Hannibal season 1 episode 4 saw the titular killer become something of a father figure to Abigail. Hannibal Lector became an iconic horror character thanks to Anthony Hopkins’ performance in The Silence Of The Lambs. After Hopkins departed the role following prequel Red Dragon, producers attempted to kickstart a young Hannibal series with Hannibal Rising, but that film’s lukewarm performance and terrible reviews made it appear both the franchise and character had run their course.
A comeback was on the menu, however, thanks to NBC’s Hannibal. This series was created by Bryan Fuller and focused on the complex relationship between Hannibal (Mads Mikkelsen) and troubled profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy). The series combined grotesque - but surprisingly artful - gore with great characters and twisted melodrama. The show gathered a passionate fanbase dubbed “Fannibals” but low ratings saw it cancelled after three seasons. While there’s always hope for a revival, season 4 has yet to emerge.
Hannibal season 1 kicks off with Will saving a girl named Abigail from her serial killer father. In addition to dealing with the trauma of taking a life, Will feels a responsibility to Abi too. Hannibal also helped her conceal a killing in episode three “Potage” after she was confronted by the brother of one of her father’s victims. Family is a major theme in Hannibal season 1 episode 4 “Oeuf,” which sees Will chasing after a “Mother” (Molly Shannon) who has kidnapped three children and is now forcing them to kill their old families.
Against Alana’s wishes, Hannibal also checks Abigail out of hospital and serves her tea made from mushrooms. He’s hoping this unusual therapy technique will replace her traumatic feelings about her father for warm feelings towards him instead. To hammer his point home, Hannibal cooks a meal similar to one her father was making her before his death. Hannibal season 1 episode 4 also sees Will struggle with the idea of family, both concerning his case and Abigail. He admits to Hannibal that even if he finds the boys he can’t truly help them since their families are dead by their own hands.
Hannibal season 1 episode 4 spends them with the killer family too, revealing “Mother’s” motive for making the boys kill their family. The episode ends with a young boy being prevented from killing his family and the mother being apprehended, while Alana sits with Hannibal and Abigail for dinner; the still tripping Abi she sees her dead parents in Hannibal and Alana. Of course, Hannibal’s real motive is to condition Abigail to trust and see him as a father figure. His true motives for this would play out over the first two seasons and was always destined to end badly for all involved.
Next: Hannibal Season 4 Updates: Story, Release Date, Will It Happen?
