Hannibal Season 2 review

Created by Bryan Fuller

(Spoilers for season 1 of Hannibal follow)

Hannibal's first season showed a lot of promise, and was incredibly visually fascinating, but suffered from occasional bouts of poor writing. Season 2 fixes this problem and instead becomes one of the best shows on television. Amazing, artistic visuals mix with a storyline that doesn't waste a single scene, much less an episode, and manages to keep a very constant sense of tension throughout thirteen surprising and very violent episodes.

This season picks up right where the last one left off: Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) is in jail for Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen)'s murders, awaiting his trial. Meanwhile, Hannibal has taken Will's position as a consultant for the FBI. After what essentially amounts to a two part season premiere the show really kicks into high gear, with episodes four through seven each feeling big enough to be the climax of the season, but instead all come together to create an incredibly memorable stretch of episodes that closes the first half of the season out on a strong note and leads into the more psychological, but equally brilliant, second half of the season.

This unique structure helps to keep the season from having to resort to filler episodes. Instead every episode either directly pushed the plot forward or contained some greater thematic purpose relating to the relationship between Will and Hannibal. In fact, most of the episodes of this season were stronger than the best episode of last season. That is just how much this show improved in its second outing. 

Of course, the heart of the show is the relationship between Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter. Both roes are played to perfection by Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen. The two have amazing chemistry with each other, and as their game of cat and mouse becomes more and more intense, the actors live up to the challenge, finding the perfect blend of friend and enemy that their relationship needs to be. The two of them made the show last season, and though the rest of the show has improved this season, their performances remain the strongest aspect of the show.

e greater thematic purpose relating to the relationship between Will and Hannibal. In fact, most of the episodes of this season were stronger than the best episode of last season. That is just how much this show improved in its second outing. 

Of course, the heart of the show is the relationship between Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter. Both roes are played to perfection by Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen. The two have amazing chemistry with each other, and as their game of cat and mouse becomes more and more intense, the actors live up to the challenge, finding the perfect blend of friend and enemy that their relationship needs to be. The two of them made the show last season, and though the rest of the show has improved this season, their performances remain the strongest aspect of the show.

cks into high gear, with episodes four through seven each feeling big enough to be the climax of the season, but instead all come together to create an incredibly memorable stretch of episodes that closes the first half of the season out on a strong note and leads into the more psychological, but equally brilliant, second half of the season.

Of course, the heart of the show is the relationship between Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter. Both roes are played to perfection by Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen. The two have amazing chemistry with each other, and as their game of cat and mouse becomes more and more intense, the actors live up to the challenge, finding the perfect blend of friend and enemy that their relationship needs to be. The two of them made the show last season, and though the rest of the show has improved this season, their performances remain the strongest aspect of the show.

The rest of the performances are still somewhat of a mixed bag. Laurence Fishbourne's Jack Crawford is an interesting character, given some true depth, but still remaining the least ambiguous character of the series, and that is meant to be a compliment. Hetienne Park shows a marked improvement this season, as her character is given something to do as opposed to simply being there. Caroline Dhavernas' Alana Bloom remains a troubled character, though, being the character most prone to poor decision making. 

The guest stars often prove to be some of the strongest performances of the show. Raul Esparza's Frederick Chilton especially proves memorable, taking a much more active role in the plot this season. Eddie Izzard, Amanda Plummer and Cynthia Nixon also prove to be quite memorable. Most memorable, though, is likely Michael Pitt as Mason Verger. A well known character in the Hannibal mythos, Verger makes his appearance in the second half of the season. From the moment of his appearance Pitt adds a strange energy that simultaneously feels off tone for the show and perfect for it. He is the yin to Hannibal's yang. Larger than life where Hannibal is subtle. The two villains play off each other perfectly, making the audience really question who to root for when it comes to these two monsters. Though perhaps not as strong as the Will/Hannibal connection, the show wisely uses this plotline to enhance tension, but knows when to leave it off and focus back  on what the show is really about.

Hannibal also remains one of the best looking shows on television. The cinematography, editing and subtle effects work make for a strange atmosphere that few shows have successfully managed to accomplish. The series truly feels like watching a nightmare at times. It is so dark and heavy, but at the same time very dreamlike, and the visuals are largely to thank for that. 

The real reason this season is such an improvement, however, is in its urgency. The season starts off with a view of things to come, an exciting sequence that portends the conflict that will end the season. From that point on there is no filler time, everything in the season is meant to hurdle the plot to the promise the first scene made. Television shows are somewhat known for wasting time, as they have to stretch out a story over many hours. However, Hannibal found a way to keep the pace and the suspense up, as well as the surprise, as the audience is kept guessing at how they get to the final endpoint. This season shows that Bryan Fuller and company are making their own way through the Hannibal  mythos, and so when it comes to this season's brilliant finale, all bets are off and anything can happen. 

Really not enough people watch this show. While it does have its fans, and thankfully received a third season order, it is still very much a cult show. Though for many it is way too dark and violent to even watch, (This season does not cut down on the gore much, and adds quite a lot in emotional intensity) For those who can stomach it, Hannibal is one of the strongest shows on television now, and the fact that it is on NBC makes that fact all the more shocking. Season 2 of Hannibal is a nonstop thrill ride, one which daring viewers will find much to reward their attention, and it all leads to one of the greatest season finales of all time. 

Grade: A

Greatest Episode: Mizumono (Episode 13)

This is what the entire season builds up to and this episode does not let those expectations down. Shocking, exciting, daring and all together brilliant, Mizumono is the culmination of the wonderful meal that Hannibal is. Perfectly tying together this past season, and building up  an amazing level of expectations for next season, this episode proves just how far this show has come.

Weakest Episode: This is very hard to pick, as there are very few weak moments this season, much less episodes. Maybe the one with the fossil exoskeleton? That one was pretty weird.