Andrew Robinson
Possible spoilers present throughout the article, though I will do my best to keep them to a minimum. Attached articles will feature spoilers. Also, graphic content will be discussed, and some gruesome images will be present in attached hyperlinks. Viewer discretion is advised.
Even though Hannibal ended its magnificent three-season run in 2015, it remains one of the most visually stunning, downright shocking shows ever aired on network television.
First of all, when I say “network television,” I’m referring to the Big 4 networks (ABC, FOX, NBC, and CBS), plus the CW. Historically, those five networks have aired either TV/PG or TV/14-rated shows that are, for the most part, family-friendly. Recently, these networks have shown a bit more willingness to air more horrific shows (The Following, which is about a cult surrounding an enigmatic serial killer and aired on FOX from 2013-15 – season one was a treasure; two and three, not so much – comes to mind), but shows such as those remain far from the norm.
That’s what made fans look twice when NBC decided to order Hannibal, a prequel series to the popular horror movie (and book) series following Hannibal Lecter. With Bryan Fuller attached as writer and producer, and Mads Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy as Dr. Lecter and Will Graham, respectively, the series seemed to be off to a good start. However, given the fact that it was to air on network television, many fans of the book/movie series were a bit apprehensive. How could it live up to the horrific gore present in the movies, given it was going to have to be censored?
We got our answer when it debuted in 2013: it may be slightly censored, but NBC was going to let Fuller do whatever the heck (warning: images in link are graphic and disturbing) he wanted to do. And it was incredible.
So, what exactly makes Hannibal the most daring network television show in history? I’ve highlighted a few reasons why.
It’s Literally Centered Around a Cannibal
Despite somehow getting by with a TV/14 rating, Hannibal is centered around a cannibal, and it never shies away from this fact. Dr. Hannibal Lecter murders those he sees unfit or rude, cuts them up, cooks them, and eats them, while also occasionally feeding them to his oblivious guests. This is typically shown in detail, though Fuller is forced to stay away from nudity and the explicit cutting up of the bodies; generally, Dr. Lecter is shown murdering someone, and then the scene immediately cuts to him preparing meat in the kitchen, leaving the audience to infer just what is going on. The next scene tends to show Dr. Lecter eating, or preparing food for his many guests, who are oblivious of what exactly they are consuming.
At one point, in an incredibly disturbing scene, Hannibal also showcases auto-cannibalism. I’m not going to include a link due to the disturbing nature of the scene, but, that’s right: a TV/14 show airing on NBC got away with a scene of auto-cannibalism, and was even allowed to have the characters discuss exactly what was going on, so there was no way that the viewer could miss it. Legendary.
It Features Some of Most Unique Murders Ever Seen on Television
Warning: Links lead to pictures that are HIGHLY disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.
For season one and parts of season two, Hannibal features cases of the week, much like a typical crime procedural. Hannibal, of course, ups the ante, featuring some of the most bizarre and gruesome cases one can think of. Whether it be a victim waking up to find himself stitched into a human mural, a human totem pole being found on the beach, victims being used as fertilizer, or a musician being made into his instrument, Hannibal brings the weird, and then some. How NBC ever let Fuller and Co. get some of these images into a network television show airing in prime-time is beyond me, but it leads to one of the most unique shows ever aired.
If you’re looking for a unique, oftentimes-horrific, violent show, then Hannibal is the one for you.
The Cinematography is as Breathtaking as it is Horrific
With some of the breathtaking scenes one can find in a television show, Hannibal brings it all. Unfortunately, many of those breathtaking scenes are also quite horrific, which adds to the daring nature of the show. To many network television show viewers, the terms “breathtaking” and “horrific” cannot go hand-in-hand, but Hannibal toes that line often. While the viewer will often find themselves disgusted (I definitely was), they’ll also find themselves left speechless by some of the imagery present. It’s highly unusual for any television show – and, quite frankly, especially network shows that often value quantity over quality – to exhibit such vivid imagery, but Hannibal makes it happen.
Not One Character is Safe
It is commonplace for all television shows – not just network ones – to keep certain characters safe from harm, but Hannibal isn’t one of them.
As to avoid spoilers, that’s all I’ll say on that front, but the viewer must leave all previously-held notions about television shows at the door when turning on Hannibal.
It features absolutely incredible individual episodes after weeks and weeks of tension, much like HBO’s Game of Thrones. Everything about Hannibal is planned to a T, and that leaves many characters’ fates up in the air often.
All things considered, Hannibal is the most daring network television show ever aired. When considering the fact that its main character is the most famous cannibal in the history of entertainment, that it features some absolutely absurd murders and situations, the breathtaking cinematography, and the fact that no one is safe, there is no other reachable conclusion: Hannibal is the craziest, most daring show ever produced by a Big 5 network, and I think it always will be.
