Deconstructing Hannibal

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VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/qoD4hwGa0Fc

In this solo episode, I finish my discussion of the new settings of S2, by focusing in on four places - Will's cell in the BSHCI, Muskrat Farm,  the Natural History Museum, and the Pool. All of these places are significant or symbolic to the tightly woven plot of Season 2. Enjoy!

Episode Links

AV Club 2014 “Mukozuke” Walkthrough with Bryan Fuller - https://www.avclub.com/hannibal-s-bryan-fuller-on-will-s-big-move-1798267345

Production Design of Hannibal - Interview with Matthew Davies - https://www.pushing-pixels.org/2016/05/13/production-design-of-hannibal-interview-with-matthew-davies.html

Will in Cell Pic - https://thatshelf.com/hannibal-episode-2-1-recap/

“Pareidolia” at Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareidolia

“Muskrat” at Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muskrat

Muskrat Pic - https://study.com/academy/lesson/muskrats-habitat-diet-reproduction.html

Hannibal by Thomas Harris - https://a.co/d/b4zFWgj

Hannibal (2013-2015) Filming Locations at Set-Jetter - https://www.set-jetter.com/ontheset/hannibal

Movie Maps Hannibal Filming Locations - https://moviemaps.org/movies/173

Casa Loma Website - https://casaloma.ca/

“How to Have the Best Sunday in L.A., According to Bryan Fuller” - https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2026-01-23/sunday-funday-bryan-fuller-things-to-do-los-angeles

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VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/wkNyCZBz3uc

In this episode, we start a new climb up the hill of the S2 plot diagram, and so we begin with setting. The main settings from S1, Hannibal's office and home, Will's house, the BAU, and the BSHCI, continue - but we now add some new settings in S2 in the service of plot, character, symbol, and theme. These settings are: James Gray's farm, the Courtroom, Hannibal's Kill Barn, and Peter Bernardone's house. Enjoy my deep dive into the significance of these settings!

Episode Links

Hannibal (2013-2015) Filming Locations at Set-Jetter - https://www.set-jetter.com/ontheset/hannibal

The Art and Making of Hannibal by Jesse McLean - https://a.co/d/cWWCeOc

Busby Berkeley Still from Busby Berkeley Dreams - https://opentheportal.com/2746/busby-berkeley-dreams/

Busby Berkeley Still from Footlight Parade - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Footlight_Parade_Waterfall.jpg

Jeepers Creepers. Directed by Victor Salva, United Artists, 2001.

The Triumph of Justice by Gabriel Metsu - https://artvee.com/dl/the-triumph-of-justice/

Grote, Jason and Steve Lightfoot. Writers. “Hassun.” Hannibal, season 2, episode 3, Chiswick Productions, 2014.

AV Club 2014 “Hassun” Walkthrough with Bryan Fuller - https://www.avclub.com/hannibal-s-bryan-fuller-on-his-brief-sojourn-into-legal-1798266941

AV Club 2014 “Mizumono” Walkthrough with Bryan Fuller - https://www.avclub.com/hannibal-s-bryan-fuller-discusses-that-bloody-jaw-drop-1798268855

Steel Magnolias - Truvy Jones Still - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098384/characters/nm0000573/

Hannibal by Thomas Harris - https://a.co/d/b4zFWgj

Lightfoot, Steve and Bryan Fuller. Writers. “Yakimono.” Hannibal, season 2, episode 7, Chiswick Productions, 2014.

AV Club  2014 “Su-zakana” Walkthrough with Bryan Fuller - https://www.avclub.com/hannibal-s-bryan-fuller-on-rebooting-season-two-halfway-1798267889

Nimerfro, Scott, Bryan Fuller, and Steve Lightfoot. Writers. “Su-zakana.” Hannibal, season 2, episode 8, Chiswick Productions, 2014.

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VIDEO AVAILABLE AT: https://youtu.be/SHWASwkuYZM

In this episode, I review where we left the plot at the end of Season 1 and where we start Season 2. I go over the Season 1 plot diagram, discuss some of the promos for S2 at the time, and discuss some of what Bryan and Hugh said about the "new status quo" of Season 2. Enjoy!

Episode Links

Wikipedia article on Kaiseki - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiseki

Entertainment Weekly Season 2 2014 Promo Image - https://ew.com/article/2013/10/01/hannibal-exclusive-bryan-fuller-season-2/

Season 2 Antler Promo Poster - https://thesecondtake.com/2014/02/19/hannibal-season-two-new-poster-trailer/

Season 2 Diving Cages Promo - https://www.reddit.com/r/HannibalTV/comments/1vehy5/new_hannibal_season_2_promo_pic/

Season 2 Masked Will Promo - https://www.slashfilm.com/529552/hannibal-season-2-poster-announces-february-premiere/

Season 2 Fancy Promo - https://www.spoilertv.com/2014/04/hannibal-season-2-new-group-cast.html

