Hannibal season 2 episode 5 “Mukōzuke” found the title character in a rare moment of vulnerability when he’s ambushed by a killer. Hannibal Lecter made his debut in Thomas Harris’ 1981 novel Red Dragon, which was first adapted into a movie with Manhunter. This 1986 Michael Mann thriller featured Brian Cox as Lecter, the highly cultured and intelligent psychiatrist who is also a vicious killer and cannibal. Manhunter underperformed at the time, and it wasn’t until Anthony Hopkins inherited the role for the 1991 adaptation of Harris’ The Silence Of The Lambs that Hannibal became an icon.
The Silence Of The Lambs was a huge success, with Hopkins and co-star Jodie Foster both earning Academy Awards for their work. It took Harris a long time to craft follow-up book Hannibal, but Foster would opt out of returning for the belated sequel, which was directed by Ridley Scott. Hopkins returned once more while Julianne Moore took over the character of Sterling, but it was seen as a disappointment compared to The Silence Of The Lambs. Hopkins would return one last time for a new adaptation of Red Dragon in 2002, while Gaspard Ulliel played young Hannibal in poorly received prequel Hannibal Rising.
The character’s most recent outing was the acclaimed - and much-missed - NBC series Hannibal. The show starred Mads Mikkelsen as the title character and revolved around his complex friendship with profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy). Season 2 found Will framed for Hannibal Lecter’s many, many killings, with everybody believing he’s crazy. In Hannibal season 2 episode 5 “Mukōzuke,” Will’s resolve to prove his innocence weakens when his friend and colleague Beverly is killed when she discovers the truth about Hannibal, who subsequently vivisects her body into various glass displays like a twisted art piece.
Hannibal season 2 episode 5 sees Will hatch a plan to get in touch with the mystery killer of the bailiff at this trial, who turns out to be an orderly at the hospital. Matthew Brown (Jonathan Tucker, Westworld) is a fan of Will’s “crimes,” and Will asks Matthew to kill Hannibal. Matthew later ambushes Hannibal at a swimming pool, hanging him by the neck to a rickety bucket while he’s arms are tied to a pole behind his back. Matthew then slashes Hannibal’s wrists, giving him the choice of slowly bleeding out or hanging. Matthew also questions the dying Hannibal, learning he’s actually the infamous Chesapeake ripper.
Hannibal season 2 episode 5 seems like it could end badly for the title killer, until Jack (Laurence Fishburne, The Matrix) and Alana (Caroline Dhavernas) save him at the last moment. Matthew is shot but while he’s never seen again on Hannibal, it was confirmed he survived his wound. Jack and Alana also stopped Will from becoming a killer by saving Hannibal, even if it seemed like the only option he had left. “Mukōzuke” was also unique in that it featured Hannibal in a rare position of weakness since he’s almost always five or six steps ahead of everybody.
Next: Every Actor Who Played Hannibal Lecter
