That smirk should say it all. The following opens up for “Chapter 2” as they say or week 2 for us and turns us right back into the twisted world. The biggest question you have to ask yourself when watching this week is who is friend and who is foe? With last weeks revelation that the nanny was indeed one of the followers you just have no idea who is going to show up to be part of Joe’s cult next.

There is so much action that goes on in this show it is hard to keep up at times if you are not paying attention. Kevin Bacon is really hitting a stride with his portrayal of Ryan Hardy, and this week he had to make a choice. One of Joe’s followers not only kills two girls and uses the creepy Nevermore art, but takes Joe’s ex-wife hostage. The choice then becomes, let her be killed or kill the killer. What choice does Ryan make? Well I am not prone to giving away spoilers so I won’t say but lets just say while I was shouting at the TV I did not think he would make the choice he did. Not to mention he certainly ruined some of Joe’s fun while he was at it.

For James Purefoy another stellar week as the creepy and yet somehow charming killer. I could not help but see some shades of Mark Antony this week, if Mark Antony had gone off the way deep end. But it is there that subtle danger even when he is sitting there looking at you and then like a coiled snake he lunges. This was proven in vivid expression when Joe manages to get his ex wife by the throat in a strong grasp. She of course survives (she has to be taken hostage later) but the point is made. Even in cuffs with one broken hand you can not trust Joe.

The end of chapter 2 leaves us with as many questions as the end of Chapter 1 therefor assuring you will watch another week. What did that new FBI Lady give to Joe in the Poe book? Is she also a follower? He sure did not seem to upset to see her, not with that little smirk that played on his lips. Who else is going to be working with him? Is Ryan going to be able to keep Joe’s ex wife safe? Is he going to be able to keep himself safe? Fox has hit on a good one with The Following.

Within the first minute we have a body count of 5, on top of the bodies that were counted to put Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) in jail. Any show that opens with a large body count promises to either be really good or really bad. I have to say that The Following is both. It is really bad because Joe Carroll really is a BAD guy. He is not a serial killer with some kind of code like Dexter. No he is a killer plain and simple. He kills for the joy of it, he kills for his “art” and he kills because he is good at it. That is not to say he does not have charm. Oh he has lots of charm for sure, but don’t many people who end up being the worst of the killers?

Fox has the formula right on this show. It is going to be one to watch as the series matures. I know I will be ready with the remote and pulling my covers up to my nose next Monday.