The following…is a bumper sticker, not an answer.
Several types of the titular freedom – some literal, some figurative – are up for grabs in this episode of “The Following”.
Ryan and Mike (Max, for some reason, sits out this week) are called to a crime scene. At first glance, it fits the pattern of Joe’s other recent attacks – perpetrators in white masks wielding knives and seemingly killing at random. But as Ryan quickly realizes, it’s actually a clever cover by Lily Gray to infiltrate the hospital where Luke is being held and spring him. The “24”-esque action that follows as Ryan and Mike chase the mercenaries is serviceable, but fizzles at its conclusion (how exactly can one access an outdoor marketplace from a hospital basement?).
Happy to have Sam Underwood back as his performances have been a highlight this season. Loved how he played Luke’s “Oh, hey there!” reaction when Ryan spotted him hiding, in addition to his generally wry amusement with the rescue. And yes, while they’re a family of psychopaths, Luke’s reunion with his twin and his mother was a genuinely emotional moment. Is it wrong to root for them, at least opposed to Joe?
With Lily’s story taking center stage, Joe’s subplot sees him and Emma shoring up their leadership of the Korban cult. The set piece at the start of the episode – Joe charms a young woman (whose name Emma hilariously has to whisper to him) into “freeing” a fellow follower by stabbing her in the stomach – is effective. But while Emma willingly seduces a possible dissenter with sway in the group into silence, she doesn’t seem sold on Joe’s master plan, whatever that is. There’s the typical windbaggery about blood sacrifice and religion (plus he amusingly slams his past obsession with Poe), but I think even the writers would have trouble explaining Joe’s endgame.
The bigger threat to Joe and Emma, however, might be Mandy. Naïve and stupid to fall under Joe’s thrall in the first place, she’s smart enough to see that her days as a favored disciple are numbered. And after hearing Emma advise Joe that she’s a lost cause, Mandy makes a (ridiculously easy considering the security we’ve seen around the campus) break for it and manages to call Mark. She’s now in a position to expose Carroll’s base of operations, to Lily, or even the FBI if they can get their hands on her.
Two new plot threads are briefly introduced that will likely become important in the next few weeks. First, the fascination with Carroll has led to the formation of “fan clubs” across the country, with teenagers buying masks and T-shirts bearing Joe’s likeness. Could Joe eventually tap into these groups for his own purposes? Second, a TV preacher by the name of Kingston Tanner (played by Tom Cavanagh) has begun calling out Joe in his sermons. Will Joe try and make an example of this man or is more going on there?
Lastly, let’s catch up with Claire. She starts the show wanting out of the witness protection program, claiming she has a way to help Ryan capture Joe. She ends the episode on Ryan’s doorstep, which is of course the worst possible timing since his affair with annoying journalist Carrie Cooke has Ryan all optimistic and smiley about a life after Carroll and Lily. I don’t particularly ship Ryan and Claire, but Carrie is horrible and there’s little chemistry between her and Ryan so I’d be fine with Claire’s return putting an end to their relationship. Curious what Claire will have to say for herself and how much Ryan will harp on Mike for deceiving him.
That’s my two cents. So exercise your freedom of expression and tell me what you thought of this week’s episode in the comments section.
