Hannibal’s repeated violating of Will’s autonomy (both mentally and physically) aren’t seen as inherently synonymous with rape (as compared to the relationship between Sam and Lucifer of Supernatural, in which it can be regarded as allegories for assault), which I find interesting because while it’s acknowledged that Hannibal has taken advantage, more than once, it’s repeatedly driven home that Will doesn’t really have autonomy to begin with.
If anything, it could be compared to a misunderstanding of consent based on someone who has, his entire life, had his body and mind violated by the influence of others, whereas Hannibal just so happens to take it a step further than most (the ear scene).
Even when Will is introduced outside of crime scenes, he is shown as being touched without his explicit consent (glasses scene with Jack), having his mind which he values more than his own body picked apart and dissected by everyone who comes into contact with him. The undertones and connotations then are not of a story regarding the taking of Will’s autonomy, he never had it, but rather, Will taking his own autonomy from the hands of others.
another interesting thing about devil's trap is how much creepier the demon's interactions with dean are compared to his interactions with sam when you'd probably expect the opposite given the personal connection. not just the dialogue and acting but the directorial choices having him loom over dean contrasted with the significantly less suggestive angles manners uses with sam.
like there is no scenario where azazel rapes sam in that cabin but the whole setup has dean about to be raped and tortured and murdered in a way that is supposed to MOTIVATE SAM. sam's role is to be forced to watch it happen unless he taps into his rage and uses his powers to stop it. dean is fair game because he's just in the way as sam's weak spot and connection to humanity.
sam winchester gentlest character i've ever loved trapped in a story that exploits that quality at every opportunity to hurt him, and when he's too bruised to be gentle he's punished anyway for daring to test the boundaries of his role
he buries himself deeper and deeper in the role until he can't remember why he ever used to fight it. good girl!
it’s time to accept that Sam would’ve drank Dean’s blood while he was still fully human — ate some of his flesh if he could have gotten his hands on it. The ultimate act of love made real by becoming one.