Former FBI agent Ryan Hardy is drawn out of retirement when serial killer Joe Carroll escapes from prison; the investigation reveals that Carroll has a cult following.
Ryan, Agent Weston and FBI Specialist Debra Parker investigate the history of Carroll's psyche; Emma, Jacob and Paul hold Claire's son while they plan for their next move.
Hardy and the FBI try to predict the actions of a new follower named Rick (Michael Drayer); Paul's jealousy reaches a breaking point; the beginning of Carroll and Hardy's relationship is revealed.
Maggie devises a plan to put an end to Hardy; Paul reveals a secret that Jacob has been hiding from Emma; Hardy and Claire's relationship is explored.
As Hardy and the team make their next move, panic spreads at the followers' hideout; Carroll seeks out a lawyer from his past.
A new follower reveals Carroll's true intentions; Hardy tries to turn Jacob, Emma and Paul against one another; Emma makes a surprising decision.
Joe Carroll makes a case to be transferred to a different facility, raising Ryan's suspicions; Emma and Joey come across one of Roderick's men.
Ryan and Parker are upset when the FBI makes Nick Donovan (Mike Colter) lead investigator as the search for Joey Matthews and Joe Carroll continues; a follower and Joe Carroll form a deadly plan.
Ryan and Parker try to outwit their new leader; Joe demands information on Claire's location from Ryan; past followers return.
Joe sends followers to capture Claire; Jacob's stress over recent decisions affects his reunion with Emma.
Ryan and Parker try to recover after losing Claire to Joe's followers; Claire has an unexpected reunion as she adjusts to life at the mansion; Jacob struggles with Emma's betrayal.
Ryan finds a follower who may be able to lead the way to Joe Carroll; Agent Weston returns, possibly more affected by his run-in with the cult than anyone realized; Claire and Emma come together for the first time since Joey's abduction.
When Roderick's role as sheriff is called into question, he makes a shocking decision that impacts Joey; Ryan tries to gain the trust of one of Joe's followers.
Weston, Parker and Ryan plan to storm the mansion, but Joe has already orchestrated his escape; followers create a diversion at the town evacuation center, causing panic and leading to the abduction of an FBI official.
Ryan tries to stop Joe Carroll from achieving his goal; Joe guides Claire to a special location.
