Salem (season 1)

The first season of Salem, an American horror–drama television series on WGN America, premiered on April 20, 2014, and concluded on July 13, 2014, consisting of thirteen episodes. Created for television by Adam Simon and Brannon Braga, who write or co-write episodes of the show, the series is based on the Salem Witch Trials. It was executive produced by Braga, Coby Greenberg and David Von Ancken, with Braga and Simon assuming the role of showrunner.

Salem
Season 1
Promotional poster
Starring
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes13
Release
Original networkWGN America
Original releaseApril 20 (2014-04-20) –
July 13, 2014 (2014-07-13)
Season chronology

As the first original scripted show on WGN America, the pilot episode received 1.52 million viewers, and remained the network's highest-rated show throughout its first season run. The show was soon renewed for a second season. The season follows Mary Sibley, a witch conspiring with other witches to bring forth the Grand Rite, as she brings forth hysteria among the puritans of Salem. Her former flame, John Alden, returns after years of absence, complicating her wicked plan.

Cast

Main cast

Recurring cast

  • Lara Grice as Mrs. Hale, the mother of Anne and wife of John Hale (10 episodes)
  • Michael Mulheren as George Sibley, the elected official of Salem (9 episodes)
  • Azure Parsons as Gloriana Embry, Cotton's love interest later banished by Increase (7 episodes)
  • Stephen Lang as Increase Mather, Cotton's father who takes over the witch hunt (7 episodes)
  • Morgana Shaw as Mab, the madam of the local brothel (7 episodes)
  • Mary Katherine O'Donnell as Emily Hopkins (7 episodes)
  • Sammi Hanratty as Dollie Trask, Mercy's best friend (5 episodes)
  • Christopher Berry as The Seer, a man who lives in the woods (5 episodes)
  • Lucy Faust as Elizabeth (5 episodes)
  • Diane Louise Salinger as Rose Browning, a fellow witch (4 episodes)
  • Thomas Francis Murphy as Reverend Lewis, the local priest (4 episodes)

Guest cast

Production

Episodes
See also: List of Salem episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
11"The Vow"Richard ShepardBrannon Braga & Adam SimonApril 20, 2014 (2014-04-20)1WAT011.521[1]
Mary is a young, unwed girl pregnant with John Alden's baby in Salem, a Puritanical town. Believing her lover John was killed during King William's War, she is now faced with the Puritans' stocks and forehead branding, or giving her and John's child to the devil. Having chosen the latter, she marries the town's richest and most influential selectman George Sibley, claiming his wealth and power for herself by enslaving him. Reverend Cotton Mather is trying to stop witches from taking over America by killing them. John returns home to witness a witch-hunt, wherein Mary plans to use the trials to get Puritans to kill each other, allowing her to rule Salem.
22"The Stone Child"David Von AnckenBrannon Braga & Adam SimonApril 27, 2014 (2014-04-27)1WAT020.774[2]
Following the first death of the Grand Rite, Mary intends to sacrifice another innocent before the next full hunters moon in the form of a sign. Meanwhile, John works with Cotton Mather and Issac Walton in order to locate and stop the witches.
33"In Vain"Alex ZakrzewskiElizabeth Sarnoff & Tricia SmallMay 4, 2014 (2014-05-04)1WAT030.440[3]
When Magistrate Hale discovers that it was Isaac who broke the witches circle, it's up to John to save him. A power struggle arises within the hive, forcing Mary to assert her authority with potentially deadly consequences.
44"Survivors"David Von AnckenJon Harmon FeldmanMay 11, 2014 (2014-05-11)1WAT040.429[4]
A face from John's past comes to Salem, and Mary's plans nearly come apart when she loses control of Mercy Lewis. Elsewhere, Mary's most trusted ally, Tituba, is forced to deceive John in order to eliminate a threat that endangers her mistress.
55"Lies"Sergio Mimica-GezzanTricia Small & Elizabeth SarnoffMay 18, 2014 (2014-05-18)1WAT050.500[5]
Following the discovery of The Malum, John acquires the help of Cotton to find out more about the Grand Rite. Mary tries to regain control of Mercy, and Tituba is tasked by the hive to finally discover the secret of John Alden that he has killed to keep.
66"The Red Rose and the Briar"P. J. PesceJoe Menosky & Adam SimonMay 25, 2014 (2014-05-25)1WAT060.476[6]
After successfully capturing Rose, John and Cotton plan to extract information on the Grand Rite from her during the planetary alignment with Saturn. Mary assists Mercy in becoming a witch, and initiates her into the hive.
77"Our Own Private America"David Von AnckenAdam Simon & Brannon BragaJune 1, 2014 (2014-06-01)1WAT070.537[7]
Mary rediscovers her passion for John, and her new apprentice Mercy could help accelerate the Grand Rite. Magistrate Hale tries to delay a possible threat to the hive. His daughter, Anne, becomes more suspicious of those around her.
88"Departures"Alex ZakrzewskiJon Harmon FeldmanJune 8, 2014 (2014-06-08)1WAT080.574[8]
Upon his arrival, feared witch hunter Increase Mather wastes no time taking control of the witch hunt and Salem. Mary fears that Increase will discover her husband has been spelled, and enlists the help of Isaac to deter him from uncovering the truth.
99"Children, Be Afraid"David GrossmanElizabeth Sarnoff & Tricia SmallJune 15, 2014 (2014-06-15)1WAT090.490[9]
Mary must act quickly in order to prevent Increase from undoing the spell placed on her husband. Mercy and her followers prove themselves useful to the greater cause, and Cotton mourns over the banishment of Gloriana.
1010"The House of Pain"David Von AnckenAdam Simon & Joe MenoskyJune 22, 2014 (2014-06-22)1WAT100.465[6]
While Mary deals with Mercy's betrayal, Tituba must endure the torture inflicted upon her by Increase in his newly founded "House of Pain". Meanwhile, Anne stumbles upon one of her fathers artifacts and suddenly finds herself far from home.
1111"Cat and Mouse"Tricia BrockJon Harmon FeldmanJune 29, 2014 (2014-06-29)1WAT110.591[10]
With the help of Issac, Mary devises a plan that she hopes will rid her of both Mercy and Increase. John has been falsely accused of witchcraft and awaits trial, while Anne learns a dark truth about her heritage from her father.
1212"Ashes, Ashes"Bill JohnsonBrannon Braga & Adam SimonJuly 6, 2014 (2014-07-06)1WAT120.363[11]
The trial of John Alden is held, with Increase as his prosecutor and Cotton as his defense. However, the ordeal brings a few unexpected secrets to light, and Mary is ultimately faced with a difficult decision.
1313"All Fall Down"David Von AnckenBrannon Braga & Adam SimonJuly 13, 2014 (2014-07-13)1WAT130.432[6]
Mary must choose between fleeing Salem with John or completing the Grand Rite, and Tituba reveals a long kept secret that could sway her decision. Meanwhile, Increase closes in on the witches, and the Hales prepare to go into hiding.

