Horror Aficionados discussion

Hi,
Has anyone given this series a chance? The suspense is quite palpable even though many know the basic story line. The three main performers are uniformly excellent.

I have watched the first episode so far. Liked it

I absolutely loved the first episode. I wasn't quite as enthused about last night's episode though. I still loved the story line, but the overall pacing just seemed off. Still, I'll be giving this more chances because I LOVE Bryan Fuller and think he is brilliant and have every confidence this show will improve.

I have watched the pilot episode online, since it is not on uk tv yet grrr! Hannibal is based on the book Red Dragon by Thomas Harris. This series so far is accurate to the book/characters which I really like.

The Minnesota Shrike is mentioned in the book, and it is accurate in the pilot episode. The character name is correct and the character in the book/tv show are the same for example. I really like the way Will empathises with the killer, in a way that he feels what they feel, and understands why they kill people.

However this time Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale) is Hannibal Lecter, he is very softly spoken, so it's a little difficult to understand what he is saying. Maybe it is due to his accent, since he is Danish. He said in a interview that he thinks of himself as the devil, when portraying Hannibal Lecter. The creators of this tv show are describing it as Sophisticated horror.

Hugh Dancy (Blood and chocolate) is Will Graham, with a extra sensitive perception, an empathy for others that far supasses everyone else he works with. I think this series has a lot of room for developing the characters backstory, and how they met eachother, and the type of relationship they have. Hannibal thinks of himself as a fatherly, mentor to Will, he wishs to help him see his full potential.

I love this series so far, and I can wait to see more, however this is not for the faint of heart... :D

I have watched both episodes and have enjoyed them both. I have seen a couple of people comment that Hannibal's accent makes him difficult to understand, but I haven't had that problem at all.
I think this show has some real potential.

I really liked it..its odd in a good way ..not predictable at all .. I've watched 2 episodes and I'm looking forward to the thrird

Is there a villain in a wheelchair in this one? :)

I can't wait to watch it. I'm over in the UK thought so I'll be a bit behind. Lecter is one of favourite characters of all time. I wrote a blog post on it for the pilot. What do you all think about the books?

I loved Red Dragon and Silence of the Lambs ,but I HATED the last one.

I didn't like Hannibal Rising so much either. Hannibal has one of the most crazy endings to a novel ever. Don't want to spoil it if anyone is considering reading it but King apparently said it was one of the two most frightening novels of our time alongside The Exorcist.

This one is interesting. It will appeal more to followers of the books than the movies - not much similarity between the movie Hannibal and the TV version, but this new guy is closer to how I pictured the character in the novels than Anthony Hopkins... Still, I'll never forget him saying "Clareeeece"

I enjoyed the pilot, thought it was pretty badass! Not sure if it will hook me as much as Bates Motel though.

I've seen the first episode I really liked it. I appealed to me. The fact that NBC is willing to go more cutting edge than most of their other stuff is impressive. Its good to see them trying to compete with some very good cable shows that don't have the same restraints as regular network TV. To see depictions of nudity and murder indicates that the network is willing to go the extra mile.
The protagonist in this show is very similar to the one in the TNT show "Perception" which I also like.

I really like the series. Haven't read any of the books and only saw parts of some of the movies, so came to it fresh. Actually only started watching it because of Mads Mikkelsen, who I think is perfect in the role. It's kind of weird, creepy and interesting. Most of the characters are intriguing. I definitely plan on watching the rest of the series.

Jeff, I very much liked Perception too. I haven't heard, are they bringing it back for another season?

Very disturbing books and the movies were too. I didn't know there was a series now. Really for Dr. Lecter and Clarice Starling?

I like the series far better than the movie. The movie didn't make the mind of the pervert that Lecter was the way the series does. And Mads Mikkelsen is far more convincing than Sir Anthony Hopkins.

What station does this series come on and when? I'd like to watch it.

I see it on TV. AXN Asia, Fridays, 10 pm, repeats Saturdays 9 pm, IST

It's on NBC Thursdays at 10 EST in the US

Mercedes wrote: "Very disturbing books and the movies were too. I didn't know there was a series now. Really for Dr. Lecter and Clarice Starling?"

Hi Mercedes the show starts when Hannibal is a top therapist and no one knows that he's a cannibal ..

I love this show, this depiction of Will Graham is awesome, and while I do not feel the actor playing Hannibal is perfect for the role, he is doing a decent job with it. His take on the character is great, but it's just different when comparing it to what I am used too.

What I really love is the innovative takes on serial killers. The second episode really showed me what they are willing to do, the whole garden thing really showed the audience that. I hope they keep bringing cool stuff to the table, and I'll continue watching it.

I love Mikkelsen as Hannibal better than Hopkins. Love his detached coldness and calculations, than the over-the-top madness of Hopkins.

Lit Bug wrote: "I love Mikkelsen as Hannibal better than Hopkins. Love his detached coldness and calculations, than the over-the-top madness of Hopkins."

Brian Cox was the same in Manhunter. A common criticism of Hopkins is that he's too jokey.

