It's definitely one of the best, and it's so important to the season as a whole, coming out of the first quarter and moving into the rest of the season. So much of what happens in this episode has importance moving forward (especially for Claire, as @avclub-fc56e280569dca345e53b3b9e4100ebe:disqus mentioned), and it's…

The funeral in this episode is one of my all-time favorite TV moments. It's just so damn touching and beautifully constructed.

Word up, Duncan Trussell.

It feels so great to have Monk back. I need as much of that furry little shit as possible in my life. Conti really has done some amazing work on this show, bringing all the work she's done with Monkey in the past into this pair of great performances that work both in tandem and totally independent of each other.

I want this show to be a The Following-esque train wreck but I'm afraid it's just going to be painfully average instead.

"Projections" was definitely a season highlight, and even though "Mexican Angel" was kind of weak, I thought Marc's writing had improved a bit. I really hope we get a second season, because I have a feeling it could really push the bar up for this show.

Angela and Dave! And Wilfred's back! O frabjous day!

Goddamn Todd, this is a beautiful piece.

That scene, I'm almost positive DeMaurier knew they were eating Abigail. At the very least, she knows much, much more than we've seen her admit.

I think it's a mix of both. Hannibal certainly needs to put up a front, but I think he actually feels emotions over the death of Abigail and how far he's pushed Will.

I think 80% of the people currently raving about this show are in the same position. I didn't shit talk per say, but I was majorly skeptical, especially after the weird campy beginning of Bates Motel.

Jesus Tapdancing H. Christ

Another rule for the most depressing drinking game of all time: drink every time Lisa holds superiority over a member of the Fisher clan.

I actually forgot that Phil lingers around after the premiere, but I do like how he plays off Claire. 

Huh, that was a bit weirder than I though it would be.

Good lord Willard. 

I'd say that's both one of Fuller's greatest skills and also one of his greatest detriments.

I had this exact thought in the scene where Jack was talking to his team in the hallway, and there was someone who looked a lot like Hannibal in the background, but it struck me how the framing and lighting drew my attention so hard to them instead of Jack.

It'll be hard to pick a single "essence of Hannibal" moment out of all the great scenes Mads has had this season, but that will at least be near the top of the list.

For a slow, place-setting episode, that last scene really delivered on every level.