Review

I believe I've watched Hannibal fully twice and am going through a third watch. We're on season two as of this writing. I really enjoy it, It repeatedly surprises me with moments of "this was on TV?". (Or the things that TV randomly decided were unacceptable, the Primavera incident) I believe I started watching it shortly after the first season ended sometime late 2013. I was there when the S2 finale dropped and we all picked our jaws back off the floor.

One of the things I enjoy most about the show is the turn from the first couple episodes to what the show ends up becoming. You would not be wrong to think you're watching a fairly standard monster-of-the-week. With the greater Baltimore area serving as an oddly high-density murder grounds for a group of serial killers. And it could have gone that way and remained relatively pedestrian. But the change is what I really love. In a way that's not too dissimilar to what happens in Psycho. Where we see the money, laying forgotten, and we do the scene transition to Norman. "This is what the movie's about." Some of Hannibal's most memorable moments (or at least the ones I often find myself mentioning to others) is the ridiculously over-the-top kills. But that ain't what the show is about. The show is about Will and Hannibal in a room talking. The dialogue! Oh my god...It's insane. The teacup...

Speaking of our titular villain(?), Mads Mikkelsen does an excellent job with the Hannibal character. Something I appreciate about the show is that we have a completely different interpretation of the character. We're not doing an Anthony Hopkins impression in the slightest. They're the same person, but it's acted so differently and they feel so distinct to me. I'm glad we went that route, because I never really compare them in my mind. Had we gone for an Anthony Hopkins again, I think it would have invited a lot more comparisons and I'm sure would have fallen down. As it is, our tempting Lucifer-esque Hannibal is a joy to watch. He lures you in and makes you see his point of view. I know he's a monster but there are so many times in the show where you truly start rooting for him.