The worst episodes of The Following
Ranked by viewer rating, lows first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
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.
- 02
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.
- 03
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.
- 04
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.
- 05
After a series of public condemnations of Joe and his followers, Joe targets the son of a man who stands against him. Meanwhile, Ryan is faced with the shocking news of Claire's reappearance and Mandy makes a decision that leads her to a familiar face which could undo all that Joe has been working for.
- 06
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.
- 07
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.
- 08
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.
- 09
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.
- 10
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.
- 11
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.
- 12
Joe Carroll puts his final plan into action, threatening the lives of many, as Ryan and Mike go to great lengths to stop him and prevent more innocent lives being lost. Meanwhile, Claire makes a decision that leads her into dangerous territory, and Mark and Luke attempt to figure out their next move.
- 13
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.
- 14
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.
- 15
Mark and Luke turn the tables on both Ryan Hardy and Joe Carroll, forcing the two sworn enemies to come together to save the woman they love.
- 16
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.
- 17
After losing Claire to Joe's followers, Ryan and Parker attempt to recover while the FBI tracks down an undercover location that may have dark ties to Joe's following. Meanwhile, Claire adjusts to life at the follower's mansion and has an unexpected reunion, while Emma and Jacob continue to deal with Emma's betrayal.
- 18
A deal is struck, but events take a turn and Ryan faces a decision that could impact his future.
- 19
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.
- 20
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. Then, a deadly deal is made, but things don't go as planned, and Ryan makes a decision for his future.
- 21
The FBI hunt for Theo intensifies as some of their own are attacked.
- 22
Ryan and the FBI discover a follower who might be able to lead them to Joe Carroll's location. Agent Weston returns to the case but his run-in with the cult may have had a bigger impact on him than anyone originally thought. Meanwhile, Claire and Emma come face-to-face for the first time since Joey's kidnapping.
- 23
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.
- 24
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.
- 25
As the FBI hunt for Theo intensifies and some of their own are attacked, suspicions mount, alliances crumble and no one appears safe.
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