Salem: Season 1

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 116 Ratings

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7.4

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7.4	Your Score
7.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 116 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

WGN America | Season Premiere Date: April 20, 2014

Starring: Xander Berkeley, Shane West, Seth Gabel

Summary: In 1692 Massachusetts, John Alden (Shane West) returns from war to find his friend Cotton Mather (Seth Gabel) leading the Salem witch trials and his former lover Mary Sibley (Janet Montgomery), married to the elderly and wealthy George Sibley.

Creator: Brannon Braga and Adam Simon

Genre(s): Drama, Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Suspense, Science Fiction

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E13. All Fall Down
Air Date: July 13, 2014
tbd
S1:E12. Ashes, Ashes
Air Date: July 6, 2014
tbd
S1:E11. Cat and Mouse
Air Date: June 29, 2014

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Neil Genzlinger

Apr 17, 2014

When Salem isn’t being deliberately outrageous, it’s cultivating a dynamic that could be fruitful as things move along. Read full review

Mark Dawidziak

Apr 18, 2014

There's plenty of room in the graveyard for Salem, although it's way too early to tell if it can effectively build on the scary and sensual elements introduced in Sunday's premiere. Read full review

Curt Wagner

Apr 18, 2014

Salem as a whole reflects the difference in the work of West and Montgomery. Yet its wildly uneven premiere has enough going for it to make me watch at least another episode. Read full review

Uncle Barky Ed Bark

Apr 17, 2014

Salem is replete with scenes that make little sense. It’s mostly a jumble of decent enough special effects, less-than-decent acting, a script that also should be lashed with “10 hard ones” and lots of blood-curdling screaming. Read full review

Rob Owen

Apr 17, 2014

The Salem pilot is rather plodding except when occasionally punctuated by these more gonzo scenes. Read full review

Zack Handlen

Apr 18, 2014

Salem uses real life to prop up its shallow theatrics, and the result is too distractingly tacky to be enjoyed as pure foolishness. Read full review

Sara Stewart

Apr 17, 2014

It’s like watching the cast of “One Tree Hill” put on a production of “The Crucible.” Read full review

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User Score

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7.4

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User Reviews

Johnson9289

Jan 19, 2015

This is an excellent show all around. Top notch acting from most of the cast especially shane west, janet montgomery seth gabel and iddo goldberg. The time period, mood and cinematography are compelling and refreshing. The writers have created some very believable conflicted characters thatThis is an excellent show all around. Top notch acting from most of the cast especially shane west, janet montgomery seth gabel and iddo goldberg. The time period, mood and cinematography are compelling and refreshing. The writers have created some very believable conflicted characters that you really feel for. Cotton Mather and Anne Hale both have a ton of depth and Mary Sibley's conflicts are heart wrenching. Finally a strong female character that isn't a stock male character with a gender change. I love John Aldon, another strong realistic and empathetic character. I would think if you like Game of Thrones you would like this show, they arent the same genre but as far as strong dramatic writing and great characters this show has them in spades.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

creoledoll

Jul 8, 2017

i have never been so taken with a series! i had to re watch once it was all over because in the beginning i was a little turned off by the gore that i came back to see it i could look past it months later. The only regret i have is that they aren't going to making another season. Mary Sibleyi have never been so taken with a series! i had to re watch once it was all over because in the beginning i was a little turned off by the gore that i came back to see it i could look past it months later. The only regret i have is that they aren't going to making another season. Mary Sibley is a powerful woman :)… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

benjaminavatar

Apr 26, 2014

Fantastic series and great concept. Love it. loved the first episode, surely the rest of the season is gonna be awesome.
with elementary, sapce dandy, big bang theory and da vincis demons soon ending their seasons this is gonna be an awesome expierence during the summer

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

LamontRaymond

Apr 21, 2014

I'll give the show an 8, solely because Janet Montgomery is incredible. Loved her in Human Target and pretty much everything else she's ever been in. The rest of the show had a fine layer of cheese to it (with the exception of the witchcraft, which is startlingly mature in terms ofI'll give the show an 8, solely because Janet Montgomery is incredible. Loved her in Human Target and pretty much everything else she's ever been in. The rest of the show had a fine layer of cheese to it (with the exception of the witchcraft, which is startlingly mature in terms of content), but I'm going to tune in for another episode - again, because of Janet Montgomery.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

CravenWraith

Apr 21, 2014

Let's start with "worst first". The acting, I believe is a mishmash of impressive and terrible, a few of the actors are very convincing and others, unfortunately, are so bad that the contrast between them appears to be black and white with no grey area. Ashley Madekwe (Tituba) is not theLet's start with "worst first". The acting, I believe is a mishmash of impressive and terrible, a few of the actors are very convincing and others, unfortunately, are so bad that the contrast between them appears to be black and white with no grey area. Ashley Madekwe (Tituba) is not the least bit convincing. In fact, I cringe whenever she is on screen. It appears that she puts 50% into her acting, as her motions seem lazy, her delivery of the lines also seem uninspired and dull. On the other hand I found Xander Berkeley (Magistrate Hale) to be highly convincing in his role. His bold, booming voice, facial expressions and body language in general make him appear very much believable. The main character does not come across as being likable, but rather moody and at times unnecessarily hostile. While having an unlikable main character can be refreshing at times, this is almost never the case when it is an unintentional occurrence.

The set is amazing and is definitely reminiscent of the time. In fact, I believe the director said that they had to build everything themselves from scratch, this definitely paid off. The lighting is dim and dull (intentionally) which gives the show a very grim, earthy, and gritty feel fitting of both the time and the theme.

