Hannibal Review - Season 3 Episode 2

Primavera 

Episode 2 of the final season of Hannibal replays what occurred at the end of season 2. Consider it a refresher folks, at least for the events concerning Will Graham. The episode is solely based around Will and him having to try and come to term with the events that happened. He wakes in hospital, Abigail (survived?) convinces him that Hannibal wanted them to live, Will does not believe that. He's convinced other wise that Hannibal left them for dead. Abigail does convince him to go find Hannibal. He then has a flashback to the night before the stabbing, where he and Hannibal talked about Hannibal's future plans. Will sees a bunch of drawings of the clock he drew. In an unusual moment he has some sort of vision of a church, similar to the one where Hannibal planted the heart. 

Another issue comes up, the quick jump to 8 months later. Why is Will not in prison or go to court? Hopefully all will be explained in the next episode. Will and Abigail are now in the church where Hannibal plans his next master work, as he has not done it yet. This means that Will is there when Hannibal is too. He and Abi talk about god and religion and Hannibal's views. Will talks of how Hannibal doesn't want to be god but knows the power it holds. Could Hannibal be an Atheist?  

Will Graham of course gets called in by the european police (Italian?) not sure. Another thing not clearly explained in the second episode is where Will and Abigail have travelled to. Will eventually meets Detective Reinaldo Pazzi, played in the film by Giancarlo Giannini. The two discus their views on Hannibal and Will finds a little history on Hannibal. With question of course Hannibal is nick-named, The Monster of Florence.  Reinaldo does lead Will to thinking as to why he is on the search for Hannibal. Does will consider Hannibal a friend still? Will contemplates what he may do to Hannibal when he sees him. 

Eventually Will gets back to what he does best, but things don’t go as planned as he tries to decipher the crime scene a headless black man crawls out of the grotesque heart. The thing grows antlers and slowly walks towards Will, who backs away until Abigail wakes him up. At this point it is strongly believed that see lived but Will, after talking with her, confesses that this was the only way he could keep her alive, by imagining she was in his mind. So, Abigail Hobbs is dead. Will had known it all along but needed time to accept it. 

When Rizzo comes back Will goes on to forewarn him. Hannibal is not someone you wish to cross. It is then, in between arguments with Rizzo, that Will realizes Hannibal is still here. They enter the catacombs under the church. Rizzo has his gun drawn but when he and Will cross paths again, he tells him a gun won’t help, go back to the station. Rizzo eventually heads back to the police station, leaving Will to confront Hannibal on his own. 

The episode ends with Will forgiving Hannibal. What I felt is this came as a surprise, tier could a twist where Will just used what he said as a way to get to him. Though I don’t think that kind of manipulation is totally like Hannibal. 

A good solid filler episode to fill the audience in on Abigail and Will Graham. 

Episode Rating:  B 

Hannibal Season 3 Binge/ Cancellation

Apologies for my absence but as you all know the series has been cancelled. I am sure most of you have finished the show and are now busy getting on with life so not sure if this blog will last but I will maybe turn it into a fan blog, hell maybe I'll do a comic of season 4 to Hannibal. Wait and see. I will post a review for episode 2 of season 3 soon, will need to re-watch the episode. I am working too on bingeing all of season 3 so I am excited.

May we all continue to dine together, bon appetite!

Dealing with things

Hello Hannibals, by now all of you have heard the news that Hannibal has been cancelled. I have been going through a lot lately and this just cuts me deep. I apologize for not keeping up with the reviews. I plan to re-watch the season 3 opener and then get caught up from there as I have been to miserable to continue watching. It is such sad news and looks even more that this season is going to be the end of the show as Bryan Fuller has left to produce Neil Gaiman's American Gods for Starz television. That just makes me feel Bryan has essentially given up on Hannibal and that just makes me want to go cannibalistic on his ass.

Hopefully this season will end on such a high note. I am happy that they decided to follow the third book for the third season as now the series is coming to an end. Only difference is the third book is now taking place before the events of Red Dragon, as in this season we will get a taste of a new Red Dragon.

