The Best Episodes of The Following Season 1
Every episode of The Following Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Following Season 1!
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 consult on the case, as he was the one responsible for Carroll’s capture in 2003. Ryan, working closely with an FBI team, including Mike Weston and FBI Specialist Debra Parker, piece together the ever-growing web of murders orchestrated by the devious Carroll.
Season 1 Ratings Summary
The best episode of "The Following" season 1 is "Pilot", rated 8.3/10 from 2454 user votes. It was directed by Marcos Siega and written by Kevin Williamson. "Pilot" aired on 1/21/2013 and is rated 0.6 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Chapter Two".
8.3/10 2,454 votes#1 - Pilot
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 1/21/2013
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
7.7/10 1,636 votes#2 - Chapter Two
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 1/28/2013
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
7.5/10 1,427 votes#3 - The Poet's Fire
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 2/4/2013
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
Writer: Adam Armus, Nora Kay Foster
7.3/10 1,313 votes#4 - Mad Love
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 2/11/2013
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: N/A
7.7/10 1,247 votes#5 - The Siege
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 2/18/2013
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
7.6/10 1,267 votes#6 - The Fall
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 2/25/2013
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
7.6/10 1,187 votes#7 - Let Me Go
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 3/4/2013
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
7.3/10 1,149 votes#8 - Welcome Home
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 3/11/2013
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
7.4/10 1,119 votes#9 - Love Hurts
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 3/18/2013
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.
Director: Adam Davidson, Marcos Siega
Writer: Adam Armus, Nora Kay Foster
7.0/10 1,118 votes#10 - Guilt
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 3/25/2013
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
Writer: Kevin Williamson, Shintaro Shimosawa
7.1/10 1,003 votes#11 - Whips and Regret
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 4/1/2013
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
Writer: Kevin Williamson, Rebecca Dameron
7.3/10 989 votes#12 - The Curse
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 4/8/2013
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
Writer: Seamus Kevin Fahey, Amanda Kate Shuman
7.9/10 1,033 votes#13 - Havenport
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 4/15/2013
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
Writer: Vincent Angell, David Wilcox
7.5/10 983 votes#14 - The End is Near
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 4/22/2013
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.
Director: Joshua Butler
Writer: Adam Armus, Nora Kay Foster
7.7/10 1,159 votes#15 - The Final Chapter
Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 4/29/2013
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.
Director: Marcos Siega
Writer: Kevin Williamson