Mizumono

"Mizumo" did not pay much attention to Hannibal's culinary talents, since the episode itself was the last dish served this season. All the flavours and exquisiteness condensed into a single course, served with the astonishing visuals of a surreal masterpiece and Mads Mikkelsen's superb acting. Every episode this season was executed with a graceful pace that led the storyline into the right direction, while taking its time to absorb and explore the immense complexity of Hannibal's views on life and death. The finale started with that same pacing until it transformed into an agonising count down to the end. Everything was done masterfully, from the usual stunning surreal visuals to the music that evoked the ticking of a clock, from which both the characters and the viewer could not escape. Until it happened and the surprises filled our palates with an explosion of surprises and bitter revelations. This breathtaking culmination of events was unexpected and shocking, but it was not on this that the real magnificence laid. The skill and unique sophistication of how each and every element was executed was unprecedented in television. The true surprise lies on how the show's art department continues to exceed itself, by honouring the world's most charismatic psychopath. Everything in the show (and specially in this episode) complements the idea of a harmonious balance in the beauty of life and death. Hannibal is more but a mere serial killer. He is the ultimate artist and the world is his canvas. His brush is death; and Bryan Fuller's is Hannibal. The credits served as pack of ice to soften the wound made by the slap that the rest of episode delivered. Such a peaceful, melodic conclusion to a traumatic, exhilarating episode. Just like a digestif after a strong, yet exquisite, meal. I must say, it did open my appetite for next season.

Just phenomenal. The music, the dialogue, and the intensity are there. Up there with The Shield's Family Meeting and Mad Men's The Suitcase.

The finale was in one word: Amazing. Mads Mikkelson was great and delivered his best performance of the series thus far. Fight scenes aren't usually my favorite part of any movie or episode but this one with Jack and Hannibal was done superbly. I got so into it I though Jack will successfully strangle Hannibal and forgot about the glass to neck part which was also shown back in episode one of this season. I don't think there was anyone who missed the after credit seen as they were in too much shock and remained staring at the screen as the credits rolled. This is a crucial part thinking a head to season 3. This episode was a visually amazing 40 minutes with top class acting all round. I can't wait to see where things go from here!

I can't believe I've never seen this show before. This finale was so compelling that it made me want to whip out my phone and review it which I don't do too often. Wow just wow I don't even have any other words to describe it.

A+++++ must see television and Great payoff to a great season

Those who know me also know how I tend to praise "Hannibal" a great deal. Before this episode I viewed it as one of the best shows on TV. However, the season two finale has cemented it (in my opinion) as the best show on TV PERIOD. Yes, there are great shows such as "The Walking Dead" and "Game of Thrones" (both of which I adore) however, "Hannibal" is the perfect combination of terrifying and beauty to create a show unlike anything else on TV.

In the season two finale we find ourselves at the end of a journey. A journey that began in the first episode of season one and has been building itself to this moment. Here Will is on the brink of making the definitive choice to either follow or betray Hannibal. The choice he makes will reverberate throughout the rest of the series and change everything he has ever known.

Bryan Fuller pulls no punches with this epic of a season finale. In a age of network TV shows being painfully held back from their full potential, it is refreshing to see Bryan Fuller and crew be so daring with the second season of Hannibal. The already bigger than life feel of the show is brought in full force to remind us how powerful this show can be.

Of course, it is fantastically written drama. Once again the dialog forces viewers to pay attention otherwise they will become lost in the pure sophistication of the story. Instead, if we as normal people can keep up, we become lost in a completely different way. One where we are entranced by the story while scratching our heads.

They are able to deftly blend in themes of codependency (the dangers and healthiness of it) and forgiveness into one event; culminating with these themes completely exploding on one another. Codependency ends up destroying lives more than it creates them and forgiveness still leads to retribution. We see the downfalls of both themes and just how connected they both are. Instead of shoving these themes into our faces, as viewers, we are treated with more respect than that. They trust that we can dwell on the ideas, think on them more, till finally we come to our own conclusions. Expertly done all around.

These themes also come to us through the use of imagery. And on the season finale they make fine use of how they mix both beauty and horror into one thing to make something that is beautiful yet provoking in a startling way. This can be seen especially through the use of water in the episode. Water comes with many metaphors and the metaphors here are clear and beautiful to the eye. One metaphor deals with death (the idea of drowning, being lost in darkness) and the other is about being reborn (such as Christians being baptized, being cleansed of sins; leaving behind the pain and onto something more). Both of these metaphors are beautifully shown throughout the episode with some of the most amazing imagery the show has ever done. This is truly unique to TV and it is on the level of filmmaking quality.

Of course we get some of the best performances the actors have ever done on this show. Hugh Dancy takes the final steps towards Will's inevitable choice. Will appears to know what he'll do (and he does for the most part) but when the time calls for it, he doesn't seem sure anymore. Then this is matched with Mads Mikkelsen to create some of the best work the two do together. Mads Mikkelsen brings new faces to Hannibal Lecter by showcasing him as the evil monster he truly is but also allowing him to be vulnerable. He has found a friend in Will unlike anything he ever thought possible and now he is faced with the possibility he is being betrayed. Something he does not want to deal but must in the end.

Through the use of a ticking clock type soundtrack the intensity is constantly building throughout the episode. From the very first scene to the final after-credits epilogue (which must be seen). The suspense is never-ending and when it does end, it feels like you've become numb with disbelief.

This is excellent quality television to the highest degree. I have never been so awed by a TV season finale as I have been with this one. It is terrifying, beautiful, thought-provoking, wonderfully acted, and just all together amazingly put together. "Hannibal" really raised the bar with this game-changing finale that leaves everything in the air for next season. This is, in my opinion, the best season finale to ever be done for ANY TV show as of right now. I cannot wait for season three to start so I can find the madness again.