The series is based on characters and elements appearing in Thomas Harris' novels Red Dragon and Hannibal, with focus on the relationship between FBI special investigator Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen), a forensic psychiatrist destined to become Graham's most cunning enemy.
The episode revolves around Will Graham recovering from his wounds at Lecter's house and surprised to discover Abigail Hobbs still alive despite her fatal injury.
Graham and Abigail travel to Palermo in order to find Lecter, who is also on the radar of Inspector Rinaldo Pazzi.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.66 million household viewers and gained a 0.5/2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
After the events at Lecter's house, Graham (Hugh Dancy) wakes up in the hospital, having survived the stabbing.
[2] NBC would confirm the title in May 2015, with co-executive producer Jeff Vlaming and Fuller writing the episode and Natali directing.
[4] At the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con, Fuller confirmed that Inspector Rinaldo Pazzi would make his debut in the episode.
Look, I love the imagery of blood waves as much as the next girl, but I'm also a fan of straight narrative TV and sometimes that's what I crave over something inherently more complicated than that.
"[10] Alan Sepinwall of HitFix wrote, "Two-plus seasons into Hannibal, I thought I had mentally prepared myself for whatever crazy visions this show wanted to put in front of me.
I thought I would be some combination impressed, amused, and horrified, but that I would ultimately take it in stride as just being part of this weird and beautiful show.
"[12] Jeff Stone of IndieWire gave the episode an "A−" and wrote, "There have been some remarkable, awful sights of aesthetically-pleasing horrors on this show, but the one in 'Primavera' might just take the cake.
"[13] Brian Moylan of The Guardian wrote, "Now that Will and Hannibal are so close together, we can expect things in Europe to progress quickly.
"[15] Kayti Burt of Den of Geek gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "The degree to which Hannibal is willing to withhold answers and meaning while still managing to present a thoroughly engrossing show from week-to-week is refreshing.
I loved the beauty of the falling paper at Hannibal's house as Will woke up in perfect symmetry with the windows.
"[17] Emma Dibdin of Digital Spy wrote, "As disorienting and dreamlike as 'Antipasto' felt, it's nothing in comparison to this episode, which unfolds entirely from Will's perspective and paints the landscape of his mind as more treacherous and unreliable than ever.
"[19] Britt Hayes of ScreenCrush wrote, "This is such a rich, complex episode, and one that will likely reward repeat viewings.