The Secret Circle 1x13: Medallion

Original Air Date: 2 February 2012

Storyline: Cassie enlists the Circle's help when she receives a frightening warning about the witch hunters' return. At the same time, her true feelings for Adam and Jake surface during a birthday party that Ethan decides to throw with the help of Diana. Meanwhile, Faye and Melissa take their inner power to a chilling new level when they try a little of Lee's Devil's Spirit. Best Quote:

Melissa: Faye, I just told you Cassie dug up her father's grave.
Faye: Of course she did, because she's a creepy little Stepford ghoul with dark magic and daddy issues.

Review: So far, this show it's been kind of a hit-and-miss with me. Whenever you think it just got better and we are seeing some decent action, it reverts to being more of a kids show than Dawson's Creek. Unlike its sister series, it fails with bright colors to bring on the suspense and, unless it suddenly gets better in the next weeks, it will have one less viewer. 

This installment saw another mystery arrival to Chance Harbor - a psychic who was present during the fire and was supposed to help Blackwell. In fact, it was the same person who saw Cassie when she entered Jake's memory to find out what had happened during that day. But, as many other visitors, she too was short lived and failed to add anything interesting to the story. Did anyone really believe what's-her-name came there to help the Circle? I didn't think so. And to prove how insignificant she was, I don't even remember her name right now, even though I just finished watching "Medallion".
The episode was supposed to be - again - about Cassie's dark magic and her going back and forth about it. It was also supposed to be about protecting the Circle from the witch hunters. Unfortunately, it ended up being just an adolescent fight between Jake and Adam's egos and their desire to control what Cassie thinks. And as much as I like Thomas Dekker, Adam didn't look more than a crossed teenage boy who doesn't know which girl he wants and who is afraid to take chances. Dude, being a little bit more adventurous didn't hurt anybody (especially when you have a powerful dark witch around to save you from anything that's thrown your way). And going through your girlfriend's (or whatever Cassie is to him) room and stealing stuff didn't win anyone any points.
But it turned out Adam was right about the medallion's dangerous power, at least if we look at the last scene, where Cassie got in touch with her inner dark magic and followed in her father's footsteps. That is, if the "daddy" she whispered in the last scene was any indication. Faye found the best way to describe her and the state she is now - "a creepy little Stepford ghoul with dark magic and daddy issues". Personally, I find it a bit early for Cassie to give in to her dark magic, especially if this show strives to get one more season, but hey, what do I know? Maybe it will somehow revitalize it and bring some action into what has been just a teen drama with less magic scenes than Bonnie has on TVD.
As for the arc surrounding Dawn, Charles and now Ethan, it went from entertaining to an even more childish ego display that the one between Jake and Adam. That crystal is appearing and disappearing like a rabbit in a magician's hat and I'm not all that interested in whether Dawn and Charles get their powers back. What happened to the Charles who burned Amelia down and left Cassie an orphan?
I have a lot of complaints about this episode, especially when it comes to character development. Cassie is one of the poorest leads I've seen in a very long time and, despite my initial appreciation of Brit Robertson, I'm starting to wonder how a girl who cannot show she is charismatic enough to lead a group of more powerful personalities was cast in this role. But I'll be waiting to see if her dark magic gives The Secret Circle the edge it desperately needs.The Secret Circle 1x12: Witness Back to Season 1