Hannibal Season 3 Episodes 8-9 Reviews: Behold The Red Dragon

"The Great Red Dragon" and "The Woman Clothed With The Sun" begin the Red Dragon story arc that will make up the remainder of season 3. I just hope we dont see less of Lecter (since he's the main reason I tune in). There are only four episodes left in the series though. NBC has canceled "Hannibal" (and apparently no one else is picking up the show). What a shame. As I have said MANY, MANY times before, there is simply nothing else on television like "Hannibal".

Remember When I Said I Always Keep My Promises?

It's been three years since Hannibal turned himself in. He is safely (for now) imprisoned at the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. Alana Bloom has taken over Chilton's position as hospital administrator. There's an endless stream of visitors who seek to analyze/evaluate the serial killer. Alana and Hannibal verbally spar. She threatens to take Hannibal's books, drawings and even his toilet (since the only thing Hannibal cares about is "indignity"). We learn that Alana carried and delivered the "Verger baby" for she and Margot. It's a boy. I fear that Hannibal will keep his promise to Alana (and it wont be good).

An Interesting Visual

Jack gets word of a new case. "The Tooth Fairy" is killing whole families (but only during full moons). Jack pays Will a visit. He is now happily married and has a stepson. Will doesnt want to get back in the life but reluctantly agrees one more time.

We know the killer is Francis Dolarhyde (Richard Armitage). He was raised by a violent grandmother and works in a photo processing lab. Do they still have those? Francis has a cleft palate and a speech impediment. He is also delusional and, after seeing a painting, thinks he's turning into a dragon. He has a large dragon tattooed on his back. Francis spends lots of time exercising, running around naked and pasting news articles in his scrapbooks.

I Cant Quit You

Will reluctantly goes to see Hannibal. Hannibal is upset that Graham has not stayed in touch. Yep he still has it bad for Will. Hannibal says "Im glad you came. All of my other visitors are professional..banal psychologists and grasping second raters...pencil lickers." Will and Hannibal eventually use Hannibal's "mind palace" technique to visit the crime scenes and analyze the evidence.

How Many Times Are We Going To Kill This Poor Girl?

We also see flashbacks of Hannibal's time with Abigail (from back in season 2). My guess is they did this in order to increase Lecter's screen time (which I'm all for). I think the Abigail story line has pretty much been played out though.

Francis later meets a blind woman named Reba (who also works at the lab). She is played by Rutina Wesley (Tara on "True Blood"). It's great to see Rutina in a different role since her talents were largely wasted at the end of the TB series.

Freddie Lounds reappears. She meets with Will. He is not happy that she referred to Hannibal and Will as "Murder Husbands". Too funny. Dont get too attached to Freddie though. She may not be around that much longer.

Favorite Quotes:

Soon enough I fear Jack Crawford will come knocking. I would encourage you, as a friend, not to step back through the door he holds open. It's dark on the other side and madness is waiting."- Hannibal to Will.
"Im glad you came. All of my other visitors are professional. Banal psychologists and grasping second raters...pencil lickers."- Hannibal to Will.
Hannibal: "Im not insane." Alana: "You know that and I know that."
Chilton: "You've made this desert for me before." Hannibal: "One of my favorite deserts. Traditionally made with pig's blood but in this case with a local cow". Chilton: "And when you last made it for me?" Hannibal: "The blood was from a cow, only in a derogatory sense."
Alana: "Enough people have died." Hannibal: "You havent."
Zeller: "Seems like you're more upset about the cat than you were the children [discussing the Tooth Fairy's latest victims]." Price: "I'm particularly fond of cats. I'm not particularly fond of children."
Hannibal: "Do you still prefer beer to wine?" Alana: "I stopped drinking it when I found out what you were putting in mine." Hannibal: "Whom". Alana: "Who".
Alana: "I love a good finger wagging." Hannibal: "Yes you do. How is Margot?"

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). Two more great episodes (although I was bored by the Abigail flashbacks). Any guesses to how much the show will deviate from the original Red Dragon source material? And how will it all end? That's what I'm most interested in (although I REALLY wish "Hannibal" would find another home).