The Following: Season 1 Episode Guide
1. Pilot
UK airdate: 22 January 2013
Former FBI agent, Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon) is called out of retirement to track down Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) after he escapes from prison. Hardy works closely with an FBI team, which includes young, razor-sharp Mike Weston (Shawn Ashmore). The investigation also leads Hardy back to Claire Matthews (Natalie Zea), Carroll’s ex-wife and the mother of the criminal’s young son, Joey (newcomer Kyle Catlett). Hardy soon discovers that Carroll has an ever-growing cult of followers in the series premiere “Pilot”
2. Chapter 2
UK airdate: 29 January 2013
Ryan Hardy, Agent Mike Weston and FBI Specialist Debra Parker, who is brought in to lead the investigation into Joe Carroll and his followers, dive deeper into the history of Carroll’s psyche. To do so, they enlist the help of Carroll’s ex-wife, and Hardy’s former love, Claire Matthews (Natalie Zea). Meanwhile, Emma (Valorie Curry), Jacob (Nico Tortorella) and Paul (Adan Canto) keep Claire’s son Joey (Kyle Catlett) at a house in the country as they prepare for their next move in the all-new “Chapter Two”
3. The Poet’s Fire
UK airdate: 5 February 2013
A new follower is found in Rick (guest star Michael Drayer), who is on a determined path to follow through on Carroll’s orders. Hardy and the FBI attempt to predict Rick’s course of revenge, which leads to a surprising outcome. Meanwhile, Paul’s jealousy over Emma and Jacob’s relationship leads to a breaking point, and the origin of Hardy and Carroll’s relationship is revealed in the all-new “The Poet’s Fire”
4. Mad Love
UK airdate: 12 February 2013
Maggie (guest star Virginia Kull) devises a plot to put an end to Hardy. Meanwhile, tension rises as Paul reveals a secret that Jacob has been keeping from Emma and more information about Hardy and Claire’s past relationship is revealed.
5. The Siege
UK airdate: 19 February 2013
When Claire receives a phone call that may lead her to find her son, the FBI and Ryan Hardy set their next move into motion, causing panic at the farmhouse. Meanwhile, Joe Carroll seeks a lawyer from his past (guest star Renee Elise Goldsberry) to send a message that has deadly results.
6. The Fall
UK airdate: 26 February 2013
Joe Carroll’s true intentions are revealed through a new follower, Charlie (guest star Tom Lipinski). As Ryan learns of Joe’s plans, he tries to stall Emma, Jacob and Paul by taunting them in hopes of turning them against each other. Meanwhile, Emma makes a shocking decision
7. Let Me Go
UK airdate: 5 March 2013
With the help of attorney Olivia Warren (Renee Elise Goldsberry), Joe Carroll makes a case against Ryan and the FBI to be transferred to a different facility, but Ryan suspects a larger plan may be at play. Meanwhile, Emma and Joey arrive at a meeting point and come across another one of Roderick’s men who has a secret of his own.
8. Welcome Home
UK airdate: 12 March 2013
The FBI makes Nick Donovan lead investigator as the search for Joey Matthews and Joe Carroll continues. This decision upsets both Ryan and Parker. A follower and Joe Carroll form a deadly plot.
9. Love Hurts
UK airdate: 19 March 2013
With Weston still in the hospital, Ryan and Parker attempt to outsmart their new leader Nick (guest star Mike Colter) as a way to continue their search. In a surprising move, Joe reaches out to Ryan to demand Claire’s location and reveals that he will go to great lengths to lure her out of FBI custody. Meanwhile, followers from the past make a shocking return.
10. Guilt
UK airdate: 26 March 2013
After discovering Claire’s location, Joe sends two followers to capture her, but Ryan may be one step ahead. Meanwhile, Jacob struggles with recent decisions causing his reunion with Emma to be less than ideal. Also, a relationship from Ryan’s past plays a significant role in his future.
11. Whips & Regret
UK airdate: 2 April 2013
Ryan and Parker try to recover after losing Claire to Joe’s followers; Claire has an unexpected reunion as she adjusts to life at the mansion; Jacob struggles with Emma’s betrayal.
12. The Curse
UK airdate: 9 April 2013
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.
13. Havenport
UK airdate: 16 April 2013
The Police Department are brought onto the case and Roderick’s role as sheriff is called into question, which leads him to make a shocking decision that threatens the safety of Joey. Meanwhile, Ryan goes against the FBI in hope of gaining the trust of one of Joe’s followers.
14. The End is Near
UK airdate: 23 April 2013
Ryan, Parker and Weston prepare to storm the follower’s mansion, but Joe already has an escape plan in action. Meanwhile, disguised followers create a diversion at the town evacuation center, which causes panic among the residents and leads to a dangerous kidnapping of one FBI official.
15. The Final Chapter (Finale)
UK airdate: 30 April 2013
Ryan races to stop Joe Carroll before his endgame reaches a deadly conclusion. Meanwhile, Joe leads Claire to a special location and the ultimate showdown between good and evil takes place.