Hannibal Season 3 Episode 1 Review: Antipasto
Robin Harry
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Bonsoir! We were all shocked last year as Hannibal Lecter ran off with Bedelia Du Maurier, while leaving a trail of FBI blood all over his house.
Hannibal Season 3 Episode 1, however, only deals with one part of last season's aftermath.
This season premiere deals almost entirely with the twisted partnership of Hannibal and Bedelia, and in a move that is both fantastic and frustrating, we are left hanging regarding the wellbeing of all the bleeding people at Hannibal Lecter's house.
We're an open window into the mind and motivation of Hannibal Lecter, and we saw a bit of how he sees others. The theme of appearances pervaded this episode, as Hannibal vacillated among different versions of himself, all while he pretended to be someone else.
The Hannibal Lecter we had seen in previous seasons would never have been seen wearing anything that didn't exude culture and propriety.
However, in Paris, Hannibal had no appearances to keep up. He could be any version of himself he wanted to be, and that version attended a formal event wearing a leather motorcycle jacket and tussled helmet hair with an unshaven face, with no attempt to veil the contempt on his face for his next victim. He was noticeably freer, more aggressive, more primal.
In Italy, he seemed to be twisted. He was living with the stolen identity of Dr Roman Fell, and was again keeping up appearances as a cultured connoisseur of Italian literature. By attempting to keep the peace and keep the murders at a minimum, Hannibal found himself back in the person suit he had allegedly shed after his massacre.
We also saw his need for companionship, as told through the present, as well as fantastic flashbacks with Abel Gideon. Abel astutely observed that Hannibal kept him alive just for the company. Hannibal only kills and consumes those who are beneath him, but hey, it's lonely at the top.
This isn't cannibalism, Abel. It's only cannibalism if we're equals.
Hannibal
Anthony Dimmond, the young scholar and budding psychopath who saw through Hannibal's facade, was promptly killed. He could have been the companion that Hannibal needed, but he was presumptuous enough to think that he knew what Hannibal's appearance should be. How rude. We all know how Hannibal feels about rude people.
On the other hand, Will Graham and Bedelia Du Maurier were both considered worthy companions and confidantes, because they seemed willing to see only whatever Hannibal showed of himself. Hannibal himself admitted that Will Graham wasn't a proper substitute for his therapy with Bedelia.
Poor Bedelia. Contrary to what the previews led us to believe (which is why I avoid them), she's not actually married to Hannibal, but pretending to be the wife of Dr Roman Fell. She seemed to be the mediator between who he was and who he needed to appear to be. That's a role that neither of them seemed to want.
It became clear early on that Bedelia was not a willing participant in Hannibal's escape and new life in Italy. She wasn't even in control when she had a gun on him. She's not even always sure when she's in control of her own actions, given his "help" with their mutual patient, and his implication of her guilt in as a bystander in Dimmond's death.
I'm fascinated by her trips out to the store. She was obviously trying to get caught, sitting in direct view of a train station's camera and staring right into it. She was also terrified that Hannibal would find out, judging from her flight from his lecture when he started talking about betrayal.
This hour gave a terrific, detailed look into the Bedelia/Hannibal dynamic that confused the hell out of all of us at the end of Hannibal Season 2 Episode 13. It was entirely necessary, and is one of the reasons why I'm okay with being left hanging about Will and company at the moment.
I also think that it is wonderfully daring of Bryan Fuller and company to leave us in uncertainty about the characters we care most about, especially Will Graham. He's obviously alive, but what's most important is who he and any other survivors became. There's an emotional weight associated with the wait, and I hate it and love it all at once.
Hannibal Season 3 didn't exactly start of with a bang as it did last year, but I'm intrigued enough by what we were shown (and what we weren't shown) to have enjoyed the premiere fully.
OTHER NOTES:
- We can't talk about Hannibal without talking about the visuals. I absolutely loved the contrast of the black and white flashbacks with Abel Gideon with the rich gold color of the present day.
- Abel calls Hannibal the devil, and later on Hannibal's face blends in with a projection of Dante's Lucifer. I love this show.
- We also have to talk about the food. I hate how hungry Hannibal makes me. I mean, come on, that first scene when he's cooking Dr Fell's liver? I don't even like liver, and I wanted to eat that!
- However, I will forevermore be suspicious if anyone offers me oysters or acorns.
- Anyone surprised Professor Soglioti survived after attempting to humiliate Hannibal in public? He doesn't have long.
- Lastly, we must talk about Hannibal's smug veiled cannibalism jokes. There was one within the first five minutes. He has no shame.
- On that note, every week I'm going to pick my favorite one. The thinly veiled cannibalism reference of the week is:
My husband has a very sophisticated palate. He's very particular about how I taste.
Bedelia
What did you think of the episode? Were you hoping for more Will Graham or are you okay with the way this season started?
You can check the Hannibal quotes for your favorite cannibal puns, and you can always watch the gorgeous visuals again when you watch Hannibal online.
