Hannibal Season 2, Episode 10 “Naka-Choko”
Directed by Vincenzo Natali
Written by Steve Lightfoot
Airs Fridays at 10pm ET on NBC
Hannibal will have a lot to answer for in the upcoming three episodes of season two. Right now, there is so much that just doesn’t feel right, but I’m willing to give Bryan Fuller and his team the benefit of the doubt, and assume they know what they are doing. That said, it doesn’t change the fact that, after 22 episodes, Hannibal delivers a misfire.
The last couple of instalments have felt transitionary for Hannibal, drawing out the Will and Hannibal relationship via many parallels; both with the case of the week, while also calling back to events in the past. Essentially season two is a mirror reflection of the first season and the parallels run thick each and every week; but this time they might have gone a little too far. How disappointing is it that, “Naka-Choko,” directed by Vincenzo Natali (who helmed one of the best episodes last week), is a strange muddle without any real mirrored mystery.
Are we really supposed to believe that Will Graham has totally gone insane? Of course not; but the writers do expect us to believe that Hannibal Lecter, one of the world’s smartest men, is too distracted to notice Will’s leading him into a trap. Really? I guess love is blind… or maybe it has something to do with the fact that Will Graham not only kills Randall, but feels the need to honour him by using his corpse as the latest museum art instalment. If this portion of “Naka-Choko” doesn’t have you shaking your head, than Will offering pathological insights into his own murderous behaviour will have you rolling your eyes. Sure the scene is well directed, placing Will directly in between Jack and Hannibal, but turning our hero into a psychopath is a bold, and possibly bad move. Even if Will killed Randall in self-defence, creating a murder tableau is going too far. Whatever happened to good old fashion detective work? In Michael Mann’s masterpiece Manhunter, the scenes in the F.B.I. department with the law enforcers analyzing the documents and clues help elevate the suspense. Even the simple scenes of Graham moving though the crime scene and talking into his tape recorder are fascinating. In Bryan Fuller’s Hannibal, it seems all these detectives and F.B.I. profilers do, is wine and dine at Lecter’s home.
“I’ve never felt as alive as I did when I was killing him.” -Will
Clearly Will is tricking Hannibal into thinking that he’s become like him, and as implied in the ice fishing conversation with Jack a couple of weeks ago, Jack most likely suspects that Hannibal is indeed guilty; but does this mean that Jack and Will are working together to set a trap? Is Chilton even dead? Would Jack be willing to look the other way, if he knew what Will did to Randall’s dead body? Is Freddie the only person on the show who’s actions at this point, actually reflect her intelligence? And why is Alana Bloom still one of the worst written characters on television? Is it just me, or has she become nothing more than a sex object? And don’t even get me started on the bizarre love triangle, and the terribly directed, and edited, threesome.
“If you can’t beat Hannibal Lecter, join him.” – Freddie Lounds
If there is one person this week who saves “Naka-Choko” from being an utter train-wreck, it’s Mason Verger, a complete monster, pedophile, sadist, and the object of Margot’s murderous obsession. Played by Michael Pitt, Mason is a man who has control of everything and everyone in his life, but now he’s met his match with Hannibal. Pitt delivers an astounding performance — eerie, menacing, creepy, and Mason’s pig maze/death trap is utterly terrifying. His scenes are intense, darkly comedic, and offer plenty to squeal about.
– Ricky D
Other thoughts:
Of course Hannibal knows how to play the theremin. What can’t he do?
“Most of what we know, most of what we believe is motivated by death” – Hannibal.
“Hollywood is a fine place for the obnoxious and wealthy.” – Freddie.
“They eat what they love. It’s a paradox” – Hannibal.
“You do have an unparalleled understanding of piggishness” – Margot.