‘The Following’ season 3, episode 7 preview: Could Joe Carroll actually die?

“The Following” next week will air an episode called “The Hunt,” and we can already tell you one thing: This is going to be crazy. Max is going to be back at work with the task force, and it’s going to be such a mess that if we saw what was going on here, we’d probably be heading right back out the door. You’ve got the aftermath of Strauss’ latest actions to deal with, and this whole teacher-and-student spree is getting dangerous for Ryan Hardy.

Oh, and there are also questions about whether or not Joe Carroll will be executed. This is a pivotal moment for the show, as they have to decide either to let their most notorious villain go, or come up with some insane scheme that makes the FBI look incredibly stupid, while preserving the character a bit longer. The synopsis below offers up the general details:

“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.”

As much fun as James Purefoy can be, our feeling here is clear: If this show wants to genuinely shock us, they will allow Joe Carroll to die. If you want to prove that nobody is safe, how about get rid of one of the biggest villains? It would shake up the show, even if we understand that Joe and Ryan are almost cosmic when it comes to their connection. This is the one thing that the show doesn’t want to let go of, even though they most-likely should. Shows that take big risks, often get big rewards and if this show wants to pull in a greater audience, then it’s time to start making moves everyone will be talking about.

What do you want to see on “The Following,” and do you think that there is any actual chance that Joe Carroll could die? Share with a comment.