#fandomcritique

[fannibalcascade]

have you seen the panel , didn’t it feel very weird , I mean the vibe was off

Yeah, we caught it yesterday. Surprisingly, it was pretty early, so only I and @melancholymournia were wide awake. We didn't see a new season announcement coming at all. We think that chapter is closed. The atmosphere between Hugh and Mads felt right, they are buddies and they met after a long time but we were really curious about the questions being asked and how they'd answer them.

We held onto our skepticism, given it was a reunion after a decade, knowing any hint about the relationship would stir up the fandom and potentially bring backlash our way for our ongoing doubts. But here's the kicker: not a peep about Hannigram, and the whole vibe felt like a blast from 2013- especially how they still can’t mention the relationship, it’s like they are still in the bro-code era and maybe they are .

Despite Mads' captain-of-the-ship reputation, even his answers were ambiguous and not very convincing about the future of Hannigram, And a little question for the shippers: ever find it odd your beloved pairing consistently skirts around the series' core theme, despite claiming it's integral? If so, why the silence? Not to rain on your parade, but given your Hannigram fantasies, it seems the cast's vision isn't quite in sync. Now, we're dead certain the relationship wasn't going anywhere ,a 'Murder Husbands' season was just wishful thinking.

[fannibalcascade]

It's refreshing to see new LGBT content emerge, offering audiences genuine representation without the need for them to rely on queerbaiting tactics. Authentic portrayals help dismantle harmful stereotypes and provide audiences with narratives that resonate on a deeper level.

Absolutely! But I would like to add that the media has always had LGBTQ representation. For example, look at "Brokeback Mountain." The two straight actors delivered exceptional performances, embracing the romantic nature of the relationship and showcasing intimacy without hesitation. Additionally, there are '90s movies that avoid harmful stereotypes or the 'bury your gays' trope. This is something "Hannibal" failed to do because, despite claims of it being canon, the relationship remains ambiguous, with many unanswered questions. People still question the nature of their relationship, often interpreting it as platonic due to the lack of clarity.

[fannibalcascade]

Been mulling over this thought for a few days now. Unpopular take, but then again, most of my opinions seem to be in the minority within the fandom. It's become pretty evident that I'm not a fan of Bryan Fuller. There's the whole accusation of sexual assault, which has me wondering if there might be shades of homophobia in there too.

Please, let's not get into the 'he's gay' argument. I've encountered gay individuals who've internalized homophobia. What caught my attention is how Fuller himself referred to his series 'Hannibal' as queerbait.

That's got me questioning things. Is that the reason he didn't make "hannigram" fully canon ? Interpret it as you will, but it adds an interesting layer to the discussion.

[fannibalcascade]

Is it bad that I feel Hannigram was romantically one sided?

Ofcourse not , it's a very valid interpretation.

We share the same perspective. If you browse through our blog, you'll find posts where we discuss Will's emotions towards Hannibal. We acknowledge that it's a complex show with subtle nuances. Even though Will struggled with his feelings, he was determined to regain his control, to rid himself of Hannibal and the emotions tainted by him. I believe the crucial question is how one defines love. Certainly, "Hannigram" doesn't fit the conventional definition of love due to its abnormality, so they won't conform to the typical standards of a romantic relationship. However, considering the current fandom environment, the analyses often seem cringeworthy as they reduce "Hannigram" to a simplistic college romance. In our perspective, the relationship remains ambiguous.

[fannibalcascade]

Alright, For quite some time, we've been talking about this and even if others don't share our perspective, we firmly believe that in the scene where Will hugs Hannibal in "The Wrath of the Lamb," it's not just a spur-of-the-moment thing. We think Will might have been aware of Hannibal's feelings and strategically used the hug to catch him off guard. Essentially, it's like Will made a move to keep Hannibal from overthinking what would happen next. He didn't hug Hannibal out of love; it was more like a planned move. That's why we're pretty sure it was a rejection, not buying into the whole "murder husbands" fan theory.

[fannibalcascade]

Bryan's exact quote was - "I feel one is omnisexual and one is heterosexual and there’s a lot of influence going back and forth, who knows with a six pack of beer what would happen."

Isn't it kinda off to talk about characters like that, especially when the show is all about a "love story"between two guys? Feels like that old "haven't found the right man/woman" vibe. Bryan's remarks hint at being able to choose being gay, in the series they show these guys sleeping with women , there was even an unnecessary kiss scene between Chiyoh and Will but when it was his chance to show a more solid bond between Will and Hannibal, he skipped the end kiss? Sounds a bit off to me.

