The idea of the show that is cancelled far too soon is not a new one. Television aficionados will point to shows such as Firefly, Twin Peaks, and Freaks and Geeks as prime examples of series that were terminated by studios before they were able to truly flourish. The latest show to suffer this treatment, NBC’s Hannibal, will be sorely missed by “Fannibals” and critics alike. The show’s cancellation was announced early in its third season due to dismal ratings. To add insult to injury, NBC moved the show from its original Thursday night timeslot to the ratings graveyard that is Saturday night. As fans continue to hold out hope for some sort of revival (albeit one that is unlikely in the near future), it is important to look back at Hannibal’s run and understand exactly what makes this series so delectably memorable.
When Hannibal was first announced, most fans greeted the premise of the show with a healthy amount of skepticism. How was a network television series supposed to top one of the greatest thrillers of all time in The Silence of the Lambs, and which unlucky actor would have the role of doing justice to Anthony Hopkin’s immortal performance as the eponymous cannibal? Fortunately, the casting of Mads Mikkelsen as Hannibal Lecter was a stroke of genius on the part of producers. Mikkelsen dominates the screen in every scene he is in, providing the psychopathic psychiatrist with a calm demeanor and suave exterior that makes him impossible to root against. He is downright magnetic at times, reminding the viewer that Hannibal is always in charge of what happens on the show, regardless of what the other characters may think. A perfect example of this was the blood-soaked season two finale (which involved a showdown between Lecter, Will Graham, and Jack Crawford in Hannibal’s own home), an episode that will go down in history as one of the most intense hours of television ever created.
[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””][Mads Mikkelsen] is downright magnetic at times, reminding the viewer that Hannibal is always in charge of what happens on the show, regardless of what the other characters may think. [/pullquote]
The rest of the cast holds their own as well. Hugh Dancy is a little uncomfortable at first playing the tortured and conflicted Will Graham, but it is an absolute joy to watch him embrace the character’s inner turmoil and really grow into the role as the show progresses. Laurence Fishburne brings a surprising physicality to the role of Jack Crawford, the agent in charge of trying to control Will Graham and Hannibal. Although his character seems too conveniently incompetent at times, Fishburne still does more than a serviceable job. Caroline Dhavernas and Gillian Anderson are both highlights of the show, as their characters are drawn in and constantly manipulated by Hannibal. The contrast between these two females is interesting to note by the end of the show: Dhavernas’ Alana Bloom has broken free of Lecter’s grasp, while Anderson’s Bedelia Du Maurier is completely brainwashed by Hannibal’s psychological ploys.
Credit must also go to both Brian Fuller, the showrunner, and NBC. Fuller’s unusual approach to the show gave it a unique aesthetic and dialogue that embraced its own pretentiousness. NBC also let Fuller get away with murder, quite literally. Never has a show depicted death and gore as artfully as Hannibal did. The crime scenes left behind by the show’s litany of serial killers were like paintings, with each body arranged in such a way as if arranged by an artist attempting to create a morbid portrait. The fascinating carnage is a testament to NBC’s willingness to let Fuller’s creativity roam free. NBC also kept the show on through the third season, despite its weak ratings throughout its run. Thanks must be given to the network’s executives for their hands-off approach.
One of the artistically-staged murder scenes from Hannibal.
Hannibal certainly was not an easy show to watch. Fuller enjoyed focusing entire episodes at a time on certain visual motifs (such as the buck’s antlers), and it occasionally felt like the show was going absolutely nowhere. However, no other show on television could visually or intellectually stimulate a viewer quite like Hannibal could. Whether it was one of Hannibal’s delicious home-cooked meals or a dead body spread out in the image of an angel, Hannibal was one of the most unique shows to ever grace the airwaves; it will be dearly missed.
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Yes, I agree. Hannibal will be dearly missed. Mads Mikkelson effectively WAS Hannibal. What drew me to Hannibal each week were the nuances and artistic photography, as well as the fantastic acting and portayal of the intricate storylines. All of the actors were wonderful at their craft. Mads owned Hannibal. I hope that Bryan Fuller finds a way to continue Hannibal’s story. It would be worth the wait.
I miss it so much I feel as if I am in Mourning! Thank you so much to everyone involved especially Mads and I hope to see you again some day.
It’s a total shame that can’t continue this work of art. But I know with certainty that in the near future Hannibal will return! #SaveHannibal