Hannibal (TV Series) Antipasto (2015) User Reviews

"When Academics Attack"

[ericrnolan · 8/10 · 13 June 2015]

If you catch up with "Hannibal" via DVR or NBC.com, I might actually suggest you begin with the amazing and beautiful second episode, and not the Season 3 premiere. I enjoyed the season opener, but not quite as much as everyone else did. (Seriously, guys, if you think I am alone in lauding this program, google a few reviews.) The first episode falls firmly for me into the "good, but not great" category; I'd give it an 8 out of 10.

We've got an interesting basic story that pays very close attention to Thomas Harris' source novels and Ridley Scott's 2000 film treatment, and we've got great directing, cinematography and acting. Gillian Anderson shines, outperforming even the terrific Mads Mikkelsen in the title role.

It was creative and different, with a dramatic change in point of view, tone and setting, as Hannibal absconds from Baltimore to Florence with the extorted Bedelia du Maurier. It held some nice thematic surprises, as the script humanizes Hannibal unexpectedly — and this is helped by flashbacks in which we actually get to see Eddie Izzard's bad guy from Season 2 get one up on him in some verbal sparring. (I am entirely unfamiliar with Izzard's comedy performances, but damn if he doesn't make a sweet super-villain. The guy's got perfect diction and line delivery, and can be damn frightening when he wants to be.)

But, for me, this episode failed in terms of momentum and tension. It does very little to move the overarching narrative forward — so little that I suggest it could be seen as ancillary material appropriate for a webisode or DVD extra. (Yes, I do realize that Hannibal "missing" Will Graham is important in setting up themes and character relationships for the rest of the season, but … whatever.) This is really a kind of … "milieu" episode that establishes his arrival in Europe and the means to arrive at his cover identity. The fates of the victims of the Baltimore massacre? They're unknown to us.

We can't feel too much tension — of Hannibal's two murder victims, one is hardly known to us, and the other is flat out unlikable. We can't identify with them. Nor can we take any pathological satisfaction in Hannibal's modus operandi. He kinda shows up and says "Bonsoir" a bit undramatically, and we cut to another scene.

I had the occasional nitpick as well.

1) The viewer is asked to identify with Bedelia. For some reason this character has never worked for me. It certainly isn't Anderson's fault. She's fantastic. Maybe the problem is me.

2) I actually do really like Mikkelsen. But his stoical approach to the character is nowhere near as satisfying as Anthony Hopkins' iconic, nuanced, expressive, darkly charming take on the character.

3) We live in an age of Google image search. Does no one in Florence notice that "Dr. Fell" looks nothing like an online photograph?

4) After the climax of Season 2, shouldn't Hannibal be easily recognized as the world's most infamous fugitive and alleged serial killer? Is his image nowhere on CNN.com?

5) What about facial recognition? If a photo of Faux Fell is ever uploaded, might Interpol or the FBI locate him at once?

6) Seeing Dana Scully (sorry — BEDELIA) sexually harassed at the dinner table just makes me angry. Fox Mulder needs to appear and kick some ass. Actually … scratch that. Send John Dogget.

7) I don't like seeing Hannibal appear with even a putative "spouse." He's a lone wolf, to me, anyway.

8) The dialogue, yet again, is occasionally too overly stylized for me. Even genius people communicate prosaically in their everyday lives. Do these people sound like Shakespeare when they say "Pass the salt," or ask what time to set the alarm clock for the next day?

9) Once or twice, the dialogue is just … bad. Bedelia: "Your peace is without morality." Hannibal: "There is no morality — only morale." (You can't call it Shakespeare if it's trying too hard.)

10) The symbolism and the references to the feature films are maybe a little too heavy-handed. I'm talking the hand-on-the-shoulder during the lecture, and seeing one character bashed over the head with a bust of Aristotle. ("When Academics Attack.")

Don't let my compulsive griping get to you if you are a fan of the show, however. This wasn't a bad episode, just not the best. And the second episode of Season 3 is goddam PHENOMENAL.

Welcoming back the great Hannibal,, Upping the plot to a new sophisticated level of excitement ;)

[Aktham_Tashtush · 8/10 · 5 June 2015]

That was an amazingly great step up and change of scenery for the show ,, starting off in Florence,, gosh i'v walked in Florence and it was glorious moment for me ,, now seeing Hannibal embracing that city and that era of Dante ,, is so glamorous and nifty. There are still so many questions from last season haven't been answered yet but they're giving us little by little a sniff of what to be shown this season ,, of where the personality of Hannibal, Will Graham and Dr. Bedelia are evolving so fast to a new sophisticated level of excitement and affections.

