In Light of Newtown Shooting and Boston Bombings NBC Skipping Hannibal Episode 1.04 – Oeuf

Steve Barton   |  

Apr 19, 2013

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When NBC sent out press materials for the next episode of “Hannibal” earlier this week, we were a little confused why Episode 1.04, “Oeuf,” was skipped over for Episode 1.05, “Coquilles,” but now it makes sense.

Per Variety, after several particularly violent months in America, including both the Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, CT, and this week’s bombings/shootings in Boston, MA, NBC decided to pull Episode 1.04, “Oeuf,” of “Hannibal” from its lineup due to its disturbing content involving Molly Shannon’s character brainwashing kids, leading them to kill other children.

Instead, we’ll be moving directly to Episode 1.05, “Coquilles,” with NBC claiming there will be no continuity issues and noting that when episodes were sent to critics, “Oeuf,” was missing from the press packet as well.

The decision came about after series creator Bryan Fuller phoned NBC and told the network, “Given the cultural climate right now in the U.S., I think we shouldn’t air the episode in its entirety.”

“I didn’t want to have anyone come to the show and have a negative experience,” Fuller told Variety. “Whenever you [write] a story and look at the sensational aspects of storytelling, you think, ‘This is interesting metaphorically, and this is interesting as social commentary.’ 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.” Fuller cited the Sandy Hook shooting in December and this week’s Boston Marathon bombings as the root of this sensitivity issue.

As a result of the shift, the season finale of “Hannibal,” originally slated for June 27th, will now air on June 20th.

Related Story: Prep for Hannibal’s Next Course with These Stills from Episode 1.05 – Coquilles”

Fans of “Hannibal” will still be able to see clips from Episode 1.04, however. NBC is making a package of clips from the yanked episode available on NBC.com next week. It focuses on character development and not the procedural element and will feature Fuller offering voiceover and discussing the series.

“This is also a great opportunity to provide another platform for the show that can draw audiences to social media and give them original content that’s not just a behind-the-scenes special, but a webisode featuring the primary cast, which is a rare thing to get on the net,” Fuller explained. But, mostly, Fuller said, “We want to be respectful of the social climate we’re in right now.”

NBC notes that the fourth episode will run overseas but not in the States so if you have any friends in other countries, they should be able to fill you in on what you missed.

“Hannibal” Episode 1.05 – “Coquilles” (airs 4/25/13)
Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and the BAU team track a serial killer whose bloody ritual includes cutting the victims’ back flesh and stretching it to look like angel wings. Returning to the field weighs heavily on Will’s psyche, and Hannibal (Mads Mikkelsen) tries to drive a wedge between Will and Jack (Laurence Fishburne).

Meanwhile, Jack Crawford’s wife, Bella (Gina Torres), pulls away from him and begins seeing Hannibal as her therapist in an effort to come to terms with the fact she is dying. Beverly (Hettienne Park) tries to connect with Will on a more personal level. Also starring Caroline Dhavernas, Aaron Abrams, and Scott Thompson.

“Hannibal” airs Thursday nights at 10pm on NBC. For more info visit “Hannibal” on NBC.com, “like” “Hannibal” on Facebook, and follow “Hannibal” on Twitter.

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