The followup to The Following

We live in the era of snap judgments, in which an opinion about an entire series is often shaped by reaction to its first episode. Often, though, one can learn more about what a series really is — and what to expect in the weeks and months to come — from the followup episode, the next week.

The Following, Scream writer Kevin Williamson’s raw-edged thriller about the strangely symbiotic relationship between a damaged detective, played by Kevin Bacon, and an incarcerated serial killer with a cult of worshippers wreaking havoc on the outside, failed to scare off viewers in last week’s debut, despite controversy over the show’s graphic violence. Or perhaps that controversy was the reason many viewers tuned in.

Monday’s second episode is more cerebral and less sensational for sensation’s sake, despite a tacky, obvious opening scene and an obvious twist at the end, which will seem doubly obvious to anyone who caught early seasons of the ITV Robson Green psychodrama Wire in the Blood. (9 p.m., Fox, CTV)

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Murdoch Mysteries is back with a new episode in which the intrepid inspector pursues a gang of robbers whose mastermind claims to be Sherlock Holmes. Insp. Murdoch has his work cut out for him, then. (9 p.m., CBC)

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Dallas is back, improbable as that seems with the passing of the late, great Larry Hagman, with a second season of the updated-to-modern-day sequel. J.R. may have passed but the Ewing clan is up to its old tricks in Monday’s back-to-back episodes, as Christopher and John Ross go head-to-head in a post-J.R.

power grab. (9 p.m., Bravo)

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The Biggest Loser has gained in the ratings of late, thanks to a season focusing on childhood obesity that features overweight children and teens. In Monday’s twohour outing, Waist & Money, the remaining weight-loss candidates learn how to make healthy choices on a limited budget. (8 p.m., NBC)