The Following backdrop
Crime•Drama

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!

Binge this in 1d 8h•Peaking at 7.6/10

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 death row. The FBI calls former agent Ryan Hardy to

Airs on
FOX
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons3

All123

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    The Following Season 3 Episode 15 - The Reckoning
    7.6/10(13 votes)

    #1 - The Reckoning

    S3:E15

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

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writers:Alexi Hawley, Brett Mahoney

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The Following Season 1 Episode 5 - The Siege
    7.4/10(12 votes)

    #2 - 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.

    Director:Phil Abraham
    Writer:Rebecca Dameron

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The Following Season 1 Episode 12 - The Curse
    7.4/10(11 votes)

    #3 - The Curse

    S1:E12

    Ryan and the FBI discover a follower who might be able to lead them to Joe Carroll's location. Agent Weston returns to the case but his run-in with the cult may have had a bigger impact on him than anyone originally thought. Meanwhile, Claire and Emma come face-to-face for the first time since Joey's kidnapping.

    Director:David Von Ancken
    Writers:Seamus Kevin Fahey, Amanda Kate Shuman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The Following Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.3/10(25 votes)

    #4 - 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.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writer:Kevin Williamson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The Following Season 1 Episode 7 - Let Me Go
    7.2/10(13 votes)

    #5 - 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.

    Director:Nick Gomez
    Writer:Seamus Kevin Fahey

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The Following Season 3 Episode 10 - Evermore
    7.2/10(12 votes)

    #6 - 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.

    Director:David McWhirter
    Writer:Alexi Hawley

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Following

    READ
  7. The Following Season 1 Episode 2 - Chapter Two
    7.1/10(19 votes)

    #7 - 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

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writer:Kevin Williamson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The Following Season 1 Episode 13 - Havenport
    7.1/10(13 votes)

    #8 - 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.

    Director:Nicole Kassell
    Writers:Vincent Angell, David Wilcox

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The Following Season 2 Episode 14 - Silence
    7.0/10(11 votes)

    #9 - 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.

    Director:Steve Shill
    Writer:Scott Reynolds

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The Following Season 1 Episode 3 - The Poet's Fire
    6.9/10(17 votes)

    #10 - 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.

    Director:Liz Friedlander
    Writers:Nora Kay Foster, Adam Armus

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The Following Season 1 Episode 6 - The Fall
    6.9/10(12 votes)

    #11 - 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.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writer:Shintaro Shimosawa

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The Following Season 1 Episode 4 - Mad Love
    6.8/10(15 votes)

    #12 - Mad Love

    S1:E4

    Maggie devises a plot to put an end to Hardy. Meanwhile, tension rises as Paul reveals a secret that Jacob has been keeping from Emma and more information about Hardy and Claire's past relationship is revealed.

    Director:Henry J. Bronchtein
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The Following Season 1 Episode 8 - Welcome Home
    6.8/10(12 votes)

    #13 - Welcome Home

    S1:E8

    With Joey Matthews still missing and the search for Joe Carroll escalating, the FBI brings in Nick Donovan to run lead on the case, much to Ryan and Parker's dismay. Meanwhile, a follower from the past meets up with Joe Carroll, and their plans have a life-threatening result.

    Director:Joshua Butler
    Writer:Amanda Kate Shuman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The Following Season 1 Episode 11 - Whips and Regret
    6.8/10(13 votes)

    #14 - Whips and Regret

    S1:E11

    After losing Claire to Joe's followers, Ryan and Parker attempt to recover while the FBI tracks down an undercover location that may have dark ties to Joe's following. Meanwhile, Claire adjusts to life at the follower's mansion and has an unexpected reunion, while Emma and Jacob continue to deal with Emma's betrayal.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writers:Kevin Williamson, Rebecca Dameron

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The Following Season 2 Episode 12 - Betrayal
    6.8/10(13 votes)

