Hannibal Season 3 Episode 3 Review: Do Those Snails Have SAG Cards?

If nothing else "Hannibal" has increased my appreciation for snails. Sure I knew about snails before but "Secondo" featured several snail closeups. They are beautiful and underrated creatures. And apparently they're pretty good actors. I just hope they got paid for their work. Now, on to the rest of the story.

Some people are upset that after three episodes we still havent learned exactly what happened the night Hannibal tried to kill Will, Jack and Alana. We did find out last week that Abigail is indeed dead. Apparently we will learn more in episode four. The preview shows Alana as well. Hannibal is not in any hurry to do anything. He's not worried about getting caught. He considers himself superior to everyone around him. So it is only fitting that the show take the same approach. If it wants to show five minutes of snail closeups, it does.

Alas Mischa Lecter, We Never Knew You

"Secondo" reveals some of Hannibal's backstory. Will visits Casa Lecter in Lithuania. How much money does the family have? It's a GIGANTIC castle. We see a tombstone for Mischa Lecter (who turns out to be Hannibal's sister). Will spies a woman shooting a pheasant. She skins it and feeds it to someone in a cage.

But I Havent Even Had Desert Yet

Cross over to Hannibal who is chopping up and preparing an arm. Yuck. Guess who has joined Hannibal and Bedelia for dinner? It's Sogliato. Remember he was rude to Hannibal when he first arrived in Italy (and Hannibal hates rude people). We all know Sogliato will not survive the meal. Mid sentence Hannibal sticks an ice pick in his temple. Bedelia doesnt look horrified by this. Instead she looks perturbed (as someone looks at their spouse when they do the same stupid thing over and over again). The poor guy is still alive but utters random nonsense. Bedelia pulls out the ice pick to keep Sogliato from suffering. He bleeds to death. Hannibal sarcastically says "Technically YOU killed him".

New BFFs

Next Jack Crawford makes an appearance. Given what happened with Abigail last week, I wasnt entirely he was real until I saw him interact with another person. I guess he's not dead. He discusses "Il Monstro" with Rinaldo-- plus he's got a big scar on his neck. Jack's goal now is to save Will (from himself and from Hannibal). Is Rinaldo the only law enforcement officer on this show that wants to bring Lecter to justice?

Will: "Hannibal and I Are Friends." Chiyo: "Hannibal Doesnt Have Any Friends."

Under the cover of darkness Will follows the woman he saw earlier. Apparently there is no electricity in Casa Lecter. Well it would be hell to pay the heat and electricity. All of those candles are definitely a fire hazard though... but not one asked me. What did the raggedy man in the cage do to Hannibal? Chiyoh says he killed and ate Mischa. This is why Hannibal became a cannibal. Sorry, but I'm not buying it. Will asserts that Hannibal ate his sister. Bedelia also asks Hannibal "how did your sister taste". No one is fooled by this story except maybe Chiyoh.

Mothman

While Chiyoh is away Will releases the man but he comes back to the castle and almost strangles her to death. Chiyoh sticks a sharp bird bone in his neck. Yep he's dead. In the end Will makes a present for Hannibal out of the dead guy (and adds some snails for decoration). He is supposed to be a firefly (as opposed to a moth or a butterfly). I know Will saw some fireflies earlier in the garden but Im not sure of their significance. Plus I thought Hannibal was never returning home. If so, he'll never see Will's "gift". I worry that Will is becoming just like Hannibal.

At this point I think its safe to assume that Hannibal and Will have some sort of love for each other (warped though it may be). Bedelia and Hannibal discuss it openly at the beginning and ending of the episode. Hannibal and Will each think only the other understands him completely. Will no longer wants to catch Hannibal. Hannibal's response is slightly difference. He decides that he must eat Will in order to truly forgive his betrayal. Two thoughts: 1. I thought Hannibal already told Will he forgave him (right before he stabbed him) and 2. Uh oh...

Favorite Quotes:

"That might have been impulsive."- Hannibal after he sticks an ice pick in Sogliato's head.
"Technically you killed him"- Hannibal to Bedelia after she pulls the ice pick out of Sogliato's head.
"I know exactly how I will navigate my way out of the mess I've gotten into. Do you?"- Bedelia to Hannibal.
"Yes we are nakama (close friends). The last time I saw him he left me with a smile."- Will showing Chiyo the scar that Hannibal gave him.
"My husband's ego is not measured by conventional means"- Bedelia to their house guests while they eat Sogliato's arm. Bedelia is still sticking with oysters.
"Mischa doesnt explain Hannibal. She doesnt quantify what he does."- Will to Chiyo.
"How did your sister taste?"- Bedelia to Hannibal.
Bedelia: "If past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior, there's only one way you will forgive Will Graham." Hannibal: "I have to eat him."