THE FOLLOWING Season 2 Finale Post-Mortem: Marcos Siega on the End of the Joe Carroll Chapter, the ‘Epic’ Alternate Ending, Season 3, and More
April 29, 2014 by Marisa Roffman
[This post contains spoilers for THE FOLLOWING’s season 3 finale, “Forgive.” Please watch that before you read what executive producer Marcos Siega had to say about the hour.]
THE FOLLOWING closed out its second season in a quieter manner — no exploding boathouses this year — but it brought one very important element to a close: Joe Carroll is back in custody. And according to THE FOLLOWING executive producer/director Marcos Siega, Joe won’t be getting out of jail this time around.
Check out what else Siega had to say about what’s in store for season 3, who was in the car, the alternate endings, and more…
The big question of the moment: who was in the car?!
Marcos Siega: I can tell you what I told my wife: I can’t tell you who was in the car!
Does the creative team know who is in the car, or is that something you guys are internally debating at this point?
MS: There are specific ideas. I hate to say we know for sure, because — I could say yes, but things change. I like the idea that we are now going to sit down and see if that’s the best way to go. I’m enjoying all the theories that are out there, because none of them are right, and it’s fun to see people try and guess — that’s sort of the fun of the show. With the twists and turns, people start expecting them, and you think it’s going to be obvious, but it never is.
What can you tease about what you have in store for season 3 at this moment?
MS: I can say in [THE FOLLOWING creator] Kevin Williamson’s mind, the Joe Carroll chapter was these two seasons. We didn’t kill him, because we do think there’s a better way to close out the chapter. But the season next year won’t be about Joe. He’s going to jail. His role will be about closing out that chapter and how that impacts Ryan Hardy. And then we’re able to reinvent the show, without changing the DNA of the show. And by that, I mean the show will still be full of twists and turns and surprises, but now it won’t be tethered to the same story where Ryan is after Joe.
Will James Purefoy (Joe) be back on-screen in season 3?
MS: Oh yeah, yes. The idea is we will absolutely see him. I can say pretty adamantly Joe is not going to escape. He’s not going to be Hannibal Lector. That’s not what we want. It’s really just about what is the most epic way to close out that chapter for Ryan Hardy. And we didn’t feel like having him die in these last batch of episodes was the right ending.
Will Ryan and Joe team up again to catch any bad guys? Or was the finale — and Claire — the only plausible reason you could see that working?
MS: No, we’re not going to see that, because Joe is being sent back to Death Row. As Ryan said, he’s going to try and forget Joe. For us, we know he won’t be able to. Joe said, “Good luck with that.” The dream sequence at the end…Ryan Hardy went through these experiences, and he’s going to be haunted by them for a very long time. And Joe is a big part of that.
But it’s not going to turn into a buddy show. As fun as that was, at first the idea of it was a little bit daunting, because it’s like, really? They’re enemies. But I thought the writers and Kevin had a really good way to make it work, and it was really fun to see. I hear a lot of people say they enjoyed that part of the show, but we won’t be seeing that next year.
What can you say about the decision to separate Claire and Ryan?
MS: It’s important for Ryan to move on. And whether he’s able to or not will be a fun character thing to deal with, but I do think it’s important to evolve and move forward.
So is the plan for Natalie Zea (Claire) to not be a part of season 3?
MS: Right now, things could change, but I don’t see her actively being a part of season 3.
You guys once again filmed some alternate endings, so what can you share about what we didn’t see?
MS: If Kevin and I have our way, we will put our other ending on the [season 2] DVD. It basically — here’s what I’ll say about it: the other ending was a better ending for the season, but not as good an ending for the series. And that, ultimately, led to — Kevin and I always knew what we wanted, but it was important to see what it looked like and have it and make sure we discussed it, and showed it to the studio and the network, and had conversation. And we ended up going with our gut. The other version has this sort of epic, oh my God, ending, but it undermined the potential for some stuff we may be doing next year.
When we spoke a few weeks ago, you mentioned that Kevin Bacon (Ryan) was in the final scene of the season. Was that the alt-ending? Or were you thinking of ending the season with the dream?
MS: It was [the alternate], actually. And it could have been in this version as well. Honestly, we just got in the cutting room, and I could have put the twins in the car [in the episode] before [showing] Ryan in his apartment, editorially. But it just felt like a cleaner ending if we get to the car and leave it with the question of who was driving.
Mike has had such a great journey this season, and now he finally had a moment of happiness with Max in the finale. Will his newfound happiness end up hurting him next year?
MS: Well, I think he has probably my favorite journey this season. Having his father being killed, and having the bloodlust he did, and wanting revenge, and turning into a mini-Ryan Hardy. Having that happiness, that moment with Max, is just a great setup for a lot of potential drama next year. I don’t think [his happiness] going to come back and screw him; to me, he’s a really important fabric of the show, and his character is only going to grow. The whole Max and Weston story is just a nice, satisfying component to an otherwise gritty, dark place that he’s been.
And it seems like Luke is dead…is there a fake out planned? And if it sticks, what will that mean for Mark?
MS: No, Luke is dead. There’s a big part of Mike’s journey: this guy who killed his father is still out there. And Mike being the guy who killed Mark’s mother has its own consequences. So I see that being a big part of the show, and I know the fans seem to really like the twins. And we have some really fun ideas of how to have that story play out. That’s a nice set-up for more of our story for next year.
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What did you think of THE FOLLOWING’s second season?
Related:
THE FOLLOWING’s James Purefoy on the Season 2 Finale: ‘Your Enemy’s Enemy Becomes Your Friend’
THE FOLLOWING Season 2 Finale: ‘Forgive’ Photo Preview
THE FOLLOWING: Valorie Curry on Emma’s ‘Miserable Existence,’ Getting Peace, Her One Regret, and More
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Thought S2 was great,Glad Joe Carroll dident Die,because without him theres no the Following,people for some reason like him,think its the Humour of him,so hope we c him a lot or people want like S3,But great Series x
I LOVE Kevin Bacon and the Following…great story line…not sure who could have been in the car?!? Was Emma really dead?
Looking forward to Season #3; however, I would like at least a couple of teasers for Ryan and Claire – they look good together!!! The reporter is just not Ryan’s type! Claire is!!!
Love Max and Mike as a couple – very cool!!!
Thanks for a great show…can’t wait til next season!!!
I hope we see lots of Joe. I absolutely adore him and his sense of humor cracks me up at times. Hopefully it won’t just be through flashbacks.
Please have Joe in the 3rd season. He is the best part of the show.
what happened to the reporter that ryan was sleeping with? maybe i missed something.
I Have Watched This From Day 1. My Husband And I Looked Forward To This Every Week. Except For Dancing With The Stars, There Is Nothing To Watch On Monday Night. See You Next Season.
I loved it!!! Can’t wait for season 3. When is that?!
Great season… again! So how exactly did the twins know where Emma and Claire were???
I love this show although I find it very frustrating that it’s only on for 4 months and I have to wait til January now for Season 3.
I can’t imagine the show without Joe! Please keep him at the center of the story!!!! Praise Joe! Lol.)
Love this show. I agree it is time to move on from Joe and also Claire. I also agree that Mike is a big part of this show and has grown so much from Season 1. I love the whole Mike and Max story line as they have gone thru so much they need someone to turn to. I think having Ryan start getting into different cases and people will add a whole new element to the show. Can’t wait till season 3.
Love Joe!! Enjoy him in the show , love Kevin bacon too and love Weston and Max, not happy with the actions of Claire??? But keep Joe love his jokes and personality ! Love this Show keep up the good work ! When does the nest season start ??
Think it might be Kristin Shepard driving the car, because that was the best season finale for a television drama since she shot JR
The Following is my favorite show ever, competing with 24. I love everything about it, and cannot wait for season 3. The season 2 finale was insane, and i was so happy to see max and mike get together because, first of all i called it after the second episode i watched with them together, and secondly they deserve each other. Mike is such an important character now, and I love Max’s character so much as well. Max is such a brilliant woman, who knows how to balance her job, and do what is best for Ryan. I can’t wait to see her and Mike together again, and I really hope to see their relationship develop in season 3. As for Ryan and Claire, WTF Claire! I know you said that she doesn’t really have a role in season 3, but that cannot be possible. Ryan and Claire deserve each other more than anyone, and i really think that Claire needs to come back and be with Ryan towards the end of season 3. I hate that reporter and I will be pissed if she takes over Claire’s role with Ryan. I’m glad to hear Joe will be a part of season 3, and I cannot wait to watch the battle unfold between Mark, Mike, Ryan, and Max. Don’t think it’s possible to wait until January, but I guess i will have to. This show is fantastic!
I’m thinking it’s Carry driving the vehicle!
Time for Joe to leave the show. Lily was killed too soon foe she would have made a terrific villain with her unlimited resources.
No! We want ryan and claire together! They’re so good together and she’ll never find anyone better than him. And dang! If he can’t even tell his own wife, it must be truly shocking.
I just love The Following. It keeps you on the edge of your seat. Its such a long week waiting for the next episode. What happened to the reporter Ryan was seeing? I cant stand Claire. Everything Ryan did for her and now they can be together and she thinks they need to move on? Give me a break. I hope Mike and Max hook up. I like those two. I hope Joe comes back, I really like his personality. He is mean but he can be funny too. Cant wait for season 3. When is that scheduled to begin, January? Great job, great show, keep up the good work.
I enjoyed this season but I think Lily should have lived on. It could have been so much story with her and the twins. I’m glad Claire is gone. I didn’t see the point in bringing her back.
I really don’t like the idea of phasing out Joe’s character. For me, he’s the biggest part of the Following. I love his comedic, but yet cruel personality. I also love Mike, the twins, and occasionally Ryan, but I still don’t think that the show would be the same without Joe Carroll. It’s nice that they’re not killing him, so that he can sort of always be a presence if they want to go that route. I know that they can’t go seasons and seasons with the same FBI chasing the murderer plot, but still. They need to come up with a creative way to keep him in it. Because, in my opinion, getting rid of him entirely would basically kill the show’s ratings.
I’m also sad that they killed Luke. He and Mark were great together. I’m not sure how well Mark will do on his own. But we’ll see! I’m hoping Emma’s not actually dead.
I love season 2 as I love season 1. I think that the apprentice of the professor who taught Joe to kill (and almost kill Carrie) was the driver of that car…
What if they were triplets? Mark and Luke, but it was Matthew driving the vehicle.
Also, I know it might seem like a tired storyline but this show needs lots of Joe. I love Ryan but Joe was the fire of the show. I am afraid it would not be the same without him. Please keep JOE!!!!
I think Season 2was, as usual, epic. I also think that Joe will be in prison but look at all the followers he got while he was in there last time. A new cult may start or maybe he’ll write another book and get things started. He’s a great actor!
I HAVE ALWAYS LIKED KEVIN BACON AS AN ACTOR AND, CONTINUE IN HIS CHARACTER AS RYAN TO ENJOY!!!! JOE HAS TO BE A CONSTANT IN THE SERIES, AS, HE IS THE MAIN CHARACTER IN THE SHOW AND DOES IT PROUD!!! HE HAS IT ALL IN HIS PORTRAYAL AS, A MASS KILLER, YET HAS THE ACTING QUALITIES TO BRING OUT FEELINGS OF CARING, ALSO HUMOR. HE IS GREAT!!!! THE OTHER ONE THAT I THINK DOES A GREAT JOB OF ACTING IS MIKE, HOPE HE IS INCLUDED INTO SEASON 3. I HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT JOE AND CLAIRE GETTING BACK TOGETHER, I THINK THAT STORY LINE COULD GO EITHER WAY!!! IN OTHER WORDS, WILL REMAIN A FAN OF THE ” FOLLOWING ” AND HOPE IT GOES WAY BEYOND SEASON 3.
Loved the idea of there being a third twin, brilliant! I am an Emma fan and would love for Emma to be alive; however, I don’t think it would be her driving. Don’t think it would be Claire because why would she be fighting with Emma, unless Joe wanted Emma to lose that fight, hmm. But then again, Claire wouldn’t have leaded the twins to her location and be tortured by the twins. I am going to have to go with Carrie she could have talked with Joe and knew right where to send the twins. This is my prediction it was Carrie and Emma were in the truck. Why does it have to just be one person?
Mike is driving the car. He is the FBI insider that has been hinted about all along. And Joe did not kill him in the church when he had several chances to do it.
I loved season 2. I have been a fan of The Following since the first episode. Although, in the beggining, I did love the idea of Claire and Ryan being together, I feel a lot of resentment towards her character now. Her death caused him to spin completely out of control to a point where he almost didn’t bounce back. For her to just break it off and leave him once again, she doesn’t deserve to be with him. I hope the writers give him someone who is willing to stand by him instead of continually breaking his heart. Ryan has been through so much, I hope Claire stays far away him. Please keep Joe. Everyone loves him and their (Ryan and Joe’s) interactions create quite a dynamic that keeps us hungry for more! Can’t wait for season 3!
I reckon that Carrie was driving the car or maybe someone like the twins father as he was never actually mentioned in the show. Could also be Mandy but I don’t know about that…
I really like Luke’s character though even though he was evil he was really interesting to watch so it’s sad he’s dead. Still I’m super excited for season 3 and am I the only one who couldn’t stand Joe and wanted Ryan to shoot him?
Joe is the best part of the show. I really hope that season 3 doesn’t move to far away from Joe. Other than that I am extremely excited for season 3