TV REVIEW: "Hannibal" Season Two

One of television's best dramas returned tonight for its second season.

When Hannibal premiered last season it was at the tail end of an onslaught of serial killer shows. Dexter was still huge on Showtime, Fox had just premiered its version of the genre in The Following and A&E tested the waters with a prequel to Psycho with Bates Motel. Prior to the premiere, many brushed it off as unnecessary and simply piling on to a genre that had already been exhausted. Essentially, everyone was wrong. Hannibal's first season was mesmerizing, beautifully rendered, heartbreakingly performed and one of the finest first seasons of any network drama I've seen. The show wasn't exactly a ratings juggernaut but NBC's renewal confirmed what everyone was beginning to see – this show was something very special and to kill it prematurely would be the ultimate sin.

Tonight's second season premiere,"Kaiseki," opened up in media res. A filming technique that is often abused but used masterfully here. The fight between Hannibal and Jack was unexpected, thrilling and so very uniquely choreographed. It begins with menacing reflections in each of the men's weapon of choice – touching on the show's theme of reflection – and then soars into the fight without a word of dialogue. An escalating dance of punches and knife slices, it's truly one of the better fight scenes I've seen staged for television and then of course...

"Twelve Weeks Earlier..." Ahhhhh!

"Kaiseki" expertly set the table (pun intended) for what's to come in Season 2. Will Graham is behind bars for murders he didn't commit – and tortured as ever – while Dr. Lector is free of any charges and has now joined the FBI as the new consultant. One of the more fascinating aspects of the series is Dr. Hannibal's relationship with Will and how we never know exactly what he is thinking or how deep his obsession with Will runs. Although we do get a better hint when he returns from his first day assisting the FBI and proudly proclaims "I got be Will Graham today." I really didn't understand how truly fucked up that is until I just typed it. With Hannibal assisting newfound killers instead of capturing them, the FBI are in for a tough road ahead and so is Will Graham. 

Left alone in prison with his frayed wits and horrifying visions, Hugh Dancy is doing award-winning work as Will. Behind bars, battling demons of his past to fight for his future. The scene where he simply asks about his dogs was heart wrenching. He needs to be with his dogs. He just does. Even though he's alone, Will still got to share plenty of scenes with mostly everyone tonight. The most tense of course, being with Dr. Lecter, a man who betrayed him after being his main source of compassion and understanding all of last season. I can't imagine what that feels like, but it can't feel good. I also really enjoyed the visit from Beverly, one of the CSI techs, as she briefed him and asked for guidance on the current case. It was as lighthearted as Hannibal gets and it helped break up the darkness of the premiere.

Of course, this wouldn't be an episode of Hannibal without some of the most arresting visuals in the medium. The image of the ink black face of the human / deer slowly rising out of the rushing river will never leave my mind. Never. Not to mention, the final shot of the episode as the camera slowly zooms out to reveal a swirled canvas of bodies, stitched together, all while the center body is still alive slowly realizing the hell he has awoken too. And all of this on top of gorgeously framed scenes and tableaus that are par for the course. It's dreadful and horrifying – really this show actually frightens me! – but in the process it's beautiful and truly awe-inspiring.

Hannibal's creator, Bryan Fuller, is known for having a clear vision for his series and running with it. While watching "Kaiseki" tonight, I found myself surprised just how clear that vision has gotten. While Season 1 was truly remarkable television, I feel like Season 2 has already set a new precedent. I loved that he didn't cater to new viewers and focus too much on a new case of the week but instead spent the time developing new shades of these characters. It's the rare network drama that takes the time to truly dig into exactly who its characters are and why we should care about them, and it showed tonight. The show feels assured and determined and more urgent than ever before. Hannibal is off to a dark, twisted, and damn brilliant start and I can't wait for more.

GRADE: A

Hannibal airs Fridays at 10/9c on NBC.