Such a shame the series has to end but I guess we can just watch as Bryan put in a strong effort this season so lets all sit back and enjoy.

Antipasto - S3 ep.1

Its officially summer and our favourite cannibal returns to the small screen. Having left behind his life in the U.S Hannibal is now seeking refugee in Paris and Florence, and he also didn't leave empty handed as his psychiatrist (played by the great Gillian Anderson) tags along out of shear curiosity.

The episode is focused on the two dealing with the aftermath of what happened, Hannibal flashes back to the final moments he had with Abel Gideon (again played by the fantastic Eddie Izzard) I feel in a way Hannibal must of felt some connection with Gideon, or wanted there to be one, as Will Graham has turned out to be a turn-coat in disguise.

As for Bedelia, she is coming to terms with joining Hannibal on his escape, as we learn in a flash back to the Red Dinner (S2 finale nicknamed after Throne's Red Wedding episode) where she returns to her home to find Hannibal in the shower. Its a great scene where Hannibal steps out of the show and she contemplates shooting him, there and then. But curiosity gets the better of her and she and Hannibal leave for Europe.

We also get a first glimpse of how Hannibal helped her cover up a sinister murder that she may have been manipulated into concocting. Its a gruesome scene, but poetic in the same and in those moments it is like she is being reborn.

The rest of the season premiere deals with Hannibal trying to obtain a new identity, he takes over the role as a museum curator for a while until a new friend gets suspicious, that and who wants in on what Hannibal and his supposed wife (Bedelia) are up to.

This leads to Bedelia almost making a quick get away before Hannibal ties her back in with him as she becomes his accomplice to the murder of his new found friend. They then go back on the run as Hannibal concocts something of a crime scene, wonder if he is leaving bread crumbs for Will (as it has been announced Will is alive and on the hunt.)

Antipasto is a great opener as this season shows it has a new style and flow. The development of Bedelia and her relationship with Hannibal is also a huge plus and it is what makes me even more excited to what else is to come this season.

With a new change in location and story the show has gotten even more character driven, and I am loving every minute of it.

Rating: A-

I'm so Happy!!!!

This just in, Hannibal has been renewed for a third season, YES!!! All raise their glasses, its a fine night to dine with a cannibal!

Season 2, Episode 10 - Naka-Choko

I missed reviewing the last few episodes, sorry, I will try and do reviews for the remaining three.
Here's my review for episode 10.

When last on Hannibal, Lector sent a former patient (Randall Tier) after Will. Will kills him with his bare hands (which Hannibal is pleased by) and drops him off on hannibal’s door step. “even Steven” replies Will. Not so fast. As this episode shows, Hannibal informs Will that he owes Randall a debt (seeing as he has made Will feel more alive) That debt, to show the world, and give Randall what he always wanted, to be an animal. 

We are presented with a very interesting scenario. Jack is informed of a murder, and is the first on the scene to find Randall formed into a beast (supposedly by Will himself) When Hannibal and Will arrive on scene, you can tell they know more than they are letting on. Jack suspects something but doesn’t poke. In fact, this episode is a very fascinating one, as it focuses on the relationship between Hannibal Lector and Will Graham and a certain feminine presence, Alana bloom. 

The threesome scene in this is not what you think. It is done very elegantly and shows how Will so desperately wants Alana, but he knows Hannibal has her ensnared. It is sad with the falling out of Will and Alana. But once her man Will axed her from the court at his hearing and almost killed her dear friend Hannibal, well she just was not going to be having any of that. I wonder what she will do when she learns Hannibal sent someone to kill Will. 

Alana may be the one to get jack peering in Hannibal’s direction again as Freddie Lounds makes an appearance (final???) in this episode. She catches up with miss. Red riding hood after class and informs her of Will’s sudden change on Hannibal. He is no longer shouting his name from the heavens that he is a killer, in fact he is going on saying Chilton was the killer, when we all know who really killed Abigale Hobbs and it was not Dr. Chilton. As Freddie makes note to will, “Chilton moved to psychology because he could not risk the embarrassment” how did she find this out? is Chilton alive in a wheel chair somewhere? She goes on to say she may now know who the killer(s) is, Hannibal and will. Alana does beginning poking. 

