Dolce (Hannibal)
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"Dolce" is the sixth episode of the third season of the
psychological thriller Psychological thriller is a Film genre, genre combining the thriller (genre), thriller and psychological fiction genres. It is commonly used to describe literature or films that deal with psychological narratives in a thriller or thrilling setting ...
horror Horror may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Genres *Horror fiction, a genre of fiction **Psychological horror, a subgenre of horror fiction **Christmas horror, a subgenre of horror fiction **Analog horror, a subgenre of horror fiction * ...
series ''
Hannibal Hannibal (; ; 247 – between 183 and 181 BC) was a Punic people, Carthaginian general and statesman who commanded the forces of Ancient Carthage, Carthage in their battle against the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War. Hannibal's fat ...
''. It is the 32nd overall episode of the series and was written by producer
Don Mancini George Donald Mancini (born January 25, 1963) is an American screenwriter, director, and producer. He is best known for creating and writing the Child's Play (franchise), ''Child's Play'' franchise (1988–present). Career Having been a horror ...
, series creator
Bryan Fuller Bryan Fuller (born July 27, 1969) is an American writer and producer, best known for creating the television series ''Pushing Daisies'' (2007–2009) and ''Hannibal (TV series), Hannibal'' (2013–2015). Fuller is also known for his work as a writ ...
, and executive producer
Steve Lightfoot Steve Lightfoot (sometimes credited as Steven Lightfoot or Robert Scott Fraser) is a British television writer and producer who worked as an executive producer and writer on the NBC thriller television series ''Hannibal'', the Netflix series '' ...
and directed by
Vincenzo Natali Vincenzo Natali (born 1969) is an American-born Canadian film director and screenwriter, known for writing and directing science fiction and horror films such as ''Cube'', '' Cypher'', ''Nothing'', and '' Splice''. Early life and education Natal ...
. It was first broadcast on July 9, 2015, on
NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. It is one of NBCUniversal's ...
. The series is based on characters and elements appearing in
Thomas Harris William Thomas Harris III (born September 22, 1940) is an American writer. He is the author of a series of suspense novels about Hannibal Lecter. The majority of his works have been adapted into films and television, including '' The Silence o ...
' novels '' Red Dragon'' and ''
Hannibal Hannibal (; ; 247 – between 183 and 181 BC) was a Punic people, Carthaginian general and statesman who commanded the forces of Ancient Carthage, Carthage in their battle against the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War. Hannibal's fat ...
'', with focus on the relationship between
FBI The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic Intelligence agency, intelligence and Security agency, security service of the United States and Federal law enforcement in the United States, its principal federal law enforcement ag ...
special investigator Will Graham (
Hugh Dancy Hugh Michael Horace Dancy (born 19 June 1975) is an English actor who rose to prominence for his role as the title character in the television film adaptation of ''David Copperfield'' (2000) as well as for roles in feature films as Kurt Schmid ...
) and Dr. Hannibal Lecter (
Mads Mikkelsen Mads Dittmann Mikkelsen (; born 22 November 1965) is a Danish actor. He rose to fame in Denmark as an actor for his roles such as Tonny in the first two films of the Pusher (film series), ''Pusher'' film trilogy (1996, 2004), Detective Sergea ...
), a forensic psychiatrist destined to become Graham's most cunning enemy. The episode revolves around the pursuit of Hannibal Lecter as Will Graham and Jack Crawford are closing on him. However, Mason Verger is also in the pursuit and his contacts make sure he is ahead of the federal investigation. According to
Nielsen Media Research Nielsen Media Research (NMR) is an American firm that measures media audiences, including television, radio, theatre, films (via the AMC Theatres MAP program), and newspapers. Headquartered in New York City, it is best known for the Nielsen rat ...
, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.38 million household viewers and gained a 0.4/1 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received critical acclaim, with critics praising Natali's directing, pace, and the dinner scene although some critics felt the ending felt "anticlimactic".


