Dear Fannibals,

By now, you’ve devoured Hannibal’s third course. The people behind Hannibal the Cannibal [© Frederick Chilton] gave us a rare gift, and we will keep them in our hearts — and other organs — forever. We’d just die to work with Bryan, the De Laurentiis Co., Mads, Hugh, Laurence, Caroline, Gillian, Kacey, Hettienne, Aaron, Scott, Lara Jean, David, Loretta and the rest of the Hannibal family again. They let us know them — see them — and we’re eternally grateful. It’s not every day that we become privy to a team who allows us to fully appreciate the beauty, art and horror of everything that Hannibal’s world has to offer. They snailed it with every scene and every line, and for that we owe them awe. This family poured their entire hearts and souls into creating some of the best work on TV. This is a family whose scripts never minced their exquisite words (just some people’s kidneys). A family who managed to make eating human body parts look appetizing. A family who, somehow, made every single frame of this show a work of art that could inspire the greatest of becomings. This is a family who created some of the most hauntingly gorgeous music known to man. (Indisputable fact. Fight us! We’ll take this to the pantry.) A family whose performances could simultaneously produce tears, sickness and laughter. A family who could make you appreciate that combination.

Perhaps most importantly, this is a family that loves the Fannibals so much that they could just eat you up.

Over the last three years, we have begun to blur, nakamas. We want nothing more than to properly thank you for your love, wit, and fanfic, so we’re going to make like Hannibal and take a stab at it.

Spoilers: We’ve tried to honor every part of you since day one.

From the very beginning, this has been the most rewarding professional and personal experience. You made a place for Hannibal in your world. For that, know that there will always be a place setting for you at our table. You made the experience incredibly hearty, and that’s not just because nothing here was vegetarian, nakamas. It was because of you that Hannibal won countless polls, including Hulu’s “Best in Show.” It was because of you that Mads got a taste of some of the best fanfic that the Internet has to offer. It was you that live tweeted with us for 13 hours straight to devour the first season. It was you that took our gorgeous show and created countless pieces of awe-inspiring fan art. (Yes, Senpai noticed.) See? See? You are the reason this fandom is so hearty. Just know that you’re not alone. We’re standing right beside you, and we owe you awe, too.

Together, all of this has been our design. There will always be room for you in our memory palaces. We thank you for making room for us in yours, too. It was an honor to dine with you each and every week. And, just to confirm, it was DEFINITELY that kind of party.

Until the teacup gathers itself back up again, bonsoir and bon appétit, beloved Fannibals.

Mounted hearts and flower crowns,

nbchannibal