Harriet Walter

Nice analysis. Some of the new characters added for S2 and S3 did not work (e.g. Geraldine for S3). Others were a nice bit of background and also fulfilled an important role (e.g. Martin, the psychiatrist from Broadmoor who was the psych advisor to Carolyn). Still others were great ideas but left unfulfilled (e.g. The Ghost). Dasha is a new character that was a nice complement to the characters already in play and added a new dimension. Like Konstantin, she is an old pro who wants to get out of the game and retire. She was probably scrounging around doing menial tasks (e.g. emptying dead drop boxes, couriering messages, minor surveillance) when V blew up. Who do you think came up with the idea to have her approach V? Was it the 12 or was it her idea or a little of each. The 12 clearly feels there is still some mileage left in V and so investing some time and energy to get her back is worth it. We saw in Felix and Rhian that their human resources recruitment is not that good. If it was Dasha that originated the idea, it would fit as well, since she has a history with V and make the pitch that they know each other and once V did trust her. The whole "become a Keeper" was clearly a ruse just to get V back into the fold - something both the 12 and Dasha probably colluded on. Notice that K had a short laugh of surprise when V mentioned that she was going to be a keeper. Maybe he knew that this was an old ruse - a line used by the 12 to string people along. Your observation that Dasha despite being ruthless operates under her own illusions is a nice one. She can stab Niko in the neck and harbor dreams of a cozy retirement at the same time. In a way illusions forms a theme to the season: Konstantin has no illusions about his importance and role to the 12, nor about his ability to endure the strain and stress. He is a realist here, but labors under the illusion that he has insulated his daughter, Irina from the effects of his life. I know that the scene in the psych detention center was hammy to some, but the reaction on K's face as he realizes the easy enthusiasm Irina displayed about obtaining a shiv and her casual discussion of running over her mom's boyfriend was well done. Carolyn is a master manipulator and is usually unflappable. She handles her children with equal sureness. At the beginning of S3 she deals with Kenny's unhappiness of moving and we see her tolerate Geraldine before dismissing her abruptly. Yet, this mastery of her family life comes crashing down with Kenny's death and the realization that her past probably was a crucial factor. The part that didn't ring true was her reaction to Mo's death. He was her aide but Carolyn has sent many others to their deaths, so her being shaken didn't seem to fit. Villanelle is a master of illusions. She cast them on others, making them believe in a glance or with a few words the whole image or aura she projects. She is the earnest delivery person. She is the nouveau riche first time perfume buyer in a bespoke shop. She is a helpful gardener. She knows what others want or expect to see and hear, but she wonders in S3 what she wants. Does she want to be deeper in the 12? Does she want to reconnect with her family? Does she want to run off with Eve? Eve is a tricky one for V since she can't really peg her into some category. She is definitely not an enemy yet, isn't one of those people she can easily manipulate or use. Notice that she turned to K to help form her get away, so she is still not completely sure about E until the very end when she trusts E to retrieve the get away plans. But did she have any other options? K was until the end her more reliable contact until the showdown at Paul's apartment. Eve seems to start out thinking she could somehow pick up the pieces of her life and recover but soon realizes that she has to shed her past. Her involvement with Niko just threatens and endangers him. But what does she want? Carolyn uses her because she knows E is capable and truly cared about Kenny so an digging by her would be sincere. Her story in S3 was the weakest of the big 4 characters. It will be interesting to see how things turn out in S4. More on reddit.com

I think it’s rather obvious this poorly foiled plan of Dasha’s will backfire on her immensely. The simple fact is that she underestimates their bond and ultimately how smart Eve is. She presumes by killing Niko that Eve’s obsession with Villanelle will be quashed out of rage and pain. Unlike us, Dasha doesn’t know their mutual pining is a lot deeper than just an obsession and that there is an inner dark, murderous desire in Eve that seems to be coming closer to the surface every episode. Judging from the synopsises for episodes 6 and 7, Eve is clearly inching closer to different clues (probably regarding Niko’s death as well as the whole picture) and she’s obviously set out on a mission to reunite with Villanelle for a purpose like working together rather than just a confrontation. As for your question on why the Twelve don’t just kill Eve, my theory is that they want to lure her into a trap and use her somehow. They quite clearly think she’s resilient so maybe they think she’ll be useful for something. (What exactly I haven’t thought out but yeah just a theory.) OR its just simply that they couldn’t be bothered to deal with Villanelle’s unpredictable and dramatic reaction if they did kill her. It would put her even more off task. More on reddit.com