“Futamono” was the point of no return for Hannibal‘s second season. Lines were drawn, friendships were abandoned, alliances were made, and at the end of the episode a man ate his own amputated leg. It was all very Greek tragedy.
Director Tim Hunter, one of the best things to ever happen to this show, makes the most of Hannibal‘s amazing ensemble – especially the guest stars. The smartest way to approach Will’s incarceration and claims of Hannibal’s guilt was to make it a group effort. In this corner, we have Hannibal and Alana; in the challenger’s corner, we have Will, Dr. Chilton, and Jack. Raul Esparza is terrific as Frederic Chilton. As played by Anthony Heald in The Silence of the Lambs, Chilton was pretty much pervy smarminess; but Esparza plays him as a smarter, shrewder operator than anyone in the room gives him credit for being.
“Futamono” was full of brilliance on display. Will gets a great scene at the beginning, where he toys with Jack, taunting him with clues about the Chesapeake Ripper. It’s a good reminder that for all his idiosyncracies and tics, Will Graham is a goddamn genius.
And make no mistake, the Chesapeake Ripper is back in a big way. I thought Hannibal would never be able to top the gruesome display of Beverly Katz’s vivisected remains, but “Futamono” proved me one hundred percent wrong. The Ripper’s latest victim is Baltimore city councilman Sheldon Isley, who has been grafted to a tree, left in a parking lot, with his chest full of poisonous flowers. Part of me wants to know how Bryan Fuller and his writers come up with this kind of imagery, but another part of me is glad that I couldn’t think of it myself. Kind of a relief.
There are two big revelations in “Futamono.” One is the new sexual relationship between Hannibal and Alana. To many viewers it might seem like this came out of nowhere (and it did to me as well), but remember that they’ve known each other for a while, and a relationship between the two was hinted at as early as season one’s “Sorbet.” Alana is firmly in the fold. She’s let go of Will, and finds herself on Hannibal’s harpsichord bench and in his bed – and later, vouching for his whereabouts to Jack. Sadly, I think Alana’s days are numbered. Listen to the way Hannibal said to Will, “I’ll give your best to Alana.” Or notice that when Will asks Jack, “Who does he have to kill before you believe me?” the next shot is of Alana’s face. If I had to guess, I’d say her death is what will ultimately spark the brawl that the season premiere teased us with. Or it could be the second revelation, which is…
Miriam Lass is still alive! This raises a whole host of questions. Namely, why did Hannibal lure Jack to her holding cell? Carelessness is not a trait that Hannibal Lecter possesses. Perhaps he did it for the same reason he warned Garrett Jacob Hobbs – he wants to see what will happen.
A Few Thoughts
– So long, Abel Gideon. Eddie Izzard turned in one of the best guest performances I’ve ever seen, and I was surprised by how natural his chemistry was with Hugh Dancy, even separated by brick walls
– Futamono is the fifth dish of kaiseki, described as a “lidded dish.” Maybe a reference to Miriam Lass’ captivity underground?
– Anna Chlumsky is now on Hannibal and Veep. It’s hard to think of two more disparate shows for any actor to be on
– Of course Hannibal owns and plays a harpsichord. Of course he does
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