Ep 7. Our Own Private America

In the seventh episode of season one of the show Salem, titled "Our Own Private America," tensions continue to rise within the town as the witches and their allies remain at odds with the Puritans. The episode begins with a gruesome scene in which a man is tarred and feathered, then hung for his supposed association with the witchcraft that continues to plague Salem.

As the people of Salem look for someone to blame for their troubles, Mary Sibley (played by Janet Montgomery) continues to wield her power behind the scenes, manipulating those around her for her own gain. Meanwhile, Cotton Mather (played by Seth Gabel) struggles with his own demons, even as he tries to convince the people of Salem that he has their best interests at heart.

As the episode progresses, we see more of the personal relationships between the characters. Mary continues to try to keep her secret romance with John Alden (played by Shane West) hidden, while another love triangle develops between Cotton, Anne Hale (played by Tamzin Merchant), and Gloriana Embry (played by Azure Parsons).

Amidst all the drama and intrigue, the episode also explores themes of freedom and individualism. Drawing on the ideas of the Founding Fathers, characters on both sides of the conflict grapple with questions of what it means to be American and what kind of society they want to live in.

As the episode nears its conclusion, the tension between the witches and the Puritans reaches a boiling point. A violent confrontation seems inevitable, and the stakes have never been higher. Will the town of Salem emerge from this conflict intact, or will it be torn apart by its own internal struggles? Viewers will have to tune in to find out.