The Intricate Power Play at the Heart of Sirens
Netflix’s limited series Sirens captivated audiences with its intoxicating mix of mystery, blurred boundaries, and power dynamics wrapped in a darkly comedic tone.
Among the show’s many intriguing elements, one of the most nuanced was the bond between Michaela “Kiki” Kell (played by Julianne Moore) and her assistant Simone (Milly Alcock).
While everyone else referred to Michaela by her full name or as Mrs. Kell, Simone alone had the freedom to call her “Kiki.”
This seemingly small detail holds profound weight within the story. It’s not just a nickname—it’s a reflection of a deeply inappropriate, yet emotionally intense relationship that lies at the center of Sirens. The nickname reveals far more than affection.
It uncovers issues of identity, power imbalance, and a dangerous lack of boundaries that ultimately led to the explosive fallout between the two women.
Simone Was More Than an Assistant in Sirens
In Sirens, Simone doesn’t just serve Michaela—she idolizes her.
The show paints their relationship as a blend of friendship, mentorship, and subtle manipulation.
As an assistant, Simone should have had a professional boundary, but Michaela blurred those lines repeatedly.
Whether it was sharing a bed, spraying Michaela’s underwear with lavender mist, or emotionally supporting her boss through highly personal moments, Simone wasn’t just a staff member—she was deeply emotionally entangled.
And the nickname “Kiki” is the ultimate symbol of that emotional closeness.
It signals that Simone is special. She’s not just another employee; she’s someone Michaela lets into her private, more relaxed world. The rest of the staff called her Mrs. Kell, a formal and distant title that maintained hierarchy. But Simone? She was in, and that nickname was her membership badge.
Devon Saw the Truth Before Simone Did
From the moment Devon (Meghann Fahy) enters the world of Sirens, she’s disturbed by the relationship between Simone and Michaela.
Unlike Simone, Devon sees Michaela as manipulative, maybe even dangerous. She hears whispers that Michaela may have killed her husband’s first wife.
She watches her control guests and staff with a subtle but iron grip. And she recognizes that Simone, whether she admits it or not, is under Michaela’s spell.
Devon’s discomfort with the nickname “Kiki” is part of that bigger picture. It shows her how far gone Simone really is—how much she’s surrendered her identity in favor of this rich, enigmatic woman. Michaela might not be a cult leader in the literal sense, but her influence runs deep. Sirens expertly captures that vibe of unspoken coercion wrapped in glamour and friendship.
Power Dynamics Disguised as Intimacy
The problem in Sirens isn’t that Michaela is outwardly evil. In fact, by the show’s end, it’s clear she’s not a monster.
But the affection she shows Simone is laced with dominance. Michaela holds all the power—financial, social, and emotional.
She can give and take as she pleases, and she does. When she fires Simone in a moment of panic, it strips Simone of everything she had—home, job, purpose, and identity.
That’s what makes the nickname so tragic. “Kiki” wasn’t just what Simone called her boss—it was what she called her best friend. And when the line between friend and boss was shattered, Simone’s entire world crumbled. The fallout proves that even seemingly small emotional intimacies can have huge consequences when there’s an imbalance of power.
🎁 Goodie: Watch the Eyes, Not the Words
Want to catch all the subtext in Sirens? Pay close attention to the eye contact between Simone and Michaela. Every gaze, every glance holds more meaning than the dialogue. The show’s brilliance lies in what’s unspoken—and that’s where the real power struggles unfold.
Conclusion
In a series full of layered performances and psychological tension, the nickname “Kiki” might seem like a minor detail. But in Sirens, it’s everything. It’s a symbol of a complex, emotionally charged relationship built on blurred boundaries and a fragile foundation. Simone was the only one allowed to use it because she was the only one Michaela allowed close enough. But that closeness came at a cost.
Sirens doesn’t offer easy answers about right or wrong—it explores the messy gray areas of human relationships, especially when status, dependency, and admiration collide. And it reminds us that sometimes, the most dangerous relationships are the ones that feel the most loving.
