Did Hannibal have a favorite?

[Deleted]

Do you think Hannibal had a favorite?   Was there one that he felt closer to or maybe held a special place for?     
And if yes - what examples from the show brought you to that conclusion? 

[Deleted]

Feb 10, 2017 11:36:06 GMT -5 @ladyjay said:

Do you think Hannibal had a favorite?   Was there one that he felt closer to or maybe held a special place for?     
And if yes - what examples from the show brought you to that conclusion? 

I don't think Hannibal would let himself have a favorite. But I do think there is more of a father/son type bond with Face and Murdock than there is with B.A. Not because he cares any less about B.A., more like because he already has a family.

With Murdock, I think you see it in the way he indulges Murdock's craziness, yet also knows when/how to rein it in. And the way Murdock enjoys his quotes/comes to him for advice like in Sound of Thunder.

Face.... In my head, of the three of them, Face was his biggest challenge in Vietnam. But of course we know how much our Colonel loves a challenge. I also think Face reminds him a little of his younger self-smart mouth, never met a rule he couldn't bend to his advantage. Testing him every step of the way to see how much he could get away with before his superiors had enough .But very talented if you can see past that/know how to channel it.

Actually, you could say that about all his boys-Hannibal knows how to look past what most people can't, and bring out the best in them.

As for examples with Face, I'd say the way he and Face are so sarcastically in sync when they're taunting the bad guys, when he's trying to make Face feel better in Bad Rock (about B.A.) or Steel with Crazy Tommy T. Or the way he both indulges Face's quirks/womanizing but is quick to reprimand him if things go too far. And of course the way he calls Face "kid", but not the others.

[amyk]

Feb 10, 2017 11:36:06 GMT -5 @ladyjay said:

Do you think Hannibal had a favorite?   Was there one that he felt closer to or maybe held a special place for?     
And if yes - what examples from the show brought you to that conclusion? 

Well, I admit it is partly because of my own A-TEAM world and my own fanfiction, but I like to think Hannibal held a special place for Face. He calls him "kid" and they just seem to have really good rapport, like when they play cards together or sing "You Are My Sunshine."

However, in reality in the TV series, I think Hannibal has special relationships in different ways with each of the others. For example, he seems to enjoy going along with Murdock's obsession of the week most of the time more than the other two team members do. As has been mentioned in the show, sometimes he's crazier than Murdock. And with BA, those two seem to have a special relationship when they are teaming up together. I see that also sometimes how Hannibal leans on BA a bit.

So, no, I guess if I'm honest, I would say that he does not really have a favorite but loves all the guys pretty equally.

[Deleted]

He does, just in different ways. OH-I just thought of a time he indulged B.A.-letting him pretend to be leader of The A-Team with his mama. Though I bet Mrs. B. was wise to his plan. I wish, yet again, she could've been around more.

[amyk]

Yes, I also think Mrs. B surely must have realized that Hannibal was in reality the leader of the team. Maybe she just indulged BA so as not to embarrass him.

[Deleted]

I agree with both of you that Hannibal loves each of them but I think his relationship with each is different and I believe that he can love each one but still hold soft spot for one. I will argue that he does.

First of all I think of the three he has more of a father/son relationship with Face and Murdock. Not that he does not love BA but BA had a father -one that he remembers so I don't think Hannibal would cross that line and try to take that place. And I don't think BA would let him either. We know Face did not know his dad and although never stated on the show - I think we all assume Murdock either did not know his father or like some fan fiction protrays his father was abusive. So both Face and Murdock are craving that relationship.

I agree with both Vettegirl and Amyk about Hannibal's relationship with Face so I won't go into that much more.

I contend that Murdock was the one that held that soft spot in Hannibal's heart. Like you both said Hannibal is very understanding of Murdock's quirks or craziness. It's not just that he tolerates or encourages it - I think he accepts that is who Murdock is. The other thing that melts my heart whenever he does it - is when he puts his hand on Murdock's shoulder and give him a squeeze - I think Murdock is the only one or the one he does that the most with. It just seems like such a touching gesture. Also I watch Hannibal whenever Murdock is speaking or doing his thing and lots of times Hannibal is smiling - almost like he is proud of him. I love watching the background and people's reactions when they are not the focus of the scene. Also I think of the three, Murdock wants and needs Hannibal's approval the most. I think this is why more with Murdock then any other they refer to each other by rank - I think when Hannibal calls Murdock Captain - it is not to be formal and distant. Just the opposite. - I think it is a sign of respect and a way for Hannibal to honor Murdock. I think his rank is very important to Murdock. I think Hannibal recongnizes Murdock's heart and loyalty to the team ( lets not forget that Face tried to leave the team twice and even if he didn't go through with it - he thought about it). Murdock sticks with his unit. Also Hannibal knows just how much Murdocks has given up for the team. Granted some of my analysis is based entirely on my love for Murdock and I may read way more into things.

So does Hannibal love all his boys - yes definetely but for me Murdock is the one has that special place in his heart.

[Deleted]

Yes, yes I can see that lady jay. And I love your point about rank-it is very much about respect. Something I'd imagine Murdock needs even more given his living situation.

As for approval, it's hard for me to say who needs it more, Face or Murdock. Though both need it much more than B.A.

You know what else I'm thinking-Face and Murdock are like two sides of the same coin here. If you use the father figure analogy: Face, particularly because he's second in command, is like the oldest son being groomed to take over the family business. Hannibal's harder on him because he has to be. Whereas Murdock is the youngest, the one he has a bit of a soft spot for and can indulge more.

[Deleted]

I love the two sides to the same coin anology - perfect
One more point that I forgot to mention the first time around - Murdock took a bullet for Hannibal - not saying the others wouldn't do the same - but Murdock was the only one to actually do it. That certainly would seal the deal as favorite.

[Deleted]

True. Hannibal also took the fall first for Murdock in Firing Line, saying he killed Morrison. Though Face and B.A. backed him up without hesitation.

And he was willing to give himself up to Decker to save Murdock in Curtain Call.

As for Face-there's his expression in One More Time when Face winds up in front of the firing squad instead of him, and when they're searching for Face afterward. There's also how dark he gets with the lady who got Face captured in Deadly Maneuvers. And the CIA-type agents he dangled out the window trying to find Face in Mind Games.

So many examples, so little time. For both of them.

[sidney]

Any speculation that Hannibal has a 'favourite' is ridiculous.
I have three children and I don't have a favourite.

They just *are*. I don't think Murdock has a favourite, or Faceman, or BA. They are four.

[Deleted]

Sidney - you are probably the most right and I am sure that is how the show intended to portray it. I just let my imagination and emotions take over. I love Murdock the most so I project that on Hannibal.

[Deleted]

I don't think he has a favorite either, Sidney. I was just having fun thinking about his relationships with each of them.

[Deleted]

This is the way I look at it - I love all of the guys for different reasons - but Murdock pulls at my heart just a bit more - there is just something about him.
Is it so far fetched to think that Hannibal would feel just a slightly different connection with one of them? It does not take anything away from the others.
Maybe using the word "favorite" was not the right word.