Welcome back to a show that has unfortunately been cancelled by NBC. I'm still processing it, to be honest. And I'm having a hard time trying to find something new to watch and review these days. It's certainly difficult to find a show that explores the darkest parts of human nature in such insightful and artistic ways.
Aperitivo managed it quite well and I'd certainly call it the best episode of this season so far. After the slow start and terrible pace overall, it was good to see a flashback of the most important events. This episode marked a transformation of every single character, excluding Will Graham who's somewhat caught in the middle of this mess.
Let's start with Chilton and Mason Verger. Their exchange was absolutely delightful, in a morbid sort of way. I especially enjoyed the way Chilton was basically running around everywhere, trying to build up his Anti-Hannibal coalition, only to be confronted with people who have been radically changed by Hannibal in different ways. Of course, Verger would rather be the one pulling the strings. This is particularly interesting, because it's Alana who manages to stand tall and unaffected in his presence, easily overshadowing the revenge-driven, smug Chilton, who had visited her as well. He looked arrogant in Verger's presence, but not in control. I think both Mason and Alana were on more equal ground than Chilton with either of them. He might be trying to link the key players, but he's forgetting that they all have their own desires and motives. In a strange way, Hannibal brought out the extremes of what humans are capable of, which is why Alana for example was so different in both attitude and looks. Nice touch with her coat, by the way. It looked striking with the grey background of Mason's estate and made her look superior to Verger. The chemistry between Alana and Margot was quite interesting as well.
The episode's theme was highlighted by the contrast between light and dark; the shadows that hide people like Chilton and Abigail, or the light that brings out the strongest, but not necessarily the best aspects of a person, such as Alana's transformation or Will's boat tour at the end. Just because there's a light at the end of the tunnel, it doesn't mean the destination is a clean solution to the Hannibal problem. We see it with Will Graham. He wanted to ignore the worst in order to enjoy the best, meaning he wanted to find out what he stands for, what he is and what he believes in. If it means forgiving his "friend", so be it. That's the same kind of darkness that applies to people who do not in fact forgive Hannibal at all. And that's the power Hannibal has over all these people. He really does bring out the worst and simultaneously the raw, most honest version of a person.
What did you think of Aperitivo?