When Jack Crawford is sitting and eating with Hannibal, you just KNOW what they are really having...the creep factor is very high, and you see that this man could be just as he was, and get away with it for a very long time....

Cox was the best Lecter.

I think so too but I think Mads Mikelssen's revisionist take is sort of interesting, so far. I'm curious to see in which direction he takes it.

Outstanding show. Originally and actually unsettling. Mads Mikkelsen's take on Hannibal Lecter is awesome!

R.M.F wrote: "Lit Bug wrote: "I love Mikkelsen as Hannibal better than Hopkins. Love his detached coldness and calculations, than the over-the-top madness of Hopkins."

Brian Cox was the same in Manhunter. A com..."

Is Manhunter a movie or a series? Is it based on Hannibal? I haven't heard the name, so just want to know.

Lit Bug wrote: "R.M.F wrote: "Lit Bug wrote: "I love Mikkelsen as Hannibal better than Hopkins. Love his detached coldness and calculations, than the over-the-top madness of Hopkins."

Brian Cox was the same in Ma..."

It's the 1980s film version of Red Dragon. That guy from CSI Vegas is in it.

Bob wrote: "I think so too but I think Mads Mikelssen's revisionist take is sort of interesting, so far. I'm curious to see in which direction he takes it."

I'm always open to new films ideas, so I'll give it a go.

Thanks. Will get it... Does the plot featured in the current series (the story before Lecter has been caught) also appear in the Hannibal series of books?

Lit Bug wrote: "Thanks. Will get it... Does the plot featured in the current series (the story before Lecter has been caught) also appear in the Hannibal series of books?"

It's mentioned and hinted at, but not really, no. This is the period of time before Will suspects Hannibal is anything but an intriguing psychiatrist.

The series is just addictive! I didn't like the movie 'Silence...' so much. But this series keeps my detective mind busy, unlike the movie.

There were a lot of "leaps" in Silence, starting with the whole yanking an untried recruit and putting her in the field on a major case... I still loved the movies. I've always considered Red Dragon the superior book, pitted against Silence.

Charlene wrote: "Jeff, I very much liked Perception too. I haven't heard, are they bringing it back for another season?"

Charlene, sorry it took me so long to answer your question here but it seems that I don't always get the recent updates to some of the threads I participate in. But your answer to the question of Perception coming back is Yes. Like most of TNT's shows it should be starting in June, along with Major Crimes, Falling Skies which I love and Rizzoli & Isles. To tell the truth I love all three of those shows.

I enjoy Rizzoli and Isles because I love the Boston connection and I enjoyed the book series. I started watching Falling Skies but have faded away from it.
I only watched the first Major Crimes, but I LOVED The Closer.
I'm glad Perception was renewed and I will look for its return. I really thought the show was above average.

I wanna watch this but everytime I watch a new show on NBC they ax it...

I don't think they'll be axing this one!

I find I don't watch most of the main channels..don't have the shows I like...

1. walking dead
2. game of thrones
3. vikings

i was excited they were stepping up with Hannibal taking some chances for once

I think the networks have to take some chances, NBC has been with some series because they own the SYFY channel, so they can premier some of their more genre related shows there, like Haven, which is awesome. But hey, Look at how well Grimm is doing. That's a great show and one of my favs and its in the later time slot. The did that right. So it does well

Grimm is good but again conservative unlike hanibal .. the shows never really go dark ..

Teresa, I think it would be financial suicide for them to go too dark on Networks, in particular. They are funded by advertising and have to have a large enough chunk of people willing to stick it out that can SEE those ads. On HBO and other places - they can take more chances, because ads are in between, and people pay to see the shows. Carnivale was darker than most Network stuff, and very, very good.

The Salt Lake City affiliate for NBC pulled Hannibal from its line-up, which I can understand based on their demographic. I'm hoping it ups the number of views as a whole with the controversy that stems from it.

I would also like to say that this last episode, paired with the webisodes, were great. I enjoyed it, it is slowly becoming my favorite show on television. Between this and The Following network television is pushing the boundaries of what we should expect from their shows, and I can't help but applaud those decisions.

I wonder if they'll ignore the sixth finger again...

I initially had no desire to watch it. A friend made a comment about it being great and I saw several reviews online raving so we decided to give it a shot and I am so glad we did.

It's great!

I love the many nods to The Shining especially.

I started watching it by catching up watching all the episodes on OnDemand. The first episode alone had me like holy crap I wanna see more of this. I think Will Graham has some serious issues and demons in him after killing the serial killer. The way he is makes me intrigued and is anyone else creeped out that Hannibal Lecter has friends over for dinner alot? I know this is his thing but his guests have no clue. As long as they dont have scenes like Ray Liotta in Red Dragon at the dinner table ill be good lol. So far Ive enjoyed it.

Waiting for the DVD box set. Salt Lake city be damned! :)

David wrote: "Teresa, I think it would be financial suicide for them to go too dark on Networks, in particular. They are funded by advertising and have to have a large enough chunk of people willing to stick it..."

good point Mark.. Thats why I watch mostly cable shows..lol

I'm now officially caught up with all episodes and anticipate the final two! woo!