The Following Season One Thoughts

Whenever an A-list actor such as Kevin Bacon graces the small screen, the audience is in for a treat. While Bacon is known for portraying the bad guy roles you love to hate, this time around, his character is likable and makes you want to root for him.  While “The Following” is currently one of FOX’s number-one hit dramas, it is safe to say that it does have some flaws, but at the same time, you can’t turn away from the different bags of tricks it throws at you.

“The Following” is about a brilliant and charismatic, psychopath, serial killer, Joe Carroll, played by James Purefoy, (“A Knights Tale”) who along with other serial killers, creates a cult of believers who follow his every command. Ryan Hardy, Bacon, is a former FBI agent who is called back to work after Carroll, the man he put away, has recently escaped from prison. As the show slowly begins to develop its characters, we get to see the many back stories in flashbacks take place.

The first season of “The Following” locks you in with each episode- you never know what will come next. The game of cat and mouse played between Carroll and Hardy symbolize the good vs. evil persona of FBI and the criminal. What is great about “The Following” is when you think Hardy has Carroll trapped with nowhere to go, Carroll is always one step ahead. For a show that is broadcast on network television, it is bloody and graphic. There are times where you will have to turn away from the screen as the several death scenes will make you feel uncomfortable.

The interesting dynamic that is presented between Carroll and Hardy is their history. Carroll was a brilliant professor whose manipulating charm caused his students to adore him, helping him create a deadly Colt, and when he was locked up in jail, they accomplished his dirty work and made them worship him sort of like a God. Hardy, on the other hand, had an affair with Carrolls ex-wife, Claire, played by the lovely Natalie Zea, (“Justified”).  This turn of events caused Carroll to have his son, Joey kidnapped and brought to him. Hardy now has two jobs, finding Carroll’s son who was abducted by his baby sitter, Emma, who is part of Carroll’s cult and two other cult members, Jacob and Adam.

As the story goes on, we see different back stories involving Carroll’s followers. Most of them are his former students, others are ex-military.  The downside of this show is how unrealistic some of the story arcs are. During a raid to find Carroll’s son, there were several cult members disguised as FBI agents. The problem with this scenario is how much power a man such as Carroll can have in manipulating so many people. It is almost too perfect, but as the old saying goes, “you’d be surprised.”

Simply put, “The Following” is an addicting treat.