Plot

While Lecter (
Mads Mikkelsen Mads Dittmann Mikkelsen (; born 22 November 1965) is a Danish actor. He rose to fame in Denmark as an actor for his roles such as Tonny in the first two films of the Pusher (film series), ''Pusher'' film trilogy (1996, 2004), Detective Sergea ...
) flees through the streets of
Florence Florence ( ; ) is the capital city of the Italy, Italian region of Tuscany. It is also the most populated city in Tuscany, with 362,353 inhabitants, and 989,460 in Metropolitan City of Florence, its metropolitan province as of 2025. Florence ...
, paramedics take Pazzi's (
Fortunato Cerlino Fortunato Cerlino (born 17 June 1971) is an Italian actor. He has appeared in a number of TV series in both Italy and the United States since 1997. Selected filmography Film Television References External links * 1971 births Living ...
) corpse.
Graham Graham or Graeme may refer to: People * Graham (given name), an English-language given name * Graham (surname), an English-language surname * Graeme (surname), an English-language surname * Graham (musician) (born 1979), Burmese singer * Clan ...
(
Hugh Dancy Hugh Michael Horace Dancy (born 19 June 1975) is an English actor who rose to prominence for his role as the title character in the television film adaptation of ''David Copperfield'' (2000) as well as for roles in feature films as Kurt Schmid ...
) finally arrives at Florence, meeting with Crawford (
Laurence Fishburne Laurence John Fishburne III (born July 30, 1961) is an American actor. Throughout his career, he has gained recognition for his roles on stage and screen as militant and authoritative characters. List of awards and nominations received by Laur ...
) to discuss Pazzi's actions. Graham confesses that a part of him wants Lecter to escape. Lecter meets with Bedelia (
Gillian Anderson Gillian Leigh Anderson ( ; born August 9, 1968) is an American actress, writer, and activist. She is best known for her roles as FBI Special Agent Dana Scully in the sci-fi series ''The X-Files'' (1993–2002; 2016–2018), Lily Bart in the dr ...
), who decided that for their best, she would stay behind. She also deduces that Lecter would eat her someday and they both kiss. Chiyoh (
Tao Okamoto , known professionally as Tao, is a Japanese actress and Model (person), model, who is, alongside Ai Tominaga and Hiroko Matsumoto, one of the biggest models from Japan. In 2009, she was one of the faces of Polo Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren. She ma ...
) finds her, wanting to know Lecter's location but she refuses to reveal it. Bedelia then uses heroin in order to maintain her new identity as Mrs. Fell and avoid incriminating Lecter when she is questioned. Back in America,
Mason Mason may refer to: Occupations * Mason, brick mason, or bricklayer, a worker who lays bricks to assist in brickwork, or who lays any combination of stones, bricks, cinder blocks, or similar pieces * Stone mason, a craftsman in the stone-cutti ...
( Joe Anderson) is notified about Pazzi's death and, lamenting that he's lost money on a "dirty" Inspector, considers bribing another. Alana Bloom (
Caroline Dhavernas Caroline Dhavernas ( ; born May 15, 1978) is a Canadian actress. In the United States, her best known work has been her collaborations with Bryan Fuller. She played Jaye Tyler in the Fox comedy-drama series '' Wonderfalls'', and Alana Bloom in th ...
) suggests that he'll need a whole department to bring in Hannibal Lecter. Graham and Crawford arrive at Fell's house, where they question Bedelia, not believing her claim that she is Mrs. Fell as they already know her. Graham later meets Lecter at an art gallery, discussing their events and how Chiyoh threw Graham off a train. They leave the gallery together, unaware that Chiyoh is on a rooftop, aiming a rifle at them. As Graham is taking out a knife to stab Lecter, Chiyoh shoots Graham in the shoulder. Back in Baltimore, Margot (
Katharine Isabelle Katharine Isobel Murray (born 2 November 1981), known professionally as Katharine Isabelle, is a Canadian actress. She has been described as a scream queen due to her roles in various horror films. She started her acting career in 1989, playing a ...
) makes arrangements for Mason, who in return for her help, asks what she wants. She responds that she wants to have children and Mason states that despite the surgery, she could still have a child with him. Margot later has sex with Bloom, who notes Mason's lead on Lecter over the FBI. Expecting Mason to go to prison, she asks Bloom if she can harvest sperm. Crawford and Inspector Benetti (Giorgio Lupano) continue interrogating Bedelia, who still goes by Mrs. Fell. Lecter takes a wounded Graham to a hideout to remove the bullet. He then has him tied to a dining table, with Graham noting that Lecter is expecting someone else. Crawford locates Graham's location and passes Chiyoh, who walks away upon noticing Crawford's gun. Crawford finds a drugged Graham at the table but Lecter surprises him, slitting his
Achilles' heel An Achilles' heel (or Achilles heel) is a weakness despite overall strength, which can lead to downfall. While the mythological origin refers to a physical vulnerability, idiomatic references to other attributes or qualities that can lead to do ...
. He forces Crawford to sit, drugging him so he can't move. Lecter then takes a cranial saw and starts slicing Graham's head. Suddenly, the scene cuts to a room where Graham and Lecter find themselves hanging upside down from meathooks. Mason appears, revealing that they are in Muskrat Farm.


