NBC’s ‘Hannibal’ season 3, episode 2 review: Heartbreaker

If the goal of “Hannibal” is to make you feel somewhat disturbed about what you are enjoying, then more often than not it succeeds. The latest example of that comes courtesy of Thursday night’s new episode, which has to be one of the stranger but poignant hours of TV that we have seen so far, as almost everything felt like it revolved around one key question: What is forgiveness?

Hannibal’s heartbreak (if you want to call it that) was on full display in his latest tableau, with him knowing full well that Will Graham would eventually find it. Yet, Will was also trying to piece together the feelings of his own life, struggling to determine his reasons for the chance, and not knowing whether to be driven by justice, fascination, or even obsession. He even turned to visions of the dead (i.e. Abigail) for advice, even though we saw in her own closing minutes in season 2 that she was hardly on the sane train by the time her journey on the series came to a close.

This episode was dark, twisted, and in some ways contained some of the most gruesome stag-related scenes that we have seen highlighted so far this season. In some ways, it was actually light on content since much of the story was thematic. We were learning about where Will is morally and physically in the wake of the attack, hurt in more ways than one by his near-death experience, and knowing that in some way, he can forgive neither himself nor Hannibal for what has happened.

It’s not all for the thrill of the chase anymore; it’s the pain of the chase, and searching throughout Italy to make sense of what will happen when these two faces meet again.

What did you think about tonight’s “Hannibal” episode, and do you think that we have seen Will turn away from Lecter for good? Share below, and head over here to get a preview of what could be coming next. Also, sign up here for additional updates on all we cover, sent over to you via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: NBC.)