Hannibal (TV Series) Sorbet (2013) User Reviews

A cannibalistic Masterchef!

[A_Voice · 10/10 · 31 December 2013]

The Chesapeake Ripper a.k.a Dr. Hannibal Lector is still at large to Jack Crawford's dismay, as revealed in the previous episode. This episode is probably the best episode thus far, surpassing the previous episode for its brilliance, elegance and character development, particularly Dr. Lector.

The story picks up where it left last week with Jack being haunted by the guilt of Miriam's death, and for the first time he doubts himself for sending Will after the Ripper. We see Dr. Lector re stock his food supply and prepare an exquisite cuisine.

The best element of the episode was probably the elegant editing and the background score. With Dr. lector preparing his dishes in a MasterChef-ish manner with his usual ingredients to some great opera music and Will and Companies' preparation of "list of missing organs", to some wonderful psychiatrist - patient conversations, every thing was awesome. The writer continues to tease the viewer with some tongue in cheek witty one liners. "A feast presents itself", "Someone with short bowels or he is using them to prepare sausages", "Spleen!?" and "Nothing here is vegetarian - Bon Appétit!". I was pleased to see the story being concentrated on the character after whom the series is named and not some serial killer or Will Graham. The episode enjoyed the best level of character development thus far. And also a special mention for commendable Cinematography.

Direction: Strong.

Story/Screenplay: Extremely teasing and gripping.

Acting: Due to excellent acting by Mads, I'm getting used to see him as Hannibal. Lawrence and Dancy are good too. Gillian Anderson and Dan Fogler were commendable.

Music: Superbly edited music score, the best thus far.

A mouth watering episode, plunging deeper and deeper into the mind of our favourite Cannibal.

Adds a lot of depth to Hannibal as a character and as a show

[maxglen · 9/10 · 30 October 2019]

In this episode we get to see Hannibal more from his own perspective which allows us to get a better idea of how and why he does the things he does. We also get to see his relationship with his own therapist played by Gillian Anderson and how their relationship somewhat mirrors that of him and Franklin, a patient who desperately wants to be friends with his therapist despite the ethical boundaries. We also get a slightly different take on the killer of the week which I won't spoil but will say is a pleasant change of pace. 9/10

"Nothing here is Vegeterian, Bon Appetit!!"

[CinemaFX · 10/10 · 7 November 2022]

This was the 40 mins of pure succumbing to the world of the show. The predecessor episodes were great but nothing ever did for me than this one.

This episode was all Hannibal, and of course neither the character nor Mads let the guard down at all, even for a second. It was pure entertainment. Finally, we see his cards-list for him to help in his Culinary. That moment with his previous psychiatrist, and after him being all alone was a great one. He himself went to visit Will Graham then.

The music was very very good. Thats one aspect that sucked me totally this episode. Almost feeling like a great euphoric moment the whole episode. Also, the Double entendre here and there just like the title to tease us.

My Favorite Episode Yet

[sophie-wise · 14 May 2013]

"Who's hungry?" Dr. Lecter charmingly asks in a pre-credit sequence. We are Dr! Let us indulge in another magnificent course of this show. As it stands, the Chesapeake Ripper is still at large and the pressure is on for Will Graham and co. to crack the case as two new victims surface. The question is, do both belong to the Ripper or is there another sociopathic killer on the loose? With Jack Crawford eager to catch the man responsible for Miriam's death, the tension is high and the pressure is on in Hannibal's most graphic but elegant episode yet.

We begin in a lecture hall with Graham profiling as much as he can of the Ripper – a useful lesson for students, a subtle reminder for us audiences. We are 'taught' the Ripper kills in "sounders of three", skilfully removing organs alluding to an anatomical or surgical know how. More importantly, the Ripper possesses a theatrical and distinctive brutality – an example of which showcased last week, as the arm of his last victim (Miriam) was left to be discovered, even paraded.

