‘Hannibal’ Season 3 Update: Bedelia Unravelling, ‘Antipasto’ Before Will Graham (Review, Spoilers)

“Antipasto,” the premiere episode of “Hannibal” Season 3, takes Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) and Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier (Gillian Anderson) to Europe as the two live out a fake marriage. Bedelia is unravelling as someone who is more curious than revolted when it comes to Hannibal’s dark side.

Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) does not show up in the “Hannibal” Season 3 premiere, but he gets a couple of shout-outs. In addition, Will’s presence is guaranteed by NBC’s synopsis of episode 2. The title of the premiere episode, “Antipasto,” mirrors the fact that the main course for Hannibal, Will Graham, has yet to be served.

In “Hannibal” Season 3, episode 1, Hannibal kills Anthony Dimmond (Tom Wisdom), who worked for Dr. Roman Fell (Jeremy Crutchley), the character that Hannibal has assumed to build a new life in Europe.

“What have you gotten yourself into, Bedelia?” Hannibal asks Bedelia after killing Dimmond right before Bedelia’s eyes. Moments earlier, Bedelia thought there was still an escape. Now it has become crystal that she has been “participating,” not merely “observing” in Hannibal’s world.

The third season premiere has a scene in which Hannibal is depicted as Lucifer, showing the audience that Hannibal is exploring an all-new level of monstrosity. It also gives Hannibal a chance to explain his stance on cannibalism, through his dialogue with Dr. Abel Gideon (Eddie Izzard), who appears in flashback sequences.

“It's only cannibalism if we're equals,” Hannibal tells Gideon, while he was eating the murderer’s flesh. Gideon later tells Hannibal that he is wondering how Hannibal would feel when the situation is reversed. Hannibal mulls on this toward the end, as if anticipating the arrival of Will Graham in Europe.

“Hannibal” Season, episode 1 was written by show boss Bryan Fuller together with Steve Lightfoot. Vincenzo Natali directed the episode. Season 3, episode 2, titled “Primavera,” airs Thursday, June 11, on NBC.

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