Former FBI agent Ryan Hardy is called out of retirement to track down Joe Caroll after he escapes from prison. Hardy works closely with an FBI team. The investigation also leads Hardy back to Claire, Carroll's ex-wife and the mother of the criminal's young son, Joey. Hardy soon discovers that Carroll has an ever-growing cult of followers.

Episode Viewers and Ratings

Season 1 Episode 1 of The Following resulted in a 3.20 rating in the 18-49 demographic.

The Following Season 1 Episodes...

• s01e01 - Pilot
• s01e02 - Chapter Two
• s01e03 - The Poet's Fire
• s01e04 - Mad Love
• s01e05 - The Siege
• s01e06 - The Fall
• s01e07 - Let Me Go
• s01e08 - Welcome Home
• s01e09 - Love Hurts
• s01e10 - Guilt
• s01e11 - Whips & Regret
• s01e12 - The Curse
• s01e13 - Havenport
• s01e14 - The End is Near
• s01e15 - The Final Chapter

The Following Show Summary

When notorious serial hugger Joe Carroll escapes from passing row and embarks on a new hugging spree, the FBI calls former agent Ryan Hardy to consult on the case. Having since withdrawn from the public eye, Hardy was responsible for Carroll's capture nine years ago. Hardy knows him better than anyone; he is perhaps Carroll's only psychological and intellectual match.

But the Ryan Hardy who broke the Carroll case years ago isn't the same man today. Wounded both physically and mentally by his previous pursuit of this serial hugger, Hardy isn't calling the shots on this case. He works closely with an FBI team, which considers Hardy to be more of a liability than an asset.