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Hannibal (Season 2)
(http://i.imgur.com/USs7jqx.png)
Episodes
Episode 1: Kaiseki (http://www.hulu.com/watch/602974#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)
Episode 2: Sakizuke (http://www.hulu.com/watch/605864#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)
Episode 3: Hassun (http://www.hulu.com/watch/609057#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)
Episode 4: Takiawase (http://www.hulu.com/watch/611916#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)
Episode 5: Mukozuke (http://www.hulu.com/watch/615173#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)
Episode 6: Futamono (http://www.hulu.com/watch/618214#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)
Episode 7: Yakimono (http://www.hulu.com/watch/621244#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)
Episode 8: Su-zakana (http://www.hulu.com/watch/624391#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)
Episode 9: Shiizakana (http://www.hulu.com/watch/627439#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)
Episode 10: Naka-Choko (http://www.hulu.com/watch/630908#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)
Episode 11: Ko No Mono (http://www.hulu.com/watch/634443#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)
Episode 12: Tome-Wan (http://www.hulu.com/watch/637539#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)
Episode 13: Mizumono (http://www.hulu.com/watch/640095#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)
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Added Episode 1: Kaiseki
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Kaiseki
(http://i.imgur.com/cTZ9poD.gif)
What an awesome, kick ass opening salvo to kick off Season 2. The knockdown, brutal confrontation between Jack Crawford and Hannibal was intense and it kind of took me off guard in how the episode opened up. I thought for sure I had missed an episode because it seemingly jumped from Will's incarceration to this. But when the scene ends with Jack getting stabbed in the neck by a shard of glass at the hands of Hannibal and locked in a room with no way out, I was certain this was nothing more than a 'nightmare' for Jack. Wrong. This is actually part of the narrative as it's clearly stated in the title card that follows: 12 weeks earlier.
I like the setup immensely because the rest of the season will in fact be about uncovering the truth to Hannibal's real identity. What I also like about this episode is that it basically turns Will Graham into the same role that Hannibal plays in Silence of the Lambs as the 'go to guy' in helping solve the murder cases that the FBI can't do on its own. The final shot to close out the episode gave me the creeps with what appears to be what I would call a human collage with one of the victims waking up but can't move because he has been crazy-glued in place.
As with Season 1, this has some crazy, way-out-there imagery. I said it before and I'll say it again, I gotta give props for NBC not flinching when it comes to the gore of the series. My biggest concern when I first heard about this coming to TV was that the show would fail because it would no doubt be watered down. I couldn't have been further off the mark on that assumption.
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Why Hannibal is One of TV's Best Shows - IGN Conversations
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co2XHSb0OeA
If you guys are not watching Hannibal, you guys are doing yourself a huge disservice.
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Added Episode 2: Sakizuke
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Sakizuke
(http://i.imgur.com/PavQhZ0.gif)
The opening scene was brutal to watch. Even I was squirming in my seat as the guy literally tore himself apart from the human mural he was glued too. Painful. I was happy that he had gotten out and was pulling for him to escape. It looked promising and that he would do just that. So, when he miscalculated the jump and hit the side of the cliff on the way down to the river below, I was deflated. Sigh. Overall, another fantastic episode. The writing just keeps getting better and better. I knew Gillian Anderson's character wouldn't be around for much longer given the fact that she has another show (Crisis) on NBC set to debut. I am however surprised that she made it through the episode unscathed. I figured that Hannibal would silence her rather than let a loose end walk freely. Maybe she will be coming back in a future episode if her new show doesn't pan out.
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Added Episode 3: Hassun
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Hassun
(http://i.imgur.com/cTZ9poD.gif)
Nasty. I'm still stunned that what the series is showing on the screen is making its way onto Broadcast TV airwaves. I can only imagine that parents across the country are throwing a hissy fit, even if the show is aired late at night. The "hanging" Judge scene, with his head cut open, his brain and heart on the scale may have gone too far. But I haven't heard any rumblings about it though. So, maybe it flew under the radar or people are just jaded now that they don't even notice anymore. Whatever the case may be, NBC is still sticking to its plan to have the best looking series on TV, albeit gory. It was great to see Dr. Chilton on the stand, "testifying" in court against Will. Raśl Esparza portrayal of Chilton is great. You can't help but go back to Silence and make the comparisons. He is painting a more vivid image of the character to great effect.