Reception

Critical response

The first season of Salem received mixed reviews from critics, earning a 54% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 26 reviews, with the site's critical consensus reading: "While the horror scenes are well-executed, Salem lacks enough substance to sustain even a guilty-pleasure interest."

Ratings

The series premiere on April 20, 2014 garnered 1.5 million viewers and 647,000 Adults 18-49, which was a 635% increase over WGN America's season-to-date average in that timeslot. Including the other three airings that night, Salem had a cumulative 2.3 million viewers and 886,000 Adults 18-49. The premiere was also WGN America's highest rated telecast since 2007.[12] In Live+3 DVR ratings, Salem rose to 3.1 million total viewers, and 1.3 million Adults 18-49, which was WGN America's best 18-49 performance since December 2003, and best performance in total viewers since December 2001.[13]

The premiere averaged 3.4 million viewers and 1.5 million Adults 18-49 in Live+7 ratings, and the first two episodes averaged in 1.7 million viewers and 806,000 Adults 18-49 in the Live+7's. As a result, the show was renewed for a second season on May 5, 2014 after airing only 3 episodes.[14] The season as a whole averaged a 0.22 18-49 rating and a 0.28 25-54 rating. It also averaged approximately 159,000 Females 18-49 and 126,000 Males 18-49 over the course of the season.[15]

Home media releases

The first season was released on DVD in the United States on October 28, 2014 by Fox Home Entertainment.[16]

References
  1. "Sunday's Cable Ratings & Broadcast Finals: "Game of Thrones" Tops Easter Demoss". The Futon Critic. April 22, 2014.
  2. Kissell, Rick (April 30, 2014). "ABC Closing Season Strong, Wins Second Straight Week in Young Adults Demo". Variety. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  3. Kondolojy, Amanda (May 6, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Wins Night, + 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', 'Married to Medicine', 'Silicon Valley' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  4. @SonoftheBronx (May 15, 2014). "429,000 viewers on 5/11 10PM ET RT @yankeesrj12 Do you have the ratings for the most recent episode of Salem?" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. Kondolojy, Amanda (May 20, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Wins Night + 'Silicon Valley', 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', 'River Monsters', 'Married to Medicine' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  6. @SonoftheBronx (November 28, 2014). "In viewers, respectively: 476k, 465k, 591k, 432k "@mralphafreak viewership numbers for SALEM on May 25, June 22, June 29, and July 13?"" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. Kondolojy, Amanda (June 3, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Wins Night + NHL Conference Finals, 'Real Housewives of Atlanta: Kandi's Wedding', 'Silicon Valley' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  8. Bibel, Sara (June 10, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Wins Night, 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians', 'Devious Maids', 'Veep', 'Turn' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 14, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  9. "Who Won Sunday Night's Primetime Slugfest? - Sunday, June 15, 2014". Multichannel News. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  10. ""The Primetime 100" - Sunday, June 29, 2014". MultichannelNews. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  11. Bibel, Sara (July 9, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'True Blood' Wins Night, 'The Last Ship', 'Falling Skies', 'The Leftovers', 'Devious Maids', 'Witches of East End', & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  12. Andreeva, Nellie (April 21, 2014). "WGN's 'Salem' Off To Strong Ratings Start". Deadline. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  13. "WGN America's 'Salem' Spikes to 3.1 Million Total Viewers in Live + 3". TV by the Numbers. April 25, 2014. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  14. "'Salem' Renewed for Second Season by WGN America". TV by the Numbers. May 5, 2014. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  15. "Viewers Aren't Afraid Of Supernatural". Multichannel. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  16. Lambert, David (October 28, 2014). "Salem - A DVD Release for 'The Complete 1st Season' of the WGN America Series". TV Shows on DVD. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
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