Previously, on The Secret Circle…
Cassie Blake: Um… why is the world on fire?
Jake Armstrong: Well I’m certainly not burning an ancient symbol of vengeance and persecution into the lawn, that’s for sure!
Cassie Blake: Oh good. Well I’m going back to bed then.
Cassie Blake: Hi Grandma! Do you know anything about an older, hotter version of Nick who might have been standing outside my window last night?
Grandma Jane: Only that he’s Nick’s older brother, and that he’s inherited Nick’s place in the Circle. Oh, and he’s a troubled loner, so you should probably fall in love with him before you finally end up with Adam.
Diana Meade: Hi Daddy! I found this picture of Nick when he was a baby and we all went out on the boat and he was afraid of drowning so he hung onto our arm and asked him to protect him from drowning so he wouldn’t drown! Remember how you didn’t want him to drown?
Charles Meade: Wibble.
Cassie Blake: Hi guys! We have a newer, hotter Circle member!
Adam Conant: He is not hot and you wouldn’t like him and I hear he smells and also his hair is stupid!
Diana Meade: …They have a history.
Faye Chamberlain: Hi Melissa! It’s been like forty-eight hours since Nick died, why aren’t you over him yet! I mean, I’m totally over Jake, and would never slut myself up just to make him want me just so I could see the pain in his eyes when I tell him he ain’t getting none of this!
Jake Armstrong: Hi everybody! I’m here to complicate things!
Grandma Jane: Hi Dawn! I want to talk about demons!
Dawn Chamberlain: Hi Jane! Just let me get you a cup of tea and a giant kitchen knife!
Grandma Jane: And I don’t suspect your involvement at all!
Dawn Chamberlain: So… two sugars?
Adam Conant: Yeah, so there’s no way I’m letting Jake patch in, and the vote has to be unanimous.
Cassie Blake: Okay, so two things. One, he’s a part of the circle whether we like it or not. And two, you really need to lay off the Sons of Anarchy marathons.
Diana Meade: Hey guys? Did anyone leave their flaming crescent moon burning on the lawn outside?
Adam Conant: “This is Jake’s fault I have no doubt, so put this stupid fire out!”
Cassie Blake: Hi grandma! Do you know anything about crescent moons?
Grandma Jane: It’s one of Islam’s holiest symbols?
Cassie Blake: What if I told you it was magically burned into the ground outside our creepy cabin?
Grandma Jane: Oh, that crescent moon. It means someone’s trying to kill you. Also, I have rounds now. Bye bye!
Faye Chamberlain: Hi Jake! Don’t you want to do sex to me? Because you can’t! Also, sorry your brother died and stuff. Also also, you’re a dick for lighting our crab grass on fire. Also also also, I’m totally over you.
Dawn Chamberlain: So yeah, Jane knew all about the demon, but it’s cool. I handled her.
Charles Meade: How so?
Dawn Chamberlain: I… didn’t disagree with her when she asked for my help. Ain’t I a badass?
Charles Meade: …
Dawn Chamberlain: Also, we should probably kill her and steal her magic crystal.
Simone: Hi Cassie! I’m here to do murder to you!
Cassie Blake: …I really need to take self-defense classes or something.
Jake Armstrong: “I just heard my neighbor’s cry, and you have tabasco sauce in your eye!”
Cassie Blake: Swoon.
Jake Armstrong: Hi Cassie! I’m a witch and I have a Book of Shadows and I’m older than you and that means you aren’t important to me which probably means you want to sex me even more now and also I have no idea who that crazy bitch is why would you ask something like that?
Grandma Jane: Hi Jake! Would you like some milk and cookies? Or a boot in the ass on your way out the door?
Diana Meade: So Adam, I’ve been thinking-
Adam Conant: RAWR I will destroy you for talking to my fair Cassie!
Cassie Blake: …
Diana Meade: …
Jake Armstrong: Smirk.
Melissa Glaser: I miss being used for sex, insulted, and then thrown out of Nick’s house! Weep.
