Home > Salem > Season 1 « TV Series Page Salem: Season 1 (2014) SEASON: Season 1 Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Episode List All Critics | Top Critics TOMATOMETER 48% Average Rating: 5.38/10 Season Reviews: 31 Fresh: 15 Rotten: 16 Critics Consensus: While the horror scenes are well-executed, Salem lacks enough substance to sustain even a guilty-pleasure interest. 41% Average Rating: 5.02/10 Season Reviews: 17 Fresh: 7 Rotten: 10 Critics Consensus: No consensus yet. Critic Consensus: While the horror scenes are well-executed, Salem lacks enough substance to sustain even a guilty-pleasure interest. AUDIENCE SCORE 78% liked it Average Rating: 3.9/5 User Ratings: 256 ADD YOUR RATING - NOT INTERESTED + WANT TO SEE Share on Facebook Post Want to See Not Interested Add Rating My Rating × Want to See Not Interested Post Share on Facebook Episodes 1 The Vow Air date: Apr 20, 2014 John Alden returns from war to discover that the woman he left behind is now married to another man and that his hometown of Salem, Mass., is in the midst of a witch panic in the premiere of this supernatural drama. More 2 The Stone Child Air date: Apr 27, 2014 John investigates what's really going on in Salem as the fear over witches rises; and Mary prepares to execute a plan. More 3 In Vain Air date: May 4, 2014 Mary decides on a course of action after discovering who witnessed the witches' ceremony. More 4 Survivors Air date: May 11, 2014 Alden worries when an old nemesis arrives in Salem with secrets that could destroy him; and Mary loses her grip on Mercy. More 5 Lies Air date: May 18, 2014 Mary and her coven are at odds; Alden and Cotton come across a dangerous witches' relic. More 6 The Red Rose and the Briar Air date: May 25, 2014 Alden and Cotton come face-to-face with a real witch; Mary comes up with a solution to the discord within the coven. More 7 Our Own Private America Air date: Jun 1, 2014 Romantic feelings between Mary and Alden intensify; Cotton deals with a unique accusation in the trials; and a powerful witch hunter makes his way towards Salem. More 8 Departures Air date: Jun 8, 2014 The arrival of Cotton's father rocks the town of Salem; at the same time, Mary's power over George is compromised. More 9 Children, Be Afraid Air date: Jun 15, 2014 Mary finds it difficult to get George back under her control; at the same time, Mercy's power is growing and she isn't afraid to use it. More 10 The House of Pain Air date: Jun 22, 2014 Increase gets closer to understanding who really runs things in Salem; at the same time, Anne finds herself in danger, and in need of Alden's help, while investigating a mystery. More Show More Episodes Salem: Season 1 Photos View All Photos (47) Tv Season Info The world of the Salem witch trials is explored in this supernatural drama set in 17th-century Massachusetts. Season 1 opens in 1685 with Capt. John Alden (Shane West) returning from war to discover that his Puritan community has become gripped with mass hysteria and that his former lover Mary (Janet Montgomery) is now married to the wealthy village elder George Sibley (Michael Mulheren). What he doesn't know is that when he left seven years ago, Mary, pregnant with his child, turned to Tituba (Ashley Madekwe), a skilled practitioner of the magical arts, to rid her of the unborn baby. In the time that followed, Mary has become the most powerful witch in Salem and is using panic and paranoia to her advantage, while fending off threats of being deposed by Magistrate Hale (Xander Berkeley). But her lingering feelings for John put them both at risk as he enters into an alliance with Rev. Cotton Mather (Seth Gabel), who, when he isn't engaging in activities of ill repute, has been defending the people of town against witchcraft. Also starring Tamzin Merchant, Elise Eberle and Stephen Lang. Genre: Drama Network: WGNA Premiere Date: Apr 20, 2014 Creators: Adam Simon, Brannon Braga Exec. Producers: Adam Simon, Brannon Braga, Josh Barry, Jeffrey Kwatinetz Cast Janet Montgomery as Mary Sibley Shane West as John Alden Seth Gabel as Cotton Mather Ashley Madekwe as Tituba Xander Berkeley as Magistrate Hale