By Cookie 'N' Screen
Serial killing is a man’s world.
Serial killing is a man’s world.
That is the saying, right? Actually, a lot of things are supposedly a “man’s world” and none of this is more apparent than watching some sort of horror movie or television show. Because people certainly like to fill them with the most banal female stereotypes known to man. It is still a tiresome trope trotted out; we’re the dumb sluts, the damsels in the distress or the reformed ugly duckling looking for some revenge. Raped and murdered constantly for no solid foundation, horror in television and film is so achingly against women.
Recently, there has been an up-rise of well-written and rounded characters of every personality type. Finally, shows and films are actually treating us (women) like we are human beings of every spectrum and not just a prop for men to lean on. There isn’t a show more apparent than NBC’s Hannibal.
Roll your eyes all you want. I know exactly what you are thinking. How can a show about serial killer cannibal and a mentally ill FBI agent possibly be good for women? Sit down, I am going to tell you a story about the great and talented Bryan Fuller and why Hannibal is a great show for everyone.
Recently, there has been an up-rise of well-written and rounded characters of every personality type. Finally, shows and films are actually treating us (women) like we are human beings of every spectrum and not just a prop for men to lean on. There isn’t a show more apparent than NBC’s Hannibal.
Roll your eyes all you want. I know exactly what you are thinking. How can a show about serial killer cannibal and a mentally ill FBI agent possibly be good for women? Sit down, I am going to tell you a story about the great and talented Bryan Fuller and why Hannibal is a great show for everyone.
NBC’s Hannibal has already pulled in a vast female viewership and unlike other show creators, it isn’t because we want to thaw Hannibal’s heart or cuddle up next to Will. In fact, the deliciously evil Hannibal Lecter is a multi-layered villain that, although serves human parts like they are a Happy Meal, is never once belittling to the female characters. In fact, this is almost canon. In the previous books and films, Lecter treats Clarice with a respect beyond the fools he is incarcerated with. He only responds to her, not because he is attracted to her (although the end of Hannibal may state otherwise.) But because he views her on an intellectual levels that her male counterparts simply don’t have. Clearly, this is shown due to Lecter’s reaction to the cat calling, the spunk throwing and views on the ignorant. Even in the Hannibal book, He treats her as an equal which has carried on into the show.
Similarly, Will Graham views Beverly Katz, Alana Bloom and Abigail Hobbs in different and varying lights but none of them our patronising or over sexualised. They aren’t placed in here for the romantic interest, although they flirt with the idea (more on that later.) Graham treats everyone with equality because of his pure empathy complex. Able to see people and their intentions, it means that he and the viewer can understand everyone from the vile killers to the empowered women.
The show does more than have male characters that treat the feminine characters with humanity. Our female characters are a different range of strong and capable women. Instead of adapting the books word for word, Fuller and his team gave more vital roles to women. Changing the sex of Freddy Lounds and Alan Bloom, a range of genders, sexes and race now feature heavily in Hannibal. What’s more, the team behind the series gave more screen time and importance to previously throwaway characters such as Beverly Katz, Abigail Hobbs and Phyllis ‘Bella’ Crawford (also happily playing with the fact Harris changes her name in the two books.) As well as this, he introduced a new character; Dr Bedelia Du Murier as Hannibal Lecter’s therapist.
The great thing here is that these women are indeed, women. They are not superficial or doormats waiting to be stepped over nor are they over the top “strong and flirty” women. Each of them is brilliantly intellectual though with varying personalities. There is the timid yet self-efficient Abigail, the low, vicious and manipulating Freddie Lounds, the quite sophistication of Bella and Bedelia and the sassy but excellent Beverly. Each has a solid purpose on the show and holds their own well. One could argue that it is the men that constantly fuck things up on the show while the women powerfully interact, shape and evolve. Even the secondary characters are different and full of depth.
Similarly, Will Graham views Beverly Katz, Alana Bloom and Abigail Hobbs in different and varying lights but none of them our patronising or over sexualised. They aren’t placed in here for the romantic interest, although they flirt with the idea (more on that later.) Graham treats everyone with equality because of his pure empathy complex. Able to see people and their intentions, it means that he and the viewer can understand everyone from the vile killers to the empowered women.
The show does more than have male characters that treat the feminine characters with humanity. Our female characters are a different range of strong and capable women. Instead of adapting the books word for word, Fuller and his team gave more vital roles to women. Changing the sex of Freddy Lounds and Alan Bloom, a range of genders, sexes and race now feature heavily in Hannibal. What’s more, the team behind the series gave more screen time and importance to previously throwaway characters such as Beverly Katz, Abigail Hobbs and Phyllis ‘Bella’ Crawford (also happily playing with the fact Harris changes her name in the two books.) As well as this, he introduced a new character; Dr Bedelia Du Murier as Hannibal Lecter’s therapist.
The great thing here is that these women are indeed, women. They are not superficial or doormats waiting to be stepped over nor are they over the top “strong and flirty” women. Each of them is brilliantly intellectual though with varying personalities. There is the timid yet self-efficient Abigail, the low, vicious and manipulating Freddie Lounds, the quite sophistication of Bella and Bedelia and the sassy but excellent Beverly. Each has a solid purpose on the show and holds their own well. One could argue that it is the men that constantly fuck things up on the show while the women powerfully interact, shape and evolve. Even the secondary characters are different and full of depth.
Now it’s time to talk about Alana Bloom who, while researching this, was wrongly accused of just being a romantic interest with no real personality. Actually, that is highly erroneous. Alana is much more than an attraction for Will. In fact, she breezes into the show in the first episode with gumption and determination. She actively is aware of her feelings for Will and chooses not to explore them because she doesn’t want to get hurt nor can she shake the want to view Will as a patient. When shit hits the fan, she spars off with people and stands her ground. Alana Bloom is a welcome addition to the stories and so much more than someone Will can throw his heat on.
They are wives and lovers, victims and killers, repellent journalists and smart psychiatrists that still have feelings of love, fright, sadness and more.
Strong women are pivotal to the show Hannibal; you may even say it is their characters that actual deal with events well rather than the murderous Hannibal, the breaking Will and the angry Jack. While we all gleefully delve into the devilish ways of Lecter and his culinary killings and joyfully watch as he manipulates Will, a lot of props need to be given to a show and a creative team that portrays the female of the species exactly as they are. Fuller has masterfully stated he didn't want to rape the women and it’s a statement I can truly get behind.
Hannibal is a fantastic show that hopefully in the second series will improve in its story and flesh out the characters more.
They are wives and lovers, victims and killers, repellent journalists and smart psychiatrists that still have feelings of love, fright, sadness and more.
Strong women are pivotal to the show Hannibal; you may even say it is their characters that actual deal with events well rather than the murderous Hannibal, the breaking Will and the angry Jack. While we all gleefully delve into the devilish ways of Lecter and his culinary killings and joyfully watch as he manipulates Will, a lot of props need to be given to a show and a creative team that portrays the female of the species exactly as they are. Fuller has masterfully stated he didn't want to rape the women and it’s a statement I can truly get behind.
Hannibal is a fantastic show that hopefully in the second series will improve in its story and flesh out the characters more.
The Second series of Hannibal starts in February. Why not check out the trailer here?
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