The show was developed by Bryan Fuller, known to me previously for an equally odd/fascinating cable series, Dead Like Me.
The plotline borrows liberally from the Hannibal Lecter books by Thomas Harris, particularly Red Dragon and Hannibal. But those are only its basis; the stories go much deeper into the characters of Will Graham and Hannibal (or any of the characters, for that matter) than any other adaptation has.
It's really remarkable that this series held on for as long as it did, considering that it contains some of the most gruesome scenes I've seen in any visual medium. There is an amazing amount of both physical and mental torture portrayed. But, as with the proverbial accident scene, I simply couldn't help looking (the same fascination that kept me glued to the extremely intense Oz through its entire run), and the show has apparently garnered quite the cult following.
But there are other qualities which kept me interested. Here are some of them (beware of spoilers):
The Casting
The cast is truly an international one, starting with Dane Mads Mikkelsen in the title role. Here he is in a publicity shot, wearing one of the immaculately tailored suits sported by the character throughout the series:
I confess to being rather baffled at first by the choice of this actor to play the part so memorably portrayed by both Brian Cox and Sir Anthony Hopkins. But the inscrutable mask of Mikkelsen's face turned out to be surprisingly suitable for this enigmatic character. Using his own accent, but speaking impeccable English, he performs Hannibal as tightly controlled, disciplined and classy. Therefore, the moments when he does become violent, or is injured himself, are that much more shocking.
I also liked the casting of Brit Hugh Dancy as Will Graham, a character also well-played by William Peterson and Edward Norton. With no trace of his original accent, and looking perpetually disheveled, he plays Will as someone so torn up by the things he sees that he's barely able to function in normal society.
This question is raised regularly throughout the series: with his visions and horrific experiences, how can he possibly lead a regular life? In the end (spoiler alert), he chooses death.
Another interesting casting choice was having black actors play characters not originally conceived (or imagined) as such, and having female actors portray characters who were male in their original incarnations.
Thus, we have Laurence Fishburne playing the CIA's Jack Crawford; beautiful Rutina Wesley (from another unusual series, True Blood) playing the blind girl Reba, romanced, and menaced, by Francis Dolarhyde (aka Red Dragon); and sleazy tabloid reporter Freddie Lowndes as a woman! Well - why not?
The Music
This was another aspect unique to this series; the very strange, atonal, unsettling music by Brian Reitzell.
A percussionist in known rock bands (including Red Kross), Reitzell uses synthesizers, percussion, electronics, and yes, some regular instruments, to create tension and unease to match that already onscreen.
I've heard a piece off his album, Auto Music, and it's a combination of ambient, electronic and trance that has its own attraction.
I'll certainly miss that swooping, moaning synthesizer theme music every week - I kind of looked forward to it!
And finally, a topic I've discussed before on this blog:
Toronto Plays Every City
(and Ontario plays the countryside)
If Hannibal's residence/office In "Washington, D.C." looks familiar, it's because it's actually this handsome Georgian mansion on Simcoe St., south of King W., and across from Roy Thompson Hall:
The buildings around it are CGI'd out of course, to give the impression that it stands alone on the street. Often, there's a "star-field" effect in the background. But they make no effort in certain shots to disguise or mask the castle-like southwest tower of the adjoining St. Andrew's church, giving the building (deliberately, I'd say) a "fortress" aspect. You really don't want to know what goes on in there!
There are also many exterior scenes in this series, and I'm sure most of them are shot in the Ontario countryside, though they are supposed to be in Maryland or Virginia (they are also almost always in winter, which only adds to the otherworldly nature of the show). There's just something about the look of the sky, trees and air of exurban Ontario that can't be mistaken.
Conclusion
There are many more things about this series that I was intrigued by:
The very dialogue the characters speak is odd; mostly strangely formal, but sometimes throwing in cliches or slang. It (as well as the character speaking) is usually polite. calm and understated, though the statements can be accusatory or angry; characters almost never raise their voices. It must have been a bear to write an episode!
As I said at the top, the series is sometimes appallingly gruesome, with human bodies cut, sliced, ripped or torn in the most horrifying (if creative) ways. Oh, and did I mention the cannibalism? No? There's that, too. You never see these acts being carried out, though - only the results, though they're no less disturbing for that.
And then, there's the question of what's "real." Will Graham has so many "vision" or "dream" experiences that then snap back to reality, that you're never quite sure about what you're seeing. Also, characters (well, mostly Will) are terribly butchered or injured, and seem to take no time at all to heal, though time apparently passes.
The season/series finale is also enigmatic. Spoiler alert again: After teaming up with Hannibal to finally "slay the (Red) dragon," Will then hurls himself and Hannibal off a high bluff, and into the crashing surf below.
Are they both dead? Is one of them dead? Neither? Is it a riff on the "Reichenbach Falls" scene in the Sherlock Holmes stories, and there will be a resurrection?
Or - has the whole series been one of Will's visions?
You decide.