Incoherent Thoughts And Ramblings I Had While Watching Season 2 Of Netflix's "House of Cards" -- released on Feb. 14, 2014

I am not a crazy person, so I will NOT be watching the entirety of 'House of Cards' season 2 during this long weekend. I will however watch more than I probably care to admit. Here are my random thoughts as I go along!

Update: I am a crazy person and finished Season 2 in 3 days. Enjoy!

Spoilers ahead, obviously. Seriously, stop reading if you haven't seen all of season 2 of House of Cards. 

Season 2, Episode 1: "Chapter 14"

• I guess I should have realized they were going to stick with the whole "Chapter" episode titles thing, but I wonder if the creative team regrets starting this trend. Sounds like an episode logger's worst nightmare.
• Could that opening shot BE more of a second season opener?! Our all-powerful couple appearing out of the darkness into the light jogging together like they're a normal couple.  They are so NOT a normal couple. Very self-congratulatory but I'll allow it.
• I love these opening credits. I love the score. I love the shot of The Nationals stadium as the sun goes down and the lights come on. 
• I think I enjoy Doug and Rachel's storyline more than anyone else on the planet. At times I want them to get together for some weird, sadistic reason and then I come to my senses and run to the bathroom to vomit. 
• This premiere is so confident. It definitely feels like they took what they learned from Season 1 and are putting everything that went right into this premiere.
• HOLY SHIT. That did not just happen. R.I.P. Zoe Barnes via some suspicious CGI.
• Seriously can't believe they just did that. Should have known that was going to happen when Frank appeared in that hat.
• Frank's breaking the fourth wall again! I know a lot of people, mainly "prestigious" critics, grew tired of this schtick in Season 1, but I never minded it. Mainly because Spacey is just so damn good.
• "FU" - god, this show is back in fine form. 

Season 2, Episode 2: "Chapter 15"

• This episode already feels like a more "standard" episode of House of Cards. Mainly because Frank is monologuing a few minutes in.
• Rachel Maddow cameo! I know these are kind of mutually beneficial for both the show and the personality involved, but I do enjoy the authenticity of these brief sequences. 
• After the completely shocking departure of Kata Mara's Zoe from the show, it appears Lucas is taking over as the show's lead journalistic figure. He didn't make much of an impact on me in Season 1 but I'm enjoying his performance thus far.
• Jackie's involvement, as future majority whip, has thus far felt very abrupt and rushed but I kind of get what they are trying to do. She is certainly taking after Frank's ruthless and no holds barred attitude, but she also seems to be expressing a bit more of a human side than Frank appears to be capable of. Almost a hybrid between Frank and Claire. I guess? I don't know.
• "If you don't like how the table is set, turn over the table."
• Oh my god, this Internet guy introducing Lucas to the "dark side" of the web is horribly on the nose.
• It appears that Frank didn't think about the heightened security and surveillance that would come with being named Vice President. He doesn't seem to be adjusting well.
• Overall, a solid second outing but much slower than the premiere. Setting the Cards for episodes to come I'm sure.

Season 2, Episode 3: "Chapter 16"

• "There are two types of vice presidents: doormats and matadors. Which do you think I intend to be?"
• Kevin Spacey's line delivery of "matador" in the previous bullet was the most insane thing I've ever heard.
• Oh god, this whole Lucas scene with the iPad in the diner is one of the most ill-conceived scenes of the series thus far. For a show that has always treated its technology with realism, this is definitely a leap I am not willing to take.
• It's hard to make "hacking" interesting. Television just has a really hard time making it feel authentic. It all seems too convenient. 
• Now I'm not a very political person but does that whole carrying people into Congress thing ACTUALLY HAPPEN?!?! I was LOLing hard.
• I'll admit that some of the more political focused plots are lost on me, but it seemed like that bill plot kind of came and went? Probably meant to be more of a show of Frank's power than anything truly tied to any deeper political meaning.
• "I used to be on the edge of the fray. Now I'm only 3 feet away."
• When Frank's episode closing lines work, they really work. 

