Oeuf (Hannibal)

"Oeuf"
Hannibal episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 4
Directed byPeter Medak
Written byJennifer Schuur
Featured musicBrian Reitzell
Cinematography byKarim Hussain
Editing byMichael Doherty
Production code104
Original air dateUnaired
Running time42 minutes
Guest appearances
  • Scott Thompson as Special Agent Jimmy Price
  • Aaron Abrams as Special Agent Brian Zeller
  • Kacey Rohl as Abigail Hobbs
  • Molly Shannon as the Woman
  • Gina Torres as Phyllis "Bella" Crawford
  • Vladimir Cubrt as Garret Jacob Hobbs
  • Krista Patton as Louise Hobbs
  • Lindsey Connell as Marcy O'Halloran
  • Nicholas Bode as Christopher O'Halloran
  • Austin MacDonald as C.J. Lincoln
  • Brendan Heard as Jesse Turner
  • Sophie Holdstock as Mrs. Turner
  • Azeem Nathoo as Store Clerk
  • Duncan McLeod as Mr. O'Halloran
Episode chronology
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Hannibal (season 1)
List of episodes

"Oeuf" (also known as "Œuf") is the fourth episode of the first season of the psychological thriller–horror series Hannibal. The episode was written by Jennifer Schuur, and directed by Peter Medak. 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 was originally set to be broadcast on April 25, 2013. However, five days early, the episode was pulled from the United States broadcast schedule at the request of creator Bryan Fuller. The episode was still shown in other countries.[1] This was not a result of the Boston Marathon bombings as some reports have indicated, but was actually decided just hours beforehand, and was more likely due to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.[2] Fuller said of the decision, "With this episode, it wasn't about the graphic imagery or violence. It was the associations that came with the subject matter that I felt would inhibit the enjoyment of the overall episode. It was my own sensitivity... We want to be respectful of the social climate we're in right now".[3] In lieu of a traditional broadcast, a portion of the episode was broken into a series of webisodes, which was made available through various online media outlets.[4] The complete episode was later made available via iTunes and Amazon Video on April 29, 2013, and the episode appears in the order intended on the DVD and Blu-ray release.[5]

The episode revolves around an investigation in which Graham and Lecter pursue a group of abducted boys who are killing their old families so they can "bond" with their new ones. They also discover that the boys are being brainwashed by an unnamed woman to kill their families. Meanwhile, Lecter seeks to help Abigail Hobbs cope with her trauma.

The episode received positive reviews although the subject matter of the episode caused a mixed response.

  1. ^ Bibel, Sara (April 19, 2013). "NBC Pulls Episode of 'Hannibal' About Children Who Murder Other Children". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 22, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
  2. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 19, 2013). "NBC's 'Hannibal' Drops Episode Featuring Children Turned Killers". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
  3. ^ Marechal, A.J. (April 19, 2013). "NBC Pulls 'Hannibal' Episode in Wake of Violent Tragedies". Variety. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
  4. ^ "Hannibal – Web Series: Newest – Videos". NBC. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  5. ^ "Hannibal, Season 1". iTunes Store. 4 April 2013. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2013.