Kind of going insane about the different choices of bite masks for Will and Hannibal.
Transparent for Will vs. white for Hannibal.
At this point of the show, Will is in prison, but he is also needed at a crime scene because of his special autism powers.
His transparent mask is an interesting choice for that. People think that they have discovered his true nature. That he's a killer, a cannibal. That all along, he has been lying to everyone about who he truly is.
However, a transparent mask allows people to still see him and his facial expressions. Yes, he is being held back, but at the same time, he isn't hidden. It's all out there for anyone who has eyes and doesn't jump to a conclusion because it's the most convenient and easy option.
Those who choose to look, to really see him, can still do so, even when he's muzzled. In fact, Jack Crawford's first order of business at the crime scene is to take Will's mask off.
For Will, his mask doesn't take away from his essence, his character.
Now Hannibal gets a white mask.
Let's ignore the obvious associations of "clean", "sterile", "medical", and "Doctor". Instead, let's focus more on what the mask literally does.
Hannibal is at BSHCI on an insanity plea. At this point, people know who, or rather what he is. A killer. A murderer. A man who quite literally eats people. The metaphorical mask is off.
But at the same time, that is also what he is being reduced to. Hannibal the Cannibal.
This is where the mask comes into play. It hides his face. You can't see his facial expression. It's a shield, but it's a shield in both ways. It protects the world from Hannibal, but it also protects Hannibal from the world.
Even if you wanted to look, you can't. Everyone is locked out.
Everyone except for one person.
The one person in front of whom Hannibal chooses to take off his mask.
Will Graham.
