The Following: The Poet’s Fire (S1E3) Preview

2 02 2013

TheFollowingCastAt the end of episode 2, we see the first part of episode 3, where “Rick” (Michael Drayer) sets fire to a certain individual on the street. It is not random. The victim was chosen for a particular reason. The team tries to uncover what this cult is about, what the underlying message is from the cult leader. Jordy is awake and the team tries to uncover more clues from him as to where Joey, the missing boy, is located. I lost count at the number of victims in this episode and without spoiling, let’s say that no one in this show is safe, except perhaps Kevin Bacon and James Purefoy because without them there would be no show.

Meanwhile at the house with Emma, Paul and Jacob, tension mounts. That, too, takes an unexpected twist.

Any woman who ever thought of going out with a strange man should watch this episode as it will instantly cure you from ever entertaining that thought in the future.

As shows go, usually season 1 is all about developing characters, getting to know storylines, hits and misses in plots. Not with this show. Every time I think something is going to happen, I’m completely surprised. Then, when I think, “Okay, this is where they pull the bait and switch” I am completely thrown off again. There is no pre-guessing outcomes.

The ending is completely evil, perverted and twisted that it is terrifying to witness.

Tune in to “The Poet’s Fire” episode of THE FOLLOWING airing Monday, Feb. 4 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

My thanks to FOX Broadcasting and the FOX VIP program for allowing me the privilege of previewing this episode.





The Following “Chapter Two” (S1E2)

24 01 2013

This preview of the second episode DOES contain information from the pilot episode. If you did not see the pilot episode and don’t want to know anything about it, please come visit another time.

TheFollowingCast“Chapter Two”–Appropriately titled as it is the second chapter in the psycho sequel for Joe Carroll (James Purefoy), charismatic serial killer turned cult leader and the second episode of this wonderful new series on FOX. During last episode, we learned that Joe has amassed “friends” while using internet access in prison to carry on for him. At the end of the previous episode we learned that “Denise” (aka Emma; Valorie Curry) took Joey (Kyle Catlett), the son of Claire Matthews (Natalie Zea) and Joe Carroll, from his home and met up with the two guys who had been posing as Sarah’s gay neighbors, known now as Jacob (Nico Tortorella) and Paul (Adan Canto). She tells Joey, “We’re on an adventure.” At the end of our story in the pilot, Jordy (Steve Monroe), who we discover practice on animals, walks into a sorority house at the end. We know that he is about to attempt to move up to humans. And Joe Carroll tells Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon), after his re-capture, that he knows Ryan slept with his wife . Joe intends to write a sequel to his first story. Joe was scheduled to be put to death in 3 weeks; obviously with Joey missing that will be postponed.

Some people expressed sadness on Twitter that they did not see Agent Mason (Jeananne Goossen) slated for any further episodes. That is explained at some point during “Chapter Two.

This episode is mainly devoted to moving the story forward while being in the present and cutting back to the past for back story in the expertly way they did in the pilot episode. We find out more about Emma, Jacob and Paul. We meet a new character, Debra Parker (Annie Parisse), who is a cult expert, but shhhh…. they are trying not to call his followers a cult quite yet until they discover more evidence, which they do, that squarely puts Joe Carroll as a Jesus Christ equivalent. (JC? Get it). This treasure trove of discovered information makes you want to hit “pause” on the DVR to take it all in and to look for clues for future episodes. Back story is also filled in on Joe Carroll, Claire Matthews, and Ryan Hardy. Jordy fits prominently into this episode as well. A new follower, or acolyte, is discovered, but his true face is still unknown to us.

If a serial killer ever wants to set you up with a date of someone he knows, the correct response is “no.” And I think the creepiest line of “Chapter Two” is when Joe tells Ryan, “Jordy was a mere puppy.” If you saw the pilot, you will understand the reference.

Once again I was on the edge of my seat. Many times I said, “Wow, I was NOT expecting that.” There were times I screamed. “Chapter Two” did not lose any of the things people loved about the pilot episode.

If you missed the pilot, FOX is planning an Encore performed of “The Following” on Friday, January 25, at 9:00 Eastern/8:00 central. “Chapter Two” episode of THE FOLLOWING airs Monday, Jan. 28 (9:00 Eastern/8:00 Central) on FOX. Joe Carroll wants to be friends. Do you want to be his?

My thanks again to the FOX VIP program and Fox Broadcasting for the preview of this wonderful episode.





“The Following” Pilot Episode Preview

9 01 2013

For people who like their drama terrifying, dark and complex, Fox Broadcasting’s “THE FOLLOWING” will offer up a lot of all of it. This show is not for the faint at heart as evidenced by the first 5 minutes of the show. Kevin Williamson of “Scream” fame has done his homework with serial killer and cult leader Charles Manson immediately springing to my mind as a Carroll equivalent. As serial killer Joe Carroll, James Purefoy (“Rome”) offers up a performance that rivals Anthony Hopkins in “The Silence of the Lambs.” A literature professor particularly fond of the works of Edgar Allan Poe, Carroll goes on a killing spree that ultimately ends in his original capture by Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon). Several weeks before his execution date, Carroll escapes which brings Ryan Hardy out of retirement. Ryan is not alone working the case. He is joined by FBI agents Mike Weston (Shawn Ashmore from “X-Men”), Agent Reilly (Billy Brown from “Dexter”), and Debra Parker (Annie Parisse from “Person of Interest“).

While in prison, Carroll has been busy amassing followers. He is crafty, intelligent, charismatic and terrifying. He has thought out each move of his chess game, being the master manipulator that is common with cult leaders. Carroll’s ex-wife Claire Matthews (Natalie Zea from “Justified”) and son Joey (Kyle Catlett from “Mercy”) also are key figures in this new drama. The story expertly cuts back and forth between current day and the past but always has a great forward motion like you were used to from the show, “24.”

THE FOLLOWING begins at 9:00 eastern, 8:00 central time on Monday, January 21, 2013.

My thanks again to Fox Broadcasting and the Fox VIP program for allowing access to this new thriller.

TheFollowingCast

Follow some of the cast/crew on Twitter:

Kevin Williamson   @kevwilliamson

Marcos Siega @MSiega

Adam Armus  @AdamArmus

Ari Margolis @jonxproductions

Kevin Bacon  @kevinbacon

James Purefoy @JamesPurefoy

Shawn Ashmore @ShawnRAshmore

The Following on Fox  @TheFollowingFOX