‘Hannibal’ a gruesome yet compelling detective drama
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If you can handle the violence, sadism and gore, “Hannibal” (9 p.m., WMCTV Channel 5) just could be one of the better network series to debut this year.
Based, however loosely, on the series of novels by Thomas Harris featuring his infamous Hannibal Lecter character, “Hannibal” stands out in a TV schedule crowded with violent and morbid detective procedurals.
British actor Hugh Dancy stars as Special Agent Will Graham, a profiler of serial killers. He’s a brooding and slightly delicate guy who can’t, or won’t, look people in the eye, and eschews personal contact. This distance allows him to approach every crime scene with a powerful empathy, recreating killers’ actions and motivations — however diabolical in nature.
Special Agent Jack Crawford ( Laurence Fishburne) keeps Will on a fairly short leash, lest he get permanently lost in the dark realm of his criminal prey. That’s why he assigns Will to seek treatment from esteemed psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen). And we all know that Lecter has a hunger for more than mere medicine.
With an English star and a Dutch actor in the title role, “Hannibal” has a European feel to it. The cinematography has the muted light of far northern latitudes. The chilling and impeccable set design plays up contrasts between dark and light and white and red. Just where the action takes place does not seem to matter, as so much of it involves the strange game of mental chess being played between Graham and an onslaught of strangely ritualistic killers, and between the special agent and his icy analyst.
Featuring well- developed characters and riveting, if gruesome, stories, “Hannibal” is a smart procedural for the discerning viewer. The great mystery of its broadcast is why NBC would air it opposite “Elementary,” another above-average mystery series that has already found a large and faithful audience.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
Dance fever on “Community” (7 p.m., WMC-TV Channel 5).
Carrie Underwood and Casey James perform, and results are revealed on “American Idol” (7 p.m., WHBQ-TV Channel 13).
A hero’s welcome on “Parks and Recreation” (7:30 p.m., WMC-TV Channel 5).
The new number points to a busy executive on “Person of Interest” (8 p.m., WREG-TV Channel 3).
Long in the making, the documentary gets some attention on “The Office” (8 p.m., WMC-TV Channel 5).
A big risk, a health emergency and a wager’s conclusion on “Swamp People” (8 p.m., History).
Feels like the first time on “New Girl” (8 p.m., WHBQ-TV Channel 13).
Proactive parenting for Derek and Meredith on “Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m., WPTY-TV Channel 24).
Mindy meets a real professional on “The Mindy Project” (8:30 p.m., WHBQ-TV Channel 13).
Charlie dates Jennifer’s business partner on “Anger Management” (8:30 p.m., FX).