Season 2, Episode 4: "Chapter 17"

• OMG, is this House of Cards first bottle episode?!
• I love that Frank is stuck in his office with his arch-nemesis, Donald Blythe.
• Classic, Frank. Thinking he is above a major security breach.
• Conversations with the wives via walkie-talkies. Truly inspired.
• Donald Blythe's story is tragic and sad. In regards to the previous bullet, his walkie-talkie conversation with his wife was heartbreaking – But the best thing to come out of this storyline is that we were able to see a different side of Frank. Even though it's all a calculated move on his part, I think for a moment we saw some genuine emotional honestly from him. Hey, it's a start!
• I know a lot of people call bullshit when House of Cards gets too political which is funny in itself, but in a way, I totally agree. The show pulls off human, domestic and life drama so much better than it does political nonsense.
• It appears we have already reached Robin Wright's Emmy submission episode. Damn.
• God, this whole sequence is brilliant. Geez, Claire has had 3 (!!!) abortions.
• For the first three episodes, I was kind of hazy on where exactly Claire's storyline was heading or even what it was! Now it's crystal clear: General Dalton McGinnis.
• Yaaaaaassssss, we are back to the window, with a REAL cigarette. A true celebration between Frank and Claire. 
• They are AWFUL people, but I can't help but be fascinated by their relationship and the fact that I want to live in their brownstone. I anxiously anticipate their next move.

Season 2, Episode 5: "Chapter 18"

• Geez, was not expecting the episode to start like that! I thought Netflix got their wires crossed for a moment.
• Civil War reenactments are a very strange tradition. This one is crazy intense and well executed, though.
• "Never raise your flag for an asinine cause, like slavery."
• I did not expect this conflict with the Chinese to take up so much screen time this season. Not really sure how I feel about it.
• Feng uses a $40,000 bottle of liquor to make his "Old Fashioned."
• Do NOT joke about alcohol around Doug Stamper. He will smash your $5,000 drink and he won't feel bad about it.
• As expected, there is a lot of fuss about the news that broke last episode regarding Claire's abortion.
• We meet the First Lady and she appears to have more personality and power than the President. 
• I see that Frank uses the same technique that I did as a kid, tucking your socks INTO your pants before putting on insane boots.
• Lucas gets caught immediately after attempting to infiltrate one of the servers. Sucks.
• Overall, this episode definitely felt like a bridge into the second half of the season. Slower pace and setting the table for things to come.

Season 2, Episode 6: "Chapter 19"

• The energy crisis is affecting everyone, including Rachel! She's putting ice cubes on her neck and standing incredibly close to her A/C unit!
• Christina is back along with a reference to Peter Russo. I still miss him and I think the show does, too.
• Claire! Christina is a good person. Please leave her be.
• I like this Remy and Jackie scene. I want to go to this bar / restaurant, too. 65 degrees is a great temperature.
• Frank is throwing a baseball to Meechum in his backyard – all in preparation for him to throw out the first pitch at an Oriole's game. He's showing interesting technique. Claire brings some iced tea to the two of them – it's hot, remember – and questions if the distance between them is regulation. Claire, they are in your small patio area, it's not regulation.
• It's a testament to the show and performances that the war between Frank and Tusk is still widely entertaining despite the fact that it's all about Subsidies, FERC and rare earth?! I don't think the show is really requiring the audience to understand all the political gibberish, though – it works anyway.
• Frank is furious that he didn't rehearse with a bullet proof vest on. Meechum's fault! Come on, Meechum!
• For a show with such amazing production value, I was disappointed to see that the entire Camden Yards scene was rough-looking green screen.
• That being said, the moments before Frank's pitch were some of the most tense of the season. I was rooting for him! (Earlier in the episode, we learned that Frank hadn't made it across the plate the last time he was throwing out the first pitch.)
• Light's out!
• The trials and tribulations of Lucas' descent into hopelessness continued as he finally realized that everyone around him basically screwed him over.
• I love Doug and Rachel scenes. It brings out the best in both of them. Doug seems to be battling so many demons and I love the fact that the show is taking its time to slowly reveal them.