Diana Meade: So Nick saved Cassie’s life, and he’s a necessary member of the circle, so how about we actually talk to him and stuff?
Adam Conant: Jake Armstrong is a vile lothario with whom I shall never willingly associate!
Faye Chamberlain: He’s also a manwhore, if that changes anyone’s mind.
Grandma Jane: Hi Cassie! I’ve been thinking… it would be awfully convenient if you were able to do magic without phoning one of your less useful compatriots, so… I present you with a Plot Device!
Cassie Blake: Thanks Grandma! This is the shiniest Plot Device I’ve ever seen!
Jake Armstrong: Hi Simone! I know you don’t like me, because you’re a True Believer™, but I think we should work together to rid Chance Harbor of witchcraft! </shocking-development>
Faye Chamberlain: You know what we can do to honor NIck’s memory? Drugs!
Ethan Conant: Nick’s death makes me sad! Almost as sad as the Blackwell incident! Whiskey!
Adam Conant: Hi Jake! I’m sorry about your brother! I’m also sorry that you’re talking to Cassie! Facepunch!
Diana Meade: …I’m starting to wonder if you have feelings for Cassie.
Charles Meade: Hi Jake! Sorry I murdered your brother! I mean, found his body.
Cassie Blake: Hi Jake! You experienced something terrible and ran away, just like my mom experienced something terrible and ran away! That probably means we should do sex to each other!
Jake Armstrong: …Call me when you aren’t a felony.
Diana Meade: Hi Mr. Contant! I brought you tea! To help you sober up!
Ethan Conant: Thanks Diana! It’s really sweet how you love my son and take care of me! Too bad Adam and Cassie are fated to be together. Really. It’s written in the script stars.
Faye Chamberlain: Hi Melissa! I’m going to offer you a sweet platitude, right after I get done dancing on this railing. Witch drugs are the best!
Cassie Blake: Hi Adam! Thanks for punching that guy out at his own brother’s funeral in an unasked-for attempt to defend my honor!
Simone: Hi Jake! Knifethrust!
Cassie Blake: “By the power of this magic rock, don’t renew this extra’s contract!”
Simone: Dies.
Jake Armstrong: So… is it just me, or did you magic that knife out of her hands with your brain?
Cassie Blake: …It’s just you.
Cassie Blake: So that girl we just murdered together… it’s funny how friendly you two seemed right up until she tried to shank you.
Jake Armstrong: She… wanted to scavenge dead witch powers or something. Saw it on The Vampire Diariesor whatever.
Cassie Blake: That sounds like bullshit, but… your eyes are so soulful and ernest!
Diana Meade: Hi Adam! I talked to your dad and he said some weird crap about astrology and scripts and doom, and I think I’m going to sleep with Faye. Have fun with Cassie!
Adam Conant: …Yay?
Diana Meade: Hi Cassie! I just told my boyfriend he was all yours! I sure could use a consoling hug!
Cassie Blake: 0_o
Charles Argent: Hi Jake! I’m taking a brief holiday from murdering werewolves to murder a few witches! So how’s operation “Gain Cassie’s Trust And Then Murder Her” coming?
The Plot: Thickens.
Well, Jake certainly is an upgrade to Nick. He’s older, he’s hotter, and he’s evil. And like you all know, I root for the bad guy.
Also? Jake and Cassie have like a billion times more chemistry than Cassie and Adam.
I love how Adam was acting like a super-douche because he thought Jake was creeping on his girl… which was kind of true, except for the part where Cassie isn’t his girl. And massive props to Diana for calling him on it, and then ending things when it became clear that Adam was never going to stop macking on the new girl.
Such is the way with star-crossed lovers.
I like the additional layers to the show’s mythology. Chris Argent is one of the few things I like about Teen Wolf, and I think he’ll be a fine addition to Secret Circle.
I’m not sure how I feel about Cassie being the Circle’s natural-born leader. I mean, from a plotting point of view, it makes sense, but I don’t know that Cassie, as a character, can handle the load. Of course, those are the things that character arcs are made of.
