Ricky Church reviews the eleventh episode of Hannibal season 3…
This week’s Hannibal wasted no time getting started as the titular doctor immediately got to work on Francis Dolarhyde, manipulating the Red Dragon to do his bidding. It was an intense episode throughout as several pieces came to together in an efficient manner.
Mads Mikkelsen and Richard Armitage were on top of their games in ‘And The Beast From The Sea’. We’ve seen Hannibal manipulate others and do despicable things, but his actions in this episode were on another level as we’ve never seen him willingly put a mother and son, people he had never even met before, in danger out of pure spite. The fact that he reasoned it would be Will putting them in danger through his failure to protect them was a scary insight into his mind. It further proves that Hannibal is just as dangerous locked away as he is out in the open.
Richard Armitage was both suitably creepy and sympathetic. This was the first time we saw firsthand Francis on the hunt as he stalked Molly and her son. The scene was very suspenseful, evoking classic horror-slasher films from the 70s and 80s. Armitage’s performance during this sequence was especially impressive since it was mostly silent, relying on his movement and body language to convey Francis’ feelings.
The sympathy he garnered came later as he lamented his failure and the potential loss of Reba. He’s clearly trying to overcome his dark urges and is afraid of what he may do to Reba, making it very tragic he can’t truly get the life he wants. This is where Francis is a step above many of the other murderers throughout the show; he wants to be in control of his own choices and destiny, but has none due to his traumatic upbringing. Though Hannibal has manipulated him, Hannibal at least didn’t make him crazy. That was all the work of Francis’ abusive family.
Nina Arianda also impressed as Molly Graham. Thus far she hadn’t been given much to do, but her role was greatly expanded in this episode. In Red Dragon, Molly and her son had to be rescued by the FBI before Francis could attack, but Bryan Fuller subverted that plot point by having Molly rescue herself during the home invasion. She proved to be quite clever and resourceful during this tense stand-off, proving she can hold her own when in trouble.
There were some nice references to the book and film series sprinkled throughout this episode as well. Francis’ clothing during the home invasion was reminiscent of Tom Noonan’s in Manhunter; Hannibal sarcastically asking if Will thought he and Francis were communicating through personal ads or rolled up toilet paper; and, of course, Hannibal in a straight jacket and mask made famous by Anthony Hopkins. They were very well done nods, even if the quip about the personal ads and toilet paper was a little too on the nose.
The gloves are coming straight off as Hannibal enters its endgame. Jack and Alana are done playing second fiddle to Hannibal manipulations, though they’ll undoubtedly fall right into another of his traps. It’s crazy to think this series has only two episodes left until it is off the air. Personally, I’m still hoping for an 11th hour pick up by someone, though the chances of that are extremely unlikely. Hannibal fans will just have to enjoy these last two episodes as this interpretation of Hannibal Lecter comes to a close.
Ricky Church
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng&v=8k_v0cVxqEY
Originally published August 16, 2015. Updated April 13, 2018.