Will in “Aperitif” - https://hannibalanalysis.tumblr.com/post/154196026312/hannibal-analysis-s01e01ap%C3%A9ritif

Will in “Savoureux” - https://tenor.com/view/will-graham-hugh-dancy-hannibal-ember-gif-370107399448533122

Crave Online 2013 Interview with Bryan Fuller - https://web.archive.org/web/20131020052507/http://www.craveonline.com/tv/interviews/576433-exclusive-interview-bryan-fuller-on-hannibal-clarice-starling-barney

The Week 2015 Interview with Bryan Fuller and Hugh Dancy - https://theweek.com/articles/450064/interview-hannibal-showrunner-bryan-fuller-star-hugh-dancy

Link to S1 Plot Diagram - https://www.patreon.com/posts/finished-plot-1-157811034

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VIDEO AVAILABLE AT: https://youtu.be/kfvgNDdIKx8

In this last liminal episode before I begin Deconstruction of Season 2, I felt it necessary and wonderful to introduce you to my brother, Josh. He has been my tech support through my entire podcast journey - he designed my logo, my video animations, helped me find my theme music, helped me edit and improve hours and hours of podcast work. We talk about family, science-fiction, true crime, horror, Dust Bunny, Bryan Fuller, and a myriad other things. Enjoy! 
(P.S. - I love you, Josh.)

Episode Links

Zilla’s Hannicat Tumblr - https://www.tumblr.com/zillabean/630791759958556672/the-adventures-of-hannicat-and-will

Sihaya’s Dust Bunny Review and Analysis - https://www.patreon.com/posts/diving-beneath-146805646?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

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In this episode, I talk to our Fannibal King, Bryan Fuller, about Hannibal, Dust Bunny, fate, circumstance, and much, more more! Enjoy!

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In this episode, I am finishing my discussion of the themes and motifs of Season 1 with three important motifs in the show as a whole: teacups, the Ravenstag, and the Stag-Man (or Staggie) as Bryan calls him. Enjoy! 
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Episode Links
 Hannibal by Thomas Harris - https://a.co/d/b4zFWgj

Fuller, Bryan. Writer. “Apéritif.” Hannibal, season 1, episode 1. Chiswick Productions, 2012.

Schuur, Jennifer. Writer. “Oeuf.” Hannibal, season 1, episode 4. Chiswick Productions, 2012.

“Does Fate Exist? According to Physics, it’s a Solid Maybe” by LittleWrenWrites - https://medium.com/illumination/does-fate-exist-according-to-physics-its-a-solid-maybe-99e360ad94c3

Gray, Jim Danger. Writer. “Amuse-Bouche.” Hannibal, season 1, episode 12. Chiswick Productions, 2012.

Nimerfro, Scott, and Bryan Fuller. Writers. “Coquilles.” Hannibal, season 1, episode 5. Chiswick Productions, 2012.

Brancato, Chris, and Bryan Fuller. Writers. “Releves.” Hannibal, season 1, episode 12. Chiswick Productions, 2013.

Lightfoot, Steve, Bryan Fuller, and Scott Nimerfro. “Savoureux.” Hannibal, season 1, episode 13. Chiswick Productions, 2013.

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In this episode, Lady Thunder and I discuss Ridley Scott's 2001 adaptation of the novel Hannibal - the brain eating, the steering wheel licking and all. Enjoy!

Video available at: https://youtu.be/qGjwRy3jX8I

Episode Links

Hannibal. Directed by Ridley Scott, performances by Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Ray Liotta, Giancarlo Giannini, Frankie Faison, MGM, 2001.

Wikipedia contributors. "Hannibal (Harris novel)." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannibal_(Harris_novel)

Wikipedia contributors. "Hannibal (2001 film)." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannibal_(2001_film)

King, Stephen. “Hannibal the Cannibal” - Book Review for New York Times. 13 June 1999. - https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/99/06/13/reviews/990613.13kingct.html

Schmid, David. “The Kindest Cut of All: Adapting Thomas Harris’s Hannibal.” Literature/Film Quarterly, vol. 35, no. 1, 2007, pp. 389-395, https://www.jstor.org/stable/43797333

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In this episode (part 2 of a 3-part series), I delve into the meaning of two more significant motifs in S1 of Hannibal - knives and scars and how they relate to themes of power and possession. Enjoy!

Video episode available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPHi6O2rWxc

Episode Links

Cirlot, J.E. A Dictionary of Symbols. Barnes & Noble Books, 1993.

Primacy definition -https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primacy

Daniel Balderston. “The Mark of the Knife: Scars as Signs in Borges.” The Modern Language Review, vol. 83, no. 1, 1988, pp. 67–75. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/3728544. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

Violence Policy Center - https://vpc.org/revealing-the-impacts-of-gun-violence/murder-suicide/

“Scares and Scars” by Bradley Olson at the Joseph Campbell Foundation - https://www.jcf.org/post/scares-and-scars

Dennis-Bryan, Kim, Nicola Hodgson, et al., editors. Signs & Symbols. DK Publishing, 2008.

