Ep 4. Aperitivo

Aperitivo is the fourth episode of the third season of the psychological thriller Hannibal. Unlike previous episodes, this one deviates from the usual narrative of the series and instead serves as a pause and reflection on the aftermath of the devastating events that transpired in the previous season.

The episode focuses on the aftermath of Hannibal's capture at the end of season two and his subsequent incarceration. The story revolves around the lives of the characters who survived the wrath of Hannibal Lecter, including Will Graham, Jack Crawford, Alana Bloom, and Frederick Chilton. Each character is dealing with their own trauma and all of them are haunted by their past experiences with Hannibal.

The episode begins with Alana Bloom (Caroline Dhavernas) visiting Frederick Chilton (Raúl Esparza) in the hospital. Chilton is horribly disfigured, having been shot in the face by the vengeful Mason Verger (Joe Anderson) in the previous season. Alana is there to ask for Chilton's help in drawing out Hannibal's remaining followers. Chilton, being the arrogant and self-centered man that he is, agrees to help but only if he is given a book deal, as he wants to turn his experience into a best-selling memoir.

The scene then shifts to Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) having a therapy session with Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier (Gillian Anderson). Will is struggling to come to terms with the fact that he is partially responsible for the gruesome events that transpired in the previous season. He is haunted by the memory of Dr. Lecter and is torn between his desire for revenge and his instinct to protect others from Hannibal's dangerous influence. Bedelia tries to help Will come to terms with his trauma, but she too is dealing with her own demons.

Meanwhile, Jack Crawford (Laurence Fishburne) is still grieving over the loss of his protege, Miriam Lass. He is also struggling to cope with the fact that he let Hannibal become so close to him and his family. Jack is shown meeting with Will, and the two share a poignant moment where they acknowledge the fact that they were both trying to capture Hannibal for very different reasons. Will wanted to bring him to justice, but Jack wanted revenge for his wife's murder.

The episode also explores the dynamics between Hannibal's various followers, such as Mason Verger's sister Margot (Katherine Isabelle) and his sadistic assistant Cordell (Glenn Fleshler). Margot is shown to be grieving over the loss of her lover, while Cordell is busy trying to keep the rest of the followers loyal to Hannibal's cause.

Throughout the episode, the audience is given a glimpse into the minds and emotions of each character. We see how they are all affected by their experiences with Hannibal, and how they are trying to move forward in their lives. The acting performances by the entire cast, particularly Hugh Dancy and Gillian Anderson, are outstanding, making this episode a standout in the series.

Overall, Aperitivo is a brilliantly crafted episode that serves as a pause and reflection on the aftermath of the chaotic events of the previous season. It is a slow-paced but emotionally intense episode, that explores the psyche of the characters and the lasting impact of Hannibal's influence. It sets the stage for the rest of the season, providing a better understanding of the motivations and goals of each character, as they try to come to terms with their past and move forward towards an uncertain future.