Hannibal Finale Thoughts/Reaction/Meta
I actually watched the a television episode on live TV, all by myself. *beams* I did realize it's a good thing I haven't been trying to watch Hannibal live all along though as our old TV has gotten so bad about dark scenes that much of the episode was hard to see and the last five minutes were essentially almost all black - the show is dark but it's not that dark. Fortunately, I love a good spoiler and I'd already devoured what'd shown up via the Canadian broadcast, so I knew what was going on besides just the dialogue. The television's days are numbered, though, and I don't just mean because you have to operate it with a pencil if you lose the remote and the converter box (it's doesn't do digital signals on its own) is going to go once and for all at some point.
Two non-murder husbands notes first off. One, Reba lived! YAY. Two, Chilton lived! Dude, I am so sorry. I mean, technically we already knew that, but Chilton surviving remains much worse in terms of terrifying than if he'd actually died of his injuries.
Now for the murder husbands: I don't actually consider it a question whether or not Will and Hannibal survived the finale. Whether they literally or metaphorically went off the cliff, it represented Will's final "fall" regardless. [Relatedly, Hannibal and water symbolism, particularly in light of the finale.] Literally has the advantage of faking their deaths in the forensic evidence, and someone else pointed out the camera was still running all that time, so I lean in that direction and I don't think the realistic likelihood of their survival is pertinent given it's longstanding use as an escape route in movies and television. I did do a double take when I first saw the gifs after the episode aired in Canada - I kept thinking Hannibal was pushing Will off rather than the other way around, although I knew Will had been wearing the light dress shirt in this instance. Then I saw someone else had the same double take online, so now I'm wondering if it wasn't a deliberate bit of symbolism.
From the little I've read regarding the finale after it aired, Fuller has indicated the original intention could be subject to change if there's an opportunity to continue this verse and both actors aren't available to return. However, it's safe to say that the original intent was for both to survive and that's my preference, so that's the canon I'll be operating with.
It is an interesting debate regarding Will's intent throughout the episode, and I definitely felt like most of it was ultimately his orchestration. Will is the most honest with Bedelia whom he flat out tells to run and specifically references cannibalism ("Meat's back on the menu."). Unless he's just trying to frighten her out of spite, it makes no sense that he then goes and tells Hannibal "goodbye" and that he's going back to live with Molly. The actual words are complete bullshit and was not the message he was actually trying to convey - it was an act for everyone else who could be watching and telling Hannibal to be ready, that it was time to leave. "What a clever boy you are," Hannibal says.
Will then comes up with a plan that will ostensibly result in Hannibal's death, and everyone finds this completely plausible because Will - who once said to Jack that he wanted to run away with the cannibal in question - has just demonstrated he's completely done with Hannibal. Right? Right. I'm not sure that Will had an actual plan as far as just giving Hannibal the opportunity and incentive to break out, but his deadpan, completely unsurprised look when Hannibal throws open the door of the cruiser and shoved a body out to clear the seat for him is priceless. Will wound Hannibal up and watched him go.
Then they're waiting on Dolarhyde and Hannibal is really not sure whether or not Will intends to kill him, to let Dolarhyde do it, or to help him kill Dolarhyde. This is a hell of a risk for a survivor like Hannibal and he's taking it for the sake of Will, which is making him sweat. Will meanwhile is enjoying watching Hannibal squirm, up to and including watching him take a bullet. Whether Will was still flirting with alternative actions he could take is up in the air, but we know what side he came down on. The actual mutual murdering scene (co-murdering?) was gloriously well done, the moment of their eyes meeting in silent communication and especially as it ends up being Hannibal "holding" Dolarhyde for Will to make the killing blow.
The final scene was a particularly nice addendum for me as the three chairs made the original intent explicit and fit the story line well in terms of Will's earlier threats amongst other things. I've seen the art for the final table layout but can't find it now; suffice to say, Bedelia's having oysters. [ETA:
healingmirth provided a link - Bryan Fuller posted it to Twitter.]
[[@ Tumblr]]
Crossposted to Dreamwidth. Comment here or there. ♥ Blue :)
Two non-murder husbands notes first off. One, Reba lived! YAY. Two, Chilton lived! Dude, I am so sorry. I mean, technically we already knew that, but Chilton surviving remains much worse in terms of terrifying than if he'd actually died of his injuries.
Now for the murder husbands: I don't actually consider it a question whether or not Will and Hannibal survived the finale. Whether they literally or metaphorically went off the cliff, it represented Will's final "fall" regardless. [Relatedly, Hannibal and water symbolism, particularly in light of the finale.] Literally has the advantage of faking their deaths in the forensic evidence, and someone else pointed out the camera was still running all that time, so I lean in that direction and I don't think the realistic likelihood of their survival is pertinent given it's longstanding use as an escape route in movies and television. I did do a double take when I first saw the gifs after the episode aired in Canada - I kept thinking Hannibal was pushing Will off rather than the other way around, although I knew Will had been wearing the light dress shirt in this instance. Then I saw someone else had the same double take online, so now I'm wondering if it wasn't a deliberate bit of symbolism.
From the little I've read regarding the finale after it aired, Fuller has indicated the original intention could be subject to change if there's an opportunity to continue this verse and both actors aren't available to return. However, it's safe to say that the original intent was for both to survive and that's my preference, so that's the canon I'll be operating with.
It is an interesting debate regarding Will's intent throughout the episode, and I definitely felt like most of it was ultimately his orchestration. Will is the most honest with Bedelia whom he flat out tells to run and specifically references cannibalism ("Meat's back on the menu."). Unless he's just trying to frighten her out of spite, it makes no sense that he then goes and tells Hannibal "goodbye" and that he's going back to live with Molly. The actual words are complete bullshit and was not the message he was actually trying to convey - it was an act for everyone else who could be watching and telling Hannibal to be ready, that it was time to leave. "What a clever boy you are," Hannibal says.
Will then comes up with a plan that will ostensibly result in Hannibal's death, and everyone finds this completely plausible because Will - who once said to Jack that he wanted to run away with the cannibal in question - has just demonstrated he's completely done with Hannibal. Right? Right. I'm not sure that Will had an actual plan as far as just giving Hannibal the opportunity and incentive to break out, but his deadpan, completely unsurprised look when Hannibal throws open the door of the cruiser and shoved a body out to clear the seat for him is priceless. Will wound Hannibal up and watched him go.
Then they're waiting on Dolarhyde and Hannibal is really not sure whether or not Will intends to kill him, to let Dolarhyde do it, or to help him kill Dolarhyde. This is a hell of a risk for a survivor like Hannibal and he's taking it for the sake of Will, which is making him sweat. Will meanwhile is enjoying watching Hannibal squirm, up to and including watching him take a bullet. Whether Will was still flirting with alternative actions he could take is up in the air, but we know what side he came down on. The actual mutual murdering scene (co-murdering?) was gloriously well done, the moment of their eyes meeting in silent communication and especially as it ends up being Hannibal "holding" Dolarhyde for Will to make the killing blow.
The final scene was a particularly nice addendum for me as the three chairs made the original intent explicit and fit the story line well in terms of Will's earlier threats amongst other things. I've seen the art for the final table layout but can't find it now; suffice to say, Bedelia's having oysters. [ETA:
healingmirth provided a link - Bryan Fuller posted it to Twitter.]
[[@ Tumblr]]
Crossposted to Dreamwidth. Comment here or there. ♥ Blue :)