#Hannibal himself suggested he's in love with Will in conversations with Bedelia

[trashc-w]

The Art and Symbolism of Hannibal

It's nearly impossible to deny that Hannibal is an artistic and beautiful show, regardless of whether or not you are a fan. The show features famous artworks and even creates some of its own to add to Hannibal's magnificence. Hannibal incorporates art in many ways, including a literal image of the artwork or a reference that can only be concluded by having a keen eye for art. Not only are there literal art references in Hannibal, but the symbolism itself could be considered artwork of its own. 

One common reappearing symbol in Hannibal is the stag or the Ravenstag. As the show progresses, so does the stag. It changes shape and morphs into a more human-like creature with antlers, a Wendigo. A Wendigo is a mythological creature that is said to influence people who come in close contact with them to turn to their evilest desires of cannibalism or to commit murder. The stag appeared in the very first episode of Hannibal and kept its presence throughout all three seasons of the show. Will Graham, a special agent at the FBI, envisioned the stag in his nightmares and visions. After Will was present at a crime scene where a woman's body was mounted onto antlers, he began to see the stag in his dreams. The Ravenstag could hold many meanings, such as a God that watches over Will Graham but does not provide him with any protection. Another possible meaning for the stag is Will's growing evil potential, furthered by Hannibal Lecter, Will's psychiatrist. Will does not initially see the stag appear as a Wendigo. In fact, he only sees the stag as a Wendigo later when he learns about Hannibal's secret life of cannibalism. The Ravenstag is a symbol of Hannibal and Will's relationship which changes as their relationship changes.

Will Graham possesses a special ability that makes him able to help solve murders in an unexplainable way. As he enters a crime scene, he can place himself in the scene but as the killer. He envisions the crime being orchestrated exactly as the criminal had done. While Will is entering the mind of the killer, thin orange lines appear on the screen. In this situation, the orange lines could represent the separation of the good Will and the evil killer. 

In the episode "Tome-Wan," Hannibal and Will converse about Achilles and Patroclus, who are often described as having a queer relationship. Hannibal also states how in Greek mythology, it is common to hide and reveal an identity. This theme is also common within Hannibal, as Hannibal himself conceals his cannibalistic identity from Will and his colleagues. Hannibal also sketches Achilles and Patroclus. In "Naka-Choko," Hannibal can be seen bandaging Will's hand which is a reference to the artwork of Achilles bandaging Patroclus' arm.

Throughout Hannibal, there are often scenes with a heavy emphasis on the water. In multiple of these scenes, the person is drowning. The water could depict Hannibal's influence. Alana falls asleep and sinks into the black water, sinking into Hannibal's control and influence. Bedelia, like Alana, drowns in the black water. Unlike Alana and Bedelia, Will jumps into the water on his own, suggesting that he willingly is succumbing to Hannibal's influence. Will also references water but not in such a literal way. Will is a fisherman, unlike Hannibal who is a hunter. Will also says "I feel fluid, like I'm spilling," which is another indirect reference to water. Hannibal's love for Will is made quite obvious, although he never explicitly states his feelings for Will. In Primavera, Hannibal holds a photo of the Vitruvian Man, the "perfect male" and then folds it into the shape of an anatomically-correct heart. This scene is followed by clips of Will on a crime scene, where he discovers a human body in the shape of a human heart. The body is held up by three upside-down swords. The swords piercing the heart are in reference to the Three of Swords tarot card which means heartbreak, grief, or sorrow when in the upright position. When reversed, the meaning changes to optimism or forgiveness. All of this was intentional by Hannibal, who is attentive to detail. Hannibal is telling Will that he forgives him, and of course, Will recognizes this forgiveness because after all, this design is for him.

note: check out callistos.crd.co for a collection of art references and cinematography in hannibal!! 

#hannibal #nbc hannibal #hannibal lecter #will graham #series analysis #film analysis

[k-s-morgan]

Do you think Will Graham is a dark empath? I've read about them and it seems like Will Graham fits the description to the T. If so was he always like that or did Hannibal lecter manipulate him into becoming one? Also what would this mean for their relationship in the future? Will he stay that way and carry on being a killer with Lecter or will Will Graham see the light so to speak?

I’ve never heard this term before, but now that I read up on it, yes, I think it describes Will a lot! 

Using the definition: “A dark empath is someone who uses cognitive empathy at the expense of others, often for personal gain.” In the show, even though it’s stated that Will can empathize with anyone, we don’t see it. Will only ever empathizes with killers or, as one exception, with a person closely connected with murder (Peter). He understands them because, like Freddie says, he is a killer himself. He doesn’t show the same deep understanding for non-dark people, he makes huge mistakes in emotional judgement, and he doesn’t engage in mirroring more than most of us do. This is where the last part of the definition applies, in my opinion: Will uses his link with killers majorly for personal gain. With its help, he gets to feel like a killer, experiences the same pleasure, without actually hurting someone.  He delves into the minds of killers even when he isn’t involved in the investigation. He had no other reason to explore the Marlows’ murder like he did at the start of the episode, when he was simply teaching students. It’s proof that he willingly craves contact with violent and disturbed minds — it’s not like he actually tries to solve this case for real, he just imagined himself there.

Yes, it comes with self-hatred and horror because Will hates this part of himself and feeling all these conflicting emotions pains him. But interestingly, the dark empath description covers it, too: “Research suggests a dark empath often feels a lack of pleasure from social rewards, despite feeling the need for attention ... emotional distance or detachment... a drive toward grandiosity conflicted by intense self-criticism.”

This fits Will a lot, in my opinion. He seeks acceptance from the society but he gets no real pleasure even if gets it; he’s emotionally distant and detached from most people; he manages to hold himself in high esteem while also suffering from the feeling of inadequacy. 

As for whether Will was always like this or it began with Hannibal: Will has always been a dark person. The whole point of the show is Becoming, accepting who you really are. Hannibal selects people who have darkness and creates situations where they can act on it - he doesn’t remake them.  We never see Hannibal try to seduce people like Alana or Jack or Franklyn to darkness because that's not what he does. He always respects his projects' preferences. That's why he sends Bedelia, who likes to crush the weak, a vulnerable patient; why he urges Margot to kill Mason but no one else; why he encourages the beast in Randall. That's why he gives Will people like Hobbs, Gideon, Randall, Mason, Tobias, Francis, himself. He never deviates from this. He knows what each of these people is capable of and he doesn't cross their limits, just pushes them to embrace their highest potential.

Will’s first conversation with Hannibal speaks volumes about who he is — because Hannibal senses it seconds after meeting him.

Hannibal: Do you have trouble with taste?

Will: My thoughts are often not tasty.

Hannibal: Nor mine. No effective barriers.

Will: I make forts.

This exchange has Will confess that his thoughts are often dark and that he dislikes it. To hold this darkness at bay, he literally builds forts around it, not letting it spread to other parts of his mind.

Hannibal: Your values and decency are present yet shocked at your associations, appalled at your dreams. No forts in the bone arena of your skull for things you love.

Hannibal almost directly calls Will out on his struggle with his inner darkness. He’s saying that he sees it, that he knows it’s there, in Will, in his mind, and Will is very disturbed by this — because Hannibal is right. The script even explicitly backs it up:

Hannibal has just described Will Graham to a letter.

Will is immediately wary and hostile, and he ends the conversation with snappy,

Will: Please don’t psychoanalyze me. You won’t like me when I’m psychoanalyzed.

What does it mean? It’s simple: Will assumes that Hannibal is a typical psychiatrist who wants to dissect him, so he says that once it happens, Hannibal won’t like what he finds (darkness and ugliness Will carries inside).

His hostility to Hannibal lasts up until the moment when Hannibal acknowledges him as a predator and shows approval of it by calling him a mongoose.

