Catching up with season 3 of Hannibal!

[frelling_tralk]

Episode 3 really wasn't for me I'm afraid, I felt like the director started getting way too artsy when it came to things like the close-ups of snails. I get that the cinematography has always been an important aspect of Hannibal, but it was starting to get so drawn-out that the plot was crawling to a stop at certain points! IMO episodes 2 and 3 could have been condensed down into one episode easily, then we could have got back to the rest of the cast by episode 3, rather than waiting for the fourth episode (And how great was Chilton in the fourth episode! I love that he personally got the copyright for 'Hannibal the Cannibal' lol, I'm kind of disappointed actually that in this version of the canon he's not the one tormenting imprisoned Hannibal and threatening to take away his privileges)

I thought that they could have done more with Chiyoh though, she felt like such a cipher to me, and I didn't really understand why Will was kissing her on the train, but maybe I missed something there?

I loved seeing Bedelia and Hannibal living together as a kind of warped version of how Hannibal and Clarice ended up in the novels, there were some great moments there ('it's not that kind of party'!) At first it came across to me like she was being completely coerced into being with Hannibal, but then of course it was suggested that she was choosing to be with him, that part of her was fascinated by him and seeing what he would do, while always taking safeguards for herself. I loved the resolution to that with her pretending to be high and confused, and Jack can't help but be impressed at how brilliantly she's going to play everyone!

Alana and Margo had good chemistry, although it's a shame there wasn't more of a build-up to them getting together, they really only had the one scene together before their sex scene! I do really love Margot's character though, and Mason was always fun too in his own warped way, "Well no pyjama party for you, Mr Graham" :P That pig scene was too heart-breaking and disturbing for me though, poor Margo :(

I probably shouldn't say too much about Will/Hannibal for fear of embarrassing myself as a really creepy shipper, but I can't help but find something adorable in the weirdest stuff, like Hannibal's proud smile when Will takes a bite of Cordel's flesh :blushes: And I loved that they borrowed the image from the Hannibal film and had Hannibal walking away from Mason's revenge scheme with Will in his arms :D Poor Will though when Hannibal turns himself in so that Will can never put him out of his mind :( Jack's look of disbelief said it all really!

I really enjoyed the latest scenes between Will and Bedelia in episode 10, heh when he calls her The Bride Of Frankenstein, and she points out that we've both been his bride *g* I loved the unexpected flashback to her patient when we see what really happened with him, it seemed like Hannibal deliberately send him to Bedelia to try and bring out the cruel streak that he saw in her? It's going to be more interesting to watch her scenes from seasons 1 and 2 now, she was always kept so ambiguous before that it was hard to know what to make of her, but I feel like I have a better understanding now

I was very happy to see Abigail again in episode 9 (well and in episode 2 as well of course!). It was good to get all of that background on how much she was actually working with Hannibal, in her eagerness to help Hannibal set up the crime scene, we again see someone who was not the helpless victim that she first appeared to be. I was always fond of her relationship with Hannibal, and it was pretty heart-breaking in retrospect watching those scenes when we know how it all ended

ETA Oh I don't suppose anyone has any recs for Hannigram fic or video's that they've enjoyed? I did read one awesome prison AU with Hannibal and Will in a version of HBO's Oz, and ended up getting completely sucked into it *g*




Also I've changed my LJ style completely now, I thought that it was time for a change. It will take a bit of getting used too, especially when I'm scrolling through my friendsfeed (everything looks so different!), but I'm really liking this style at the moment. I will miss my old banner though...The current banner with just my name on it makes me think that I really need to come up with a more interesting name for my LJ, but I can't think of much at the moment

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_profiterole_/]

It's a lovely style! :-)

[frelling-tralk.livejournal.com]

I like it :) It's a little bit weird looking through my friendsfeed because I'm so used to my old purple style, but I'm getting used to it, and I do really like this look in my own LJ. I feel like it makes it look more like a blog I guess?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_profiterole_/]

It's going to feel strange for a couple of days and then you won't notice the difference any more. :-)

[bm-shipper.livejournal.com]

I really like the new style. Think it looks fantastic... :) Good job here... but of course I totally get that it will take a bit of time to get used to it... like always when you change something. For a while it was pretty strange for me when I opened my LJ too, right after I changed everything :D

[frelling-tralk.livejournal.com]

Thanks :)

[livejournal.livejournal.com]

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[impala-chick.livejournal.com]

Oo very shiny new layout! Love how bright everything is.

