No show could or would do what Hannibal did, which is precisely why it was never meant to last. In fact, it’s a miracle it even made it to a full three seasons. It was not always an easy show to watch or follow. The very soundtrack that made it so haunting is also what made it somewhat repellant to casual fans. The viewer was rarely rewarded with a happy ending; usually, the best they could hope for was less suffering for their favorite characters. The acting was always tremendous, but it never overpowered you, nor was it meant to. Madds Mikkelsen’s Hannibal, while revolutionary, was one bereft of catch phrases. Hugh Dancy’s Will Graham was worthy of much more recognition than he received. But he had no signature moment, no Tyrion Lannister On Trial or Don Draper’s “It’s not a wheel” speeches. He had torture and more torture. The series was methodical, purposefully paced. It demanded your attention, and was not something to be left on in the background. None of these are bad things, they’re just things that, when compounded together, don’t lead to overwhelming commercial success.