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Home Entertainment Center => Television => TV's Greatest Hits and Misses => Topic started by: Chiprocks1 on January 25, 2013, 06:09:39 am


Title: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on January 25, 2013, 06:09:39 am
The Following (Season 1)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Chiprocks1/Title%20Cards/The%20Following/TheFollowing.png)

Episodes

Episode 1: Pilot (http://www.hulu.com/watch/447971#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)

Episode 2: Chapter Two (http://www.hulu.com/watch/450210#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)

Episode 3: The Poet's Fire (http://www.hulu.com/watch/453207#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)

Episode 4: Mad Love (http://www.hulu.com/watch/455483#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)

Episode 5: The Siege (http://www.hulu.com/watch/457880#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)

Episode 6: The Fall (http://www.hulu.com/watch/460262#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)

Episode 7: Let Me Go (http://www.hulu.com/watch/463047#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)

Episode 8: Welcome Home (http://www.hulu.com/watch/465648#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)

Episode 9: Love Hurts (http://www.hulu.com/watch/468548#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)

Episode 10: Guilt (http://www.hulu.com/watch/471177#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)

Episode 11: Whips and Regret (http://www.hulu.com/watch/473786#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)

Episode 12: The Curse (http://www.hulu.com/watch/476166#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)

Episode 13: Havenport (http://www.hulu.com/watch/478826#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)

Episode 14: The End Is Near (http://www.hulu.com/watch/481474#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)

Episode 15: The Final Chapter (http://www.hulu.com/watch/484001#play-queued-show-by-original_premiere_date-asc)
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on January 25, 2013, 06:10:00 am
Added Episode 1: Pilot
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on January 25, 2013, 06:21:11 am
Pilot
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Chiprocks1/Star%20Ratings/HTL_05star.gif)


That was a damn good opening. I loved the way the Pilot episode was edited. It gave us a ton of insight into the main characters as well as the secondary characters without it getting overly long with exposition. It was tight. In and out with the barest of info, but enough to fill in the blanks yourself and then keep the main thrust of the story moving forward. While watching the Pilot, I, and probably 99% of those that tuned in were asking themselves "how can they continue this for more than 1, maybe 2 seasons long". Well, without spoiling it for anyone that has yet to watch it, the last 5 minutes of the Pilot pretty much sets up the entire season and it could concievably run for 5 seasons if need be with the amount of people involved....thus the title 'The Following'.

I'm definitely on board for this and I hope that it does well enough to sure it's survival as a series. Kevin Bacon was great. As for the guest star in this one....

Spoiler (hover to show)
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Mac on January 25, 2013, 02:51:35 pm
I wanted to like this. The trailer looked awesome and I always like Mr. Bacon.

And it was probably a good episode, but unfortunately I have zero interest in the detective, CSI, cop type shows.

It's not for me.
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on January 25, 2013, 02:53:04 pm
It's bloody as hell. I for sure thought that this would be something you be somewhat interested in. It's got Kate Upton eating a hamburger in it!!
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Mac on January 25, 2013, 03:31:35 pm
Nu-uh
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on January 25, 2013, 03:33:04 pm
Yes! She kills with her boobies!
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Mac on January 25, 2013, 03:43:05 pm
Uh, and the bloody part?
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on January 25, 2013, 04:15:06 pm
Uh, and the bloody part?

Ketchup from the man-size hamburger.
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on January 30, 2013, 04:23:33 am
Added Episode 2: Chapter Two
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on January 30, 2013, 04:29:51 am
Chapter Two
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Chiprocks1/Star%20Ratings/HTL_04halfstar.gif)


Trying to figure out what the end game here is and as I was watching Chapter Two play out, I knew that the only way that Joe could stay one step ahead of everyone would be that someone high up on the political ladder would be the mole. So, when I saw the new FBI Cult Expert, she was just the first in what I believe will be a long line of moles. Even though nothing has been said or hinted at, I see the Mole Ladder going much higher....as high as the State Governor perhaps? Maybe even higher, but why. That's the question....what is the end game and why.
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on February 05, 2013, 06:57:58 am
Added Episode 3: The Poet's Fire
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on February 05, 2013, 08:03:34 am
The Poet's Fire
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Chiprocks1/Star%20Ratings/HTL_05star.gif)



The most shocking thing about The Following isn't the plot. It's how much FOX is able to get away with when showing graphic violence. Even I was taken aback when they showed the officer getting the knife plunged into his neck and bleeding out. I'm pretty jaded to this stuff because in movies, it's just par for the course, but in TV shows, yeah I do expect it to be watered down somewhat with creative editing and cutaways. As for the rest of the episode, I knew that the Wife was in on it. It screamed 'set up' and I also knew that the flashback scene with her getting stabbed was just part of the whole picture of them "practicing". But the most disturbing thing in the episode was the end when the captors were teaching the little boy how to kill. Now THAT was sick.
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on February 19, 2013, 07:24:19 am
Added Episode 4: Mad Love
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on February 19, 2013, 08:25:10 am
Mad Love
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Chiprocks1/Star%20Ratings/HTL_04star.gif)


Prior to this episode, my thoughts on the 3 Kids (Jacob, Emma and Paul) looked like they would be where the cracks would form and giving the Cops a viable lead down the road. But after this episode, it's just a question of who is going to turn on who and when. I don't think it will last much longer before someone flips due to jealousy. The did pull a fast one on me with the ending. I for was for sure convinced that Paul and Emma killed the hostage by way of stabbing. But to find out later that they tied her back up and left her for Jacob was something I didn't see coming. And then have Paul and Emma welcome him back (into the shower) was strange, but fitting as they aren't ready to give up on him. Somethings gonna give...and soon.
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on February 26, 2013, 07:00:31 am
Added Episode 5: The Siege
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on February 26, 2013, 08:08:14 am
The Siege
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Chiprocks1/Star%20Ratings/HTL_04star.gif)


I still like the show, but I'm starting to get a bit frustrated with the pacing. This is going to be a series of close calls, followed by delays to spread this out over the season. If this is a 13 episode season, then I can deal with it. But if this is 22-24 episodes long, I'm going to go bat-sh*t crazy waiting for some answers to the endgame. However, with the cliffhanger, I can't wait to see how Ryan Hardy is going to get out of this sticky situation at the farm.
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on March 05, 2013, 01:31:45 pm
Added Episode 6: The Fall
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Mac on March 05, 2013, 02:07:04 pm
I read today, this got renewed.
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on March 05, 2013, 02:10:14 pm
Awesome news and totally unexpected because I read a couple of weeks back that the show was on the bubble of being cancelled. I'm digging the show so far. I'm hooked. Thanks for the news Mac!!!!
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on March 05, 2013, 02:50:49 pm
The Fall
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Chiprocks1/Star%20Ratings/HTL_04star.gif)


I knew that Ryan would try and create division with the gang. That was obvious. What I didn't think to see was that Ryan would actually enjoy and get a kick out of rubbing their faces in it that both dudes were being controlled by Emma, which was in fact true. The smirk on Ryan's face was priceless. As for the Town Deputy Chick, I knew she was a follower. Watching the series thus far, you just have to assume that every single character is one. The back story involving Agent Debra Parker was pretty interesting and gives more insight into why she chose the profession that she is in. But I'm still not convinced that she isn't a follower herself.
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on March 12, 2013, 12:37:40 pm
Added Episode 7: Let Me Go
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on March 12, 2013, 02:20:55 pm
Let Me Go
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Chiprocks1/Star%20Ratings/HTL_04halfstar.gif)



I just realize that this series is 24 in a way. I don't know why, but watching this episode, I kept picturing Kiefer Sutherland in the role of Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon). And in every scene that plays out, it exactly how it would unfold for Jack Bauer. And this was even before the moment when Ryan tortures the one guy]. Jack would be sooooooo proud!!! As for the rest of the episode, I always knew that there would be some sort of Prison break for Joe Carroll, but not THIS soon. I figured it would be toward the end of the season to use to set up Season 2.

The ending was creepy with Joey being reunited with his Dad (Joe) with all those followers surrounding him. I find it creepy that anyone would worship and follow someone like Joe and have no thoughts of their own.  Sheeps!!!
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on March 19, 2013, 07:04:56 am
Added Episode 8: Welcome Home
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on March 19, 2013, 07:59:25 am
Welcome Home
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Chiprocks1/Star%20Ratings/HTL_04star.gif)


Another very gory scene in this one. It was like watching a horror flick when the prisoner gnawed his hand off to get to the cyanide pill under the skin. All that blood on TV. I'm still not going to get use to the idea that the censor board is becoming quite comfortable  loosening their grip on what can and can't be shown. Anyway, the ending when Charlie willingly gives himself up to Joe to be sacrificed was kind of unbelievable. I've always thought the whole concept of Cults to be an absurd one. I still can't wrap my head around how people can be so gullible to give themselves over freely to another man that represents the worst in humanity.
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on March 26, 2013, 06:39:16 am
Added Episode 9: Love Hurts
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on March 26, 2013, 07:47:06 am
Love Hurts
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Chiprocks1/Star%20Ratings/HTL_04star.gif)


Well, Jacob is now reunited with Emma as seen at the end of the episode. He doesn't look happy to see her having just killed Paul out of mercy. My guess is that Jacob will play nice with Emma for a while before the guilt really kicks in and he kills her for abandoning them when she escaped the farm. Another bloody episode where they keep pushing the envelope of what is making its way onto broadcast TV. Loved the song they used to close out the episode. It was fitting.
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on April 05, 2013, 12:54:22 pm
Added Episode 10: Guilt
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on April 05, 2013, 12:57:17 pm
Guilt
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Chiprocks1/Star%20Ratings/HTL_04star.gif)


Interesting twist at the end. So, it looks like one of Ryan's past love interest was / is a follow of Joe. What remains to be seen is exactly how Ryan pushed her away. But it was implied with his 'death curse' that he got her killed. So, if that's the case then obviously this was part of an elaborate plan set in motion my Joe to really screw with Ryan's head and get him believing there is a curse that he can't escape.

Elsewhere, I think that Jacob is going to have a moment of clarity where his conscious will propel him to save Joey. Of course it won't be successful, leading to his demise. It has to happen this way because I can't see him walking around the rest of the season with anger toward Emma and this not being a problem with Joe.
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on April 09, 2013, 07:38:43 am
Added Episode 11: Whips and Regret
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on April 09, 2013, 08:52:19 am
Whips and Regret
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Chiprocks1/Star%20Ratings/HTL_04star.gif)


Other than Clare coming face to face with Joe as he tries to "win" her back, the momentum kind of came to a standstill with the bulk of the episode focused on Ryan and the Feds tracking one of the Cult members to an Armory where they train their prospective followers. There was one interesting new development and that was Roderick. I think he is more than a "follower". I think he believes he has a partnership with Joe and is the only reason I can think of that would allow him to question and interrogate Joe in a manner that would belittle him in the eyes of the other followers who happen to see this. Roderick won't be long for this world as he will become expendable.

I'm still a fan of the series, but I do understand and get why a lot of people are starting to get a little annoyed with certain parts of the show, namely the depiction of the Feds and Cops. They really are being portrayed as dumb and stupid because they can't even do the simplest things right. Everything can't be by the book or they wouldn't be able to move or sustain the plot for very long. If the Feds were solving everything, the show and the series would have been over by the second episode. So, those in law enforcement are required to continually botch things to keep giving the Hero of the show another opportunity to save the day. And it's not just on this show, but any and every show in existence in this genre. Even 24 was a victim of this as well, but that didn't stop me from loving every hour of that show.
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on April 16, 2013, 06:46:27 am
Added Episode 12: The Curse
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on April 16, 2013, 07:59:11 am
The Curse
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Chiprocks1/Star%20Ratings/HTL_04star.gif)


Interesting back-story regarding Ryan. It says a lot about someone that forces his dad's killer to continually inject heroin to OD, rather than just pulling the trigger. And the fact that he was 17 years old says even more. You would think he would have rage in him and just kick the door in and start shooting (the gun that is) as his retribution. As for the others, I'm still convinced that Jacob will save Joey and Claire. Well, he will try anyway. The fact that he reached out to his father tells me that doubts are starting to creep him. Loved Claire punching Emma in the face. She had it coming....has plenty more coming.
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on April 23, 2013, 06:59:25 am
Added Episode 13: Havenport
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on April 23, 2013, 08:29:53 am
Havenport
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Chiprocks1/Star%20Ratings/HTL_03halfstar.gif)


I have been willing to overlook some pretty big missteps with the writing because for the most part the show has been a fun, guilty pleasure. But I can't get over the stupidity of the final scene involving the 'Follower' that turned herself in to the Feds. Having them all turn their backs on her after saying she was "clean", only to have her pull out a hair pic and stab one of the agents is pushing the believability factor way too far left to stay credible.

The other thing that is starting to rub against me the wrong way is that Joe is clearly losing his mind, and yet his 'Followers' do nothing to save themselves, especially Emma, who is okay with it all. They all are. Actually, the only one that sees Joe for what he truly is is Roderick, which led him to kidnap Joey to save himself. Didn't happen. He's done now. I was right about Jacob letting Joey escape. But why he chose to return to the compound is beyond me.
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on April 30, 2013, 06:43:54 am
Added Episode 14: The End Is Near
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on April 30, 2013, 07:41:23 am
The End Is Near
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Chiprocks1/Star%20Ratings/HTL_03halfstar.gif)


I knew the Emma would be the death of Jacob. I saw it coming a mile a way. I was just hopeful that he would have gone out in grand fashion trying to save Claire. So, I was a bit disappointed in that he went quietly into the night after telling Emma he was leaving the group. FOX sure wasn't shy about showing her slashing his throat. This season has been one for pushing the envelope of on-screen carnage. Well, I can already tell you what next week will be. With Agent Parker buried alive, the entire hour will be about racing against the clock to save her, which is just another stall tactic from the writers. I fear the are already running out of steam, just based on this episode and last weeks as well.
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on May 07, 2013, 06:16:21 am
Added Episode 15: The Final Chapter
Title: Re: The Following (Season 1 - 2013)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on May 07, 2013, 07:27:21 am
The Final Chapter
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Chiprocks1/Star%20Ratings/HTL_04star.gif)


As predictable as this episode was, it was still entertaining at least. The ending with Ryan's former "girlfriend" was by far the most transparent plot device. I saw this coming a mile away. About the only thing that was "surprising" was that they killed off Agent Parker as they arrived too late to save her. As for Joe Carroll, they may have said that he was "dead", but I don't buy it. The ending with both Ryan and Claire getting stabbed is a good cliffhanger to launch into the new season. Emma with that long red hair and glasses makes her both weird looking and incredibly hot. I'm just so use to her with short hair.

I think the writers missed an opportunity for some much needed payback for not just the characters, but for the viewers as well as they should have had Ryan throw the sniper into the grave previously occupied by Parker to bury him alive. Now THAT would have been just in seeing him go through the same dread that he put Parker through.