Sakizuke (Hannibal)
"Sakizuke" is the second episode of the second season of the psychological thriller–horror series "Hannibal". It is the 15th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Jeff Vlaming and series creator Bryan Fuller, and directed by Tim Hunter. It was first broadcast on March 7, 2014, on NBC. The series is based on characters and elements appearing in Thomas Harris' novels "Red Dragon" and "Hannibal", with focus on the relationship between FBI special investigator Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen), a forensic psychiatrist destined to become Graham's  most cunning enemy. The episode revolves around BAU continuing the investigation of the serial killer, having just found a recent corpse who escaped from his "human mural". Katz asks Graham for help in the case, and she will help in proving his innocence. According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.50 million household viewers and gained a 0.8/3 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received critical acclaim, with critics praising the episode for maintaining momentum from a promising season premiere, the opening scene, the performances and cinematography. Plot. At the silo, Roland Umber  (Ryan Field) removes himself from the attached bodies, but loses part of his skin in the progress. He exits the silo, just as the killer arrives in a truck. Umber runs through a cornfield while the killer chases him with a rifle. Umber suddenly finds himself cornered as he reaches the edge of a cliff towards a river. Seeing no other choice, he jumps off the cliff. However, he hits a rock before he hits the water, dying from the impact. Bedelia (Gillian Anderson) visits Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) at his office, telling him she will no longer serve as his  psychiatrist, deeming him dangerous and finding herself unable to change him. BAU recovers Umber's corpse, but the team thinks the killer discarded the body. During the investigation, Crawford (Laurence Fishburne) chastises Katz (Hettienne Park) for meeting with Graham (Hugh Dancy) to ask for help in cases without permission. Meanwhile, Lecter resumes therapy with Graham, who asked him for help. Graham saw pictures of the bodies and due to the stitches, deduces the killer is working on a "human mural" by stitching corpses. Despite being warned by Crawford to stop meeting him, Katz asks Graham for more information. Graham deduces  that Umber escaped and died during his getaway. To return the favor, Katz promises to help Graham prove his innocence. Lecter manages to discover the grain silo with the corpses, imagining hearing to classical music while he stares at them from the top of the silo. Just then, the killer enters the silo and Lecter greets him. Later, Lecter accompanies BAU in investigating the silo, with the team unaware that Lecter already visited the place. Lecter steals one of the corpses' legs for dinner. At a session with his therapist (Martin Donovan), Crawford states he does not feel guilty about  his treatment of Graham, but of the consequences he claims affected others. Lecter and Katz once again show photos to Graham, hoping he could help more with the case as there is a body out of place (the one that Lecter cut his leg). Graham imagines himself being sewn by Lecter and deduces the man is the killer, killed by someone else who took his leg. Flashbacks reveal that Lecter was the person who killed him and stitched him in the silo. Graham is later visited by Prurnell (Cynthia Nixon), who offers her a chance to avoid death penalty by  pleading guilty but Graham refuses to cooperate. Bedelia then visits Graham, and despite being warned by the guards to keep her distance, closely approaches Graham to say "I believe you" before the guards remove her from the room. That night, Lecter arrives at Bedelia's house, planning to kill her. However, he finds the furniture covered, with no sign of Bedelia. Production. Development. In February 2014, it was announced that the second episode of the season would be titled "Sakizuke" and that it would be written by co-executive producer Jeff Vlaming and series creator Bryan Fuller and Tim Hunter  directing. This was Fuller's 12th writing credit, Vlaming's first writing credit, and Hunter's third directing credit. According to Fuller, the episode serves as a two-parter with the previous episode, "Kaiseki", deeming it a "pseudo pilot". Casting. In October 2013, it was announced that Martin Donovan would guest star in the series, playing Jack Crawford's therapist. Reception. Viewers. The episode was watched by 2.50 million viewers, earning a 0.8/3 in the 18-49 rating demographics on the Nielson ratings scale. This means that 0.8 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode, while 3 percent  of all households watching television at that time watched it. This was a 24% decrease from the previous episode, which was watched by 3.27 million viewers with a 1.1/4 in the 18-49 demographics. With these ratings, "Hannibal" ranked third on its timeslot and tenth for the night in the 18-49 demographics, behind "The Neighbors", "Last Man Standing", "Undercover Boss", "Hawaii Five-0", "Blue Bloods", "Grimm", "Dateline NBC", "20/20", and "Shark Tank". With DVR factored, the episode was watched with a 1.4 on the 18-49 demo. Critical reviews. "Sakizuke" received critical acclaim. Eric Goldman of IGN gave the episode  an "amazing" 9 out of 10 and wrote in his verdict, ""Hannibal" delivered another standout episode that included amazing gore, Lecter making one hell of a field trip and Will beginning to try to play Hannibal's game from behind bars." Molly Eichel of "The A.V. Club" gave the episode an "A-" and wrote: Alan Sepinwall of "HitFix" wrote, ""Hannibal" is 2-for-2 in season 2 so far, with an episode featuring horror, suspense, theology, more homages to classic Hannibal Lecter scenes and Will Graham quoting "Sesame Street" lyrics. Can't beat that with a stick." Mark Rozeman of "Paste  gave the episode a 9.5 out of 10 and wrote, "Hannibals second episode makes for an effective one-two punch of a season opener. Now that Fuller and crew have moved past the initial trepidations of how Hannibal Lecter could work on television, they are free to experiment and bring Thomas Harris’ world and characters to life in new and exciting ways." Marc Buxton of "Den of Geek" gave the episode a 4.5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Last week, "Hannibal" opened with one of the most visceral fight sequences in recent television history. This week, the show  that is not afraid to take things to the edge and then take a flying leap over it presents a note perfect Grand Guignol horror sequence that is really not for the faint of heart." Kevin Fitzpatrick of "ScreenCrush" wrote, "It’s the subtle moments that fill in any cracks with "Hannibal"s facade, though occasionally episodes like 'Sakizuke' bristle against the holding pattern they seem to be caught in."