She starts at dinner as Hannibal has invited Will and Alana to join him in a feast, on pig. This pig, where did he get such a thing, Mason Verger. Yes, the villain who captures Hannibal in the third novel of the series. He finally appears in this episode alone with again his sister Margot Verger (played wonderfully again by the great Kathrine Isabelle) she a knock out once again, and is practically topped by Michael Pitt’s performance as Mason Verger. Not only does his hair and outfit work, but he even works up a perfect accent to really accentuate the character. 

All can praise this episode, there’s a lot of mystery and surprises. It’s quiet the meaty episode and still leaves you to hunger for next’s weeks plate. 

The gears are turning as Freddie was on Will’s farm. Is she dead? Kidnapped? and by will, for what reason, purpose. to shut her up. Come on, it had to have been for more than that. I sense that will is putting something into motion. I’ll have no clue as to what it is until the final episode is upon us. 

A great beginning to the finale of the season. 

Can’t wait for the trilogy (last 3 episodes) that will close out the season. 

A- 

Season 2, episode 7 review - Yakimono

Well, like with all seasons of television shows there comes an episode that changes the stakes for everyone. In the seventh episode of Hannibal a huge surprise happens, and it involves Miriam Lass.

The episode starts off essentially where the last left off, Miriam is whisked off to medical treatment and is then given to opportunity to identify the Chesapeake ripper. Is it hannibal? She can't recall or remember.

Will Mr. Graham be set up yet again. Now, and that is where the twist in the episode comes from. It builds on the fact that Will is not the ripper and he is now being set free. Will gives Chilton a warning to come out into the light and away from Hannibal (who hides in the shadows). He tells something similar to Alana. But she is in love with her old friend and won't be swayed by the fact that Will tried to have him killed.

What Will convinces Chilton to do is confess that he and Hannibal did the same thing, they manipulated their patients to become something they were not.

Sadly, Chilton continued to blame Hannibal, and yet in offering his services to uncover Miriam's memories Jack said that she is not his patient.

Will is now back to essentially where he was in season one, just not so dysfunctional. He is helping Jack on the case, and informs him that the ripper has been caught before and is only letting himself be known so that he can slip away again. In other words, everyone was playing into Hannibal's hands, and Will I think comes to realize this.

(Spoilers ahead, highlight if you wish to know)

Dr. Fredric Chilton, runner of the institution for the criminally insane. This is the twist, the big shocker. Hannibal goes from framing his best friend Will so that he does not get caught to realize he can't so he figures out a way to set him free, be revealing himself and framing Chilton for his crimes. Along with the murder of Abel Gideon and two officers. Chilton won't have any friends fighting for him in his corner, everyone discredits him, and to add to all the shockers when Miriam sees him, she breaks and shoots him with Jack's gun. Chilton, Dead!?

Yakimono is the game changing episode for this season. The moments that occurred here will affect the outcome of future episodes. The opening season's fight scene between Hannibal and Jack will continue to become more powerful as the season progresses. For now, things are back to the way they were. Will and Hannibal have resumed Will's therapy.

Episode rating: A++ (gore-ific episode and so tensely thrilling)

Futamono

Tonight's episode of Hannibal is a defiant game changer. Since the previous episode, Will had sent his own admirer after Hannibal. Both Jack and Alana are disgusted with Will. But Jack is being swayed back to believing Will may not be who he was said to be, a killer. And he is not the only one!!

Yes, it's happened. Dr. Chilton has begun to believe Will may be innocent as well. He tapes all conversations and got wing of Abel Gideon having been in Hannibal's home and that Hannibal convinced Abel to kill Alana. Though when Chilton brings it to Jack, Abel denies all. This leads to Chilton becoming angry with Abel and has his guards break Abel's back (a lie taken as Abel fell down the stairs.)

