Ep 1. Pilot

Former FBI agent Ryan Hardy is dragged back into the field by his former employer to track down serial killer and former cult leader Joe Carroll. After his capture, Carroll has escaped prison and is on the loose, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. Profiling the killer, Hardy believes that Carroll is using an online network of followers to carry out his murders.

Meanwhile, Carroll has already begun to execute his grand plan: to reunite with his ex-wife Claire Matthews, who he believes to be the love of his life, and their son Joey. Carroll's followers kill Claire's neighbor, and Joey is kidnapped from his school to bring the family together.

Hardy is joined by FBI agents Mike Weston and Debra Parker, as well as cult expert Jordy Raines, to track down Carroll and his followers before they can harm anyone else. But when Hardy discovers that one of the followers has infiltrated the FBI team, the hunt for Carroll becomes all the more challenging.

As Hardy and his team race against the clock to find Carroll and save Joey, they begin to uncover a web of lies, manipulation, and murder that goes deeper than they ever imagined. And with Carroll always one step ahead, it becomes clear that no one is safe from his twisted agenda.

The pilot episode of The Following sets the stage for the rest of the season, introducing the main characters, establishing the central conflict, and laying out the stakes. With tense action, unexpected twists, and heart-pounding suspense, it's a gripping start to a thrilling series.