Will called his actions in TWOTL his Becoming, so he finally accepted who he is and that there is no way back. He gave the fate the last chance to stop himself and Hannibal by pushing them off the cliff, but they lived, and based on the post-credits scene and Bryan’s comments, they are now hunting together. Will is finally in a place where he belongs, and he won’t regress back into the closet of denial. He is a killer, and now he can act on it. He just needs to figure out the entirety of his design. 

#hannibal #will graham #hannigram #meta #will's darkness

[meteora-writes]

We Could Be Perfect One Last Night ch.9

Fandom: Hannibal Pairing: Hannibal Lecter x Will Graham Warnings: Angst, Talk of Mental Illness, Talk of Hallucinations, Confessions, Extreme Fluff, First Kiss Chapter: 9. Never Be Afraid (Again) Description:  While driving with Hannibal and Chiyoh, Will admits to something he never shared with anyone. Once they reach the house in New York, something changes between Will and Hannibal.  Authors Notes: So I posted this days ago on ao3 and didn’t get a chance to set it up on here until just now. I apologize. I’m working on creating a twitch channel so once or twice a week people can watch me write, and this will likely be one of the things I work on there, so I promise delays in posting are worth it in the end. Read On AO3

~~~~~ Read Ch.1.Ch.2.Ch.3.Ch.4.Ch.5.Ch.6 Ch.7 Ch.8~~~~~

Will doesn’t know what to feel when he climbs into the backseat of the SUV Chiyoh brought to spirit them away. He’s grateful to be leaving for someplace less damp and confined. But a part of him feels like he’s leaving some part of himself behind as he watches the cabin shrink in the distance through the rear-view mirror.

It doesn’t help that he’s feeling mixed emotions from Chiyoh that he has to separate from his own. He can tell she’s happy to see Hannibal again. But there’s something else churning beneath the surface. An unease that he suspects has to do with old worries he might ask her to go back to a life of solitude somewhere for his own amusement. Given the life Hannibal has had for the past three years, he doesn’t see the man being so cruel as to ask her to seclude herself again.

And then there’s Hannibal, who masks so much of what he’s feeling. What he does give off is usually faint and easy to navigate. It’s nice, not having to sort out if he’s feeling his own emotions or someone else’s when it comes to being with Hannibal. Yes, Hannibal has a presence that draws out Will’s darker nature. Which he initially mistook as belonging to Hannibal and Hannibal alone. He knows better now. It’s not that Will was mirroring Hannibal when he wanted to kill or hurt him or others, it was Hannibal drawing his own suppressed feelings to the surface.

“Are there going to be any stops along the way?” Chiyoh asks once they’re on the highway. She’s behind the wheel, Hannibal riding in the front passenger seat beside her and Will in the seat behind him. It’s the first time she’s spoken in the ten minutes she’s been with them, aside from greeting them both upon her arrival. She believes Hannibal would have informed her in advance if they were picking up any… guests… But it doesn’t hurt to ask.

“Not today, no,” Hannibal says simply as he watches the trees pass by. “I believe Will and I both would benefit from a few more days to recover before we should attempt anything strenuous. And I would like to take some time to get the house ready for guests first.”

“Will you be needing my assistance then? Or am I free to go once you and Will are settled?” she asks carefully. She’ll help if asked, but she doesn’t want to kill anyone if she doesn’t have to. And she doesn’t want to bear witness to the things he intends to do to his enemies. She accepts Hannibal, loves him in her own way, but she won’t be a part of the things he does to those he deems to be less.

“Depending on how things go after we’ve dealt with Bedelia, having back up when we go after Jack might be a good idea,” Will suggests, earning a questioning glance back from the woman. “Hannibal filled me in on your aptitude with a sniper rifle. Thank you, by the way, for not aiming anywhere vital when you shot me back in Palermo.”

“Thank you for not giving me a reason to,” she counters with the faintest hint of a smile. Will can see it when he looks in the rear-view mirror. “I promised Hannibal once before that I would watch over him. If he needs me to, I will be there to keep watch while the two of you do what needs to be done to Agent Crawford.”

“Thank you, Chiyoh.” The warmth in Hannibal’s voice is as evident and clear as the smile on his face.

Will catches sight of it when he looks to the mirror on their side of the vehicle. It’s nice seeing Hannibal so open with his feelings towards others. It’s a stark contrast to how he acts when those he doesn’t consider to be family are present.

“I was able to locate and purchase a ship similar to the one you described,” Chiyoh notes with another glance in the rear-view mirror to Will. “It has sails, as well as a diesel engine. It was well cared for by the previous owner and should meet your needs. I was told it would be ready to sail by next week. I paid an additional sum to have them upgrade the navigational equipment and install a new engine.”

“That’s great.” Will can’t help being a little surprised that she found a boat like the one he wanted so quickly, given how specific he was about what it needed to have. Hannibal insisted on Will giving her exact details for what he would feel most comfortable sailing since he would be the one captaining and maintaining the vessel. He really needs to stop underestimating her. “Did you ask them to order spare engine parts?”

“I did. They said you would be more than prepared should anything happen while at sea,” Chiyoh assures. She sat with the people at the marina for several hours working out every aspect of the transaction and the services they would provide to get the ship seaworthy in a timely manner.

“That’s wonderful news. I look forward to seeing the ship when the time comes. What is the name of the vessel?” Hannibal asks, tone of voice never wavering from the openly pleased tone it caries. He never doubts in Chiyoh and her abilities to carry out a task with exceptional results.

“The Black Stag.” She’s about to explain that she already placed an order for most of the other supplies they would need now that the ship is taken care of, but she’s cut off abruptly by the sound of sudden, near-hysterical sounding laughing from the back seat.

Hannibal actually turns in his seat and peers over the back to get a look at Will. He’s doubled over, arms wrapped around himself as if his sides hurt from the action, laughing so hard it sounds like he’s on the verge of hyperventilating. “I take it there is something you find amusing about that name?”

“It’s…” Will manages to say in a wheeze before another loud laugh escapes him beyond his control. “It’s just that… When I… When I had encephalitis… That was what I saw… that made me realize something was wrong with me… A massive black stag.” His laughter starts to calm down as he explains, and he gasps in great lungfuls of air as he tries to calm himself from the manic reaction to hearing the name of the ship Chiyoh found them. It’s impossible. He doesn’t believe in God in any form of the traditional sense, but that name has him wondering if this is some kind of a sign from above.

Hannibal thinks back, remembering Will talking about antlers after killing Garret Jacob Hobbs, and then later mumbling about a stag when he would use the phototherapy lights to help him get inside Will’s mind and nurture the seeds of change sprouting inside of him. “God has quite a sense of humor. Tell me, Will, when you saw this stag, what was it the creature would do?”

“Usually? It would follow me. Or just stand off to the side watching. I saw it at the hospital, work, home,” Will explains as his breathing starts to go back to normal at last. “The real irony is that it still appears in my daydreams and nightmares sometimes. But its shape changes depending on where I am and who I’m with. It becomes humanoid. Takes your face but remains a monstrous black being with antlers and the twisted body of a man.” Will scrubs his face with both hands, trying to calm himself down just a bit more. He still feels the urge to laugh despite himself. It’s just too crazy.

“Like a wendigo?” Chiyoh asks out of the blue, surprising both Will and Hannibal.

“Yes, exactly like a wendigo!” Will exclaims as he finally sits up straight in his seat once again and runs a hand through his hair, brushing his bangs back from his forehead in the process. He blinks in confusion a moment later when he notices Hannibal still staring at him from over the edge of his seat with a look that Will can’t read. It takes a second for him to realize what Hannibal is looking at. He now has a clear view of the scar on Will’s forehead. He’s been letting his hair fall over his forehead for the past two weeks, unintentionally keeping the mark covered.

Will runs his hand over his forehead, fingertips skimming over the raised line of tissues as he averts his eyes from the other man’s. He can still remember the feeling of the saw despite the haze of the drugs Hannibal had given him. The way it sent vibrations throughout his skull and down into the rest of his body as it ripped its way into him. The horrible sound of it beginning to cut bone that still echos through his skull in his nightmares. “That actually makes a lot of sense now that I think about it…”

Hannibal hums at that, understanding what Will means. It started appearing to him when he had to hunt down a cannibal. The fact that it stuck around after clearly shows how that case affected Will. And then for it to take on the appearance of Hannibal? He’s not sure how he feels about that exactly, knowing the legends of the wendigo and their association with madness as well as cannibalism. Hannibal is far from mad. And he imagines if one were ever to become such a creature, he surely would have long ago.

The conversation is dropped there. None of them feels the desire to continue on or change the subject.

Will is grateful for the quiet after everything he just shared. He never even told Molly about the stag. She knew about his nightmares. How they would creep into his mind even when daydreaming or spacing out and leave him shaken at times. But he could never bring himself to try and explain it to her and she didn’t push.

He feels oddly hollow now. Not in a bad way. It’s more like the feeling of relief one gets from finally being able to tell the whole truth about something. He always felt he couldn’t talk about the stag. Like it was a sign of how deeply messed up he really is. And he was certain that he would be sent back to the mental hospital if he told anyone about it. Put on medications and told he’s crazy.

But Chiyoh and Hannibal aren’t like the other people he’s known in his life. They don’t seem to think he’s crazy. And they don’t look at him like he’s lost his mind for admitting to seeing this imaginary creature. Hannibal knows and understands how Will’s mind works. Almost better than Will does at times. He gets that he has the imagination of an overactive child but the dark impulses of a man.

It shouldn’t surprise Will that the other man would be accepting of this quirk as well as all of his others.

But it does surprise him. Leaves him feeling strange. In the end, he decides not to think too hard on it or the feeling, and ends up turning his head to watch the scenery go by through the dark tinted windows of the SUV. He falls asleep less than an hour later.

