Series Spotlight: The Following

I have recently been gripped by a new TV series- 'The Following' which stars Kevin Bacon, its a new TV series from Fox whose premise is about a serial killer who has recently escaped prison and the former FBI agent who caught him-pretty typical right? But that is where the similarities end because 'The Following' is nothing like any television series I have ever seen. 

Unlike other movie and TV series' serial killers there is something different about The Following's Joe Carroll, (played by the enigmatic James Purefoy) he has a network of followers who are at his beck and call and will do anything he tells them- anything. 

This 'Following' of Carroll's just makes things more difficult for former FBI agent Ryan Hardy (played by Kevin Bacon) since Carroll now has a source, ways and means for his sick and diabolical plans to come to fruition. -you can't trust anyone. 

Now, a serial killer inspiring others is not really a new concept since Hannibal Lecter also had his own 'follower' in the 'Red Dragon'- Carroll uses his followers in a grander scheme of things. 

'The Following' almost has a 'movie-like' suspense level, there are surprises in every corner and unlike the series 'Grimm' which builds up the suspense you just know something is going to jump out, in 'The Following' it just jumps out whether you are ready or not and most of the time you are definitely not ready. 

The violence level of the series is a tad bit high (we are dealing with a serial killer-with nothing to loose) so if you are weak and faint of heart I suggest you skip this one or you can watch it with your face behind a pillow. 

The series pilot is so well edited as it weaves in and out of the present day chaos of dealing with an escaped Carroll and the disturbing crimes of his past and how Ryan Hardy comes into the picture. 

Series creator Kevin Williamson, is a big fan of the series 24 so if you loved the series then you would also love this one. Williamson has even gone out to say that his protagonist Ryan Hardy is similar to 24's Jack Bauer. 

What I like about Ryan Hardy is that he is a broken hero- a hero with a lot of excess baggage. He was dismissed from the FBI for reasons yet to be disclosed and is currently dealing with an alcohol problem. (Putting alcohol in a water bottle and stuffing it in your bag definitely gets you in A.A.)

Another great thing about Ryan Hardy? It's freaking Kevin Bacon! Williamson was lucky enough to get him to play the role-after all when he was thinking of an actor to play the part he was really thinking 'someone like Kevin Bacon'

It's a good thing this versatile actor has long been looking for a TV series to work on and The Following was definitely a good choice. 

I think that there is something scary and intriguing about serial killers; well for one thing - they are real. Shows like 'Born to Kill' and famous serial killers like Ted Bundy can be anyone's nightmare and these are real people like you and me. 

Evil manifested in living flesh and bone, unlike zombies and monsters, serial killers can be anyone, even your charming English Literature professor.

You can watch The Following on Jack City with a new episode every Saturday at 9:00 PM. I can't wait for the next nail-biting episode!