Out on DVD today, thanks to Studiocanal Home Entertainment, is Hannibal Season Two. The evocative series from Bryan Fuller is an exquisite masterpiece that is filled with a collection of murderous tableau’s set to the aching story line of villains, illness and deceit. With it riling up our televisions with nightmarish visuals and delicious characters who usually wind up on the dinner table of the titular psychiatrist, it must be difficult to pick some of the best moments from Hannibal. But from random wendigo’s to flesh eating pigs, we’re going to run down the best moments of Season Two.
Opening Scene.
Starting your new series with a bang is a tentative decision to make. You immediately raise a bar for the rest of the series to follow suit. Arguably, Hannibal opened with the most tantalising scene and struggled to maintain it for the episodes that followed. That being said, here in the first moments of episode one, we were thrilled and tantalised. Not only is the clueless Jack Crawford, who has spent a long time unaware that there were cannibalistic killings going on in the first place, locked in a devilish duel with Hannibal Lecter. But there is no context for the battle, so we are absorbed in the story because we want to know how it went from “Hannibal is not a cannibal” to being stabbed in the neck with a knife.
Starting your new series with a bang is a tentative decision to make. You immediately raise a bar for the rest of the series to follow suit. Arguably, Hannibal opened with the most tantalising scene and struggled to maintain it for the episodes that followed. That being said, here in the first moments of episode one, we were thrilled and tantalised. Not only is the clueless Jack Crawford, who has spent a long time unaware that there were cannibalistic killings going on in the first place, locked in a devilish duel with Hannibal Lecter. But there is no context for the battle, so we are absorbed in the story because we want to know how it went from “Hannibal is not a cannibal” to being stabbed in the neck with a knife.
Gideon’s meal
Eddie Izzard's stellar turn in the fantastic series quickly became a fan favourite villain. More prominent in the first series, he was crazed Doctor Abel Gideon who killed his wife and was subject to psyche testing that left him believing he was the Chesapeake Ripper (thanks largely to Dr Chilton, who swiftly got his insides taken out). Shot by Will, he cropped up again in season two with an inkling that Hannibal is the killer and is promptly kidnapped. After a chitchat, it transpires that Gideon is legless, literally, and that on the menu is himself. Promptly, sassily and without a beat, he takes a bite from the meal, complimenting Hannibal before kicking the bucket (not literally).
Eddie Izzard's stellar turn in the fantastic series quickly became a fan favourite villain. More prominent in the first series, he was crazed Doctor Abel Gideon who killed his wife and was subject to psyche testing that left him believing he was the Chesapeake Ripper (thanks largely to Dr Chilton, who swiftly got his insides taken out). Shot by Will, he cropped up again in season two with an inkling that Hannibal is the killer and is promptly kidnapped. After a chitchat, it transpires that Gideon is legless, literally, and that on the menu is himself. Promptly, sassily and without a beat, he takes a bite from the meal, complimenting Hannibal before kicking the bucket (not literally).
Beverly Katz’ death
It’s such a shame that the ingenious and clever Katz succumbed to Hannibal’s murderous predilections. Of the few in the series that believed in Will’s story, he sends her on a hunt to collect evidence. Only, knowing fully well that Hannibal will be caught with either people bits in the freezer or catch him in the act. Dangerously, Katz sneaks into Hannibal’s abode and finds slabs of organs, hoping to take them and exonerate Will. Unfortunately, Hannibal comes home early… The killing isn’t the great part (and yes, I’m fully aware that I just said that,) it’s the elaborate way she is placed, sliced into a specimen slides, that is beautifully unnerving.
It’s such a shame that the ingenious and clever Katz succumbed to Hannibal’s murderous predilections. Of the few in the series that believed in Will’s story, he sends her on a hunt to collect evidence. Only, knowing fully well that Hannibal will be caught with either people bits in the freezer or catch him in the act. Dangerously, Katz sneaks into Hannibal’s abode and finds slabs of organs, hoping to take them and exonerate Will. Unfortunately, Hannibal comes home early… The killing isn’t the great part (and yes, I’m fully aware that I just said that,) it’s the elaborate way she is placed, sliced into a specimen slides, that is beautifully unnerving.
