Primavera (Hannibal)
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| "Primavera" | |
|---|---|
| Hannibal episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 2 |
| Directed by | Vincenzo Natali |
| Written by | |
| Featured music | Brian Reitzell |
| Cinematography by | James Hawkinson |
| Editing by | Michael Doherty |
| Production code | 302 |
| Original air date | June 11, 2015 |
| Running time | 44 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Primavera" is the second episode of the third season of the psychological thriller–horror series Hannibal. It is the 28th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Jeff Vlaming and series creator Bryan Fuller, and directed by Vincenzo Natali. It was first broadcast on June 11, 2015, on NBC.
The series is based on characters and elements appearing in Thomas Harris' novels Red Dragon and Hannibal, with focus on the relationship between FBI special investigator Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen), a forensic psychiatrist destined to become Graham's most cunning enemy. The episode revolves around Will Graham recovering from his wounds at Lecter's house and surprised to discover Abigail Hobbs still alive despite her fatal injury. Graham and Abigail travel to Palermo in order to find Lecter, who is also on the radar of Inspector Rinaldo Pazzi.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.66 million household viewers and gained a 0.5/2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised the visual imagery, directing and performances, although some expressed criticism at the slow pace and the omission of Alana Bloom's and Jack Crawford's fates.
After the events at Lecter's house, Graham (Hugh Dancy) wakes up in the hospital, having survived the stabbing. He then receives a visitor: Abigail Hobbs (Kacey Rohl), who managed to survive her wounds. She says that Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) carefully knew where to cut them in order to survive, as their wounds were "surgical".
Abigail reprimands Graham for conspiring against Lecter, stating that she still believes in Lecter despite him having wounded her. Graham remembers a conversation he had with Lecter where he described his "memory palace" to him, which Graham deduces to be the Norman Chapel at Palermo. Eight months later, Graham and Abigail visit the Chapel, where they analyze Lecter's view of himself as a God. The local police are investigating the Chapel after finding Dimmond's torso in the form of a human heart. Graham is approached by Chief Investigator Rinaldo Pazzi (Fortunato Cerlino), who has traveled from Florence. Pazzi is aware of Lecter and Graham, having investigated both of them before his arrival.
Lecter is known to him as "Il Mostro" or "The Monster of Florence" and Pazzi is linking him to a murder committed twenty years prior, where a couple was murdered and the corpses displayed like Sandro Botticelli's painting, Primavera, and for which another man was convicted. Pazzi hands a photograph of Dimmond's mutilation to Graham. As he is using his "ability", he is haunted when the mutilated corpse starts transforming into the stag before he snaps back to reality. He then talks with Abigail, and he finally remembers that Abigail died before he was taken by the ambulance. She disappears while Lecter is shown to be watching Graham from a distance in the Chapel.
Pazzi meets with Graham, who deduces that Lecter hasn't left the city and is actually at the Chapel at that moment. They descend into the Chapel's catacombs in pursuit of Lecter, but they fail to find him. Pazzi and Graham then have an argument about their purposes and Pazzi leaves. Graham continues investigating the catacombs. Knowing that Lecter is nearby, he says aloud, "I forgive you".
Production
Development
In October 2014, Bryan Fuller announced that the second episode of the season would be titled "Primavera".[1] In March 2015, Fuller announced that Vincenzo Natali would direct the episode.[2] NBC would confirm the title in May 2015, with co-executive producer Jeff Vlaming and Fuller writing the episode and Natali directing. This was Fuller's 23rd writing credit, Vlaming's fourth writing credit, and Natali's fourth directing credit.[3]
Writing
According to Fuller, the repercussions of the second season finale would not be revealed until "episode 2 or 3." The episode focuses on Will Graham after the events of the finale.[4]
Casting
At the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con, Fuller confirmed that Inspector Rinaldo Pazzi would make his debut in the episode.[5]
