Hannibal
Season 3 Episode 3 “Secondo”
Directed by Vincenzo Natali
Written by Angelina Burnett and Bryan Fuller & Steve Lightfoot
Starring Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelsen, Caroline Dhavernas, Gillian Anderson, Laurence Fishburne, Fortunato Cerlino, Tao Okamoto and Laurence Fishburne
NBC
Air date: Thursday, June 18th, 2015, 10pm

Who is Hannibal Lector?

The secret origin of Will Graham’s (Hugh Dancy) devil is something that hasn’t been explored deeply in the show’s past, rather, the intricate details have been left to the linger in the shadows our dear doctor loves so deeply. But as Will Graham looks to gain traction over the man who left him and others for dead, it seems that no stone will go unturned in the hunt to gain any upper hand against Hannibal – even if that means that Will resorts to less than noble tactics to obtain that advantage.

With his exploration to Hannibal’s Lithuanian home, we’re introduced to Chiyo (Tao Okamoto), who looks to become an important ally to Will, assuming she doesn’t realize she’s been played in a way that’s similar to the manner in which Bedelia is being manipulated by Hannibal. In fact, there’s a parallelism for both the men and the women of this episode, who are conned into taking a more direct role than previously seen. To quote from earlier this season, the observers are becoming participants.

But that observation extends to Will as well. So much of last season focused on Will trying to see if he could play Hannibal without having to resort to the darker tricks Hannibal so willingly and gleefully employs. “Secondo” shows that if you can’t beat them, join them. Will didn’t kill the bearded prisoner, but he’s more than willing to make a spectacle out of him for Hannibal’s attention and admiration.

Will is beginning to play a dangerous game, but he’s more aware of his role this time around. How deep he’ll mire himself in darkness to get what he wants remains to be seen, but Will’s actions unpredictable. And while that might be bad for Hannibal, it’s certainly good for the rest of us.

Quick Thoughts:

– A bit of a shorter review this week as I’m running behind, but I wanted to take a second to address the show’s cancellation. I think it’s pretty evident now there’s a sizable chance this show will live on elsewhere (my guess is on either Hulu or Amazon). Bryan Fuller said they’re exploring all options, but even if the show doesn’t live on – let’s give NBC a hand for letting this incredible show live on for three seasons, when it could have very easily not gone past the first.

– I think I struggled with this episode because it feels more opaque and dreamlike than what I’m used to. It took some time to find the threads of this one.

– Laurence Fishburne’s Jack is a most welcome addition, especially as Will begins to venture into uncharted waters. I have a feeling we’ll need him to help pull Will from the dark side once more.