I believe you
Bedelia has always been a character of massive intrigue. In series one, her presence as Lecter’s own therapist is a wrought one anyway as their relationship is steeped in a mysterious past. Throughout season two, she seems to bounce between knowing Hannibal is a killer to refusing too, since it is implied she knows he killed Abigail and the history of her patient dying is revealed. Ignoring the end, in episode two, she visits Graham in prison after aiming to confront Hannibal. In just a few words, she expresses her concerns and proclaims Will’s innocence, giving him an ally. She simply mutters, “I believe you” and we get shivers from excitement.
Bedelia has always been a character of massive intrigue. In series one, her presence as Lecter’s own therapist is a wrought one anyway as their relationship is steeped in a mysterious past. Throughout season two, she seems to bounce between knowing Hannibal is a killer to refusing too, since it is implied she knows he killed Abigail and the history of her patient dying is revealed. Ignoring the end, in episode two, she visits Graham in prison after aiming to confront Hannibal. In just a few words, she expresses her concerns and proclaims Will’s innocence, giving him an ally. She simply mutters, “I believe you” and we get shivers from excitement.
Chilton at the dinner scene.
At first, and in the original canon, Chilton is one of the most awfully annoying characters that you’ll gladly punch in the face. Raul Esparza plays Chilton with such wonderful wit and that flare makes Chilton a favourite player in the entire season. Especially because he figures out Hannibal’s doings far before anyone else and is adamant to catch him. Like a buddy cop movie, Crawford and Chilton head to Hannibal lavish dinner party to take food to sample it. Not only does the food look exquisite but Chilton’s facial expressions, quips and more. It’s funny and intriguing.
At first, and in the original canon, Chilton is one of the most awfully annoying characters that you’ll gladly punch in the face. Raul Esparza plays Chilton with such wonderful wit and that flare makes Chilton a favourite player in the entire season. Especially because he figures out Hannibal’s doings far before anyone else and is adamant to catch him. Like a buddy cop movie, Crawford and Chilton head to Hannibal lavish dinner party to take food to sample it. Not only does the food look exquisite but Chilton’s facial expressions, quips and more. It’s funny and intriguing.
The house of Hannibal
A lot of people haven’t liked the series finale and in some aspects, they are right. There was too many twists all at once that didn’t feel right. However, that doesn’t mean that the mirroring and the character development wasn’t on point. As people clash and Hannibal’s murderous secrets come to ahead, there are several stabbings and possible murders. It isn’t this that is great though. It’s Hannibal getting away with it. As Abigail, Will, Alana and Jack all fight for their lives, Hannibal leaves. Drenched in blood and allowing the rain to fall, the classic music swells and he stars up into the sky, happy he has the upper hand.
A lot of people haven’t liked the series finale and in some aspects, they are right. There was too many twists all at once that didn’t feel right. However, that doesn’t mean that the mirroring and the character development wasn’t on point. As people clash and Hannibal’s murderous secrets come to ahead, there are several stabbings and possible murders. It isn’t this that is great though. It’s Hannibal getting away with it. As Abigail, Will, Alana and Jack all fight for their lives, Hannibal leaves. Drenched in blood and allowing the rain to fall, the classic music swells and he stars up into the sky, happy he has the upper hand.
Face off
Mason Verger was everyone’s favourite new addition to Hannibal because finally we had someone we could truly hate. Hannibal is delightfully intelligent and an absorbing villain whilst Chilton became hilarious. So Verger came along, an obnoxious rich boy who abused his sister Margot and infuriated everyone. Played delectably by Michael Pitt, Verger is a character who we simply couldn’t wait to get his comeuppance. For those who watched the film or read the book Hannibal, you know exactly his fate. It’s just more fun to see it happen as Hannibal feeds him drugs and encourages him to cut chunks of his face off. Disgusting, thrilling and so entertaining, he not only feeds his face to Will’s dog but eats it himself.
Mason Verger was everyone’s favourite new addition to Hannibal because finally we had someone we could truly hate. Hannibal is delightfully intelligent and an absorbing villain whilst Chilton became hilarious. So Verger came along, an obnoxious rich boy who abused his sister Margot and infuriated everyone. Played delectably by Michael Pitt, Verger is a character who we simply couldn’t wait to get his comeuppance. For those who watched the film or read the book Hannibal, you know exactly his fate. It’s just more fun to see it happen as Hannibal feeds him drugs and encourages him to cut chunks of his face off. Disgusting, thrilling and so entertaining, he not only feeds his face to Will’s dog but eats it himself.
What do you think?
Are these the best Hannibal moments?
What were your favourites?
Read Cookie's review of Series 2 now!
Hannibal is out on DVD & Blu Ray now
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