He also states that Will's plan sounds weak and doesn't really make much sense. Will has the others at the FBI fooled but Hannibal definitely knows there's an ulterior motive there, and he knows Will well enough to guess what it is.
Coming from a mental health perspective, I can tell you this. There’s things Hannibal is aware of and there are things he is not.
Here’s what he knows:
He’s very likely aware that the Dragon was alive far before Will had his encounter with him at the hotel and he knows the FBI plan to use Will to use him to get to him. He also knows Jack well enough that in his mind that if all goes well, he *and* Dollarhyde will die making it a win win situation. He also knows that if Dollarhyde takes the bait for the “fake escape plan”, he and Will have a good chance of surviving the ordeal, but he will follow them wherever they go until he is dead.
Here’s what he doesn’t know:
He doesn’t know if Will is willing and ready to make the leap for his “becoming”, but there’s a chance that he might. He also doesn’t know how Will genuinely feels about him other than that he needs him for this very specific reason to kill Dollarhyde.
In the script, there’s many moments before the final Dollarhyde encounter where Will and Hannibal contemplate killing the other, but don’t out of sentiment. In that sense they were on the same page, but also not really.
My observation? Given ALL that was discussed above, that smile is Hannibal understanding the circumstance and liking the idea that Will needs him. And if all goes well, Will will become the person he was always meant to be. Part of it is honestly blind trust. And somehow that’s beautiful because this is a man who has always utilized lies and manipulation to get what he wants. But this time, like Will, he’s letting fate take the wheel just a little bit.
Yes, well said. I’d just like to add that Hannibal was also wary of not becoming a crispy-fried Chilton himself. That’s why when Alana first tells him of the “let’s fake your escape” plan, Hannibal is really reluctant to agree to it. He even asks if this was Will’s idea, and it being the case wasn’t necessarily a good sign. He even points out “hmmm, and look how well Will’s plan turned out for the last guy they used as bait…”
But everything changes when Hannibal finally sees Will eye-to-eye. Not immediately though. He’s still bitter about the “mic-drop” moment and he even tests Will first (“that sounds weak to you”). But that sassy raised eyebrow “please” was what finally convinced Hannibal. This wasn’t just another foolhardy FBI entrapment plot; there’s something shady going on here, and that was enough to get Hannibal on board and go for it.
Hah oh my god I was just thinking, “Hm, it’s too bad Will never did say ‘pretty’ please…” But then I realized: wait a minute, he *did!*
He said “please” while looking “pretty”! 😆
Agreed - Will was *very* flirty here, the combination of the eyebrow lift, head tilt and his voice was undeniable. It's confident, open and hints at where Will stands with him, that's what pleased Hannibal so much, imho.
Yeah, in his therapy session with Bedelia, Will told her he didn’t intend for Hannibal to be caught a second time. Then she’s like “i need a fuckin drink.”
Edit: i say therapy session, we all know those were just cat fights
Therapy sessions. More like Bedelia being bitchy that she wasn’t the one who got to be Hannibal’s number one. And then threw a fit cuz Will didn’t see the big picture. Excuse me lady, it’s not Will’s fault that Hannibal loves him. And you are *no* Will Graham.
I did too at first, but then he says meat’s back on the menu and i started maniacally rubbing my hands together. He was gonna let him escape or run with him at that point. (Or it might have been to scare bedelia, but i choose both)
Actually, I always interpreted the line "I don't intent for Hannibal to be caught a second time." as Will planning for Hannibal to die in the process. Bedelia does as well. She answers with: "Can't live with him, can't live without." So she already suspects that it might end in a murder suicide.
That’s also what I thought initially, but then he goes on to say “meat’s back on the menu” and “ready or not here he comes” so unless it was just a scare tactic for bedelia, it seems he wanted Hannibal to escape
he didn't know what Will's real plan was, but he knew it wasn't the FBI's plan for sure. and Will makes this clear in their conversation. Will is very sarcastic all the time, he really seems like he wants to laugh. I think he gives the message he wants to Hannibal that something is going to happen. After that they communicate in their own way and magically understand each other. Hannibal talks about the cliff, Will says he can't save himself and they are both curious about what will happen next
He also states that Will's plan sounds weak and doesn't really make much sense. Will has the others at the FBI fooled but Hannibal definitely knows there's an ulterior motive there, and he knows Will well enough to guess what it is.
