THE FOLLOWING Season 1 Finale: Kevin Williamson on Alternate Endings and Season 2
April 30, 2013 by Marisa Roffman
THE FOLLOWING came to a creepy, twisted, highly entertaining end on Monday night…and now we have to wait months to find out what the heck happens next.
And while some of what will happen in the show’s second season is up in the air, I spoke with THE FOLLOWING creator Kevin Williamson to see what he could spill about next year and those alternate endings James Purefoy (Joe) had teased…
The season could have ended a different way:
Williamson confirmed that there were multiple ways the first season could have concluded, but he did point out it wouldn’t have been too radically different.
“Well, the endings were variations on what you did see,” he noted. “We filmed further than that. We filmed more of that. We filmed the lighthouse. We filmed more of everything. We completed the scene several different ways so people could live or people could die.”
And given that virtually everyone’s fate was up in the air when “The Final Chapter” ended (only Emma and Mike appeared to be unharmed; Joe was presumed dead, Ryan and Claire were stabbed, and Parker was definitely dead), where the show goes from here is quite the question mark.
“I know exactly what I would like to have happen, but I have yet to pitch [the full arc] to the network for the new season,” Williamson said. “So until it’s approved, it’s not gospel. I have a fairly good idea of what we’re doing, but it’s not 100% certain. Only in regards to two things. In terms of next season, Kevin Bacon (Ryan) very much knows where we’re starting. I collaborate with him: ‘Here’s what I’m thinking.'”
But will there be a time jump given how much chaos has happened thus far?
“Maybe,” Williamson smiled.
The Joe of it all:
Joe Carroll’s impact on the series really can’t be undersold — after all, he was the one to recruit these followers and his cat-and-mouse game with Ryan was the through line for the show’s first 15 episodes — but if we’re to believe what we saw in the season finale, he met his demise in a fire. Heck, there was even partial DNA match and dental records to prove the remains were from him.
But since it’s THE FOLLOWING (not to mention how wide Joe’s reach has spread in the past), I had to ask Williamson whether he felt fans should be questioning whether Joe was really dead.
“I think it’s safe to say his death — even Ryan’s been stabbed in the gut — is just sort of a metaphor for death, so they can both have a rebirth,” Williamson teased. “I don’t think we’re fooling anyone. Let’s just see.”
(And hey, even if Joe is really dead, there’s always room for flashbacks, right?)
A delicious season 2 tease:
While Williamson was understandably vague about season 2, when I asked him what he felt his biggest lesson was from the show’s first season, he dropped a tantalizing tease about what’s to come.
“I learned too many lessons,” Williamson said. “I learned a whole lot of, lot of, lot of stuff…I don’t want to give away the biggest lesson I learned, because it is where season 2 goes. I learned a really big, huge lesson, and it’s exactly what we’re doing in season 2.”
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Do any of you brilliant people have a theory about what Williamson means? Do you think Joe is dead? And, most importantly, can we have season 2 now, please?!?!
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THAT’S WHAT I WAS THINKING! It’s THE FOLLOWING!! Joe can’t be dead, I’m sure one of his “FOLLOWERS” set up the dental records and what not to claim his death.
I don’t think Joe is dead, one of his people faked the records. Not even Emma knows hes alive.
I think that it was one of Joes relatives that died in the fire, but then again, how could they match Joes’ dental records? Can’t wait for next seasons to start.
Perhaps what he learned is that the FBI really isn’t THAT lame…
As for Joe…he had operatives in the FBI…who’s to say that one of those operatives didn’t go into his records and change his vitals (DNA, dentals) to match the owner of the lighthouse…or the owner of the yacht he stole…or any of his followers who would gladly volunteer for martyr duty.
The Following had so much promise but fell short, in my opinion. I am hoping that they did learn from all of their mistakes. I am uncertain if I will watch season 2, hey maybe they will pull a “Dallas”, it will all be a nightmare.
I don’t think Joe is dead. Yes, the records were skewed by a follower. Anybody know just when The Following season 2 will begin? Anxious for it already. I’m sorry that they killed off Parker. Was so hoping she was still alive….unless she was really a follower & her death was faked….but don’t think so. And tho she was under suspicion by many fans, me included at times, she was likable. Hmmm…this series isn’t based on a book is it? If I thought so, I’d be reading it now. Keep up the good work. Oh, and I don’t believe Claire and Ryan’s wounds are life threatening but next season, maybe someone can give Claire a brain? She caused so much more havoc than needed in the first series by her selfish acts. Yes, she wanted her son, but her actions all said “I know you’re all working towards getting my son back, but you’re all stupid and I’m smart by listening to what Joe wants because he’s smarter.” Duh…..Like if she thought that, wouldn’t she still be with him?
