‘The Following’ season 2, episode 4 review: Do we really need Joe Carroll?

“The Following” continues to push forward the story of Ryan Hardy, but at the same time, it also makes us continue to question just what it is about this tale now that is particularly refreshing or revolutionary.

Based on what we’re seeing now, it feels like Hardy’s niece Max is not long for this world, that Joe is going to probably kill from within, and that Ryan is going to have to work with part of the FBI before all of this is over. Oh, and the FBI is still more or less incompetent.

But the biggest issue that we have with “The Following” right now is actually a decision that the show made before it even started to air: Allowing Joe Carroll to come back into the fold. The truth is, Joe should’ve died at the end of season 1. We understand that James Purefoy is great, but there isn’t really anything that he can do at this point to actually surprise us. Creating a story where Lily was actually the Big Bad to us would have been much more interesting, mostly because she is a very different sort of villain. She has an almost infinite resource, is incredibly nurturing, and could have killed for personal glory and a tribute to Joe. Having Joe around now just feels hollow, and we are not particularly afraid of him anymore.

Don’t get us wrong: There is a part of us that still sadistically enjoys watching this show just to point out how ridiculous and over-the-top it is most of the time. But, it could have been something tremendous instead of something that is now just treading water. So here we go again on our own, going down the only blood-laden road we’ve ever known. Grade: C+.

What did you think about this episode of “The Following”? Do you feel like it progressed the story forward, or really just made you roll your eyes time and time again? Either way, we want to hear your thoughts on the subject below! Also, click here to watch a preview for the next new episode of the show, or here if you want to grab even further updates on all the shows we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter.

Photo: Fox