Out of the lecture and into the oesophagus (literally) we join Lecter at the opera in a sequence that boasts beautiful cinematography. The opera singer is lit in a way that presents the utmost glamour and theatricality, setting up a running theme and palette throughout this entire episode. In a post-opera chat, particularly rife with farce, a woman pesters Lecter to cook another feast. In his atypical charming manner, he replies "You cannot force a feast, a feast must present itself... a feast is life, you put life in your belly and you live..." - little do they know he means this literally. Oh Lecter, how you toy with us.

Poor Crawford – Miriam's phone calls remain to haunt him and his guilt is even manifesting itself as an organ-harvested Graham. Is he making a mistake pushing Graham on this case? Regardless, both are called to a crime scene in which a body has been found, organs reportedly removed. Could this be another cycle for the Ripper? Both arrive at the scene, a hotel bathroom possessing an identical layout and colour palette to that of Room 237 in The Shining. It's a nice, subtle inclusion for us horror fanatics out there which will no doubt lead to a minute squeal of glee. As Graham empathises with the killer, the episode delves into particularly gory territory, namely lots of blood and a cardiac massage. From this Graham deduces it was not the Ripper at work but someone else, a killer that didn't mean to kill. As ever, Graham was on the money and they later catch the medical student responsible. Hardly a mushroom growing pharmacist, but a young man who had taken a few too many liberties as a means of getting into the organ harvesting business. With this step back in the case, Crawford asks Graham how he envisages the Ripper, "he looks normal, nobody can tell what he is...". Cut to Lecter.

Each week a little more is revealed about Lecter, another layer is peeled away. We learn that just like his patient Franklin, who is getting a little too involved in the doctor-patient relationship, he too gets lonely. One can't help but sympathise with him as he opens his office door to an empty waiting room. Lecter requires human interaction... and not just for food. He also has his own psychiatrist, wonderfully played by Gillian Anderson. In a brief moment of shared discourse, both converse semi-professionally. She profiles Lecter as a man in a "well-tailored person suit", an analysis so spot on, Graham better watch out. Professionalism soon turns somewhat flirty however and both succumb to a glass of wine – an "unconventional psychiatrist" to say the least. In fact Lecter also flirts with Alana Bloom whilst preparing dinner – turns out our Hannibal is quite the lothario, ever playing to that masquerade of normalcy. His surgical know-how, akin to that of the Ripper, is also discovered by Graham. You'd think this revelation would be a point of epiphany for our favourite FBI profiler but alas, he's victim to that European charm just as much as the next person.

Of course the main factor we can deduce from Lecters repertoire of skills and charm is his penchant for cooking. You think we've seen his culinary skills already? Well think again. After praying on his next victim, Mr Caldwell, the episode spirals into intermittent shots of food preparation that would put any round of Masterchef to shame. The particular mode of editing here, capturing Lecters methodical process, is one of a true craft and this week's highlight. Close ups of organ preparation, a rolodex of victims' calling cards and a recipe box are all cut together, fetishising his cannibalistic process in the most tantalising way. From the operatic score, right down to the calligraphy of each recipe, the whole sequence, and Dr. Lecter himself, possesses pure elegance, grace and beauty. Bryan Fuller is a true master of characterisation and construction. The episode closes with the feast of all feasts, finally, it has life and you guessed it... "nothing is vegetarian".

Two killers and two victims later, the Chesapeake Ripper is still at large, as is Lecters meat supply. Strong character development and dialogue continues but visually, this is the episode that has particularly struck a chord. Graham so eloquently explains this week how Lecter's mutilations hide the true nature of his crimes, how every brutal choice of the Ripper has elegance and grace. The same can be said for this very episode and in fact, the whole series. Shown amidst the preparation for the feast, Fuller surrounds each brutality with a magnitude of beauty - from the operatic score, to cinematography, to food pornography. In terms of art and craftsmanship... this is the best episode yet.

More Hannibal!

[and_mikkelsen · 9/10 · 14 April 2024]

This episode had a lot more Hannibal and I loved it! This might be the episode centered the most on him so far, as we got to see a lot more of him in his private setting, doing what we.. sort of expected he was doing!