I really was wondering for the past 8 months how the story is gonna get better and if it's gonna stay on the sets that we got used to ,, but then they hit you with this .. why not Italy!! .. and why not mixing Hannibal character with the most charismatic infatuated city in Italy !! ,, so now Hannibal is eating Internationally and trying to improve the flavor of his food :D

and sure not forgetting to mention the cinematography and visuals through the multi-camera closeups .. so delicious ;D

Can't wait to see how things are going to grow ,, noting at the last 5 minutes of the episode were splendid and so disturbingly catchy when you see how Hannibal is back to his old habits and so longing for Will Graham's appearance :)

Visually stunning premiere

[tlfirth · 8/10 · 5 June 2015]

Antipasto continues Hannibal's theme of dark dimensions and aesthetic imagery. That opening scene of Dr. Lecter riding into Paris on his motorbike is both invigorating and stunning, with director Vincenzo Natali making good use of symbolism to add to the exciting experience. As more of a recap and restatement of Hannibal and Bedelia's relationship, this episode concentrates more on reopening the gates to the land of gore and cannibalism.

With three distinct pathways to follow, the premiere is actually very springy despite there only being three main characters. We have retrospective scenes of Hannibal with Gideon as he slowly cooks his body parts and allows the victim to eat them. We've already tasted this horrific concept, but it's nice to go back and finish off that story. In addition, we have Bedelia's struggle with conforming to Hannibal's way of life and his intentions as she constantly sees blood everywhere. Finally, even though there were hints that his cannibalistic days had reached a stand still, Hannibal had a new target, whom he easily overwhelmed.

I'd just like to point out the strength of the direction and music in the episode because this is really what separates Hannibal from a lot of other series. Whenever food is being cooked, there's a relaxed feel about the camera as it reels through the images, and we usually get an operatic tune to fill silence. Then, whenever it comes to a conversation with Hannibal, we get this staccato movement, which allows to imagine and predict what the doctor will do next. And it's never usually very predictable.

Continuing its run of great storytelling and sumptuous visuals, Hannibal is still a top class series, but many will be disappointed that a resolution from the second season was not in order, but instead will have to wait another week. Nevertheless, this has given us a one of chance to examine and analyse two very interesting characters, whom both Mads Mikkelsen and Gillian Anderson play with the utmost conviction.

8.3/10

Antipasto is a delicacy

[aakifahsiebert · 10/10 · 6 June 2015]

Reading some of the other reviews makes it clear to me that they have not paid attention to any interviews that showrunner Bryan Fuller has done. It has been repeated a number of times that Antipasto would focus on just Hannibal and Bedelia. Mizumono ended with these two characters flying off together and it was a natural place to continue that story line for this season opener. Even so, with Will not being in this episode, his presence (or absence of) is strongly felt in how Hannibal is clearly pining over him.

Antipasto is a departure from the previous two seasons. Bryan has said that it is almost like a pilot for a new show. I think it was smart to have this fresh start. With all the main characters injured in Mizumono and Hannibal being on the run, they couldn't maintain the police procedural format; it wouldn't have made any sense.

The time-line jumps around a bit, but I didn't find it confusing though. This was something that Bryan had also mentioned in interviews, so if you read them, you would be prepared for the time jumping. However, it is done in a way that it makes sense and it is still easy to follow. I loved the flashbacks. I enjoyed seeing Gideon return (in flashbacks) and sassy as ever. It was also interesting to see what Hannibal did immediately after leaving the bloodshed in his home in Mizumono (and bless Bryan Fuller and Mads Mikkelsen for the scene when Hannibal is getting dressed...talk about fan service!).

Mads and Gillian were brilliant. I have always enjoyed Gillian's character, Bedelia, so I am excited to see more of her (she's been made a season regular). I love the interactions between Hannibal and Bedelia almost as much as I love Hannibal and Will's interactions (in general), to be honest. I am looking forward to finding out more about what Bedelia has planned.

The cinematography is gorgeous, perhaps even more so in this episode. The colors are rich and the close-ups are beautiful. The dialogue (including cannibal puns) are on point, as always. And, hearing Mads (Hannibal) speaking Italian...be still, my beating heart.

