NBC pulls 'Hannibal' Episode 4 from lineup after Boston Marathon Bombing

NBC will not air Hannibal Episode 4 next week. Series creator Bryan Fuller said: "Given the cultural climate right now in the U.S., I think we shouldn’t air the episode in its entirety." Instead, the show jumps to Episode 5.

From Variety:

After a particularly violent several months in America, NBC has decided to pull episode four of frosh drama “Hannibal” from its lineup due to the disturbing content involving children murdering other children.

Fourth episode of the grisly serial killer drama featured Molly Shannon’s character brainwashing kids, leading them to kill other children.

Episode four was slated to air next week. Peacock will instead move directly to episode five. While the drama is serialized, NBC claims there will be no continuity issues, noting that TV critics have seen episodes three and five, and not four.

Decision arose after series creator Bryan Fuller phoned NBC and told the net that, “given the cultural climate right now in the U.S., I think we shouldn’t air the episode in its entirety.”

Hannibal Episode 5 Video Preview