Holds up really well, but the intro scene....

Exposition is a necessary evil of story-telling. But when you can add subtext to exposition, then you're on to something... And that's clearly what's happening here. Don't mix up the two, by the way.

Exposition is necessary information a person needs to know what's happening on the surface.

Subtext is what's being said below the surface.

The exposition of your first example tells us that 1) Hannibal is among society's 'elite.' He has some connection to the symphony and throws dinner parties for high-class individuals. 2) Someone close to Hannibal has come up missing.

The subtext is that Hannibal Lecter cooked the musician and is feeding him to these people.

My guess is that it's painful for you to get through this dialog because you're watching with a lens that has already seen Silence of The Lambs and Hannibal. Because of that, it might come off as a bit hokey - or unnecessary - to you.

As for the second one - you're forgetting character POV, and instead watching the scene only through your POV. So let's get this straight...

Your POV: You know Hannibal is guilty and know he will be caught.

Graham's POV: He doesnt know who did this, but h has a new lead and wants to bounce it off a renowned forensic psychologist.

Hannibal's POV: He knows he's the culprit, and he wants to keep Graham on the wrong track.

Taking their POVs into account, they aren't briefing each other on anything. Graham is bringing forth a new idea, and Lecter is trying to re-affirm Graham's former idea because he knows he won't be caught so long as Graham keeps looking in the wrong places. Lecter is basically saying - "Yep. We originally though decertified doctors, med school drop outs, etc. And we're right to be going down that track with his search."

I hope you are joking. This looks like a a beefed up NCIS episode. Ratner has no vision and craft. Manhunter holds up better and was made in 1986 vs 2002. This is pure dross.

The exposition in the fancy dinner scene just wouldn't work in reality, not when people these days have so many food allergies. Chances are there would be at least ONE person at that table who would be concerned about the appetizer containing nuts, shellfish, dairy or gluten, and a host that would not reveal the contents of a dish would probably be viewed as being inconsiderate to those guests with potential allergies.