The Following

Plot synopsis:
A struggling, unemployed young writer (credited as "The Young Man") takes to following strangers around the streets of London, ostensibly to find inspiration for his first novel. Initially, he sets strict rules for himself regarding whom he should follow and for how long, but he soon discards them as he focuses on a well-groomed, handsome man in a dark suit. The man in the suit, having noticed he is being followed, quickly confronts the Young Man and introduces himself as "Cobb". Cobb reveals that he is a serial burglar and invites the Young Man (who tells Cobb his name is "Bill") to accompany him on various burglaries. The material gains from these crimes seem to be of secondary importance to Cobb. He takes pleasure in rifling through the personal items in his targets' flats and drinking their wine. He explains that his true passion is using the shock of robbery and violation of property to make his victims re-examine their lives. He sums up his attitude thus: "You take it away, and show them what they had."
The Young Man is thrilled by Cobb's lifestyle. He attempts break-ins of his own, as Cobb encourages and guides him. At Cobb's suggestion, he alters his appearance, cutting his hair short and wearing a dark suit. He assumes the name "Daniel Lloyd" based on the credit card Cobb gives to him and begins to pursue a relationship with a blonde woman whose flat he and Cobb burgled. The Blonde turns out to be the girlfriend of a small-time gangster (known only as the "Bald Guy") whom she broke up with after he murdered a man in her flat. Soon, the Blonde confides that the Bald Guy is blackmailing her with incriminating photographs. The Young Man breaks into the Bald Guy's safe, but is caught in the act by an unidentified man. He then bludgeons the man with a claw hammer and flees with the Bald Guy's money and photos. Upon returning to his flat, he finds that the photos are innocuous modeling shots.
Confronting the Blonde, the Young Man learns that she and Cobb have been working together to manipulate him into mimicking Cobb's burglary methods. She tells him that Cobb had recently discovered a murdered woman's body during one of his burglaries and is attempting to deflect suspicion from himself by making it appear as though multiple burglars share his MO.
The Young Man leaves to turn himself in to the police. The Blonde reports her success to Cobb, who then reveals that he actually works for the Bald Guy. The story about the murdered woman was part of a plot to deceive both the Blonde and the Young Man: The Blonde has been blackmailing the Bald Guy with evidence from the murder he committed in her flat, and he wants her murdered in such a way that it cannot be connected to him. Cobb bludgeons the Blonde to death with the same claw hammer that the Young Man used during the burglary of the Bald Guy's safe and leaves it at the scene. The police, checking out the Young Man's story, find the Blonde murdered and the claw hammer with his fingerprints on it. The Young Man is thus implicated for the murder of the blonde woman. Cobb, meanwhile, vanishes into a crowd.

Tags: violence, cult, murder, flashback

Review:
Unfortunately, this didn't last long and the plot turned out to be the main problem.As the first season unravels, the villains manage to outwit the FBI and the police on countless occasions.
Even the average viewer of TV shows would know some basic rules of police work: Secure the perimeter; Do not engage the fugitives when outnumbered and wait for support; Do not send the people to investigate the vaults without backup, especially when there's a possibility to encounter armed resistance etc.We could argue whether the villains are depicted as almighty and the police and FBI as too stupid, yet The Following is not the show i'd recommend..
I'll start by saying that the show had some good action to it, the actors are well developed and the overall theme to the show is great.Aside from that the show seriously lacks in the general intelligence and intuition of those playing law informant characters.
The F.B.I. are after a cult following a brilliant serial killer who is currently behind bars, the members of the cult are supposedly rather intelligent themselves and yet the F.B.I. and the police never seem to be prepared for the twists, never sending enough officers to do a job.
Really never take the time to write reviews but I felt I needed to say something about this show.First of all, its nice to see Kevin Bacon in a TV-series.
The writing was good creating tension and setting the scene for following episodes.
The play between Kevin Bacon's character as the flawed former FBI agent and James Purefoy as the serial killer is excellent.
It's certainly a great start - and I'm not talking just about the good, tragic, dramatic plot but the cast too.
