Salem Season 2 Episode 9 Review: Wages of Sin

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The war between the witches has begun!

While the last few episodes have felt dull and like the story was moving at a snails pace, Salem Season 2 Episode 9 provided us with a clear picture of where they are planning to go as we swing into the final stretch of the season.

It looks like the war between the witches is well underway and Mary will do anything to stop Countess Marburg from hurting her son.

Let's not waste anymore time and discuss the events of tonight's exciting episode.

Dr. Wainwright doesn't have a clue what he's getting himself into. You'd think a man of science, especially a doctor, would do a little more research into witchcraft before heading face first into it.

Mary has shown she isn't exactly a woman you can trust, but there he is, putting all his trust into her. 

Patience. Before you can continue your journey, you must go before the dark powers and strike your own bargain.

Mary

The whole time Mary was talking about finding Countess Marburg's weakness, I couldn't help but think she was being a fool to share these secrets with someone else. Apparently Mary hasn't realized how cunning the Countess is, and even though she may know her weakness, it means nothing because Countess Marburg is always two steps ahead of her. 

Even though it's clear Mary loves her son, Countess Marburg brought up some interesting points. Mary gave up her child to the darkness and she should have known there would be consequences in her actions.

While Countess Marburg is clearly evil, it makes perfect sense why she would want to sacrifice John and is convinced he's the vessel for the dark lord. While I understand Mary's ignorance in this whole situation, Countess Marburg was right in everything she said. 

Mary: Where is he?
Countess Marburg: Our little lamb is safe and sound.
Mary: Tell me what you've done with him or I will rip the truth from your heart.
Countess Marburg: My heart [laughing] better you should search your own.
Mary: Oh! To hell with your riddles. Speak plainly or choke on my wrath, what have you done with my son?
Countess Marburg: Perhaps it was genius of those hags and your dusty care take to keep you in such ignorance.
Mary: Ignorance? Of what?
Countess Marburg: Poor dear. Of everything. Surely you knew that no great working can take place without a sacrifice.
Mary: [shaking her head in disbelief] No.
Countess Marburg: For this, the greatest of all workings, only the greatest of all sacrifices will do. Your son was born precisely that he would be the vessel for the dark lords return.

Speaking of Countess Marburg, she proved, yet again, how powerful she is while talking with Mary about what she plans to do with John. It doesn't matter if the Grand Rite takes place now or later, the Countess will continue coming back. The Countess has the ball in her court and has complete control over Mary. 

Who else feels bad for Cotton? The poor guy is a stumbling alcoholic and he, unfortunately, has put his faith into Dr. Wainwright who is now on Mary's side. I was a little surprised Magistrate Hawthorne would agree to go investigate the whole 'portal to hell,' but you know he wouldn't find anything and Cotton would look like a fool yet again.

Of all the characters on this show, Cotton definitely deserves a win, but things aren't looking up for him when the Magistrate sends him away and wants his death to look like an accident. 

You will burn in Hell, Wainwright.

Cotton

It wasn't exactly shocking to have Sebastian put himself in the middle of Dr. Wainwright and Mary and use Mary's son as bait. After all the ridiculous things Dr. Wainwright was talking about, destiny and exploring worlds, I'd probably throw him into a portal to hell myself. Dr. Wainwright trusting Mary came back to bite him – karma can be a bitch.

Tituba finally let Mary in on the secret of John being alive and even led her right to him, but it wasn't a picture perfect reunion. John no longer sees the woman he was once in love with – Mary deserved to hear everything he had to say to her. I do give Mary credit for telling John the truth about their son and they need to go and save him. 

In the end, Mary valiantly tried to convince John she believed the child they created was gone forever, but she was deceived by those she trusted. Anne continued to read her father's book of shadows and practice various things, but she soon learned her gift was a curse and yelled out for Cotton's help when the devil came for her. 

What did you think of "Wages of Sin"? Do you think they will end up killing Cotton? Will John be able to save his son from the clutches of Countess Marburg?

You still have time to catch up this season. Go watch Salem online now via TV Fanatic and come back to let us know what you think.

Wages of Sin Review

Editor Rating: 3.9 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 3.9 / 5.0 (7 Votes)

Samantha McAllister was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in November 2018.

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Salem Season 2 Episode 9 Quotes

Lost something? How careless.

Countess Marburg

Mary: Where is he?
Countess Marburg: Our little lamb is safe and sound.
Mary: Tell me what you've done with him or I will rip the truth from your heart.
Countess Marburg: My heart [laughing] better you should search your own.
Mary: Oh! To hell with your riddles. Speak plainly or choke on my wrath, what have you done with my son?
Countess Marburg: Perhaps it was genius of those hags and your dusty care take to keep you in such ignorance.
Mary: Ignorance? Of what?
Countess Marburg: Poor dear. Of everything. Surely you knew that no great working can take place without a sacrifice.
Mary: [shaking her head in disbelief] No.
Countess Marburg: For this, the greatest of all workings, only the greatest of all sacrifices will do. Your son was born precisely that he would be the vessel for the dark lords return.