[fannibalcascade]

I would have loved the "lunges at Hannibal" scene because then everyone would know how one sided everything is . I love hannibal but I would have preferred him dead than becoming such a vulnerable character.

I am upset that they changed the ending. It feels like typical fanservice behavior. I would have preferred if they stuck to the original book events, perhaps with Will using the gun to kill Dolarhyde as we saw in the canon. Then, Will could get a stab in the cheek, Hannibal killing the Dragon alone, and eventually, Will killing Hannibal. Bryan could explore more about Will with added drama, bringing back his innocent moral character. Will could live alone for a while, but Bryan might not be satisfied with that and could give him another family. Hannibal might survive, becoming a destroyer killing people left and right, and then finally getting caught in a different country. Perhaps he could meet Clarice. That would be something I would love to watch.

[fannibalcascade]

Can you explain Will's feelings towards Hannibal?

Will is a complex character; he is not easy to read. People love to argue about his supposed love, but they are the same people who agree on how abusive Hannibal was towards Will. They curse Hannibal, want to save Will from Hannibal, and more. But if I say Will is confused about his feelings, then I am the villain 🙂

For the first time in his life, Hannibal has found someone who can see him as he is, and he continuously hungers for that experience. He craves for Will, but in his mind, he has made a false image of Will – that Will too is a killer, and bringing that out would be the best thing he could ever do for Will. While doing so, he starts destroying Will's life. All of this only makes Will bitter towards Hannibal. The show's creator talks about both characters understanding and seeing each other; it might be true, but hold on. You can see a person's true nature and not fall in love with them. You might get attracted to that person because they give a feeling of understanding, but would you really call that love or reciprocal?

Yes, Hannibal saw Will’s darkness, but he also created a completely different version of Will in his mind to escape his loneliness. You could say Will was relieved that someone could see the part he was trying his best to hide and not judge him. But do you really think he would have killed before meeting Hannibal? I think not.

Throughout the show, Will grappled with his emotions, initially marked by confusion. In the first half of the season, he concluded that he had to eliminate Hannibal to prevent becoming like him. In "Digestivo," he literally dumped Hannibal because he wanted an end to his darkness, and the relationship with Hannibal would only cost the lives of his loved ones. The show emphasizes that Will always denies, hides, or straight away rejects any feelings when it comes to Hannibal. The cliff scene showcases just that. Even after admitting that killing with Hannibal was beautiful, he couldn't digest what he had become in his connection with Hannibal, so he decided to kill both of them because it's better to get rid of two monsters, and Will knew that only he could kill Hannibal. Didn't he say, 'I don't know if I could save myself'? He knew that whatever happens, it could lead to his death.

I would say in the series, Will never really wanted to have any feelings towards Hannibal, so he never welcomed those because he knew it was wrong.

[fannibalcascade]

Ummmm I don't know what to ask honestly, u do realise that Will loves Hannibal right ??

Him leaving Hannibal would destroy a queer canon ship no director or showrunner will do that ? Plus Will sailed to Europe in search of Hannibal.

It's challenging to predict the decisions of directors or showrunners as storytelling often involves unexpected twists. While the impact on a queer canon ship is a valid concern, character development and unpredictable plot directions play a crucial role.

Breaking up two characters doesn't necessarily equate to a negative ending. Sometimes, it allows for individual growth, new story arcs, or the exploration of different relationships.

Will takes the spotlight as the main character in the show, and many fans lean towards supporting him because of this central role. Bryan Fuller, the creator, deliberately avoided romanticizing the toxic relationship between Will and Hannibal. In various interviews, Fuller emphasized the unhealthy dynamics between them. This creative choice opens the door for Will to potentially find a happier resolution, highlighting a commitment to his character's development.

