Salem

:

Season 1
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 116 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 87 out of 116
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 116
  3. Negative: 16 out of 116
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  1. Nimin
    Nov 6, 2014
    10
    The show is terrific. Very dark and holds nothing back. Like everything about it. It's different to see Salem through a witches perspective. Not everything is so black and white.
  2. Smee
    May 16, 2014
    8
    Excellent unpredictable script with good actors.Fresh idea and totally rewarding the the time you invest.
    It's getting better with each episodes and can't stop hooking with it.This is way better than Rob zombie's Lord of Salem movie.
  3. GreenGoblin215
    Jun 30, 2014
    10
    I have just caught up to episode 11 of this show and I absolutely love
    it. The setting is fantastic as well as the actors. I for one am a huge
    fan of Stephen Lang as "Increase Mather" and I also love Shane West who plays "John Alden". I feel the pacing is very well done if you can get to episode seven when Stephen Lang arrives I feel you will be hooked if not before then. I love the    I have just caught up to episode 11 of this show and I absolutely love
    it. The setting is fantastic as well as the actors. I for one am a huge
    fan of Stephen Lang as "Increase Mather" and I also love Shane West who
    plays "John Alden". I feel the pacing is very well done if you can get
    to episode seven when Stephen Lang arrives I feel you will be hooked if
    not before then. I love the horror scenes they are done just right in
    my opinion and I would recommend this show to anyone who loves this
    time period or a moody/creepy show with Amazing actors. Only two more
    episodes left in season one and I can't wait.I will revise it when I watch the last two episodes.    … Expand
  4. ShannansWorld
    Apr 10, 2015
    10
    I thought season one was amazing, but now with season two upon us, I am hooked. This season seems more like American Horror Story. Marilyn Manson's song playing in the beginning doesn't hurt. I love the mix of true history with fiction. Remember people, you are not watching this on the History channel.
  5. SlyckNickChick
    Apr 21, 2014
    9
    Very impressed with the season premiere of Salem. The producers did their homework before filming began, they did this by talking with History Professors, Historians and Writers/Authors that were dedicated to the late 1600's of the Salem witch trials. This show had a really strong start, they waste no time in getting right into witch craft, possession, betrayal and punishment, far fromVery impressed with the season premiere of Salem. The producers did their homework before filming began, they did this by talking with History Professors, Historians and Writers/Authors that were dedicated to the late 1600's of the Salem witch trials. This show had a really strong start, they waste no time in getting right into witch craft, possession, betrayal and punishment, far from boring. Good acting, strong characters and alright setting and graphics. Guaranteed worth the watch if you're into the Salem Witch era or a good investigated history into what civilians had to endure back then. I'm looking forward to what season one will bring, the previews look AWESOME!!!… Expand
  6. CravenWraith
    Apr 21, 2014
    7
    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 the least bit convincing. In fact, I cringe whenever she is on screen. It appears that she puts 50% intoLet'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
  7. TheZeroPercent
    Apr 20, 2014
    8
    I thought the first episode was 'really good'. 8/10 for me. The writing is not what makes this series work(and that's a good thing, because a lot of the writing is subpar and worse). Setting, subject matter and genre bring this TV show to a unique, interesting level ~ for me personally. If you like the legends of Salem, witches, horror, suspense, and American satanic history(mixed withI thought the first episode was 'really good'. 8/10 for me. The writing is not what makes this series work(and that's a good thing, because a lot of the writing is subpar and worse). Setting, subject matter and genre bring this TV show to a unique, interesting level ~ for me personally. If you like the legends of Salem, witches, horror, suspense, and American satanic history(mixed with some supernatural fiction), you'll most likely LOVE this series.… Expand
  8. benjaminavatar
    Apr 26, 2014
    10
    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
  9. LamontRaymond
    Apr 21, 2014
    8
    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 of content), but I'm going to tune in for another episode - again, because of Janet Montgomery.
  10. OcculticOne23
    Jun 18, 2014
    10
    Salem delivers quality entertainment and a fair amount of historical accuracy in one swing. This show is fast-paced, dramatic, creepy, very entertaining, and leaves me on the edge of my seat after every episode. I highly recommend this show, and I definitely see myself tuning in every week for the rest of this shows existence (which will hopefully be a very long time). With such aSalem delivers quality entertainment and a fair amount of historical accuracy in one swing. This show is fast-paced, dramatic, creepy, very entertaining, and leaves me on the edge of my seat after every episode. I highly recommend this show, and I definitely see myself tuning in every week for the rest of this shows existence (which will hopefully be a very long time). With such a fast-pace, I have no clue how they'll stretch this show out for multiple seasons, but I certainly look forward to finding out.… Expand
  11. TiagoFerreira97
    Jul 12, 2016
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This show is so well written that i must give 10!
    Its incredible how they turn de story without change it.
    I hope the 3rd season make me get stuck in the screen like the others did ;)    … Expand
  12. marco34la
    May 27, 2015
    10
    This show is probably one of the most under-rated and under-watched series on TV. I had never heard of it before, but just watched it on Netflix. This show is as good as any other in its genre - it surpasses True Blood
    and American Horror Story. It's a drama that is suspenseful, fun and true to sci-fi/witch genre. I'm mid0way through season 2, and it's as good as season one, if not better.
  13. AvantGuardian
    Apr 24, 2014
    8
    Salem is WGN America's first Drama, and I believe it will mark the possible beginning of a new successful cable network. The fact that Salem is on WGN, and not on a pay-network like HBO or Showtime, Is a very good thing. Almost always, dramas set in the past featured on pay-networks cater to the fact that they are allowed to show whatever they want without any restrictions. The writers getSalem is WGN America's first Drama, and I believe it will mark the possible beginning of a new successful cable network. The fact that Salem is on WGN, and not on a pay-network like HBO or Showtime, Is a very good thing. Almost always, dramas set in the past featured on pay-networks cater to the fact that they are allowed to show whatever they want without any restrictions. The writers get so carried away in sexual violence and historical accuracy that they forget the main purpose of their series -- to entertain. What if a younger audience, or someone like me, who doesn't like watching women be treated as sexual objects and tortured wants to watch a fantasy drama or period piece? Well, we can't, not on the pay networks. But now, with Salem, we can. I am proud to report that the pilot had no sexual violence! Woo-hoo!

