“I have to eat him.”
There’s no doubt about the intensity of the connection Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter share, about the intimacy and love that binds these two together in a disturbing, yet fascinating, relationship. There’s not as much subtlety to it anymore because it’s out in the open for the world to see; when the two finally cross paths again, I can only assume it’s going to end in a sexy pillow fight followed by consumption of scrumptious body parts. Or something like that.
“I forgive you.”
Usually, friendships don’t last after you get stabbed in the gut by that supposed friend. Alas, this is Hannibal, and it comes as no surprise that the show is continuing to delve into the twisted, yet romantic, relationship between Hannibal Lecter and Will Graham, into the mutual fascination that drives much of the characterization in the series. Essentially, the episode plays out as a raging conflict within Will Graham’s mind: can he forgive Hannibal for what he did? Or, was that fateful night in “Mizumono” the dissolution of their relationship?
“Observe or participate?”
“Antipasto” is only an appetizer for what’s to come, but it’s just as meaty as a main course. The episode continues delving into the dreamlike state created by “Mizumono”, this time taking us away from characters like Will Graham and Will Graham’s Dogs and letting us watch the Bedelia-Hannibal saga play out on screen. It’s a beautifully unsettling dynamic to observe, and the hour twists and turns with a graceful flair, sliding us in and out of a waking nightmare as this Hannibal world envelops us yet again.
“This is the clearest moment of our friendship.”
There’s no more hiding. There are no more facades. We see Hannibal Lecter for who he truly is, and we see a brutal sequence of violence that’s terrifying in its reality. “Mizumono” is, quite simply, one of the best television episodes I’ve seen, and it’s a horrifying and shocking end to a stellar sophomore season of Hannibal.
“I am enchanted…and terrified.”
No other sentence sums up how I feel about this show as much as this one does. In quite possibly the most disturbing, graphic–even with the well-placed shadows–and darkly hilarious episode of the season, Hannibal takes us on a ride as it sets up what should be an explosive season finale.
The opening moments of “Ko No Mono” convey an image of Will being reborn from the stag, emerging under the guidance of Hannibal Lecter and transforming into the very thing the doctor’s always wanted him to be. This rebirth, however, is through Hannibal’s eyes, as he believes he’s acting as father, as friend, as mentor.
Will Graham seems like he’ll do whatever it takes to take down Hannibal Lecter, but does that mean he’s willing to become the very man Hannibal wants him to become, to have that inner beast coaxed out of him? Or, is he only willing to put up a front? Continue reading
“Adapt. Evolve. Become.”
As we watch Hannibal Lecter’s and Will Graham’s relationship develop, the question becomes: Who has the upper hand? Is it Hannibal, fostering the killer inside what he views as his mentee, or is it Will, luring Dr. Lecter into a false sense of security before he tears him apart?
“Is your social worker in that horse?”
The last few episodes of the show have all been absolutely stellar, keeping up a pounding pace with tension, compelling character interactions, and horrifyingly beautiful imagery. Hannibal, understandably, now has to tone it down a bit before it moves into the final arc of the season; of course, that doesn’t mean “Su-zakana” isn’t still a very entertaining episode in its own right.
“Neither of us is free. He’s not done.”
Hannibal seems to create a perpetual sense of claustrophobia, engulfing the audience in its characters and their mind games. Everyone in the show is trapped in some way, whether it be through emotional connection or steadfast loyalty or fascination or mere expedience; the walls are closing in as the Earth spins on its axis.
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