~~~~~

The house is about what Will had expected for one owned by Hannibal. It had the exterior aesthetic of a log cabin, with the modern interior of a luxurious modern house. All dark woods and sleek designs opposed to the softer outside. There are two floors and a basement, obviously. As well as a garage and a fenced area out behind that looks like it might be for a garden of sorts.

Hannibal walks into the house ahead of Will. He immediately hung his coat in the small closet next to the entrance before taking a few steps to enter the living room. It’s a bit dark. Some light filtering in around the curtains that weren’t closed properly the last time someone had been there. He doesn’t seem to notice though, as he immediately goes to the closest armchair and pulls a dusty sheet off of it, which he begins to fold meticulously.

“What can I do to help?” Will asks, standing in the doorway still. He’s looking around slowly. Taking in the few pieces of art he sees on the walls and the comfortable-looking furniture that Hannibal is beginning to uncover in the living room area.

Hannibal pauses in his folding to look across the room at Will. He seems to consider the question a moment before glancing towards the windows behind him. “Opening the windows would be a great help. It’s been quite some time since this place got a bit of fresh air.”

“Sure, I can do that,” Will agrees as he shrugs off his coat and hangs it in the closet beside Hannibal’s. The air does smell fairly stale. Musty almost. Full of dust. It makes his nose itch with the urge to sneeze that isn’t quite strong enough to actually come forth on it’s own.

Pulling the curtains open floods the room with light, making the dust motes floating in the air strikingly obvious. The fresh gust of cool air that comes in when Will opens the window only adds to the effect, making them swirl and dance in the open space.

Once all the windows in the living room are open, Will looks around and notices the doorway that leads to what he assumes is the dining area or kitchen. With a glance to Hannibal, who is still uncovering furniture, he heads that way to open more windows.

The kitchen is so strikingly similar to the one in Hannibal’s old house that Will actually freezes in the doorway upon seeing it. The only real differences that Will can see are that the fridge is on the opposite wall, and the counters are a different color of marble. It’s like stepping into an alternate reality for a moment. And he has flashes of himself and Hannibal there. Chatting over coffee. Watching him cook the two of them dinner… And then it shifts and twists back to the kitchen in Baltimore, to blood and Abigail and ungodly pain. And then finally to a bloody Hannibal walking away from the two of them...

Hannibal sees the way Will’s body locks up momentarily upon seeing the kitchen before he clearly forces himself to walk into the room in an unusually stiff manner. It makes a pang of something that feels dangerously like guilt hit him. He can imagine the things that have to be going through Will’s mind in that moment, and they’re far from pleasant he’s sure. He can only imagine what kinds of things might trigger Will to relive the more horrible moments of his past. Moments that Hannibal caused...

It takes about an hour to get things in order. They get all of the furniture uncovered, windows open, electricity and water turned back on. Chiyoh shows up with groceries just after they finish getting things in working order, and she helps them clean things up a bit before bidding them goodbye for now and heading off to wherever it is that she intends to stay, since she declined to stay with the two of them. She lets Hannibal know there is an SUV in the garage now that they should be travel in without issues. He thanks her, and with that, she’s gone.

They don’t talk much that evening, Will and Hannibal. It’s been a long day and they’re both tired. It isn’t until late that evening when Hannibal comments on going to sleep that it strikes them both that the house has multiple bedrooms. They don’t -have- to sleep together. But one look shared between them makes it clear that isn’t what either man wants.

So, Will sets aside the now empty glass of whiskey he had been sipping as they sat by the fire, and walks over to where Hannibal stands beside the stairs that lead up to the second floor. He reaches out slowly, as if afraid of being rebuked for the action, and gently takes Hannibal’s hand in his own, lacing their fingers together.

His eyes are downcast, looking at their hands and pointedly not at Hannibal’s face. A mix of anxiety, embarrassment, and whiskey coloring and warming his cheeks. He feels ridiculous. Like a schoolboy with a crush. But he just doesn’t know how the hell to feel about the other man in that moment or what to make of Hannibal’s feelings towards him. He just knows he doesn’t want to be away from him if he doesn’t have to be...

Hannibal turns towards Will, making the other man’s breath hitch audibly as he draws closer. He raises the hand not currently being held, and uses a finger under Will’s chin to make him look up, worried blue meeting warm brown. “Stay with me, Will?”

Will seems to relax at the question, shoulders sagging just a little as he looks Hannibal in the eye and nods. Hannibal’s finger stays under his chin. Keeping his head tilted and eyes locked with the older man’s. He can see the longing in them. Feel it. It mixes with his own... And before he can overthink it, he leans in, tilts his head ever so slightly, and brings their lips together.

It’s soft. Brief. And Hannibal returns it readily. His every nerve singing with the pleasant shock of it. When they part Will has a questioning look in his eyes. Wanting to know if he read the moment wrong. If he’s just made a huge mistake. All Hannibal can bring himself to do in answer is gently slip his hand around to the back of Will’s neck and pull him into another soft kiss.

They stand there a long moment, Will hedging closer into Hannibal’s space as they give in to the desire that’s been building between them for some time. They finally part when Hannibal needs a breath, and he opens his eyes to find a small smile on Will’s lips. “Let’s go to bed?”

The question is innocent. No implication of wanting any more than what Will just shared with him. It’s late, and they’re both still healing. In more ways than one. He has no intention of rushing this. And Will seems to feel the same.

“Lead the way,” Will utters before stealing one last, quick kiss. Because he can. Because it feels like he is allowed to do that. And because it lets him know that what just happened was real and not some imagined moment in his overactive mind.

Hannibal does lead the way. And they take their time changing into nightclothes before slipping under the covers of the king-sized bed of the master bedroom. Even with the much larger sleeping space, the moment they are in it together Will gravitates towards him. Seeks him out and moves in close enough to feel Hannibal’s warmth and solid presence.

They fall asleep curled together much like they would back in the cabin. Only now, Will leans in and gives Hannibal one last kiss goodnight before they both drift off.