Production

In June 2015, NBC announced that the sixth episode of the season would be titled "Dolce", with producer
Don Mancini George Donald Mancini (born January 25, 1963) is an American screenwriter, director, and producer. He is best known for creating and writing the Child's Play (franchise), ''Child's Play'' franchise (1988–present). Career Having been a horror ...
, series creator
Bryan Fuller Bryan Fuller (born July 27, 1969) is an American writer and producer, best known for creating the television series ''Pushing Daisies'' (2007–2009) and ''Hannibal (TV series), Hannibal'' (2013–2015). Fuller is also known for his work as a writ ...
and executive producer
Steve Lightfoot Steve Lightfoot (sometimes credited as Steven Lightfoot or Robert Scott Fraser) is a British television writer and producer who worked as an executive producer and writer on the NBC thriller television series ''Hannibal'', the Netflix series '' ...
writing the episode and
Vincenzo Natali Vincenzo Natali (born 1969) is an American-born Canadian film director and screenwriter, known for writing and directing science fiction and horror films such as ''Cube'', '' Cypher'', ''Nothing'', and '' Splice''. Early life and education Natal ...
directing. This was Fuller's 26th writing credit, Mancini's first writing credit, Lightfoot's 15th writing credit, and Natali's sixth directing credit.


Reception


Viewers

The episode was watched by 1.38 million viewers, earning a 0.4/1 in the 18-49 rating demographics on the
Nielson ratings Nielsen Media Research (NMR) is an American firm that measures media audiences, including television, radio, theatre, films (via the AMC Theatres MAP program), and newspapers. Headquartered in New York City, it is best known for the Nielsen rati ...
scale. This means that 0.4 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode, while 1 percent of all households watching television at that time watched it. This was a 12% increase from the previous episode, which was watched by 1.23 million viewers with a 0.4/1 in the 18-49 demographics. With these ratings, ''Hannibal'' ranked third on its timeslot and twelfth for the night in the 18-49 demographics, behind '' Aquarius'', '' Boom!'', ''
Rookie Blue ''Rookie Blue'' is a Canadian police procedural television series starring Missy Peregrym and Gregory Smith. It was created by Morwyn Brebner, Tassie Cameron, and Ellen Vanstone. The series premiered on June 24, 2010, and aired on Global in ...
'', ''
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'', ''
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'', '' Food Fighters'', ''
Wayward Pines ''Wayward Pines'' is an American mystery science fiction television series based on the ''Wayward Pines'' novels by Blake Crouch. Developed for television by Chad Hodge, the pilot was directed by M. Night Shyamalan, with both as executive pr ...
'', '' Under the Dome'', a ''
Mom A mother is the female parent of a child. A woman may be considered a mother by virtue of having given birth, by raising a child who may or may not be her biological offspring, or by supplying her ovum for fertilisation in the case of gestatio ...
'' rerun, a ''
The Big Bang Theory ''The Big Bang Theory'' is an American television sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady for CBS. It aired from September 24, 2007, to May 16, 2019, running for 12 seasons and 279 episodes. The show originally centered on five charact ...
'' rerun, and '' Big Brother''. With DVR factored, the episode was watched with a 0.6 on the 18-49 demo.


