Hannibal Season 2, Episode 6 “Futamono”
Directed by Tim Hunter
Written by Steven Lightfoot
Airs Thursdays at 10pm ET on NBC
“Futamono” marks the halfway point in season two of Bryan Fuller’s small screen masterpiece Hannibal. The plot burns forward, setting up the romance between Hannibal and Alana, and placing enough proof of Lecter’s crimes directly in front of Jack and Chilton. There are lots of clever nods to Silence of the Lambs, from Will’s talk with Jack mirroring Hannibal’s conversation with Clarice about Buffalo Bill’s motives, to the discovery of Miriam Lass, trapped in a cellar. “Futamono” inches forward at such a speedy rate that it won’t come as a big surprise if the events in the season’s cold open take place before the finale. “Futamono” isn’t the most exciting instalment of the series, but there are a number of interesting twists, and an ending that could make most gore hounds gag.
The standout performance this week goes to Raúl Esparza playing the sleazy, conniving and slimy Dr. Chilton. “I’m grateful I have trouble digesting animal proteins as the last meals I have shared with Hannibal Lecter have all been salads,” he tells Jack, going on to say, “Needless to say, I won’t be eating the food.” Chilton might make your skin crawl, but he’s clearly one step ahead of everyone else, and is much smarter than he looks. Especially memorable is the overt nod to the titular character when Chilton coins the phrase “Hannibal the Cannibal”.
“Futamono” is full of florid imagery, even by Hannibal standards. As per usual, the tableaus of Lecters crimes are both haunting and elegant. Hannibal guts one murder victim and hangs him with fish hooks, and if that isn’t enough, he forces Abel Gideon to eat his own amputated leg. The subject matter isn’t for the weak of stomach, it’s audacious, gruesome and pushes to the extreme limits of acceptable television content: but of all these tableaus, the Tree Man is truly a thing of beauty. Like the flowers placed in the councilman’s chest, Jack’s mind is now beginning to bloom.
“Futamono” proves that Hannibal remains several steps ahead of Agent Crawford and Will Graham. After hosting another fabulous dinner party, Hannibal decides to make sure he serves animal meat instead of human flesh, anticipating Jack’s suspicions of his cannibalism. Meanwhile Lecter allows Alana to seduce him — allowing him to drug her to sleep, and use her as his alibi. The pairing of Hannibal and Alana seems out of character, but it is safe to assume that sleeping with her seems tied in with his twisted mind game with Will. Hannibal is clearly angry with Will and he knows getting what Graham has always wanted, will only drive him more insane. If anything, the events in “Futamono” foreshadow Alana’s inevitable fate. ”Who does he have to kill for you to open your eyes,” says Will to Jack just seconds before a beautiful transition into Alana’s face. In another standout scene, Hannibal continues to manipulate Will by telling him that he is the cause of the murders by Hannibal’s own hand.
The shocking last-second revelation that Miriam Lass is alive is perhaps the largest development this week. Did Hannibal want Miriam to be found or is he falling prey to his arrogance? Whatever the case, the reveal indicates just how close Jack is to finally knowing the truth. “Futamono” is a bold, beautiful journey into the dark side of the soul, and one that leaves you with many questions.
– Ricky D
Other thoughts:
Dr. Chilton: “Cannibalism is an act of dominance.”
Dr. Chilton: “Hannibal once served me tongue and joked about eating mine. It would be narrow to not at least consider it.”
Dr. Gideon: “You’ve invited me to my own last supper”.
My favourite scene is when Will’s dog pack makes an appearance.
I especially like the use of slow motion this week, particularity the blood dripping in the coffee.