The interesting part of this episode is now Hannibal is closing himself off. After just almost being killed by someone who he thought he was his friend he goes on to have a party, while also getting closer to Alana, even using her to cover up his schemes. He does learn about Abel's loose tongue and kidnaps him, killing the guard. Does Hannibal want to be found? He is giving everything seemly to Jack and his people, even when he makes it out that he is innocent.

Alana is sadly on Hannibal's side. She tells Jack that she has known Hannibal longer than anyone. Jack does tell her that even people you have known longer can still turn out to surprise you. I was shocked that Alana has sided with Hannibal but it is hardly debatable. In her eyes Will tried to kill Hannibal, and almost succeeded. She does not see Hannibal as a killer. So the connection of loosing Will brings her and Hannibal together. It was also very excellent to get an episode that really pushed her character and really got into how she was feeling. Her relationship with Hannibal is a real interesting turn, and a nice touch by writers to really drive the show in interesting ways.

Now, Hannibal's motives in this episode could possibly be to lead Jack off his scent. As the ripper he is giving him all the clues, he may actually be leading him away from himself, until Jack really finds out its him. Though Jack may have his hands full as an old agent who disappeared about a year ago has now been found, alive!

While the ending I had found out about it was still amazing. As I said this is a real game changer.

Alana dumps Will for Hannibal, Jack and Chilton may be siding with Will, Abel Gideon may officially be killed and a surprise missing agent will cause quite a stir.

Rating: A -

New Episode tonight

Are you watching? 

Takiawase / Mukozuke

Hannibal's second season has gone beyond brilliance, and these two episodes really shape up this new season. The main basis for these episodes is Beverley Katz. Her character holds main importance in these episodes and causes consciences for the rest of the season.

In episode 4 (Takiawase) Jack and his people find a human body used as a bee hive, the most creative killer in this series. It is a very interesting story, finding out who is responsible and the preceding victim. The actress who plays the killer is Amanda Plummer (Catching Fire, Pulp Fiction). She was honey gold, beyond brilliant. When they meet, one of them clearly points out she is the killer but Jack puts it down, not that he doesn't agree, but that she feels she helped them. 

Another part in the story is Jack's wife goes through a critical point in this episode. It was great to see Gina Torres return. With the departure of Gillian Anderson after the first two episodes it was great to she her come back. Her character goes through a critical moment and we see how curious Hannibal gets about the subject of suicide.

Abigail Hobbs (played by returnee Kacey Rohl) makes a welcome return in a dream sequence with Will at the beginning of the episode. This is the first time we get to see her character again since her death at the end of season 1. 

But the real plot here is Beverly's discovery of who Hannibal really is. She confronts Will about her findings, the killer was stitched into his own muriel. Will says its Hannibal but warns Beverly to just find evidence, don't involve Hannibal. But she does and discovers hidden stitches under stitches, a moment of thought that occurred during the honey bee case in which the bee stings covers up the needle marks. She informs Will of what she found and he gets upset when she mentions Hannibal's involvement. She asks what Hannibal does with his trophies, if he is the killer, and this is the pinnacle point where Will discovers Hannibal has been feeding him human parts. 

The episode ends tragically as Beverly discovers the truth and her and Hannibal have a shoot out. 

The next episode, Mukozuke, follows the tragic events that follow. Beverly's murder is done in a hugely creative way, she is cut into slides as to show that the killer was slowly breaking down her layers to find what lies in the centre, in a sense she went digging and got too close. They also find a way to truly give Beverly's death justice, with Jack proclaiming there would be a true memorial for her. 

Freddie Lounds finds her body, in the space telescope seen in the first season. Jack is informed after Freddie takes photos for her site. He is now having a belief that Will may be more innocent than he might of thought as the site of the murder makes him realize the chesapeake ripper may still be on the loose. 

And this time Will wants revenge. He convinces Dr. Chilton to bring in the undead Abel Gideon (returning Eddie Izzard) to convince possibly Jack at to who the real killer is. But Abel convinces Will to just kill Hannibal. Will concocts a way to kill Hannibal. He uses Freddie's site to get his admirer who killed the bay-liff during his trail. After some conversation as to how the killer (Jonathan Tucker) came to hide in the mental house and that he did not kill the judge. 

