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.





Will “The Following” Be the Next “24” for Fox in January

14 05 2012

(Press Release) THE FOLLOWING

THE FBI estimates there are currently over 300 active serial killers in the United States. What would happen if these killers had a way of communicating and connecting with each other? What if they were able to work together and form alliances across the country? What if one brilliant psychotic serial killer was able to bring them all together and activate a following? Welcome to THE FOLLOWING, the terrifying new thriller from creator/executive producer Kevin Williamson (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Dawson’s Creek,” the “Scream” franchise). When notorious serial killer JOE CARROLL (James Purefoy, “Rome”) escapes from death row and embarks on a new killing spree, the FBI calls former agent RYAN HARDY (Emmy-nominated actor Kevin Bacon, “X-Men: First Class”) to consult on the case. Having since withdrawn from the public eye, Hardy was responsible for Carroll’s capture nine years ago, after Carroll murdered 14 female students on the Virginia college campus where he taught literature. Hardy is a walking textbook of all-things Carroll. He knows him better than anyone; he is perhaps Carroll’s only psychological and intellectual match. But the Ryan Hardy who broke the Carroll case years ago isn’t the same man today. Wounded both physically and mentally by his previous pursuit of this serial killer, it’s been a long time since Hardy has been in the field. This investigation is his redemption, his call to action. In contrast to nine years ago, Hardy isn’t calling the shots on this case. He works closely with an FBI team, which includes all-business and tough-as-nails JENNIFER MASON (Jeananne Goossen, “The Vow,” ALCATRAZ) and young, razor-sharp MIKE WESTON (Shawn Ashmore, “X-Men”).

The team considers Hardy to be more of a liability than an asset. But Hardy proves his worth when he uncovers that Carroll was covertly communicating with a network of killers in the outside world. It quickly becomes obvious that he has more planned than just a prison escape, and there’s no telling how many additional killers are out there. The FBI’s investigation leads Hardy to CLAIRE MATTHEWS (Natalie Zea, “Justified”), Carroll’s ex-wife and mother of the criminal’s 10-year-old son, JOEY (newcomer Kyle Catlett). Close during Hardy’s initial investigation, Hardy turns to Claire for insight into Carroll’s next move. The tension rises when Carroll’s accomplices kidnap his intended last victim from nine years ago. Hardy becomes ever more determined to end Carroll’s game when he realizes that this psychopath intends to finish what he started. The thriller will follow Hardy and the FBI as they are challenged with the ever-growing web of murder around them, masterminded by the devious Carroll, who dreams of writing a novel with Hardy as his protagonist. The reinvigorated Hardy will get a second chance to capture Carroll, as he’s faced with not one but a cult of serial killers.

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Warner Bros. Television, Outerbanks Entertainment, Bonanza Productions Inc.

CREATOR/WRITER/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Kevin Williamson

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR: Marcos Siega

CAST: Kevin Bacon as Ryan Hardy, James Purefoy as Joe Carroll, Jeananne Goossen as Agent Jennifer Mason, Natalie Zea as Claire Matthews, Kyle Catlett as Joey Matthews, Shawn Ashmore as Agent Weston, Valorie Curry as Denise, Adan Canto as Billy Thomas, Nico Tortorella as Will Wilson

Follow “The Following” on Twitter at @TheFollowingFox

Facebook at:  http://www.facebook.com/TheFollowing

“The Following” is slated to start in January and run for 15 consecutive weeks on Monday nights.

Watch the preview on YouTube at: http://youtu.be/f8H4ewQzKFM