We all know that having Kevin Bacon in a movie is a great plus but having James Purefoy as the charismatic serial killer is absolutely amazing.
The characters fit on Kevin and James like a glove and they, developing a "nemesis relation" really highlight one another.The start of the series was off the charts, it was action filled, in a word - extraordinary!
What started out as quite a promising series, with the decent-enough pilot episode, The Following has unfortunately taken a slow, but noticeable nose dive in quality, until it has reached a nadir in the latest episode (6, I think) where it has started to resemble a facsimile of the numerous other boring FBI/CSI/NYPD shows, only not as interesting, with clunky and unintentionally funny dialogue.
After watching the series premiere of "The Following", it left me with an impression that I simply couldn't find anywhere else as the story unfolded in such a terrifying way.
Kevin Bacon was simply incredible as the worn down FBI agent with a tragic past that has yet to be explored further as the show progresses, but James Purefoy is MARVELOUS as the twisted serial killer.
The writers have obviously been so drunk of the show's "success" that they are thinking it will run over 10 season, introducing new characters every single episode and making this possible.
Only thing saving this show is the good acting by Bacon and Purefoy.p.s. anyone who has ever seen a gun being shot, should no that 9mm pistols don't shoot fireworks, i mean, the amount of the sparks makes me think its 4th of July..
The criminally insane idea in this show is one held by ex-literature professor Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) that murder can be the most beautiful form of art and the ultimate form of tribute to his idol Edgar Alan Poe.Jailed for his crimes he becomes the most grisly form of cause celebre - a serial killer with an enraptured cult of determined wackos at his beck and call.
But that is when I realized that this show has been wildly misunderstood by SO many people.The first thing that makes this show so amazing is its cast; where I would think that Bacon would make a better villain than Purefoy, this show just pulls the rug from under you by making your favorite professor and dear father and husband, a manic serial killer with an Edgar Allan Poe obsession.
Other stunning performances include the Elektra-complexed Valorie Curry and the not-meant-to-be-a-follower Warren Kole.I have watched (not battled as some users have stated) and thoroughly enjoyed every realistic (yes, I think it is very believable) moment of this intensely complicated show.
Kevin Williamson, who also brought us The Vampire Diaries (which I don't think is believable, by the way), Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, to me, showed with this series his true talents as an immensely talented horror-writer capable of reaching places in the human psyche that is not very often reached in post-modern television.Bravo!
The Following is one of the best TV Series i saw, it cannot end right now.Such a great show.
For example, Bacon's character is supposed to be THE EXPERT on Joe Carol (the literature professor who became a serial killer when his novel got panned).
The following started off as an exciting and dramatic thriller but as time went on the series had me less enthralled by smart plot twists and simply upset by the poor writing.Through the progression of the series we see error after error from the FBI which only serves to lengthen the story and provide predictable thrills.
My new biggest fear in life is that the producers will drag this tired plot into a second season which I might feel compelled to watch (not for its content but simply for closure).
Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) is obsessed with the story he has plotted and cast Hardy in as the tragic hero.The Following is, really, a horror story.
I like James Purefoy.The Story has a lot of potential, but after a few episodes it is clear that the only way to drive the Story further is that the villain is not caught.
She is unlikeable and annoying and maybe it is meant to drive sympathy for her but the amount of stupidity she shows really doesn't help.why oh why dear writers, couldn't you have made a plot where the good guys actually amount to something and where the detection piece is a bit more prominent?
I must agree with many reviewers that say the series takes a suicidal nosedive early on...it started well but continues into an absurd collection of clichés and absurdities.I fail to understand how writers cannot see that people these days are far more knowledgeable and well-informed due to the age of the internet and free speech.
If you can suspend your disbelief far enough to accept that there is some modern day Svengali who can manipulate people like puppets from afar, by the sheer force of his (utterly repugnant) personality and his phony, ambiguous, quasi-British accent —largely through the Internet, no less—then I suppose you will suck down this swill the way Kevin Bacon's character sucks down his vodka, or gin, or whatever colorless alcohol he carries around in his water bottle.
It's unusual for me to like a procedural show, but The Following has a combination of things that makes it something that I look forward to watching each week.One of the best (if not the best) thing about the show is James Purefoy as Joe the villain.
