VHS?

Definitely pushes the envelope. Not sure if it's a full go with us but will give it a few episodes.

Xiroteus

Not sure sure yet, need another episode or few to see. It's not quite the ton I thought it would be.

Throwing Copper

I could barely make it through the first episode. Thought it was terrible. Won't be watching again.

Xiroteus

Even I can almost say this and I like almost anything that involves, supernatural, powers, magic etc... it's trying to be so dark yet not really in a good way and the type of magic they are using seems passive, dark and odd based on the first episode.

PhantomStranger

Yeah, he's definitely the weakest aspect of this series. I wouldn't trust him to be a credible lead actor, his time has passed.

The pilot is wild, a lot darker than I imagined coming from WGN. I'm not even sure FX would have allowed it to air uncensored.

I thought the FX were really effective, this is going to be a true horror series. These aren't New Agey witches, that's for sure.

writer106

I agree with the comments on Shane West. His acting on cringeworthy. I like the actresses who play Mary and Tituba. I think this show is ok for the most part.

Deftones

this was renewed for a 2nd season today.

VHS?

Not sure what all the bad talk about Shane West's acting is about. I must be missing something. What few lines he has come across fine to me.
Must have it's viewership though seeing as it gets a second season after just 3 episodes.

PhantomStranger

This has turned out edgier than I imagined, coming from WGN. The level of gruesome, visceral imagery is nearing HBO's limits, much less basic cable. Rotting corpses and a stillborn baby, not to mention some wildly over-the-top punishments for the witches.

PhantomStranger

I'll bump this, apparently few on the forum are watching it. I'll say that the horror FX and makeup prosthetics are very effective, some of the best I've seen outside of movies. Definitely worth a watch for true horror fans.

Janet Montgomery is playing a deliciously manipulative witch.

Boondock Saint

Finally got around to watching episode 2 and was a lot more into than the first. Actually looking forward to the other episodes I have recorded.

writer106

I haven't been watching the show live, I usually watch my DVR recordings the next day. I think the show has improves since the first episode and Janet Montgomery plays her part well.

VHS?

I'll admit I like the show but I do find myself thinking the episode(s) are too long as in, "is this over yet?"

randian

This has been a great show so far. I wonder where they can go from here.

PhantomStranger

If people were wondering, Fox decided Salem wasn't popular enough for a legitimate DVD release, much less Blu-ray. The entire first season just came out on DVD-R. It would have been a definite purchase on actual DVDs.

I actually saved the last three episodes for months and only recently finished this excellent first season. I was not expecting a horror series of this quality from a network known for nothing but Cubs games. Janet Montgomery was a revelation as Mary Sibley and Stephen Lang stole the show as a demented Increase Mather.

The unusual and refreshing thing about Salem is that it didn't pull any punches in depicting its characters. A shockingly black-and-white perspective in the battle between good and evil, it didn't really attempt to paint Salem's witches as misunderstood people.

Doc Moonlight

I couldn't get beyond the fact that Shreveport, LA (where it is filmed) looks nothing like Salem, Massachusetts.

sven

On episode 9 right now. Lang has really taken this show to the next level.

PhantomStranger

Speaking of Salem, the second season subtitled Witch War begins on Sunday. WGN has been running a 30-minute promo for the season but I had to turn it off, since I felt it was getting very spoilery for a marketing teaser.

I can't believe that Manhattan made it to Blu-ray and this show didn't.

Giantrobo

I see this is up on Netlfix. I may give it a try.

DJariya

Season 2 premieres tonight.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EDSMiz3IkyU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Season 1 is on Netflix

PhantomStranger

DJariya, start a new thread please for season two. I understand this show doesn't have a huge following on DVDtalk but I plan to keep up with it on a weekly basis this year.

kantonburg

We finished this up the other night. It was alright. They've definitely made sure it's an after 10PM show

Interested to see what happens now.

jacob_b

How is the show? Are the ratings even good?

DJariya

It was renewed for a third season. Does that answer your question? It's basically a period drama with horror elements. It hasn't exactly caught on in this forum.

PhantomStranger

It's one of the best, nastiest horror shows ever broadcast. This is old-school witchcraft we don't get from Hollywood anymore since the subject has ridiculously morphed into some kind of teen female empowerment trip.

The show doesn't pull its punches at all and has some of the most effective production design I've seen on television.