertain peace of the moment, just as I'm trying to remember if the child was in the preview, Villanelle tears it all down. And Villanelle escapes all the consequences. We never see the child crying. We never see the child again. It's hilarious, in a disturbing way. This is the first time the show invites to have fun watching Villanelle doing evil, awful things. Soon she is going to be torturing people to death while they beg to live -- and these moments are clearly played for comedy. And the whole time -- through the first season into the second season and beyond, we are with Eve, appreciating Villanelle's skills, identifying somehow with her temper tantrums, hoping that there might somehow be a person in there...
It would have been funny if Villanelle had an admirer who was in love with her murders, always following her around and constantly bringing her flowers.
Your video was so good I had to stop watching it! (I haven't seen the show and don't want the intro spoiled for me. 😜) BTW, see "The Third Man" and Harry Lime's intro, still my candidate for the greatest character intro ever, having not seen this one.
One of my favorite character intro is that of Sher Khan in the Jungle Book. For half the movie, he's only described from other character's testimony. Everyone's afraid of him, and we get the impression that he's some sort of raving beast. Then, he gets in and he's all sly, smooth, cunning, exuding a controlled sense of menace.
One of my fave intros of all time was Chili Palmer in Get Shorty. That whole sequence tells you exactly who that character is. Soft spoken, tells it like it is and NOBODY steals Chili’s leather jacket!
This was amazing, I loved it maybe you can do a deep dive on the movie Kajillionare I find it amazing and I have so much to say but can't get it as neat lol
Honestly for me one of the best and most memorable intros is Death from Supernatural. There are nice subtle nods to the lore and it shows in a very short arc just what sort of person he is. The music over top also makes it very clear for those who dont follow the lore.
This is a great video. Interesting from beginning to end. I have no idea why, but suddenly I remembered the stupid things I learned in the native language class in school and asked my why we don't learn interesting stuff like this instead.
I remember first watching this scene and thinking how good it was at introducing the character. I think from watching clips/ hearing about the show I already knew that Villanelle was a hitman and a psychopath so knew this going in, and I thought this was such a great way to show it. I also like how her opening scene featured her eating ice cream -- a lot of psychopaths in fiction are shown drinking milk, and likewise, when characters in fiction eat specific foods, it's normally to show their character. Ice cream is dairy/ milky, and to me reminds me of kids/ children. It's like if an adult goes to a restaurant and orders a milkshake instead of an alcohol, coffee, or a fizzy drink, your friends are gonna be like, 'Huh?' And we know Villanelle is quite childish as well, or can be. Idk though, I watched it a while ago and can't remember much of it, but I always thought she wanted to get the girl to smile to fit in. Especially when she doesn't get the positive reinforcement (the girl smiling back) and then watches what a 'normal' person does that makes the girl smile. Then she emulates this, feels normal/ like she fits in, but also ofc feels satisfied/ like she's won a competition, and then spills the girl's ice cream anyways bc 1. it's funny/she gets joy out of it, 2. she doesn't care, but also 3. also, idk it's like she's playing with the girl, like she was annoyed that the girl didn't smile at her in the first place, like it was somehow the girl's fault, and then when Villanelle manipulated her she was thinking, 'Yeah, see how easy smiling was?' and then for good measure spilled her ice cream. Which again, shows her pettiness, but idk, I always thought it was a bit more. I imagine it must be hard being a psychopath -- everyone seems to emotionally react and respond in ways that you don't, are confusing, or difficult to understand, and only by emulating them and 'performing' can you get your needs met. I think it's shown later in the show how Villanelle is either quite lonely or quite bored. I'm probably reading WAY too much into this, but it could also have struck a core with Villanelle's past. Villanelle was also once a young girl, and due to her not really understanding things due to her psychopathy, she could have also experienced other little girls not wanting to be her friends, thinking she's strange, etc. before she really knew how to manipulate people.
Loved the vid, might I recommend including the tv show name in the title? I had scrolled past a few times not realizing this was Villanelle; I saw Psycho in the thumbnail and assumed it was about a show called that. LOVE your vids, I can tell ur about to blow up on here
Denouement is a French word, it is used here because in French the “conflict” of the story is called “le noeud de l’histoire” literally the story’s knot and we say of the end that it is “ le dénouement de l’histoire” as untangling the knot that created the issue