Speaking of which, I should really change mine up.

[frelling-tralk.livejournal.com]

Yeah I decided that the purple layout that I've had for years was a bit too dark, I'm really liking how white and shiny this layout is :D

[wendelah1]

The new journal style looks really pretty.

I switched back to the old way. I'm used to it. I only use LJ on my desk top.

[silverusagi]

I'm not a shipper, but I'm loving all the fucked up Hannibal/Will stuff.

I'm a bit meh on Bedelia, I kind of feel like her characterization was all over the place.

All of Abigail's scenes were great, particularly the flashback of Hannibal 'killing' her in her father's kitchen.

I'm kind of disappointed actually that in this version of the canon he's not the one tormenting imprisoned Hannibal and threatening to take away his privileges

I'm very disappointed, lol. Mainly because I wanted the payoff of that. I don't really think that canon needed to be tweaked in this instance because it would be predictable because we knew what happened, etc. Plus, even though I know we wouldn't have gotten there this season, I was looking forward to Chilton being horrible so that I could look forward to his grisly death.

[frelling-tralk.livejournal.com]

Thanks :)

[frelling-tralk.livejournal.com]

I didn't know what to make of Bedelia for the longest time when it seemed like everyone else was a huge fan of her character and wanting more Gillian Anderson, but I've definitely found her character a lot more interesting this year since we've had her appear so fascinated by Hannibal. It seems like she's meant to come across as more similar to Hannibal than she's comfortable with, but with more impulse control? Her first instinct is to crush a wounded bird for example, but the only time she gave in to her worst instincts about herself were when Hannibal drew it out of her, first with the patient that Hannibal referred to her, and then when she was living with Hannibal in Florence

And I heard something about Chilton being in every episode once we get to the Red Dragon arc, but they don't seem to have used him that much so far, I get the feeling that it's Alana's death being set up actually with all of the hints of Hannibal 'I always keep my promises'

[12-12-12.livejournal.com]

Your new layout is beautiful! :D

[frelling-tralk.livejournal.com]

Thank you :)

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I thought that they could have done more with Chiyoh though, she felt like such a cipher to me, and I didn't really understand why Will was kissing her on the train, but maybe I missed something there?

From what I remember, she made the move to kiss him before she pushed him off the train. Perhaps it was a "in the moment" thing where there was a connection felt based from their experiences with Hannibal, but ultimately she had other motives with going to see Hannibal and didn't want Will in the way. But I do agree, I liked Chiyoh's presence but she felt kind of underused in a way. I was hoping for more of her, perhaps a little appearance after he had been incarcerated.

Alana and Margo had good chemistry, although it's a shame there wasn't more of a build-up to them getting together, they really only had the one scene together before their sex scene!

I really did want to see how they initially got together, but regardless I loved everything about their scenes for what we got. There is something very intriguing about them being together especially as partners in crime, and in general I just adore those two actresses so it was wonderful seeing them together. ♥ I know some people weren't thrilled hearing about the actor change for Mason, but everything about his character this season was sadistically twisted all the same. I did enjoy how Hannibal helped Margot and Alana and how they were the ones who killed Mason in the end. Murder girlfriends! ♥

I probably shouldn't say too much about Will/Hannibal for fear of embarrassing myself as a really creepy shipper, but I can't help but find something adorable in the weirdest stuff

I'm not an active shipper myself, but I do love seeing the little moments between them. Their relationship with each other has always been fascinating, and I like how Bryan Fuller acknowledges how personal and intimate that relationship has been while never sugarcoating how damaging and fucked up it is. Plus, I do love the nudges that other people acknowledge this as well, with "Murder Husbands" (a nice wink to the fandom) to the recent conversation between Will and Bedelia, examining that relationship a bit deeper especially considering they were both underneath the spell of Hannibal Lector. I love how everything surrounding Hannibal is very romantic, and his relationship with Will is no exception.

it seemed like Hannibal deliberately send him to Bedelia to try and bring out the cruel streak that he saw in her?

