Hannibal returned with an all-new episode, “Antipasto,” tonight and it was as stylistic as always.

In “Antipasto,” Hannibal and his relationship with Bedelia were examined in a confusing jumble of time lapses. To be more specific, the audience learned a little more about what had happened between Hannibal and Bedelia in the past (clue – a dead man was involved), and the audience learned that Hannibal and Bedelia are now currently living together as husband and wife in Italy. Oh, and because this is Hannibal that we are talking about, several people were also killed in this newest installment.

Overall, this episode was pretty boring, but from what can be gleaned from the preview for the rest of the season, the future episodes do look promising. Perhaps even, if I may say, a little tasty.

The Bechdel, Russo, and Race Test

“Antipasto” did not pass the Bechdel, Russo or race test.

“Antipasto” did not pass any of the diversity tests because Bedelia was the only woman with a name (not to mention the fact that women never even talked to each other); because there were no LGBTI characters; and because there was only one non-White character (Jack) in the episode.

*The Bechdel test entails three requirements:
1. It has to have at least two (named) women in it
2. Who talk to each other
3. About something besides a man

**The Vito Russo test entails three requirements:
1. The show contains a character that is identifiably lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex and/or transgender
2. The character must not be solely or predominately defined by her sexual orientation, gender identity and/or as being intersex
3.The character must be tied into the plot in such a way that her removal would have a significant effect

***The race or people of color (POC) test has three requirements:
1. It has two people of color in it
2. Who talk to each other
3. About something other than a White person

****Just because a show passes the Bechdel, Russo and race test does not mean that it is not sexist, heterosexist, racist and/or cissexist, etc. The Bechdel, Russo and race test is only a bare minimum qualifier for the representation of LGBTI individuals, women and people of color in television. The failure to pass these tests also does not identify whether the central character was a woman, a person of color or a LGBTQI individual and it does not dictate the quality of the show.