Crime shows are one of the most common genre of TV shows today. The newest series to hit the air is “The Following”, but this show isn’t quite like the others.

Airing on FOX, the pilot episode starts off introducing viewers (sort of) to serial killer Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) as he slyly escapes from a Virginia prison, leaving a bloody mess.  It’s a good introduction that instantly hooks viewers.

From there, the show presents its protagonist Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon).  And this would be where I slumped down on the couch and said “Really? Please be kidding”. The first thing you notice about Bacon’s character is the commonly used traits of loneliness and alcoholism. Loads of other movies or TV shows throw these traits at their detective characters, but I think it’s time for some originality.

For much of this pilot episode, Detective Hardy drags himself around with the “I hate my life” expression on his face until he runs into a grisly problem (which happens multiple times in this suspenseful pilot episode).  Hardy is the detective that put serial killer Joe Carroll in prison, and upon Carroll’s escape, Hardy is asked to recapture the psychopath before it’s too late. This plotline isn’t exactly original, but it’s good.

What follows on “The Following” will interesting as the plotline and characters in this series are based on and inspired by poet Edgar Allan Poe. Carroll who was a college professor, uses Poe’s work in his murders, leaving behind phrases or words like “Nevermore” written in blood.  It’s done well and really brings a new kind of edge to this fresh and original serial killer.

The Poe references keep your eyes glued to the screen, but one thing that makes a viewer’s mind really work are the plot twists. “The Following” gets its name from the fact that Carroll has somehow created this cult or “following” of people outside of prison that do his work for him. It keeps the audience wondering whom to trust or be suspicious of. Definitely a powerful point of the storyline.

Purefoy’s performance as Joe Carroll is convincing as a regular citizen, but as the notorious killer, he doesn’t give chills like a Hannibal Lecter.  Perhaps as the series moves  into the next episodes, viewers will get more of a bone-chilling feeling from this character.

Overall, “The Following” isn’t a bad way to spend an hour.  It’s suspenseful, has plot twists audience members won’t expect, and a very interesting antagonist with “followers” doing his work while he’s imprisoned. Creepy enough? I think yes.