I'm assuming so. It was very interesting seeing how it all played out, in the end. Bedelia didn't necessarily kill him, but she didn't help either and we understand that cruel, possible murderous instinct within her that he probably wanted to observe for himself, seeing what would happen. Again, that conversation with Will about their differences. I'm still vaguely curious about her in general, but I do like that we got to see more of her and more of what happened with that patient, and why she remained with Hannibal for as long as she did. It makes sense that she would be with him, kind of planning and plotting for her initial escape, but at the same time observing and wanting to see what these instincts of hers meant.

I was always fond of her relationship with Hannibal, and it was pretty heart-breaking in retrospect watching those scenes when we know how it all ended

Same. It's like, I knew it was impossible considering the reality of everything, but I, like many others, were kind of wishing for that fantasy murder family vacation with Will, Hannibal and Abigail. It would make for a great alternate universe version, let me tell you.

What are your thoughts on the Red Dragon storyline, so far?

[silverusagi]

It seems like she's meant to come across as more similar to Hannibal than she's comfortable with, but with more impulse control?

I would agree, except that in 3x01 she was basically terrified the whole episode. Her actions were those of a prisoner, not a nervous accomplice. But yeah, in every other episode, she's come off as really cold. I just can't make sense of her in 3x01. I don't think it was in line with what came before or after.

I also feel like they're setting up Alana's death. I will be disappointed if she dies and Chilton doesn't, lol. I didn't cry fridging when Beverly died, but if another main female character dies without a main male to even the score, I'm going to be annoyed. And Chilton is the most obvious candidate, since he dies in canon and since a theoretical SotL would need Jack. Though, granted, Chilton wouldn't die until SotL anyway (unless they speed things up), which we're not going to get. As it is, I'm halfway wondering if Hannibal is going to escape by the end of the season or something. Because I don't know how he could kill Alana otherwise? Unless, as I saw the theory, he sends Dolarhyde after her family instead of Will's. Though that seems unlikely since we saw him getting Will's address this episode.

[frelling-tralk.livejournal.com]

Hmm that's true, I suppose that you could read it as her being terrified because of her gradually realising what she had let herself in for, but yes she did come across as trapped in that episode

And they probably would hesitate killing Alana for that reason, but then while I understand the talk of fridging when it comes to most of the main deaths being female, I'm not sure how many male characters they've even got as an option to kill off other than Jack (who is canon safe at the moment), Chilton, and the two lab techs? And their deaths wouldn't have that much impact anyway IMO, I can't even keep their names straight :P There's quite a few more memorable female characters to draw from with Alana, Margo, Bedelia, Freddie etc. Well and Freddie is presumably going to die during the Red Dragon arc this season anyway.

I guess that's partly an issue with Freddie and Alana being switched to female from the original canon, they now leave themselves open to criticism if they continue to kill off exclusively female regulars, but with Hanninal, Willow, and Jack all obviously safe, Chilton is their only real other option to kill off among the male characters, and they seem to be having too much fun writing him at the moment for that

[frelling-tralk.livejournal.com]

But I do agree, I liked Chiyoh's presence but she felt kind of underused in a way. I was hoping for more of her, perhaps a little appearance after he had been incarcerated.

Yes in the end she felt like too much of a plot device IMO when we only saw her appearing to protect Hannibal, it's a shame because she seemed like an intriguing character in her own right in her first appearance

I know some people weren't thrilled hearing about the actor change for Mason, but everything about his character this season was sadistically twisted all the same. I did enjoy how Hannibal helped Margot and Alana and how they were the ones who killed Mason in the end. Murder girlfriends! ♥

I wasn't sure about Mason's change at first, but I thought that the new actor did an impressive job with the role, and I loved how the show brought in the death by eel and Hannibal helping Margo out (Hannibal being one of the only books that I actually read from the canon *g*) I always thought it was a shame that Margo's part was completely written out of the film, her relationship with Mason was such an important part of showing what a monster he was, and it was nice seeing Hannibal do the right thing by someone who had been a victim of Mason's.

