Eve delves into the past of her target and unearths some secrets from the history of The Twelve. Villanelle re-embraces killing, and has a try at doing it altruistically before deciding to kill those who oppressed her. Carolyn tracks down a top member of The Twelve - the same one Eve is pursuing.
Carolyn was a founding member of The Twelve. That's a massive revelation that occurs early in this hour. The organization got its name from the number of people in the room when it was born. Of course, the focus of it has changed over the years. Carolyn infiltrated this revolutionary group in 1979 as part of her work for the British foreign service. She and Lars were partners. She was drawn to Konstantin. She got close knowing he was a KGB officer. He eventually blackmailed her father and killed him. Carolyn was still willing to make a deal with him. Their relationship has certainly continued throughout the years. It was enough for Kenny to wonder if Konstantin was his biological father. Carolyn laments they may never be able to live happy, fulfilling lives. She's not one to linger over the past. And yet, her nostalgia is informed by just how personal this has become. She has long been determined to find Kenny's killer. She wants justice for her son. She won't let anyone or any intelligence organization stand in her way. She even inspires Villanelle to kill once more. But it's also starting to dawn on her that her actions towards Lars may have ultimately created the modern day version of The Twelve. For decades, she has assumed he was dead. She certainly had reason to believe that. It wasn't a story she was told about him drowning when he went out on a lake by himself. That's simply maintaining his cover so no one ever suspected his true work as an undercover agent. Carolyn and Konstantin beat him to death with oars when he stumbled upon their meeting. He believed Carolyn had betrayed him. She got too personally attached. As such, she isn't able to complete the mission. She would instead pursue her own compromising interests. Her reacting with violence serves as confirmation of such. Of course, Lars didn't die. All this time he has been living in the shadows. Once his presence is known, it's rather easy for Carolyn to track him down. She sees the relevance from this time in her life. It informed so much. It set everyone else on the paths they are currently are. She has to reckon with that. Her history has already been deeply informed by the minds she has shaped along the way. Every main character is defined by Carolyn's past. That's provides the epic scope while maintaining personal interest. Eve comes to that realization as well even though she doesn't know what all Carolyn has done. Instead, she only sees a damning piece of evidence that places her next to the creation of The Twelve.
Eve is distracted though. She continues to torment Helene by kidnapping her daughter. She justifies it as messing with her the same way Helene did by freeing Villanelle. Helene doesn't see it as such. She just sees another opportunity to make Eve suffer. She has certainly been impressed by Eve throughout the season. She is still drastically out of her league. Of course, the audience is only offered one perspective. It's much more visceral seeing Villanelle shot with an arrow while Eve helplessly watches. Meanwhile, it's simply uncomfortable to see Eve wander around the city with Chloe. She doesn't belong in this environment with her. She is simply a pawn meant to worry her mother. Helene is never given that time to react. Again, it's part of the exploration of the protagonist. Helene's perspective isn't meant to offer everything. Instead, she exists to deliver pain much more effectively because she is playing a much larger game. She is aware that Villanelle also happens to be in town. It's strange how tangential Villanelle's entire story has become. Yes, she exists as a wild card. She can stumble in at any moment and disrupt plans others have carefully crafted. Her personal agency has absolutely nothing to do with The Twelve. Konstantin says she can never escape working for them. She doesn't feel the pressure the same way he does. He has to train Pam. That's his new assignment. Villanelle is killing again. However, she sees the power in killing people who deserve the punishment. Of course, one could argue she deserves to die for all she has done as well. That creates the cliffhanger ending. Eve doesn't want that fate for Villanelle. She wanted her imprisoned. She achieved that resolution. It wasn't allowed to be final. Helene's action may operate in that way. She gets to inflict psychological pain on Eve while eliminating the one killer who has never been able to adjust to the demands of The Twelve. She needs to rely on people within this organization. Villanelle has never offered that loyalty and support. If she survives, it may bring her closer to Eve once more. But again, the main plot is heading towards these big revelations about The Twelve and how personal it has always been. Villanelle hasn't really been engaged with that story. And so, the stakes surrounding her are dampened in comparison to the severity of the narrative elsewhere.