The montages and scenes of him.. preparing.food, was the best and most memorabel part of the episode! Its very well presented and it has a certain.. quality over it! It puts us a viewer in a unique position, cause the food looks.. really delicious... until you remember what It is!

The episode further develops the relationship with Will and Hannibal as well as introducing Hannibals psychiatrist!

The Human Meat Dinner

[ZegMaarJus · 8/10 · 26 February 2023]

This Episode begins with Will, he gives a lesson about the Chesapeake Ripper. Hannibal visits the opera. The Chesapeake Ripper striked again, he killed a man on a cruel type of way. Hannibal killed Andrew. Hannibal makes portions of the human meat he collected. Hannibal and Will are watching pictures together, it is evidence of the Chesapeake Ripper case. Silvestri got arrested by the police. Hannibal stopped the bleeding. Hannibal cooked a fully human meat dinner. Nice Episode of Hannibal Season 1, such a good one. But the last Episodes the level of exciting moments isn't high. I want some more action!

Another solid hit!

[zanghi_james · 10/10 · 25 February 2024]

Well, when we last left the FBI team investigating with Will Graham, we had just learned of the disappearance and presumed death at the hands of the Chesapeake Ripper the trainee known as Miriam Lass and found a severed arm of hers.

The story continues talking about the Chesapeake Ripper, who we now know (as the audience, not the characters) is Doctor Hannibal Lecter. A body missing a kidney is found and Will seems convinced that it was neither the Ripper who killed the poor man nor a copycat killer from earlier in the show. But more bodies begin to drop and these ones seem more likely to be victims who have run afoul of the Ripper. Meanwhile, whilst planning an elaborate and delicious dinner party, Hannibal meets with several people in his life to discuss their relationships with him.

As usual, Mass and Hugh do a fantastic job and the script is nicely written. Fishburne and Dhavernas take a backseat in this story, but they have good scenes. I fast forward over the scenes with the guy who plays pitiful Franklyn but I can tell his buddy Tobias is a bit more interesting.

The music in this episode really shines, too, with a stunning solo opera piece done on camera by a magnificent singer, but also fine choices of recorded music, too. The harpsichord piece that plays to the opera piece in this episode is haunting, too.

Stay Scared!

Meat and More Meat [8/10]

[panagiotis1993 · 8/10 · 14 August 2023]

My Reaction / Review for Hannibal Season 1 Episode 7: Episode 6 was great and I gave it a rating of 8.5/10. Hannibal is an opera lover, makes sense. So Hannibal has his own psychiatrist he visits, very interesting. Does Hannibal put blood in his alcohol? Im curious. Hannibal has so much human meat in his freezer, he has been busy I see. I know its human meat but Hannibal's cooking seems delicious, lol. Wow so many people will eat Hannibal's meat, disgusting. He really enjoys feeding people human meat. I don't understand what this ambulance guy was doing. Was he removing the organs to sell them? Overall a good episode but not perfect. My rating for this episode is 8/10.

Bon Appetit!!

[wandernn1-81-683274 · 5/10 · 2 August 2020]

Haha, I love Mads at the beginning of this one. Such a charmer.

+1 Star for the Charming Dr. Lecter

And of course this is the first episode we see Gillian Andersen. The lovely Dr. Du Maurier.

Graham meets with Dr Lecter again seemingly immediately after meeting with Du Maurier. Graham finds out for the first time that Lecter is seeing a psychiatrist of his own. I guess everyone in this show needs some mental help!!!!

Crawford having wacky visions as well. I guess Grahams talent is rubbing off on him.

Oh man a cooking display by Lecter is OFF THE HOOK!!! Haha

One thing I didn't like is Crawford giving the verbal commands to the 'suspect' when there are a ton of FBI guys who you know would all be shouting 'Get on the ground!!! Get on the Ground!!!' Like real FBI guys do. I speak from experience!!!

-1 Star for the fake FBI procedural :)

Graham and Lecter again in Lecter's kitchen. Boy Graham sure does love to watch Lecter COOK!!!!

I thought this one one of the weaker episodes so far. 5/10.