#hannigram #murder husbands #hannibal #hannibal lecter #will graham #will graham x hannibal lecter #hannibal lecter x will graham #will x hannibal #hannibal x will #angst #fluff #first kiss #we could be perfect one last night #getting together #feelings

[regardstosoulandromance]

The Struggle of Being Pure at Heart

When professors, colleagues, and sometimes-lovers Hannibal Lector and Bedelia Du Maurier learn that they share a protegee in Alana Bloom, their next step is obvious to both- seduce her. 

WC: 3097 Rating: NC-17 Pairing: Alana/Bedelia/Hannibal Read here on ao3, or below

The second week of September brought as many students to the halls of St. Augustine University as the season brought leaves to the ground. The university was a little world unto itself, brick buildings and cobblestone paths lined with trees that only stopped at the blue sky.

A sky, Dr. Hannibal Lecter mused, the same color of the eyes of one Alana Bloom. Miss Bloom's second year of psychology classes has just begun, and Hannibal had put a word in with the dean, requesting that she be placed in his tutelage. He could be her advisory and she, his protegee. It would be perfect.

There was a knock on his door, three sharp strikes that could only belong to one person. Hannibal smiled, closing his eyes as he called for the knocker to enter. Spinning the chair to face forward, he inhaled the familiar scent of musky rose. It was the scent that clung to his sheets.

“Dr. Lecter,” she said, “I've come to discuss Alana Bloom.”

He opened his eyes, and found himself staring into the same shade of blue, but this time, he was looking into the eyes of Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier.

“We have yet to decide what to do about her,” Bedelia pointed out, hours later.

Hannibal trailed a finger tip along her bare shoulder, tracing from the curve of her collar bone down to her wrist. Bedelia watched him in their post coital haze.

“We could,” he suggested, “Let her decide.”

“She may choose incorrectly,” this was punctuated by a sharp intake of breath as Hannibal's fingertips followed the dip of her waist then moved up her spine.

“You mean she may choose me,” Hannibal said and Bedelia stretched out, arms under the pillow as she sprawled in his bed.

“Hmph,” was the reply he received.

Then, a moment later, “Although, I may have to turn her over to you. Such a pretty thing, but she seems to become occasionally distracted by that Will Graham. It may turn into an issue.”

“That's easily taken care of,” Hannibal said, “We could ask her to join us. You said yourself that she is attractive, and it would definitely add an interesting twist to our dalliance,as it were. ”

“You're not serious,” Bedelia lifted her head to regard him, one eyebrow raised. On her, it was the equivalent of a double take.

“I'm as serious as I always am,”

“You realize if she finds offense in the offer it could jeopardize both of our careers.”

“Yet it would be our word against hers.”

“Indeed.”

Alana Bloom shoved her hands deep into her coat pockets, the crispness of the air causing her to walk faster. Behind her was the coffee shop where she'd met fellow student Will Graham. It wasn't a date, or maybe it was, she wasn't sure.

“Would you like to meet for coffee?” Will had asked, and she hadn't asked for clarification.

Alana liked Will well enough, he was almost as nice to talk to as he was to look at, but she often felt like a shiny piece of glass when she was with him. He saw her, but not quite.

In front of her was T. Harris Hall, and Alana dispelled all thoughts of Will as she climbed the steps. Dr. Lecter had said he wanted to speak with her. Dr. Lecter, Alana mused, did not look at her like Will did. No, under his gaze she felt like the apple someone left on his desk.

“Miss Bloom,” Dr. Lecter said as she approached his office. He was unlocking the door.

“You wanted to see me?” Alana asked smiling and unconsciously smoothing her skirt.

“Yes,” he pulled an envelope from his jacket, “I'd like to cordially invite you to dinner tonight.”

“Dinner? I'm not sure...” Alana trailed off, leaving her worries of the invitation's appropriateness hanging in the air.

“That is, of course, unless you already have plans,” he added.

“No, no I'm free,” she frowned.

“You needn't worry,” a husky voice said from her other side, “I will be in attendance as well.”

“I don't know, she might worry about that,” Dr. Lecter said to Dr. Du Maurier, “You can be quite fearsome on occasion.”

Dr. Du Maurier waved him off, “Nonsense, I'm always on my best behavior.”

“Is that what you call it? I think the Maitre d' of Les Apotres de Pigalle would disagree.”

Watching the exchange, Alana now understood why her roommate Freddie often speculated if the two psychology professors were having an affair.

“Yes,” her smile returned as she opened the invitation, hand written in fancy parchment, “I'd love to join you both for dinner.”

“Marvelous,” Dr. Lecter said with a grin.

“Is there anything I can bring?” Alana asked.

“Just your appetite,” said Dr. Du Maurier smiling as well as she brushed close to Alana, returning to her office.

Outside again, the smell of roses and parchment lingered as Alana walked. Or that her smile also lingered.

“What do you think, a Merlot? Or a Cabernet Sauvignon with dinner?” Hannibal called from the kitchen, as Bedelia placed plates on his dining room table. Her lips twitched at the question. Pairing wine with a meal could completely change the course of it, for better or worse.

And Bedelia knew that they would need the perfect selection for the seduction of Alana Bloom.

“A Cabernet Sauvignon would go nicely,” she replied, “Don't you have a bottle of Chateau Lafite?”

“I believe I do,” he said as the door bell rang, “I'll get the door if you'll fetch the wine.”

The slight chill of Hannibal's wine storage room only served to add to the excitement pulsing through Bedelia's veins. She could hear the murmur Hannibal's and Alana's voices through the walls.

Although she had had only a the occasional opportunity to observe Alana Bloom alone, the young woman's papers and opinions in class had lead her to one conclusion; she was pure of heart. Not purity of a religious sense or that of naiveté, but the kind of girl who'd nurse a wounded bird back to heath.

Bedelia would rather put small injured things out of their misery- but that was a discussion for another time.

“Miss Bloom,” she smiled a little half smile as she reentered the dinning room with the bottle of wine, “It's a pleasure that you could join us.”

“I'm happy to be here, and please Dr. Du Maurier, call me Alana,” Alana replied.

Hannibal pulled out a chair, and the dark haired woman sat.

“Then please call me Bedelia,” she said, leaning close to set the bottle on the table. For one lingering moment, they locked eyes, and Bedelia could see a slight flush rise in Alana's cheeks.

Oh yes, seducing this one would be most enjoyable.

“We actually had a hidden motive to inviting you tonight,” Hannibal told Alana once they had started eating.

“Oh?”

“As you're aware, soon students will be assigned their advisers,” said Bedelia.

Alana nodded and Hannibal continued, “It came as a surprise to Bedelia and I when we were informed by Dean Chilton that we had both requested to be your adviser.”

“I'm flattered,” Alana said.

“It seems that we both want you,” Hannibal replied, eyes briefly flicking to Bedelia before settling yet again on Alana.

“Indeed,” Bedelia agreed, taking a sip of wine, “The decision is, of course, up to you, and do take some time to weight your options.”

“I don't know what to say,” admitted Alana.

“Then don't say anything at all,” Hannibal said, “Let us simply enjoy the meal.”

“That sounds like a very good plan Dr. Lecter- I mean, Hannibal,” Alana corrected herself, and the three took to their meal, keeping the conversation light, clever, and easy.

“This is a lovely piano,” Alana said, tracing the edge, “Do you play?”

Dinner had been concluded, and new wine was being poured. When Hannibal had suggested that they adjoin to the sitting room, Bedelia had taken Alana's arm, leading her away.

“That I do,” Hannibal replied, refilling Bedelia's glass before moving to join Alana by the piano.

“Do you play Alana?” asked Bedelia.

“Oh no, but I wanted to learn when I was a kid.”

Hannibal lifted the piano's fallboard, sitting, “I can show you, if you'd like.”

“I would!” Alana grinned as she sat down next to him on the bench, “And I already know you're an excellent teacher.”

