The Salem Witch Trials were a dark and tragic chapter in American history that took place in the late 17th century. During this time, a wave of hysteria swept through the town of Salem, Massachusetts, leading to the accusation and persecution of over 200 individuals for witchcraft. The trials resulted in the execution of 20 innocent people, mostly women, who were falsely accused of practicing witchcraft. The Salem Witch Trials began in 1692, when two young girls, Betty Parris and Abigail Williams, started having uncontrollable fits and exhibiting strange behaviors. The local reverend attributed these symptoms to witchcraft, leading to a chain reaction of accusations and interrogations. The girls accused several women in the community of bewitching them, sparking a widespread paranoia and fear.

Salem: Witch War Special Airing on WGN This Sunday; New Video with Shane West

With “Salem” Season 2 heading our way on April 5th, WGN America has a special airing this coming Sunday, March 15th, entitled “Salem: Witch War,” which will help get you ready for the show’s return. Read on for a few more details and a teaser trailer for the 30-minute special plus a new “first look” video and a quick behind-the-scenes sneak peek at Shane West filmed by his co-star Iddo Goldberg.

“Salem: Witch War” (airs 3/15/15 at 6:30 PM PT/9:30 PM ET)
A preview of Season 2 explores what’s ahead for the character of Mary Sibley and her shadowy accomplices while also examining the story behind the inception of the TV series “Salem.”

“Salem,” a bold re-imagination of the infamous 17th-century witch trials, returns for Season 2 at the dawn of a Witch War. As the disease and devastation unleashed by a deadly supernatural ritual spread through the war-torn village, Salem’s most powerful witch, Mary Sibley, must face off against adversaries old and new who are vying for her throne.

The series stars Janet Montgomery, Shane West, Seth Gabel, Ashley Madekwe, Tamzin Merchant, Elise Eberle, and Iddo Goldberg. Season 2 guest stars include Lucy Lawless as Countess Marburg, one of the last descendants of a legendary line of ancient German witches; Stuart Townsend as Samuel Wainwright, a mysterious doctor looking to uncover the secrets of Salem as he keeps a few of his own; Joe Doyle as Baron Sebastian Marburg, the charming and cultured son of the Countess; and Oliver Bell as Mary’s long-lost son, who was revealed in the Season 1 finale to have been secretly kept alive all along by her coven.

From creators and writers Brannon Braga and Adam Simon, “Salem” is a gripping one-hour drama that boldly re-imagines the infamous 17th century witch trials in colonial Massachusetts. “Salem” is executive produced by Braga, Simon, Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson, and Prospect Park’s Josh Barry and Jeff Kwatinez. Nick Copus directs and serves as co-executive producer. The series is produced by Fox 21 Television Studios.

For more info follow “Salem” on Twitter and YouTube (@SalemWGNA), and also be sure to “like” the series on Facebook.

Salem

As the wife of a wealthy but ailing town elder, Mary Sibley (Janet Montgomery) holds the distinction of being the most powerful sorceress in 1692 Salem. Ruthless yet vulnerable, Mary leans on her ageless accomplice Tituba (Ashley Madekwe) to help advance her supernatural agenda – but Mary's world is turned upside down when John Alden (Shane West), her long lost love, finally returns home from years at war and starts asking questions that threaten to expose Mary's darkest secrets. more

As the wife of a wealthy but ailing town elder, Mary Sibley (Jane . More

Starring: Janet Montgomery Shane West Seth Gabel

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The girls accused several women in the community of bewitching them, sparking a widespread paranoia and fear. As the trials gained momentum, more and more people were accused of witchcraft. The accused were forced to stand trial, and if found guilty, they faced severe punishment, including imprisonment and even death.

Salem

As the wife of a wealthy but ailing town elder, Mary Sibley (Janet Montgomery) holds the distinction of being the most powerful sorceress in 1692 Salem. Ruthless yet vulnerable, Mary leans on her ageless accomplice Tituba (Ashley Madekwe) to help advance her supernatural agenda – but Mary's world is turned upside down when John Alden (Shane West), her long lost love, finally returns home from years at war and starts asking questions that threaten to expose Mary's darkest secrets.

