‘Hannibal’ Returns as an International Feast for the Senses

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Hannibal

Last season’s finale of Hannibal (Season Premiere, 10 p.m. Thursday, NBC) left viewers in shock. Outside of the typical sensory overload the show consistently presents, that last episode marked what very well could be the end for several main characters.

Season Three takes the story in a completely new direction. Who managed to make it out of the bloodbath alive remains a mystery — besides doctors Hannibal Lecter and Bedelia Du Maurier, who last appeared looking very comfortable aboard a transcontinental flight. What better time to start a new life together?

Now, we are cordially invited to the Du Maurier-Lecter wedding. Please select beef, fish or person on your RSVP. That’s right, Hannibal’s getting hitched — sort of.

As the two travel across Europe on the lam, they assume the identity of a married couple. But whatever could have happened to the real Mr. and Mrs.? Perhaps Hannibal and Bedelia had them for dinner.

So where will these lovebirds end up? The episode titles provide a major clue. Each season borrows names from various cuisines — first French dishes, then Japanese in the second season. This week’s premiere is titled “Antipasto,” the first course of an Italian meal. Ciao bella.

Fans of Hannibal Lecter novels and films will be happy to know Red Dragon villain Francis Dolarhyde will be featured this season, in addition to the visual opulence, grotesque terror and psychological twists we’ve come to expect from this killer series.

THURSDAY 04

Aquarius (9 p.m., NBC) – The jury’s still out on this new drama, which stars David Duchovny as a police sergeant paired with a younger, shaggier, peace-loving undercover cop in 1967 Los Angeles. A missing persons case leads them to investigate a burgeoning counter-culture, and at the center is a wannabe Rock star … named Charles Manson. It’s an interesting enough concept for sure, but can the show follow through?

The Comedians (10 p.m., FX) – Billy and Josh do damage control when an embarrassing video of them leaks.

Sense8 (Series Premiere, Netflix) – From the creators of The Matrix trilogy comes this new sci-fi drama that follows eight strangers across the globe that suddenly become connected — mentally, emotionally and supernaturally — after a tragic event.

SUNDAY 07

The Tony Awards (8 p.m., CBS) – Kristin Chenoweth and Alan Cumming give Neil Patrick Harris a well-earned hosting break as they present the 69th annual event honoring the best of Broadway.

Game of Thrones (9 p.m., HBO) – Winter is here, y’all. This week, Daenerys reluctantly reopens the fighting pits; Stannis makes a tough call; Jon returns to The Wall; Arya runs into a familiar face. It’s the second-to-last episode of the season, so you know it’s going to be insane (to recap past penultimate episodes: Ned’s head, Blackwater, Red Wedding, war at The Wall). But how can they possibly top last week’s truly epic battle scene?

Halt and Catch Fire (10 p.m., AMC) – Joe meets Sara’s millionaire father and receives a job offer that’s much needed now that his payoff has fallen through. Meanwhile, Gordon finds himself with a lot of new free time, a lot of new money and a penchant for cocaine — what could go wrong?

Silicon Valley (10 p.m., HBO) – Erlich insists on taking the stand when Pied Piper and Hooli enter binding arbitration; Big Head meets with Richard; Jared, Dinesh and Gilfoyle get philosophical.

Veep (10:30 p.m., HBO) – As Selina faces the press, her staffers testify before a congressional committee about the Families First vote and the data breach.

UnREAL (10 p.m., Lifetime) – Is the network responsible for Dance Moms and all the sad biopics no one asked for capable of a smart, funny scripted drama? We’ll see, in this satire of reality dating shows like The Bachelor.