Season 2, Episode 7: "Chapter 20"

• I like that President Walker finally lashed out at Frank. In a way he's right, Frank was better in Congress. It feels like his position as Vice President has kind of prevented him from firing on all cylinders. Ya know, outside of the fact that he was still able to murder someone by throwing them off a train platform.
• I was not expecting the President to have that kind of reaction to the punching bag. Frank's charm works on everyone! 
• Where are things heading for Doug Stamper?! It would appear the show is leading us somewhere big. I just don't where yet.
• I love the President's face when the First Lady lashes out at Christina. Amazing how the second an idea is planted in your head, your entire outlook of someone can change.
• Is there more on-screen text messages than ever before on this show? I guess I don't mind them and they look a hell of a lot better than most shows can muster up. Still, texting is something that has plagued television and movies since it's introduction.
• "People disappear all the time, Mr. Stamper. I could disappear, you could disappear." Feng dropping more hints that we're heading somewhere with Doug Stamper. Sadly, this quote doesn't look like we are heading somewhere good.
• I love that Freddy catered the dinner at the Underwood's with the President and the First Lady.
• BROMANCE ALERT: Frank and the Pres. sure are getting cozy.  They are painting figurines together.
• There can only be one Freddy's BBQ. Don't take the offer, Freddy. Don't do it!
• Aside from the feature on Freddy. No journalism drama this episode.

Season 2, Episode 8: "Chapter 21"

• I'm starting to feel a midseason slump coming on... Things are happening but most of it is rather uninteresting. Obviously not every episode can have the shocking revelations and breakneck speed like the premiere or the season's fourth episode did but they have to at least keep a pace that keeps viewers glued.
• The mention of General McGinnis caught me off guard. Mainly because he had gone basically unmentioned for several episodes. Claire's sexual assault plot was such a driving force in the beginning of the season and after an intermission of sorts, it appears now it's about to get cookin' again.
• Remy and Jackie. WHERE IS THIS HEADING?! The only reason I am allowing it is because of the insane view that Jackie has from her apartment.
• The First Lady is getting all kinds of irritated with the President and the distance between them. But come on, she's pulling some seriously immature middle-school antics with him while he has very important meetings to get to. HE'S THE PRESIDENT.
• I loved when Frank and President Walker are discussing #TheBridge project and Linda's latest attempt to protest it which prompts Frank to refer to her as a "backstabbing, vomit-inducing bitch." For a moment, I thought Frank had actually let that slip out loud but his last minute aside to the audience was genius.
• Linda is a great challenge for Frank. She doesn't cower to him and I actually thinks he loves that about her. I hope her resignation doesn't mean it's the last we see of her.
• Rachel, Rachel, Rachel. This new relationship. Why should we care? I only care about your weird, father-like (but highly sexual) relationship with Doug Stamper. He's the one for you. Plus, your  friend is totally going to end up being a plant, right? Or no? I just don't know. Tell me your purpose!!!
• Tusk's wife is similar to Claire in that they both will sink to insane lows to support and champion their husbands. Claire has the upper hand in that her execution is much classier.
• SCANDAL FOR THE UNDERWOODS. This should be interesting and is necessary driving momentum towards something.

