Apéritif

Set before The Red Dragon. This is a strong and dark show for US network television.

The focus is on FBI profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy). A nervy academic who has been picked by Jack Crawford (Laurence Fishburne) the head of Behavioural Sciences at the FBI.

Graham can empathise with serial killers and recreate the crime scenes in his mind. Crawford wants Graham to help him with a case where 8 young women have been abducted in 8 months.

Crawford also gets forensic psychiatrist Dr Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) to take an interest in Graham and help out with these abductions.

The stories are original with characters created by Thomas Harris. Dancy's Graham is far away from the burnt out agent played by William Petersen in Manhunter who was badly injured when he captured Lecter.

The first episode sets up the meeting of minds between Graham and Lecter with Graham as the potential prey but he does not yet know it.

Of course Lecter gets all the delicious lines and the gourmet food. Mikkelsen laps it up.

A very good first episode, of course the source material is very strong. You can relish the games these two characters will play.

This was an artistic, delicious start to this show, which I always felt was underrated as not enough are watching it or talking about it!

The introduction to the characters were great, as well as the premise! There is a lot happening and a lot to take in at first, but it never feels to much! By the end, you know exactly what you need to know!

Hugh Dancy is great as Will, with abbilities that will make this show very interesting moving forward!

Mads Mikkelsen absolutely nails it as Hannibal! His Chemistry with Dancy is what carries the show for me! Hannibal is in control from the start and you never quite know what to expect from him when he serves you food..

I love the artistic style of the show! It is no stranger to gore and disturbing scenes, amd it is always presented in a hauntimg, yet captivating way!

Amazing direction and camera work! This show has its unique style that really makes you feel like you watch something by Brian Fuller, and not a studie!

Hannibal is more of a "fill in the gaps" for the Hannibal series. We saw Will Graham in Manhunter and its remake Red Dragon. Whilst The Silence of The Lambs saw Hannibal's character on an all time high, and a rather degraded sequel as "Hannibal (2001)" and a prelude as "Hannibal Rising". So this series falls somewhere between "Hannibal Rising" and "Manhunter/Red Dragon". That means it isn't a 'messing with the plot' remake, but a gripping and excellent take on our favorite Cannibal.

Will Graham (not yet retired) finds himself investigating psychopath murders (to his dismay), and looks avoid those as much possible. His eccentric ability to empathize with the killers finds him recruited by a senior FBI Officer Jack Crawford, who is our very own Morpheus (A pleasant surprise to me!). Jack seeing Graham's discomfort for his work appoints Dr. Lector to team up with him to release some of his stress. But Hannibal the Cannibal has separate plans for his new found friend.

An Apéritif for a pilot is rather more about Will Graham than Hannibal or any crime investigation. It develops a little explored character into a gem. Coming to the performances, Dancy fits in a young Graham's shoes perfectly, where as I do miss Hopkins's intense and malicious glare. Don't take me wrong! I doesn't mean Mads was bad, he was extremely convincing. Now how can I explain this? Its like some one else playing Harry Potter, even if does play it better, he won't just fit in. Anyways I do hope we get to see Hopkins later in the series. Lawrence is average.

The only problem I saw was the pace. The story progressed way too fast than a healthy pace. But I have to hand it to the writer director for not sacrificing character development for pace. Only thing sacrificed was detailing. I think its understandable as the series is more of a psychological drama thriller than a crime investigation drama. ANd just the right amount of fear topped with thrill.

Direction: Great. Pretty surprising from Twilight's director.

Story/Screenplay: Refreshing, thrilling and gripping.

Acting: Dancy the best, Mads awesome. Lawrence Average.

Music: Engaging, ear friendly and fitting.

Overall a good start to an interesting series. I hope it lasts like this and doesn't lose content wise in times to come.

That is how do an excellent precedural episode. We have a true mistery, a lot of blood, grey characters and a good final.

Okay right off the bat you have Hugh Darcy who really shines in this show, reenacting his own interpretation of a murder. His GIFT, allows him to see into the minds of killers.

+1 Star for the initial investigation

+1 Star for the whackiness of Graham's gift.

+1 Star for Fishburnes amazing presence

And then, we are finally introduced to Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Played by the Incredible Mads Mikkelsen. This is undoubtedly what will be known as his signature performance throughout his career, much as Anthony Hopkins is known for the same character.

+1 Star for Mads thoroughly convincing introduction to a great character.

And +1 Star for a great line. 'Don't psychoanalyze me. You wouldn't like me when I'm psychoanalyzed. Now I have to go! I have to give a lecture on psychoanalyzing. ' Haha, brilliant.

Will Graham also deduces that the killer, is 'eating them'.

And we have the brilliant beginning episode to a great series. :)