    #15 - Betrayal

    S2:E12

    After a series of public condemnations of Joe and his followers, Joe targets the son of a man who stands against him. Meanwhile, Ryan is faced with the shocking news of Claire's reappearance and Mandy makes a decision that leads her to a familiar face which could undo all that Joe has been working for.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writer:Lizzie Mickery

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The Following Season 1 Episode 9 - Love Hurts
    6.7/10(13 votes)

    #16 - Love Hurts

    S1:E9

    With Weston still in the hospital, Ryan and Parker attempt to outsmart their new leader Nick as a way to continue their search. In a surprising move, Joe reaches out to Ryan to demand Claire's location and reveals that he will go to great lengths to lure her out of FBI custody. Meanwhile, followers from the past make a shocking return.

    Directors:Marcos Siega, Adam Davidson
    Writers:Nora Kay Foster, Adam Armus

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The Following Season 1 Episode 10 - Guilt
    6.7/10(14 votes)

    #17 - Guilt

    S1:E10

    After discovering Claire's location, Joe sends two followers to capture her, but Ryan may be one step ahead. Meanwhile, Jacob struggles with recent decisions causing his reunion with Emma to be less than ideal. Also, a relationship from Ryan's past plays a significant role in his future.

    Director:Joshua Butler
    Writers:Kevin Williamson, Shintaro Shimosawa

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The Following Season 2 Episode 15 - Forgive
    6.6/10(11 votes)

    #18 - 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.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writer:Kevin Williamson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The Following Season 3 Episode 6 - Reunion
    6.6/10(11 votes)

    #19 - 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.

    Director:Mary Harron
    Writer:Brett Mahoney

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The Following Season 3 Episode 3 - Exposed
    6.5/10(12 votes)

    #20 - Exposed

    S3:E3

    After a devastating loss, Ryan, Weston and Max aim to hunt down who is responsible and make them pay, leading Ryan to take a risk with deadly consequences. Meanwhile, Mark questions the loyalty of Kyle and Daisy, causing tensions to rise amongst the group.

    Director:Gary Love
    Writer:Brynn Malone

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The Following Season 3 Episode 12 - The Edge
    6.5/10(11 votes)

    #21 - The Edge

    S3:E12

    An increasingly reckless Ryan continues his search for Theo, as Mark and Daisy discover information that leads them closer to the FBI than ever and puts Mike in a dangerous situation.

    Director:Nicole Kassell
    Writers:Jeff Eckerle, Marilyn Osborn

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The Following Season 3 Episode 13 - A Simple Trade
    6.5/10(12 votes)

    #22 - 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.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writers:Liz Sczudlo, Mary Leah Sutton

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. The Following Season 3 Episode 14 - Dead or Alive
    6.5/10(10 votes)

    #23 - 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.

    Director:Rob Seidenglanz
    Writers:Brynn Malone, Michael McGrale

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. The Following Season 3 Episode 9 - Kill The Messenger
    6.4/10(11 votes)

    #24 - Kill The Messenger

    S3:E9

    After the latest shocking discovery, Ryan finds himself being tracked by the new illusive killer and a game of cat-and-mouse begins leading them both back to Joe Carroll, for different reasons. Meanwhile, Max and Mike look for a stolen clue and Mark makes a shocking decision.

    Director:David S. Tuttman
    Writer:Barry O'Brien

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. The Following Season 3 Episode 1 - New Blood
    6.3/10(12 votes)

    #25 - New Blood

    S3:E1

    With Joe Carroll awaiting execution on death row and all signs of his following erased, Ryan Hardy has moved on from the dark events of his past. But his newfound happiness is shattered when a series of brutally staged tableaus threatens to tear open old wounds. Ryan and his team are forced to unravel a twisted web of violence before it destroys them all - leading them to face a terrifying truth: Joe Carroll was just the beginning.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writers:Alexi Hawley, Brett Mahoney

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"The Reckoning" is the best rated episode of "The Following". It scored 7.6/10 based on 13 votes. Directed by Marcos Siega and written by Alexi Hawley, Brett Mahoney, it aired on 5/15/2015. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Siege".