Antipasto was more than I could have anticipated. I loved every moment of it. "Antipasto" means "before the meal" and is similar to an appetizer. If Antipasto is the "appetizer" for the rest of this season, we are in for one hell of a season.

A feast for the senses, Season three

[johannesbrahms · 10/10 · 6 June 2015]

There are some spoilers, but minimal, as I am writing in the hopes of attracting more viewers to the show :)

We left season two baptized in blood. To the truth and all it's consequences, and the truth gestated over 13 episodes to be born in cascades of crimson agony. The last thing we saw was Hannibal & Bedilia jetting for Europe, on the run from the FBI who is almost certainly and immediately hot on Hannibal's heels.

Season three takes us to Europe to find Hannibal hunting his latest victim for the specific purpose of taking his identity. He chooses Dr Roman Fell, a professor who has just been appointed as a curator at the Palazzo Capponi museum in Florence. As he is stalking him to Paris soirée to intercept him before he makes his journey to Florence, the hunter becomes the hunted in a sense as Hannibal catches the eye and interest of Fell's former TA, the eager young poet Anthony Dimmond. Dimmond is a little too friendly & forward, but Hannibal doesn't have time for him. He quickly makes his exit, intercepts Fell at his home and dispatches him and then later his wife.

I'm afraid I will run out of words if I continue to detail the events of the episode and frankly, it's too delicious to condense into a 1,000 word review. Every frame of this show is art, the lighting, the writing, the sets, the wardrobe, the acting, the sound effects and music, every small detail is so deeply thought through and takes so much effort and work, and it shows. In my honest opinion the show is too good for network TV- every single episode is feature film quality. There is simply nothing else on TV like this. It is not a correct assumption to call it a horror show, or to simplify it by thinking of it as a throwback to the Hannibal movies. Producer Bryan Fuller has taken elements from Harris' books, and from the movies, and woven them into his own living breathing creature, a unique animal all on it's own. Anyone with interest in art, history, science, psychology, religion, humanity- will find something to bite into and savor in this show.I hope that more and more people watch and the show gains and even greater following as it so richly deserves.

A tasty Antipasto

[Rome723 · 5 June 2015]

After the stunning finale of Season 2 I was very curious to see, if they managed to sustain the intense psychological drama and aesthetic imagery as well as finally getting to know what fate some of the characters have met after the events of the last episode.

Compared to Season 2 the focus has, at least for this episode, shifted towards a slower pace, more close-up and slow-motion shots, which are outstandingly appealing to the eye. Even though a little slower, they managed to maintain a suspenseful and dark atmosphere. – Besides grotesque yet brilliant imagery, it offers new insights into characters and concocts a toxic mix of abuse, power, and morbid fascination, ready to reach boiling point.

While it lays bare pieces of the past many cliff-hangers remain unresolved, which are, however, prone to be answered very soon as the storyline converges in Italy. After this I am certainly looking forward to seeing how this new plot line unravels and how the old questions are answered. All in all it was a very good start into this season and it certainly laid the foundation for the episodes to come – it was a tasty Antipasto, there to leave you hungry for the rest of this Italian meal.

A well made season premiere

[nisiththesuspense · 10/10 · 6 June 2015]

Antipasto was a very good episode and pretty much what i expected about it , this episode was pure art i felt like i was watching an art film in a theater , the details and choreography was excellent, i loved the interactions between Hannibal and Bedelia and loved the ending 5 minutes which was great , but if you expected this episode will be intense after the excellent season 2 finale then you will felt little let down but as the Hannibal crew had said that this premiere was like a pilot of a new series so i was pretty much knowing that it will be a calm and clever episode about the settling of Hannibal in Rome , i felt this episode was a hint of calmness before the storm comes and this storm will be quite disastrous and everything of first half of this season will be fold into the red dragon story which will be in the second half of the season and i am keenly looking forward to enjoy the Francis Dolharyde portrayal by Richard Armitage and also the portrayal of Chiyo of Lady Murasaki by Tao Okomato it would be pretty great this season you should only have to believe in this show and its crew members.

A beautiful episode

[Allenfrodo27 · 9/10 · 16 June 2015]

Hannibal season 3 opens up with a bang, but not in one of thoughs big bangs, more of a small artistic bang (if you know what I mean).

