Considering how many of the new shows have opened with lackluster response (and terrible pilots), “The Secret Circle” is looking even better in comparison than it did in isolation. This follow-up to the series premiere continues to flesh out some of the backstory, while effectively delivering what is the second half of the opening act.
As noted before, there is a generational component to this series, and we got a lot more information about the incident that ravaged the previous circle. Apparently it involved a boat and a fire, and the survivors were supposedly forced to avoid using magic ever again. Clearly not everyone kept to the promise, and that indicates that there is still quite a bit to discover about that generation and the truth behind their various relationships.
Whatever the case, Dawn and Charles were part of the previous circle, and they need a certain crystal to get around the prohibition and use their abilities. Dawn has it for most of the episode, and she uses it to put her father in his place and save a young woman’s life. So her motives aren’t all bad, though it’s not clear why she and Charles need Cassie, if Faye has all that untapped potential. Perhaps it is the need for a combination of the Six Families?
Meanwhile, the current circle goes through a lot of inner strife, as Faye refuses to allow the circle to be “bound”, which limits their individual power while increasing their group potential accordingly. The problem, it seems, is that Cassie’s arrival (and the subsequent circle that emerges) has thrown off the balance of magic among them. They can tap into the magic more easily, but there are issues of control, to say the least.
Faye, being a bit of a wild child, likes the idea of gaining more and more power. She just doesn’t want to be held back by the rest of the circle. Cassie doesn’t even want to use the magic or be part of the circle, but her existing potential is enough that her stronger emotions trigger unanticipated consequences. Ultimately, it all comes to a head when Faye is confronted by how out of control she is getting, and in the end, she and Cassie agree to the binding.
Along the way, there is the inevitable progression of the love triangle between Cassie, Diana, and Adam. Diana is a moderating influence over the circle, so it would be a bad thing if she were to stray off that path due to Cassie and Adam “giving in to destiny”. Since Nick seems to enjoy pushing Faye into darker and darker territory, it doesn’t seem like it would take much to push the circle into questionable directions.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4
Final Rating: 7/10