Fuller, Bryan. Writer. “Apéritif.” Hannibal, season 1, episode 1. Chiswick Productions, 2012.

Fury, David, Chris Brancato, and Bryan Fuller. Writers. “Potage.” Hannibal, season 1, episode 3. Chiswick Productions, 2012.

Schuur, Jennifer. Writer. “Oeuf.” Hannibal, season 1, episode 4. Chiswick Productions, 2012.

Lightfoot, Steve, Bryan Fuller, and Scott Nimerfro. Writers. “Roti.” Hannibal, season 1, episode 11. Chiswick Productions, 2013.

Lightfoot, Steve, and Bryan Fuller. Writers. “Mizumono.” Hannibal, season 2, episode 13. Chiswick Productions, 2014.

Vlaming, Jeff, and Bryan Fuller. Writers. “Primavera.” Hannibal, season 3, episode 2. Chiswick Productions, 2015.

Vlaming, Jeff, Angela LaManna, Bryan Fuller, and Steve Lightfoot. Writers. “The Number of the Beast is 666.” Hannibal, season 3, episode 12. Chiswick Productions, 2015.

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In this solo episode, I delve into the motifs of mirrors, both physical and conceptual, and breakfast and the themes they communicate. Enjoy!

Episode Links

Ezell, Margaret J.M. “Looking Glass Histories.” Journal of British Studies, vol. 43, no. 3, 2004, pp. 317-338. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/383598.

Bryan Fuller 2013 Interview with AV Club’s Emily St. James - Part 1 - https://www.avclub.com/bryan-fuller-walks-us-through-the-first-three-episodes-1798239641

Dennis-Bryan, Kim, Nicola Hodgson, et al., editors. Signs & Symbols. DK Publishing, 2008.

McAllister, Megan. “Food Culture in Hannibal.” Hannibal For Dinner: Essays on America’s Favorite Cannibal on Television, edited by Kyle A. Moody and Nicholas A. Yanes, McFarland & Company, Inc., 2021, pp. 163-169.

Sihaya’s Lessons of Hannibal Blog S1:E4 – FAMILY DON’T END WITH BREAKFAST - https://www.tumblr.com/sihaya74/706825379994910720/new-the-lessons-of-bryan-fullers-hannibal-s1e4?source=share

Fuller, Bryan. Writer. “Apéritif.” Hannibal, season 1, episode 1. Chiswick Productions, 2012.

Gray, Jim Danger. Writer. “Amuse-Bouche.” Hannibal, season 1, episode 12. Chiswick Productions, 2012.

Fury, David, Chris Brancato, and Bryan Fuller. Writers. “Potage.” Hannibal, season 1, episode 3. Chiswick Productions, 2012.

Schuur, Jennifer. Writer. “Oeuf.” Hannibal, season 1, episode 4. Chiswick Productions, 2012.

Nimerfro, Scott, and Bryan Fuller. Writes. “Coquilles.” Hannibal, season 1, episode 5. Chiswick Productions, 2012.

Black, Andy, Chris Brancato, and Bryan Fuller. Writers. “Buffet Froid.” Hannibal, season 1, episode 10. Chiswick Productions, 2012.

Vlaming, Jeff, Helen Shang, Bryan Fuller, and Steve Lightfoot. Writers. “...And the Woman Clothed with the Sun.” Hannibal, season 3, episode 9. Chiswick Productions, 2015.

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In this episode, Cassie Raven and I discuss the falling action of Season 1 - the breaking of Will Graham, the sacrificial veal, the smells of the BSHCI, and more. Enjoy!

Episode Links: 

Lightfoot, Steve, Bryan Fuller, and Scott Nimerfro. Writers. “Savoureux.” Hannibal, season 1, episode 13. Chiswick Productions, 2013.

“Savoureux” DVD Commentary - Fuller, Bryan, David Slade, and Hugh Dancy. “Audio Commentary by Fuller, Slade, and Dancy.” “Savoureux.” Hannibal, directed by David Slade, season 1, episode 13. Lionsgate, 2013. DVD.

Days Without Incident-Vide Cor Meum - https://dayswithoutincident-org.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/dayswithoutincident.org/2020/06/15/vide-cor-meum-by-patrick-cassidy-and-hans-zimmer/amp/?amp_gsa=1&_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIUAKwASCAAgM%3D#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=17704970784021&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&share=https%3A%2F%2Fdayswithoutincident.org%2F2020%2F06%2F15%2Fvide-cor-meum-by-patrick-cassidy-and-hans-zimmer%2F

Bryan Fuller 2013 Interview with AV Club - Part 4 of 4 - https://www.avclub.com/bryan-fuller-walks-us-through-hannibal-s-debut-season-1798239748