The BEST episodes of The Following

Every episode of The Following ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Following!

Notorious serial killer Joe Carroll, after being found guilty of murdering 14 female students on the Virginia college campus where he taught literature, escapes from death row. The FBI calls former agent Ryan Hardy to consult on the case, as he was the one responsible for Carroll’s capture in 2003. Ryan, working closely with an FBI team, including Mike Weston and FBI Specialist Debra Parker, piece together the ever-growing web of murders orchestrated by the devious Carroll.

Last Updated: 11/3/2024Network: FOXStatus: Ended
Fly Away
star
8.07
1975 votes

#1 - Fly Away

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/24/2014

Ryan and Max turn to the FBI for back-up on their plan; Joe's relationship enters uncharted territory; Luke ends up in a troubling situation.

Directors: Rob Seidenglanz
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Unmasked
star
8.07
2104 votes

#2 - Unmasked

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/17/2014

New information leads Max, Ryan and Weston closer to uncovering the mole within the FBI; Joe and Micah launch a plan that sends a message to Ryan and the world.

Directors: Nicole Kassell
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Pilot
star
8.06
5358 votes

#3 - Pilot

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/21/2013

Former FBI agent Ryan Hardy is drawn out of retirement when serial killer Joe Carroll escapes from prison; the investigation reveals that Carroll has a cult following.

Directors: Marcos Siega
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Sacrifice
star
8.05
2061 votes

#4 - Sacrifice

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 3/3/2014

Ryan and the FBI's search for Lily Gray is redirected when Max is faced with a new threat; Joe, Mandy and Emma realize everything isn't what it seems at their new hideout.

Directors: Adam Davidson
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Reaping
star
8.01
2047 votes

#5 - The Reaping

Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 4/14/2014

Ryan's mission to infiltrate the Korban compound and capture Joe doesn't go as planned; Claire asks Carrie to give Joe a message; Weston makes a life-changing decision.

Directors: Joshua Butler
Writer: Megan Martin
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Silence
star
7.97
1933 votes

#6 - Silence

Season 2 - Episode 14 - Aired 4/21/2014

Many lives are threatened as Joe enacts his final plan; Claire's decision puts her in treacherous territory; Mark and Luke must decide what to do next.

Directors: Steve Shill
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Forgive
star
7.96
1952 votes

#7 - Forgive

Season 2 - Episode 15 - Aired 4/28/2014

When Mark and Luke turn the tables on Joe and Ryan, the two enemies are forced to work together to save the woman they love.

Directors: Marcos Siega
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Two
star
7.94
4420 votes

#8 - Chapter Two

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/28/2013

Ryan, Agent Weston and FBI Specialist Debra Parker investigate the history of Carroll's psyche; Emma, Jacob and Paul hold Claire's son while they plan for their next move.

Directors: Marcos Siega
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Evermore
star
7.89
1211 votes

#9 - Evermore

Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 4/27/2015

With Joe Carroll’s execution day upon them, the team remains on edge, expecting that he won’t go easily. Ryan’s presence is demanded at the scene when a hostage situation ensues, as the world stands by watching the heavy news coverage of the day’s events.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Reckoning
star
7.86
1167 votes

#10 - The Reckoning

Season 3 - Episode 15 - Aired 5/18/2015

As suspicions rise alliances are shaken and no one is safe in the harrowing final heart-stopping moments.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Betrayal
star
7.86
2039 votes

#11 - Betrayal

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 4/7/2014

Joe chooses a new target; Ryan is confronted with news of Claire's reappearance; Mandy makes a decision that could undo everything Joe's been working for.

Directors: Marcos Siega
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Freedom
star
7.84
2123 votes

#12 - Freedom

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/31/2014

Ryan and Mike suspect a new cult leader may be on the rise after another deadly massacre; Joe confirms his new plans for the Korban cult.

