I thoroughly enjoyed this past Thanksgiving break, for I spent the weekend doing all of my favorite things: reading, painting, decorating for Christmas, and watching movies/shows (oh, and shopping!). It was glorious; extremely needed for some relaxation. One of my favorite things to do while doing an art craft or sewing is to either watch a movie or listen to a podcast. I stumbled across the Series: Salem on Netflix and seeing how it was 13 episodes, and intriguing (I saw commercials when it debuted a while ago) I started to watch the first episode and was hooked! Again, it was 13 episodes, so you can’t judge me too harshly on binge-watching the Series, but I in essence did.

The plot of the first season, for that is all that’s available on Netflix and the second season will be aired soon (I believe) follows the town of Salem, MA as the Puritans find and persecute “witches.” Little do they know that the pious Mary Sibley is the leader of the witch group along with her handmaid Tituba, and Magistrate Hale. Mary fell in love, prior to turning to the witchs’ side, with John Aldan and what caused her to become a witch was Aldan going to fight for the Wars and never returning. He did end up returning, but Mary married George Sibley and has been taking care of him since she cast a spell over him to be a decrepit old man.

Probably my most favorite part of this show is the edgy way in which witches are approached. They are not crazy old crones who want to steal children, but men and women who have special powers and can do good or bad with them. The witches also do not do “fake” magic like the witches of shows like “Charmed” but have Latin incantations and use animals to do their bidding. The reality of these spells are tangible, and it’s as if these kinds of witches did in fact live in Salem some time.

Honestly, I really don’t have any criticisms of this show. The sets were realistic, the acting was quite good, and the plot was well-developed but didn’t prolong for an exceptional amount of time. I guess, the only negative was that there were only 13 episodes. That, and that the season finale ended with multiple cliffhangers which really sucked (to be put it bluntly). I usually enjoy when seasons end with cliffhangers, but Mary has a son, John is almost killed but saved by Indians, the spell Mary cast was unleashed which will kill all of Salem, and Anne Hale turned into a real witch and kills both of her parents. Sorry, should have warned you of the spoiler, but that was a lot to end on! I can’t wait for Season 2!