The Secret Circle
The CW | CW | Release Date: September 15, 2011
CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
56
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews
Positive:
8
Mixed:
11
Negative:
1

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
Los Angeles TimesRobert LloydSep 13, 2011
Season 1 Review: This air of familiarity notwithstanding, the pilot is splendidly rendered; effective in the expected ways in a way that makes you forget you expected them. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesLori RacklSep 13, 2011
Season 1 Review: In the premiere at least, the story unfolds nicely--and to the tune of a good soundtrack. When the episode ended, I wanted to know more about the Circle, both its history and where it's headed. Read full review
75
People WeeklyTom GliattoSep 9, 2011
Season 1 Review: The acting is flat, but the show casts a hokey spell. [19 Sep 2011, p.65]
70
Zap2it (Inside the Box)Mikey O'ConnellSep 15, 2011
Season 1 Review: Anxious fans should be pleased, and curious viewers outside the usual demographic might even be surprised. Read full review
70
The Huffington PostMaureen RyanSep 14, 2011
Season 1 Review: The Secret Circle does exactly what you expect it to do, yet that efficiency ends up being refreshing rather than maddening. Read full review
67
HitfixDaniel FienbergSep 15, 2011
Season 1 Review: The Secret Circle may be over-calculated and under-inspired, but that doesn't necessarily mean The Secret Circle is bad. There's something to be said for setting reasonable goals and largely succeeding, especially when there are plenty of shows that aspire to a good deal less and still fail. Read full review
67
Boston HeraldMark A. PerigardSep 15, 2011
Season 1 Review: At times, the dialogue stops and unloads for exposition dumps, and a few of the young cast mates could use some more training back in the land of the Muggles. Read full review
67
NewsdayVerne GaySep 15, 2011
Season 1 Review: A not-bad formula gothic that'll rise or fall on the Dekker/Robertson chemistry; I'm betting on the former. Read full review
60
Miami HeraldGlenn GarvinSep 15, 2011
Season 1 Review: Secret Circle is competently performed and produced and liable to entertain anybody not old enough to remember Alyssa Milano and Shannen Doherty doing pretty much the same stuff in Charmed back in the 20th-century day. Read full review
60
New York Daily NewsDavid HinckleySep 15, 2011
Season 1 Review: The Secret Circle isn't stunning out of the gate. It does seem to understand what it wants and needs to be. Read full review
58
Boston GlobeMatthew GilbertSep 12, 2011
Season 1 Review: The CW built this predictable teen supernatural romance as a companion to the similar and better "Vampire Diaries.". Read full review
50
PopMattersMichelle WelchSep 15, 2011
Season 1 Review: Unfortunately, The Secret Circle's first episode doesn't offer much beyond all this plotty set-up. Specifically, it's missing what made other supernatural shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Supernatural successful: funny, quirky, and layered characters. Read full review
50
USA TodayRobert BiancoSep 14, 2011
Season 1 Review: What they get is Diaries' less attractive little sister, one that, beneath all the witchcraft, is just another CW teen-driven soap. Read full review
50
Pittsburgh Post-GazetteRob OwenSep 14, 2011
Season 1 Review: There's nothing wrong with any of this except that it doesn't feel fresh or new; there's no added, bewitching spark to a familiar concept. Read full review
50
VarietyBrian LowrySep 12, 2011
Season 1 Review: As usual, it's a new kid who provides a wide-eyed introduction to the shenanigans, though nothing in the pilot conjures any genuine magic, TV-wise. Read full review
42
Uncle BarkyEd BarkSep 15, 2011
Season 1 Review: Secret Circle, replete with The CW's usual heavy doses of sappy pop music mood-ruiners, eventually gets around to outlining its basic plot point. Read full review
40
Philadelphia Daily NewsEllen GraySep 15, 2011
Season 1 Review: If this season's "True Blood" hasn't exhausted your patience with TV witches--as it has mine--Robertson's as appealing here as she was on "Life Unexpected." Maybe magic powers will help her keep this one on the air. Read full review
40
TV Guide MagazineMatt RoushSep 15, 2011
Season 1 Review: To say Secret Circle isn't spellbinding is an understatement. Originality and surprise are the main ingredients missing from this tepid witches' brew. Read full review
40
The New York TimesMike HaleSep 12, 2011
Season 1 Review: It's the entire supernatural teen-soap-opera template, but the execution is rushed and chintzy, without the languorous gloss that makes "The Vampire Diaries" worthwhile. Read full review
16
Washington PostHank StueverSep 15, 2011
Season 1 Review: Based on a book series from the same author who ginned up The Vampire Diaries and drawing upon every market-tested trope the witchy-poo genre has to offer. Read full review
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