Starring: Janet Montgomery Shane West Seth Gabel Ashley Madekwe Tamzin Merchant

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3 seasons available (36 episodes)

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About this Show

As the wife of a wealthy but ailing town elder, Mary Sibley (Janet Montgomery) holds the distinction of being the most powerful sorceress in 1692 Salem. Ruthless yet vulnerable, Mary leans on her ageless accomplice Tituba (Ashley Madekwe) to help advance her supernatural agenda – but Mary's world is turned upside down when John Alden (Shane West), her long lost love, finally returns home from years at war and starts asking questions that threaten to expose Mary's darkest secrets.

Starring: Janet Montgomery Shane West Seth Gabel Ashley Madekwe Tamzin Merchant

The trials were marked by flawed and biased court proceedings, with accusations often based on hearsay and spectral evidence. Many individuals were falsely accused due to personal grudges or social tensions within the community. The Salem Witch Trials came to an end in 1693, when the colony's governor, William Phips, dissolved the court. The public opinion gradually shifted as people began to recognize the injustice of the trials. The aftermath of the trials led to profound changes in the legal system, with the acceptance of better evidentiary standards. The tragedy of the Salem Witch Trials serves as a reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the importance of due process and the presumption of innocence. In recent years, the Salem Witch Trials have gained renewed interest and have become a popular topic for books, movies, and television shows. Salem has embraced its dark history and has become a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world who are fascinated by the events that took place over 300 years ago. The Salem Witch Trials stand as a sobering reminder of the consequences of unchecked fear and prejudice. The lives lost during this time should serve as a permanent reminder of the need for fairness, justice, and compassion in our legal system..

Reviews for "Comparing Salem Witch Trials to Modern-Day Witch Hunts"

1. Emily - 2 stars

I was really excited to watch the "Salem witch war special" as I have always been fascinated by the Salem witch trials. However, I felt extremely disappointed after watching it. The special seemed to focus more on the drama and exaggerated storytelling than providing accurate historical information. I was expecting a well-researched and informative documentary, but instead, I got a poorly executed reality TV-style show. The constant over-dramatization and sensationalism made it hard for me to take anything seriously. Overall, I found it to be a letdown and a missed opportunity to explore the true complexities of the Salem witch trials.

2. Jason - 1 star

The "Salem witch war special" was a complete waste of time. It seemed more like a cheap attempt to cash in on the popularity of witchcraft rather than a genuine effort to inform and educate viewers. The entire special felt scripted and manufactured, with overly dramatic reenactments and cheesy dialogue. It didn't provide any new insights or delve into the historical context of the Salem witch trials. Instead, it focused on creating unnecessary drama and fictional narratives. I would not recommend wasting your time watching this disappointing special.

3. Samantha - 2.5 stars

As someone with a deep interest in history and witchcraft, I was really looking forward to watching the "Salem witch war special." Unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. While the costumes and set designs were visually impressive, the content itself lacked depth and substance. It felt more like a shallow and superficial overview of the Salem witch trials, only scratching the surface of the real historical events. The special didn't provide any new insights, and the attempts to create a suspenseful storyline with dramatic twists only felt forced and contrived. Overall, it was a missed opportunity to explore the intriguing history of the Salem witch trials in a meaningful way.

4. Ryan - 1.5 stars

I honestly can't believe how poorly executed the "Salem witch war special" was. It seemed more interested in creating fictional narratives and suspenseful moments than shedding light on the historical events it claimed to cover. The information provided was basic and hardly informative, making it more suitable for an audience with little to no prior knowledge of the Salem witch trials. The overuse of dramatic music and reenactments only served to distract from the already lacking content. I was highly disappointed and would not recommend wasting your time on this special if you are looking for an in-depth exploration of the Salem witch trials.

Meet the Salem Witch Trials Judges: Heroes or Villains?