I have said this before, I will say it again: I do not hate Hannibal. In fact, I am in love with his character more than Will's. So, in a way, I want a happy ending for both, but I don't feel that would happen if they are together

As for the sail part let me just quote what @bonearenaofmyskull said long ago :-

"Being on a boat on the sea is the one place that makes him feel safest and most secure, in association with memories of “simpler times with dad.” He just came through one of the most traumatizing, unsafe, completely NOT simple times of his life. Getting on that boat wasn’t something he did for Hannibal, it was something he did for himself"

[fannibalcascade]

Wait so when the actors confirm the cannon relationship between the characters on multiple occasions and openly support it and the director does too and has confirmed it that doesn’t matter and we should look at it through the larger narrative,

but when one of the actors makes and ofhand comment that can be interpreted multiple ways then that’s valid? Be so fr

It's wonderful how the actors and director are fully immersed in their interpretation of the characters' relationship, isn't it? However, it's important to remember that just because they endorse a particular viewpoint, it doesn't preclude us from exploring alternative perspectives. We value critical thinking and holistic understanding. While their insights hold significance, they're not the sole determinant of our interpretation. We prioritize delving deeper into the narrative and forming our own opinions, embracing a multifaceted approach rather than adhering rigidly to a single viewpoint.

[fannibalcascade]

It's honestly so refreshing to see a blog that doesn't glorify Hannigram and doesn't reduce Hannibal to the "relationship" he has with Will, as a huge fan of the novels it makes me very mad that a character as complex as Hannibal is reduced to this obsessed lovesick puppy that loses his mind over Will

The portrayal of Hannibal feels like a major letdown for me. How can such an iconic character be reduced to just fancy attire, lavish dinners, and romantic longing? If the intention was to elevate Will as the central figure, transparency from the start would have been appreciated. It wouldn't have been an issue if it were a different story altogether. It seems evident from the narrative that Hannibal's demise was looming, a conclusion that would naturally bring closure. However, it feels like Bryan exploited the fervent shipper fanbase for engagement, rather than staying true to the narrative integrity. Presenting alternative viewpoints has become increasingly challenging amidst today's hyper-sensitive fandom culture. It's disheartening.

[fannibalcascade]

I am simply going to leave this fandom , I am so done with queerbaiting, I followed some blogs like @after-the-ellipsis and their group of friends and all were like "oh Will is so good , why does Hannibal wanna change him" then fuckers why you guys even ship hannigram, I am so done , you are doing god's work keep it up . Show the reality to some of the people here who are just teenagers and sick pornadditct bitches who just fantasize about m/m ships.

Calm down my friend!!! I can completely understand that you are going through some mix of emotions at the moment I hope it's not because of Me, also you don't have to leave the fandom . Let me tell you *Hannibal* is famous for its source materials, the novels and the movies.

The series gained fans but it doesn't mean that it's the source, you can always find your group of friends in a fandom , and we are here if you have any questions, we are not a shipper and there's a lot of people too who are not shippers but still in the fandom (I know for some of you , it's hard to believe)

So maybe calm down and relax and if it makes you feel better we have the original canon couple who truly reciprocate each other 's feelings and that canon pain is Clarice and Hannibal. So it's gonna be fine just chill .

[fannibalcascade]

Listen dude , I don't know who you think you are but let me tell you this weird thing that you are doing needs to stop. Stop reblogging stuff u got no idea about - the Clarice thing for example, do urself a favour and read what boneareanaofmyskull have written first , they were trying to get the anon understand the meaning of thrall. Saving Will could mean a lot of other things. And if you see their latest posts there's a post they wrote that the Clarice thing would be possible and people would like it and also Bryan . I don't think people would love it if Will is taken from Hannibal as you implied.

Maybe you fucking need to read . Why are you sooooo agitated by my posts. I don't know what their latest post is or what they meant but perspectives could change . Maybe after all these years their ideas have changed, who knows ? but I am going by their own post and what they have written.

In the 2016 post - "What I meant is that saving Will from Hannibal might be the function that Clarice performs within the narrative, by the end of show"

Implication - The idea is that Clarice may have a narrative role in facilitating the separation of Will Graham from Hannibal Lecter, possibly helping to break the strong bond or influence between the two characters by the end of the show.

[fannibalcascade]

I don't need Brian to get me to sexualize them lol the show does it well enough on it's own

And who Is the showrunner 🤔

[fannibalcascade]

So like, how's the trolling going? Because seriously, I don't think we watched the same show based off how you perceive Will.

I think u answered your own question,we definitely saw Will differently. I am just curious why u think my points are invalid and compare it to trolling , it's saying as if everyone in a fandom should have the same interpretation, it's not a cult my friend it's a fandom and art is subjective.

[fannibalcascade]

Don't cherry pick metas

I ain't ಠಿ⁠_⁠ಠ