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Added Episode 4: Takiawase
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Takiawase
(http://i.imgur.com/cTZ9poD.gif)
A lot of great....and very creepy things about Takiawase. Amanda Plummer as the 'Honeycomb' killer (my name I'm giving her since she wasn't given one in the episode) in particular gave me the heebie jeebies. Gina Torries "death" was poetic in what she was giving her Husband Jack (sparing him the anguish of a long goodbye) and herself (peace). I, along with everyone else that watched this thought she was gone. When Hannibal saved her from her suicide, I thought he was doing it so that he could kill her himself. He didn't. Really not sure he did save her. Did her save her so that Jack could have that long goodbye or did he save her because he wants to see her suffer? Something to ponder. But it's the ending that made this episode a must-see when Beverly (Hettienne Park) finally gets the proof she needs regarding Hannibal. The only problem is that she finds it in his lair in the basement. Gun shots ring out. Fade to black. To be continued.....
It's not going to end well for her based on who and what he is. The only way I see her surviving is that he keeps her alive (but held in captivity) until the last episode of this season and I just don't see that happening. I like the character and don't want to see her go. But, it was bound to him as soon as Will got her involved in looking for evidence that would exonerate him and implicate Hannibal. It was cool to see Eddie Izzard and Kacey Rohl return in their respective characters via dream sequences. Stellar episode.
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Added Episode 5: Mukozuke
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Mukozuke
(http://i.imgur.com/PavQhZ0.gif)
These episodes are like mini-movies. Amazing writing, acting, production. Everything. I can't sing high enough praise for what we get on a weekly basis on basic cable. Yes, I've already said as much before. Just telling you guys that you need to be watching this. Anyway, just as I knew how it would play out, Beverly wasn't lucky enough to survive. But it's the manner in which she is 'displayed' in this episode is really pushing the envelope. To see her sliced and separated into thin pieces, encased in glass was very unsettling. We finally get some insight into the 'Nurse' at the psychiatric hospital where Will is currently incarcerated. I suspected that he was some kind of killer. I just didn't have a clue that he was the one that killed the bailiff.
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Added Episode 6: Futamono
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Futamono
(http://i.imgur.com/PavQhZ0.gif)
Another stellar episode that proved to be Epic by the end. I'm amazed that the writers are very consistent with top shelf stories and this one is no different. A couple of stomach churning moments that will make you want to vomit. One is obvious, the other...not so much. Alana sleeping with Hannibal is at the top. It defies logic that she would end up sleeping with him of all people. We know that he slept with her to use her as his alibi. But what reason does she have, other than "funeral sex". She seems to be falling for him, which is just odd given the fact that she hears nothing but him being the Ripper. The other gag inducing moment is of course Gideon literally eating his own leg. Unlike Ray Liotta's character in the movie Hannibal, in which he was drugged and impaired and not aware that he was eating his own brain, Gideon wasn't going to let himself go to waste. How does one top this? How about having Jack Crawford finding Miriam Lass (Anna Chlumsky) who we all thought long gone as another victim of the Ripper.
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Added Episode 7: Yakimono
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Yakimono
(http://i.imgur.com/cTZ9poD.gif)
Ooooooooooh.....shiiiiiiiiiiiiiit! The one great thing about this series is that it's never predictable. Even though you have the movies (Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal, Red Dragon, Manhunter) as a frame of reference, you still don't know what it around the corner and Yakimono kept me totally off guard and then it finally tripped me up at the very last second when they killed off Dr. Chilton. If you're not familiar with the series, killing him off here just destroyed the continuity of what happens in Silence of the Lambs. How can you kill off Chilton in the series, which is essentially a prequel to the movie and then have the same character in Lambs? Like I said, you can't predict anything and that's why I think the show is phenomenal. With that said, this has to be some sort of elaborate set up for Alana's benefit since she has Hannibal's ear (no pun intended). Sure, it's an elaborate set up and extreme by any measures. But then dealing with the Ripper, they (if it turns out to be a set up) have no choice. I dunno what to think, but it was and still is a fun ride watching this play out.
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Added Episode 8: Su-zakana
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Su-zakana
(http://i.imgur.com/cTZ9poD.gif)
Hannibal is one of the best damn shows I have ever seen. The writing is the best on TV right now and visually it's groundbreaking for something on basic cable. So naturally it's on the verge of being cancelled due to poor ratings. Sigh. As for this episode, another superb hour. There is always the undercurrent of a through-line involving the characters from episode to episode, but this one is definitely a 'stand alone', 'killer of the week' episode. As soon as you see that Jeremy Davies is the guest star, you know you are in for something special. The guy has turned into one of my favorite actors because he delivers some unique and truly memorable each and every time. Once again, the series pushes the boundaries of what they get away with showing on the air. A horse giving "birth" to a human. It needs to be seen to be believed.
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Added Episode 9: Shiizakana
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Shiizakana
(http://i.imgur.com/SW1TShG.gif)
I don't know if it's physically possible to build a suit out of Prehistoric Cave Bears and Wolves with pneumatic hydraulics to the point of being able to wear it all and move in the manner that Randell Teir does, but it's a unique idea, especially for this show. So, are they setting up a potential love interest between Will and Margot Verger? It's another interesting predicament that made me think about it a little bit more. From the outside, would anyone really feel comfortable dating someone else you know to be in therapy? Most likely not. But if one is within the same circle, that same person probably would want to date only those of "like-minded" souls. They definitely have something in common, that's for sure. Ack!