Jack and Alana get wind of the plan and find Hannibal and the killer at the point that the killer was going to kill Hannibal (stocking him at the pool, drugging him, and then putting up like jesus on the cross with a rope around his neck. The killer goes for the kill, but not before realizing Will is not the killer he was led to believe and planned to take the role of the Chesapeake Ripper as his own. 

Hannibal was saved, but not before finding out that Will tried to kill him. 

Friendship now surely dead, what does Hannibal do as a come back? 

P.S 

Will did learn in Episode 4 that Hannibal was actually drugging him, causing his illness. He even remembers how he lied about Abel Gideon not being in place when he was, more doubt on Hannibal. He found this out through manipulating Chilton.  

In the end, I think Will in the end will believe he is becoming a serial killer (though not in the casual sense.) 

The season is going strong, with the death of a major character, this series is going on great. 

Both Episodes - A+ 

My apologizes

I know I have not posted lately. I am sure someone wants to eat my liver with some fibre beans, the latest two episodes I will watch and do reviews on them.

Frida

Hey everyone, just wanted to remind you guys new Hannibal episode tonight! 

Hannibal Returns

Hello everyone, I did re-watch season 1 and sorry I did not live by my promise. But I will add my review for the season 2 premiere.

Starting off with a bang, the new season gives us what is to come as Hannibal faces off with Jack Crawford. We are then sent back to twelve weeks earlier and I already know this season is going to be amazing.

The season continues almost exactly where the first season left off, so if you have not seen season 1 you should watch it, or you'll be asking a lot of questions.

Great news as everyone is back, and I do mean everyone. From the usual, Will, Jack, Hannibal, Dr. Bloom, Jack's 3 helpers and even Doctor Chilton make it into the episode. I loved the development on everyone here, and the interesting fact on how Hannibal likes to play with the FBI, letting them investigate him only to cover his tracks further and prove Will's theory of him being a killer to be complete fabrication.

Of course this series would be nothing without its serial killers and the one in this episode has a certain obsession with skin, could he be Buffalo Bill? For anyone who saw the movies or read the books Buffalo Bill is the main antagonist of The Silence of the Lambs. I found this season is different from the last as the noted beginning of the episode is a nice opener for the new season and the fact that this time the killer is not caught in the end. It leads me to believe this season could be similar to Dexter in a little ways as Hannibal takes on the role of Will Graham and Will takes on the role that Hannibal had in the first two novels of him institutionalized.

Will Graham is still a part of the episode as Alana Bloom, Lecter, Jack, Beverley, and Chilton take part in each giving a certain perspective on Graham's psychy. Alana wants to find the truth and let Will know it, Lecter does his bit of trying to convince Will that Hannibal is not a killer, Jack considers Will to be nothing more that a crazy psychopath and Agent Beverley doesn't know what to believe but does want Will's advice on the search for this season's serial killer.

Gillian Anderson gets some much needed screen time in this episode and for all you Sex in the City fans, Cynthia Nixon from said show cameos as an investigator into the events of the previous season.

A great return for an excellent show,

Rating: A+

Hannibal

Hey all, I have been busy of late and have not gotten the chance to review season 1. Season 2 comes out in the coming months. I will plan a time to watch the season again.

Review of Hannibal Season 1

Before Season 2 premieres in the spring of 2014  I will be re-watching episodes from the previous season and give my opinion on each. Sorry I have not been on lately.

Sean

Savoureux - Hannibal 1x13

I did a huge series marathon before hitting this episode and man was it worth it. This is by far one of the best finales of any series. Will Graham is framed for murder, and is suspected of being the copy cat killer. Will is more or less clear headed and knows that someone is framing him.

 This episode is the most emotional out of the series, and by far the best this season. I mean, to be true there were no real bad episodes in this series at all from the start.

It's an emotional roller coaster as everything is brought to the front. Alana Bloom's feeling for Will have heart breaking effects. Its such a brilliantly orchestrated episode. And with David Slade back in the director's chair, its the episode that brings this season full circle.

