The character of Hannibal Lecter has been examined in popular culture for over 30 years now, in literature and cinema especially. People cannot and will not ever get enough of the charisma and exoticisms that one of history's greatest and most intriguing characters exudes. But after a few too many mediocre rehashes, using Hannibal Lecter's métier, "cannibalism", as the primary method of creating cheap thrills (see Hannibal 2001, Hannibal Rising 2007), it seemed as if the franchise was sadly drawing to a close. However, with Bryan Fuller's new depiction of "Hannibal", this could not be further from the truth. This new television series has been gaining increased attention and with it the momentum and following it so assuredly deserves, Hannibal Lecter is undoubtedly "back on the menu" of today's popular culture.

Naturally, comparisons to previous portrayals of Thomas Harris's famous characters hinges on some people giving the show a go, or not. I assure you, the Hannibal TV show is absolutely no exception to a line of previously acclaimed works like 1986's Manhunter and 1991's Silence of the Lambs. Brian Cox and Sir Anthony Hopkins both provided incredible visions of the psychologically terrifying Hannibal Lecter, especially the nauseatingly intricate ways in which he dissects the thoughts and minds of people.

What Madds Mikkelson offers in his version of Lecter is refreshingly original, and in my opinion, more in line with the original character's exotic and erudite aesthetic. When in the company of others, Mikkelson's Lecter presents a delicious facade of politeness and impeccable style: his worldly sophistication and understanding of art and academia makes him intellectually inferior to no one. That is, except for one person, Hugh Dancy's Will Graham.

Dancy's Graham is more akin to William Petersen's "Manhunter" portrayal of the Special Investigations agent, than Edward Norton's in the 2002 remake, "Red Dragon". But where Petersen's 80s typified dialogue and soliloquized phrases like "I'm gonna get you, you son of a bitch", Dancy's differs entirely. Dancy's portrayal is inherently more fragile, more isolated and therefore more susceptible to Lecter's incredible intellect. However, although this Will Graham is mentally fragile, he possesses an uncanny ability to analyze people with nearly unparalleled intuition, which makes him not only a formidable rival of Doctor Lecter's, but also an unsuspecting friend. This allows Bryan Fuller, the show's director to create an intricate and mesmerizing relationship between the shows leading characters, which in turn makes for an even more thrilling story arch.

Bryan Fuller's Hannibal is an incredible show. It reinvigorates the Hannibal Lecter and Will Graham saga in a delicious and beautiful fashion, quite dissimilar to any way in which it has previously been served to us. Fuller masterfully captures the dark and pulsating dread we once felt in The Silence of the Lambs, and then immerses us in it for 13 captivating episodes. Season 2 could not have arrived any sooner, and I hope many like me, are fervently anticipating a second helping.