Relevés

In May 2013, it was announced that the twelfth episode of the series would be titled "Relevés", and was directed by Michael Rymer and written by executive producer Chris Brancato and series creator Bryan Fuller. This was Fuller's 9th writing credit, Brancato's third writing credit, and Rymer's third directing credit.[1]

In the screeners of the episode sent to critics, Fuller explained the title:

"The penultimate episode 'Relevés,' also known as the Piece de resistance or 'Main Course,' lives up to its place on the menu as a showpiece. The various ingredients and plot threads highlighted over the season-long arcs are brought to a boil with tantalizing reveals and dramatic confessions, all served on a delectable plate."[2]

When questioned about Bedelia's actions, Fuller explained "It felt like we were setting up a very cool mystery by giving a lot of information, enough where the audience could really connect the dots if they wanted to, but not spelling it out so clearly that it was explicit."[3]

The episode was watched by 2.10 million viewers, earning a 0.7/2 in the 18-49 rating demographics on the Nielson ratings scale. This means that 0.7 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode, while 2 percent of all households watching television at that time watched it.[4] This was a 12% decrease from the previous episode, which was watched by 2.36 million viewers with a 0.9/3 in the 18-49 demographics.[5] With these ratings, Hannibal ranked third on its timeslot and ninth for the night in the 18-49 demographics, behind Does Someone Have to Go?, a Person of Interest rerun, an Elementary rerun, Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game Night, a Two and a Half Men rerun, Hell's Kitchen, a The Big Bang Theory rerun, and the fourth game of the 2013 NBA Finals.

"Relevés" received extremely positive reviews from critics. Eric Goldman of IGN gave the episode an "amazing" 9 out of 10 and wrote, "We didn't actually see Hannibal kill Abigail as the episode ended, but things looked dire for her. It's a thrilling scenario for everyone involved at this point, and Hannibal – the man and the series – has orchestrated everything brilliantly, as we go into a can't-miss season finale."[6]

Molly Eichel of The A.V. Club gave the episode a "B+" and wrote, "As much as I liked 'Relevés' as a set-up for a finale I'm quite excited for, it was also the episode where I most acutely felt how short 13 episodes can feel. Hannibal is well-plotted, and Bryan Fuller and co. managed to blend the serial story with smaller episodic ones on a Justified-esque level. But what could they have done with more? The back half of the season has largely focused on the Will-Hannibal dynamic, and in the process, Jack has been relegated to a smaller role, which is a shame considering how commanding Laurence Fishburne is when given something meaty to do."[7]

Alan Sepinwall of HitFix wrote, "Fuller and company took their time to lay out the Will/Hannibal 'friendship', the future of Abigail Hobbs (here told the chilling words 'I'm sorry I couldn't protect you in this life' from Dr. Lecter), the complex and uneasy work relationship between Will and Jack, etc., and all that groundwork is paying off hugely here at the end."[2] Laura Akers of Den of Geek wrote, "In this week's 'Relevés', Bryan Fuller holds a mirror up to all of us watching, and we finally see, in the reflection, Hannibal Lecter staring back. And the most frightening thing about it? We'll all still tune in next week."[8] Kevin Fitzpatrick of ScreenCrush wrote, "'Relevés' offers up a much more low-key hour of Hannibal all things considered, with few real deaths of note or genuine scenes of peril, but the episode certainly sets the table for a stunning finish, in which Hannibal is sure to deliver its finest course yet. Hannibal's subtle manipulations have seemingly turned Jack against Will and ultimately cost Abigail her life, and there doesn't seem to be any turning back for at least one character to wind up behind bars by the end of the season."[9]