Kevin Bacon, courtesy Fox Broadcasting
THE FOLLOWING
Friendly Rating: Elementary age and up
Safety Rating: Extremely graphic and bloody violence, some of it sexualized
Quality Rating: It’s very well-made, which is, alas, the problem
New series premieres tonight (Jan. 21) on Fox at 9 p.m.
Admittedly, I am rather easily spooked or frequently annoyed, but seldom am I thoroughly disgusted by a show. I have to say that The Following is a very well-made piece of programming and it does what it does very, very effectively. Way too effectively, because the show is about an FBI consultant, played by Kevin Bacon, called in to track down a serial killer, played by James Purefoy, who is pulling together a whole group of like-minded individuals to strike out at society, cult-style.
Let’s see, I lasted until a young woman, stipped nude with writing all over her body, killed herself in a busy lobby by sticking a knife in her eyes. And we see her do it – not the aftermath, the actual stick.
Whether the violence was ramped up to sell the pilot, I don’t care. It still leaves an awful lot of room for other not terribly nice stuff to happen, and given the premise… Let’s just not go there.
My job here is to tell you what’s in the show so you can make up your own mind. You may find that the issue is just the one incident and the rest of the show is fine. That is up to you and your family. Me? I am simply grossed out and have absolutely no interest in pursuing it further. Please feel free to take issue in the comments below. Or agree. Your choice.
This is NOT a show that my kids will be watching, that’s for sure! …They shouldn’t even be watching Pretty Little Liars, but they do, and that’s a far as I’ll let this whole thing go.
Thank you so much for sharing! I was wondering if it was worth watching. I think anything with Kevin Bacon is wonderful – and I don’t care about the goriness of it all. I might even prefer it. Anyway, I’ll be watching! Thanks
So if you’re going to be watching, could you do us a favor and let us know if they ease up on the violence?
Sounds so creepy! I probably wasn’t going to watch, but I was intrigued by the promos – and by Kevin Bacon being in it – but now I have heard what I need to know. And this show is not for me.
I had this scheduled for my DVR after watching the preview and it never recoreded. After reading your review now I’m second guessing myself. Hmmm.
I came in about half way through and did witness the stabbing which made me gasp – not something I often do at TV shows – however, I was intrigued enough to stay – that is indeed the problem – it’s good but creepy – not sure if I will stick around to see next weeks but I can see why someone would