by Jon Partridge
Had I told you several years ago that Thomas Harris’ works chronicling the evils of Hannibal Lecter would provide the inspiration for one of the most creative, audacious, twisted, and gorgeous shows to ever grace network TV, you may have called me mad. Throw in a portrayal of one of the most remarkable and unexpected depictions of a love between two men, and even the most open minded of people would scoff. Now, with the third and final season of Hannibal coming to Blu-ray, there is a chance to right that wrong and see Bryan Fuller’s (Wonderfalls, Pushing Daisies) magnificent interpretation of Thomas Harris’ work in all its glory.
HANNIBAL: Season 3 Synopsis
Hannibal (Mads Mikkelsen) is on the run in Europe — accompanied by his psychiatrist, Bedelia Du Maurier (Gillian Anderson) — sporting a new identity, but servicing the same insatiable appetite. As the lives of Will (Hugh Dancy) and Jack (Laurence Fishburne) converge toward Hannibal again, each with their own motivations to catch him once and for all, their deadly dance turns in startling and unexpected ways
I extolled the virtues of Hannibal previously here at Cinapse with my introduction to the show just after the end of its first season. Back then it leaned a little more towards the procedural, blending criminal investigations with nightmarish but beautiful imagery and an ever-growing bond between FBI profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and consulting psychologist, and orchestrator of much of the evils the show explores, Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen). The procedural aspect made the show somewhat more accessible and gave it time to set things in motion before Season Two cast off these shackles and took the show in more adventurous directions. Season three goes even further, verging on the avant-garde, making for some of the most audacious programming on network TV.
The final season primarily draws inspiration from the Red Dragon novel, which has been previously adapted back in 2002 for the big screen, as well as a far superior effort in the Michael Mann-directed Manhunter back in 1986. The season begins with Hannibal having fled the US and now hiding away in Italy with his own therapist Bedelia (the magnificent Gillian Anderson), ingratiating themselves into society, assuming new identities with his special dietary requirements and particular moral code informing a continuing murderous spree.
Dragged back into the fold to help bring him back is his old partner and confidant Will Graham. This plot line moves to eventually reunite the pair and establish some of the more familiar visuals and exchanges of the previous adaptations. It also weaves in the scheming of Mason Verger (Joe Anderson), planning revenge after his disfiguration at the end of last season due to Lecter’s actions. The closeout arc of the season brings in the murderous Francis Dollarhyde (Richard Armitage), better known as “The Tooth Fairy,” and forces a collaboration between Will and Hannibal to hunt him down.
In previous interviews and coverage on Cinapse, Fuller has remarked how their approach to adapting Harris’s work is akin to being “mashup DJs.” Theirs is not a direct translation to scene, scenes and characters have been altered in some ways, lines used from later books in earlier scenes, metaphoric descriptions turned into some of the most stunning visuals that will grace your TV screens.
Fuller has described Season 1 as the “bromance,” Season 2 as “the breakup,” and Season 3 as “closure.” The show charts a fascinating journey for the two central characters, each with a darkness inside, each channeling it in different ways. For Will, what starts as an obsession turns into a warped love. Lecter sees a darkness akin to his own within Graham, and like many other characters in the show grooms him, only this time regarding him as something far more worthy of his attention. The show crafts an incredibly complicated and intimate relationship between the two, and this season gives them a very fitting conclusion. A disturbing relationship solidified by a bond made in blood. In fact all of the memorable characters in the show played by an incredible cast, including Laurence Fishburn, Eddie Izzard, Caroline Dhaveras, Katharine Isabelle and more, get an ending they deserve. Some good, some bad, but all deserved.
Hannibal has gotten increasingly twisted and brazen in the course of its run, and Season 3 hits new heights in this regard. We not only journey into Hannibal’s past but also his mind, and the trip through Italy in the opening episodes allowing for some exquisite imagery. The minds behind the show somehow manage to top some of the visuals of episodes past with the horrifying “heart stag” sequence and a kaleidoscopic sex scene that is one of the most stunning sequences seen on TV in years. These creative efforts are enhanced by the addition to the directorial staff of Vincenzo Natali (Splice, Cube) and Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers, The Descent, Game of Thrones) this year. The sumptuous visuals on the show are matched by a soul shaking score by Brian Reitzell.
Fuller’s work on Hannibal is one that inspires reverence. For those who worry about the show not completing its adaptation of Harris’ works, he manages to give it a fitting and natural ending despite its run being cut short. Throughout he has infused the show with his own vision while staying true to the text and ideas within. The constant depictions of Hannibal’s exquisite manipulations , even while caged, is a core component. A devilish sense of humor (aided by an embrace of cannibalistic puns) balances this. But at its core, it is a tale of two men, the darkness within them, and their dance together.
THE PACKAGEHannibal visually is a work of art. The transfer for the most part shows it off well; however, it is a very dark show and there are moments some murkiness creeps in and detail is not as crisp as it could be. Special mention must also be made for the exceptional sound design and score for the show; its a treat for the ears as well as the eyes.
The special features includes audio commentaries for each episode, the majority with showrunner Bryan Fuller, usually paired with one of more of the cast or crew. I’ve been unable to get through all of them, but the ones I have heard are both entertaining and insightful. Fuller is exceptionally versed in and reverent of Harris’ work, and it really shows. In addition to this, 7 of the 13 episodes have a “Producer’s Cut,” with slightly more footage edited in. There is also a Post Mortem Webisode series to complement each episode hosted by recurring actor Scott Thompson, each running for just under 10 minutes and featuring some interesting banter with the cast and crew.
There are a number of features that each focus on a different aspect of production: Hannibal on the Run on locations, Avid Fannibals on the swell of fan support the show acquired, with Killer Intentions and Beyond the Mind Palace both looking at some of the creative decisions both in front of and behind the camera that set the direction for this season.
With the looming threat this season of the Red Dragon itself, there is a feature included focusing on that. Getting the Old Scent Again: Reimagining Red Dragon touches on hows the show approached the story in a different way and one that would compliment their existing universe while also looking at the past versions of the character, including the book and movies. Rounding things off are a few deleted scenes and a hilarious gag reel. The extra content is as satisfying as one of Lecter’s famous dinner parties.
THE BOTTOM LINEHannibal is a a feast of a TV show deserving of every accolade that can be heaped upon it. This release packs in not just 13 episodes of a show that should be regarded as a work of art, but also a host of extras to enhance appreciation further still. We shall not see its like again.
Hannibal Season 3 is available on Blu-ray and DVD from December 8th.