Hannibal

In short, because it is a cable quality show on a network channel. It is better than most things on cable even, and feels more like a long movie, rather than a TV show. It is very comparable to a show such as True Detective. It also has only 13 episodes per season, so it is much more tolerable than a 22 episode season show. Plus, there is some serious talent on the show (Laurence Fishburne, Gillian Anderson, Mads Mikkelsen, Eddie Izzard, Zachary Quinto, Richard Armitage, etc). The first few episodes might make it seem like nothing that special to some, but by mid-season 1, it becomes fantastic. It's one of the most cinematically shot shows on TV currently; it is gorgeous.

Also, the gore level the show has really pushes the boundaries on what is allowed on network television.

 

I'm really happy the events of the books are happening in a remixed way. I was only curious if it's still following later books because Mason Verger, the antagonist of the third book Hannibal (played by Gary Oldman in the movie also), already showed up, and I heard he'll already be having his iconic disfigured face this season (I'm way behind, I know).

I hope elements of Hannibal Rising still make it to the series, as it could serve as an interesting backstory to Hannibal, plus I'd like to get it out of the way as soon as possible because I heard it's the weaker of the four books.

I'm really interested in watching it, but I'm not a huge fan of gory horror shows as I don't think I can take it. However, I have school starting next week so I don't think I have time either way.

However, if the show lives long enough to adapt The Silence of the Lambs, I'm gonna be so hyped.

 

Elements of Hannibal Rising will be appearing this season, though in a much different fashion. They will be redoing the origin, since even Thomas Harris himself realizes that it sucks, as he only wrote it so that no one else would write an origin story before him, which almost happened.

Currently, they cannot do The Silence of the Lambs, since MGM has not given them the rights to Clarice Starling. A few seasons ago, it seemed like there was no chance of getting the rights, but at the end of season 2 (when MGM realized the show is actually fantastic), Bryan Fuller stated that they basically said, "ask us again next season." So it seems like it will definitely happen. In recent interviews, Fuller said they if they get the rights to Clarice Starling, The Silence of the Lambs would take up the second half of season 4.

 

One thing I have to disagree with Gibs on is that he calls the show a "slow burn". Might be the fact he watches an episode a week for a while now, but I watched the entire show during the past month, and I've gotta say, it's really hard to find a show this exciting. The seasons do lead up to the big moments, but throughout each season, every episode gives you a few thrills like you'll only find once in a season of Game of Thrones or something.

Which is why I was slightly surprised with last nights episode, which, even though it had a few amazing revelations, was relatively slow for a Hannibal episode.

 

If episode 302 is any indication of what to expect going forward, I'm going to fucking love the SHIT out if this season. Losing the procedural aspect of the show, and letting the more slow, dream-like qualities of it take a bigger role is the best thing they could have done. The part I love the most was how they presented Abagail's "survival" in a way that you could actually believe Hannibal could do, and it worked. When I first saw Abagail, I figured she wasn't real, but they did a fantastic job at making you think otherwise, which made the final reveal all the more tragic. An aspect of this season I didn't like at first, though now I'm really diggin', is how they're very slowly revealing who lived, and who died the night the season 2 finale took place. It gives the show an air of mystery that you can't find anywhere else.

Though I'm looking forward the the upcoming few episodes, I can't wait until the events of Red Dragon enter the season man.

Oh, and the change of scenery is incredibly refreshing for the show. Nearly every scene had my jaw dropping from the amazing shots they got. Once again, this is one of the most gorgeous TV shows on air.

 

Spoiler tagging aired content? What?

Some thoughts. Spoilers for all aired episodes.

1. Young Hannibal looks much more creepy than current Hannibal. I guess this is before he put on his very well tailored person suit.
2. The Monster of Florence! Would make a great episode title.
3. That detective guy is so fucked.
4. That body made into a heart becoming a stag was awesomely creepy.
5. Noooooooooooo Abigail. Why'd you have to go back to Hannibal. I thought we were buds?
6. Censoring the painting. What a bunch of bullshit. How can you censor art like that? Show all the violence and gore and stuff you want but WORLDS forbide if you say "Fuck" or show a bum or nipple.

 

5. Wait, do you think she went to Hannibal? She's dead man, I hope you realize that.

 

Of course I know that.
Going back to Hannibal is a metaphor for Will accepting that she's dead. Here's the process.

1. Will and Abigail (Will being a father like figure to her)
2. Hannibal takes Abigail. (Hannibal taking her under his wing)
3. Hannibal gives Abigail back (End of Season 2.)
4. Hannibal takes her back as he flees the scene. (Season 2 finale. In death she is with Hannibal as she remained loyal to him.)

Abigail is in Wills mind palace but before she died she was "with" Hannibal. Accepting that she's gone is her returning to Hannibal so she is going back to him.

 

Daaaaaayumn!

Seeing Abigail survived really threw me off, as I thought there was no freaking way she could've survived that throat cut. "He knew exactly where to cut me. It was surgical." my ass. And I thought she was alive just for the plot the entire episode, all until they covered up her body. Really amazing how they made me believe that. It's also really interesting how they're slowly revealing who survived and who didn't, but it's happening way too slow. I wanna know how Freddie Lounds is alive, if Chilton's alive... So many amazing moments ahead, I guess.

The body unfolding and becoming the stag was pretty fucking well done.

 

How could you believe she was alive when every time Will talked to the detective she disappeared? Just curious.

Also there was no scar on her neck was there? I missed the first 15 minutes so I don't know if it was there at the start but from where I watched there was never a scar and there definitely would have been, even after years if she lived. (source, I have had a scar on my neck since I was born. )

 

I'm not really the type to get all the details like that. Even if I had noticed there wasn't a scar, I'd have said "damn director".

 

Okay, after watching again there actually was a scar there. So, it makes sense for thinking she could really be alive.

Damn watching NBC in blurry ass SD.

 

Yes? To be honest you should expect this to continue for the next 2 episodes. Things will get moving in ep 5. Sorry if that's too much of a spoiler.

 

I really liked the new episode. Great to see some origin on Hannibal.

 

This season has been like watching a fever dream. You're always left wondering whether or not what you just witnessed actually transpired. I love how they're just going for broke now.


Oh, and the censoring of that painting had me laughing so much, especially because it was sandwiched between a glorious throat slitting (tastefully done in slow motion, of course) and a partially-flayed human body contorted into the shape of a heart.

 

I missed it.

Also, looks like they're remixing Hannibal Rising quite a bit. GOOD.

 

I feel like they're overdoing the closeup slowmo beauty shots this season. They're sacrificing substance for style; are shots of snails really that important? The more slower pace worked great for the past two episodes, but I hope going forward that they really pick up the pace. If they keep being this slow, this season is going to start to bore me. It just doesn't feel like much is actually happening. These episodes are more focused on establishing new dynamics and such, but they're taking way too fucking long.