The plot does not seem fantastic thus far, but it is just interesting enough for me to want to see the rest of the series. I would normally give a show like this a 4 (or perhaps 5) out of 10 as a result of the toss-up of acting quality, but the set, lighting, atmosphere and camera work and somewhat interesting plot appear to be the saving grace of this show.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

mexognosis

Nov 18, 2014

Two of my ancestors were burned at the stake in Salem, so after literally stumbling upon this show randomly on Netflix, I decided to give it a go. Of course, the show is supernatural horror - you should know going in that you aren't going to get historical accuracy. But I actually think theTwo of my ancestors were burned at the stake in Salem, so after literally stumbling upon this show randomly on Netflix, I decided to give it a go. Of course, the show is supernatural horror - you should know going in that you aren't going to get historical accuracy. But I actually think the balance of historical accuracy and complete outlandishness works well. We immediately like John Alden because even though some of this show's witches are actually witches, he is skeptical not just that all of the condemned citizens are in fact witches- rather he doubts that witches exist period. The way, incidentally, that they frame witches as agents of the false witch hunt, works well--even if that plot point is never really matched by the subplot. Some of the historical inaccuracies can be annoying of course. The Indians don't look like they would have at that time--at least in New England, the Puritans would not be wearing some of the extravagant clothes worn here by the elites, and Salem would not be consist of German American architecture or have a social scene resembling the Manchester, England of Charles Dickens. But these are small points. A larger trouble is that the show portrays a small portion of victims of the witch hunt as actual witches. Their characters are fictional but the people on whom they are based were very real. This seems insensitive, and I almost wish they changed the names. These may be your ancestors after all. The plot lines also grow a bit tired toward the end, although the addition of a few new characters (especially Increase Mather) helps this a bit. Problems aside, I think I'll give next season a go.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ElPasoCrone

Nov 22, 2014

I am appalled in the extreme!

The promotional blurb says "This drama series set in 17th-century Salem, Massachusetts, explores what really fueled the town's infamous witch trials, uncovering some dark truths". Not only is this misleading, it is an outright LIE! I was hoping for aI am appalled in the extreme!

The promotional blurb says "This drama series set in 17th-century Salem, Massachusetts, explores what really fueled the town's infamous witch trials, uncovering some dark truths". Not only is this misleading, it is an outright LIE! I was hoping for a historical-based drama. What I got was some dark fairy tale based on belief systems 400 years out of date.

Did the writers and producers get their 'truths' from the Malleus Maleficarum or did they just collectively decide to throw history, truth and reason to the winds? Even Salem itself admits that what 'fueled the ... witch trials' was politics and greed. There is actual factual and physical evidence now available that proves beyond any doubt that the girls that started it all were, in fact, 'playing a joke' on the town because they were bored. Further documents confirm that Magistrate John Hathorne and Reverend Cotton Mather conspired with these girls to grab land and wealth since convicted witches forfeited all their property to 'the crown' who auctions it off to locals at bargain rates.

Worse than the outright misrepresentation of the story-line, this show not only perpetuates, but actually embellishes upon the negative image of witches and witchcraft as devil-worshipers that was held in the 18th century. If you tried today to depict Native Americans as blood-thirsty savages, Black Americans as ignorant vicious voodoun practitioners, or Muslims as intrinsically violent woman-haters, the critics and sensors would be all over this show, shutting it down. But the writers and producers think nothing about a show that degrades and humiliates REAL witches - yes, they do exist - who are peace-loving, earth-protecting, animal-loving individuals who live by the law of "Harm None".

Wicca, along with all other Pagan denominations is a Federally-recognized religion discussed in the Military Chaplains Handbook as a religion which "Worships the sacred as immanent in Nature, often personified as Mother Earth and Father Sky. It is very important to be aware that Wiccans do not in any way worship or believe in "Satan," "the Devil," or any similar entities. They point out that "Satan" is a symbol of rebellion against and inversion of the Christian and Jewish traditions. Wiccans do not revile the Bible. They simply regard it as one among many of the world's mythic systems, less applicable than some to their core values, but still deserving just as much respect as any of the others."

It's about time people stopped degrading and misrepresenting both Salem and Witches for the sheer purpose of sensationalizing a money machine. I has taken 400 years for the hatred and violence caused by the witch hunts to begin to wane. Now this show purports to show us the 'truth' about Witchcraft as a Satantic, violent, blood-thirsty, power-hungry cult!

I, for one, will NOT be watching this show and I am very sorry to see such talented actors, whom I have long respected, allowing themselves to become a part of this bigoted hate-fest that is targeting a very valuable section of the population and labeling them, yet again, as Evil.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

SEE ALL 33 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

49

Series Overview
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: November 2, 2016
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: April 5, 2015
Season 1

49
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: April 20, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E13. All Fall Down
  Air Date: July 13, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E12. Ashes, Ashes
  Air Date: July 6, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E11. Cat and Mouse
  Air Date: June 29, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E10. The House of Pain
  Air Date: June 22, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E9. Children, Be Afraid
  Air Date: June 15, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E8. Departures
  Air Date: June 8, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E7. Our Own Private America
  Air Date: June 1, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E6. The Red Rose and the Briar
  Air Date: May 25, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E5. Lies
  Air Date: May 18, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E4. Survivors
  Air Date: May 11, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E3. In Vain
  Air Date: May 4, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E2. The Stone Child
  Air Date: April 27, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E1. The Vow
  Air Date: April 20, 2014