Bedelia hovered close, but not too close, watching as Hannibal carefully arranged Alana's hands, guiding her to sit up straight. They leaned into each other as Hannibal instructed Alana how to play a simple few notes. Then, he began to play a slow, romantic melody.

Alana joined in on the few notes she knew before glancing up. Her eyes met Bedelia's unwavering gaze and Bedelia gave a slight, approving nod, enjoying the sight of Alana's growing flush.

But soon, Alana was lost to the music, transfixed by Hannibal. Bedelia moved away from the piano, taking a seat on the settee, watching the scene play out. As the song came to a close, Hannibal leaned closer to Alana. For a moment, the room was still, then Alana pulled away, standing.

“Thank you for teaching me,” Alana faltered, “Hannibal.”

“Would you play us lovely?” Bedelia asked, locking eyes with her lover, “Come sit with me Alana.”

Hannibal inclined his head to Bedelia's request, and began to play. Alana sat at the opposite end of the settee. Bedelia moved closer, touching Alana's forearm then forehead as concern creased her brow.

“Are you alright, Alana? You look a bit flush,” she said.

“I'm fine, thank you,” Alana pulled Bedelia's hand from her forehead, and held it in her lap, “It's just the wine I suppose.”

Bedelia laced her fingers together with Alana's, leaning back with the appearance of relaxation and enjoyment of the music but, in reality, she was hyper aware of every movement the other women made. Bedelia gently stoked Alana's thumb with her own.

The soft serenade floated through the room. In combination with the wine and late hour, Alana felt herself lulled, settling into the couch beside her professor. Bedelia's hands were warm, and Alana found it easy to move closer.

Shifting ever so slightly, Bedelia reached up with her free hand, tucking a piece of dark hair behind Alana's ear. Alana turned to look at her and Bedelia took her chance.

Close the gap between them, Bedelia kissed Alana's wine-stained lips. Surprised, Alana froze. But as Bedelia pulled away, Alana leaned in, kissing her anew.

Bedelia wasted no time deepening the kiss, hands in Alana's hair. She moved her mouth along Alana's jawline, greedy kisses smearing lipstick on her skin. They were so caught up in each other, that Alana didn't hear the song stop, or the footsteps towards the settee.

Her hair was brushed aside and large, warm hands spanned Alana's waist as Hannibal joined them. Bedelia kissed Alana's mouth yet again as Hannibal nuzzled the curve of her neck, inhaling.

“Wha-?” Alana gasped.

“Hannibal wasn't only speaking academically when he said we both want you,” Bedelia breathed.

“We hoped,” Hannibal added, “That you'd like to join our little dalliance.”

Alana turned her head to look at him, chest heaving. She didn't speak, but didn't pull away as Hannibal leaned in to kiss her. Bedelia kissed Alana's exposed throat.

“Do you want to come up stairs Alana?” Bedelia said.

“Yes.”

Heart racing, Alana allowed herself to be lead up the dark staircase, through the hall, and into Hannibal's bedroom. She'd never considered doing anything like this before, not with two.

As Hannibal turned on the light to his bedroom, Bedelia dropped Alana's hand, kicking off her heels. Then, inches shorter, she turned her attention back to Alana. They locked eyes, and Alana felt- like she often did during lectures- that Bedelia could see straight into her soul.

Bedelia untied the tie at Alana's hip, opening her dress. She ran her hands across Alana's side, fingers hooking into the waistband of her underwear and nylons. Hannibal pulled the dress from Alana's shoulders, discarding it to the side, and Bedelia tugged her undergarments down. Shoes, bra, and what was left tangled at her ankles went next.

“This doesn't feel fair,” Alana half laughed, “You're both over dressed.”

Bedelia was kissing Alana's throat, Hannibal caressing her skin. His hands tracked from teasing her breasts, to cupping her ass, but Alana's knees nearly buckled when his fingers traveled between her legs.

“Perhaps it's time you moved to the bed,” Bedelia chuckled.

“Maybe you should be the next person to lose your underthings Dr. Du Maurier,” Hannibal said as Alana sat on the edge of his bed, drawing her knees up to hug to her chest.

“No, no, lay back,” Bedelia instructed Alana, ignoring Hannibal aside from a raised eyebrow in his direction.

Once she laid back on the bed, Bedelia took one of Alana's hands guiding her to use two fingers to spread her own slick folds. Alana's breath hitched.

Kissing her cheek, Bedelia said, “Stay like that now.”

Exposed and flushed, Alana tilted her head to one side, watching Hannibal and Bedelia. He towered over her, cradling her face in both hands as he kissed her before unzipping her dress. The black velvet hit the floor with a whisper, pooling at her feet.

Bedelia undid Hannibal's tie as he tossed his jacket aside. Between the two of them, then made quick work of his shoes, shirt, trousers. Alana watched as Bedelia's hands trailed down Hannibal's bare chest, fingernails scraping as he caught her waist, pulling her small body flush against his.

After a lingering kiss, they parted to quickly discard the rest of their clothes. Alana bit her lip, trying to regulate her breathing as the professors joined her on the bed.

“Hello,” Alana breathed.

Hannibal smiled, “Hello,” he then took Alana's hand a sucked her fingers clean.

“Comfortable?” Bedelia asked, curling against Alana's side.

Bedelia's touch was feather-light as she traced intricate patterns on Alana's stomach. Slowly she moved up, fingertips circling her nipples, watching them become firm in the low light.

“Y-yeah,” Alana's breath hitched as she felt Hannibal's hand travel low across her body.

His fingers ran along the sharp jut of her hip bone, lower, lower, lower, between her already spread legs. Bedelia nuzzled Alana's neck. Hannibal slowly outlined Alana's clit gathering moisture.

“She's so wet for us my dear,” Hannibal said to Bedelia, who hummed against Alana's neck, her own hands moving across Alana's body.

Leaning over to kiss Alana, Hannibal slid a singer finger inside her. She gasped into his mouth. Breaking the kiss, he began to stroke her inner walls, adding a second digit as Bedelia began to circle Alana's most sensitive bundle of nerves.

Alana's hands twisted in the sheets. Her body arched as heat pooled in her stomach, orgasm building. It felt as if Bedelia and Hannibal's hands, mouths, bodies were everywhere, all at once. Her breath grew shallow, then, body tensing with a cry of pleasure, Alana climaxed.

As she slumped back onto the bed, Alana felt Hannibal press a kiss to her temple, then he asked, “How was that?”

“Mmmm,” Alana signed, feeling sated.

After a moment, she opened her eyes, “But what about you two?”

“Roll over onto your stomach,” Bedelia instructed, “And rise to your hands and knees, please.”

The bed shifted, moving as it's three occupants moved. Alana onto her hands and knees, Bedelia sat in front of her on the pillows, and Hannibal behind them. It was obvious to Alana that they had a plan, and she shivered in anticipation.

Alana leaned forward on slightly shaky arms, gently kissing the place where Bedelia's neck met shoulder. Bedelia sighed, running her hands through Alana's hair. Slowly, Bedelia guided Alana lower, between her legs. Alana kissed her breasts, her navel, the curve of her hip, before kissing her hot center.

There was the sound of a tearing condom wrapper and a dip in the bed behind Alana. Warm hands encompassed her waist, tugging her ass higher in the air as Hannibal positioned himself. With a single, slow thrust, he filled her.

Alana moaned. She ran her tongue from Bedelia's entrance to clit, where she began to use her mouth to suck and lap. Bedelia's head tilted back with pleasure.

Smiling at the sight of them, Hannibal found a steady pace, filling Alana with each thrust. Already aroused from earlier, Alana came much faster this time, limbs shaking as she orgasmed for the second time.

Bedelia's breathe came in short gasps, giving way to moans as Alana's mouth made quick work. Tugging at the brunette's hair, she urged her on, feeling herself grow closer to the edge. Then suddenly, she trembled, the world flashing white behind her eyes as Bedelia reached the peak of her pleasure.