Seeing that the season 2 final was the best episode of the entire series thus far - it was hard to picture Antipasto delivering on that level. Well even though it doesn't quit live up to the season 2 final - Antipasto is quit accomplisment, not only in its directing, but in its acting, and of course its beautiful cinematography.

Yes, it felt kind of weird not to see will (Hugh Dancy) in the first episode, but I was perfectly fine to watch hannibal and bedila travels in Europe, it was both compelling and beautiful to watch unravel.

Overall episode Grade = A- Or Number Grade = 9.2/10

The best show on TV returns on amazing form

[ryanjmorris · 9/10 · 3 September 2015]

Around the middle of this deliciously superb return to one of TV greatest current accomplishments, Hannibal tells Bedelia "I've taken off my person suit". It's difficult to distinguish whether he is referring to Hannibal as a person or Hannibal as a television production. Whilst Bryan Fuller's horror series began as a crime-of- the-week thriller which only truly began taking risks towards the end of the first season, the show's second outing flourished as a production unlike any other currently on air. Hannibal was loaded with stunning imagery, using visual metaphors to further dissect the psychological state and motivations of each of its characters. The show's soundtrack also descended into wonderful madness; crashing, irregular drumbeats would cascade over even the most basic of sequences. If season two was Hannibal beginning to break away from convention, then by now it has left all resemblance of normality behind. As Hannibal himself said, he's taken off his person suit.

Antipasto doesn't kick off where one might expect. Whereas it would be perfectly acceptable to return to the immediate aftermath of the bloodbath of last season's finale Mizumono (which I discuss briefly at the end of this article), Hannibal here jumps a few months into the future, as well as both years and months into the past. Antipasto is an unusual season opener for a number of reasons, primarily that it only features two of the names that make up the title sequence. Will Graham, Alana Bloom and Jack Crawford are all absent for this premiere which rests solely on the shoulders of Hannibal Lecter and Bedelia Du Maurier. Mads Mikkelsen has been consistently excellent since this show premiered over two years ago, but Gillian Anderson has now been awarded a regular position on the show, and she steps up to the standard of those around her. She traces Bedelia's character with undertones of fear and terror despite her willingness (or unwillingness) to be where she is with Hannibal. The development of their relationship could be the most interesting thing the show does this season, although it's difficult to judge when Will Graham is currently out of the equation.

After being questioned by him early in the episode, Bedelia tells Hannibal "I still believe I'm in conscious control of my actions. Given your history, that's a good day", yet while he murders Anthony at the episode's close, Hannibal questions whether Bedelia is participating or merely observing. Bedelia tells him she is observing, yet Hannibal corrects her, believing her to be participating in his actions. Hannibal is already having a strong influence on how Bedelia acts and how she thinks and how she feels, I can only question how long it will be until she is an even larger piece on Hannibal's chess board. And yet, as made aware first via flashback and then via Anthony, Hannibal is feeding her the food that the Romans would feed their livestock to improve the quality of their meat. Whilst Bedelia has decided she is refraining from "eating anything with a central nervous system", it appears Hannibal hasn't quite given up his own unusual delicacies just yet.

Antipasto is a stunning season premiere that, while not kicking the series off with a bang like last year's Kaiseki did, slowly and intricately allows the pieces to fall into place using it's wildly non-linear structure and fluctuating visual filters and aspect ratios. It will never cease baffling me that Hannibal is shown in the U.S on a network channel rather than the more niche cable outputs; this is, after all, one of the most conceptually, thematically and artistically unusual shows on air. It's also nice to see that Hannibal hasn't lost its touch for breathtaking visuals; Bedelia's bathtub sequence was beautifully executed, reaffirming water as a key placeholder in the show's terrific visual metaphors. Next week Hannibal comes back with an episode entitled Primavera, and many of the advance reviews released before this series began labelled this as the one in which the series picks up. Antipasto does, after all, translate to English as 'appetizer'. If this is just course one, then bring on the rest of the meal.

I've Taken Off My Person Suit.

[wandernn1-81-683274 · 8/10 · 5 August 2020]

Season Three begins as we have Hannibal zipping around on a motorcycle through the streets of France?? Italy??? Not sure where we are yet.

After attending an event we soon find Lecter COOKING dinner in a very nice home, where we soon learn that Lecter is in the process of establishing a new identity for himself, in Lecter's patented style and method.

