Hannibal Series Premiere Review: “Aperitif” (Season 1, Episode 1)

Astute and professionally affable, Lecter welcomes the opportunity to evaluate the cases and participate in the efforts to secure capture. At their first meeting with Crawford, Lecter pegs Will with such alacrity and unnerving accuracy that Will questions Crawford as to who, precisely, Lecter has been brought in to profile. Crawford provides assurances and Lecter withdraws, but it’s clear that Lecter is quite taken with Graham. Quite taken indeed.

Together the two work the evidence, running the traps through a copycat and second killer in the mix (including a lovely montage including Lecter’s expert culinary skill and gastronomic appreciation), eventually honing in on one Garrett Jacob Hobbs. At the man’s workplace it becomes certain they’ve spotted the quarry, and Graham goes outside to phone for backup… while inside Lecter picks up a tissue, picks up the phone, and places a “courtesy call” to Hobbs: “They know.”

As the team storms the Hobbs home, Hobbs has already sprung into action. His wife, her throat slashed, stumbles out the door and crumples onto the lawn, where Will is unable to stem the flow (um, way too close, Crawford). Heading into the house, he finds Hobbs with knife now at the throat of his daughter, the prototype of the Golden Ticket victim. Hobbs begins to draw his blade, Graham fires his weapon (two necessary, and then a few more in the heat of the moment), Hobbs and daughter fall. The rattled Graham again attempts to stem the flow but cannot maintain pressure with trembling hand, and it is Lecter’s calm one that saves her life.

Thus begins one of the great collaborations culminating with a knife in Will’s gut at the beginning of Red Dragon. Now we get to witness that history, and it promises to be scrumptious journey, well-crafted and suspenseful with regard to cases, and underpinned with an interplay between Graham and Lecter that only Thomas Harris can construct. Dialogue throughout carries Harris’ elegant, vaguely menacing lilt, giving the television program that same feeling of something always going on that we can’t quite see, a silent snake behind us poised to strike at any moment… or never… or now. (Over breakfast ~ Lecter: “… or God forbid, we even become friendly.” Graham: “I don’t find you that interesting.” Lecter: “You will.”)

Continue reading on the next page…