And honestly? I don’t know why so many people are hating on this show. It isn’t as good as The Vampire Diaries, but nothing is as good as The Vampire Diaries.
Yeah, totally agree! This is good, why all the hate? Plus, at the beginning, Vampire Diaries was kinda of a mess so we should give it time, it can only get better.
I Loved Jake!
There was something missing before between the circle. I think it was a kind of chemistry or tension and Jake definately brings it. He has ties to everyone in it and him and Cassie have the potential to be so much more fun than Cassie and Adam,
Thomas- I agree, no show can hold a candle to Vampire Diaries, but Secret Circle is still pretty fun.
I approve of the Armstrong upgrade. Nick was a dud and didn’t really have anything going for him. Jake adds intrigue, and has better hair-which is important.
I love that Grandma gave Cassie the magic rock to use willy-nilly knowing how powerful and dangerous it can be. I understand that she’s worried about Cassie, but I’m not sure that was Grandma’s best move.
My biggest disappointment so far this season is Charles Meade. I love how he was a true badass in the pilot, but now he’s just a puppy trying not to pee on the floor in the presence of Dawn Chamberlain. I miss old Charles. Dawn had no qualms about killing her father-in-law and I can see why she is on a mission to get her powers back. She’s a bitch. But Charles? He’s living with some true guilt after killing Nick. He and Dawn are clearly not on the same page and at this point, I’m wondering how long it’s going to take him to realize she’s crazy.
“By the power of this magic rock, don’t renew this extra’s contract!” -Not your best work but it made me laugh nonetheless.
Thanks for the great recap!
Personally, I think Diana makes a fine leader, and Cassie’s just so… tiny. Imagine her trying to be imposing or authoritative!
Also, Jake is hot, and has *layers*. Um. And he’s working for Argent, so I approve of this development!
(Say, does not!Argent HAVE a name yet?)
Faye and Melissa have a brilliant moment outside the Boathouse. It’s essentially:
Faye: WHEEEEE! YEAH WITCHES
Melissa: Bitch.
Faye: Sorry I’m so crazy :(
Melissa: All good. <3
And when Diana dumped Adam, I loved how classy she was about it. No accusations of cheating, no petty comments, just – she knows he likes Cassie, and she thinks they both deserve the chance at *true* love. And it broke my heart when she went to Cassie and broke down, 'cause it's true – Adam was her best friend as well as her boyfriend. Shelley Hennig killed it in that scene, for me at least.
Excellent recap, Thomas. :D
– Ellie.
I’m with you, I see no reason to hate on The Secret Circle. I rather enjoy it. I’m willing to cut them a little slack, after all In season one of TVD we had the vampire on the football team…not necessarily their best idea.
Although my co-worker who is a fan of books may disagree, I think killing off Nick and bringing in Jake is brilliant. What a way to make the statement that nobody is safe (‘cept maybe Cassie) and just because you’ve read the books doesn’t mean that you know anything.
Thanks for a great recap!
I’m enjoying TSC, so haters gonna hate! *insert meme picture of you choice*
Oh Ethan, he amuses me, but really, telling Diana how nice and wonderful she is, and then saying “Oh, btw, you’re not the one, I wish you were, but Adam belongs with Cassie, just like I belonged with Amelia, it’s destiny!” (which is really creepy when I think about it, I hope Cassie/Adam wouldn’t still be destined for each other as brother/sister if Amelia and Ethan had hooked up. *shudders*) Way to go Ethan! Poor Diana looked so crushed when he told her that.
Speaking of Diana, I’m a little bummed that she’s dumped Adam already. I was looking forward to the whole Adam-leaves-Diana-for-Cassie-and-then-Diana-goes-super-witch-crazy thing. Oh well.
I agree with Melissa about Charles, guy was so badass in the pilot, now he’s just a wimpy emo. I’m glad he feels bad about killing Nick, but he made me depressed every time he was on screen, being such a downer and all. I hope the adults get their powers back soon and he can get some of his pilot!BAMF back.
