EPISODE
SEASON
Salem - Season 1
Salem is based on the infamous Salem witch trials in the 17th century in colonial Massachusetts. John Alden returns from war to discover that the woman he left behind is now married to the wealthy village elder George Sibley. Mary has become the most powerful witch in Salem and is using panic and paranoia to her advantage in the premiere of this supernatural drama.
25 February 1947, Slaton, Texas, USA
15 December 1972, Howth, County Dublin, Ireland
April 12, 1979 in Pawnee, Oklahoma, USA
April 22, 2014
The collision of supernatural and colonial in Salem is far darker and spookier than in Fox's hit Sleepy Hollow.
April 22, 2014
Consider this initial effort a whiffed ball.
April 17, 2014
In time and with a greater effort to be over the top, Salem could evolve into a guilty pleasure. But its first impression offers little magic.
April 18, 2014
Salem gets off to a dark, creepy and occasionally melodramatic start.
April 18, 2014
West and the rest of the cast perform solidly as well, and once we know the lineup, presumably we'll dive deeper into the game.
June 09, 2014
...an unholy hybrid of THE CRUCIBLE and THE SCARLET LETTER, lacking the sophistication of either, but with just enough dramatic interest to hold attention.
April 17, 2014
At the end of the episode, we get an idea where the series is headed. But by then, Salem has failed to cast a spell.
April 22, 2014
What Salem is, though, is a surprisingly smart, well-executed and extremely scary new spin on a familiar trope. Enjoy it if you dare.
April 18, 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.
April 18, 2014
Salem sets the witches loose in a lurid and often ludicrous free-for-all of graphic sexuality and violent retribution.