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Added Episode 10: Naka-Choko
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Naka-Choko
(http://i.imgur.com/PavQhZ0.gif)
I like to think that Bryan Fuller; the shows creator, has the balls to take the series down another road, continuity be damned. But I can't buy that Will Graham killed Freddie Lounds and then served her up on a platter to feed not only himself, but Hannibal. This has to be some kind of set-up that Will and Freddie have "cooked" up to lure Hannibal into a false sense of security, to reveal his true nature to the world: Proof. She agrees to participate in this trap and obviously her reward would be an exclusive intereview after the fact. Like I said, Will killing and then eating Freddie is a bit hard to "swallow". Still a great episode, one that introduces Mason Verger (last seen in the movie Hannibal, as portrayed by Gary Oldman). Bonus points for getting Michael Pitt for the role.
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Added Episode 11: Ko No Mono
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Ko No Mono
(http://i.imgur.com/PavQhZ0.gif)
Nailed it! I knew that Freddie Lounds wasn't gone. Ya can't kill a reporter, even if you wanted to. Now that the cat is out of the bag, I do wonder if Alana is going to be able to keep the secret to herself. But Hannibal thrives on being able to read a person. Hell, she couldn't even hide the simple fact of firing a gun from him. How the hell is she going to hide THIS? Whatever happens, it's getting even more interesting, especially with Mason added to the mix. I do wonder if Mason will be key in helping Hannibal escape once we revisit the first scene of this season where we saw Hannibal stabbing Jack in the neck with a shard of glass.
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Added Episode 12: Tome-Wan
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Tome-Wan
(http://i.imgur.com/PavQhZ0.gif)
Mason Verger = The Joker. Why so hungry? ;D That was the first thing that came to mind when THE scene played out. Mason's cackle was very reminiscent of The Joker for sure. Not sure if it was intentional or not, but I liked the resemblance to two f*cked up individuals. With each episode that makes its way to broadcast TV, I always ask myself if and when NBC would come to a point that even THEY would draw the line. That finally comes with this episode for sure. It's still bloody and gory as hell, but they couldn't (or more to the point were not allowed) show Mason cutting off his own face and feeding it to the dogs. Well, in part anyway. Most of the scene was shot in shadows to cover up as much as possible, but there was enough rim light to show that the scene was extremely gruesome by any standards. It was great to see Gillian Anderson come back to the show, even if it was just for a cameo.
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Added Episode 13: Mizumono
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Mizumono
(http://i.imgur.com/HN43uYN.gif)
OMG!
I am stunned at what I just watched. The entire season has been leading up to the Season Finale and for good reason. We knew from the first episode what and where we are heading and we all had to see what happens to Jack after getting stabbed in the neck with a shard of glass by Hannibal. What we didn't know (and how could we? The writers did a great job hiding it) is that Jack is part of the story. You want twist and turns? You want misdirection? You want to be surprised at what's coming? Well then this is THE episode to get all that and more? Were to begin?
Yes, Jack is in the pantry bleeding out. But adding to the mix is Alana showing up and walking in on Hannibal trying to finish the job of killing Jack. Naturally she flees for her life and just like every slasher movie you have seen, instead of running out the front door, she runs up stairs. Unbeknownst to her and the rest of us watching, she comes face to face with....Abigail! What the fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!! She is dead! Well, apparently not. The thing that happens next threw me for a loop as Abigail throws Alana out the window. Meanwhile, Will shows up and is gutted by Hannibal and then is forced to watch him kill Abigail in front of him, in spite of sheltering and hiding her all this time.
So, Hannibal, with his handiwork complete, walks off into the cold, dead night, leaving four bodies, each laying in their own pool of blood. I honestly don't know who would or will survive. This was left ambiguous for a reason, to keep us guessing all Summer long. I see Jack and Will surviving, but I think Abigail is a goner for sure. That only leaves the fate of Alana. I want to see her come back, but the smart move on the part of the writers would be to give Will a TRUE motivation for revenge and reason to hunt Hannibal down for taking her life. So, you think that's the end of this episode? Think again! It's the epilogue that truly nails the ultimate twist (if that wasn't already enough). With Hannibal on a plane, fleeing from the US, it's when the camera pans from his seat to the one next to him to reveal....
Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier (Gillian Anderson) who apparently was and is his accomplice. What the fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!! Beyond all the twist and turns, this episode looked AMAZING and is dripping with symbolism. This gets 10 Stars out of 10. I may have to watch this again.