Salem, now in its second season is a great guilty pleasure for the casual or serious student/expert of the real Salem trials of 1692. Yes, it is set in 1692 and uses many of the names from history and real tidbits of history, but this is definitely an alternative universe view of the Salem trials. It is tons of fun and well cast and acted. I started watching just to check out the costumes and found myself drawn in by an answer to a long-time "What if" there was real witchcraft practiced in the Essex County area of MA in 1662 and before.

I'm hoping "Salem" might lead to an equally fascinating...