Season 2, Episode 9: "Chapter 22"

• The writers of House of Cards have seen The Wire. I repeat, they have seen The Wire.
• I forgot Jodie Foster was directing an episode this season. This is the one! Cool.
• Adam Galloway. You've stepped into a mess. And it's hardly you're fault.
• The Underwood's are robots. They are such incredible and detail-oriented actors in their own false world they have created around them. They don't allow emotion to cloud their laser focus on what their next move is.
• I should have seen it coming, but Claire just threw Adam under a bus.
• Oh god, this is getting messy for everyone.
• Adam and Claire's reunion was spectacularly chilling. I think Adam sees just how cold Claire can be for the very first time. She has openly screwed with his career and the future with his current fiancé. All Claire offers to Adam after he admits his hate for her is this: "A terrible feeling, isn't it?" Ouch.
• FREDDY. No! Raymond Tusk. You do NOT mess with Freddy.
• Oh god, now it's Frank's turn to terminate one of the only relationships that make him human. Freddy is a tough guy and I love that he isn't folding under Frank's news. 
• Freddy says pride doesn't motivate him and I'm assuming from the quick glimpses we have gotten into his personal life, the man is solely focused on survival.
• "The road to power is paved with hypocrisy and casualties. Never regret." Thatta boy, Frank!
• The Underwood's summed up in one exchange:
• FRANK: "We have to strike back hard and fast. I want him obliterated."
• CLAIRE: "More than that, let's make him suffer."
• FRANK (to the audience): "I don't know whether to be proud or terrified. Perhaps both."

Season 2, Episode 10: "Chapter 23"

• The hacker is back! On a side note, I'm noticing that show has introduced a lot more plot threads than I think it even realizes. It's making a few things seem disjointed and then "forgotten about."
• Doug likes listening to Rachel read. (???)
• Now it's Robin Wright's turn to direct!
• President Walker casually drops the news that he let Christina go?! What a lame way to write off a character. I liked her! At least she remembered Peter Russo when everyone else had apparently forgotten about him.
• Jackie now apparently wants to mess with Claire's sexual assault bill. She clearly does not know who she is dealing with.
• The Underwood's are smoking again! This time, we are seeing them from the outside looking in which I believe is the first time we have ever seen it that way.
• This episode is definitely another bridge between falling action in some plots and setting the table for the final three episodes.
• Never has the love between Claire and Frank felt as real as when they were openly discussing Frank watching porn and Claire admitting she really enjoyed her affair. #Love
• Call me crazy, but I think Frank is crushing on Meechum, who he is now calling Edward. He doesn't mind that he walked in on him watching porn, they are sharing beers, they play catch together. Frank!
• All signs are pointing to Doug being the big fatality of the end of the season and I AM NOT HAVING IT. Frank, stop pushing him away.

Season 2, Episode 11: "Chapter 24"

• This episode will forever be know as the one where "Shit. Got. Weird." More on that later!
• Doug Stamper. I swear, if he doesn't survive the season I will be crushed. It was great to see him during talk during his AA meeting because we were finally able to hear what exactly has been going on inside of his head lately. Put simply, Rachel is the root of all problems. He loves her, but more like a daughter or mother?! Fucked up, indeed.
• It's fascinating to see Frank in such a frenzied, nervous, fidgeting state. It's also fascinating to seem him immediately set out on a new path to resolve the newest complications standing in his way. 
• It looks like Remy might be coming back around to "the good guys" after all.  His relationship with Jackie has been kind of "ehhhh" for me this season which has left me with little to say about his story as the episodes have progressed.
• It sounds like an absolute nightmare to gather a complete history of travel logs. My response would have been: "I quit."
• Megan has a new confidence and now wants to give interviews to everyone but also appears to have something of a pill problem? Claire is not entertained.
• OH GOD, the President is popping pills, too! Is this why he has been so tired? Maybe he senses that his new BFF (Frank) is about to tear him down? 
• Claire makes drinking wine look like the only thing anyone needs to do for the rest of their lives.
• Claire cuts her hand on a broken wine glass and of course, Edward Meechum is there to help clean up the mess. Oh man, now he cut his hand! Claire wraps gauze around his hand and offers him to stay for a drink! This is leading somewhere...
• Yep, Frank returns home to the two of them wasted sitting at the dining room table which leads to the strangest threesome ever. It's weird but also totally makes sense. Regardless, it caused me to have an audible WTF moment. You win, House of Cards.
• Doug returns to Rachel's apartment and sees her having sex with her female friend and I'm not sure how he feels about it. Poor Doug!
• As per usual, the morning after the hookup, The Underwoods return to business as usual and even Meechum isn't phased by the events of the previous evening. Everyone has lost it! 2 more episodes to go!

