You see, queerbaiting is when two characters are coded as queer or as a couple but writers never go there for fear of alienating a certain type of audience. So, the story goes forward, the two characters get close and, had they been straight, they would’ve probably gotten together by the series finale.

Killing Eve is not queerbaiting.

Villanelle has had multiple female partners and just said “I love you” to a woman.

Eve is obviously attracted to Villanelle in some capacity, since she shagged Hugo while listening to V talking to her.

What happened in the finale is not queerbaiting.

Villanelle was manipulative and Eve caught on. Both acted exactly as they would’ve. They’re nuts. Both of them. It’s not a healthy relationship, it’s going to be bumpy and they may never get together. I’m not even sure they’ll survive the series finale.

It’s messed up and it’s crazy and, even though people do want them to get together, it’s fine if they haven’t for now. They’re not there yet and, from how the show’s written, they may never get there. Or maybe they will, it’s unpredictable.

That’s why it’s a good show, with good writing and good storytelling. The queer characters are there, there is romance involved (that ‘I love you’, if sincere, is an indicator of unrequited love, which could or could not set up a relationship) but queer characters are more than being in a relationship. Queer characters are allowed to be batshit crazy and to be evil and to be anti-heroes. If you wanted couples who get together fast and are happy from the get go, go watch 99% of everything else involving wlw right now, but don’t shit on a good show for delivering good twists (I wouldn’t even call them ‘twists’, honestly).

Be disappointed (it’s ok if you’re sad/upset that your ship didn’t become canon), politely tell people why, but don’t call this queerbaiting. IT ISN’T.