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The Best Episodes of The Following

Every episode of The Following ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The Following!

The Best Episodes of The Following

Notorious serial killer Joe Carroll, after being found guilty of murdering 14 female students on the Virginia college campus where he taught literature, escapes from...

Seasons3

  1. Background image for Pilot
    8.3/10(2.5k votes)

    #1 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    Former FBI agent, Ryan Hardy is called out of retirement to track down Joe Carroll after he escapes from prison. Hardy works closely with an FBI team, which includes young, razor-sharp Mike Weston. The investigation also leads Hardy back to Claire Matthews, Carroll's ex-wife and the mother of the criminal's young son, Joey. Hardy soon discovers that Carroll has an ever-growing cult of followers.

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  2. Background image for Unmasked
    8.1/10(871 votes)

    #2 - Unmasked

    S2:E9

    Ryan, Max and Weston discover information that leads them closer to uncovering the mole within the FBI - which results in complications of its own. Meanwhile, Joe and Micah execute a plan that threatens the Korban cult in order to announce a message to Ryan and the world.

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  3. Background image for Resurrection
    8.0/10(1.3k votes)

    #3 - Resurrection

    S2:E1

    One year after Ryan Hardy's pursuit of serial killer Joe Carroll, a healthy and healed Ryan is living in New York City. On the surface, it appears Ryan's gotten his life back together. But deep down, his obsession with Joe continues to grow. Then, on the anniversary of Joe's death, a new murderous rampage leaves everyone shocked and determined to discover the truth.

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  4. Background image for Fly Away
    8.0/10(838 votes)

    #4 - Fly Away

    S2:E6

    Looking for back-up and hoping to execute their plan, Ryan and Max contact the FBI. But Weston has other ideas, leading to a standoff between good and evil. Meanwhile, Joe's new relationship escalates into uncharted territory, and Luke finds himself in a troubling situation.

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  5. Background image for Evermore
    8.0/10(716 votes)

    #5 - Evermore

    S3:E10

    With Joe Carroll's execution day upon them, the team remains on edge, expecting that he won't go easily. Their fears are realized when a hostage situation at the prison forces Ryan to go in alone, as the whole world watches.

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  6. Background image for Forgive
    7.9/10(831 votes)

    #6 - Forgive

    S2:E15

    Mark and Luke turn the tables on both Ryan Hardy and Joe Carroll, forcing the two sworn enemies to come together to save the woman they love.

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  8. Background image for Dead or Alive
    7.9/10(583 votes)

    #7 - Dead or Alive

    S3:E14

    The FBI hunt for Theo continues and the stakes are higher than ever as some of their own come under attack.

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  9. Background image for The Reckoning
    7.9/10(747 votes)

    #8 - The Reckoning

    S3:E15

    As suspicions rise alliances are shaken and no one is safe in the harrowing final heart-stopping moments.

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  10. Background image for Havenport
    7.8/10(1.1k votes)

    #9 - Havenport

    S1:E13

    The Havenport Police Department is brought onto the case and Roderick's role as sheriff is called into question, which leads him to make a shocking decision that threatens the safety of Joey. Meanwhile, Ryan goes against the FBI, hoping to gain the trust of one of Joe's followers.

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  11. Background image for Sacrifice
    7.8/10(823 votes)

    #10 - Sacrifice

    S2:E7

    Ryan and the FBI continue their hunt for Lily Gray, and are forced to redirect their search when a new threat enters Max's life. Meanwhile, Joe, Emma and Mandy arrive at their latest hideout, but quickly realize things aren't what they seem.

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  12. Background image for Silence
    7.8/10(763 votes)

    #11 - Silence

    S2:E14

    Joe Carroll puts his final plan into action, threatening the lives of many, as Ryan and Mike go to great lengths to stop him and prevent more innocent lives being lost. Meanwhile, Claire makes a decision that leads her into dangerous territory, and Mark and Luke attempt to figure out their next move.

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  13. Background image for A Simple Trade
    7.8/10(569 votes)

    #12 - A Simple Trade

    S3:E13

    A deadly deal is made, but things don’t go as planned, and Ryan makes a decision for his future.

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  14. Background image for Chapter Two
    7.7/10(1.7k votes)

    #13 - Chapter Two

    S1:E2

    Ryan Hardy, Agent Mike Weston and FBI Specialist Debra Parker, who is brought in to lead the investigation into Joe Carroll and his followers, dive deeper into the history of Carroll's psyche. To do so, they enlist the help of Carroll's ex-wife, and Hardy's former love, Claire Matthews. Meanwhile, Emma, Jacob and Paul keep Claire's son Joey at a house in the country as they prepare for their next move

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  15. Background image for The Siege
    7.7/10(1.3k votes)

    #14 - The Siege

    S1:E5

    When Claire receives a phone call that may lead her to find her son, the FBI and Ryan Hardy set their next move into motion, causing panic at the farmhouse. Meanwhile, Joe Carroll seeks a lawyer from his past to send a message that has deadly results.