He doesn't overplay the character, and he manages to be creepy and a bit charming all at the same time, making it hard to avoid the urge to root for him even as I wonder why he's not in a higher security facility (because he's clever and smart and deadly).Kevin Bacon was definitely the right choice for Ryan the hero.
I am a lover of serial killers, this series reminds me of a more well organized Manson Family, Joe Carrol manipulates people to kill for him while he hides away and never gets caught...pure genius!
Acting is very amateur & bad script writing,some of the scenes are cringing to watch,but once I've started watching something I have to see the end,I keep watching only in hope it gets better,but it just doesn't happen,each episode is worse then the previous one,It's full of bad FBI work,it's so unrealistic it's laughable, it's full of kidnap escape kidnap escape,goes to prison,oh guess what!??
I Loved this show, could not stop watching it from start to finish, am hoping there is another season yet to come, the story line is so real to life these days, so many cults out there so many people looking for answers to their problems and the torment that goes on in their heads, they want to blame everyone or everything for their lives so they seek revenge against anyone that they have seen as a threat to them especially to those that have been some sort of leader or mentor.
It's a weekly TV show its not some grand movie that is suppose to have a start and finish its a weekly TV show that's suppose to continue on and on and if you think about cults like Waco and militias like Ruby Ridge well Law enforcement isn't always the most competent and these cult leaders do set up camp right under our noses so its just not that far fetched, look how long Bundy killed before getting caught, but this is from someone who liked Criminal Minds I tend to like shows that get into the criminal psyche.
Kevin Bacon is superb and James Purefoy looks like he is having a great time playing this charismatic psychopathy.
Kevin Bacon puts a new twist on the classic "dark hero" and with an all-star cast of seasoned actors who blend beautifully, it's almost believable.
I was on the edge of my seat as I watched the first two episodes and I am looking forward to a wonderful series.
Yes, the series unravels somewhat as Kevin Bacon's character Ryan Hardy comes unglued.
Yeah, sometimes the bad guy gets away when the cop looks the wrong way, but I honestly think the FBI gets smarter as they learn the case.
the appeal of serial killers/followers/cults got a bit to much in the end...Then out of nowhere, Season 3 is here and with hesitation, i gave it another chance, hoping the writers would take it in another direction to freshen things up a bit....
no more 'followers' less screen time for Carroll who is about to face the lethal injection and finally a worthy killer who, compared to all have appeared on the show before him, cannot compare to how sick and twisted this guy is, and he also happens to be a hacker genius and is always 2 steps ahead of the police....
They tried to sell this as a serial-killer-of-the-week series but it's nothing of the sort.The first third of The Following is actually pretty interesting.
What Carroll is after is a reunion with his wife and son and to write his reality-based masterpiece.The FBI reluctantly recruits a reluctant disgraced former agent, Ryan Hardy, who was responsible for the investigation that put Carroll in jail in the first place- since Carroll was a serial killer himself.And at first things are interesting and mysterious.
Sure, the final outcome is unusual, but nothing to rave about.The Following should have been a strong series, it looks like it has a budget, cast, crew and some interesting ideas.
I guess Kevin Williamson never really outgrew the 90s.I finished watching this season just to see how it all turns out, not so much because I was compelled by its greatness.
Kevin Bacon, an amazing actor who embodies his characters with such depth you truly see him as the character he portrays - making his performance come alive.Second, the rest of the actors (James Purefoy, are first class and look forward to seeing the ensemble of characters ebb and flow as the series unfolds.
Had to turn it off as soon as Kevin Bacons character finds and sees the escaped serial killer, then yells out "There he is" as loud as he can, letting the guy know he's been seen so he is able to get away, and gut a few cops in the process.
I have watched every episode of the following so far, and I am about to abandon ship, mostly because of the writers.
other than main character u will not remember anyone or feel anything for them.Anybody can be psycho.After watching Sherlock, Luther and criminal minds, it feels like total waste of time.