A lot of the TSC book fans are still mad about Nick being killed off, which is where the show’s hate might be coming from. Honestly? If they had just switched Nick/Jake’s names around so “Jake” had died instead of “Nick”, nobody would be bitching. The only reason people are mad because his name was Nick, like from the books, and Jake isn’t in the books. But KW is probably making his “no one is deathproof” statement like in TVD.
If you think the whole Cassie = natural leader of the Circle is crazy, well, she was a doormat in the books, and the Circle members were like “You’re perfect to be our leader Cassie, because you’re so wonderful!” Ugh. You’re right to not touch the books with a ten foot pole, they reek of wish fulfillment. Shakespeare, LJ Smith ain’t.
Terrific recap. One of your best yet for TSC. I’m starting to dig this show now. I think at first I only watched it because I was to much in shock to go find the remote control after TVD ended, but now I’m starting to get into the characters and story line.
I agree with others that the first half of season 1 TVD was totally lame so I will give this show due time to find its footing. I’m also liking Jake way more than Nick mostly because he has a personality.
I agree with you that Cassie has a long way to go before she is leadership material, maybe tossing out bigger spells with that crystal in her jean skirt will have the others following in line.
I also think Charles Meade has been the biggest dissapointment as a character, I mean he torched Cassie’s mom without a hint of remorse, but drowning someone who is possessed by a demon has him losing his mind now!! I don’t get it.
Hi Thomas,
Didn’t realise people were hating on TSC. If they are it’s unwarranted for what, in my view, is a solid if uninspiring show. It has some elements from TVD – Anyone Can Die, lots of compromised loyalties, grey & grey morality, love triangles, useless or absent (dead) adults. I agree that it’s better at this point than TVD was at the same point, though I just wonder when (or if) it’s going to step up a gear. Where’s it going, and is the group of six too many characters to service in the first season?
There are some other problems. I think I mentioned my issue with magic using characters on TV in the past. Basically the lack of coherence or consistency with the magic – essentially what are the rules of the game? This show does seem to be attempting to develop that more than most, with some actual rules in place, but it still seems a little flakey with lots of made up rituals and silly rhymes – yours are awesome by the way.
Another problem (that links to the first) is that witches maybe just aren’t dynamic enough for TV. The obvious (TVD) comparison are vampires, which by contrast are very action orientated, and that works well on the visual medium of TV because they actually do things. Obvious perhaps. On TSC there’s lots of talking, some relationship triangulation & faux-mance, a bit of angst, then some running around in a panic trying to hook up with the rest of the team, finally culminating in standing still really hard in a huddle and saying a crappy rhyme to win the day. It’s just not exciting enough at the moment and I don’t think I’ll be happy until the first proper maiming, decapitation or heart extraction. The creepy demon snakes were effective though.
The cast are mostly fine. I have concerns that they’re clearly set on having Cassie as the central character and the leader, yet she seems overshadowed at this point by both Faye and Diana. I think part of this is the way the character is written and, frankly, that Britt Robertson may not have the required range. For me Diana conveyed more emotion about the end of her relationship with Adam than Cassie did about her mom’s death – and that’s surely not intentional. I also couldn’t care less about Cassie’s fated relationship with Adam either – you’re right that Jake and Cassie have more chemistry. Diana is maybe a tad overbearing, but Adam seems like the kind of guy who needs that kind of momsy direction. I will say Natasha Henstridge as the scheming Dawn Chamberlain is doing a great job and may well be my favourite character.
I know we tend to be down on Elena a lot – yet there is real steel in the character and I also think Nina Dobrev is a fine actress both as Elena and Katherine. You can build a show around her even if at times we’re frustrated by her appallingly poor planning, execution, judgey-ness and weird overlooking of mass murder. At the moment I’m being told by TSC that I should care about Cassie and her journey, but I’m just not feeling it, though I’m happy to give it some time.
By the way Best line from your recap:
Grandma Jane: Hi Cassie! I’ve been thinking… it would be awfully convenient if you were able to do magic without phoning one of your less useful compatriots, so… I present you with a Plot Device!