+1 Star for the opening sequences once again.

Flashback, to dinner and conversations in Lecter's old habitat, with our old friend Dr. Gideon. (Eddie Izzard, always a pleasure to see him) They discuss joyous subjects such as cannibalism.

Lecter loves to dance, with his lovely wife. Mrs. Fell. Oh yes, Lecter is now Dr. Fell. His new persona. Mrs. Fell certainly does seem content with her new role, albeit apprehensive. Lecter is quite the sadistic murderer after all, and she knows it.

A few sequences here deal with Du Maurier / Mrs. Fell and her association with Lecter. They truly do have a strange relationship.

More flashbacks with Lecter and Gideon. Here we listen to the concepts of eating oneself and the deliciousness of snails and oysters. Gideon points out the painful reality that snails and oysters have 'no idea when they are about to be eaten.' But that humans do. (have an idea when they are about to eaten)

+1 Star for that lovely pearl of wisdom.

Dr. Fell and wife, entertain a hapless guest for dinner, who recognized Lecter from Paris but has no inkling that Lecter has indeed assumed the identity of Dr. Fell. Well he is soon to find out, much to his chagrin.

I've noticed this before but in this episode I really noticed even more obsession with the fluid drops , rain, blood, etc.

Flashback I believe to a time when Dr. Du Maurier is attacked by a patient. And she kills him. Lecter helps her cover up her....error. This explains some past history with Lecter and Maurier.

After being confronted by the hapless dinner guest who now knows Lecter has assumed the identity of Dr. Fell, Lecter once again convinces him to come over to Lecter's lair for a second time. The second visit doesn't go as well as the first for the hapless guest. Then we move along to another flashback to the fattening of Gideon.

Then we have a beautiful display of murderous artwork left by Lecter. The hapless dinner guest, leaves us with his gruesome remains to gaze upon.

+1 Star for the end sequences. A lovely lead in, or perhaps like an appetizer salad, for Season 3.

8/10

One hopes that it is only a slow start

[muppetfiddler · 7/10 · 10 June 2015]

Did not overly enjoy this episode. An initial meeting at a Parisian party that seemed to not fit with the story. The pay off conveniently shoe horned in later within the same episode.

This episode seems more visual than and less mentally stimulating. Overly lingering slow motion shots, that whilst beautiful, seemed to be just too long and too much an offering to the God of gongs for best cinematography.

Some of the pace, tension and intelligence seemed missing. Especially when compared to the stellar season 2.

A lot of money spent on location. Equally as much on production values. However, it seems like the series is waiting for Will to join the party.

Fantastic season

[dtitus0407 · 10/10 · 13 July 2019]

Fantastic season. We see Hannibal in the wild, and his further entanglement and fascination with Will. Also the negative review of this season is the worse review I've ever read of anything in my life. It's too bad Hannibal doesn't exist so he could eat this reviewer.

Beautiful and Random at the Same Time [7/10]

[panagiotis1993 · 7/10 · 19 August 2023]

My Reaction / Review for Hannibal Season 3 Episode 1: The second season was pretty good, I hope this one is even better. Biker Hannibal, I like it. Where is Hannibal? Italy? France? So Italy it is. I don't understand, does he have a relationship with his former psychiatrist? I thought that she wanted nothing to do with Hannibal anymore. And she also knows that he is a cannibal? How was Hannibal able to travel? Im sure he is FBI's priority number one. Hannibal calls Dr. Du Maurier his wife? What? What's up with the flashbacks with Gideon? This episode feels very disjointed, I don't understand what it is supposed to be. So we are supposed to believe that it is that easy to start a new life in Italy? Come on... Ok, its over. Im not too happy about this episode, it felt really random and the editing was weird. My rating is only 7/10.

Artistic Nonsense

[thebossorca · 2/10 · 8 March 2020]

After an amazing season 2 finale, fans are dying to know what happened to will graham, jack crawford, dr. bloom, and abigail hobbs, you'd think that the season 3 pilot would give us closure. But no, instead we just get shown a bunch of artistic crap. This episode could be 10 minutes long if you cut out all of the unnecessary stuff.

