The Following

         What comes to mind when you think of a show that is intense, suspenseful and also jaw dropping? Well for me, it is The Following created by Kevin Williamson. It revolves around the main character, Joe Carroll and his insane sense of living.  He is an English professor that is intrigued by the dark, mysterious, scary works of poet Edgar Allen Poe.  From Poe’s poems, Carroll comes to the conclusion that a woman suffering and dying is one of the most beautiful scenes and decides to kill them himself, becoming a nationwide serial killer. The big catch though… He isn’t alone!  Carroll comes into contact with other active serial killers and trains them to be his “groupies”, in which they follow his every command, continuing his plan to kill women. The FBI is heavily involved in this case, especially Ryan Hardy (head agent) who risks everything he has to keep Claire Matthews, Joe’s wife and  also his  long lost lover, and her son Joey safe from the dangerous world they are living in. Every scene is full of blood, gun shots, and cries for help from innocent people in desperate measures. What would you do if this scenario was occurring in your neighborhood?

            The scene of criminals being chased, and agents finding the evidence to figure out the case has always sparked my interest, but The Following has brought out another level of interest. It is the type of show that when it comes to a commercial break, your head is spinning, begging for more. The most significant part about the show is the continuous, twists and turns throughout every episode. You may think you have gathered enough clues to figure out where Joe Carroll or his followers are but then BAM! Something else comes in the way, leaving your mind in utter despair. For Instance, in the season one finale Ryan Hardy had just returned to his apartment in New York along with Claire Matthews feeling more at peace with the situation, allowing the audience to catch a breather as well. Then all of a sudden an attractive woman, one of Hardy’s other lovers, also a neighbor of Hardy has mysteriously snuck into the apartment, stabbing Ryan and Claire in the back. There is only one explanation for this… She is part of Carroll’s clan, and could it be that she is jealous that Ryan has moved on to a bigger and better life with another woman? You never know who or what Joe Carroll’s next victim is and it won’t easily be identified.  The character and plot development that Williamson has created is one of a pure writing   genius, and one other writer should look up to. There are two rules when watching this show: Get your thinking caps on and be prepared for the thrill of a life time!