Tamzin Merchant as Anne Hale Elise Eberle as Mercy Lewis Michael Mulheren as George Sibley Stephen Lang as Increase Mather Show More Cast News & Interviews for Salem: Season 1 Video: TV Premieres Countdown for April 15, 2016 View All Salem: Season 1 News Episodes 1 The Vow Air date: Apr 20, 2014 John Alden returns from war to discover that the woman he left behind is now married to another man and that his hometown of Salem, Mass., is in the midst of a witch panic in the premiere of this supernatural drama. More 2 The Stone Child Air date: Apr 27, 2014 John investigates what's really going on in Salem as the fear over witches rises; and Mary prepares to execute a plan. More 3 In Vain Air date: May 4, 2014 Mary decides on a course of action after discovering who witnessed the witches' ceremony. More 4 Survivors Air date: May 11, 2014 Alden worries when an old nemesis arrives in Salem with secrets that could destroy him; and Mary loses her grip on Mercy. More 5 Lies Air date: May 18, 2014 Mary and her coven are at odds; Alden and Cotton come across a dangerous witches' relic. More 6 The Red Rose and the Briar Air date: May 25, 2014 Alden and Cotton come face-to-face with a real witch; Mary comes up with a solution to the discord within the coven. More 7 Our Own Private America Air date: Jun 1, 2014 Romantic feelings between Mary and Alden intensify; Cotton deals with a unique accusation in the trials; and a powerful witch hunter makes his way towards Salem. More 8 Departures Air date: Jun 8, 2014 The arrival of Cotton's father rocks the town of Salem; at the same time, Mary's power over George is compromised. More 9 Children, Be Afraid Air date: Jun 15, 2014 Mary finds it difficult to get George back under her control; at the same time, Mercy's power is growing and she isn't afraid to use it. More 10 The House of Pain Air date: Jun 22, 2014 Increase gets closer to understanding who really runs things in Salem; at the same time, Anne finds herself in danger, and in need of Alden's help, while investigating a mystery. More Show More Episodes Critic Reviews for Salem Season 1 All Critics (31) | Top Critics (17) | Fresh (15) | Rotten (16) For the most part, it works. Dec 28, 2018 | Rating: B- | Full Review… Ben Travers indieWire Top Critic 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. Apr 18, 2014 | Rating: C- | Full Review… Ed Bark Uncle Barky Top Critic 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. Apr 18, 2014 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review… David Hinckley New York Daily News Top Critic 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. Apr 17, 2014 | Full Review… Tom Conroy Media Life Top Critic Consider this initial effort a whiffed ball. Apr 22, 2014 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review… Neal Justin Minneapolis Star Tribune Top Critic What Salem is, though, is a surprisingly smart, well-executed and extremely scary new spin on a familiar trope. Enjoy it if you dare. Apr 22, 2014 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review… Gail Pennington St. Louis Post-Dispatch Top Critic The attractive cast (led by Once and Again's Shane West) do a fine job with the material provided, but Salem is ultimately less than bewitching. Dec 28, 2018 | Full Review… Patrick Gomez People Magazine Salem sets the witches loose in a lurid and often ludicrous free-for-all of graphic sexuality and violent retribution. Apr 18, 2014 | Full Review… Matt Roush TV Guide Salem gets off to a dark, creepy and occasionally melodramatic start. Apr 18, 2014 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review… Kelly West CinemaBlend 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. Apr 17, 2014 | Full Review… Rob Owen Pittsburgh Post-Gazette View All Critic Reviews (31) Audience Reviews for Salem: Season 1 There are no featured audience reviews yet. Click the link below to see what others say about Salem: Season 1! View All News & Features 150 Erotic Movies Ranked worst to best! 2019's Most Anticipated 63 movies coming up this year 200 Essential Movies Chosen by RT staff! 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