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The Best Episodes of Salem Season 1

Every episode of Salem Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Salem Season 1!

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Set in the volatile world of 17th century Massachusetts, 'Salem' explores what really fueled the town's infamous witch trials and dares to uncover the dark, supernatural truth hiding behind the veil of this infamous period

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Salem Season 1 Episode 1 - The Vow
    7.3/10(823 votes)

    #1 - The Vow

    S1:E1

    After ten years of service fighting in the French and Indian War, John Alden returns to his home in Salem, Massachusetts, intent on reuniting with his love, Mary. Upon his arrival, he is stunned to discover that the town has been swept up in a wave of witch hunt hysteria, and that Mary has married the town’s richest and most powerful resident.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Salem Season 1 Episode 2 - The Stone Child
    7.2/10(612 votes)

    #2 - The Stone Child

    S1:E2

    With witch fears rising, Alden seeks the truth of what’s really going on in Salem while Cotton continues to wrestle with his guilt and Mary looks to execute a plan. The witches get closer to finding out who interrupted the ceremony, but Mary continues to find her emotions for Alden affecting her focus. A clue in the woods leads Cotton and Isaac to find more evidence that the witches may indeed be real.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Salem Season 1 Episode 3 - In Vain
    7.3/10(524 votes)

    #3 - In Vain

    S1:E3

    Salem trembles in the aftermath of the trial, and Anne turns to John Alden for comfort. Mysterious circumstances lead Alden to suspect Magistrate Hale is not who or what he appears to be. Mary discovers who witnessed the witches’ ceremony and deliberates a course of action. Elsewhere, George Sibley begins hatching a plan to escape Mary’s clutches.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Salem Season 1 Episode 4 - Survivors
    7.4/10(479 votes)

    #4 - Survivors

    S1:E4

    An old nemesis of Alden's arrives in Salem with secrets that could destroy him. Meanwhile, Mary loses her grip on Mercy.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Salem Season 1 Episode 5 - Lies
    7.5/10(468 votes)

    #5 - Lies

    S1:E5

    The witches of Salem’s coven meet in the woods – without Mary and Tituba – and agree that they have no choice but to eliminate one of their most dangerous threats: Alden. Meanwhile, Alden and Cotton realize the true, dangerous nature of the mysterious object they uncovered – and use it to ensnare something of much graver importance. Mary realizes that her own coven has been plotting without her… and the relationship between Mary and Mercy is no longer what it seems.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Salem Season 1 Episode 6 - The Red Rose and the Briar
    7.8/10(455 votes)

    #6 - The Red Rose and the Briar

    S1:E6

    Alden and Cotton find themselves face-to-face with a real witch, and an unlikely ally keeps the coven from tracking down their missing sister. Tituba feels left out when Mary decides to initiate a new member into the coven. As Mary takes her new acolyte under her wing, she recalls her own path after the fateful events surrounding Alden’s departure from town seven years ago. Meanwhile, Alden and Cotton learn to their horror that the trials have actually been helping the witches – and soon find themselves under attack after they lose control of their captive.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Salem Season 1 Episode 7 - Our Own Private America
    7.6/10(422 votes)

    #7 - Our Own Private America

    S1:E7

    Romantic yearnings between Mary and Alden heighten as Cotton deals with a unique accusation in the trials. Meanwhile, a powerful witch hunter makes his way towards Salem.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Salem Season 1 Episode 8 - Departures
    7.5/10(417 votes)

    #8 - Departures

    S1:E8

    Increase Mather makes it his first order of business to catch a real witch, and starts by pinpointing a prominent figure from Salem’s most sinful district. Mary worries that Increase will detect that his old friend George is under a spell and enlists the help of Isaac to deter Increase from uncovering the truth. Meanwhile, accusations within Salem intensify and Cotton must deal with a painful turn of events – and Anne’s suspicions of her father reach a fever pitch.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Salem Season 1 Episode 9 - Children, Be Afraid
    7.7/10(397 votes)

    #9 - Children, Be Afraid

    S1:E9

    Salem sees a second death since Increase's arrival in town, and Mary struggles to get George back under her control. Mercy and her acolytes flex their growing power while Increase grows closer with Isaac, putting Isaac’s loyalty to Mary in question.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Salem Season 1 Episode 10 - The House of Pain
    7.7/10(395 votes)

    #10 - The House of Pain

    S1:E10

    Increase gets closer to understanding who really runs things in Salem; at the same time, Anne finds herself in danger, and in need of Alden's help, while investigating a mystery.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Salem Season 1 Episode 11 - Cat and Mouse
    7.7/10(395 votes)

    #11 - Cat and Mouse

    S1:E11

    Increase’s warpath continues as Alden finds himself the target of fresh accusations – and at the mercy of the Selectmen, thanks to a surprise move by a healthier George Sibley – leading Mary to hatch a desperate plan to save him. Cotton finds himself frozen in a tug of war between his father and his loyalty to Alden. Meanwhile, Anne learns the truth about her father.

    Director:Tricia Brock
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Salem Season 1 Episode 12 - Ashes to Ashes
    7.9/10(419 votes)

    #12 - Ashes to Ashes

    S1:E12

    Alden’s trial begins, triggering a chain of events that breaks nearly every remaining allegiance left in Salem. While Mary arms the Malum for the Grand Rite, the coven elders urge her to use Alden as the final sacrifice. Increase seizes Mercy’s acolytes for information to use against Alden – an act that carries more consequences than anyone anticipated.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Salem Season 1 Episode 13 - All Fall Down
    8.4/10(509 votes)

    #13 - All Fall Down

    S1:E13

    Alden comes to learn Mary's biggest secret.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"The Vow" is the best rated episode of "Salem" season 1. It scored 7.3/10 based on 823 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 4/20/2014. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "The Stone Child".