Series Spotlight: The Following: Episode 2: Chapter 2

Two Faced: Broken Hero and Psycho Writer. James Purefoy and Kevin Bacon as Joe Carroll and Ryan Hardy. 

I started out writing about 830 + words on a recap of Episode 2 of the Following- which is aptly entitled Chapter 2. 

This was actually the first time that I was trying to write an episode recap and I discovered first hand how hard it really is. Hats off to those writers in Entertainment Weekly and other establishments for their episode recaps which comes out the same day as the show and it is still very well written. 

As I was trying to finish my recap of 800+ words I found myself wanting to write more about what I thought of the show instead of what transpired in the show. 

That is why here I am now, deleting those 800+ words (ouch!) and moving on to blog about my thoughts on the series so far. So yes! I just love The Following! 

The Following's (very) Bizarre Love Triangle: Nico Tortorella, Adan Canto and Valerie Curry as Paul, Jacob and Emma. 

I've also gotten Paul to watching it and as a music man he has said that he really likes the choice of music used in the series. I remember that the pilot episode opened to a few notes of Marilyn Manson's 'Sweet Dreams' and also ended with the same song all the way through the chorus in the end. 


Episode 2 was accompanied by some Deftones 'Change in the House of Flies' during the scene where in not-so-plain Jane-Emma sticks a knife at the back of her mom's head. 

So a big plus to the music and soundtrack of the series. It's really dark and heavy and fits in with the theme and feel of the series. 

Some of you probably didn't know that the Following's creator Kevin Williamson actually has a lot under his belt. He is a talented screen writer whose works includes The Scream Franchise, I Know What You Did Last Summer (aaaahh! That's why they have the same feel) and (Surprise! Surprise!) Dawson's Creek and the Vampire Diaries. 

Addicted to Poe. Scene from Episode 2 of The Following.

As a child, Williamson's parents would take him to the Poe Museum in Richmond Virginia, the "Raven" was written all over the walls of the museum, you would have to go from one room to the other to read it. For Williamson 'it was the coolest thing in the world'. Perhaps it was this childhood inspiration that would give birth to The Following. Certainly, the graffiti filled club-house of Joe Carroll's cult...err..accomplices is a direct homage to the Poe museum.


I could sum up my take away from The Following (moral lesson-for Episode 2) in the lyrics of my grand uncle: 

Walang sinuman ang nabubuhay para sa sarili lamang....

Tayong lahat ay may pananagutan sa isa't-isa

No one lives for themselves alone.

We all have a responsibility towards each other. 

It doesn't take an expert to realize that the people who make up Joe Carroll's Dead Poet Society had some (probably a lot) of issues growing up. Although worshiping a serial killer is not common in the Philippines- it still happens. 

I think that a supportive family, healthy upbringing, a good outlook in life with positive friends can steer away anyone who is feeling a little lost or confused.

A little kindness can also go a long way- in this world where there is such a thing as a 'Culture of Death' a kind act can restore a little faith in humanity. 

More often than not, serial killers grew up as abused children, were bullied and were also socially awkward. I know that we can't control or stop all the bad things that is either happening to our lives or to the lives of other people but taking the extra effort to reach out to troubled souls or being nice and kind can actually be a big help- especially to those who really need it. 

I'm thinking this also means not being too mean in Social Media. Just because you can hide behind a Facebook or Twitter account does not mean you can 'cyber-kuyog' (cyber-beat up) anyone. You can still express your opinions without being too mean. Remember to hate the sin and not the sinner. 

So while I'm really enjoying The Following. I still have a few take away's and lessons learned. While it is captivating to watch a Serial Killer's network unfold and wreck havoc- let's hope it stays within the confines of Cable Networks and won't end up in the evening news. 

Can't wait for the next episode! 

Catch 'The Following' on Jack City every Saturday at 9:00 PM.