There's TV, then there's must-see-TV. There's entertainment, then there's art. Hannibal is the latter on both counts.

Without a doubt, Hannibal is THE best crime procedural and/or horror television show there has ever been. But because ratings are a popularity contest, Hannibal only got three great seasons while several other bland police procedurals go on for decades. Gems are more valuable than beads, though, and every season and episode of this show is priceless.

Hannibal is well written, well shot, well casted and well acted with not a single wasted scene or line. Mads Mikkelson's performamce as Hannibal is at least equal to Hopkins' and there's so much richness to enjoy in a story based on the exploits of a free Hannibal the Cannibal, his life in and around Baltimore, Maryland and Florence, Italy. Laurence Fishburne, GIllian Anderson, Hugh Grant and Caroline Dhavernas are all amazing in their roles as well. And the imagery of both chef level cooking of various meats, alongside so many gruesome yet artiscally rendered kills make for a sumptously violent show to be shocked, awed yet enticed by

For all who've not seen Hannibal yet...see it. I definitely wish I could watch it again for the first time.