HOLLYWOOD—The television season is in full force, and there are a bevy of new shows vying for audiences' attention and tons of returning shows hoping to maintain viewers. It’s a rare occasion that a series hooks a viewer with just one episode, but The CW has two phenomenal shows that have audiences talking. “The Secret Circle” and “Ringer” have audiences hooked. What works so well for both shows is that there lies a bit of mystery; there are things that the audience doesn’t know, but we are desperate to discover those secrets.
Let’s begin our discussion with “Ringer,” the twisted thriller starring TV alum Sarah Michelle Gellar. Audiences have missed Gellar since last seen as vampire slayer Buffy Summers in 2003. She stars as Siobhan Martin and Bridget Kelly, twin sisters who have drifted apart. Siobhan lives the privileged life, but Bridget not so much. She’s a recovering addict and just witnessed a murder when she goes M.I.A.
Viewers will easily connect with Bridget as her life isn’t so perfect; she struggles with her inner demons. When the estranged sisters come face-to-face, it's easy to sense that there is some unfinished business between the two. Bridget attempts to apologize for what happened to Sean, but is cut off by Siobhan. Viewers are dying to know if Sean is perhaps Siobhan’s son, that picture appears to prove that claim, but there has to be much more to the story.
The first episode provided so many surprises that I can’t wait to see what else is in store for the first season. Siobhan appears to commit suicide in what appears to be a boating accident, only for audiences to discover in the final moments that she is very much alive and planning something sinister. Bridget has assumed her sister’s lavish lifestyle, but discovers Siobhan’s life is more troubled than hers. For starters, Siobhan is in an unhappy marriage with a wicked stepdaughter from hell. Also, she is having an affair with her best friend’s husband, and she (Bridget) discovers that she is pregnant. And did I mention someone tried to kill her? Gellar easily embodies the difficult task of portraying dual roles, but what mesmerizes me is that you easily identify with two distinct characters and forget about Gellar herself; a testament to fine acting.
The supernatural drama “The Secret Circle” is a worthy companion to “The Vampire Diaries” and my first true guilty pleasure of the season. The series revolves around a group of witches, six to be exact, who find themselves drawn together thanks to some secrets from their parents past. Britt Robertson stars as Cassie Blake, adorable, sweet and likable on first glance, but her life is changed when her mother is murdered by a mysterious man, ala some amazing supernatural powers. She moves to Chance Harbor, Wash., a quaint and small Oceanside town; the scenery is breathtaking.
It is here that she reunites with her grandmother, who stays a bit mum about Cassie’s mother. One by one, everyone appears to miraculously know Cassie upon first glance including Faye (Phoebe Tonkin), Diana (Shelly Hennig), Dawn (Natasha Henstridge) and Charles (Gale Harold). Faye is the town’s bad girl, but she’s so wicked with her one-liners that audiences will instantly gravitate toward her. Diana appears sweet, but something dark is brewing inside her; fireworks will ignite once she discovers that a romance may be brewing between Cassie and her boyfriend Adam (Thomas Dekker). Melissa (Jessica Kennedy Parker), Faye’s sidekick, and Nick (Louis Hunter) complete the circle of the six.
Let’s discuss some of the pivotal moments in the first episode. Cassie discovers that she is a witch, as was her mother, and that her father was a bad man. Adam’s father appears to be harrowing a dark secret that could explain all to Cassie, but is prevented from disclosing that information thanks to Charles who threatens him with a little magic. Did I mention Charles was the mystery man responsible for killing Cassie’s mother? Plus, one last tidbit to shock audiences: Charles is Diana’s father. This left me speechless. Dawn is the mother of Faye, and it appears both women have ulterior motives, especially Dawn and Charles, who are working together. Faye reveled in her newfound powers, but soon discovered she isn’t as powerful as she thought, leaving Cassie to acknowledge her destiny and stop a wicked storm. Move over “Charmed” because a new group of witches are on the forefront and are captivating audiences as we speak. It’s so easy to get hooked that it's scary.
So if there are any shows a die-hard TV fan is looking to excite the adrenaline, “The Secret Circle” and “Ringer” are not to be missed. “Ringer” airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. and “The Secret Circle” airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. on The CW.
