Horror can be classy, adaptations of novels can be fantastic, and gore can be artistic. Hannibal covers all of these, and is frankly one of the best novel-to-screen adaptations of all time. The cinematography, combined with fantastic acting, a dynamic cast and enough gore to give you chills; it’s a wonder if there will ever be another season. It has come to the point where the fandom is starting to ask Netflix and other streaming platforms to take on the revival. The passion they have for the series is not without reason, and this list will cover some of the major reasons the show deserves a comeback.
Mads Mikkelsen’s Performance
Mads Mikkelsen is the quintessential character in Hannibal, as he plays the cannibalistic therapist with an artistic flare. We all, of course, loved Anthony Hopkins in the iconic role, but Mads Mikkelsen has the book personality down pat. The way his Hannibal has an air of calm around his personality makes his portrayal iconic, terrifying, yet charming.
The world needs more Mads Mikkelsen as the famous fictional serial killer, as his performance is top-tier fantastic. He looks, breathes, and is Hannibal Lecter, arguably more so than Anthony Hopkins. Television could use more classy characters, even if this one eats people but only if he finds them rude.
Hannibal and Will’s Relationship
The romance, or, rather, the obsession between Hannibal and Will Graham, is something that needs to go further. It is clear that Hannibal is in love with Will, and it deserves its own on-screen admission. Bryan Fuller, the director of Hannibal, has confirmed that Dr. Lector is pansexual, however, it should be confidently confirmed in the series on screen.
Often, the confirmation of romances, character sexualities, or even mental diagnoses is made outside the main series. Hannibal has already confirmed that Will Graham is on the autism spectrum, which is fantastic and one of those things we only get confirmed outside the actual series. It would make for an interesting change in dynamics if Will realizes the obsession Hannibal has for him goes beyond a friendship.
Life in Cuba
It is said that at the end of season three, Will and Hannibal escape to Cuba, or that is the theory that the fandom has. In the novel by the same name, Hannibal, Clarice and Hannibal escape to Cuba to become lovers. The overall hope is that Will takes on the role of Clarice, and they live their lives in another country. It would be fascinating to see how they dodge authority in another place and, if Hannibal will continue his strange diet, how this will impact their lives in a new place.
This would also fall back on the other point in question, and that is how Will and Hannibal are together. Does Will want to be with Hannibal in that manner? There are a lot of questions that need answered that were left hanging in the balance. Cuba is a great setting, and gives us an opportunity for a finale with a proper resting place.
Buffalo Bill and Clarice
This storyline may have some tangling in copyright, but it would make for a great season of Hannibal. It would be curious to see how Hannibal would shift his persona if Clarice was brought into the world of Hannibal. It would test his obsession with Will and give us a new dynamic to witness. Buffalo Bill is also one of the well-known characters, as The Silence of the Lambs is a classic movie.
It would be fascinating to see how Bryan Fuller would interpret the famous characters from the books and movie. The only problem is that the rights to the characters in the movie are currently owned by MGM. But, in an ideal world, and with Bryan Fuller at the helm, it would be a great addition to Hannibal with Buffalo Bill as the big bad.
The Revival of Lucifer
At first glance, this might seem like an irrelevant point. It is a completely different show with an entirely different personality, with the only similarities being they are semi-dark crime dramas. However, Lucifer suffered a similar fate of being canceled too soon, and with the begging of the fandom, the show was swooped up by Netflix. It was wildly successful, and the fandom even saved the series twice from cancellation.
Lucifer and Hannibal both have dedicated fan bases, with a story that can go far in the realm of darkness. It would have the same amount of success if Netflix or if another service decided to take on the world’s favorite cannibal. With that, a return to screens through a streaming platform would mean the series can truly reach its peak grotesqueness. Hannibal pushes boundaries, and its place on a streaming platform would give it the ability to push even more.
The Death of Will Graham
It would make for some fantastic dramatics if Hannibal lost his beloved Will Graham for good. Bravery in killing main characters is often associated with series like Game of Thrones, however, it should be used more often. Especially in a series like Hannibal. Will Graham is Hannibal’s passion, romantic or not, so if he were to die, Hannibal might just descend all the way into madness.
Alternatively, Will doesn’t necessarily have to die, and could even have something happen to him that would make Hannibal lose his interest. In the novel, Will’s life is ruined by the Red Dragon, and that forces him into alcoholism, which in the series, might just be enough to change Hannibal’s obsession. If Will is no longer interesting, Clarice is given the opportunity to make her appearance in Hannibal’s life in a way that wouldn’t have a psychotic love triangle.
Chilton Returns
This could potentially be a difficult task, as we saw in the last episode of the series that Chilton had a fairly final ending. However, there are always ways to bring back characters over and over in ways that are both logical, yet equally frustrating. Chilton is the ultimate character to bring back. He has been abused since his introduction to the series, and he is a man who would want revenge.
That, of course, leaves the question of, “What would his revenge?” This would make for a fantastic main storyline to pull the series to its end, if season four is it. Though he is one of the many characters who has every right to become a killer, it would make the man more interesting if he did not. Chilton straying from Hannibal’s ability to turn anyone into a killer would be a refreshing take and give the doctor something new to focus on. Alternatively, Chilton might make for a new take on Buffalo Bill, as his lack of skin would give motivation to steal other’s.
Freddie Getting What She Deserves
Freddie is everyone’s favorite character to hate. Her personality is grating, and her constant need for attention just rubs everyone the wrong way. This is including the characters in the show, not just the fandom. Her poor ethics surrounding journalism are entirely cringe-worthy. Her end is inevitable, as she is arguably one of the rudest people in the series. She is a driven individual and has her good sides, but some of the things she has done are highly questionable. She values the price of gossip over the ethics of good journalism.
Her end is necessary to the series and would show loyalty to the original novels. The end of her book counterpart is instead placed upon Chilton. Freddie has earned her ending, and it would make a great episode for the new series. The satisfaction of her death, or at the very least, her end in any way, would be praised throughout the fans of the show.
Hannibal’s Capture
Another end that is inevitable is the capture of the Chesapeake Ripper. Hannibal’s arrest is going to be another important part of the series we won’t get to see. Of course, that is if the trip to Cuba does not happen, and he stays in the United States. There’s also a chance that his capture and escape would make for a heart-pounding close. As much as the audience loves Hannibal’s character, he is a serial killer and a cannibalistic monster. Justice should, at the very least, come for our beloved therapist.
A More Satisfying Ending
It has happened many times. A series is canceled before there is a solid end to the story. Plots left unfinished and questions still left in the balance simply because the show isn’t making enough profit. It is a sad ending to a series that leaves everyone unsatisfied. Simply put, a fourth season of Hannibal would give the producers and the writers ample opportunity to wrap up all the stories. It would be the last hoo-rah.
Instead of being left with questions, a final season could be used to wrap everything up in a nice bow before letting us finally put the artistic series to rest. The macabre beauty of the series deserves a proper ending and a grand finale that is finally worthy of its magnetism.
