‘The Following’ season 2 debate: Who should Kevin Bacon square off against?
Now that we are able to have a little bit more distance from the season 1 finale of “The Following” last week, we like to think that we now have a little bit more in the way of perspective on the show, and where Ryan Hardy and the rest of his team can head next.
At the end of the day, there are two ways to look at this show: As something close to reality, or pure fiction designed to shock and entertain. There have been realistic moments in the story for sure, but one of the greatest pieces of criticism is that it has forced you at times to suspend belief at a higher level than many were committed to doing. Personally, we look at it this way: TV is escapism, and since this show is at its best when it is shocking and at times grossly over-the-top, we have no problem with it continuing to go down that direction.
Therefore, we may as well start things off here with the first of what we see as three possible options for “The Following” season 2 and that is leaving Joe Carroll alive, since this is the direction that we see the upcoming season ultimately heading. After all, the man was never shown dead, and if you have a talent like James Purefoy on your cast, why let that go? While we don’t know if you can have four or five seasons milking the same battle of good vs. evil, why not have another fifteen or so episodes?
Another interesting option here? Have Carroll still around as some sort of evil adviser, but have the primary villain role shift now to Emma. She’s a different sort of killer, and Joe has to be pretty burnt and beaten-up if he is still alive. This could be seen as the best of every world in that you keep all of the same actors and keep a story that is familiar, but also freshen it up.
This does ultimately bring us to what is the third option: Going in a completely new direction with a new big bad. You could bring in one of Joe’s followers from overseas and have them start to wage war on Ryan, but would the same sort of connection be there? You could build it, but given the cliffhanger we have a feeling that executive producer Kevin Williamson wants to hit the ground running.
Do you have a sense of what you want the story for “The Following” season 2 to be? If you want to read some more scoop from Kevin Bacon on a possible time jump, be sure to check out the story here.
Photo: Fox
Brooks
May 11, 2013 @ 5:55 pm
Although I liked Joe’s character a lot I feel if they brought him back it would be to cliche. The faked death of the bad guy I mean come on. I really don’t want Emma to be the leader of the cult now either. I hated Emma she was annoying and now she’s lost both of her loves (Jacob and Joe) which will make her sloppy and uncontrollable. However I like the idea of Molly (The neighbor) being the main killer. Why not have her kill off Claire and leave Ryan out for revenge. Also following the death of Joe I think his vast amount of already unstable followers will begin a rampaging path and start huge massacre throughout the show. Without their leader they will go absolutely crazy and most likely start a mass killing spree.
Banana
May 9, 2013 @ 3:36 pm
You cant get rid of Joe after one season and I have had enough of Emma. I was really hoping Jacob would have killed her off. But to get back to it, Ryan and Joe must continue!!!
DissapointedwithFollowing
May 9, 2013 @ 1:01 pm
No James Purefoy-there goes most of the fan base. He and Kevin made the show if he doesn’t come back then the ratings will plummet and Fox will kick the show half way through season 2. Look at Red Widow for example. They did not create the chemistry fast enough between Marta and Schiller therefore the ratings plummeted. Just sayin….I know I wont watch.
Bruce Wayne
May 9, 2013 @ 9:03 am
I personally think it should have been a one season show like The River. Drawing into two season or three with this tight of a story could get very droll. The whole point is Ryan versus Joe. Not Emma. Not a random follower. The show has built its dynamic around Ryan Joe and their love of Clair. So many important characters are killed in one season. The only one we really know now is Emma but she has no personal vendetta. She does what Joe wants. Kind of like Amanda and Jigsaw.
Also what happens with the neighbor? She stabs Claire in the back and Ryan in the stomach. We don’t see if she finishes the job. I LOVED the show. Right up to the very end. The season finales last 20 min took it from the eerie suspenseful thriller it was and turned it into a cliche
Bar
May 9, 2013 @ 4:27 am
Just cannot believe Purefoy’s Joe Carrol is gone—-he’s just too too much the embodiment of evil!! Besides, how can they possibly assert that the cult will just keep going in the absence of Carrol???? After, cut off the snake’s head……. I’d like to see Emma brought to justice, but assume that will happen whatever…ultimately, she’s a weak character, no matter how homicidal. Cant’ wait for the next season—what a great series!!!
cat's meow
May 8, 2013 @ 9:24 pm
For me to continue to enjoy the show, Joe has to continue in some capacity, because as you said James Purefoy is too good to lose. Personally, I don’t think I’d continue watching if he is gone. I didn’t expect to even like the show, but then found it addictive, and much of that credit goes to the combination of James Purefoy and Kevin Bacon.