Critical reviews

"Dolce" received critical acclaim. Eric Goldman of
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gave the episode an "amazing" 9 out of 10 and wrote in his verdict: "We finally got Hannibal, Will and Jack reunited in this episode and man was it a bloody mess of a time. There were some terrific scenes throughout involving all three of those characters and Bedelia, as everyone’s oh-so complicated relationships rose to the surface. And Mason has proven to be quite the notable fly in the ointment here..." Molly Eichel of ''
The A.V. Club ''The A.V. Club'' is an online newspaper and entertainment website featuring reviews, interviews, and other articles that examine films, music, television, books, games, and other elements of pop-culture media. ''The A.V. Club'' was created in ...
'' gave the episode an "A" and wrote, "I've enjoyed the third season of ''Hannibal'', don't get me wrong, but it had started to languish in its own propensity for artiness. It wasn't something that had greatly bothered me until the giant jolt that was the balletic fight scene at the end of 'Contorno'. That's when it really hit: Those first four episodes were largely place-setting and the Hannibal-Jack fight was a necessary mechanism that kick-started the real action set-pieces of the season. Things are happening, movement is being made. Now we're getting somewhere. Bedelia had warned that threats to Hannibal's freedom were converging, and this episode certainly made good on that promise."
Alan Sepinwall Alan Sepinwall (born October 19, 1973) is an American television reviewer and writer. He spent 14 years as a columnist with ''The Star-Ledger'' in Newark until leaving the newspaper in 2010 to work for the entertainment news website HitFix. He ...
of ''
HitFix HitFix, or HitFix.com, was an entertainment news website that launched in December 2008 specializing in breaking entertainment news, insider information, and reviews and critiques of film, music, and television. In mid-2010 HitFix crossed the 1,00 ...
'' wrote, "I mean, any episode that can contain an exchange like the one Hannibal and Will have – 'Would you have done it quickly, or would you have stopped to gloat?' 'Does God gloat?' 'Often.' – as Hannibal is tending to Will's bullet wound, and that has Anderson enjoying herself to this degree can get away with almost anything." Mark Rozeman of ''
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'' gave the episode a 9.8 out of 10 and wrote, "Nevertheless, this effective cliffhanger is presented merely as the cherry on top what must stand as one of the most hardcore, extreme ''Hannibal'' entries in recent memory. Granted, the Season Two finale, 'Mizumono', still holds its own, but that one was defined primarily by emotional intensity, whereas 'Dolce' puts itself forward as a quite literal manifestation of psychological warfare." Jeff Stone of '' IndieWire'' gave the episode a "B−" and wrote, "Well, that was unexpected. I'm sure the show will backtrack and show us exactly how they wound up there, because there's nothing this show likes doing more than backtracking to show some unnecessary business when it could just be getting on with things. It's always frustrating to encounter a 13-episode season that still feels padded, and this one has definitely fit the bill so far. Still, next week should have a massacre on a pig farm, so that's something to look forward to." Brian Moylan of ''
The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...
'' wrote, "I think that Hannibal might have done it to himself, packaged himself up so that he could get close to Mason just in time to escape, and finally remove one of his opponents from the chess board. Knowing the way this show operates, we'll get all the answers of what happened when revisiting these events in the future. But for right now, this doesn't seem like dessert at all, just the beginning of something very sweet indeed." Keith Staskiewicz of ''
Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American online magazine, digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, ...
'' wrote, "''Hannibal''s third season started slowly, ethereally. There were a lot of pieces to get into place, a lot of hammers to cock, and a lot of breadcrumbs to sprinkle. But it was leading to this, when all of our players at last converged upon the same stage and, like a drunken Satanic ritual, it was inevitable that some blood would spill." Chuck Bowen of ''
Slant Magazine ''Slant Magazine'' is an American online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New Yor ...
'' wrote, "This is an unusually plot-driven episode of ''Hannibal'' that nevertheless maintains its surreal, mood-centric aura of erotic dread." Greg Cwik of ''
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'' gave the episode a perfect 5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Throughout the entirety of 'Dolce', director Vincenzo Natali, working off of an immensely quotable script by Bryan Fuller and Don Mancini, uses his impeccable sense of mise-en-scène to keep characters pinned to certain corners of the screen, framing them through the cracks and holes and contours of furniture, architecture, other people. They're framed like butterflies in a case." Laura Akers of ''
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'' wrote, "By weaving several of the stories together this season, Fuller has instead given us many characters operating for a lot of different, often contradictory reasons. When Bedelia warns that Hannibal is drawing them in, the assumption is that he is the one who will strike and from the centre. But the truth is that Lecter has remade so many people in his image, those now surrounding him have bites almost as dangerous as his and they are just as unpredictable. Which is what we saw this week and why the next few episodes promise to be even more full of surprises." Nick McHatton of ''TV Fanatic'' gave the episode a 3 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Everybody was trippin' in 'Dolce', and I think that the effect might have come through the TV screen. Even I feel like my head's spinning after this episode. Normally I'm completely in love with the visuals of the show, but this was one time that I felt that they were incredibly distracting. Maybe that was the point?" Emma Dibdin of ''
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'' wrote, "'You and I have begun to blur', Will tells Hannibal, giving voice to the symbiotic bond that has only strengthened since these characters since they parted ways. Their reunion here in 'Dolce' is almost impossibly tender given the circumstances, both of them clearly so happy to see each other and to have this brief moment of peace together in front of the Botticelli. But the respite is short-lived, and the warmth overshadowed by mutual sadness. These are two people who absolutely love each other, and absolutely must destroy each other." Adam Lehrer of ''
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'' wrote, "So many amazing twists and turns in this episode, once again directed by the great Vincenzo Natali. Natali's work often explores the shattering, merging, and splicing of entities. We see that all over this episode. Hannibal and Will are trying to separate only to be forced back together, as conjoined as ever in Mason’s dungeon. Bedelia separates from Will and has emerged a new creature, cunning and composed. Alana and Margot are coming together, and are discussing having a baby? Natali is fascinated by the sick co-dependency of relationships on this show, and it is a pleasure to watch these people come together and then fall apart." Britt Hayes of ''
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'' wrote, "If this season of ''Hannibal'' has fully given in to avant garde proclivities, then this week's 'Dolce' is the height of Bryan Fuller and director Vincenzo Natali's madness, offering the most sweetly intense and deliciously WTF episode to date — both visually and narratively speaking."


References


External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Dolce (Hannibal) 2015 American television episodes Hannibal (TV series) episodes Television episodes written by Bryan Fuller Television episodes written by Don Mancini