Hannibal

            There is a new show on NBC called Hannibal.  The show is based on the book Red Dragon by Thomas Harris, and revolves around one of the best-loved horror villains in history, Hannibal Lecter.  The show actually focuses on a young FBI consultant named Will Graham and his relationship with Dr. Lecter.  Will Graham has the ability to think like serial killers.  He understands what they must be thinking when they killed their victims, this allows him to determine a probable next step for the serial killer.  He is able to do this with surprising accuracy for someone who is not a serial killer himself; at least he hopes he isn’t.

            The FBI seeks out Dr. Lecter to help Will cope with the psychological issues that probably will and eventually do come with this ability.  At this point Hannibal had already begun to kill but had not yet been caught, so he is still a practicing psychiatrist.  Lecter eventually builds a friendship with Will Graham.  He uses this friendship to discreetly continue killing and eating other people.

            The show itself is a terrific show.  It is well written and actually quite horrifying.  The actors do a great job portraying their characters.  Hugh Dancy plays a believably paranoid, schizophrenic, and mentally tormented Will Graham, and Mads Mikkelsen brings a fresh take on Hannibal, his Hannibal is a more discreet evil than the one played by Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs, and is creepy in a whole new way.

            The show is a must watch for me and I can’t wait for the second season coming in 2014.