Hello! I have fallen down the Hannibal rabbit hole during quarantine. Consequently, I am now fiending to write some fic for the first time in a loooooong time. Iāve posted a few drabbles (here), but Iām gearing up to write a long ficĀ by taking notes on each episodeĀ (Will/Hannibal focused). Because I am experiencing some COVID loneliness (and a pathetic yearning for any Hannibal fandom interaction), I will be posting my episode notes here. Obviously, any and all comments welcome.Ā
I also must recommend the podcast @headfullofhannibal for episode recaps. The hosts are hilarious, based out of Baltimore, and provide lots of interesting background for each episode in addition to in-depth discussions of the content. Ā Check them out!Ā
The first episode! Always when Iām writing fic, I sort of dread going back to the beginning of the source material because usually the stuff thatĀ really REALLY hooks me happens a lot later. Also, S1 of Hannibal was not my favorite season because we have a protagonist who is rendered almost helpless and without agency halfway into the season due to his brain being on fire (and Hannibal manipulating the shit out of everyone). But! As always when I grudgingly go back to the beginning, I notice all sorts of good stuff.Ā
The best part about S1 to me is that itās a glimpse at what goodtimes!Hannigram can look like (as itās before everyone made repeated attempts on each otherās life). Hannibal makes Will laugh and smile a lot. They enjoy learning from each other and working together. Thatās the type of good that can remain intact (even after all the murder and/or betrayal).Ā
But onto the actual content of S1, Ep. 1.Ā
Classic, classic introduction. Hannibal really seems to like Will when he first sees him and doesnāt care if itās obvious. Will is a surly asshole in response. Iām struck in this moment by Willās ability to NOT see what he doesnāt want to and when he doesnāt want to (I.e., Hannibal is an evil motherfucker). Iām also struck byĀ Hannibalās ability to immediately *see* Will, or at least part of the core of who he is.Ā
I saw an interesting distinction between Hannibalās expression during his introduction (heās alone and I would say his expression is neutral) vs. Hannibal after his copycat kills (alone, but smug and psyched).Ā This was after his promise to Jack to help "Will see the cannibalās face.ā Heās teaching Will, making the FBI look like idiots, amusing himself, but also, to reiterate, āshowing Will his face.ā He understands the difference between himself (who sees people like pigs) vs. sentimental Shrike Killer in a way that makes me think he sees himself very clearly. I find that level of self-awareness from him sort of surprising, considering what a raging narcissist he is. Ā
I have to say, the Ravenstag looks pretty ominous in this episode. But I really never get exactly what the Ravenstag is supposed to represent (although Iām intrigued every time itās on screen).
Hannibal said Jack thinks Will is a teacup; Will thinks thatās hilarious. Hannibal said he thinks of Will as a mongoose, and Will looks a little upset. I have no idea wtf that means. I guess it could mean that Will is uncomfortable being seen as a hunter, and a fighter. Maybe also some discomfort at the idea that someone is calling him out for being sly and sneaky, maybe? Uncomfortable with being considered dangerous, definitely (at least to snakes).Ā
Hannibal immediately believed Will re: who the Shrike was. They really worked together on that one. Hannibal was impressed. ::Happy sigh::
At the end when Will walked into Abigailās hospital room, Iām sort of wondering if Hannibal was pretending to be asleep because he knew Will would come in eventually and he wanted Will to see him holding AbigailāsĀ hand. Heās like that.Ā
