Yeah the pacing did pick up in episode 4, it seemed like the early director (Vincenzo was his name apparently) just got really indulgent and art filmy to such an extent that it was slowing the plot down a bit too much? But then I know that that appeals to many viewers, so I guess that it's an acquired taste :shrug:

From what I remember reading Chiyoh p was loosely based on a character from Hannibal Rising, but Bryan tweaked some things about her and made her younger?

And yeah, I like that they went ahead with Margo's surrogate baby so early, it seems like they've used practically all of the Hannibal book canon now *g*

And true, they've not even trying to be subtle with the homoeroticism any more lol