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  16. Background image for The Final Chapter
    7.7/10(1.2k votes)

    #15 - The Final Chapter

    S1:E15

    In the explosive Season One finale, Ryan races to stop Joe Carroll before his endgame reaches a deadly conclusion. Meanwhile, Joe leads Claire to a special location and the ultimate showdown between good and evil takes place.

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  17. Background image for Trust Me
    7.7/10(855 votes)

    #16 - Trust Me

    S2:E3

    Ryan continues his search to find the correlation between the recent tragedies in New York City and Emma and the existing members of the Havenport cult, while the FBI becomes increasingly aware of his undercover agenda. Meanwhile, a shocking event leads Joe to put a new plan in action.

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  18. Background image for The Reaping
    7.7/10(730 votes)

    #17 - The Reaping

    S2:E13

    Ryan tracks down the location of the Korban compound with hopes to infiltrate the cult and capture Joe Carroll, but all doesn't go exactly as planned. Meanwhile, Claire asks Carrie to deliver a message to Joe, and Weston makes a decision that will change the course of his life forever.

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  19. Background image for The Fall
    7.6/10(1.3k votes)

    #18 - The Fall

    S1:E6

    Joe Carroll's true intentions are revealed through a new follower, Charlie. As Ryan learns of Joe's plans, he tries to stall Emma, Jacob and Paul by taunting them in hopes of turning them against each other. Meanwhile, Emma makes a shocking decision.

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  20. Background image for Family Affair
    7.6/10(849 votes)

    #19 - Family Affair

    S2:E4

    After the latest shocking revelation in the case, Ryan and Max attempt to put the pieces together and stay two-steps ahead of the FBI, despite Weston's constant warnings to stay out of the way. Meanwhile, Emma becomes even closer to Mark and Luke, while Joe and Mandy meet up with a follower in search of assistance.

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  21. Background image for Reflection
    7.6/10(803 votes)

    #20 - Reflection

    S2:E5

    In an attempt to learn new information, Ryan and Max capture a suspect. But complications lead to a game of dangerous cat and mouse. Also, Joe grows accustomed to his surroundings and establishes a plan of his own, while Emma realizes she is in dangerous company.

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  22. Background image for Freedom
    7.6/10(736 votes)

    #21 - Freedom

    S2:E11

    A deadly massacre, thought to be sparked by Joe Carroll, leads Ryan and Mike into very dangerous territory. But as more details are revealed, they realize another leader might be on the rise. Meanwhile, Joe continues to train the Korban cult and confirms his new plans with Emma and those who doubt him.

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  23. Background image for Reunion
    7.6/10(652 votes)

    #22 - Reunion

    S3:E6

    With their latest target on the run, Ryan and Mike follow a tip to a small town to investigate and confirm he isn't seeking protection. While in town, they both discover an even larger threat who has managed to avoid suspicion up until now. Meanwhile, Max struggles to make a confession.

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    Director:Mary Harron
  24. Background image for The Poet's Fire
    7.5/10(1.5k votes)

    #23 - The Poet's Fire

    S1:E3

    A new follower is found in Rick, who is on a determined path to follow through on Carroll's orders. Hardy and the FBI attempt to predict Rick's course of revenge, which leads to a surprising outcome. Meanwhile, Paul's jealousy over Emma and Jacob's relationship leads to a breaking point, and the origin of Hardy and Carroll's relationship.

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  25. Background image for Let Me Go
    7.5/10(1.2k votes)

    #24 - Let Me Go

    S1:E7

    With the help of attorney Olivia Warren, Joe Carroll makes a case against Ryan and the FBI to be transferred to a different facility, but Ryan suspects a larger plan may be at play. Meanwhile, Emma and Joey arrive at a meeting point and come across another one of Roderick's men who has a secret of his own.

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  26. Background image for The End is Near
    7.5/10(1.0k votes)

    #25 - The End is Near

    S1:E14

    Ryan, Parker and Weston prepare to storm the follower's mansion, but Joe already has an escape plan in action. Meanwhile, disguised followers create a diversion at the town evacuation center, which causes panic among the residents and leads to a dangerous kidnapping of one FBI official.

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Best Episodes Summary

"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "The Following". It scored 8.3/10 based on 2511 votes. Directed by Marcos Siega and written by Kevin Williamson, it aired on 1/21/2013. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Unmasked".