The Return Of A Monster

[ZegMaarJus · 8/10 · 2 March 2023]

This Episode begins with Hannibal, he arrived in Paris, France. Hannibal killed a man, he eats his meat afterwards. In a flashback we see that Hannibal eats Gideon his leg. Hannibal is dancing with Bedelia. Hannibal arrived in Florence, Italy. Hannibal prepared oisters for dinner, he invited Antony. Hannibal feels the urge to kill again. Hannibal gives a speech at the church. Hannibal kills Antony by breaking his neck. Nice Episode of Hannibal Season 3, this was a good beginning of the Season. Hannibal is in Italy to hide himself from the FBI! I am curious what will happen en who will return in the new Season!

Just awful.

[diana_davis-40644 · 1/10 · 4 July 2015]

I hated this episode. In fact, I kept fast forwarding through all the art house crap to the bits where characters actually talked to each other and advanced the plot. This cropped a 42 minute episode down to about 15 minutes. By the end I still didn't understand why Gillian Anderson's character stayed with him.

There was no answer to questions posed by the end of series 2. Just endless shots of slow motion dripping blood, food and Bedelia shopping. I was bored and irritated. If this continues I will not be bothering to watch till the end. I'll just read a synopsis on the web.

Eddie Izzard's scenes were the most coherent and most like the last season. Pity that we know what happened to him. Maybe the episode would have been more entertaining if Hannibal had taken him to Europe instead of Bedelia. Bedelia is, so far, the most boring character in the show and her soft spoken delivery and lack of passion of any sort makes me want to slap her.

I don't want to be an observer of this show any more. Maybe if I was a participant it would be better.

disappointed.

[sophialouiseburke · 4/10 · 9 June 2015]

the lack of closure in regards the the last episode of season 2 is a sure fire way to put anyone off continuing with the season. I found myself constantly waiting for the episode to come together in some way however was left more with miss-matched flash backs which in most cases where already known/presumed situations which didn't need so much clarity.

I towards the end found myself fast forwarding what was unnecessary "artsy" shots, to try and find substance and was not satisfied. However there where enough snippets of scenes with the original filming and dialogue that first got me hooked on the series to salvage my interest.

In conclusion AHHHH give us some BLOODY information on last seasons ending. Pun certainly intended.

Well, that about wraps it up for this series...

[hoytyhoyty · 1/10 · 6 June 2015]

I just can't stand the fanbois 'I wanna pretend this spoke to me on a deep level so that everyone will imagine I have a huge and richly textured soul' wailing and gibbering anymore.

About halfway through Season 2, the wheels started to violently break off of this series. It descended chaotically into Bonnie Tyler Video Clip territory, and basically stayed there. The ending episode was utterly, comically absurd - you could have played Yackety Sax over the top of it and it would have worked.

Now we come back to series 3, praying they've turned down the w-nk factor a bit, and no! They've turned it up to 11 - or actually 13!

The 'dialogue' has just degenerated into random strings of words. It always was vacuous psychobabble for the most part, but now it's become like Chance's misinterpreted utterings in Peter Sellars' 'Being There'. Ooh, he said something, whilst staring! I must dwell upon it for surely the secrets of the universe lie therein...

The musical background now sounds at times like Brian Reitzel was drunk out of his mind, rolling back and forth on the keyboard of his sampler, with it set to recordings of cat yowls. In fact, in places it actually sounded like he'd taken random tracks off Warp Records' catalogue and mashed them together (except it didn't result in anything good). None of the coordinated brilliance of 'Dark And Swarming Flies' here, just fighting kittens.

-

BEDLILIA: Do you like Apples or Oranges, Hannibal?

REITZEL: (music rises... pulsing sequencer line kicks in... changes to Spanish guitars and piano in the nick of time...)

HANNIBAL: Are you suggesting? Or synthesizing?

BEDDEDLIA: I'm just comparing...

REITZEL: (cats... more cats... cats with piano...)

HANNIBAL: Do you think I'm an Apple or an Orange, Bedelia?

BEDELINA: ...

REITZEL: (cats being squashed by a piano... funky little rhythm that sounds like someone sneezing into a trombone...)

HANNIBAL: Because you don't want to be an Apple, Bedelia...

REITZEL: (screeeeeeeeech... random notes from Spanish guitars... with billiard balls falling down a Renaissance staircase...)

HANNIBAL: You want to be an Orange.

