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The Worst Episodes of The Following

Every episode of The Following ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of The Following!

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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

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  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    The Following Season 3 Episode 5 - A Hostile Witness
    5.3/10(14 votes)

    #1 - A Hostile Witness

    S3:E5

    On the day of an important trial, things go awry, causing the FBI to split up to hunt down a missing person. With his team breaking apart, Ryan enlists the help of a former enemy to defeat a greater one.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. The Following Season 2 Episode 3 - Trust Me
    5.7/10(14 votes)

    #2 - 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.

    Director:Liz Friedlander
    Writer:Alexi Hawley

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  3. The Following Season 3 Episode 7 - The Hunt
    5.7/10(11 votes)

    #3 - The Hunt

    S3:E7

    With only a few days before Joe Carroll's execution, Ryan and Mike shift their focus to a new threat. Meanwhile, after being approved to start work again, Max rejoins the task force and comes dangerously close to a deadly menace.

    Director:Sylvain White
    Writer:Liz Sczudlo

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  4. The Following Season 2 Episode 8 - The Messenger
    5.8/10(13 votes)

    #4 - The Messenger

    S2:E8

    After a tragic turn of events, Ryan attempts to find the man who originally taught Joe to kill, in hopes of finding new answers. Meanwhile, at the compound, Joe tries to get his bearings, while Emma and Mandy wait for him to reveal his new plan.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writer:Alexi Hawley

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  5. The Following Season 3 Episode 4 - Home
    5.8/10(12 votes)

    #5 - Home

    S3:E4

    As Mark, Kyle and Daisy plan to make a personal attack on Ryan, the FBI receives a tip leading them to a secret location, which gives them a leg up in the case.

    Director:Nicole Kassell
    Writers:Jeff Eckerle, Marilyn Osborn

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  6. The Following Season 2 Episode 4 - Family Affair
    5.9/10(13 votes)

    #6 - 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.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writer:Brett Mahoney

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  7. The Following Season 2 Episode 5 - Reflection
    6.0/10(15 votes)

    #7 - 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.

    Director:Nicole Kassell
    Writer:Lizzie Mickery

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  8. The Following Season 2 Episode 6 - Fly Away
    6.0/10(13 votes)

    #8 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Dewayne Darian Jones

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  9. The Following Season 2 Episode 9 - Unmasked
    6.0/10(15 votes)

    #9 - 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.

    Director:Nicole Kassell
    Writer:Vincent Angell

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  10. The Following Season 2 Episode 10 - Teacher's Pet
    6.0/10(13 votes)

    #10 - Teacher's Pet

    S2:E10

    As his power over the Korban cult grows, Joe sets a deadly plan in action using new acolytes to carry out his demands. Meanwhile, Ryan and Max devise a plan to contact Joe, in hopes of tracking down his whereabouts, and Weston meets with a face from the past.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writer:Brett Mahoney

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  11. The Following Season 1 Episode 15 - The Final Chapter
    6.1/10(16 votes)

    #11 - 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.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writer:Kevin Williamson

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  12. The Following Season 2 Episode 1 - Resurrection
    6.1/10(15 votes)

    #12 - 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.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writer:Kevin Williamson

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  13. The Following Season 2 Episode 13 - The Reaping
    6.1/10(14 votes)

    #13 - 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.

    Director:Joshua Butler
    Writer:Megan Martin

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  14. The Following Season 3 Episode 2 - Boxed In
    6.1/10(12 votes)

    #14 - Boxed In

    S3:E2

    Ryan believes he has found the connection between Andrew and Mark, but he and the FBI are still unsure if - and how - Joe Carroll might be connected. Meanwhile, tension between Mark, Kyle and Daisy mounts and Ryan soon finds himself in a dangerous situation, in which facing the truth is the only thing that will set him free.

    Director:Rob Seidenglanz
    Writer:Barry O'Brien

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  15. The Following Season 1 Episode 14 - The End is Near
    6.2/10(13 votes)

    #15 - 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.

    Director:Joshua Butler
    Writers:Nora Kay Foster, Adam Armus

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  16. The Following Season 2 Episode 2 - For Joe
    6.2/10(15 votes)

    #16 - 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.

    Director:Joshua Butler
    Writer:Vincent Angell

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  17. The Following Season 2 Episode 7 - Sacrifice
    6.2/10(14 votes)

    #17 - 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.

    Director:Adam Davidson
    Writer:Scott Reynolds

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  18. The Following Season 2 Episode 11 - Freedom
    6.2/10(12 votes)

    #18 - 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.

    Director:Liz Friedlander
    Writer:Dewayne Darian Jones

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  19. The Following Season 3 Episode 8 - Flesh & Blood
    6.2/10(11 votes)

    #19 - Flesh & Blood

    S3:E8

    The FBI closes in on a suspect whom they believe to be the culprit behind the latest murders, but Ryan believes the killer is still out there, leading him to dig deeper into dangerous territory. Meanwhile, Joe undergoes evaluation in the days leading up to his execution and a new threat tries to cover his tracks.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writer:Mary Leah Sutton

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  20. The Following Season 3 Episode 11 - Demons
    6.2/10(11 votes)

    #20 - Demons

    S3:E11

    The investigation leads the team to a dangerous serial killer linked to Theo, while Theo and Penny seek refuge from an unknown source with the means of helping them disappear. Meanwhile, Ryan struggles with recent events, sending him into a downward spiral, and the search continues into which agent has been accessing Daisy’s laptop from inside the FBI.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writer:Unknown

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

    #21 - 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

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

    #22 - 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

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

    #23 - 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

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

    #24 - 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

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

    #25 - 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

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Worst Episodes Summary

"A Hostile Witness" is the worst rated episode of "The Following". It scored 5.3/10 based on 14 votes. Directed by Marcos Siega and written by Unknown, it aired on 3/23/2015. This episode scored 0.4 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Trust Me".