The essential episodes of Salem
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Salem — each pick states its reason.
- 01
Mary is a young, unwed girl pregnant with John Alden's baby in Salem, a Puritanicaltown. 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.
- 02
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.
- 03
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.
- 04
Anne explores her supernatural side, while Mary receives a chilling warning.
- 05
In the Season 2 finale, Mary plans a last-ditch effort to overthrow Countess Marburg; John receives a serious message from a pair of allies; Mercy faces the possibility of a scary future; and Anne ventures down a more destructive path.
- 06
In the Season 3 premiere, the people of Salem come to the frightening conclusion that their only hope for surviving the hell that has risen is to raise the dead.
- 07
Mary is hell-bent on keeping evil at bay when she leaves the comfort of Alden's arms.
- 08
Mary's penance for her betrayal takes a deadly turn while Cotton is forced to perform an exorcism of his own.
- 09
Cotton discovers life-altering news while Mary learns the power of her femininity.
- 10
A traitor is exposed while a ghost from Salem's past makes a shocking appearance.
- 11
Mary and Alden have their love put to the ultimate test. Meanwhile, Anne becomes more deeply involved with dark magic.
- 12
Loyalties are tested when Mary makes a dangerous move.
- 13
Mortal enemies come together in order to keep all hell from literally breaking loose.
- 14
Everyone reveals their true colors and some hearts get broken in the process.
- 15
Survival is uncertain on the eve of Salem's demise.
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