Top 16 WTF Moments From "The Following" So Far

It’s not just that this show is about a serial killer cult.

Spoiler alert!

1. When Sarah Fuller’s “gay” neighbors kidnapped her.

When it happened: Episode 1, Season 1

Why it’s WTF: One minute Paul and Jacob are bringing over pizza and holding Sarah’s hand through her ordeal, the next they’re breaking into her apartment through a jimmied tunnel and driving her to an untimely death. It’s enough to make you never want to leave your house again. Ever.

WTF level on a scale of one to ten: 7

Source: fox.com

2. When this lady took off all her clothes and gouged out her own eye.

When it happened: Episode 1, Season 1

Why it’s WTF: Aside from the fact that she revealed her body was covered in Edgar Allan Poe excerpts—how did she write all that out?!—this was one of the first moments when Joe Carroll’s incredible influence became clear.

WTF level on a scale of one to ten: 10

Source: forcesofgeek.com

3. When Emma kills her own mother in front of Jacob, and he’s kind of turned on by it.

When it happened: Episode 2, Season 1

Why it’s WTF: We get it, Emma’s mother was a trollop. But to go ahead and knife her? Then bury her in the attic? And to become closer to your boyfriend because of it? Yo, that shit crazy.

WTF level on a scale of one to ten: 8

Source: thefollowing.wikia.com

4. When the cult’s safe house was discovered, and this crazy follower in a Poe mask jumped out.

When it happened: Episode 2, Season 1

Why it’s WTF: We discovered some pretty creepy artwork dedicated to Poe lining the walls, along with a series of masks. Oh, and the body of Emma’s dead mother in the attic.

WTF level: 7

Source: fox.com

5. When masked Poe took to the streets and lit this nice journalist on fire.

When it happened: Episode 3, Season 1

Why it’s WTF: Not sure if it’s more crazy that he dumped a can of gasoline over the poor guy, or that no one on the crowded street tried to stop him. At all.

WTF level: 9

Source: fox.com

6. When it was revealed that once upon a time, Joe and Ryan had an epic bromance.

When it happened: Episode 3, Season 1

Why it’s WTF: Turns out that all it takes to win Ryan’s pacemaker heart is a glass of scotch and long talks in the study. Cozy sweaters help, too.

WTF level: 9

Source: the-following-blog.tumblr.com

7. When Paul flirts with Megan, chokes her while they make out, and is forced to kidnap her.

When it happened: Episode 3, Season 1

Why it’s WTF: Aside from the fact that Paul is clearly gay for Jacob, this is exactly the type of thing I’ve seen on Dateline, and yet another reason why you shouldn’t talk to handsome strangers.

WTF level: 10

Source: static-media.fox.com

8. When Paul outs Jacob as never having killed anyone.

When it happened: Episode 4, Season 1

Why it’s WTF: So, even though this is a cult of serial killers, little lamb Jacob has yet to take the plunge. He went so far as to cook up a two-bit story about his first kill, and has apparently been skating by on his good looks alone. Not cool, Jacob. (Even though it makes us love you more!)

WTF level: 6

Source: fox.com

9. When Emma, Paul and Jacob made their serial love legit.

When it happened: Episode 4, Season 1

Why it’s WTF: Look, we have nothing against three beautiful people making sweet, sexy times together. It’s just that, ya know, Emma hated Paul. She stabbed him in the hand in a prior episode. Now, suddenly, they’re spooning?! WTF.

WTF level: 10

Source: remingtonwild.tumblr.com

10. When Joe manipulates his lawyer into unintentionally joining his cult.

When it happened: Episode 5, Season 1

Why it’s WTF: Couldn’t Olivia tell the FBI what’s going on? Doesn’t she understand that Joe is a serial killer and probably has very bad intentions? And yes, we know about client-lawyer confidentiality, but doesn’t this seem…crazy?!

WTF level: 6

Source: imdb.com

11. When Agent Parker flashed back to her cult days.

When it happened: Episode 6, Season 1

Why it’s WTF: Even though Debra said early on that cults were her “specialty,” the reality of her upbringing is pretty disturbing. Especially that part where her own mother forced her to have intercourse with a much older cult leader. And, ya know, the whole bit where her parents disowned her for wanting to leave.

WTF level: 7

Source: the-following-blog.tumblr.com

12. When Joe said this…

When it happened: Episode 6, Season 1

Why it’s WTF: Has Joe heard, “Because You Loved Me”? That song is life changing.

WTF level: 5 on the regular, but 10 on the silly

Source: the-following-blog.tumblr.com

13. When this local cop turned out to be part of Joe’s cult!

When it happened: Episode 6, Season 1

Why it’s WTF: Seriously Officer Marsden, how are you gonna shoot Shawn Ashmore? That ain’t right.

WTF level: 8

Source: alphaqueer.tumblr.com

14. When Claire discovered that a man (her “follower”) has been secretly watching her every move for two years.

When it happened: Episode 6, Season 1

Why it’s WTF: Not only does he have photos, video, penciled records of her every move, and footage of her sleeping, but he’s also in love with her. And, after kidnapping her, he kisses her and proceeds to angrily beat his own head against a pipe… Hello, nutso.

WTF level: 9

Source: cdn.rickey.org

15. When Emma ditched her two boyfriends and ran off with Joey.

When it happened: Episode 6, Season 1

Why it’s WTF: Well, ran off with Joey is a little misleading. She’s taking him somewhere. But, still, it was pretty cold of her to ditch the two dudes she just made sweet sexy times with. (Especially while one of them is bleeding out.) COLD AS ICE!

WTF level: 9

Source: the-following-blog.tumblr.com

16. And when this epic moment happened*.

*Dialogue is my own.

Source: the-following-blog.tumblr.com