The Secret Circle

:

Season 1
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20

Critic Reviews

  1. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    Sep 15, 2011
    60
    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.
  2. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    Sep 15, 2011
    60
    The Secret Circle isn't stunning out of the gate. It does seem to understand what it wants and needs to be.
  3. Philadelphia Daily News
    Reviewed by: Ellen Gray
    Sep 15, 2011
    40
    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.
  5. PopMatters
    Reviewed by: Michelle Welch
    Sep 15, 2011
    50
    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.
  6. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Sep 15, 2011
    40
    To say Secret Circle isn't spellbinding is an understatement. Originality and surprise are the main ingredients missing from this tepid witches' brew.
  7. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Sep 15, 2011
    42
    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.
  8. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    Sep 14, 2011
    50
    What they get is Diaries' less attractive little sister, one that, beneath all the witchcraft, is just another CW teen-driven soap.
  9. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Sep 14, 2011
    50
    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.
  10. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    Sep 12, 2011
    58
    The CW built this predictable teen supernatural romance as a companion to the similar and better "Vampire Diaries.".
  11. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    Sep 12, 2011
    40
    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.
  12. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Sep 12, 2011
    50
    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.

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Most Discussed TV Season of 2011
22
#22 Most Shared TV Season of 2011

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 99 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 72 out of 99
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 99
  3. Negative: 11 out of 99
  1. TickleOnTheTum
    Nov 3, 2011
    1
    Following in the trend of some other recent shows this series sees late 20 year olds cast as 16-18 year old school kids, and it just doesn'tFollowing in the trend of some other recent shows this series sees late 20 year olds cast as 16-18 year old school kids, and it just doesn't work. The plot is almost completely different to the books and like Vampire Diaries is mainly just and excuse to use a well known authors following to garner more viewers. There is little chemistry between the various actors and actresses and none of them are particularly endearing. The effects are are nothing new and the show comes over more like BH90210 than as similar to it's sister show Vampire Diaries.… Full Review »
  2. Remi21
    May 10, 2012
    10
    I love this show. Please make season 2!!!! I knew Adam wasn't going to get rid of the crystal. And I want to see the 4 new people. Omg justI love this show. Please make season 2!!!! I knew Adam wasn't going to get rid of the crystal. And I want to see the 4 new people. Omg just make season 2 please!!!!!!!!!… Full Review »
  3. SwarleyStinson
    Apr 30, 2012
    2
    This really is the most CW'ish show ever. Its like gossip girl with magic or Harry Potter if it was written by Stephanie Meyer. The charactersThis really is the most CW'ish show ever. Its like gossip girl with magic or Harry Potter if it was written by Stephanie Meyer. The characters are all so teen'ish and its all about their high school issues and conflicts. There is nothing to drive the plot along so its just so slow and boring. Unless you are a 14 year old girl or just want to see attractive characters going to school in somewhat slutty outfits, avoid it.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »