'The Following' dishes out revenge

Carroll: “I’m not above revenge, Agent. I think I’ve proved that. Revenge is primal. It’s a universal theme, and every good story needs one.”

“The Poet’s Fire” is the newest episode of The Following. This article contains major spoilers, so beware! To review the last case file, click here. The Following airs Monday nights at 8 on Fox.

So far it seems like each episode of The Following will center on another member of the cult and their mission – a new chapter in Joe Carroll’s book of insanity. This is an interesting set up, but it makes sense for The Following. It keeps the procedural feel to it, but every episode is still progressing the over arching storyline. This week’s chapter is revenge, and it seems like Rick is the one who came up with what exactly to do. Carroll didn’t expressly tell him how to attack. He simply agreed and gave guidance. While the profilers are busy trying to figure out how Carroll’s cult works, the writers are telling the viewers how it works through flashbacks. Did you enjoy the revenge chapter?

Apparently, you can’t trust anyone on this show. The twist that Maggie is involved is fantastic. It adds more of a horror story vibe to the show. Not only that, but it shows that the cops are constantly playing catch up. The bad guys are playing them constantly, and they don’t realize it until it is too late. Maggie isn’t the first person to trick everyone until the time is right, but she is the first one that the viewers have really watched, if that makes sense. Emma tricked Claire and takes Joey, and Paul and Jacob tricked Sarah, but the viewers did not get that close to any of those situations. This time they watch and perhaps even feel fear for Maggie’s safety, and then the viewers watch as she strikes. It’s done well. Did you think Maggie was involved in the cult?

Here are quick thoughts on elsewhere in the episode. The writers are slowly revealing more and more about our various crime solvers. They are just little snippets, but it helps the viewers get close to the crime solvers. This way if Parker, Ryan or Weston find themselves in harm’s way or even die, the viewers will have more of a reaction. The agent that died at the end, well not much is known about him. It’s shocking that he died, but there isn’t an emotional connection. Now on the Joey kidnappers front, things are getting just twisted. The video at the end is cringe worthy and just shows how disturbed the members of the cult are. It’s a small moment, but it may be up there as one of the most disturbing scenes in the show so far. Do you agree?

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