I think Joe is dead… and Emma is going to be the main bad guy(girl) I think so many people hated/loved her character and she was the main character people talked about..I think she will be pregnant with Joe’s baby and people who followed Joe will now follow her and she will gain new followers, using ‘skills’ she learnt from Joe.. lol.. just guessing..it’s not often the killer is a female.. so that would be a cool twist.
I find it hard to believe that Claire would actually spend her first free night at Ryan’s place and not going to reunite with her son.
I have to agree with Lee. I hope Kevin learned that the FBI isn’t that lame. While I LOVED the acting and the show, the magnitude of the FBI’s incompetencies throughout the season was nearly enough to keep me away. If it wasn’t for my love of Kevin Bacon and the incredible chemistry and dialogue surrounding Joe, I would have turned it off.
I think that Joe´s not really dead. Think about it, he could have just sacrifised his teeths and what´s for the partial dna, it should be easy to manipulate. Let´s just hope that they´ll bring him back.
I think saying the records were faked is a lazy approach. The explosion happened to quick for him to make an escape. If he did I think that’s weak of them to tell us immediately when S2 starts. I say have Molly and Emma run the show in present day while simultaneously showing us Joe Carroll from his first kill up to his feud with Ryan through flashbacks. That way Joe’s character stays relevant. THEN at the end of S2, Joe should return unbeknownst to his Followers and Ryan. Also, I think killing Claire would be a good idea, but not yet. Maybe at the end of S2, because a “Ryan taking care of Joey” story would be interesting.
I’m sorry, but this show has gone way beyond stupid.
well since it is called the following… maybe joe is really dead and someone will “take over” where he left off. sort of a saw thing. who was that girl in that bar at the end that seemed so upset over joes death anyway….? just a theory
I think Joe is still alive but i believe he put Emma in charge until he heals because why did Emma not go after Ryan and how come they only found dental and other records Joe could of had it all planned out and that guy who was there who Joe killed with the broken ankle i think he was part of it i believe that the next season is going to be a mystery lol i can not wait keep me updated on FCB 🙂 I love this show <3 <3 <3 🙂
I am hoping that they do not pull a “Dallas” because that was the last time I watched that show. Hopefully Joe is dead and Emma is pregnant with his child. She and the other followers – there has to be an FBI plant still there – will take over and she will have his evil spawn. I am hoping that at the very very end – Claire is the one to kill Emma. They can do flashbacks of what we never saw of Joe’s earlier killings up to the present if they want to keep him relevant. Just saying…..
I agree with Deborah! Emma is pregnant with Joe’s child and the followers will follow her because of the baby.
I wish they hadn’t killed off agent Parker. She was well liked and a worthy partner for Ryan. But I’ll watch next season, good show.
OMG… I can’t wait for Season 2 to start!!! Please tell me we don’t have to wait until the fall to see what happens!!!
The incompetency of the FBI made the show very difficult to watch. Time after time I wanted to scream at the FBI what was so obviously the next Joe Carroll move. Kevin Bacon is a good actor but even he won’t be able to save The Following in Season 2 if the FBI doesn’t get a little smarter. With that said, I watched every episode. In contrast, I thought The Americans offered a much more believable story line.
I love The Following and I honestly don’t think Joe died. He’s too smart to get in that sort of situation. I love Kevin Bacon and James Purefoy because their on screen chemistry was awesome and both are excellent actors!!!! Ryan and Joe are my absolute favorite characters and I actually think I like Joe a little bit more than Ryan. I also was a bit ticked that they killed off Parker because I liked her for some reason. I really like Mike Weston as well. I don’t know…I guess we’ll see what happens in season 2. Can’t wait!!!!
I’m hoping that in S2 they’ll call in the BAU and Hotch, Rossi, Morgan, Reed, Emily and AJ will show up to profile these bad, evil followers! 🙂 Just a thought!! It’s worth a shot!! Show’s have ‘crossed over’ before!! 🙂 Well… maybe not between networks!!
Joe had better not be dead. The cat and mouse between him and Ryan was/is the heart of the show. Having only Emma to carry on will not keep the viewers tuning in and will be a lame start to season 2. She’s an ok actress, but no where near James Purefoy’s abilities.
If Joe is dead, I’m an ex-viewer. James Purefoy is the reason I tuned in, in the first place.
NO JOE = NO SHOW!!!!
Joe lured Ryan to the lighthouse he had it planned for a fire and he had a escape plan hell he probably had a dentist in his cult to match his dental records to someone they had killed and planted the body there.
When Kevin Williamson said he learned something he plans to put to use, I hope he is talking about making the FBI smarter.
The more I think about Joe’s death, the more I think it had to be faked. He deliberately ran to the lighthouse. Whatever was in there, his followers could have set up. He could have gotten out. His followers could easily have faked the dental and DNA records.
That said, one way to continue on that would definitely work with Joe dead would be to follow his career from his first kill to where Season 1 began, as someone else already suggested. Out of all the ways to go forward with a Season 2 with Joe dead, this one appeals to me by far the most. After all, the name of the show is The Following, so expanding the influence of the Followers with Joe becoming a mythical figure instead of a living, breathing, fallible one, is definitely an idea. And as much as I detest Emma, having her take over as the cult leader, carrying Joe’s child (as someone above suggested) would definitely be a possibility.
Finally, my finals thought is that Claire can’t be dead. She is my favorite character in the show, and without her, it just would not have the same appeal to me. She and Ryan should have a chance to get some happiness and to be together as much as they can while he continues to hunt Joe’s followers.
I haven’t been this excited about Monday nights since ’24’
Joe Carrol didn’t seem afraid when the flames were surrounding him before the explosion so I going to assume he’s not dead.. The best part was when Kevin Bacon showed that guy no mercy after Parker’s death.. Absolutely, a total Jack Bauer move.. Please don’t ever kill off Westin, he’s a great asset to the show..love Kevin Bacon..
good television drama all i want to know now when will the next series start on tv
I ran home every Monday to watch this show. I fell in love with Joe Carroll and I don’t know why, perhaps the fact he had such a strong personality, he was very sexy and I found him to be very attractive. Of course, I’m not into serial killers and I probably would have has a sense of fear and stayed clear of him, but he definitely made the show and made you want to watch him and sometimes even be with him. I kind of agree with Deborah and Fred’s comments, but then again, my opinion would be that Joe is still alive and because he was extremely intellignt and calculatingly on point, I feel he already had prepared himself and his followers for his potential demise. I don’t think he trusted too many, but he seemed to trust Emma because she was a mirror of himself. He molded her. They did use one another. I was left dissatisfied at the end because I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact Joe’s wife thought more of hooking up with Hardy before getting her son. Then, I thought, how did the woman in the bar once she saw the news that Joe was dead, know where to find them? How did she even get into the house? What did she just happen to have a spare key? Where was Emma? Once Hardy got stabbed, why didn’t he alert Joe’s wife in some way that this nut was there? She was so stupid. She sees him lying on the floor and instead of checking things out first, she just runs to him only to get stabbed in the back herself. Some things just didn’t make sense or didn’t connect for me. I am hoping that it continues and that Joe Carroll is not dead. He had so many followers in every walk of life so it would’t surprise me if his own dentist he frequented had created dental records for the reason of fooling the law enforcement and medical examiner, who, by the way could have been one of his followers too. Second season, when please?
Why hasn’t anyone mentioned Ryan murdering in cold blood one of Joe’s followers whilst he was trussed up with his arms tied behind his back…ok they were looking for Parker’s grave, and the Follower was goading Ryan, but to shoot him in the head at point black range….?
The story line lurched from one impossibility to another….I mean if you’re going to stab someone, and the knife is seemingly sharp enough, go for the heart, not just for the fleshy abdomen….oh sorry I forgot, there’s a second series. The first was so bad, it was good…..candyfloss for the eyes and something to watch!!
A bullet was too good for the creep. They should have put him in the box & buried him alive. Poetic justice. If they don’t bring Joe back & have Emma as the lead, I will not watch it. Strange that so many didn’t recognize her sitting in the restaurant. Everybody hates the bitch so no doubt they will never do her in. Wish the last episode had been 2 hours. Looked like they just had to finish it & left out so much. Anyway, thro this whole thing Joe has been one step ahead so I cant see where he is dead. Like how many times has this guy been shot & the stabbing I have lost count & he bounces right back. Maybe they will get new ideas thro the summer. Hope I don’t have to wait until January to see what happened to Clair & Ryan. If Claire is gone it’s her own fault. She should have been home with little Joey 🙂
I cant wait for season 2. I don’t think they’ll have emma be the main “bad guy/girl” I just dont think she could hold the show up the way the actor who portrayed joe carroll did. What stuckin my head the most was at the end of one episode, they were teaching joey to kill animals. Extrapolate from there and maaaybe theres your twist??