Hannibal grunted, reaching his climax at nearly the same time his college did. With a sigh, he collapsed onto the bed beside the women.

Alana shut her eyes, exhausted. There was rustling on either side of her, and a kiss pressed to her temple, and then she fell asleep.

The morning sun felt warm across her brow, as did the arm wrapped around her waist. Opening her eyes, Alana tried to place her unfamiliar surroundings for a moment before remembering- Drs Lecter and Du Maurier, Hannibal and Bedelia- the night came rushing back to her.

But on one side the bed was empty. Raising up slightly and turning to look, Alana saw the soft fan of blonde hair on the pillow beside her. That's when the door opened.

“Good morning,” Hannibal said quietly, entering with a tray.

He handed her a cup of coffee, “Sleep well?”

“Yeah- yes,” Alana smiled softly, pulling the sheet up to her chest.

Hannibal made his way to the over side of the bed, stooping to carefully kiss Bedelia's temple after setting another cup of coffee by the bedside.

“She must like you,” He told Alana, “She's not usually this snugly.”

“And good morning to you too,” Bedelia yawned, as Hannibal took his place on the other side. She glanced at him, “Would you like to ask her or shall I?”

“I can,” Hannibal replied, “Alana, Dr. Du Maurier and I spoke after you fell asleep, and we'd like to extend an invitation for you to join us on a more regular basis.”

“We both enjoyed your involvement last night, but it is, of course, your decision,” Bedelia added.

Alana glanced from one to the other, heartbeat quickening, “I think I'd like that.”

#hannibal fanfic #hannibal fanfiction #hannibal x bedelia x alana #bedannibloom #Alana bloom #hannibal #hannibal lecter #bedelia du maurier #hannibal x bedelia #hannibal x alana #alana x hannibal #bedelia x alana #alana x bedelia #my fanfic

[k-s-morgan]

Will had anti-NMDA encephalitis. It has a high death rate and poor prognosis. Basically complete recovery is slow and uncertain. Hannibal lets the infection get worse, he also convinces Sutcliffe to lie so that he can keep doing whatever he is trying to achieve. Can we conclude that he was taking the risk of Will dying / never fully recovering ? The stage where patients have seizure is critical but Hannibal didn't care. We cannot call this love, even if he did for greater reason.

Oh, that’s an interesting question with a complex answer! I’ll start with the fact that I wouldn’t call Hannibal’s feelings for Will in most of S1 love, more like infatuation. He sensed a potential partner in Will from the very start, he started to crave his company, he pined for him and he wanted what’s best for him, but ultimately, if he was placed in an extreme situation, I think Hannibal could still dispose of him. It’s illustrated in an interesting way in E9. Will figures out the truth about Abigail and Hannibal’s first instinct is to touch a scalpel, thinking of killing him and removing the threat. But he changes his mind and tries to talk to Will instead. Will is precious to him and like Mads said, he’s planning a happy ending for them, but his feelings aren’t as deep as they are going to be in S2 and beyond. He still allows himself entertain the idea of killing Will if pushed, even though it’s the last measure he’s willing to take. Hence the framing and everything else.

But at the same time, we can’t look at Hannibal’s actions through the prism of real world. The show has its own dream logic and Hannibal has confidence that borders on downright devilish one. We are led to believe that he flawlessly controls Will’s state of encephalitis. That’s why he’s so insulted when Sutcliffe asks him if he’s going to let Will die. He’s equally offended when Gideon suggests that he doesn’t care about Will because of him having a seizure - he repeats, “I said it was mild.” So Hannibal is certain that Will is going to be fine.

He has a great conversation with Bedelia that explains his train of thought about it in E12.

Hannibal: I see myself in Will. Bedelia: Do you see yourself in his madness?

Hannibal: Madness can be a medicine for the modern world. You take it in moderation, it's beneficial. Bedelia: You overdose and there are unfortunate side effects. Hannibal: Side effects can be temporary. They can be a boost to our psychological immune systems to help fight the existential crises of normal life.

So, in short: Hannibal doesn’t think he’s taking great risks. He thinks he’s in perfect control. Just like when he sends Randall after Will as a gift in S2: he’s 100% certain Will is going to win. It’s not normal by real life standards, but it’s something we are invited to believe along with Hannibal in his dream world. 

#hannibal #will graham #hannigram

[k-s-morgan]

Hi there ! You are doing a great job analysis the most difficult sections. Now while I am fully with you on evolution of Will and Hannibal's relationship, I have some doubts about your last long meta on her darkness. Kudos again for putting it all together !! I don't think Will mistreated Molly or that he knew Hannibal would attack. Will didn't lie to his wife, there were some white lies, lies of omission to protect them. Cont'd. Part 2

I saw that he truly loved them but Hannibal's pull overpowered everything. Will created his own safe sanctuary, Jack breaches it and he looks at his family and had to go and once that door was opened he was helpless.. and Hannibal overpowers him. How could he imagine the attack Hannibal safely stowed away in underground cell. Also there were many motivations behind murder suicide - love foremost, also other things like safety for everyone including his family ( representative of innocent lives)

-----------------

Hello! Thank you, I’m glad you enjoy my metas)) As for your points - let’s address them in sequence.

The Dragon Attack

I’m not claiming Will knew Hannibal would attack Molly 100% - I agree with you that in a way, Will cared about his family, even if superficially. However, it’s a strong possibility because Hannibal’s hints are very, very blatant in that scene. First, he says this:

Hannibal: When you close your eyes, Will, is it your family you see?

Then Will asks:

Will: Do you know who they are?

Hannibal: Yes. Will: And you're willing to let them die. Hannibal: They're not my family, Will. And I'm not letting them die. You are.

The logic here is very clear - Hannibal doesn’t take responsibility for what it is about to happen because it’s not his family that’s being targeted. He claims that Will, on the other hand, is responsible - it’s elementary to suggest that in this case, Will’s family is about to be killed. It’s like 2 + x = 4, with everyone understanding what ‘x’ means. Not to mention that Will is supposed to be a great profiler with a particular understanding of Hannibal. 

He could easily guess that Hannibal could plan the attack because at this point, he knows Hannibal is in contact with Francis to the point of knowing who the targeted family is going to be. So to be honest, it’s pretty unbelievable to me that Will honestly had no idea. The whole situation is strange from another angle, too - if Will suggested that Hannibal knows what family will be killed, then he knows Francis and Hannibal had discussions about it. What did he imagine Francis said? “Hey, I’ll attack the Jonson family in Virginia?” This information would be meaningless. So for Hannibal to make an emphasis on it, it’s clearly a family that has some specific relevance. 

Will also took this chance to leave his family and he focused on his relationship with Hannibal entirely after this, so I think a part of him, even a subconscious one, got all the hints but remained silent. But again, I’m willing to concede that it’s mostly up to interpretation. 

Marriage with Molly

I think lying about who you are is not a white lie, and it’s also not a lie aimed at protecting anyone. Molly would have never married Will if she knew he’s a killer who enjoys killing, someone who sided with a serial murderer like Hannibal on more than one occasion, someone who willingly engaged in cannibalism and body mutilations. She needed stability, not a facade. Unless WIll genuinely fell in love with someone and confessed the core truth about himself to this person, he shouldn’t have married. Molly and Walter didn’t deserve to be his rebound attempt, his experiment on whether he can be normal. 

When Molly jokes about his criminal mind, Will immediately shuts down and claims he doesn’t have one. It’s obvious that Molly knew only the official version of a hero Will with a gift of empathy - she never thought darkness is a serious, intimate, and painful topic for him.

