Hannibal Episodes 4-5 Recaps: Please Excuse Me For Noting That Hannibal Looks Good In His Swim Trunks

Episode 4 "Takiawase" is the curious case of an Acupuncturist who lobotomizes her patients. That was rough to watch. One died and became a human beehive. Another might as well have been dead. She tells the FBI she was relieving their pain so get off her back! And would you like any honey?

Will agrees to some weirdo therapy from Dr Chilton. It unlocks past memories of Hannibal. Bella (Jack's wife) visits Lecter as a therapist. She has terminal lung cancer. He encourages her to end her life on her own terms. On her next visit she has taken an overdose of morphine. She slips away. He tosses the coin she just gave him as to if he should try to revive her. Heads it is. He takes her to the hospital. She is none too happy about not being dead and slaps him. Extra bonus points if you knew Lawrence Fishburne and Gina Torres are a married couple IRL.

Will FINALLY figures out Hannibal is eating people (since a kidney was removed from the muralist). After hearing Hannibal is the Chesapeake Ripper, Beverly goes to his house to look for proof. Lecter returns home and finds her in the basement. Shots are fired. Oh no!!!

In episode 5 entitled "Mukozuke" we find that Beverly has indeed been killed by Hannibal. Girl, what were you thinking going in there alone??? That sucks. I really liked Katz.

Freddie gets an anonymous tip to go to the observatory. There she finds Beverly sliced into panels. It reminds me of the traveling anatomy exhibit that came through a few years ago. Sorry I don't remember the name. Side Note: Katz was dissected with her clothes on (including her black leather jacket). We see it from the left view but only see flesh from the right view. Make up your mind people. She wasnt naked on one side when he killed her.

Will asks to see the body. He arrives in full "Silence Of The Lambs" getup--- straight jacket, face guard, and a dolly to roll around on. I've tried rolling around on a dolly before. It's pretty comfortable as long as someone doesn't drop you down the stairs.

Will tells Jack that Beverly knew who the Chesapeake Ripper was and that's why she's dead. He stops short of blaming Hannibal. Will encourage Chilton to transfer Abel Gideon back to the institution (so Chilton can get credit for discovering the Ripper's true identity). PS I love Eddie Izzard.

Will pumps Gideon for information. Freddie tries to draw out the copycat with her "Tattler" article on Will. And the culprit turns out to be... Matthew (an orderly at the hospital). Apparently they don't do background checks at the Baltimore State Hospital For The Criminally Insane. They might want to start. Will asks the orderly to kill Hannibal. Off he goes. Meanwhile Dr Gideon tells Alana what he overheard.

Copycat Killer catches up with Hannibal while he's swimming laps. I do not usually notice such things but Lecter looks pretty good in his swim trunks. Yes I realize I am going to Hell. Curse you, Kidney Eater!!! Anyway, when Jack and Alana arrive, Hannibal is hanging from a rope with his feet on a very shaky bucket. His wrists have been slit and are tied to a broom handle. Hannibal is very close to death. But of course he's the main character so have no fear. Jack shoots Matthew but that doesn't stop him from kicking the bucket from beneath Hannibal. Alana runs for help. Jack holds Lecter up so he doesn't die. And end scene.

Other Observations:

When Hannibal comes to interview Gideon, they act like they don't know each other. Of course they are being recorded.
Hannibal tells Freddie she is being rude when she snaps his picture outside the hospital. That's usually HannibalSpeak for "I'll eat you later" so she better be careful.
Copycat Killer (Matthew) could have let Hannibal drown in the pool after tranquilizing him. That would have been much easier than hanging. Of course we wouldn't have gotten any gratuitous nudity.
The cooking scenes are simultaneously beautiful and disgusting. Interesting contrast between preparing Will and Hannibal's meals. And the smile on Lecter's face while he ate (since it was Beverly's kidney). Eeekkkkk.

Favorite Quotes:

"Death is not a defeat but a cure."- Hannibal
"Stay away from Hannibal Lecter."- Will to Beverly
"Feed the body. Feed the mind."- Hannibal to Jack
"Interpret the evidence."- Dead Beverly to Will.

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). One of the top episodes to date. And yes I was happy to see Hannibal hanging-- not that it will rehabilitate him in any way. You cant reform a psychopath.