Mizumono (Hannibal)
Will Graham and the FBI make a final stand against Hannibal Lecter.
"Mizumono" serves as the thirteenth episode and season two finale of the psychological thriller-horror series *Hannibal*, airing on NBC on May 23, 2014. The episode was co-written by executive producer Steve Lightfoot and series creator Bryan Fuller, with direction from executive producer David Slade. The story centers on FBI special investigator Will Graham and the agency's final effort to apprehend Dr. Hannibal Lecter, who intends to flee with Graham.
The episode opens with Lecter writing to FBI agent Jack Crawford, inviting him to dinner. Crawford informs Graham of his plan to confront Lecter, and Graham assures both men he is on their side. Lecter visits Bella Crawford, whose cancer has worsened; she forgives him for saving her but asks him to save Jack after she dies. Graham meets with journalist Freddie Lounds, asking her to respect Abigail Hobbs' memory and not publish anything about her, allowing her to write about him and Lecter instead. He then helps Lecter destroy patient records at his office, but Lecter detects Lounds' scent on Graham's clothing. After a final meal with Lecter, Graham speaks with Alana Bloom, who now knows Lecter is the Chesapeake Ripper.
FBI official Kade Prurnell confronts Crawford about his intentions and his cover-up of Graham's mutilation of Randall Tier's corpse. She cancels the operation, forces Crawford to take leave, and confiscates his badge and gun. She informs Bloom that Lecter's passport will be frozen and a search warrant obtained. Bloom protests, but Prurnell shows photos of Tier's display, stating Crawford and Graham will be arrested for entrapment and corpse mutilation. Bloom warns Graham of the warrant as FBI agents arrive at his house; he escapes and calls Lecter, warning him "they know."
Crawford arrives at Lecter's home, and a brutal fight ensues. Lecter stabs Crawford in the neck, and Crawford locks himself in the pantry, bleeding out as he calls Bella. Lecter tries to break down the door as Bloom arrives. She calls police and enters to find Lecter holding Crawford at gunpoint. Lecter empties her gun and tells her to leave or he will kill her. She runs upstairs to reload, where a shadowed figure appears—Abigail Hobbs, alive. Abigail says "I'm so sorry" and Hannibal Lecter pushes Bloom out a front window.
Graham arrives to find Bloom wounded on the ground in heavy rain. She indicates Crawford is inside.
- Series
- Hannibal
- Season
- 2
- Episode number
- 13 (overall 26)
- First broadcast
- May 23, 2014
- Network
- NBC
- Writers
- Steve Lightfoot, Bryan Fuller
- Director
- David Slade
Lore & Background
The episode opens with Lecter writing a letter to FBI agent Jack Crawford, inviting him to dinner. Crawford informs Will Graham, who agrees to help both Crawford and Lecter. Lecter visits Bella Crawford, whose cancer has worsened, and she forgives him for saving her. Graham meets with journalist Freddie Lounds, asking her to respect Abigail Hobbs' memory. He then visits Lecter's office to help destroy patient records, planning to flee. Lecter recognizes a smell from Graham's clothes belonging to Lounds. Graham has a final meal with Lecter after speaking with Alana Bloom, who now knows Lecter is the Chesapeake Ripper. FBI official Prurnell cancels the operation against Lecter and forces Crawford to take a work absence. Bloom informs Graham about an incoming warrant, and Graham escapes, calling Lecter to warn him. Crawford fights Lecter and is stabbed in the neck. Bloom arrives, finds Lecter holding Crawford at gunpoint, and discovers Abigail Hobbs alive, who pushes Bloom out a window. Graham arrives, finds Bloom wounded, and enters to find Abigail alive. Lecter stabs Graham with a linoleum knife, then slits Abigail's throat in front of Graham. Lecter leaves the three bleeding out and walks into the rain as police approach. In a post-credits scene, Lecter is on a plane with Bedelia Du Maurier.
Reader's Guide
"Mizumono" serves as the climactic conclusion to the second season of Hannibal, bringing to a head the relationship between Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter. The episode received universal acclaim from critics, who praised nearly every aspect including Slade's directing, writing, performances, cinematography, twists, character development, visual style, and musical score. TV Guide named it the best episode of 2014, and it was included in many lists by IndieWire and The Atlantic. According to Nielsen Media Research, it was seen by an estimated 2.35 million household viewers and gained a 0.8/3 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. Bryan Fuller described the episode as a fated conclusion to the story arc, aiming to demonstrate how much Will hurt Hannibal, calling it "the nasty breakup." The episode's brutal events—including the stabbing of Graham, the throat-slitting of Abigail, and the wounding of Crawford and Bloom—were intended to show the devastation of entering a relationship with Lecter. The post-credits plane scene with Bedelia Du Maurier set up the beginning of the third season.
Did You Know?
- The episode was written by executive producer Steve Lightfoot and series creator Bryan Fuller, and directed by executive producer David Slade.
- It was first broadcast on May 23, 2014, on NBC.
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