From what was shown, Jack didn’t enter a sanctuary, he broke into a marriage as lifeless as the winter emptiness around Will when we see him again. As a contrast, in another Red Dragon adaptation, Jack comes when Will is genuinely happy with Molly and Walter. They are spending time together on the beach, they are laughing, they are having fun as a family, they are holding hands. This unity and happiness are absent in the show. Jack comes when Molly and Walter are away fishing, with Will choosing to stay behind even though fishing is his passion. It’s a deliberate choice and it says a lot. 

If Will wanted to go investigate the case just because of his family, then he would have done just that. Instead, he manipulated the situation by leaving Jack with Molly and letting him convince her so that she could introduce this idea to him later. He’s shifting the blame, and it’s a terrible thing to do. As the result, Molly blames herself for making him go later. Also, if Will’s primary concern was the case, he wouldn’t have run to Hannibal on the very first day when he didn’t need his help. He wouldn’t have sought out Bedelia to question her about her relationship with Hannibal. Will has selfish motivations, and Molly and Walter aren’t a part of them.

It would have been very easy to show them as a happy family. A few kisses here and there. “I love you” exchanged. Holding hands and smiling at each other as they walk, unable to look away. Will running to hug Walter in the hospital, to whisper something frantically and passionately to comfort him; Will crying and covering Molly’s limp hand with kisses at the hospital.

What we have instead is Will choosing to be alone, Will shutting Molly down, Will not returning her “I love you” and acting like a stranger with Walter. The best positive scenes they shared was at dinner and when they talked about Randy (before Will’s lies made him cut Molly down in the same conversation). We saw that they can laugh from silly jokes together and unite when taking care of dogs. They portray a pretty surface-level relationship and they don’t show that Will actually loves his family, especially when put into context. The ease with which he leaves them shows the depth of his real feelings.

TWOTL

Will doesn’t care about innocent lives or Molly with Walter at all here, so I’ll have to disagree. If he did, he would have gone with Jack’s plan. This would have ensured that only Hannibal and Francis die. Instead, Will betrayed Jack with Alana and conspired with Francis to break Hannibal free. He got innocent officers killed in the process with no regret. What happens next? Francis drives away, Hannibal also takes a car. What does Will do? Nothing. He doesn’t stop them. If Francis and Hannibal chose to escape without him, he would have set loose two monsters who targeted his family. But Will isn’t concerned about that - he’s concerned about Hannibal being free and them killing Francis together. He indicated to Bedelia he’s going to let Hannibal go after this, which is another indication that he wasn’t sure of the outcome. His actions took lives of many innocent people and only endangered Molly and Walter. 

Also, the whole Hannibal overpowers Will thing... It’s not like Hannibal forced him to do anything - they are equally dependent on each other because of their feelings. 

#hannibal #will graham #hannigram

[k-s-morgan]

Hello Ma'am, I have just watched the series (2 watches), I specialise in film studies. I think this is the best thing I have ever seen. Love your blog. I am curious, what was really Hannibal's approach in season 1.. etching a profile in Will's mind that is like him so that Will comes to know him through that ? How does it help - chance of more conversations or meeting his inner devil. And what was his plan with encephalitis, he doesn't want harm for him then he might have some logic.

And ma'am, part 2 of my question.. some minor questions - did you notice Hannibal said 'finish your breakfast' with a strange sense of authority in episode 1 and Will was mostly ok with that ? Also why was Hannibal smiling in the car, Will asks him as well why he is smiling.

-------------------

Hello! Sorry for the belated reply) My cat is having surgery today, so I’ve been in a worried state for the last couple of days and the queue of my asks has grown. I’m so glad you also think this show is the best thing you’ve seen - I still can’t over just how good it is :D

Part 1

Hannibal’s S1 plan: yes, he was slowly opening up to Will, hoping that Will would see him and accept him at some point. But at the same time, he was careful not to say anything specific. In all their S1 conversations, Hannibal made a focus on Will’s darkness and darkness in general, so his ‘therapy’ was slow and careful. By making Will see that being a killer isn’t something he should be ashamed of, Hannibal was preparing him for both self-acceptance and acceptance of their future Murder Family. He kept making subtle (and not so subtle) remarks, like “The mirrors in your mind can reflect the best of yourself, not the worst of someone else,” “The Angel Maker will be destroyed by what’s happening in his head - you don’t have to be,” etc. Will was listening, and a part of his mind understood what’s being said very well. His longing for darkness was getting more palpable, and since Hannibal was the only person to understand him, it pushed them closer. A normal person would have run from such therapist but Will found his words comforting. 

As for encephalitis: Hannibal wanted Will to Become. He viewed Will clinging to limitations and denying his true nature as something very harmful, so he launched a complex plan and tried to shatter these limitations by using encephalitis as an opportunity. The sicker Will was, the less control he had, and the more chances there were of him snapping, acting on his urges, and killing someone, or becoming fed up and deciding to go dark because it’s easier than fighting. Obviously, the plan was very dangerous, but the show has its own dream logic and Hannibal has confidence that borders on downright devilish. We are led to believe that he flawlessly controls Will’s state of encephalitis. That’s why he’s so insulted when Sutcliffe asks him if he’s going to let Will die. He’s equally offended when Gideon suggests that he doesn’t care about Will because of him having a seizure - he repeats, “I said it was mild.” So Hannibal is certain that Will is going to be fine. He has a great conversation with Bedelia that explains his train of thought about it in E12.

Hannibal: I see myself in Will. 

Bedelia: Do you see yourself in his madness?

Hannibal: Madness can be a medicine for the modern world. You take it in moderation, it's beneficial.

Bedelia: You overdose and there are unfortunate side effects. 

Hannibal: Side effects can be temporary. They can be a boost to our psychological immune systems to help fight the existential crises of normal life.

If you are also interested in Hannibal’s framing plan, you can check this post.

Part 2

Yes, it always amuses me when Hannibal commands Will to finish his breakfast! Hannibal generally likes feeding people, and while his backstory was changed, he clearly has some food issues. He likely can’t stand seeing it wasted. With Will, he’s particularly invested, and I feel like this scene plays with some animalistic and primal instincts of a person. This is the first food Hannibal brings to Will - it’s the start of the courtship, and Hannibal wants to see Will accept it. Eating food is a demonstration that Will accepts his first gift and acknowledges him as a provider, that the bond is truly initiated between them, so Hannibal is quite forceful about it. Will is okay with it because Hannibal has just proven that he can see him, so accepting his offering is also something instinctual: Will acknowledges Hannibal as someone who’s more worthy of his attention than he first thought, so he’s gracefully allowing himself to be courted. Obviously, this is happening on a very subconscious level :D 

Smiling later could be a sign of Hannibal’s happiness that everything’s going according to his plan. Will warmed up to him and even took him to do some investigating. I think he’s genuinely enjoying this chance to be close and observe his potential partner in action.   

#hannibal #hannigram #hannibal lecter

[kiss-my-freckle]

Will visits Georgia while he's recovering from his collapse. I love his passion when he argues with Jack about her suicide. "All her adult life this woman was misunderstood." I could say the same of Will. He tells Abigail that killing her father made him feel powerful. I knew this since 1x2 based on his body language. Will doesn't like Hannibal's "dementia" response. It's as if he knows Hannibal is pushing for mental illness. He firmly rejects everything other than, even when Will proposed the idea of a tumor or a seizure, and he refuses to consider anything else. I love Bedelia's response to Hannibal's mention of a friendship. He and Will don't understand the concept. Hannibal claims he's protecting Will from influence when he's the only one influencing him, and it's through abuse. Insert Chiyoh's dialogue to Will on the train in season three.  “There are means of influence other than violence.”

