Ep 8. Fromage

In Hannibal season 1 episode 8, titled "Fromage", the narrative takes a new twist as it explores the complexities of friendship, guilt, and obsession. The episode centers around a cellist named Tobias who has a history with Will Graham. Tobias is played by Demore Barnes, who manages to portray the character's dysfunction with chilling authenticity. Will takes a particular interest in him when he becomes the primary suspect in a double murder case.

The episode begins with Graham having a session with Dr. Bloom, who he reveals he has been having intense hallucinations, nightmares, and seizures. With the assistance of Dr. Bloom, Graham tries to get back to his normalcy by confronting his past and the decisions he's made. Meanwhile, Jack Crawford, still unaware of Hannibal's true nature, invites him for dinner. During the dinner, Jack takes the opportunity to endorse Hannibal to Graham, further blurring the lines of trust between them.

As the investigation on the double murder continues, the FBI is alerted to a gruesome killing of a musician in his home with his vocal cords removed. Will as expected, starts to investigate the crime scene and from the evidence, he theorizes that the killing is the work of a copycat killer who is emulating the deceased musician's style of playing. When Graham finds markings of horsehair in the crime scene, he is convinced that the killer is another musician and that the weapon used must have been the bow of a cello.

Further investigation leads Will and Jack to the cellist Tobias who has talent and is well known for his intensity, but also known to have violent outbursts. As Graham and Crawford question Tobias, he reveals that he is also made aware of the other murders and tells the agents that the killer must be a fan of the deceased cellist and is using his plays as inspiration for his murders.

The investigation intensifies as the FBI digs deeper into Tobias' past and relationship with the dead cellist, Abigail Hobbs, and her father. The episode ends with its most intense moment when Tobias invites Graham to his concert, and Graham reveals a gruesome side of himself that the audience has never witnessed before.

Overall, Hannibal season 1 episode 8, "Fromage", is a compelling and intense chapter that highlights the show's unique and innovative approach to storytelling. It's a standout episode that continues to push the boundaries both creatively and thematically. The episode manages to deeply explore the characters' motivations and explores the themes of obsession and guilt while continuing to maintain the show's signature visual style. It's an episode that will definitely keep you on edge.