Season 2, Episode 12: "Chapter 25"

• The punching bag returns! President Walker realizes now that he shouldn't have laughed when Frank sent him the bag as an apology earlier in the season. He. Is. Pissed. and is showing more emotion than he has all season.
• Jackie is dropping out of the sexual assault bill with Claire. She's onto the Underwoods. You can see Claire's wheels start turning immediately thinking of a way to prevent the situation from getting any worse.
• I think the writers of House of Cards just realized they are on their penultimate episode because everyone is now apparently REALLY aware that Frank is a sketchy dude.
• Gavin (#TheHacker) appears to have a Season 3 contract in the books because I don't know where this is going and it's certainly not going to be wrapped up in the finale.
• Seth Grayson is EVERYWHERE. Where is it all heading?! Bravo to the casting directors for finding a guy with a perfect face to hate.
• Frank has now convinced sweet Catherine Durant into basically agreeing to take down the President with him.
• Despite the fact that Garrett Walker is perhaps the least convincing Commander in Chief in all of scripted drama, I do feel really bad for him and his family. He's getting a pretty raw deal and I feel like he hardly knows how he ended up in such a terrible predicament. #VEEP
• Frank and Claire have a sit down with Jackie and ask to her to do what she does best, whip the votes. "What you're asking is just shy of treason," she says. Frank, in the most House of Cards-y delivery ever: "Just shy, which is politics."

Season 2, Episode 13: "Chapter 26"

• SEASON FINALE!!!
• I repeat, I love these opening credits with all my heart. I will miss them.
• Frank Underwood. Raymond Tusk. The Opera House. Rumble Of The Ages.
• Robin Wright was phenomenal throughout this entire season and just knocked the scene with Megan out of the park. I think for second, I saw actual remorse and regret in her eyes. Regardless, Emmy Award secured.
• Oh my god. Tears on the stairs. Claire! You're human!
• Frank and a typewriter in the final attempt to lie convincingly to the President and force his resignation.
• God, Frank is too good. But really, would he put all his Cards in this basket? What if President Walker finally called bullshit?! 
• Plausibility aside, that whole sequence was really great.
• Doug Stamper meeting with Gavin! Come on, Doug! Put him in his place. Don't let him screw with you. Side note: Gavin just isn't very interesting, I need him gone.
• Just like that, President Walker resigns and Frank is sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. Not gonna lie, I once again felt REALLY BAD for Walker and his family.
• Doug and Rachel in the car. He's desperate for answers from her and she isn't talking. Note: They are on a wooded, foggy, windy, desolate street. This does not bode well.
• Oh my god! DOUG! Rachel escapes from the car and then proceeds to blindside him with Rock several times. He hits the ground – hard. I say a prayer.
• Frank and Claire are being welcomed into their new quarters, it's very gothic and creepy. The country is essentially doomed. Or is it? 
• Claire mentions Frank's birthday is coming up and gifts him with a new ring. (It was Frank's birthday in the season premiere, so these 13 episodes have consumed about a year for the show and a 3-day weekend for me.)
• Frank walks into his Oval Office and revels in his status and journey thus far. A journey that has included, but is not limited to, countless deaths and several lives ruined. Yay? 
• BANG BANG. Frank closes the season with his now iconic double knock of his ring against the desk.
• That about does it! Overall, a really solid season for the show. More consistent than Season 1 with fewer implausibilities and more interesting human struggles. Plus, having Frank and Claire more closely aligned with similar goals was magical. I can only imagine the deliciously wicked moments to come. Bring on, Season 3!

       SEASON GRADE: B+

All 26 episodes of House of Cards are streaming now on Netflix.