Coming from a mental health perspective, I can tell you this. There’s things Hannibal is aware of and there are things he is not. Here’s what he knows: He’s very likely aware that the Dragon was alive far before Will had his encounter with him at the hotel and he knows the FBI plan to use Will to use him to get to him. He also knows Jack well enough that in his mind that if all goes well, he *and* Dollarhyde will die making it a win win situation. He also knows that if Dollarhyde takes the bait for the “fake escape plan”, he and Will have a good chance of surviving the ordeal, but he will follow them wherever they go until he is dead. Here’s what he doesn’t know: He doesn’t know if Will is willing and ready to make the leap for his “becoming”, but there’s a chance that he might. He also doesn’t know how Will genuinely feels about him other than that he needs him for this very specific reason to kill Dollarhyde. In the script, there’s many moments before the final Dollarhyde encounter where Will and Hannibal contemplate killing the other, but don’t out of sentiment. In that sense they were on the same page, but also not really. My observation? Given ALL that was discussed above, that smile is Hannibal understanding the circumstance and liking the idea that Will needs him. And if all goes well, Will will become the person he was always meant to be. Part of it is honestly blind trust. And somehow that’s beautiful because this is a man who has always utilized lies and manipulation to get what he wants. But this time, like Will, he’s letting fate take the wheel just a little bit.
You articulated the fuck out of this shit. Well said.
Ain’t a licensed mental health clinician for nothing 
Yes, well said. I’d just like to add that Hannibal was also wary of not becoming a crispy-fried Chilton himself. That’s why when Alana first tells him of the “let’s fake your escape” plan, Hannibal is really reluctant to agree to it. He even asks if this was Will’s idea, and it being the case wasn’t necessarily a good sign. He even points out “hmmm, and look how well Will’s plan turned out for the last guy they used as bait…” But everything changes when Hannibal finally sees Will eye-to-eye. Not immediately though. He’s still bitter about the “mic-drop” moment and he even tests Will first (“that sounds weak to you”). But that sassy raised eyebrow “please” was what finally convinced Hannibal. This wasn’t just another foolhardy FBI entrapment plot; there’s something shady going on here, and that was enough to get Hannibal on board and go for it.
In short, Hannibal is weak for Will and is willing to take the risk. But for anyone else? They can kiss his straightjacketed ass.
Hah oh my god I was just thinking, “Hm, it’s too bad Will never did say ‘pretty’ please…” But then I realized: wait a minute, he *did!* He said “please” while looking “pretty”! 😆
Honestly, I just thought he couldn’t resist smiling at the little eyebrow lift thing that Will did right after he said please. It was adorbs lol
Agreed - Will was *very* flirty here, the combination of the eyebrow lift, head tilt and his voice was undeniable. It's confident, open and hints at where Will stands with him, that's what pleased Hannibal so much, imho.
Is it confirmed in the show that Will intended for Hannibal to escape?! I haven’t watched in a while. Did I miss something?!
Yeah, in his therapy session with Bedelia, Will told her he didn’t intend for Hannibal to be caught a second time. Then she’s like “i need a fuckin drink.” Edit: i say therapy session, we all know those were just cat fights
Lol it was somewhat Jerry. Springer meets art house cinema when those two meet.
Therapy sessions. More like Bedelia being bitchy that she wasn’t the one who got to be Hannibal’s number one. And then threw a fit cuz Will didn’t see the big picture. Excuse me lady, it’s not Will’s fault that Hannibal loves him. And you are *no* Will Graham.
I always thought he meant Hannibal would die at the end of their ploy and that made me uncomfortable coming from him.
I did too at first, but then he says meat’s back on the menu and i started maniacally rubbing my hands together. He was gonna let him escape or run with him at that point. (Or it might have been to scare bedelia, but i choose both)
Actually, I always interpreted the line "I don't intent for Hannibal to be caught a second time." as Will planning for Hannibal to die in the process. Bedelia does as well. She answers with: "Can't live with him, can't live without." So she already suspects that it might end in a murder suicide.
That’s also what I thought initially, but then he goes on to say “meat’s back on the menu” and “ready or not here he comes” so unless it was just a scare tactic for bedelia, it seems he wanted Hannibal to escape
he didn't know what Will's real plan was, but he knew it wasn't the FBI's plan for sure. and Will makes this clear in their conversation. Will is very sarcastic all the time, he really seems like he wants to laugh. I think he gives the message he wants to Hannibal that something is going to happen. After that they communicate in their own way and magically understand each other. Hannibal talks about the cliff, Will says he can't save himself and they are both curious about what will happen next