‘The Following’ season 2 spoilers: Exec talks finale, maps out story ahead for Ryan
There’s no question that Monday night’s finale for “The Following” was surprising, as there were a number of events that happened in it that almost no one saw coming. However, it is also pretty fair to describe it as extremely polarizing. Just when it was starting to look as though Ryan Hardy and Claire were finally going to have a moment of peace, another attacker comes along and puts some well-placed hurt in their hearts.
So who is going to be back for the new season? While Hardy seems like a safe bet thanks to Kevin Bacon’s star power, everything else is up in the air. All executive producer Kevin Williamson would say to The Hollywood Reporter after the episode is that they have already filmed some footage with the expectation of planning ahead, and that they have intentionally set the stage for a much larger story to happen even if Joe Carroll is truly gone:
“Clearly we left some loose ends there [in the finale] that we will have to push forward into a new story … I do see the show as books and this was the first book in a series, a preamble in a lot of ways. There is a whole big, huge story yet to tell.”
Ultimately, it feels as though Williamson was able to handle the finale in quite possibly the best way that he could. He ended the show in dramatic fashion, gave some closure to the Carroll story, and left the story open for much more. We were wondering how he would set the stage for a season 2 that felt both similar and different, and he has found a way to pull it off.
What do you want to see happening when season 2 of “The Following” premieres? Be sure to share some of your thoughts below, and you can also read our full review of the episode from Monday night here.
Photo: Fox
perk
May 6, 2013 @ 12:09 am
Parker hinted that the Ryan curse was not true and her death was not his fault. How cliche it would be to have Claire die also–are we to believe the curse is real! By the way, Ryan needs some hope for life and Claire provides that! She could be a great foil for Emma, who hates her more for causing Joe’s death! And Claire can be tough when backed into a corner as she showed this season. If Claire dies, I will leave this show as well because the path will be painted as black–and hope is what gives all of us the reason to battle when senseless violence enters our world (like in Boston!).
Spitfire8
May 3, 2013 @ 8:15 am
Til I see his head, I won’t believe Joe is dead (and that rhymes!) Hated seeing Parker die, b/c she’s the only real female hero, since Claire makes every mistake possible to make. Hated seeing Ryan and Claire get stabbed too. Let Ryan have SOME happiness please or this “curse” of his is too depressing.
I hope the Joe story does end, b/c it’s a bit tiresome if they don’t bring in a new serial killer or character to carry on the theme of dangerous cults. But Joe’s already over the edge, and there’s no way he ought to survive or have followers continue on. Like the show said at the start, there are 300 serial killers around so there are 300 stories to tell.
Huda
May 1, 2013 @ 6:32 am
if joe carroll doesnt c0me back for season 2, i will stop watching the show. he was absolutely the best
Irwin Ayala
May 1, 2013 @ 4:17 am
Joe should come back with burned up body. Ryan should wake up from his blackout with Claire about to die beside him, and then….. out of nowhere Joe kills Claire and Ryan manages to escape from him.
AlianEMos
April 30, 2013 @ 11:47 pm
because of the dental record I hope Joe will not come back because that will make his followers want vengeance I hope Ryan and Claire coming back as Claire is what fueled Ryan as he is always ready to go to the extreme when he has to save Claire. killing Claire will remove Ryan’s courage and he may even leave the FBI. Maybe Emma should become the cult leader now that Joe is gone and this can be interesting as she was in love with Joe when Joe was in love with Claire. and Emma will always hate Claire and blame her for Joe’s death. this could be a real turning point where love take over the cult philosophy. but it is up to the writer to make the story interesting. but the way it goes it could be good to add some elements that fuel the rage in the cult group but leaving Ryan his inspiration which is the real love(Claire).
sue
April 30, 2013 @ 10:31 pm
It was an excellent series, i just wished in America they didn’t sign a seven seaon deal, because as a one off it would have been amazing, but they are going to ruin it by making it go on for years.
On the other hand, there is so much they can still do, with Jow having such a big following, i presume all his followers will want pay back.
I hope Emma gets a nice painful ending, that girl is one amazing actress because i just detest the character.
I am hoping Joe doesn’t come back, although he was a brilliant character, he has to be dead and the next series will no doubt be his followers getting pay back.
Hardy has to return, he is the central character, i hope they don’t kill Claire off, but i think that is probably the best thing they can do to make Hardy mad and wanting vengence.
Well done to the writers, every episode was full of action, always had me on the edge of my seat, it has been brilliant. Just please don’t ruin it and go over board on the next series, make it end there please to make it a memorable series, rather than one of those you lose interest in.
Penny Clark
April 30, 2013 @ 7:35 pm
well the guy that joe killed was in the house, joe went running into that other building, but with all the people that followed him, the dental records could of been fudged, but we will all have to wait and see what happens next, god im still sitting on the edge of my seat, i didnt want it to end…
Sharon Ippolito
April 30, 2013 @ 6:07 pm
I think claire is dead, ryan will be fine, can’t be a show without him. I am hoping beyond all hope that joe will be back, i don’t think there is a show without him either.
Bar
April 30, 2013 @ 5:10 pm
Well, I’d think it would be safe to assume Ryan Hardy will be back. Almost expect Joe Carroll to be back as well…..just didn’t quite buy his death in that fire, since they only recovered 1 body and no one seems to know what happened to that mysterious guy in the house that Joe killed. Bigger question to me is whether Claire survives the attack on her at the end. And surely, at some point Emma must get her comeuppence next year. It’s an exciting, if brutal, series, and I look forward to the next season.