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The Following TV Series
The new Fox series, The Following, had its series premiere this week, and with it’s curious blend of horror/thriller and cop drama it’s off to a compelling start. The show also has an interesting angle on the serial killer theme.
If you were like me, then you saw elements of Silence of the Lambs and some real-life inspiration from Charles Manson. The inclusion of Marilyn Manson’s “Sweet Dreams” only encourages the Charles Manson parallel. I wouldn’t know, because I’ve never seen the show, but there’s likely some similarities to Dexter as well.
The Following stars Kevin Bacon, who plays Ryan Hardy, a hard-drinking former FBI agent. When the last guy he put away, serial killer Joe Carroll (James Purefoy), escapes from prison, Hardy is called back to duty as a consultant. It’s a bit of a testament to Hardy’s character that those who were involved in the case that brought down Carroll will only speak with him, despite the attempts at authority by Meghan Leeds (Li Jun Li). It’s actually pretty funny because she comes off as a royal bitch and it’s totally satisfying seeing her blocked at every turn.
As the premiere episode of The Following progresses, and we realize that Carroll will be caught (the breadcrumb clues were painfully transparent), we might wonder where the show is going to go for the rest of the season. Don’t worry, it will progress, and it’s going to kick ass. The show has such a unique twist, that by the time their announcing the next episode, you’re just wanting more.
What’s also surprising is the amount of blood and simulated violence there is on this show for prime-time network television. My only guess is that it has to be this way in order to compete with cable programming.
Purefoy plays a very charismatic and charming serial killer, but only Kevin Bacon can pull off the unbuttoned, slack-tie look so well.
I for one am very excited to see how The Following progresses.
The Following airs on Monday night at 9:00 EST.
Rock Hard \m/
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