Hannibal didn't expect Georgia to be there, and he wasn't framing Will, but it makes sense why he’d believe he's being framed based on the victims and the pattern. Will's statement acted as a suggestion, and Hannibal ran with it. I included a gif of his response to Will at the moment he chose to frame him. "He said he got so close to Garret Jacob Hobbs and what he had done that he felt he was becoming him." What happens when Hannibal doesn't play the entire conversation for Jack, only the part that helps frame Will. Had Jack continued listening, he would've learned Hannibal suggested this idea to Will, to which he replied, "I know who I am. I'm not Gareth Jacob Hobbs, Dr. Lecter." Will and Alana would've supported Abigail's placement in the mental hospital for actual treatment, and she would've utlimately revealed Hannibal's secret. He isn't protecting her by faking her death, he's protecting himself and solidifying Will as his patsy. 

#Hannibal #1x12

[kiss-my-freckle]

2x10 Rewatch: Naka-Choko Another palate-cleanser. May be a light, acidic soup.

They show how Will killed Randall at the open of this episode. Buster acting as his early warning system, like the family pets in season three. He could've killed him with his shotgun and claimed self-defense. Simple, easy. Randall enters his home through the window, appearing as a stag. Will stands as the stag turns into what I like to refer to as the Hanni-stag. He tosses the shotgun, choosing to get intimate with his instincts. Different for Hobbs because Will hadn't fired his gun before, so it took ten shots for him to drop. Here, pure instinct. Able to stop, but he doesn't because he's enjoying it. Will gets to feel every clank of the roller coaster rushing through him. Kneeled over the stag, pounding the hell out of him, his face switching back and forth between Hannibal and the Hanni-stag. It's as if Will is trying to beat the beast out of him. Then similar to Bedelia killing her patient. Up to this point, an act of self-defense. Murder when he broke his neck. Randall's body on Hannibal's table looks too much like he brought him dinner. "Consider it an act of reciprocity." The same reciprocity between them through the first half of season three. "It deserves intimacy. You were Randall Tier's final enemy."

Will feels the guilt and shame for allowing himself to go this far, to feel what he felt killing Randall. "I've never felt as alive as I did when I was killing him." He wants to go back to the way things were before the roller coaster climb. "Where else would I go?" Too far to tell Jack the truth of this particular kill, to the truth of himself. "Of course you are." Like Hannibal wanting to meet The Dragon in season three. "I'm sure you would." He’s not pleased because he likes to see Will feeling this way, but because he's tired of being alone. He wants someone to share with, and sees that someone in Will. "How will you repay him?" I love Will's crime scene replay. Like every nightmare and hallucination, it reveals his mindset. Jack is afraid of what he sees, but continues to have faith in his lamb. Will's conversation with Randall shows just how much closer he is to his reality. Again, the guilt and shame, "I didn't force you to enjoy it." This monument is commemorating Will's becoming as much as it is Randall's. "You're welcome." Like season three with Alana, servicing both sides. Sparing Hannibal the death penalty to feed her professional curiosity. Will gave Hannibal what he wanted... showing him who he is. That's why he displayed Chiyoh's prisoner the way he did. Will's design, but he's still unable to accept the cold harsh truth that it was murder. Not only is he cut down the middle within his own identity, between who he wants to be and who he is, but he's cut down the middle between Jack and Hannibal. He tries to push his way through those bad emotions by embracing the good because he doesn't want to lose either.  

I've never seen Will be more honest with himself and he himself not realize it. "Don't mistake understanding for empathy, Jack. No, if there's anything, it's... it's envy. Randall Tier came into his own much easier than whoever killed him. This is the nightmare that followed him out of his dreams." Nothing short of what Chilton said about The Dragon. "This is the child of a nightmare." Will envies Peter his hate, and Randall his becoming. He has to keep Freddie at a distance because he’s on a mission. "My story with the Chesapeake Ripper already has an ending, Freddie." This feeds off Hannibal's question from 2x7. "Don't you want to know how this ends?" He intends to take away Hannibal’s freedom as he promised to catch the fish that caught Abigail. What Hannibal says to Margot speaks to what I said in my 2x9 rewatch. "You failed to murder your brother because you still love him. In love, you take leave of your senses, but in hatred, you must be present to calculate your actions. Allow yourself to hate him." While I do believe Will loves Hannibal, I don't believe it’s romantic... yet. He won't allow himself to hate him, that's why he envies Peter his hate. While killing Randall, allowed himself that hate, it just wasn't Hannibal he was killing. Mason shows Margot how he plans to get his pigs to devour a human being, dressed in her clothes and sprayed with her scent.

I don't believe Hannibal has feelings for Alana, and I don't believe he's using her to control or manipulate Will in any way. I believe she's acting as a temporary fill for Will, much like Bedelia in the first half of season three and The Dragon in the second half. Talk about demonic sexuality, adding the Hanni-stag. This is when I think things changed for Will. "Feel the vibration moving through you." Hannibal's line feeding into the scene as Will feels the vibration of the Hanni-stag. "Thin air is a musician's canvas." Will's canvas, pulling Alana into view. He's adorable. "I don't have the right parts for your proclivities, Margot." She shows him the scars Mason gave her, he shows her the scar Jack gave him. I love the way his fingers stroke her back. Everything on the opposite. Will and Margot touching. "Never touching, but guiding them from dissonance toward composition." Composing a Verger baby. "But people are not instruments. Whatever it is you're playing, Hannibal, you have to listen very carefully to what you're creating." He has to listen to the mother and father he’s creating, and the lion he’s choosing to pull from the lamb. When Will sees Alana where Margot should be, there's so much love in his eyes. Pulling her in pulls the Hanni-stag in because he knows they're together. I don't think he's upset here, I think he’s enjoying it. Perhaps afterward because he's completely without her. I believe this scene would've played into season four. "Your wife... your child... they belong to me."

"Maybe what Will understands is, if you can't beat Hannibal Lecter, join him." This reminds me of Will's comment in season one. "Can't beat God, become him?" Hannibal meets with Mason and offers his services, gets a pig to take home in return. It’s awkward for Will, being at the dinner table with both of them after his sex with Margot. He’s put on the defense when Alana brings up her meeting with Freddie. “Boundaries will always be subject to negotiation." I think she’s referring to her relationship with Will. He swallows hard, then looks down at his plate. I laugh when he defends his relationship with Hannibal. “We know where we are with each other. Shouldn't that be enough?" I think he likes the idea of sharing something with Hannibal that she doesn't. “Better the devil you know." Cut to Freddie’s house, where Hannibal is dressed to kill her. She’s at Will’s house, breaking into his shed where she finds Randall's suit. I don’t think he’s doing anything with Randall’s body or his suit, his only way of storing the evidence. Freezing is the best way to preserve his body. He walks in as she gets a look at Randall’s skull. He wants to explain but can’t because she’s too terrified, and he can’t let her go because this isn’t sanctioned. They never even brought this plan to Jack’s superiors. “It was your suggestion.” While Will baits Hannibal, Jack plays blind to the fact, allowing him deniability. “And you're thrilled you didn't have to make it.” What Will does is necessary. She'd take her photographs public, forcing the FBI to arrest him, and they’d lose their shot at Hannibal. 

They play her screams in Jack’s office, use them to sell Hannibal the story of Will killing Freddie. Frrom her point of view, Alana isn’t liking this at all. When it hits the final scene, that’s when I feel Will is romantically interested in Hannibal. He’s supposed to be baiting him, but at this very chance, isn’t going after what they need to charge him. He’s enjoying every minute he spends with him. “She was a slim and delicate pig." Providing the meat, now providing the ingredients. I do think he’s eating human with Hannibal, and savoring the moment. “You can't reduce me to a set of influences. I'm not the product of anything. I've given up good and evil for behaviourism." Their conversation about good and evil is great, and I love the way Will’s face fades to Hannibal’s. This is when I think Will split down the middle, and found it difficult to choose when the time came. When he spoke of the wrong thing being the right thing to do, I don’t think he was referring to the right thing by any moral standing. I think he meant it was the right thing for himself. The wrong thing to do being the right thing to do for himself because he wanted it. It was too ugly a thought. I think he sacrificed his desires for everyone else, and paid for it dearly.