Again terrific performances from the cast all round, especially Caroline Dhavernas, she was beyond phenomenal.

There is some great twists and an ending that you may not see coming. I loved how the episode ended with a familiar song from the movie franchise, a nice touch to a great season finale.

There was nothing in this episode that did not hold my attention, another gripping, enthralling episode from the great (soon to be hopefully) classic series, Hannibal.

New Postings

I've been lazy the last couple of days but I do plan on uploading my review of the series finale soon.

Hannibal Penultimate episode over!

Well, the last episode before the season finale is over. And man what an episode. Some great expansion on Gillian Anderson's character and now the question comes to mind, is Hannibal going to frame Will for murder? You be the judge.

Season finale next week!

Interesting fan art poster

Here's a fan made poster for the television series.

Hannibal Review 1.11

Well, I just finished re-watching the latest Hannibal episode. In this episode the enigmatic Eddie Izzard returns as the serial killer Gideon, and he's out for revenge against those psychiatrists who tried to convince him who he was. Dr. Chilton and Dr. Alana Bloom are two on the list. He escapes and is now on the loose. 

The episode gives us some really great development into Will slow descent as his mind starts to crumble. He has a nightmare about him dissolving and turning into liquid, which makes for one of the scariest nightmares he's had this season. Throughout the episode Will begins to have serious daydreams of water and has a moment where he's in a room full of antlers with Jack Crawford that he is armed and extremely dangerous. I loved the development on Will's psyche in this one, he is really pushed to the limit. 

The game begins to determine if Gideon really was the "Chesapeake Ripper". In truth they discover that Gideon is trying to find out who the real ripper really is. He does this by cutting up his victims as public display gifts to the real killer, hanging the organs out in neatly tied bows and even not wasting the blood (having it packed in a container of ice and providing a note saying to give it as a donation to the red cross). 

With Freddie Lounds she becomes embroiled in Gideon's plans as he uses her to get to the real Ripper (later on the ripper does a similar thing). What surprised me is how calm and collected this female version of Freddie Lounds is. This has made me truly love the character much more now as she is so far more interesting. 

The murders were very unique in this episode, very interestingly done. The scene with Chilton is gut wrenching, literally. 

So, at one point in the episode, a very good moment between Alana Bloom and Will Graham, we learn that the real ripper would consider what Gideon did to be rude and would kill him if he found him. Some great and interesting twists happen and the real ripper (which we all know for certain to be Hannibal) kills a psychiatrist in order to send a message to Crawford to tell them where to catch Gideon. 

One part that annoyed me about the episode, and shocked me actually was Chilton on Gideon's operating table. I was surprised because I did not think they would kill the character off. They don't, but it was a hell of a crazy risk. Freddie is really strong in this scenario as she not once pukes or falters. 

As the episode nears it's end will has a small seizure has his temperature sky rockets and he starts hallucinating. What I found very interesting is how Hannibal uses Will to get rid of Gideon while also, in a way, helping him fight his own demons. I found it very interesting to see Will and Gideon chat as Will believes Gideon to be someone else (Garrett Hobbs). With GIdeon's death Will collapses and in a way slowly brings him and Alana hopefully closer together. 

By the end we get another appearance of the lovely Gillian Anderson as Hannibal's psychiatrist. I am also truly loving the development they are making on Hannibal's character. They have made him so fascinating. And I have come to the decision that Hannibal does not want to kill WIll nor make him into someone like him. He is truly trying to help him, but by also using him for his own means. He wants Will to be his friend. Because Hannibal finds him such an interesting character (or is it his madness that Hannibal prefers?) 

The final few lines in the episode defiantly stayed with me as his psychiatrist tells Hannibal that if he takes the step towards friendship, he must take a step back. Hannibal griefs then that he must sit and watch him loose his  mind. His psychiatrist says in response "Sometimes all we can do is watch". That last line gave me the sense then that maybe there is truly nothing Hannibal can affectively provide for Will aside from a stable anchor to reality.