There’s something about prequels that makes me skeptical. Maybe it’s the fact that the actors are never the same as the ones I’ve grown to love, but I think it mostly has to do with the fact that I already know how the story ends.

This can be said for Hannibal Lector, taking center stage in the prequel series Hannibal, airing at 9 p.m. Thursdays on NBC.

Hannibal follows Will Graham (Hugh Dancy). Graham gets brought back into the world of criminal profiling by Jack Crawford (Laurence Fishburne). The case involves the disappearance of college girls all of the same physical appearance.

When Graham struggles to put together a profile of the killer, Crawford brings in the assistance of renowned criminal psychiatrist Hannibal Lector (Mads Mikkelsen).

While watching, I reminded myself of what I know will happen, thanks to Silence of the Lambs. However, knowing is part of the fun of Hannibal. It’s what allows us to enjoy the scenes like the first encounter between Graham and Lector about their shared “tasteless” thoughts.

That’s not to say that those who are unfamiliar with Silence of the Lambs won’t enjoy the show. I almost wish I could see the series with fresh eyes, unaware of what is meant to happen. No matter what camp you fall into, it’s worth giving Hannibal a shot. With only three episodes aired, it’s fast-paced and quick to catch up on.

A word of caution: while this show might read like another procedural drama, the graphic imagery challenges Criminal Minds on its best days. In the pilot, a scene where Lector prepares himself dinner made me reconsider the fact that I ate before deciding to review the episode.

4/5 stars