Plus, I do love the nudges that other people acknowledge this as well, with "Murder Husbands" (a nice wink to the fandom) to the recent conversation between Will and Bedelia, examining that relationship a bit deeper especially considering they were both underneath the spell of Hannibal Lector.

:nods: The conversation with Will and Bedelia was a favourite of mine, and I also loved Freddie's appearance with the mention of "Murder Husbands", and her pointing out that they did run off to Europe together *g* I wish that they would use her character a little more actually, her appearances are always so fun

Bedelia didn't necessarily kill him, but she didn't help either and we understand that cruel, possible murderous instinct within her that he probably wanted to observe for himself, seeing what would happen.

I thought that Bedelia did kill the patient in the end by ramming her arm down her throat? It matched up with what she was saying to Will about feeling the urge to crush something that she perceives as vulnerable, always having to swallow that urge of course, but it's always there all the same. And that was the one time that she gave in to it. That made a lot more sense of her escaping with Hannibal, she wanted to give in to her fascination with her cruel streak, while not crossing over society's line and becoming a killer herself

I don't have that much to say about the Red Dragon arc tbh, but I am really enjoying it of course, especially the performances of Dolarhyde and Reba. I loved that first phone call with Hannibal with Dolarhyde talking of becoming "the great Red Dragon" <3 And some of the visuals have just been amazing, especially during Dolarhyde and Lector's imagined therapy moment. I haven't read the book for Red Dragon, but I did see the film a year or so ago, so I'm interested in seeing what twists of the canon Bryan Fuller is planning

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

I agree, the first episodes were incredibly slow, but I think the pace is better now.

Chiyoh puzzled me too. I can't recall her from the book, but then it's a long time since I read Hannibal and it bored me, so I read it a bit sloppily. But I think she is original for the show, in the books Hannibal's sister is killed and eaten during WWII, which obviously don't work for the show.

I like how opaque Bedelia is, I suspect that not even Hannibal fully understands her. She must have really excellent survival skills.

Margo and Alana would have benefited from a little more background, but I too like their chemistry. I also thik that they did a good job in moving that whole storyline to take place before Hannibal is imprisoned instead of before and after.

Can you not ship Hannibal/Will? It's probably the most homoerotic thing I have evern seen in a TV show. :)

[frelling-tralk.livejournal.com]

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

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

I like the slow pace, but everything can go to an extreme. :)

Ah, I realise I haven't read Hannibal Rising and had forgotten it excisted at all. :) I was a bit puzzled over some things she said that indicated she must be older or at least teh same age as Hannibal though she looked a lot younger, but I guess that is an overflow from her being older originally. :)

The only thing left is Clairce, isn't it? But now it seems doubtful that there will be more seasons.

[frelling-tralk.livejournal.com]

I looked it up, and apparently Chiyoh was loosely based on Lady Murasaki from Hannibal Rising (which I haven't read either), so the character would have originally been older than Hannibal. I think that they really wanted to use that actress, so they made some adjustments to the character?

And yeah, they've pretty much used most of the Hannibal book now. Bryan Fuller has adjusted his original 6 year plan a lot as originally he was only going to use the earlier seasons to tell the story of Will and Hannibal before Red Dragon, then each season was going to follow one of the books after that, but I guess that since then he got more invested in doing his own version of the canon with Will and Hannibal? He already put Silence Of The Lambs back until season 5, he had an entirely new story arc planned for season 4 apparently. And they can't use the Hannibal book any more as most of those plot points were covered in season 3. At this point I'm guessing that they'll leave SOTL if they ever do get a movie or the chance to make another season, and just stick to whatever original storyline Bryan had in mind for Hannibal and Will for season 4?

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

I looked it up, and apparently Chiyoh was loosely based on Lady Murasaki from Hannibal

I see. :) I liked the actress, but yes, I wouldn't have minded a bit more with her and her relation to Hannibal.

I am hopeful that if they get to do another season, it will be exiting whatever storyline they choose.