Alright NBC, you’ve proven yourself worthy in the grand scheme of television. You have a great comedy and now a great drama. “Hannibal” is quite possibly the most intriguing and risky show that NBC has ever aired. While not as terrifying as the not meant to be awful “Animal Hospital,” “Hannibal” is more of a psycho-mind-bending-thriller as opposed to all-out horror. Violence is prevalent, but the show does not make it the main focus point. Which is praise-worthy, since some scenes may render hemophiliacs catatonic.
The show is based off of the series of novel and characters by Thomas Harris and likely influenced by the famous film adaptations of these characters as well. It is in and of itself, a prequel in an alternative universe set in the present. Following FBI special agent Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) who, sometimes seeming less mentally stable than the cannibal that the show is named after, is called to consult on a case dealing with a seemingly “new” kind of psychopath. Hugh Dancy gives a puzzling cocktail of a performance as a mixture of one part genius and one part chaos. While he leaves a confusing, yet memorable taste in your mouth, Agent Jack Crawford (played by Laurence Fishburne) is a less complicated character. Fishburne plays it excellently as he does most roles. He is a commanding presence on screen, quite literally as Fishburne is just a big man in general, but he is also the voice of reason in this twisted tale.
Finally, there is the man himself, Dr. Hannibal Lecter; a sophisticated, brilliant psychiatrist by day and a ruthless, cannibalistic serial killer by night. Mads Mikkelsen (of Casino Royale fame) plays the doctor fairly well yet his Danish accent makes some dialog virtually incomprehensible. It is the one downside to this drama.
From the dark, alternate dream sequences where we get to delve into the mind of Graham’s psyche and then back to the real world, the show keeps the viewer paying attention to what is real and what is not. NBC is clearly showing its might among the top devilish dramas out today. With FOX’s “The Following” and A&E’s “Bates Motel” out now, NBC appears to be muscling their way into this booming genre of gory wickedness that is ever present on television screens across the nation.
The flow of blood that is present in the first episode alone is sure to increase as time progresses in the series as well. While this may turn some viewers away, it will entice the horror lovers of America to tune in each week. Hopefully this show can rack up those ratings that NBC loves so much and stay on the air for many weeks to come. It’s safe to assume that although some scenes are repulsively bloody and violent, the network will be right at home airing something as intentionally scary as some of their previous unintentionally revolting sitcoms.