Directors: Liz Friedlander
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Dead or Alive
star
7.84
1185 votes

#13 - Dead or Alive

Season 3 - Episode 14 - Aired 5/18/2015

The FBI hunt for Theo continues and the stakes are higher than ever as some of their own come under attack.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Family Affair
star
7.84
2367 votes

#14 - Family Affair

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/10/2014

After the latest shocking revelation in the case, Ryan and Max attempt to put the pieces together and stay two-steps ahead of the FBI, despite Weston's constant warnings to stay out of the way. Meanwhile, Emma becomes even closer to Mark and Luke, while Joe and Mandy meet up with a follower in search of assistance.

Directors: Marcos Siega
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Messenger
star
7.81
2235 votes

#15 - The Messenger

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/10/2014

In hope of finding new answers, Ryan searches for the man who taught Joe to kill; Mandy and Emma wait for Joe to reveal his plan.

Directors: Marcos Siega
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Final Chapter
star
7.81
3515 votes

#16 - The Final Chapter

Season 1 - Episode 15 - Aired 4/29/2013

Ryan tries to stop Joe Carroll from achieving his goal; Joe guides Claire to a special location.

Directors: Marcos Siega
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Siege
star
7.79
3930 votes

#17 - The Siege

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/18/2013

As Hardy and the team make their next move, panic spreads at the followers' hideout; Carroll seeks out a lawyer from his past.

Directors: Phil Abraham
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Havenport
star
7.78
3469 votes

#18 - Havenport

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 4/15/2013

When Roderick's role as sheriff is called into question, he makes a shocking decision that impacts Joey; Ryan tries to gain the trust of one of Joe's followers.

Directors: Nicole Kassell
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Teacher's Pet
star
7.78
2019 votes

#19 - Teacher's Pet

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/24/2014

Joe's power over the Korban cult grows, new followers carry out his demands; Max and Ryan try to contact Joe and identify his whereabouts.

Directors: Marcos Siega
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Resurrection
star
7.77
2751 votes

#20 - Resurrection

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/19/2014

Despite appearances a healed Ryan Hardy has gotten his life together, he continues to obsess about Joe Carroll; a murderous rampage on the anniversary of Joe's death leaves everyone determined to uncover the truth.

Directors: Marcos Siega
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Reflection
star
7.77
2205 votes

#21 - Reflection

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/17/2014

In an attempt to learn new information, Ryan and Max capture a suspect. But complications lead to a game of dangerous cat and mouse. Also, Joe grows accustomed to his surroundings and establishes a plan of his own, while Emma realizes she is in dangerous company.

Directors: Nicole Kassell
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Poet's Fire
star
7.77
4143 votes

#22 - The Poet's Fire

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/4/2013

Hardy and the FBI try to predict the actions of a new follower named Rick (Michael Drayer); Paul's jealousy reaches a breaking point; the beginning of Carroll and Hardy's relationship is revealed.

Directors: Liz Friedlander
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Trust Me
star
7.75
2378 votes

#23 - Trust Me

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/3/2014

The FBI becomes more aware of Ryan's undercover agenda as he searches for a link between the tragedies in New York and the remaining members of the Havenport cult; a shocking event leads to Joe starting a new plan.

Directors: Liz Friedlander
Writer: Alexi Hawley
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The End Is Near
star
7.74
3375 votes

#24 - The End Is Near

Season 1 - Episode 14 - Aired 4/22/2013

Weston, Parker and Ryan plan to storm the mansion, but Joe has already orchestrated his escape; followers create a diversion at the town evacuation center, causing panic and leading to the abduction of an FBI official.

Directors: Joshua Butler
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Reunion
star
7.73
1353 votes

#25 - Reunion

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 3/30/2015

With their latest target on the run, Ryan and Mike follow a tip to a small town to investigate and confirm he isn't seeking protection. While in town, they both discover an even larger threat who has managed to avoid suspicion up until now. Meanwhile, Max struggles to make a confession.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV