Official Synopsis:
“After a harrowing game of cat and mouse that led to the capture of serial killer and cult leader Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) in Season Two, Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon) has finally moved on. He’s returned to the FBI to work with his niece, Max Hardy (Jessica Stroup), and partner, Mike Weston (Shawn Ashmore), and he’s found new love with Dr. Gwen Carter (Zuleikha Robinson). But Ryan’s happiness is quickly shattered when another threat arises to tear open old wounds and expose the sins of the past. With Joe awaiting execution, the team must unravel a twisted matrix of murder before it destroys them all. Behind it lies a horrifying possibility: Can someone even more dangerous than Joe Carroll be at large? Don’t miss a suspense-filled moment of Season Three’s 15 tense, unpredictable episodes.”
Here’s a short promo for Season Three:
If you’re not familiar with the series, that needs to change. Created by Kevin Williamson (Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer), he effectively changed the horror genre, throwing out the traditional rules in favor of a more methodical, psychological and twisted form of entertainment. Although he doesn’t quite achieve that level with this television series, the “suspect everyone” mentality is indeed present.
For those that are familiar with the series, Season Two was a bit of a disappointment. The “suspect everyone” mentality I spoke of, although suspenseful, has the chance to be overdone, which is the case in the second season. The fact that almost everyone, even high levels of the FBI, ended up being a cult member was a little too unbelievable. However, in an age of social media where decisions are based on what’s trending, that kind of mindset is quite possible and indeed frightening.
The best thing to come from Season Two is the introduction of Max Hardy. The trio of Ryan, Mike and Max play exceptionally well off of one another. All have their flaws, but collectively they make a great cast of characters who are delivered blow after blow but still manage to get the job done.
Season Three takes the story and characters to an entirely new level. The focus isn’t primarily between Ryan and Joe. Now there is a bigger threat that makes Joe seem like a small cog in a larger wheel. One of the things that The Following has always done well is shift the focus of the season at an instant. This shift of the antagonist of the season is very well done, and very welcome, as the antagonist from the first half is a bit played out.
Kevin Bacon’s performance as Ryan Hardy has been excellent no matter what season. Although the past two seasons have been Ryan against Joe, this time it is really Ryan against himself. Ryan’s spiraling downfall comes to a chilling head as he takes a turn unlike any lead character in television history, and remains one of the most tormented characters I’ve seen.
James Purefoy isn’t prominently featured in Season Three, but his performance as Joe Carroll is commanding whenever he is on screen. His role this season tops all the rest, and fans of the show are in for something spectacular, as they find themselves cheering for Joe as I found myself doing.
Michael Ealy’s performance as Theo must be mentioned as well. A giant leap from his last television role in Almost Human, Ealy’s role as the methodical psychopath comes as a great surprise that invigorates the second half of Season Three.
Here’s a look at the technical side of the set:
Disc 1
1. New Blood – Ryan’s newfound happiness is shattered when a series of brutally staged scenes forces him and his team to unravel a twisted web of violence.
2. Boxed In – Ryan searches for the connection between Andrew and Mark Gray and wonders if – and how – Joe Carroll might be connected.
3. Exposed – After a devastating loss, Ryan, Mike and Max aim to hunt down who is responsible and make them pay. Meanwhile, Mark questions the loyalty of Kyle and Daisy. Includes deleted scenes.
4. Home – As Kyle, Daisy and Mark plan a personal attack on Ryan, the FBI receives a tip to a secret location, giving them a leg up in the case. Includes deleted scenes.
5. A Hostile Witness – Ryan seeks out an old enemy in order to defeat a more powerful one when things go awry on the day of an important trial.
Disc 2
6. Reunion – With their latest target on the run, Ryan and Mike discover a new threat – one who’s managed to avoid suspicion until now. Includes deleted scenes.
7. The Hunt – With only a few days until Joe’s execution, Ryan and Mike shift their focus. Meanwhile, Max rejoins the task force and comes dangerously close to a deadly menace.
8. Flesh & Blood – As the FBI closes in on a suspect, Ryan believes the killer is still out there and digs deeper into treacherous territory. Meanwhile, Joe prepares for his execution.
9. Kill the Messenger – After the latest shocking discovery, Ryan is tracked by an elusive killer who leads them both back to Joe Carroll…but for different reasons. Includes deleted scenes.
10. Evermore – On Joe Carroll’s execution day a hostage situation at the prison forces Ryan to go in alone as the team – and the entire world – watches. Includes deleted scenes.
Disc 3
11. Demons – As Ryan’s struggles with recent events send him into a downward spiral, the investigation narrows in on a dangerous serial killer linked to Theo’s past.
12. The Edge – An increasingly reckless Ryan continues his search for Theo as Mark and Daisy discover information that leads them closer to the FBI and Mike Weston. Includes deleted scenes.
13. A Simple Trade – A deadly deal is made, but things don’t go as planned. Ryan makes a decision for his future. Includes deleted scenes.
14. Dead or Alive – The FBI’s hunt for Theo continues and the stakes are higher than ever as some of their own come under attack.
15. The Reckoning – As suspicions rise, alliances are shaken and no one is safe as Ryan Hardy makes the ultimate sacrifice in the harrowing series finale. Includes deleted scenes.
Special Features
Where Heroes Lie
Evil Has Many Faces
The Art of the Crime Scene Photo
Ryan and Romance
The Following: Funny AND Die
New York Comic-Con Panel 2014
Gag Reel
Video
Each episode is presented in 1080p 1.78:1. The majority of the presentation is great. The bright scenes are full of detail with no defects whatsoever. In the darker scenes you will see a lot of grain, which is the style of the series, but makes it hard to distinguish small details at times.
Audio
Each episode is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio English 5.1. It also includes Dolby Digital 2.0 in French and Spanish.
Menu
The menu is rather plain, which was a big disappointment. I found it difficult to navigate through the episodes and to find which one I last left off with since there was no synopsis on any episode. The deleted scenes for each episode are not labeled, instead a small scissors icon is next to each one. A little bit of time and effort on the menu would really make this set more distinguishable and easier to navigate.
The Following Season Three brings to a conclusion a great show. Although it had its ups and downs, The Following ends with fans wanting more. In an age where decade old television shows are resurrected, and fans can fund the production and continuation of their favorite titles, The Following may find renewed life down the road. I, for one, will be anxiously waiting.