The Following

 2013 is the year when I try some new things. Due to my scare easy nature, I tend to shy away from horror and thriller books, films, television programmes. Since I read 'Siege' (review below) I've gotten an insight into that thriller genre, and have decided that I want to dip into it a bit more. So, what better way to do it than with America's latest series?

'The Following' is the story of serial killer slash literature lecturer, Joe Carroll (an extremely creepy James Purefoy) and his legion of 'followers'. Carroll was imprisoned in 2003 by FBI agent Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon) after murdering fourteen young women. He is obsessed with Edgar Allen Poe and his writing is often used as a theme throughout each episode, quotes appearing on walls in blood etc. In the first episode, we see Carroll make his great escape from prison, and find out who his first few followers are as the FBI put him back behind bars once more.

Each episode is told through present day events and past ones. The relationship between Joe Carroll and Ryan Hardy (they were once friends, funnily enough), and between Hardy and Carroll's ex wife, Claire Matthews. Flashbacks show how each follower came to meet Joe, why they were so keen to join his cult of oddballs and what they were willing to do to show their loyalty. The struggle of the FBI becomes more prominent as each episode progresses. There's plenty of twists and turns to keep viewers clinging on until the end.

That's been the beauty of this series so far. Not one point is boring. The intensity is wound up to fever pitch, silences build up suspense and sometimes it's unbearable to watch. There are some twists that are very unexpected, followers creep up on the public and the FBI from absolutely everywhere, and I mean, everywhere. Despite the often gory violence (eye gauging, finger breaking, grisly suicides to name a few) it is an enjoyable watch. With most television programmes there is that element of ridiculousness. Joe Carroll killed fourteen women, yet he was allowed internet access in prison? Hmm doubt that would happen in reality. If we ignore the loopholes, the writing is incredible. Each character is flawed in some way, no one is clean cut and perfect, and the flashbacks really show the history of the characters and how they came to be who they are in the present. The story itself is intriguing and original, which is something that is becoming difficult to come by these days. 

I think the UK are on around episode seven now, but with last week's absolute bombshell of an episode, there's no clue as to what's coming next. The series ends at episode fifteen, but has been commissioned for another series. So, who knows if Joe Carroll's followers will ever be stopped and brought to justice? I guess, we'll have to watch to find out.

The Following is on Sky Atlantic on Tuesday's at 10pm, but if you're super behind, you could probably catch up on Sky or alternatively use one of those virus riddled websites.