    Salem is a fresh take on the supernatural, venturing into the dark past of Salem, the center of the witch trials of 1692. The show centers on a War veteran (Shane West) who returns to Salem after being held prisoner by Native American's for 5 years only to discover his town has become a warzone as well. However, this battle is very different than the one he fought. Witches hide in plain sight. You don't know who you can trust. Salem does a good job creating an accurate feeling environment, and focusing on all the right things. It feels a bit like Sleepy Hollow, only, if Ichabod had not woken up in 2013.
    I recommend.    … Expand
  14. yukichigai
    Jul 16, 2014
    8
    A decently creepy, spooky show with a fair bit of Machiavellian maneuvering going on as well, along with a few cliche elements like love triangles and mysterious pasts. The cast is decent, the acting surprisingly good, and the plot engaging.

    The historical accuracy is, of course, utterly awful, enough that I'm wondering if this is supposed to be some kind of alternate history type    A decently creepy, spooky show with a fair bit of Machiavellian maneuvering going on as well, along with a few cliche elements like love triangles and mysterious pasts. The cast is decent, the acting surprisingly good, and the plot engaging.

    The historical accuracy is, of course, utterly awful, enough that I'm wondering if this is supposed to be some kind of alternate history type deal. The ambiance is good though, and for what the show is I'm not going to criticize it for not being completely accurate in the events of the era. As far as the plot itself goes, it starts off slow but builds quickly. By the end of the season there's quite a bit happening quite quickly, and a fair bit of "OMG" moments to boot.    … Expand
  15. HighPriestesa
    May 23, 2014
    7
    It could be better, it could be worse. This is one of those shows I watch just because of one character, and right now it's Alden, of course. It's going a bit too fast...It lacks mystery to it. But gruesome scenes are great.
  16. retromom
    May 20, 2014
    8
    A BIT SLOW OUT OF THE GATE - BUT BY EPISODES 4 AND 5, "SALEM" IS A KEEPER. Lush scenery; lovely period costumes; good-looking actors and actresses; an improbable new twist on the 17th century Salem witch trials; extremely graphic creepiness. That said, the first few episodes left me struggling to understand the characters' motives. Why so evil? However, the show improves exponentiallyA BIT SLOW OUT OF THE GATE - BUT BY EPISODES 4 AND 5, "SALEM" IS A KEEPER. Lush scenery; lovely period costumes; good-looking actors and actresses; an improbable new twist on the 17th century Salem witch trials; extremely graphic creepiness. That said, the first few episodes left me struggling to understand the characters' motives. Why so evil? However, the show improves exponentially after the first 3 episodes. Character development expands. Logic behind individual motives begins to emerge. The younger cast of women becomes very interesting. Some characters are revealed as more confused and misguided than evil. Yes, the John Alden character is a bit modern - but his fearless bravado under these bizarre circumstances makes for good television. In terms of authentic creepiness, "Salem" seems willing to take the type of interesting risks that made "American Horror Story" popular. Not a show for sticklers about the well-documented history of Salem and its "witches." Good entertainment value, though.… Expand
  17. Zahmet
    May 29, 2014
    10
    Awesome. The way the creators have made it close to how things went down historically makes it even more awesome. I hope there will be more seasons to come!
  18. parizona
    Jul 19, 2014
    9
    i love it! i love that it moves fast and i love that there characters are so complexe there arnt actually completely positive or negative ones.and that passion of love storyies and i like all actors are doing a great job. The finish episode let me completely curious about what will happen next. Its like I always waited for this series to be created!
