Hannibal season 3

Alas it is that time where I collect my thoughts for the Hannibal season three with my 100th post and finally conclude whether a series I had enjoyed up until now was worth it. Did it bite off more than it can chew or end sensibly at the right moment?

With some mild spoilers only to the previous seasons, the first one set the scene introducing Will, Jack and Hannibal while they investigated a series of murders. There was the crime-of-the-week format but it worked well, and the creative, surreal visuals were beyond what was expected for TV. It also faced the challenge of finding an actor capable of entering a role defined by Anthony Hopkins but Mads Mikkelsen made it his own. The second series gradually changed the format with Will then locked up, charged with Hannibal's murders and it became even more engaging. As the show progressed, it built towards an incredibly bloody, dramatic and satisfying conclusion; the type that if the show ended here I would be happy. But instead the story continues with Hannibal having escaped to Florence where he finds himself comfortably mixing in with the cultured crowds, leaving a rather battered Will Graham and Jack to pick up the pieces.

For anyone familiar with the films (minor spoilers), season three combines elements of the second two films (Hannibal and Red Dragon) and this is a season of two parts. The first takes place in Italy and then moves to America midway through. Having enjoyed season two, I was really keen to see the series move from a wintery Baltimore to a completely new environment and it brought variety to the show with new characters, as well as an attractive setting. Personally I found this to be the best half with the directors firing on all cylinders in terms of creative storytelling, the likes we rarely see, while ensuring an enjoyable viewing experience.

That is not to say the show loses energy in the second half, but it does cross a point once the story returns to America where it could have ended neatly. However this is where the Red Dragon element begins with Richard Armitage taking on the role previously played by Ralph Fiennes as Francis Dolarhyde. Armitage pulls no punches as the character and is impressive to watch but the decision for occasional CGI enhancements didn't always work and became a little over-the-top. Making matters worse, this half does feel rushed and could have been a whole season on its own. Don't get me wrong, it's still great with many memorable tense moments that had me on the edge of my seat but with a little more time for pacing, this could have been even better.

Not wanting to come down too hard though, as a series finale it works very well for the most part. Since the first season Hannibal had always been on the list of potential shows to be cut and when that decision happened, it came after season three was complete leaving some character stories finishing maybe not as how the creators originally planned out but it still works on the whole. What does deserve a lot of credit is the chilling score and collection of classical music used to make Hannibal the show it is. I've harked on about the visuals for the last two seasons but they are always impressive, as are the entire cast who wrap the show together.

It is a shame that Hannibal was cancelled since it offered something new, while pushing the bar on violence that made it all the more unsettling to watch. Bryan Fuller, the man behind the TV series, aimed for the stars with this one and hit his target with a show he and all involved can be proud of. But is Hannibal season three worth watching? After-all, it's very dark, artistic and grisly so not something a mainstream audience might enjoy. Well, for anyone in search of something different to the rest, that doesn't hold back and rewards its audience overtime, I can safely recommend Hannibal. Just don't eat beforehand.