BWW Recap: You Say You Want an Execution on THE FOLLOWING

It is the day of Joe's execution so finally Ryan can close that chapter of his life and the plan will off without a hitch, right? Haha, just kidding. It was a nightmare.

Before we get into the terror of Joe's execution, I should mention that Theo has an accomplice, his junkie sister, Penny who seems to also be a student of Strauss. With her help, they are finally able to crack the code and it turns out to not be a name, but a location. So there's that.

But the good stuff was happening at the prison. As Joe was being taken to his final destination, he (a little too easily) takes out the guards and takes hostage the lawyer, the Governor's Aide and the Doctor. (It sounds like a setup for a bad joke). What was not a joke was the revolting scene when Joe brutally tased out one of the guard's eyes. His only request? You guessed it, he wants to see Ryan. Gwen begs him not to go, Max and Mike beg him to take a gun, but he doesn't want to give Joe the opportunity at another weapon so he goes in unarmed and handcuffed. Joe releases the Doctor in exchange for Ryan who he tases immediately. Ryan, now tied up with the lawyer and the Aide, is interrogated by Joe. See, all Joe wants is for Ryan to admit that he is Joe's most loyal follower and Joe is in his head. Ryan finally confesses all his dreams where he and Joe are friends and killing together. Joe is beyond satisfied and surrenders as he now knows his legacy will live on in Ryan. As Ryan is escorting him out, Theo's sister Penny remotely opens all the death row inmates doors and sets them loose on Ryan. Ryan (again, a little too easily) takes out all the inmates after they stab the Aide and take the lawyer. Ryan is able to save the Lawyer before she is heinously violated and he brutally murders the inmates. He comes upon the last inmate about to murder Joe and after some hesitation, he saves Joe's life. Ryan survives, but I'm afraid the damage is done. Joe is ready, once again, to be executed. As he is about to die, they open the curtains to the gallery and Ryan is there. Joe quotes The Raven one last time and stares into Ryan's eyes as he dies.

Ryan is visibly shaken and goes to a bar where he orders two shots of whiskey. One for him, and one for Joe who he seriously sees sitting next to him. He orders another drink. He is officially off the wagon. At least he's drinking with an illusion!

Okay, so our pal, Ryan has gone off the deep end. Joe Carroll has officially died, but he is far from gone. There have obviously been shades of this in past episodes, but Ryan flat out admitting it all to Joe, this can't be good. He didn't even confess it to Gwen or Max. So all of his secrets just died on that table in the execution room.

I have never watched anyone die from lethal injection, nor do I have any desire to, but I have to commend James Purefoy on his performance. It was so disturbing and he was so mesmerizing in it. And his final moments positioning his head so that Ryan would be the last face he saw was purely haunting.

Max and Mike had a nice moment, subjectively, amongst the madness. When Max was frightened of losing Ryan, Mike swore to her he would always be there for him. Maybe once she discovers that Tom's been watching her via surveillance for months, she will realize that Mike may be a better guy for her. But it's kind of hard to ship a couple right now in the middle of all this. At least we didn't have to deal with Mark and Daisy this week.

As for the future, what is THE FOLLOWING without Joe Carroll? Was Joe right? Is his true legacy living on in Ryan? Or is Theo the new leader with Penny and whatever is at this new location? Is Ryan turning into Joe Carroll or is he simply expelling his demons? I'm not gonna lie, I was kind of hoping Claire would show up at the execution so he could get complete closure. I don't know what Gwen is in for with this new Ryan and for the sake of her unborn child, I sure hope this is temporary insanity. So rest in peace, Joe Carroll, you horrifying, demented, mad man. You were a formidable adversary and we will miss you. Thankfully, mostly to that eye taser thing tonight, you will live on in our nightmares.

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Photo Credit: FOX

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