Better Than Expected…
Lifetime have created a new TV show about witches, in time for Halloween, but I really hadn’t expected much in the way of entertainment for guys; other than the stunning Jenna Dewan-Tatum. I ended up liking the show regardless of my initial apprehension, and it quickly faded as it turned out to be both interesting and entertaining.
With American Horror Story beginning its third season, and The Vampire Diaries spin-off, The Origonals also starting this fall, Lifetime’s Witches of East End faces stiff competition, but as I’ve already seen them, I can say that each show has something different to offer fans of the occult.
- Witches of East End
- From
Lifetime - Cast
Julia Ormond, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, Rachel Boston - Release Date
6 October 2013 - Ed’s Grade: B
Joanna Beauchamp (Julia Ormond) has two grown-up daughters, Freya (Jenna Dewan-Tatum) and Ingrid (Rachel Boston), and the fact that she’s a powerful witch has been kept from them, in an attempt at preventing them from learning that they too are witches. The sisters know that something is different about themselves, and while Ingrid is in denial, Freya has been trying to embrace it. Two people are murdered near the Beauchamp’s home, and have been found with ritualistic marks on the ground beside the bodies, and then Joanna’s sister Wendy (Mädchen Amick, Twin Peaks) turns up, to warn her sibling about the bad tarot readings she’s had, whenever she thinks of Joanna. Because Joanna doesn’t want the girls to know about them being witches, plus the fact that she hasn’t spoken to Wendy in almost 100 years, she tells her sister she shouldn’t stay, but something evil has entered their lives, and the four women need to fight it together.
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My premise makes it sound pretty basic, but it’s actually way better than I’ve made it sound. I don’t like giving away much when talking about a show, but suffice to say, there’s enough going on to satisfy most folks, and I watch loads of shows, and this kept me tuned in.
The makeup and effects were of a decent standard, and while there wasn’t a great deal going on, what we did get was solid. The camera work was also good, with some nice slo-mo and color composition, adding stylish touches. The performances were expectedly good, as each actor is well seasoned in the business, plus the cast were well suited to their characters. If I had to pick a fave it would be Rachel Boston’s Ingrid, who was struggling to come to terms with her ability, particularly after she helped a girl get pregnant.
This isn’t a big-budget affair, and may not get as many viewers as the shows previously mentioned, but I’d have to say that Witches of East End is worth the effort if you enjoy movies or TV shows about witches, fantasy or the occult, of which I do. If they can keep up the quality of the pilot, then I don’t see why this can’t gain in popularity. The trailer for the next episode is to the right of this article.
TV Review by Ed Blackadder, Lead Entertainment Writer
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