Cassie Blake: Thanks Grandma! This is the shiniest Plot Device I’ve ever seen!
I agree with everybody that the new and improved Nick replacement is awesome and I like the introduction of the witch hunters. Thus far we have four factions: Witches, Witch hunters, demons and (even if they technically might belong to the witches but are separated by their own agenda) the elders. The dynamics, allliances and battles between these groups can be interesting enough to fill some seasons.
I honestly adore Diana, Faye and even Melissa. All three of them, plus their friendships feel incredible real. I especially enjoyed the conversations between Mel and Faye after Nick died. Well done.
But honestly, all these things are a bit overshadowed by the incredible blandness of Cassie.
Girl is stupid. She made two idiotic decisions in a row (freeing the demon and trusting jake), from which one directly led to Nick´s dead by demon but no one is calling her out for it. She makes even fun of Diana for being to catious. If they had tried to deal with the demon business in a reasonable manner Hannah and Nick might still be alive! And we are supposed to believe that she is a better leader than Diana? Unfortunately she also seems to be unable to really relate to others positions even if their arguments are rather reasonable (see again: strange rituals should not be made in a hurry, Jake might be the same asshole as in the past).
Ethan is a creepy douche. How hurtful must it be for Adam to deal with the fact that daddy wanted another woman while being married to his mother.But I generally hate “written in the stars” plotlines thus I am creeped out by the whole thing anyway. I hope that the show actually deals critically with this kind of crap.
This time last week I was majorly hating on the show- probably because the writers mutilated nick’s character and reduced him to a douchey Tyler season 1 character and them killed him off. Now Jake has come and he is more like nick from the books and brings a more interesting dynamic to the circle. It’s because of Jake that I loved this episode so much that I actualy rewatched it as many times as I watched vampire diaries! And the twist at the end was really good :D plus I like jakes dynamic with Faye/Cassie/Adam
Secret circle is finally stepping up a gear :D
Hi! Long time lurker, first time poster.
I really do think that TSC is way better off than TVD was at this point. Of course there are going to be things wrong with it, as there are things wrong with every show. But they’re just getting started and we’re just getting to know the characters- we have no idea what any of them are capable of and finding it all out is half the fun, right?
I was really sad about Nick’s death, partially because I had just started to like him along with everyone else, but at the same time, I’m kind of happy that he died because it shows that in TSC, people are going to die. KW is so great at killing people because he’s not afraid of doing it and that’s what makes TVD great in so many things. (Which explains why I’m iffy about Ghost Town this week, but that’s for another discussion)
The whole Adam/Cassie endgame thing is understandable, but I wish they weren’t forcing it so hard. “CASSIE AND ADAM ARE PERFECT TOGETHER, OKAY?!! SHIP THEM SHIP THEM SHIP THEM!!!” I feel like I’m being yelled at when they have scenes together. Although, I do have to give props to Diana for getting out early. It would’ve hurt worse had she waited, but I’d imagine it still feels pretty shitty. They’ve been dating for what? Three years? And then this new girl comes in and you actually sort of like her, but your boyfriend who supposedly loves you is now tied to her by the ‘stars?’ That would suck.
And I’m totally excited about Jake. Bad guy are just so much more fun. I hope he ends up dead with no redemption & a tragic death. Heh.
Amazing recap, like all your others, and I’m sorry this is the first time I’m commenting. I look forward to your recaps and they are always so funny.
Great review and everything, but you just made one tiny mistake, it’s not Chris Argent, I’m totally positive it’s Martouf the Tok’ra.
Do people hate this show? hmmm, that’s disappointing, i really like it. And HELLO new boy, he’s hot stuff, finally a mature aged person to oagle, now i don’t feel so dirty.
I’m kinda shipping Jake/Cassie too. Except I hate Jake. But I also hate Adam. I also shipped Cassie with Luke but then they had to go and make him a witch hunter….*sigh* Then again, that could be interesting….
Also, I love love love Diana. I hope they create a new character for her to date cause she deserves better than Adam.
& am I the only one who doesn’t know how to feel about Cassie?