It's not your run of the mill boring CSI, Criminal Minds, NCIS rehash where they have 3 shows in the franchise where all the shows are the exact same show just set in a different city.Kevin Bacon is a good choice to play the lead role of former FBI agent Ryan Hardy who's called back into action when the followers of the man he put away start killing in his name.
Now, I have never been a Kevin Bacon fan, and so far, I don't think much of his acting, but the story, and the main idea: "what if there were a bunch of serial killers on the loose and they were all connected to one big crazy dude" has a lot of potential.
The plot is excellent because it draws the viewer in although it is very dark.The violence maybe a bit strong but it also makes the show feel real and frightening.After watching the first episode I highly recommend that you watch the show.It is well worth the 60 minutes of your time.
The fact that there are people out there who think that this kind of vile, sickening, disgusting, sadistic trash actually belongs on television horrifies and saddens me.A network (Fox) that cancels high-quality shows like Fringe yet has room for this carnage is mostly to blame, but the "people" who will enjoy watching the most gory torture and bloodthirsty killing, and consider it "entertainment" are equally at fault.
I can't believe that Kevin Bacon is so hard up for money that he agreed to be seen in this, so what's his excuse?If you like this kind of television viewing, you are no better than a serial killer yourself, and you should probably be watching it safely locked away in an institution.
Like the overall story, don't like how the plots fail due stupid characters or cops/FBI.
I think the story has a lot of potential to be an excellent drama TV series, but the stupidity of the FBI characters and cops and even the main characters in each scene makes me wonder if my time is really worth watching it.I know it's not reality TV but it can't be fiction either.
Please, do NOT write a review after having watched just one episode of a series.
The only bright part are the skillful acting of the main protagonists James Purefoy and Kevin Bacon, the sad thing they have to follow the poor plot and story lines.
The pilot was prolly the best of the episodes but once all the cards were revealed, it just went on & on like a Road Runner cartoon marathon.It is an evil series, as it makes you want to watch it just to see how stupid the next escape and twist will be.
Other than that: the directing is bad, the acting is bad, the filming is bad, the plot is horrible and filled with holes that a 7year old can easily recognize, the characters are shallow and boring (except maybe for purefoy's) and the whole thing is wrapped with a very bad taste.And to the trix_r_kids who wrote here a manifesto of how stupid all of us viewers are for not understanding this moronic show: you really went out of your way to defend this crap just because you are probably the 0.001% who can actually give this preposterous show a perfect score.
I like Kevin Bacon and James Purefoy as actors, and Fox having a decent track record of making some good and edgy shows over the last 20 years gave me high expectations of a quality drama.
I watched the entire first season hoping against hope for an improvement in the story/writing but never got it.I could go on and on about many of the implausible scenes that almost seem like they were written for a grade schoolers comic book hobby, but I don't want to think about "The Following" anymore.
The moment the writers want to 'twist' story they turn someone you think is good to the dark side, the cult.
Yeah, that'll do." The two episodes I've seen so far haven't expressed any originality or creativity, and it seems like the violence is just being used to draw people in instead of supporting the plot and building character depth - it's just too blatant and meaningless.The narrative is also particularly annoying, mostly because Bacon reads every line like he's trying to win an award.Fox cancelled two solid, profitable shows last year, Alcatraz (which I'd rate a 6.5) and Terra Nova (I'd rate 7.0), which was disappointing.
Kevin Bacon is really a good actor.
7,6 on IMDb??Third season?And they cut a good series like Almost Human.Jesus!
usually the ratings makes sense but not this one.The script has unnumbered holes.I wont bother you with the plot because there isn't any!!And if anyone just saw the first episode and thought it's a good series, think again after a couple more.
Yeah you have great actors in there, but portraying a serial killer as an artist is beyond reprehensible.And people watch this garbage?
This isn't the bad guys winning, this is horrible, horrible script/plot with pretty damn good acting and a whole lot of empty holes and absolutely ridiculous twists and turns.
You will not feel like you wasted your time on this stupid show, instead u will wait for t next episode to come out as soon as possible.
So you know what, give it a watch and see for yourself, because no good crime drama starts with the police catching him episode 1 and keeping him locked up, that would be truly bad television.