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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
    7.8/10(22 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 The Curse
    7.6/10(10 votes)

    #2 - 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.

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  3. Background image for The Siege
    7.5/10(11 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. Background image for Chapter Two
    7.4/10(17 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. Background image for The Reckoning
    7.4/10(10 votes)

    #5 - 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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  6. Background image for The Poet's Fire
    7.2/10(15 votes)

    #6 - 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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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Following

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  8. Background image for Let Me Go
    7.2/10(12 votes)

    #7 - 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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  9. Background image for Havenport
    7.2/10(12 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.

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  10. Background image for The Fall
    7.0/10(11 votes)

    #9 - 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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  11. Background image for Forgive
    7.0/10(8 votes)

    #10 - 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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  12. Background image for Mad Love
    6.9/10(14 votes)

    #11 - 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.

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  13. Background image for Welcome Home
    6.9/10(11 votes)

    #12 - 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.

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  14. Background image for Silence
    6.9/10(9 votes)

    #13 - 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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  15. Background image for Evermore
    6.9/10(9 votes)

    #14 - 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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  16. Background image for Love Hurts
    6.8/10(12 votes)

    #15 - 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.

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  17. Background image for Guilt
    6.8/10(13 votes)

    #16 - 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.

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  18. Background image for Whips and Regret
    6.8/10(12 votes)

    #17 - 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.

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  19. Background image for Betrayal
    6.7/10(11 votes)

    #18 - 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.

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  20. Background image for Dead or Alive
    6.6/10(9 votes)

    #19 - 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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  21. Background image for The Final Chapter
    6.4/10(14 votes)

    #20 - 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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  22. Background image for Reunion
    6.4/10(9 votes)

    #21 - 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
  23. Background image for The Edge
    6.4/10(9 votes)

    #22 - 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.

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  24. Background image for Kill The Messenger
    6.3/10(9 votes)

    #23 - 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.

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  25. Background image for The End is Near
    6.2/10(12 votes)

    #24 - 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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  26. Background image for For Joe
    6.2/10(12 votes)

    #25 - For Joe

    S2:E2

    After the tragic subway killings, Ryan’s obsession with the case becomes stronger than ever. Soon, mysterious phone calls bring him face-to-face with what may be his biggest threat yet. Meanwhile, revelations surrounding Joe’s new life are brought to the surface.

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Best Episodes Summary

"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "The Following". It scored 7.8/10 based on 22 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, "The Curse".