-

And somebody has to finally come out and say it:

*** MADS MIKKELSON CANNOT ACT ***

It's like Zoolander - in that I feel like I'm taking Crazy Pills here - it's the SAME FRIGGN ACT every, single, time. It's 'Le Chiffre', from 'Casino Royale':

Age Of Uprising - Le Chiffre, in a fur cloak.

The Door - Le Chiffre, in neat casual.

Hannibal - Le Chiffre, back in Armani!

-

I could barely make it to the end of this first episode, and found myself just wanting it to end. And not... drag... on... like... a... Bonnie... Tyler... oh god, please, no more lush interiors and slow motion... just END...

-

To the makers -

Do more coke! More! More than you did before the end of Season 2!

Use up the whole icebox - before the money runs out!

-

--

---

Pointless pretentious and wasteful!

[EdMMD · 1/10 · 1 July 2015]

I was a true fan of this ever since I heard about NBC producing a show based off the infamous Dr Lecture. The first season was good and enough to pull you through, then season 2 came along and built and built the suspense to a fantastic climax. Brilliant brilliant TV making.... however before we get carried away season 3 arrived (which I could not wait for by the way) and oh what a disappointment. The whole season so far has just been Flashback, followed by pretentious weird artsy music to add mister to the never ending special effects scenes. Have they spent all there time playing with a new piece of software and forgot the key thing THE STORY there is absolutely nothing going on with 4 episodes in. That music drives me mad and Gillian Anderson playing the troubled distant side kick, does not work or may work but needs better lines or actress. I'm really struggling to keep on with this show my heart says carry on but my eyes and ears want out!! What a waste of what was becoming a real powerhouse show.... All that's missing from each episode is FIN. On that note, I hope this show climbs back out the hole it's created and pulled the audience in with.

Horribly disappointing season opener

[randymcbeast · 1/10 · 6 June 2015]

I am a huge Hannibal fan. The first two seasons were magical and I could hardly wait for this third season opener.

It was a terribly disappointing episode one however, to the point that I was just angered by how pretentious and disturbingly bad it was. Just absolutely terrible.

Don't toy with your audience like this because you will lose them fast. I can't be alone in thinking that I wanted some continuation or closure from last season and not a bunch of flash back/sideways/up/over/who cares dog poop that just picks up nowhere and goes nowhere.

And please, less Gillian Anderson, way less. I don't care about her overacting, wardrobe and scenery. It's just so far from what made this series successful and I fear that I will have to endure her involvement for the rest of the season. Ugh!

There were a few bright spots, sure (Mads Mikkelsen can do no wrong in my book), but for the most part it felt like a real crappy student film. All style and no substance.

I can only hope that it gets back on track in a hurry. I want the previous season characters back. I want the suspense back. I want less Gillian and more Will. For now though, they should be ashamed of this first episode. Arghhh, why, why, why?

Terrible start to a season for an otherwise great show

[rick-61-352513 · 2/10 · 17 June 2015]

This entire episode just seemed like pointless visual fluff with very little plot and almost no continuation or flow from how season 2 ended.

I've enjoyed the artsy/visual cut scenes or whatever you'd call them from past seasons, but they had a certain balance to them. After watching this episode it seemed like that's all the entire thing was.

After going back and watching the finale of the last season, then this one again, I could kind of understand where in the plot it was. I'm assuming it will flash back a bit on the next episode and pull it all together. What a weird way to start a season though, almost as if the last finale never happened.

If two episodes like this come in a row I think I'm done with the show. What a way to ruin the flow of a story.

Someone let whoever is responsible for those visual cut scenes off of their rope and they went way too far with them. They need to reign that back in, a lot.

ruined by NBC logo

[vancelee77 · 2/10 · 12 June 2015]

I couldn't believe that NBC had their logo on the bottom on the screen. I thought it might be for just the opening credits but it was for the whole show. I wish i could just let it slide but i kept thinking about what a classless act that NBC did.

I really like Mads Mikkelsen. I have recently been watching a Danish TV series from the early 2000 called Unit One. He isn't the main character in Unit One, but its interesting to see him in a solid supporting role, and to watch him in present day. He is becoming a seasoned actor.

Hannibal would have been one of my favorite shows of the summer but because of before mentioned peeve i will stick to Major Crimes and Tyrant.

Hannibal

[msmcconnell-61503 · 18 June 2020]

I love that i get to see what lead up to all the Hannibal movies and how they reached and shaped each character