  19. Rainwhole
    Oct 9, 2014
    7
    Salem is a show filled with untapped potential....

    Having some truly great characters played by good actors/actresses, this show has all the elements necessary for making something truly great. However, it's not there at the moment. In fact, as it currently stands the show is pretty decent. Some episodes are truly great, but they are not often enough. Yet, I was compelled with completed    Salem is a show filled with untapped potential....

    Having some truly great characters played by good actors/actresses, this show has all the elements necessary for making something truly great. However, it's not there at the moment. In fact, as it currently stands the show is pretty decent. Some episodes are truly great, but they are not often enough. Yet, I was compelled with completed the season out of pure interest.    … Expand
  20. Johnson9289
    Jan 19, 2015
    10
    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 that you really feel for. Cotton Mather and Anne Hale both have a ton of depth and Mary Sibley'sThis 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
  21. Heathermajka
    Jul 5, 2015
    10
    SALEM is a reverencing, edge of your seat, formidable, heart-stopping show that leaves you wanting MORE! The storyline is incredible, the writer shocks you and the actors leave you wanting MORE! It is my FAVORITE SHOW by FAR and I am waiting patiently for SEASON 3. IF you haven't watched this show, YOU ARE MISSING OUT!
  22. Panstain
    Jan 2, 2016
    9
    A love story that draws me in on season 1, watched every episode. Highly recommended even if you don't watch the 2nd season. Season 1 is the reason I rate the show a 9. Was enough to keep my interest to watch the 2nd season and want to see a 3rd.

    Season 2 gets more into unnecessary gore, poor characters that turn me away. I lost some interest in this season, so badly I skipped through    A love story that draws me in on season 1, watched every episode. Highly recommended even if you don't watch the 2nd season. Season 1 is the reason I rate the show a 9. Was enough to keep my interest to watch the 2nd season and want to see a 3rd.

    Season 2 gets more into unnecessary gore, poor characters that turn me away. I lost some interest in this season, so badly I skipped through not watching every episode fully. However I held on desiring more on the love story that first drew me in.

    I will only watch a 3rd season if the character Mary is in it, no other existing or new story will hold my interest for an entire season. Still this is the best show I've watched on WGN network. I had almost forgot about WGN.    … Expand
  23. creoledoll
    Jul 8, 2017
    10
    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 Sibley is a powerful woman :)

Awards & Rankings

45
#45 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014
42
#42 Most Shared TV Season of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
49

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 16
  3. Negative: 5 out of 16
  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Apr 18, 2014
    70
    Not all of the acting works all of the time, but the cast holds it together when necessary, guided with assurance by Montgomery, who alone deserves another episode or two just to appreciate.
    Read full review
  2. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Patrick Gomez
    Apr 18, 2014
    38
    The supernatural drama lacks in dramatic tension and suffers without the self-aware humor that made the similarly themed American Horror Story: Coven work so well. [28 Apr 2014]
  3. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Apr 18, 2014
    30
    Welcome to Early American Horror Story, which could give you whiplash from all the clashing acting styles, from Seth Gabel's foaming-at-the-mouth over-emoting as zealot Cotton Mather to Shane West's monotonously mumbling and too-modern hero John Alden.
    Read full review
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